The bird life at Presqu`ile Provincial Park in the past week has been
fairly typical for early October, but some exceptionally high numbers of
certain species have provided surprises.
On both Saturday and Sunday, four TRUMPETER SWANS and three TUNDRA SWANS
were on the beach, and at least two of the latter have been moving
around Popham Bay since then, including today. There has been a
build-up of dabbling ducks of at least five species in the marsh, easily
seen from the camp office viewing deck. Among them on Monday was the
first RING-NECKED DUCK of the season. Four WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on
Tuesday were the forerunners of anticipated large numbers, along with
other scoters. A LONG-TAILED DUCK was in Presqu`ile Bay on Tuesday and
Wednesday. A RUFFED GROUSE posed in the open for a photograph. Two
RED-THROATED LOONS off Chatterson Point (the newly corrected name for
the erstwhile Chatterton Point) were among an estimated 225 COMMON LOONS
off the south shore of the peninsula on a perfectly calm lake on
Tuesday. Also there were about 260 HORNED GREBES and seven RED-NECKED
GREBES. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on Saturday and a BROAD-WINGED
HAWK on Friday. There are still good numbers of shorebirds moving
between the beach and the offshore islands. Among them have been up to
120 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS. On the late side were a SPOTTED SANDPIPER
on October 6 and a WHIMBREL on Gull Island, which was still there this
morning and seems to be aiming to tie the late record on Sunday or
exceed it on Monday. A CASPIAN TERN on Owen Point on October 5 was also
late.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are appearing in several parts of the Park.
One or two MERLINS are being seen on most days, and a PEREGRINE FALCON
was seen on October 4 and 6. Three COMMON RAVENS were seen on Friday
and four TREE SWALLOWS on Sunday. Eleven years ago on October 10 a
TUFTED TITMOUSE appeared and continued to stay for the winter. There is
no other indication of when this species might migrate through
Presqu`ile in the fall, but if that one record and the recent sighting
of three individuals at a migration watch on Lake Erie are suggestive,
observers should check the chickadee flocks carefully this month. A
report of a SEDGE WREN was intriguing. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES were seen
on at least two occasions. Sixteen warbler species were seen in the
past week, including two TENNESSEE WARBLERS and four ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS on October 2 and three species that were rather late: YELLOW
WARBLER on October 5, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER on October 4, and WILSON`S
WARBLER on October 6. A LINCOLN`S SPARROW was seen on October 4.
SCARLET TANAGERS were seen on October 2, 4, and 5.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through water that is knee-deep,
not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point,
Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. 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] <mailto:[email protected]>.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
Posting guidelines can be found at
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
