Apart from the well-publicized nesting of an endangered species, the
birding highlights of the past week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park have
for the most part been birds that are fairly common at other times of
the year but not in mid-June.
A TRUMPETER SWAN was spotted in Popham Bay yesterday. A few REDHEADS
can usually be seen near Gull Island or resting on its north shore.
Diving ducks of various species are known to summer far offshore in Lake
Ontario, but are seldom seen unless viewing conditions are exceptional,
as they were yesterday when a raft of 42 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS was seen.
A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER flew past the lighthouse on June 10. LEAST
BITTERNS were seen a few times this week, in two different locations,
most frequently near the south viewing tower on the marsh boardwalk.
GREAT EGRETS and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS continue on High Bluff
Island, where they nest. The OSPREY nest on the Salt Point lighthouse
appears to have at least one young bird in it. Two COMMON GALLINULES
were in the woodpile marsh.
The nesting PIPING PLOVERS are attracting viewers from not only the
birding community but also other interested persons, some of whom may
end up volunteering to act as guardians once the eggs hatch (expected
around June 28). Other shorebirds of a surprising eight species have
appeared on the beach and on Gull Island in numbers that have exceeded
expectations for this late date. Two BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were on the
beach yesterday. One or two SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were present for six
days but could not be found by at least one observer this morning.
Three GREATER YELLOWLEGS that showed up yesterday were yet another
example of shorebirds that might be attributed to either spring or fall
migration. An alternative explanation of this anomalous date for that
species is that these birds, like the summering diving ducks, have
simply chosen not to migrate further north to their normal breeding
grounds. On June 10, ten or more RUDDY TURNSTONES on Gull Island and 15
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS on the beach were unusually large numbers for
that late date. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was on the beach on Monday and
Tuesday. A single BONAPARTE'S GULL was on the beach on June 10 and at
Owen Point on June 16.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was calling at the beach 2 parking lot. A
MOURNING WARBLER was singing yesterday and a very late NORTHERN PARULA
was singing on Tuesday. EASTERN TOWHEES are a regular summer bird at
Presqu'ile, but the only one found this month was heard on Saturday.
Another regular but rare summer bird, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was singing
yesterday in an unexpected location, among the beach dunes. Also
uncommon in summer was a singing WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. An ORCHARD
ORIOLE was seen on June 13.
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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