[ONTBIRDS]Scissor-tailed Flycatcher @ Presqu'ile.
I don't know whether this is the appropriate forum for reporting a STFL, or whether it has been reported on this or other fora, but here are the details: On April 27 the property owners at 164 Bayshore Road at Presqu'ile saw the bird but did not know its identity. At noon on April 28 the bird appeared at 186 Bayshore Road and was immediately identified. Between noon and 7 p.m. it was seen and photographed by many observers on the lake side of the properties between 164 and 190 Bayshore Road. If parking is done reasonably (which includes ignoring the no parking signs that no one notices), birders are welcome to walk around the house at 186 Bayshore Road to access the lake side but are asked to let the occupants know whether or not the bird is present. To access Bayshore Road follow the signs in Brighton leading to Presqu'ile Provincial Park. After passing through the Park gate, remain on the main road (which becomes Bayshore Road) rather than turning to the right where signs point to Park facilities. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park -- Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario. Ontbirds is reserved for sightings of provincially rare birds. To post a message on Ontbirds, send an email to: birdalert@ontbirds.ca. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Ontbirds Moderators by email at birdal...@ofo.ca. Please review posting rules and guidelines at http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding physical distancing and non-essential travel. To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
[Ontbirds] Two Cattle Egrets at Brighton.
This morning there are two Cattle Egrets at the Brighton sewage lagoon. Exit # 509 from Highway 401 and continue straight south through downtown Brighton until the road veers left and becomes County Road 64. The lagoon is on the north side of the road about 500 metres past the platform from which the constructed wetland can be viewed on the south side. The inconspicuous access road is just past a small grove of trees. While access through the gate is not permitted, the birds can be seen from outside the chain link fence. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Cattle Egret near Brighton.
The Cattle Egret that has frequented Huff Road since May 23 was still present this morning. Huff Rd; west side of the road across from house #315 near cattle. There is a hollow not visible from the road in which it can easily hide. Huff Rd is 2/3km west of Brighton. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] No Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow that has been at Presqu'ile for the past two days has not been seen today, as far as I know, but few have done a serious search. - Fred. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Update on Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Presqu'ile.
After re-appearing at the address below at noon today for a brief (<30 seconds) view in plain sight, the "sparrow" spent much of the afternoon high in a tall deciduous tree at 182 Bayshore Road, where it could be seen with patience from 186 Bayshore Road. It is best to view the bird from the lake side of the latter property to which access may be gained by walking around the left side of the house. Ask for directions at the gate of Presqu'ile Park, which can be located by following the blue signs from Brighton. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Eurasian Tree Sparrow Returned to Presqu'ile.
The bird was back briefly at 12:50 today. Address below. Presqu'ile Park is well signed from Brighton. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Eurasian Tree Sparrow NOT seen .
To my knowledge, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow that put in a brief appearance at Presqu'ile this afternoon has not been re-located. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Presqu'ile.
At 1:30 this afternoon (Monday) there was a Eurasian Tree Sparrow on our property at the address below, a LIFER for me! Ask for directions at the gate of Presqu'ile Park, which can be located by following the blue signs from Brighton. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 29, 2018.
For at least two days this week, southerly winds brought the first rush of spring migrants to Presqu'ile Provincial Park this month. On Monday and Tuesday, flock after flock of CANADA GEESE flew over. Small groups of TUNDRA SWANS flew over on Monday and Wednesday. A male WOOD DUCK was present yesterday. There has been a noticeable increase in recent days in the number of GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, and RING-NECKED DUCKS. The male HARLEQUIN DUCK that was first detected on March 10 was rediscovered on Friday at the calf pasture and has been a regular on the last four days. Yesterday it was still at the calf pasture at noon, where it has been all week, but by late in the day it had returned to its former location at the lighthouse, where it was this afternoon. It often associates with WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. RUFFED GROUSE were heard or seen at three different locations yesterday. On March 23 and 27, there were sightings of the first KILLDEER this year. The first COMMON LOON of the season was off the calf pasture yesterday, and the first GREAT BLUE HERONS flew over on Sunday and Monday. Given the recent observation of RED-THROATED LOONS elsewhere on Lake Ontario, they may soon appear in Popham Bay. Two immature BALD EAGLES were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on Friday and one on Sunday. A COOPER'S HAWK was seen on Tuesday. A SNOWY OWL was on the ice near the marsh on Friday, Sunday, and Wednesday, and two others were on the offshore islands on Wednesday, indicating a total of at least three individuals yesterday. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are widespread in the Park, and a NORTHERN FLICKER was again seen at the calf pasture on Saturday, perhaps the same individual that was seen there twice before in recent weeks. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was heard yesterday. On Tuesday, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was near the beach 2 entrance road, where one was seen earlier in the winter. A group of four COMMON RAVENS flew past the lighthouse on Monday. On Tuesday a PURPLE FINCH was singing and two EASTERN MEADOWLARKS flew over. 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. Though I'm not yet ready to fall off my perch, in anticipation of the imminent completion of my 85th trip around the sun, I have decided to take*DOUG McRAE* up on his long-standing generous offer to take over the responsibility for reporting each Thursday on the birds that have been seen in Presqu'ile Provincial Park during the preceding week. So this is not a swan song, except to the extent that, as a chronicler of Presqu'ile bird sightings, I will henceforth be mute. I very much appreciate Doug's willingness to assume that responsibility beginning next week and will reciprocate by letting him know in a timely manner what birds I have seen myself or have heard about, as he and others have regularly done for me in the past. I have enjoyed the opportunity that writing weekly reports has given me to interact with so many birders from many parts of Ontario and beyond, whose contributions to those reports have helped to make them as comprehensive as possible and are greatly appreciated. I hope that birders will let Doug know about their sightings. His e-mail address isrdouglasmc...@gmail.com. I will forward to him any reports that come my way. Many birders visiting Presqu'ile have informed other birders about their sightings by entering them on the bird sightings board provided by The Friends of Presqu'ile at the parking lot beside the campground office, and my hope is that this tradition will continue, as it has supplemented other sources of information for my weekly reports. I am delighted that Doug has offered his services to ensure the continuation of the weekly birding reports from Presqu'ile, which he is eminently qualified to write. He visits the Park frequently and has been THE local authority on birds for many years. I look forward to reading Doug's reports as his writings and his knowledge of the Park and its birds have always impressed me. 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. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 22, 2018.
In a normal year, the many competent and aspiring birders who visit Presqu'ile Provincial Park during the annual Waterfowl Festival are able to find several newly returned spring birds in addition to the waterfowl. This year, however, persistent northerly winds, while keeping the winter storm well to the south where it belongs, have also almost completely stalled the bird migration. With a few exceptions, the only birds seen in the Park in the past week have been the same species that have been here for weeks. Once the dam breaks, as expected next week, there will surely be a massive influx of species that are normally here by mid-March, as well as perhaps some TREE SWALLOWS and EASTERN PHOEBES. There are still hundreds of ducks in Presqu'ile Bay, often favouring the receding ice margin, but no new species were recorded. The HARLEQUIN DUCK that was present for a week was last seen on Saturday. RUFFED GROUSE were seen on two different days, and one was observed drumming. WILD TURKEYS continue to be seen regularly. The first AMERICAN WOODCOCK of the spring was flushed from a trail. This afternoon a "white-winged" gull, either ICELAND GULL or GLAUCOUS GULL, was soaring over Presqu'ile Bay. The only BALD EAGLE seen in the past week was on Saturday. COOPER'S HAWKS were seen twice. At least two SNOWY OWLS were present this week, including one that sat atop a vault toilet in plain view of passersby. BARRED OWLS have become almost a daily sighting. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are putting in more frequent appearances, and one PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen. A MERLIN was seen on Friday, a NORTHERN SHRIKE on Sunday, and a COMMON RAVEN on Saturday. A male PURPLE FINCH was at a feeder on Monday. 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 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. Regular readers of these weekly reports will note a change in next week's report. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 15, 2018.
Jumping the gun on the annual Waterfowl Festival set to take place this Saturday and Sunday at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, many birders have been in the Park since last weekend and have been rewarded with plenty of ducks, including one rarity. There have been unconfirmed reports of TUNDRA SWANS recently, a species that is not common at Presqu'ile. Another unconfirmed report was of a BLUE-WINGED TEAL on the exceptionally early (almost unprecedented) date of March 13. Other dabbling ducks present this week include AMERICAN WIGEON and NORTHERN PINTAIL. It would not be out of the question if a rare EURASIAN WIGEON or even an extremely rare TUFTED DUCK turned up soon, as has happened during a previous Waterfowl Festival. While not at all rare, the number of CANVASBACKS, as many as 300, has been exceptional this week. Unquestionably the highlight of the week has been a male HARLEQUIN DUCK that has been hanging around off the lighthouse since Saturday and was still present this afternoon. Patience is required in searching for the bird as it dives frequently and for prolonged intervals. Moreover, on Sunday it made forays to a few other parts of Presqu'ile Bay. While searching for that bird, people are often able to find WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS as well. WILD TURKEYS continue to be seen. There have been no reports of any hawks this week but owls have put on a bit of a show. Two SNOWY OWLS sat on the ice on Friday, and one was there all weekend allowing many birders to watch it at leisure. On Sunday many people were treated to the sight of a BARRED OWL beside the road near the lighthouse. At that same location yesterday two of them were hooting duets at each other. On Saturday two birders found a vocalizing RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and another was at a feeder on Tuesday. A NORTHERN FLICKER at the calf pasture today may be the same individual that was there almost a month ago. The NORTHERN SHRIKE that has been lingering around the calf pasture was seen on at least three days. Two flocks of CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen yesterday. 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 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 8, 2018.
The bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has not changed much in the past week. Birders continue to be treated to hundreds or thousands of ducks in Presqu'ile Bay. Dabbling ducks have been less in evidence, apparently having moved on since their arrival over a week ago. However, CANVASBACKS, REDHEADS, and GREATER SCAUP continue in the hundreds or more. Both RUFFED GROUSE and WILD TURKEY are the gallinaceous birds seen this week that are known to be resident in the Park but not always seen. KILLDEER and AMERICAN WOODCOCK are two spring birds that are expected by this date but have not yet been reported here. An ICELAND GULL gave close-up views on March 3. Five BALD EAGLES were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on March 5, and singles have been seen as recently as yesterday. Both SNOWY OWL and BARRED OWL have been seen this week, and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was calling in "the fingers" at dusk on March 3. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have visited the feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road this week, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER was also seen, both species being year-round residents at Presqu'ile. A MERLIN was observed at 40 Bayshore Road. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was at the calf pasture on three of the past five days. Two COMMON RAVENS were seen on March 4. Again this week, a WINTER WREN was singing in "the fingers", as was a PURPLE FINCH. Both SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, as well as a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, have been at 83 Bayshore 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat may need to wade through water of unknown depth and is usually obscured by a layer of ice in winter. They may also encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Access to the offshore islands is restricted from March 10 onward to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birdsthere. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 1, 2018.
Spring-like weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park for the past week has brought out many birders, most of whom have not been disappointed with the variety of newly arrived migrants, especially waterfowl. Several flocks of CANADA GEESE were migrating overhead yesterday. In previous years, such flocks occasionally include SNOW GEESE, which will again be keenly anticipated in the coming weeks. Seven TUNDRA SWANS flew over yesterday, and after that was written, late this afternoon, another flock of about 40 flew over. The first WOOD DUCK of the season, a male, appeared on February 25 and was still present two days later. At least a dozen GADWALLS, 45 AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, over 100 MALLARDS, up to seven NORTHERN SHOVELERS (one of which on February 27 broke the record early date established last year by one day), and 85 NORTHERN PINTAILS have made for exciting dabbler watching in the past two days. In terms of numbers, those have been overshadowed by thousands of diving ducks, mostly REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, but also including over 100 CANVASBACKS, dozens of RING-NECKED DUCKS, a few LESSER SCAUP and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS. RUFFED GROUSE were found in three different parts of the Park. The ever-present WILD TURKEYS have been seen again, and a lone AMERICAN COOT was present on February 24 and 26. Both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL were on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay yesterday as well as six GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, all of which have been scarce this winter. One or two BALD EAGLES were still present as recently as Tuesday. The only other hawks seen this week were a COOPER'S HAWK and a RED-TAILED HAWK. However, owls were prominent. Two GREAT HORNED OWLS were calling in "the fingers", a SNOWY OWL sat on a cottage roof all one morning, and a BARRED OWL was in the deepest part of Jobes' Woods. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were seen at two different locations. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen twice at the calf pasture. One observer found four COMMON RAVENS in the Park. Two HORNED LARKS flew over on Sunday. A half-heartedly singing WINTER WREN was in "the fingers" on February 24. There was an unconfirmed second-hand report of a PURPLE FINCH. 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 aware that if there is ice between Owen Point and the island, itmay or may not support the weight of a human. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 22, 2018.
In sharp contrast to last week, there is plenty to write about as spring birds have arrived at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, which is THE place to be to see hordes of waterfowl. The best place to view ducks is from the government dock or the calf pasture, where thousands of them have newly arrived in the past few days. Among them were two GADWALLS today, the first of the year except for a possible GADWALL/MALLARD hybrid seen flying past Gull Island on Monday. Yesterday about 35 AMERICAN WIGEONS were riding an ice floe as it drifted past the lighthouse. Some of them remained in the water long after the ice had moved out of sight. Two others were at the government dock yesterday and at least five were in that part of Presqu'ile Bay this afternoon. Over a dozen MALLARDS could also be seen from there yesterday, the first of the year in the Park. Normally NORTHERN PINTAILS also arrive among the first dabbling ducks, but none has been spotted yet. Two small ducks among the MALLARDS yesterday may have been GREEN-WINGED TEAL, but the distance was too great for a confirmed identification. Allthough these dabbling ducks were of interest, they are vastly outnumbered by diving ducks. A dozen or two of CANVASBACKS are among the thousands of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP in Presqu'ile Bay, and a dozen RING-NECKED DUCKS were also there yesterday, only one of which could be found today. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS continue to be found on most days, with eight seen on Monday. The first HOODED MERGANSER of the season, a female, was near the lighthouse yesterday. Five WILD TURKEYS were near the calf pasture today. The 800 RING-BILLED GULLS at Gull Island on Monday represent the highest total yet this year at this breeding site. Single BALD EAGLES have been seen on four of the last seven days. A COOPER'S HAWK and a BARRED OWL were seen this morning. Single SNOWY OWLS were in a tree on High Bluff Island and on a dock beside the water at 178 Bayshore Road. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at 83 Bayshore Road yesterday, and a very early NORTHERN FLICKER was at the calf pasture on Sunday, perhaps having over-wintered undetected despite frequent visits to the area by birders. On Friday morning, several birders were able to watch a MERLIN patiently and unconcernedly consuming a MOURNING DOVE over a period of at least an hour on the lawn of 186 Bayshore Road, where people were regularly walking past. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was in a backyard at the north end of the beach at the park boundary. COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen. The record early date for EASTERN BLUEBIRD in the Park was established on February 18, 1993. On the same date in 2016 and again this year another of that species was recorded, the latter at the calf pasture, where it was seen again on the following day. It can not be determinjed whether the AMERICAN ROBINS that were appearing all over the Park this week were among the birds that had spent the winter there or whether they were newly arrived migrants. There were still 18 SNOW BUNTINGS on Gull Island on Monday. Both SONG SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW have been at 83 Bayshore Road, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS showed up there yesterday. A COMMON GRACKLE on Monday was another early spring arrival. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 15, 2018.
Recent weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has discouraged the usual amount of birder activity. Nevertheless, there have been sightings of winter birds by hard-core birders that would justify a visit because of the variety that can be seen. MUTE SWANS remain at below normal levels. Two CANVASBACKS were seen on Monday and four todaay. REDHEAD and GREATER SCAUP numbers have increased dramatically in the past 24 hours. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are most reliably seen around the Salt Point lighthouse. Six COMMON MERGANSERS that have been missing for almost a month have returned. The influx of ducks today raises hopes of finding the first HOODED MERGANSER of the season. Among the birds that have been present in small numbers all winter that have been seen again this week are WILD TURKEY, BALD EAGLE, and COOPER'S HAWK. SNOWY OWLS have been seen in several parts of the Park, including one in the day use area. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen yesterday and a MERLIN on Sunday. COMMON RAVENS are seen on most days. BROWN CREEPERS have been present all winter, and a group of three appeared on Sunday, one of which was feeding on bacon fat that had been smeared on the trunk of a tree. AMERICAN ROBINS, too, have been present all winter but this week flocks of them have showed up in three widely scattered parts of the Park in two of which they had not been noticed previously. Several intrepid observers have made their way to Gull Island, where a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS has been a reward. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was again patronizing the feeders at 83 Bayshore 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 8, 2018.
Winter has not loosened its grip on Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Nor have there been many signs of spring in the bird life. Four TRUMPETER SWANS, two adults and two immatures, were off Salt Point on Tuesday. GREATER SCAUP now outnumber by a large and growing number all other duck species. A few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS can often be seen accompanying the other ducks in Presqu'ile Bay, where there is usually open water in the vicinity of Salt Point. WILD TURKEYS are being seen regularly, some visiting feeders and others becoming more visible in the deep snow. The edge of the ice in Presqu'ile Bay provides one of the better opportunities to view the few BALD EAGLES that remain in that area. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was observed this morning flying out of the Park near the entrance. Twice in the past week a rather dark SNOWY OWL has been observed from the Salt Point area, most recently sitting atop the lighthouse there yesterday. There are likely more of that species on the offshore islands, but few people venture out there these days and no one has reported any to me. A BARRED OWL posed for four birders this morning. At noon today a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was on the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was at the calf pasture on the weekend and it, or another, was near the lighthouse this morning. Five COMMON RAVENS were seen the other day. An optimist might interpret a singing PURPLE FINCH at 83 Bayshore Road as a sign of spring. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 1, 2018.
Even in mid-winter, some interesting birds can be found at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and this week has been no exception. Since the beginning of the year, only one individual dabbling duck has been reported, but now that February has arrived the first migrants may be expected if there is another warm front, perhaps a MALLARD or a GADWALL, either of which is usually among the first to return. On January 29, a male CANVASBACK was off the government dock. A day earlier there had been about 400 REDHEADS there, but those numbers have been dwindling ever since, as Presqu'ile Bay has largely frozen over. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are still being seen there in small numbers. Both RUFFED GROUSE and WILD TURKEY have been seen in the past week. An ICELAND GULL was among the HERRING GULLS off the government dock this morning. A few BALD EAGLES can be seen on most days either on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay or in the surrounding trees, including two adults this morning and an immature this afternoon. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and a COOPER'S HAWK have also been seen. SNOWY OWLS have been regular on the offshore islands, though photographers have been spooking them away from Gull Island to the other two. As well, one has been on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS may well be scattered throughout the wooded areas of the Park but are extremely difficult to find as they hide in the thickest foliage of cedar trees. Such was the case with the one on Saturday that sat inconspicuously for a good many observers to try to spot it. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS, and COMMON RAVENS are again being seen here and there. Two NORTHERN SHRIKES were present this afternoon, one at the beach 1 access road and one at the calf pasture. There continue to be WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at 83 Bayshore 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 1, 2018.
