In a month or two of summer doldrums as far as birding is concerned, any
sightings that are slightly out of season are of interest, and there
have been a few of those at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, as
well as the usual broad mix of breeding birds that the Park has to offer.
MUTE SWAN numbers have been gradually building up in the past week, with
about 50 birds in Popham Bay and Presqu'ile Bay in recent days,
excluding numerous recently fledged young. The Minister of Natural
Resources and Forestry, in recent correspondence, wrote, " Ministry
staff are working with the federal government's Canadian Wildlife
Service (CWS) to better understand the ecological impact of Mute Swans
on Presqu'ile's native species and park values. Our discussions with
CWS are ongoing and/I trust that a joint approach to managing Mute Swans
can be achieved/" (emphasis mine). Perhaps the time is opportune for
the birding community to weigh in on the need to manage this invasive
species. For the past three days, four WOOD DUCKS have been in the
marsh. Yesterday two male COMMON MERGANSERS were in Popham Bay. The
family of COMMON LOONS that hatched last week was observed again on June
19. The five heron family species observed this week included AMERICAN
and LEAST BITTERNS, GREAT EGRETS, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS. A
very late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in full alternate (breeding) plumage was
on the beach on June 23. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was clocked at 45
kilometres per hour as it flew ahead of a birder's car on the main Park
road. On the following day at the same location it or another was
sitting in full view on the pavement. Two juvenile GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULLS were at Owen Point on June 23.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was heard twice this week between Owen Point and
the Owen Point trail parking lot. No YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO has yet been
reported at Presqu'ile this year though summer sightings have occurred
in previous years. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS and MERLINS are known to be
in the Park this summer but are not often seen. Yet both were at 83
Bayshore Road yesterday. The PURPLE MARTIN colony at the end of
Bayshore Road has only half as many birds as in the past two years. A
NASHVILLE WARBLER was reported near the lighthouse on June 19. Both
MOURNING WARBLER and PINE WARBLER were at 83 Bayshore Road yesterday.
The most interesting warbler this week, however, was a persistently
singing NORTHERN PARULA on High Bluff Island on June 23, a record late
date. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was singing in the calf pasture on June
20. A remarkable eight ORCHARD ORIOLES and two PURPLE FINCHES were at 83
Bayshore Road yesterday. Three very late PINE SISKINS are at 186
Bayshore Road as this report is being written.
To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted
at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting
birds there.
Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings
board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park
and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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