Pleasant birding conditions have prevailed for most of the past weekat
Presqu'ile Provincial Park. While that has generated no rush of newly
arrived migrants, there has been a steady trickle with a few interesting
birds thrown in to keep the birders alert.
Yesterday there were four BRANT on and around Gull Island. Today three
were still there and a fourth was on the beach. In addition to the
ducks that have been present for a few weeks, which have included SURF
SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS that were seen as recently as today,
there were two newly arrived species that will certainly become more
common soon: LONG-TAILED DUCK and COMMON GOLDENEYE. BLACK SCOTERS are
expected imminently. Both RUFFED GROUSE and WILD TURKEY continue to be
seen off and on. Several dozen shorebirds representing six species have
been patrolling the beaches as far south as Owen Point, taking advantage
of extensive algae flats. The majority are SANDERLINGS and DUNLINS, but
there are also a few BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS
on October 14, several PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and a single SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER, the latter two as recently as yesterday. A GREAT EGRET has
been in the marsh on five of the past seven days. Someone has relayed to
me that a young BARRED OWL was in Jobes' woods.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS and PILEATED WOODPECKERS are always of interest
and both have been seen this week. MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON were
both seen in the past week. The first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the season
appeared in the calf pasture this morning. Single COMMON RAVENS are
being seen periodically. Seven HORNED LARKS were on the beach
yesterday, and the next cold front will likely be accompanied by SNOW
BUNTINGS. The only unusual warbler for this late date was a
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER on October 17, not quite arecord late date. A
RUSTY BLACKBIRD was also seen on that day.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through water that is
thigh-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, Gull Island,
High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not
available for bird-watching on those days. However, until the end of this
month birders are allowed to go to Owen Point on hunting days as long as
they do not pass the large sign indicating otherwise. 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
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the
provincial birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
Posting guidelines can be found at
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
