Pending a shift in the recent weather patterns, there has been
relatively little bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the
past week. There are still plenty of migrants and other birds around,
but what one sees on any given day is much the same as on previous days.
As an example, two TRUMPETER SWANS have been loitering around Sebastopol
Island for well over a month and are still there today. Technically the
waterfowl hunt is in progress, but there are fewer ducks than one would
expect at this date. Six WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on October 2 were the
first of the fall. A RUFFED GROUSE was seen on Friday near the Park
store and another was flushed on the Owen Point trail today. Two
RED-NECKED GREBES were in Popham Bay on Monday and today. Eleven
shorebird species have been seen in the past week, including BAIRD'S,
WHITE-RUMPED, and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. The previously reported LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL was still present on October 2. Two rather late
CASPIAN TERNS were on the beach on Tuesday and today. An AMERICAN
BITTERN and two GREEN HERONS have been in the woodpile marsh, and a
third GREEN HERON flew over near the Park entrance. A count of 55
TURKEY VULTURES on Tuesday was the highest so far this season. An
OSPREY on Sunday was rather late. Two BALD EAGLES were circling over
the north end of the Park on that day. A BARRED OWL was near the nature
centre on two consecutive days. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS should soon be
showing up. There have been sightings of both RED-BELLIED and PILEATED
WOODPECKERS. Twice this week, a PEREGRINE FALCON frequented the
offshore islands.
An EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE on October 6 and a PHILADELPHIA VIREO on October 4
were on the late side. COMMON RAVENS have become almost daily
sightings. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES have been migrating through the Park
all week. Most GRAY CATBIRDS have left but one was at the calf pasture
this week. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR photographed on Gull Island this morning
represented the first of that species this fall. At least ten warbler
species were seen in the past week, including three ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS. Among the hundreds of sparrows in the Park this week, the
following are of particular interest: EASTERN TOWHEE in two locations;
eight SAVANNAH SPARROWS; a NELSON'S SPARROW singing on Gull Island; two
LINCOLN'S SPARROWS on two different days. SCARLET TANAGERS were seen on
October 2 and 3.
Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid
that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through water that is ankle-deep,
not taking into account any wave action,.in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and
slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given
priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point,
Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. 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] <mailto:[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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