Even at the height of what birders refer to as the summer doldrums,
Presqu'ile Provincial Park continues to produce some interesting
birding, though the standards of what makes birding interesting may be
somewhat reduced at this time of year.
A flock of ten GADWALLS has been regular in Popham Bay all summer, but
five AMERICAN WIGEONS that flew over were unusual. Three GREATER SCAUP
were there today. A HOODED MERGANSER off the south beach and a COMMON
MERGANSER off the main beach were birds not often seen in summer. The
GREAT EGRETS on High Bluff Island are spending more time off their
nests. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON flew past while an observer was on
shift monitoring the PIPING PLOVERS. The young OSPREYS in the nest on
the Salt Point lighthouse look to be about ready to fly. A female
NORTHERN HARRIER was another bird seen flying by during a plover watch.
The earliest autumn record for AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, a species that
visits Presqu'ile every few years, was July 25. In addition to the
three PIPING PLOVER chicks, the female parent, that had disappeared to
Darlington for a couple of weeks, was seen again at Presqu'ile this
week, perhaps to check on the status of her offspring, who seem to be
doing well. They are making occasional visits to the water's edge and
are taking short flights. A LESSER YELLOWLEGS was at Owen Point
yesterday and today. Both SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER and LEAST SANDPIPER
were on the beach this week. The first three BONAPARTE'S GULLS of the
fall arrived on Tuesday.
Woodpeckers have provided some interest this week, with a RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER feeding a young one and two young YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS
in Newcastle woods, as well as two PILEATED WOODPECKERS there. A MERLIN
and a PEREGRINE FALCON were both seen this week. On July 15, at least
one BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was near the lighthouse, and a WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW was heard singing along the main road.
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.
There is also a restricted area at beach 2, where the public is being
directed away from the Piping Plover fledglings.
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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