Although November is usually a quiet month for birding at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park and the fall migration has slowed down noticeably, the
past week continued to yield rarities, one in particular attracting
visitors from afar.
Both on October 30 and on November 4 TUNDRA SWANS were seen flying over,
8 and 14 birds, respectively. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL flying over the marsh
yesterday was the first in several weeks. Three NORTHERN SHOVELERS and
three NORTHERN PINTAILS were also there. Flocks of many thousands of
diving ducks, probably mostly GREATER SCAUP, were off the lighthouse and
in Popham Bay this morning. A SURF SCOTER was reported last Friday, and
WHITE-WINGED and BLACK SCOTERS are being seen in small numbers almost
every day. A group of nine RUDDY DUCKS was off beach 1 on November 2.
RED-NECKED GREBES were seen on two consecutive days. This is the month
when, in two previous years, NORTHERN GANNETS have been seen. A
probable ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, the first of the season if correctly
identified, was perched on High Bluff Island this morning. Among the
eight shorebird species seen in the past week, one stands out as
exceptional. Two observers spotted two RED PHALAROPES along the beach
on November 3. One of the birds immediately disappeared but the other
stayed for two days, delighting many birders for some of whom this rare
bird was a "lifer". It appears to have been the first record at
Presqu'ile in nine years. The other seven shorebird species were within
the normal range of dates but appeared in dwindling numbers. A LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL off Gull Island on Tuesday was the first of the season
for that species, which is never common at Presqu'ile.
On two different days, a BARRED OWL was seen near the Park store.
RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS and MERLINS continue to be seen
fairly regularly, but only one PEREGRINE FALCON was seen. A
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on November 4 and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on
November 2 were rather late. FOX SPARROWS were seen on two different
dates, including a group of six on October 31. Two BROWN-HEADED
COWBIRDS were in a small flock of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. Four PURPLE
FINCHES were seen on November 4. Although PINE SISKINS have been seen
flying over recently, the first one to appear at a feeder was this morning.
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 shin-deep at the
deepest point,
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
