The predicted surge of new bird arrivals at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
occurred on Friday and Saturday of last week, with good numbers still
present on Sunday.
Most of the ducks that pass through in the spring have thinned out. A
flock of three NORTHERN PINTAILS and an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK flew in
from the west on Saturday, and one of the former was seen today.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL are present along the shore of the beach on most days,
with a high count of 22 on Saturday. Five SURF SCOTERS were off beach 3
this morning. Several attempts to find RED-THROATED LOONS in Popham Bay
were unsuccessful, the exception being on Sunday, when two were there.
AMERICAN BITTERNS have been heard in the marsh almost every day since
April 15. Surprisingly, there were no reports of GREAT EGRETS during the
past week, raising questions about whether they will again be breeding
on High Bluff Island. The return of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS to the
offshore islands is likely imminent. An immature BALD EAGLE flew over
on Sunday. Sightings of SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, and NORTHERN
GOSHAWK represented a complete sweep of accipitrine hawks. An AMERICAN
COOT has been frequenting the open water in front of the camp office
viewing platform. Two successive calm evenings, somewhat unusual at
Presqu'ile, enabled a few birders to hear a pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS in
the "fingers". One lucky observer saw them fly out towards him. There
were several BARRED OWL observations during the week.
Both RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS are now making their presence
known by vocalizing and/or drumming. A COMMON RAVEN was seen on three
occasions. The Park was almost overrun with HERMIT THRUSHES on Friday,
with lesser numbers still present on subsequent days. A few BROWN
THRASHERS also arrived on that day and remain here and there. PINE
WARBLERS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS first appeared on April 15 and 16,
respectively. CHIPPING and FIELD SPARROWS have been present in good
numbers, as well as a few each of SAVANNAH, FOX, SWAMP, and
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen on Sunday and
Monday, including a flock of close to a dozen. A PURPLE FINCH and two
PINE SISKINS were seen on Sunday.
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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