Birders and birds have begun re-appearing at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
this week. Some uncommon or unusual ones have been among the latter (to
say nothing of the former). A significant influx of new arrivals
appeared yesterday, after a rainy Tuesday.
An apparently unhealthy BRANT, rare in summer, was photographed on the
beach this week. On August 15, the previously reported TRUMPETER SWAN
was on Sebastopol Island. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL was at Owen Point
yesterday. The flock of REDHEADS in Popham Bay has grown in size to
well over a dozen birds. Two CHIMNEY SWIFTS, seen at Presqu'ile only in
migration, were over the calf pasture yesterday.
A few dozen shorebirds have been between Owen Point and Gull Island for
much of the past week, but several new arrivals appeared yesterday. The
PIPING PLOVERS that nested at Presqu'ile have not been seen for a couple
of days. A RUDDY TURNSTONE that was there on Saturday has not been
reported since then. Both yesterday and today a STILT SANDPIPER was
among the other shorebirds. The first BAIRD'S SANDPIPER of the season
was found on August 15, and several appeared yesterday and another
today. One of the rarities seen every year at this time is
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, one of which showed up briefly yesterday. Up
to three SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS have been seen. Three recent sightings
of a very co-operative WILLET were noteworthy, the most recent being
this morning. Any species of jaeger is a rarity at Presqu'ile,
especially LONG-TAILED JAEGER. The only record of that species in the
Park was on August 22, five years ago, but the date is not inconsistent
with the early migration period for that species. An early GREAT
BLACK-BACKED GULL was photographed yesterday. This morning the GREAT
EGRETS on High Bluff Island were more visible than they have been since
several were standing on the shore. A GREEN HERON on the natural beach
north of Owen Point was in an unusual location.
A BARRED OWL was seen at noon on Monday. A MERLIN was also seen on that
day. The PEREGRINE FALCON seen a week ago has not been reported since,
but others may soon be pestering the shorebirds. Mixed flocks of
warblers, vireos, chickadees, and potentially gnatcatchers have begun to
appear, including two flocks near the lighthouse yesterday. Among them
were BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER, and WILSON'S WARBLER.
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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