Even in mid-winter, ther can be some interesting bird sightings at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and this week has been no exception. Even in mid-winter, some interesting birds can be found at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and this week has been no exception. Since the beginning of the year, only one individual dabbling duck has been reported, but now that February has arrived the first migrants may be expected if there is another warm front, perhaps a MALLARD or a GADWALL, either of which is usually among the first to return. On January 29, a male CANVASBACK was off the government dock. A day earlier there had been about 400 REDHEADS there, but those numbers have been dwindling ever since, as Presqu'ile Bay has largely frozen over. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are still being seen there in small numbers. Both RUFFED GROUSE and WILD TURKEY have been seen in the past week. An ICELAND GULL was among the HERRING GULLS off the government dock this morning. A few BALD EAGLES can be seen on most days either on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay or in the surrounding trees, including two adults this morning and an immature this afternoon. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and a COOPER'S HAWK have also been seen. SNOWY OWLS have been regular on the offshore islands, though photographers have been spooking them away from Gull Island to the other two. As well, one has been on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS may well be scattered throughout the wooded areas of the Park but are extremely difficult to find as they hide in the thickest foliage of cedar trees. Such was the case with the one on Saturday that sat inconspicuously for a good many observers to try to spot it. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS, and COMMON RAVENS are again being seen here and there. Two NORTHERN SHRIKES were present this afternoon, one at the beach 1 access road and one at the calf pasture. There continue to be WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at 83 Bayshore 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. since the beginning 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 25, 2018.
Most of the birds seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week are species that one might expect in winter, but as usual a few that have normally migrated further south have also appeared. Whereas in previous years MUTE SWANS are in Presqu'ile Bay by the hundreds, recently there have been only a dozen or so even when there is plenty of open water. REDHEADS have been coming and going according to the ice conditions, with over 100 on some days and none on other days. Last year a few CANVASBACKS wintered at Presqu'ile but the first significant increase in their numbers occurred on January 27 after three days of mild weather. Perhaps a few will arrive this weekend. A few (up to half a dozen) WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS can usually be found between Salt Point and the lighthouse. Seven COMMON MERGANSERS were off the government dock on Sunday. Not unexpectedly, many of the relatively uncommon birds that have kept showing up in recent weeks have also been sighted this week. They include WILD TURKEYS, BALD EAGLES (up to six at once), SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, SNOWY OWLS (at least three on the offshore islands and one near Salt Point), RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, PILEATED WOODPECKERS (three in one day), NORTHERN SHRIKE (at the calf pasture), BROWN CREEPERS, and COMMON RAVENS (up to four in one day). There was a report of a NORTHERN FLICKER, which is not a common bird in the Park in winter. A lone HORNED LARK was again seen on Gull Island on Friday, this time in the company of the usual flock of SNOW BUNTINGS. Singles of the long-awaited PINE SISKINS have finally arrived. The feeders at 83 Bayshore Road have attracted a few welcome over-wintering birds in the past few days: SONG SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 18, 2018.
No major surprises have enlivened the birding scene at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, largely because of continuing wintry weather and the accompanying freezing of most of Presqu'ile and Popham Bays. Even the ducks have been fewer than in recent weeks. The hundreds of REDHEADS that arrived a week ago were present up till Friday had dwindled to a few dozen by Saturday. Only one has been sighted since then. Six WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Friday but not one has been reported since then. Two COMMON MERGANSERS off the government dock today were the first in several weeks. Two RUFFED GROUSE were flushed on the Owen Point trail. Surprisingly, no GLAUCOUS GULLS have been sighted this year, but that may change as gulls often gather on the ice in good numbers in late winter. For the past fortnight, BALD EAGLES have been a daily sighting, with five individuals contesting a prey item on the ice on Monday. Other raptors seen in the past week include NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, SNOWY OWL, BARRED OWL, and MERLIN. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have appeared irregularly. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen twice this week. COMMON RAVENS continue to appear. On Saturday a lone HORNED LARK was photographed on Gull Island, perhaps an extra early migrant having been fooled by the thaw of the preceding two days. Flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS have been in the Park all winter and a group of eight was seen yesterday. On cold nights a few EUROPEAN STARLINGS have taken to roosting in one of the Purple Martin houses at 190 Bayshore Road. As many as four WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS are being fed at 83 Bayshore Road. In the same area, a COMMON GRACKLE appeared on January 12 and a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD on January 17. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 11, 2018.
Until today typical mid-winter birding has prevailed at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. The current thaw has been accompanied by the first stirrings of spring migration. Well over 300 MUTE SWANS are now in Presqu'ile Bay. REDHEADS have been apparently absent since mid-December, but a January thaw invariably brings the first of that species. By 9:00 this morning the first two flew in and landed near the lighthouse. More kept arriving all morning and by mid-afternoon there were several flocks of a dozen or so flying around. Again this week one or two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS can be found on most days. There have been two separate sightings of RUFFED GROUSE this week. WILD TURKEYS continue to make appearances, including one near the lighthouse parking lot. In years when inland waters have frozen solid, RED-NECKED GREBES occasionally show up on the Great Lakes, and this year seems likely to have provided the right conditions for that to happen. Both adult and immature BALD EAGLES are being seen almost every day. A NORTHERN HARRIER was photographed flying past the lighthouse on January 9. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and MERLIN, as well as two SNOWY OWLS, have also been seen during the past week. A flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS, the first in several weeks, was present yesterday and today. On Tuesday, two LAPLAND LONGSPURS, well photographed, accompanied the flock of SNOW BUNTINGS that has been regular around Gull Island and Owen Point. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the islandmay or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter aslippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ilePark 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 4, 2018.
The last few days of 2017 and the first few days of this year have yielded a few interesting birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, despite the fact that surrounding water has been periodically frozen. Eight vocal TRUMPETER SWANS flew by on December 30. The only dabbling duck observed this week was an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK this morning at Salt Point, where dabbling ducks are usually absent until the first late winter thaw. A female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was near the lighthouse yesterday. WILD TURKEYS show up regularly these days. Both adult and immature BALD EAGLES have been seen this week. A COOPER'S HAWK on Monday and a large accipiter carrying what appeared to be a dove today were the only hawks noted, but SNOWY OWLS continue to frequent the offshore islands and the beach. An immature NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on Tuesday. COMMON RAVENS have been regular. A flock of AMERICAN ROBINS has been moving around, and a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS has been on Gull Island. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have taken up residence at 83 Bayshore Road. It was in the first week of January three years ago that a PINE WARBLER discovered the feeders in the Park (or that the birders discovered the bird), so there is a lesson to be learned, - that unusual birds can show up even in the dead of winter. 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 aware that the ice between Owen Point and the island may or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. According to one observer, the snow is really deep and unpredictable. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 28, 2017.
Not surprisingly, birds, and especially birders, have been keeping a low profile at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, most sightings taking place from inside heated buildings. Despite extremely cold weather, favourable winds have periodically moved some of the ice out of the outer parts of Presqu'ile Bay, allowing waterfowl to return from the open lake to feed in shallower water. The species composition has been limited to typical winter birds. Even GREATER SCAUP have been few in number and REDHEADS totally absent. Two RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS on December 24 were an exception. Three WILD TURKEYS strolled across Bayshore Road on Sunday, as they and others have been wont to do lately. Gulls have also been scarce on most days, though 222 HERRING GULLS were counted on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay on Sunday. The only other gull seen in the past week was a single GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. At least four BALD EAGLES have been present (two adults and two immatures), but no more than two at a time. A male NORTHERN HARRIER flew over on Friday and again on Sunday. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and one larger accipiter were seen. The only owls seen this week were SNOWY OWL and BARRED OWL. One wonders what other owls are lurking in the woods. Perhaps there is a BOREAL OWL somewhere: one of the two Park records of that species was on January 2 twenty-five years ago. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have shown up at two different feeders on Bayshore Road. A WINTER WREN on Paxton Drive was a good find, and AMERICAN ROBINS are still to be found there. Among the numerous other birds regularly patronizing the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road are three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, and two COMMON GRACKLES. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore RoadReo 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 21, 2017.
Most of the bird sightings at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week have been made during the one-day Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, with few reports on other days. Periodic freezing of most of Presqu'ile Bay has restricted the number of ducks, which are now all typical winter species. Despite that, three GREAT BLUE HERONS flew in on Friday and hunkered down for the rest of the day at Salt Point before disappearing the next morning. At least three BALD EAGLES, two adults and an immature, were present for four consecutive days, sitting on the ice of the bay and flying around. An unidentified hawk, perhaps a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, picked off an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at a feeder. There was an anonymous report of a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, a rarity in winter. SNOWY OWLS continue to attract attention, including one in a residential back yard and another, or perhaps the same one, perching regularly atop the Salt Point lighthouse. Seven of that species were in the Park on Sunday, as were five RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS. Three HORNED LARKS were on Gull Island on Sunday. WINTER WRENS are regular in the Park at this season but rarely seen until a systematic search such as the Christmas Bird Count reveals them, as was the case on Sunday, when two were found. Two WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, the first of the season, flew over on Sunday. A SONG SPARROW, three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, and COMMON GRACKLES appear to be over-wintering at Bayshore Road feeders. 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 may need to wade through water that is knee-deep when calm and is sometimes obscured by a layer of ice that may or may not support the weight of a human. They may also encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 14, 2017.
Very few bird reports from Presqu'ile Provincial Park have come to my attention this week, perhaps because most birders have been wisely hibernating or otherwise occupied in traditional December activities. Only one sighting has brought local birders to come running. With much of Presqu'ile Bay frozen over, waterfowl that remain are typical winter species. On Saturday four REDHEADS were still present and a female KING EIDER spent much of that day near the lighthouse. Three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Sunday. The flock of WILD TURKEYS that has spent much of the fall at the west end of the calf pasture near Lilac Lane contained 17 individuals when counted on Sunday. Near the lighthouse a HORNED GREBE was seen on Friday and a late DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT on Saturday. Eleven SANDHILL CRANES flew over on December 11, a record late date for Presqu'ile. No unusual gulls have been sighted but the forthcoming Christmas Bird Count that will take place on Sunday may change that. On two previous iterations of that annual event single IVORY GULLS have shown up. A juvenile COOPER'S HAWK was seen hunting and catching a red squirrel today. Birders who ventured out to Gull Island today saw three ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. SNOWY OWLS are still on the offshore islands and on the beach but in much reduced numbers. A single one of that species has been on the Salt Point lighthouse and the surrounding properties fairly regularly and another was seen elsewhere today. A BARRED OWL was seen on Monday. Small flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS have been in various parts of the Park right up to the end of last week, but the first significant snowfall of the season brought an estimated 60 of them out into the open in the calf pasture. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES have been lingering at feeders on Bayshore 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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through water that isknee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. There is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. Given recent low temperatures, the shorelines are also likely to be ice-covered. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority this Saturday, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on that day. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca> . -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] King Eider @ Presqu'ile.
