The fall bird migration is well under way at Presqu'ile Provincial Park,
and birders who have stayed home throughout the breeding season are also
migrating to the Park in increasing numbers. A few interesting
sightings have resulted.
A TRUMPETER SWAN was seen a week ago. Among dabbling ducks, singles of
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK and NORTHERN PINTAIL have been around for a few
days, the first of those species in some time. 42 REDHEADS and 6
LONG-TAILED DUCKS were the highest counts of both species this summer.
A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was also seen. A few COMMON LOONS and a HORNED
GREBE were of interest. Fewer than a third of the DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS remain on the offshore islands. At the end of last week, 12
GREAT EGRETS were still visible on High Bluff Island, but by today most
had dispersed and are being seen sporadically elsewhere in the Park. A
GREEN HERON today was the first in several weeks. There appears to have
been a slight movement of hawks this week, including TURKEY VULTURES, a
BALD EAGLE, and SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS.
A slight drop in water levels has exposed algae mats all along the
natural beach north of Owen Point. Along with that, several dozen
shorebirds of eleven species have been regular in the past few days.
Included among them were a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, GREATER and LESSER
YELLOWLEGS, and WHITE-RUMPED and BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. A BONAPARTE'S GULL
and four different GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been on the beach.
Two BARRED OWLS were heard a week ago and an EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL was
heard on August 22. Seventeen RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS today
represented a high count. Two observers found six woodpecker species on
one day, including RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and
PILEATED WOODPECKER. Both AMERICAN KESTREL and MERLIN have been seen
this week, and PEREGRINE FALCONS are likely to be attracted to the
shorebird flocks in the next few weeks. Flycatchers are going to be the
centre of attention in the next week, not only because eight species
have been seen this week (including two OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 12
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEES and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER) but more
significantly because a THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD created a sensation by
paying a visit to Presqu'ile three years ago. PHILADELPHIA VIREO, COMMON
RAVEN, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER were uncommon birds on this week's
list. The first SWAINSON'S THRUSH of the fall arrived today. Warbler
flocks are appearing in every corner of the Park. Most consist of
regular species, but there have also been sightings of a very early
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, NORTHERN
PARULA, and BAY-BREASTED, MOURNING, WILSON'S and CANADA WARBLERS. FIELD
SPARROW, SCARLET TANAGER, and PURPLE FINCH were all seen this week.
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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