Although birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has hit the summer
doldrums, the diversity for which the Park is famous among birders has
again revealed itself in the variety of sightings by those few birders
who have been out this week, and there has even been a stirring of fall
migration. As an indication of what surprises may be lurking, six years
ago a WHITE-FACED IBIS showed up in mid-July and stayed for almost a month.
Six GADWALLS, an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, a BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and two
GREEN-WINGED TEAL were with the MALLARDS at beach 3. A RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER flew over a birder's head. A family of about ten young WILD
TURKEYS (not the "young turks" that were celebrating Canada Day in the
Park) was in the calf pasture yesterday. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was also
there. Someone canoeing in the Presqu'ile marsh heard a KING RAIL and
two VIRGINIA RAILS. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed from the beach 3
parking lot. The first fall shorebird was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS that flew
over beach 2 on July 3. There are still many BONAPARTE'S GULLS on beach
1, and a flock of 11 flew past the lighthouse. About 120 CASPIAN TERNS
were roosting on the beach on July 2, including at least one juvenile.
Twice in the past week, a COMMON LOON was seen in Presqu'ile Bay. GREAT
EGRETS are regularly seen flying over the Park, and as many as 13 were
counted from the beach on one day among the nests on High Bluff Island.
Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen on July 2.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are almost certainly present all summer, but the
only one reported recently was on July 3. A MERLIN was again seen on
Bayshore Road, where the species has been seen regularly this summer.
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and PURPLE FINCHES are known to be in the Park
in summer but are rarely encountered, so the two observations of the
former and one of the latter this past week are of interest. Likewise,
among the summering warblers not often reported this far south were
three species found on July 3: BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NASHVILLE
WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. A SCARLET TANAGER also on that date is a
species not often seen at Presqu'ile in summer. Three ORCHARD ORIOLES
on July 3 and a family with fledglings yesterday were somewhat typical
of what may be expected in the Park in summer.
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
restrictedat this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground
office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Parkand 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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