Female King Eider near the Presqu'ile lighthouse late this morning. 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. - Fred. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 7, 2017.
At Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, the bird life has been typical of late fall conditions, with one sighting being a record late date for the species. TUNDRA SWANS have continued to move through the Park. On Friday a flock of 25-30 flew over, and on Sunday two flocks totalling 28 birds were seen. A female WOOD DUCK was in the marsh on Saturday and Sunday. The highest count of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS was 25 on Sunday. A female BLACK SCOTER has been lingering off Owen Point. WILD TURKEYS continue to be seen in the calf pasture. Three HORNED GREBES were in Popham Bay on Sunday. In the far distance a SANDHILL CRANE could be heard bugling on December 2. For the first time since spring, no typical shorebirds were reported, but a record late (by 12 days) AMERICAN WOODCOCK was flushed on the Owen Point trail on December 5. Somewhat surprisingly, the first GLAUCOUS GULL of the season has yet to appear. A late DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flew past High Bluff Island on Sunday. Two NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen on Sunday. At least eight SNOWY OWLS were on the offshore islands and one was in the residential area. An AMERICAN KESTREL was seen on Sunday. Scarcely worth mentioning are the COMMON RAVENS being sighted almost daily. 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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. 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 flew past High Bluff Island on Sunday. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 30, 2017.
Almost all of the fall bird migration has ended at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, except for a few stragglers and some winter birds that have yet to show up. A WOOD DUCK at the calf pasture on Tuesday was rather late. On Tuesday and today, a female BLACK SCOTER could be seen from Owen Point. Single HORNED GREBES have been sighted near the lighthouse on several recent days. SANDHILL CRANES are among the few migrants that normally pass over Presqu'ile as late as early December, and birders should be on the lookout for them. The only shorebird this week was a long-awaited PURPLE SANDPIPER that flew from Owen Point to Gull Island on Tuesday. A gull that was photographed at Owen Point yesterday may have been a hybrid HERRING GULL/GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. There were eight of the latter in view at once this morning, as well as three BONAPARTE'S GULLS. A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT was still present on Tuesday. A BALD EAGLE flew over on Tuesday. On Monday a sudden influx of SNOWY OWLS took place. One greeted the dawn perched on a fencepost in a tree-lined back yard, where it remained for over an hour. Later in the day, Park staff visiting the offshore islands by boat counted seven individuals. Four of those were seen by an observer on Gull Island on the following morning, three of which could be seen from Owen Point. One was visible from Owen Point this morning. BARRED OWLS were seen twice in the past week. While most MERLINS seem to have departed, one was perched at 182 Bayshore Road this morning. Again this week, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS and COMMON RAVENS were among the regular birds in the Park. A WINTER WREN was seen on Tuesday. A very late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was at 186 Bayshore Road this afternoon. Today a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at the Park office and a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD in the reeds at the camp office viewing deck showed up where they have not been noticed recently. 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 23, 2017.
to: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 16, 2017.
Only a few hard-core birders have visited Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, but some of their findings are of sufficient interest to generate more visits despite what is generally regarded as a slow time of year. TUNDRA SWANS were still moving through the Park in small numbers from Sunday till Tuesday. There are still large numbers of diving ducks, among which were two CANVASBACKS on Sunday and SURF SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, and BLACK SCOTER. Two groups of WILD TURKEYS were seen on Tuesday (three birds and seven birds) and another three birds today, all three groups being fairly widely separated. A RED-NECKED GREBE was near the lighthouse on Tuesday. The following five shorebird species have been present this week: a late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on Sunday; SANDERLINGS as recently as today; DUNLINS by far the most numerous species; WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, one on Sunday and three today; a late PECTORAL SANDPIPER on Tuesday, nine days earlier than the record late date. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on Owen Point on Tuesday, and at least three RED-THROATED LOONS were in Popham Bay on the same day. NORTHERN GANNETS show up irregularly on Lake Ontario in November, including the only two fall records from Presqu'ile. Most TURKEY VULTURES have departed, but one was still present today. A NORTHERN HARRIER has been patrolling the offshore islands. The first SNOWY OWL of the season was on Gull Island on Tuesday. RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS and COMMON RAVENS are no longer considered uncommon in the Park; all three were seen this week, including three of the latter over High Bluff Island. A flock of 13 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS flew over on Tuesday. SNOW BUNTINGS are on Gull Island most of the time, with 65 there on Sunday. It seems likely that the three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS seen this morning may stay for the winter, and possibly the 30 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and five COMMON GRACKLES that have also been lingering. What is less likely is that the male BALTIMORE ORIOLE first discovered almost two weeks ago will also survive. It was rediscovered on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. If it stays for another four days, it will tie the record late date for Presqu'ile established four years ago. . 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. - -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 9, 2017.
With one notable exception, land birds have been rather scarce at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week. Compensating for that, however, has been a wealth of water bird sightings. A flock of geese flying overhead on November 4 contained five CACKLING GEESE and three CANADA GEESE. The former were the largest group ever seen at Presqu'ile, as well as the latest ever in the fall. The past three days have been TUNDRA SWAN days. Apart from the 52 that were in the water and on the shore of Popham Bay on Tuesday, flock after flock have been flying overhead, mostly headed eastward and some very high. Exact numbers are impossible to tally since so many observers were watching them, but the total must certainly greatly exceed the estimated 100 that passed over on November 13, 2012, which was the previous high number in 8 to 11 flocks, far fewer than those seen on Tuesday alone (perhaps 20? flocks). Not to be outdone though overshadowed by the swans, ducks have also been plentiful. One observer reported five NORTHERN SHOVELERS and twelve CANVASBACKS near Sebastopol Island yesterday. Others were seeing thousands of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, as well as 20 SURF SCOTERS, 85 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and 20 BLACK SCOTERS, among others. Two or three RUDDY DUCKS were off the calf pasture on Tuesday. The tally of 115 HORNED GREBES on that day was also a rather high count. A RED-NECKED GREBE was off the beach on Saturday and Sunday. Only three shorebird species were seen this week (four if one counts the AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed on November 7): RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and DUNLIN. The first ICELAND GULL of the season was on Gull Island on Sunday. Two observers scanned Popham Bay looking for a possible PACIFIC LOON, which would be a new bird for Presqu'ile. Although none could be found, they did see a record number of RED-THROATED LOONS, 50, and an astonishing 275 COMMON LOONS. Though not as late as the December bird seen two years ago, the GREAT EGRET seen on November 4 was a late sighting. On Tuesday evening a LONG-EARED OWL was calling opposite the beach 2 entrance road. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were at the calf pasture. MERLINS and COMMON RAVENS are still being seen regularly. Three HORNED LARKS flew over Gull Island. A HERMIT THRUSH and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on November 3 were the most recent sightings of those species. A late GRAY CATBIRD was at 83 Bayshore Road on November 2. Several dozen SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Island. A male BALTIMORE ORIOLE surprised two observers on the very late date of November 3. 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 2, 2017.
November is the month when birders come to Presqu'ile Provincial Park in search of one of Presqu'ile's specialties, PURPLE SANDPIPER, which appears almost every year. No one has yet found one this year, but an even more unlikely shorebird did show up this week, relieving the tedium of typical late autumn birding. Three species of swans were reported in Presqu'ile Park this week: the ubiquitous MUTE SWANS, five TRUMPETER SWANS off Gull Island on Sunday, and eight TUNDRA SWANS flying toward Presqu'ile Bay yesterday. Ducks, especially diving ducks, have been plentiful all week. An ever-changing variety of dabbling ducks can be seen from the camp office viewing deck. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP are in Popham Bay and the outer part of Presqu'ile Bay, where they shift from one side to the other depending on where the hunting is taking place. As recently as Sunday, four SURF SCOTERS were loosely associating with the latter group, and two were still near the lighthouse yesterday. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER has also been nearby, as recently as this afternoon. BLACK SCOTERS should also be present but have not yet been spotted. Seven HOODED MERGANSERS were among the dabbling ducks in the marsh this morning, and an AMERICAN COOT was there on Friday. A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen on Sunday. Two SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and numerous SANDERLINGS and DUNLINS have been around lately. On Tuesday, nine GREATER YELLOWLEGS were hunkered down from gale force winds in the woodpile marsh, where they posed for a photograph. Shortly afterwards, three flew over nearby, perhaps part of the same group, which had vanished not long before. The biggest surprise of the week was a RED PHALAROPE that also posed for photographs at a windy Owen Point on Tuesday. The most recent previous record for that species at Presqu'ile was almost exactly two years ago. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK circled the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road this afternoon. A keen-eyed observer spotted a BARRED OWL along Paxton Drive, but that did not make it a SPOTTED OWL. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen. A flock of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, perhaps as many as 20, was in the day use area on Tuesday. The most recent YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER sighting was last Friday. Large numbers of blackbirds are roosting in the marsh, among which some 6,000 COMMON GRACKLES were identified as they left the marsh in the morning. 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 26, 2017.
