For most of this spring, migrating birds have arrived at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park more or less on schedule. Such arrivals are welcome, of
course, and have continued this week, but do not really surprise anyone
familiar with the chronology of bird migration in this area. On the
other hand, this week a bird arrived that was both endangered and
unexpected.
Several pairs of CANADA GEESE have been trailing goslings this week. A
RED-THROATED LOON was in Popham Bay on Tuesday. One observer counted
four AMERICAN BITTERNS in the marsh. LEAST BITTERNS and perhaps YELLOW
RAILS should be there soon. There were three different GREAT EGRET
sightings in the past week, one in the marsh, one at the calf pasture,
and one on one of the offshore islands. COMMON GALLINULES are back in
the marsh. The highlight of the week was a PIPING PLOVER that was
discovered on Monday evening and seen by a number of birders on
Tuesday. The bird, a female, was hatched and banded in 2011 on the
shore of Lake Michigan and has been breeding there ever since. Although
local birders would have wanted her to stay and perhaps find a mate
here, her mate of the past two years, a 14-year-old male, has been
awaiting her return since April 13, when he returned to that site.
Other shorebirds that have been seen this week include SPOTTED
SANDPIPER, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, and
WILSON'S SNIPE. The first COMMON TERN was spotted on May 3.
Both GREAT HORNED OWL and BARRED OWL were found this week. The first
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD showed up today. Several sightings of MERLIN
and one of PEREGRINE FALCON have been of interest, including evidence of
possible breeding of the former. LEAST FLYCATCHER and EASTERN KINGBIRD
both have been seen. An unconfirmed report of a GRAY JAY on April 30
would be the first spring record of that species in 45 years at
Presqu'ile. A rare bird report should be submitted to the Park office.
At least one COMMON RAVEN was at the lighthouse today, being mobbed by
local blackbirds. There have been several sightings of MARSH WREN and
one of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Throughout the month of May, it would be
tedious to list all the warbler species that pass through Presqu'ile
each week. Only a few noteworthy ones will be mentioned, but the
following is a list of all twelve species that have been identified to
date this spring: OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER,
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, YELLOW WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, PINE WARBLER, PALM WARBLER,
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. EASTERN TOWHEES
have been seen at two or more locations. A rather late AMERICAN TREE
SPARROW was seen on April 30. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAKS, and BALTIMORE ORIOLES have been around in good numbers in
recent days.
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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