Birders who regularly visit Presqu'ile Provincial Park have commented that no mega-rarity has been spotted for quite some time. That may have changed in the past week, as a bird whose identity is still under investigation spent a day at Presqu'ile. Other than that, the past week has been quite ordinary, and birding has not been exciting. The BRANT that has been on the beach recently was still present on Monday. Both SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are being seen on most days. A WILD TURKEY was in the day use area on Friday and seven were inthe calf pasture on Saturday. The highlight of the week was a hummingbird that spent all day on Friday feeding on flowers at 83 Bayshore Road. At first it was suspected of being a record late RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, but careful study at close range led to suspicions that it might have been the much rarer BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD, which is very similar to that other species in the plumage represented by this bird. Photographs and videos were taken and they have been sent to various experts for their opinion as to its identity. Eight shorebird species were seen in the past week. SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS had been gone for a couple of weeks, but were back on Friday (3 birds), Saturday, and Sunday. A GREATER YELLOWLEGS, perhaps the first in over a month, was on the beach this morning. A SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on Sunday and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on Friday were the only ones of those species remaining, at least for now. PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were on Gull Island on Sunday. A BALD EAGLE sat on High Bluff Island all morning on Sunday, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flew past the calf pasture on Friday. A BELTED KINGFISHER and a NORTHERN FLICKER, while not unexpected, were among birds most of whose conspecifics abandoned Presqu'ile some weeks ago. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was at the calf pasture on Tuesday. MERLINS are still being seen. If a hummingbird can appear in late October and a WHITE-EYED VIREO can appear on October 27 (2015), who knows what other rarities might be present even at this late date? COMMON RAVENS are now almost a daily sighting. A GRAY CATBIRD was still present on Saturday. AMERICAN PIPITS were on Gull Island on Sunday. 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 knee-deep when it is absolutely calm; this does not take into account any wave action. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 19, 2017.
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 12, 2017.
A massive influx of passerine migrants, perhaps the largest of the year, showed up at Presqu'ile Provincial Park yesterday and continues today. The number and variety of ducks remain essentially unchanged from last week. Among them were 55 AMERICAN WIGEONS on October 8 and both SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on October 7. RUFFED GROUSE are showing up more frequently, including two today. Several dozen shorebirds of five species remain, mostly at Owen Point and the islands. One of them, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER that was banded on the shore of James Bay on September 7, appeared at Presqu'ile on September 30 and on at least three subsequent days. A late CASPIAN TERN was on the beach on October 9. As recently as Sunday, there were still six GREAT EGRETS roosting at the calf pasture. By this date there are probably several NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS in the Park, but until their presence is announced by chickadees or other birds the chances of finding one are slim. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are still being seen regularly. A COMMON RAVEN was present on Sunday. One of the commonest passerines in the Park these past two days has been RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. If it were possible to count them, they might well outnumber the record 1,000 in the Park's database. HERMIT THRUSHES are also ubiquitous. Today a GRAY CATBIRD was at 83 Bayshore Road and an AMERICAN PIPIT was at 186 Bayshore Road. Seven warbler species were located in the past week, including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (October 10), NORTHERN PARULA (October 7), BAY-BREASTED WARBLER (October 11), and BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (October 8). Any bird spotted near the ground in the past two days, if not a thrush, is almost certainly a sparrow, of which there are surely hundreds or thousands. Among them were three EASTERN TOWHEES together yesterday and one today. By far the majority are WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 5, 2017.
A few interesting birds have shown up in Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, but the overall pattern of observations has been close to normal for the time of year. Distant sightings of white-phased SNOW GEESE, one among Canada Geese and six others together, required sharp eyes. Two TRUMPETER SWANS were on Sebastopol Island on October 3, in addition to the swan whose identity has been the subject of debate for weeks, which was still present today. Numbers and variety of both dabbling ducks and diving ducks have been increasing. They include a NORTHERN SHOVELER in the marsh, a few NORTHERN PINTAILS, hundreds of REDHEADS, up to four RING-NECKED DUCKS in the marsh, both GREATER SCAUP and LESSER SCAUP, and SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. A group of WILD TURKEYS, 13 in number, was again seen. Off the beach on Sunday there were 95 HORNED GREBES and two RED-NECKED GREBES. For the first time this year, water levels have been low enough to allow good numbers of shorebirds to feed at Owen Point, in addition to those on the offshore islands and, after a rainstorm, in pools on the beach. There have been several AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS and RUDDY TURNSTONES. The majority are SANDERLINGS and DUNLINS, but other species have included SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and WILSON'S SNIPE. The highlight, however, was a very cooperative LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER on the beach on the weekend. Rounding out the shorebird tally was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK flushed on the Owen Point trail yesterday, for a total of 15 species. Two BONAPARTE'S GULLS and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were the only noteworthy gulls, but two COMMON TERNS off Gull Island on Tuesday were very late. An AMERICAN BITTERN heard calling and seen in flight was of interest, as was the continuing presence of GREAT EGRETS, including the roost at the calf pasture as recently as September 30. An actual count of eight BALD EAGLES on September 30 was exceptional. The most recent sighting of EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was on September 30. Three HORNED LARKS were on Gull Island on Sunday. It may be of interest to those on the lookout for rarities that two western thrush species, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE and VARIED THRUSH have both showed up at Presqu'ile in October in the past. Two AMERICAN PIPITS were on Gull Island today. Warblers have become scarce since the end of September, but there have been ten species in the past five days, including a few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and a late BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen on Saturday. 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 28, 2017.
Until today birders have been hard pressed this week to find a productive location in Presqu'ile Provincial Park where birds are not hiding from the heat. Although not many birders have visited Gull Island, that seems to be one area which has yielded good results. Today there have been pockets of sparrows and warblers in various parts of the Park on a hit-and-miss basis, as is often the case during migration. Now that the waterfowl hunt is in progress, some of the dabbling ducks are beginning to congregate in the inner part of the marsh, where they can be viewed from the south end of the marsh boardwalk or from the camp office viewing platform. Yesterday an ailing WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was at the edge of the beach. A KING RAIL was heard in the Presqu’ile Bay wetland complex this week, but the exact location is being withheld to ensure that this endangered species is not bothered. Among the dwindling numbers of shorebirds on the beach and on Gull Island, there have been AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and an unconfirmed anonymous report of a WILLET. GREAT EGRETS continue to roost at the calf pasture, with eight there yesterday. A GREEN HERON was seen flying over the marsh. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on Sunday. A rather late EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE was still present today, but most of the remaining flycatchers are EASTERN PHOEBES. On this date 31 years ago a SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER showed up and stayed for a few days. Various thrushes and warblers are now in the Park, and the vanguard of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOES has arrived. 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 almost a metre 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. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending on September 21, 2017.
"Exceptionally warm and pleasant weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has slowed the bird migration but has provided many birders the opportunity to enjoy studying birds at their leisure, especially on Gull Island." Those words, written here almost exactly a year ago, bear repeating today. Compared to last week, and compared to what one might expect in mid-September, birding has seemed somewhat lacklustre, but not lacking in some elements of excitement. Birders seeking a challenge have made a point of adding their contributions to the ongoing debate about the identity of the TUNDRA/TRUMPETER SWAN that continues to linger on and around Sebastopol Island. The largest concentration of ducks, both dabbling ducks and diving ducks, has been in the vicinity of Gull and Sebastopol Islands. Exceptional because of their numbers were 11 or12 NORTHERN SHOVELERS and 35 GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Tuesday. Matching or exceeding last year's record count of 20 WILD TURKEYS was a flock of 20-24, perhaps as many as 30, crossing the road near the calf pasture on Sunday. A banded and very tame ROCK PIGEON has been on Gull Island. Even more unusual in that location was a VIRGINIA RAIL. Two AMERICAN COOTS on Saturday may be the first of the season. While shorebird numbers are far from what they were in recent weeks, the mix of species has changed. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, as many as five, are found on Gull Island almost every day. An elusive WHIMBREL was spotted on at least two different days. The MARBLED GODWIT that was first encountered on Gull Island on September 13 was seen regularly until September 19. Five RUDDY TURNSTONES were there on Sunday and three were there yesterday. By now SANDERLINGS comprise the vast majority of shorebirds. There have also been, /inter alia/, a few DUNLINS, BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, as well as a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER as recently as yesterday. SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was on Gull Island on Friday and Tuesday. A few SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are still around, as well as both GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. One of the few PARASITIC JAEGER sightings in recent years was on September 22 six years ago. Someone reported a COMMON TERN on September 18, which is a rather late date. Seven BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen one evening. Double-digit TURKEY VULTURES have been scavenging on the islands and drifting off to the west. On September 19 there was an early NORTHERN GOSHAWK. A BALD EAGLE and a NORTHERN HARRIER were also seen. Persistence paid off when night-time birding yielded a BARRED OWL and two GREAT HORNED OWLS. One or two PEREGRINE FALCONS are being seen regularly along the shores, scattering the shorebirds and gulls. A very late EASTERN KINGBIRD was at the calf pasture on September 17 and 18, and another or the same one was seen at 83 Bayshore Road on the 16th and another was seen at the lighthouse on September 17. Three PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were sighted in the past week. For the first time this fall, BLUE JAYS were migrating past the lighthouse in small numbers this morning. A very late date for a BANK SWALLOW, though not the latest ever, was established on September 19. A HOUSE WREN was also seen on that date. A good variety of warblers has been present all week. Perhaps the only surprise was that a PINE WARBLER was singing yesterday, when all of the others ceased doing so long ago. Although a SAVANNAH SPARROW was on Gull Island on Sunday and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen yesterday, the big influx of sparrows will likely occur when the current heat wave ends. A BOBOLINK flew over 83 Bayshore Road on Tuesday. Not to be forgotten is the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD that pleased many birders between September 11 and 17. 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 almost a metre 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 after tomorrow. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile
[Ontbirds] Addendum to Presqu'ile Birding Report.
I have been informed indirectly that a CONNECTICUT WARBLER was photographed at the lighthouse on the weekend, but there is no report of the sighting in the usual places, apparently including e-bird. If the observers/photographers would like to forward the photograph to me, I can forward it to the Park Naturalist for the record. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Correction to Presqu'ile Birding Report.
Thanks to Jon Ruddy, Ron Tozer, and vicariously to David Allen Sibley, the report of a Red-throated Loon in Popham Bay yesterday needs to be deleted. My misidentification of a Common Loon in an unusual plumage led to the error, for which I apologize. The world is too full of similar species, not just swans, dowitchers, /Empidonaces/, and fall warblers. Fred Helleiner. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 14, 2017.
What a week this has been for birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park! Well over 100 species were seen on just one day (Sunday), and the number of rarities reported comes close to requiring two hands to count. In part, this plethora of sightings can be attributed to the fact that birders were almost as abundant as birds. Four organized groups were scouring the Park on Sunday, and expert birders were out and about on almost every day of the week. There are still questions being raised about the swan with a black bill that remains off Gull and Sebastopol Islands, but a consensus seems to be emerging that it is a TUNDRA SWAN. In other parts of Popham Bay and the nearby shores, there are increasingly frequent sightings of AMERICAN WIGEONS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, a NORTHERN PINTAIL, and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, as well as the more common ducks. The only WILD TURKEYS of the week were seen on Friday and Sunday. With powerful scopes, some birders have spotted up to 35 HORNED GREBES far out in Popham Bay. A CHIMNEY SWIFT was seen on Sunday. One of the rarities referred to above was a KING RAIL that was heard in the Presqu’ile Bay wetland complex this week, but the exact location is being withheld to ensure this endangered species is not bothered. Shorebirds continue to be one of the main attractions, and now that there is access to Gull Island they are being located there as well as on the beach. As expected in September, increasing numbers of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS are among them. Both yesterday and today a MARBLED GODWIT was on Gull Island, perhaps the same godwit that had been seen in silhouette earlier in the week on High Bluff Island or the one that was on the beach three weeks earlier. A RED KNOT was on the beach on Friday and one was on Gull Island this morning. Both BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER continue to frequent the beach in small numbers. A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was on the beach yesterday morning and it or another was on Gull Island later in the morning and today. A count of 13 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on the beach this morning was the highest this season. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was on Gull Island yesterday. Rounding out the more unusual shorebirds was another rarity, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE that was on Gull Island on Monday but has not been seen since. A rather late COMMON TERN was near the lighthouse on Sunday, and another or the same one was off Gull Island on Tuesday. An early RED-THROATED LOON was in Popham Bay today. A late LEAST BITTERN was in the marsh on Sunday. While many people saw GREAT EGRETS during the summer from a great distance on High Bluff Island where they nest, they can now be likely found much closer at the calf pasture, where 12 were roosting on the evening of September 8. A GREEN HERON on Sunday and two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS on Tuesday were also of note. Both OSPREY and BALD EAGLE were seen on Saturday and one of the latter on Sunday. On Sunday an immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was flying around the lighthouse before retreating to Newcastle woods, where a family group had been seen two weeks earlier. Three falcon species were found this week: AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN, PEREGRINE FALCON. While a good many flycatchers were present this week, including OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, they would all be overshadowed if a WESTERN KINGBIRD like the one that showed up on September 15, 1985 were to return (or even the LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE that appeared on that date last year). Four vireo species were in the Park this week: BLUE-HEADED, WARBLING, PHILADELPHIA, RED-EYED. A COMMON RAVEN was seen on Saturday and Sunday. Rather late BARN SWALLOWS were seen on Tuesday (2) and Thursday. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on Sunday. Several SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and a HERMIT THRUSH were also found. AMERICAN PIPITS are showing up in increasing numbers. Warblers are present in good numbers and variety, though variable from day to day. There were two GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER sightings and one each of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and PINE WARBLER. One of the highlights of the week is a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD that was discovered on Gull Island on Monday and has been seen every day since then. 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. Birders not using a boat to access Gull Island will find the water even under calm conditions too deep even for hip waders (about one metre at the deepest point). 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 7, 2017.
As the fall bird migration continues to make Presqu'ile Provincial Park a birders' destination, uncommon species keep showing up. An early morning flight of over 200 dabbling ducks today included some surprising numbers: 7 AMERICAN WIGEONS, 4 BLUE-WINGED TEAL, 2 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 14 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. A nervous NORTHERN PINTAIL was flushed from the beach twice this week. The only diving duck not previously reported in recent weeks was a COMMON MERGANSER that flew past the lighthouse this morning, perhaps one of a dozen or more unidentified mergansers that flew past there yesterday. Nine WILD TURKEYS, apparently a family group, were in the Park yesterday. The previously reported RED-NECKED GREBE at the calf pasture was there as recently as September 5. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen as recently as September 2. A VIRGINIA RAIL was calling on that same evening. The last three days have seen a resurgence of the shorebird migration, coinciding with World Shorebirds Day yesterday and culminating with an estimate of 700 shorebirds on the beach today. Before that, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER sat on the beach last Friday and Saturday, but the possible highlight was a tentatively identified HUDSONIAN GODWIT seen by two Park biologists working on High Bluff Island yesterday evening. Among the shorebirds that a number of birders were able to relocate both yesterday and today was a RED KNOT that had been seen on Saturday. A BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was seen on Saturday. The fifteen other shorebird species included RUDDY TURNSTONE, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS. There still are a lot of CASPIAN TERNS on Gull Island. At dawn today 45 were seen. Sightings in the heron family included AMERICAN BITTERN and GREEN HERON as well as a roost of four GREAT EGRETS in the cove at the calf pasture. As an indication of the surprises that can appear during fall migration, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was at the calf pasture on September 10, 2000. There were single sightings this week of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. BLUE-HEADED VIREO and PHILADELPHIA VIREO were also seen, as well as a COMMON RAVEN. The following brown-backed thrushes were seen this week: VEERY, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH. On September 1 an AMERICAN PIPIT was photographed on the beach. The first LAPLAND LONGSPURS should soon be appearing. This has been a good week for warblers (22 species), though no rarities were found. OVENBIRD, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, and PALM WARBLER were among them. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW on September 4 was unusually early. A SCARLET TANAGER and a few BALTIMORE ORIOLES were of interest. 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 restricteduntil after September 10 to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Birders not using a boat to access Gull Island may find the water too deep even for hip waders. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 24, 2017.
Day by day, birding has been getting better and better at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week. Another very rare bird appeared briefly but could not be relocated. Diving ducks are uncommon at Presqu'ile until later in the fall, but 34 REDHEADS and a GREATER SCAUP were seen off Owen Point. Two "huge" WILD TURKEYS were seen today, the first in a number of weeks. For the fourth consecutive week, a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was found, indicative of increased birder activity compared to the earlier summer. Three COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over on Monday evening and two CHIMNEY SWIFTS flew over today. Shorebirds have captured most of the attention recently, with sixteen species present and most of them within easy spotting distance along the beach, where there is excellent habitat. Over 200 individuals were present today, constantly coming and going, necessitating repeated visits to ensure that none are missed. Highlights of the week include BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (two today), three RUDDY TURNSTONES today, the first of the season, a RED KNOT this afternoon, four STILT SANDPIPERS this afternoon, an early DUNLIN since Monday, and eight or nine BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER today. Perhaps the next shorebird to appear will be a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, which occasionally visits the Park in late August. On August 19, the spotlight shifted away from the shorebirds when a lucky birder spotted not one but two LONG-TAILED JAEGERS over the beach. As noted last week, there is only one previous record of that species at Presqu'ile, and that was on almost precisely the same date in August sixteen years ago. GREAT EGRETS are still being seen daily, with one observer counting eight birds today and another counting twelve. Two GREEN HERONS flew over on Monday. In addition to single TURKEY VULTURES seen feeding on carcasses on the beach, a number were spotted overhead today perhaps in migration mode. Both yesterday and today, an immature BALD EAGLE was seen overhead. An early BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen on August 18. An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Newcastle woods this evening was unusual, but RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, at one time the rarer of the two species, are being seen fairly regularly. MERLINS are being seen regularly, with one birder seeing two on Friday. A PEREGRINE FALCON over Gull Island on Monday caused momentary panic among the gulls and terns. This was obviously a flycatcher day, with one observer seeing 30 individuals, including three each of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, as well as a calling ALDER FLYCATCHER and thirteen other /Empidonax/ flycatchers. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, variously described as nine or fifteen birds, were seen today, including some whose behaviour suggested a posssible "movement", perhaps a precursor to a more extensive flight to come. Single BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen on two different days. Among the 18 warbler species found this week was one that was photographed and has become the subject of debate as to its identity, possibilities being PRAIRIE WARBLER, which would be a rare find, and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. The difficulty simply reinforces the notion of "confusing fall warblers", which gained prominence among birders since the appearance of Peterson's early field guide in which the term is used. Two INDIGO BUNTINGS were seen on Sunday. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 17, 2017.
Rare birds always make for excitement, but the discovery of two in one
week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been a bonus.
Two BLUE-WINGED TEAL and a few REDHEADS, as well as an AMERICAN COOT,
were spotted by Park staff visiting High Bluff Island. A BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO was at the lighthouse on Monday and another was found yesterday.
Shorebirds have been somewhat erratic, showing up in good numbers and
variety on at least two days and being virtually absent on other days.
Some of the more interesting ones were a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, a RED
KNOT (last seen on August 11), two STILT SANDPIPERS yesterday, up to
three BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, fifteen SHORT--BILLED
DOWITCHERS on High Bluff Island, several AMERICAN WOODCOCKS flushed from
the roadside before dawn, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and single WILSON'S
PHALAROPES in two different locations. In August mega-rarities (defined
here as birds that have been recorded only once at Presqu'ile) have been
known to show up. Examples are a CURLEW SANDPIPER that stayed for ten
days in 1985, a LONG-TAILED JAEGER on August 22, 2001 (the only jaeger
that often visits Lake Ontario in August), a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD on
August 4, 2012, and a THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD less than a month later. A
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on the beach on August 12. While at least
three dozen COMMON TERNS were present throughout last week, they
suddenly disappeared on the weekend. The most recent sighting of the
CATTLE EGRET that pleased so many birders for much of last week was on
Friday morning.
Both RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS were seen this week. A
PEREGRINE FALCON flew over 83 Bayshore Road on August 12 and another was
at High Bluff Island on August 15. The first OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER of
the season appeared this morning. A CAROLINA WREN was heard on Atkins
Lane on Sunday. At least one BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen in the past
week. The first SWAINSON'S THRUSH of the season was at the lighthouse
on August 14. A good variety of the more common species of warbler has
been in the Park this week, including two sightings of not-so-common
BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS. The rarity of the week, along with the
aforementioned CATTLE EGRET, has been an elusive (at least to this
observer) PROTHONOTARY WARBLER, first photographed at the calf pasture
on August 13 and still present there this morning. This is only the
second fall record for that species at Presqu'ile. Among other things,
the buzz about that bird has included discussions about how its name
should be pronounced. A mediaeval scholar once pointed out that a
high-ranking notary of that era was expected to wear a golden hood, and
that the bird was clearly named for that reason and should be pronounced
"pro tho notary", with the accent on the antepenult ("no").
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca.
--
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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca
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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 10, 2017.
The predicted surge of passerine migrants after the weekend cold front proved to be more of a trickle, but an unexpected rarity and a resurgence of shorebirds have made for an exciting week of birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. In Popham Bay there have been a few REDHEADS and GREATER and LESSER SCAUP in recent days. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS have been seen in two different locations this week. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS should soon be passing through the Park in their fall migration. Fifteen species of shorebirds have been seen in the past week. Highlights include BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, RED KNOT (first found yesterday evening and present for much of today), STILT SANDPIPER (seen and photographed yesterday for the first time in a week and a half), SANDERLINGS, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER (at south beach near High Bluff campground). Both adult and immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been on the beach. One birder encountered an AMERICAN BITTERN in the flooded area of the beach and flushed it into a tree. As many as 19 GREAT EGRETS have been seen, mostly on High Bluff Island. The highlight of the week has been a CATTLE EGRET that showed up on Monday and was still present this morning. Two GREEN HERONS were also seen. The occasional visits of one or two OSPREYS to the former nest site on the Salt Point lighthouse are too infrequent to indicate breeding. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and MERLIN are two uncommon species that summer and likely breed at Presqu'ile, and both have been seen this week. A surprising out-of-season find on the beach on Sunday was a HORNED LARK. For the second consecutive week a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen. It is impossible to differentiate between warblers that are dispersing summer residents and those that are returning migrants, but most of the following species seen in the past week away from their breeding territories could fit into either category: NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, MOURNING WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER. A SCARLET TANAGER seen this week could also fit into that category. ORCHARD ORIOLES can often be seen at 83 Bayshore 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 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 3, 2017.
Up till last weekend, beach 3 at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was definitely worth a visit, but human and avian disturbance has resulted in reduced bird activity there. Probably the anticipated cold front of the forthcoming weekend will bring the first significant surge of passerine migrants. Two vocal TRUMPETER SWANS, the first in months, flew over on August 1. Three REDHEADS and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER were on Gull Island on July 31. A PIED-BILLED GREBE in the marsh was accompanied by three young ones on August 30. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was heard on July 28. A rather early BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER in full alternate plumage, the first WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER of the season, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER were present on July 28. One of the STILT SANDPIPERS that had been present for over two weeks was still present on July 29 but has not been seen for at least four days. An adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was on Gull Island on July 29 and another of that species was on the beach two days later. Since then, the numbers of gulls, terns, and especially shorebirds have plummeted. In part this may be attributed to a MERLIN (one of two seen in the past week) that flew past the beach and to a PEREGRINE FALCON that made several unsuccessful passes at a BONAPARTE'S GULL hiding in the willows (and ducking!) on the rather early date of August 2. Few land birds have been reported this week other than those which have summered here, but it is not too early for an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER or a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER to show up since there are late July records for both species. A COMMON RAVEN was at the calf pasture on July 28. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are normally seen regularly in summer at Presqu'ile, but the one that appeared on July 30 was the first encountered this year for about two months. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 27, 2017.
With Lake Ontario water levels slowly dropping, there is abundant habitat along the shores of Presqu'ile Provincial Park to attract birds that favour mud. The most interesting duck of the week was a male CANVASBACK that appeared near Salt Point on July 20 and 21, perhaps the same individual that was lingering further west in Presqu'ile Bay into the middle of May. A pair of BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS was on the Owen Point trail. Again this week, the abundance of shorebirds around beach 3 has been the main attraction, with numbers and variety changing day by day. Twelve species, not counting the American Woodcock seen nearby, have put in appearances in the past week, the majority being LESSER YELLOWLEGS and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. Among the others have been half a dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS for the past four days, a SOLITARY SANDPIPER on the weekend, up to three each of GREATER YELLOWLEGS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, two STILT SANDPIPERS on Sunday and one on three of the four days since then, and two SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and a WILSON'S PHALAROPE on Sunday. We are anxiously awaiting a MARBLED GODWIT, which was present ten years ago from July 29 to August 2, and the first BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, which show up almost every year as early as July 24. The high count of BONAPARTE'S GULLS at the beach this week was 52. A COMMON LOON was off the beach on Sunday. LEAST BITTERN, GREEN HERON, and multiple GREAT EGRETS have also been seen. OSPREYS often fish in Presqu'ile Bay and occasionally perch (unintended pun) on the Salt Point lighthouse. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER has been at 83 Bayshore Road. A family group of three YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS was at the nature centre. WILLOW FLYCATCHER and ORCHARD ORIOLE are other species known to summer in the Park and seen this week that may interest visiting birders. The previously reported NORTHERN PARULA was seen again yesterday at 94 Bayshore 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 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 20, 2017.
This has been an exciting week for birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, as the fall migration ramps up and more and more birders are showing up. Since tomorrow (July 21) is Healthy Parks Healthy People day in Ontario Parks, there will be free admission to Presqu'ile and perhaps even more birders will take advantage of that. What appears from a distant photograph to have been a NORTHERN PINTAIL was among the other dabbling ducks on the beach. There was an incredible report of a COMMON EIDER, with no details offered except the location. As this species is very rare in southern Ontario and virtually unknown in summer, this report begs for documentation in the form of a rare bird report to the Park. At least two BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS have been sighted this week. Shorebirds have been foraging all week in the algae at the end of the beach 3 access road. Among the eleven non-resident species present in the past week were two that are of particular interest. Two STILT SANDPIPERS showed up on Monday morning and were still present yesterday morning. At the same time and place were two WILSON'S PHALAROPES. Others that had not been seen since the spring were a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, two SANDERLINGS, and two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Almost all of the AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN records for Presqu'ile Park have been in late July or August, so birders should be aware of the possibility that history will repeat itself. The number of GREAT EGRETS that can be seen on their High Bluff Island nests from the mainland varies daily, but on two occasions this week 12 and 14 were counted. A GREEN HERON was feeding on the flooded lawn of the day use area. On another flooded area, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was sitting on one of the Park roads. An intriguing sighting was that of a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK flying over the Park on July 16, a species that is not known to nest anywhere near the Park and should not yet be in migration mode. The earliest previous fall record was on August 6, 2002. There were two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER sightings this week, and one of a MERLIN. Other resident birds that are not often detected were also observed this week: WILLOW FLYCATCHER; three BROWN CREEPERS together; WINTER WREN (twice); GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (twice); OVENBIRD. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES are also resident in the Park, but the sighting of three at the lighthouse and two at the calf pasture on July 16 may represent newly arrived migrants rather than individuals that have dispersed from nearby breeding locations. Surprisingly, a northern breeder and almost certainly a migrant, a NORTHERN PARULA, was seen on July 13 and heard again a few days later, eclipsing by two weeks the previous early date. Two family groups of ORCHARD ORIOLES at the calf pasture on July 16 contained a total of nine individuals. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 13, 2017.
At Presqu'ile Provincial Park the fall bird migration is now unquestionably under way. That makes birding in the Park more interesting than it has been in recent weeks, when only resident birds could be found. Among the ducks gathered on the flooded beach, GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, a BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and GREEN-WINGED TEALS have been found there with some regularity. An ailing female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was on the algae-covered shore on July 8. An adult COMMON GALLINULE and three small unattended chicks nearby were seen on July 7. The arrival of some two dozen shorebirds of six species, excluding the resident ones, has fulfilled the predictions that birders have been expressing, /i.e./, that the flooding of the beach and the accompanying build-up of algae would provide excellent shorebird habitat (without the noxious element of sewage lagoons). Two days ago there were two GREATER YELLOWLEGS and one LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Yesterday those numbers had increased to about 6 and 15, respectively, along with a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, all of which were at the south end of beach 3. A second SOLITARY SANDPIPER was photographed on a flooded section of lawn in the day use area. Today, all of those species and the summering ones were still on the flooded beach, as well as two LEAST SANDPIPERS and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Rounding out the sandpiper family was an AMERICAN WOODCOCK at the Park gate on Tuesday. Several dozen BONAPARTE'S GULLS are also feeding along the beaches nearby, raising hopes that some other small gull species may join them. Again this week, a LEAST BITTERN and a number of GREAT EGRETS have been seen. One or two OSPREYS have been making infrequent visits to their nest at Salt Point, perhaps with the intention of attempting a second brood after the apparent failure of the first attempt this year. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was at 83 Bayshore Road on Saturday. A COMMON RAVEN was being chased by blackbirds. Among warblers known to be present in summer but not often reported were two species found this week: OVENBIRD and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending July 6, 2017.
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 29, 2017.
With a very few exceptions, the only birds found at Presqu'ile Provincial Park these days are the expected breeding birds, which have been present for the past many weeks. Nevertheless, the solstice is behind us, and there are historical records of early fall migrants at Presqu'ile in the first few days of July, notably SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, which are among the first shorebirds to return in the fall and which might find an ideal habitat in the algae build-up where the edge of the beach used to be. One pair of MUTE SWANS has successfully fledged a cygnet in the marsh despite record high water levels. While very few ducks have been reported in the past week, unusual sightings of unmated individuals in summer are not unheard of. In that category are an AMERICAN WIGEON this week a few kilometres outside the Park and a EURASIAN WIGEON that lingered from June 23 to July 1 seven years ago. Both COMMON GALLINULE and AMERICAN COOT have been seen in the marsh this week. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was on the main entrance road on Tuesday. BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been staying surprisingly late this year, with at least two dozen on the "beach" on Sunday and two near the lighthouse yesterday. Near the lighthouse on Tuesday was an adult COMMON LOON closely followed for several hours by a second of that species whose plumage, behaviour, and perhaps size suggested that it might have been a young bird fledged this year, despite what seems to be a very early date. GREAT EGRETS are being seen regularly, and a GREEN HERON and a few BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have also been seen. While passerine birds are ubiquitous in summer at Presqu'ile, none of those reported this week can be considered sufficiently unusual to merit mention. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 22, 2017.
Since Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been closed until today, there are very few birds to report, not because the birds have been aware of the closure but because birders have been staying away. In fact, the absence of human traffic in some areas such as the flooded beach has enabled large numbers of birds to become accustomed to that undisturbed environment. This morning, slogging through muddy areas that were recently under water allowed one birder to encroach on the margins of what, it is hoped, will eventually become a beach again and to discover numerous roosting ducks, gulls, and terns, as well as egrets. Well over 50 adult MUTE SWANS were in Popham Bay this morning. The absence of any evident juveniles may reflect the high water levels that may have brought about nest failures. Both GADWALLS and NORTHERN SHOVELERS were among several dozen MALLARDS occupying a sheltered pool where beach 3 used to be. For the second consecutive week, a female HOODED MERGANSER was observed flying over the north end of the marsh. Again this week three or four BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been at the north end of the beach, often sitting on the poles that, in a normal season, would support volleyball nets. Close to 200 CASPIAN TERNS were loafing off beach 2 this morning. A COMMON LOON was near the lighthouse yesterday. A LEAST BITTERN has been frequenting the north-west corner of the marsh, near the Park gate. In addition to the GREAT EGRETS that can be seen on their nests on High Bluff Island, individuals are regularly being seen around the mainland, including the three that were at the edge of the erstwhile beaches 2 and 3 this morning. On Monday a RED-TAILED HAWK was over the Park and two MERLINS were found along Bayshore Road. Since many passerine birds are not visible in the foliage at this time of year, it takes birders able to identify them by ear in order to locate them. Now that the Park is open again, perhaps some birders will detect unusual ones, like the PRAIRIE WARBLER that was discovered that way on June 20, 2005. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 15, 2017.
Since Presqu'ile Provincial Park remains closed to the public, the only bird sightings worth reporting are those few that have been made on the private lands at Presqu'ile adjacent to the Park and those few that have been made inside the Park by authorized Park personnel. While most songbirds remain within their breeding territories at this time of year, there is some indication that post-breeding dispersal of a few birds may have begun, as individuals show up in parts of the Presqu'ile peninsula where they have not been seen for weeks. High water may have hindered MUTE SWAN breeding but about fifty individuals could be seen in Presqu'ile Bay yesterday. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS were heard in two widely separated locations on Tuesday and Wednesday. A female HOODED MERGANSER was observed flying over the northern end of the marsh, where a WILSON'S SNIPE was also heard winnowing. A few BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been lingering at the north end of the beach, where they can be observed from outside the Park. The same five /Ardeid /species mentioned in last week's report were also observed this week,/viz./ AMERICAN BITTERN, LEAST BITTERN, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON. Although the OSPREYS that built a new nest on the Salt Point Lighthouse again this year have been paying infrequent visits to the nest in the past week, the frequent presence of gulls on the nest raises the possibility that the Ospreys' breeding attempt may have failed. Other hawks seen this week were a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and two MERLINS. A male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was feeding on a birch tree at 186 Bayshore Road, well away from where the species has been in recent weeks. HOUSE SPARROWS, until recently a rare bird at Presqu'ile appear to have raised a family of young for the second consecutive year. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park after the Park re-opens, 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 Park is restricted until further notice, and access to the offshore islands is restrictedat this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Once the Park re-opens, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 8, 2017.
Since Presqu'ile Provincial Park remains closed to the public, the only bird sightings worth reporting are those few that have been made on the private lands at Presqu'ile adjacent to the Park and those few that have been made inside the Park by authorized Park personnel. A WILD TURKEY crossed Bayshore Road this morning before disappearing in the long grass of the calf pasture. On Sunday evening a COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen and heard. A WILSON'S SNIPE on Saturday was the only shorebird found. Six BONAPARTE'S GULLS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Sunday. The heron family was well represented in the past week, with the following species noted: AMERICAN BITTERN, LEAST BITTERN, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, and a few days earlier a GREEN HERON. A GREAT HORNED OWL was visible from Bayshore Road on Tuesday. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER that was seen and photographed on Tuesday between Stonehedge and the lighthouse raises the possibility that the species is nesting nearby. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is a regular patron of the feeder at 186 Bayshore Road. Although most migrants have already departed for points north, there is still a possibility that a late migrant such as an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER will show up. Two GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS at 94 Bayshore Road on Sunday were in an unexpected location for the time of year. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH on June 2 tied the record late date for that species. Two PURPLE FINCHES at 83 Bayshore Road indicate the likely presence of that species as a nesting bird. A late BLACKPOLL WARBLER was still present yesterday. Although EASTERN MEADOWLARKS are regular migrants at Presqu'ile, the sight of one flying into the Park on Tuesday was unusual, given that the spring meadowlark migration occurs in early April. ORCHARD ORIOLES are a regular summer bird at Presqu'ile, and one was seen yesterday. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park after the Park re-opens, 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 Park is restricted until further notice, and access to the offshore islands is restrictedat this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Once the Park re-opens, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending June 1, 2017.
Since Presqu'ile Provincial Park (now colloquially referred to as "Ile Provincial Park") is closed until further notice, the only bird observations to be reported here are those made prior to the closure on May 29 or from parts of the peninsula not affected by the closure, /i.e./, private lands. Meanwhile, birds and other animals appearing in two's may be anticipating the arrival of a biblical saviour. Two flocks of BRANT (20 and 120) flew past on the weekend. Two CHIMNEY SWIFTS were near the lighthouse on Friday. A banded PIPING PLOVER whose provenance is being investigated was seen on May 26 before it flew off. The most recent WHIMBREL sighting was of a flock of 17 on Gull Island on May 25. GREAT EGRETS were seen regularly before the closure of the Park. A BARRED OWL was photographed on May 26. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were seen on May 26 and 27, and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS continue as a daily occurrence at 186 Bayshore Road. A YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and a PHILADELPHIA VIREO were seen on May 27 and a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER on the following day. BLUE JAYS were still migrating over the lighthouse as recently as May 29. The warbler migration appears to have ground to a halt. 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 Park is restricted until further notice, and 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 25, 2017.
Despite the fact that record high lake water levels restricted access to some parts of the Park, most birders who came to Presqu'ile Provincial Park on the weekend found a good variety of birds. Flocks of BRANT flew past on May 20 and 22. A BLUE-WINGED TEAL photographed on the flooded beach on May 19 was apparently the only one at Presqu'ile this spring. At this late date any sightings of /Aythya/ ducks are of interest, but four species were seen on the weekend: CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, GREATER SCAUP. RUFFED GROUSE are being heard regularly, and three WILD TURKEYS were on one of the ski trails. Up to this point, the shorebird migration which is usually a feature of late May birding at Presqu'ile has been adversely affected by the limited habitat, though not quite a total washout. In the past there have been rarities during this period, including SNOWY PLOVER (May 24-31, 2001), WILSON'S PLOVER (May 26-27, 2006), and AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (May 23-June 4, 1960), any of which could conceivably recur if lake water levels begin to recede. This weekend, there was a brief sighting at a very long distance of a plover that could have been either a SNOWY PLOVER or a PIPING PLOVER. On May 20, a high count of 16 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS was unusual, and at least 20 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS found refuge in a flooded grassy area of the beach, where they posed for a photograph. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was also on the beach on that day. A BARRED OWL in Newcastle woods was both seen and heard in broad daylight. RED-HEADED, RED-BELLIED (as many as five in one day), and PILEATED WOODPECKERS all appeared on the weekend. There were two MERLIN sightings on the weekend. There was a visual identification of an ALDER FLYCATCHER at the lighthouse on May 22. Four vireo species present on the weekend included YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and PHILADELPHIA VIREO. COMMON RAVEN sightings continue, as well as BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS. There was a report of a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER heard singing but not seen on the Owen Point trail. Among the many more common warbler species seen this week, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and HOODED WARBLER were two other species that are not often seen in spring at Presqu'ile. Most of the sparrow migration has ended, but it is worth remembering that one of the two LARK SPARROW records from the Park was on May 29, fifteen years ago. A late RUSTY BLACKBIRD was heard singing on May 22. ORCHARD ORIOLES are now regular, as they are a summer bird in the Park. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 18, 2017.
One rare bird and several uncommon ones have livened up the birding scene at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, and the influx of more common species bodes well for the forthcoming Warblers and Whimbrels Weekend, which begins on Saturday. The male CANVASBACK that appeared in late April was still present on May 12 and 13, which is unusually late for that species. A late RING-NECKED DUCK was also seen on May 13. After a run of five days, the male SURF SCOTER that provided some killer looks and photographs was last seen on May 13, when two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were also nearby. Four other SURF SCOTERS were in a different location on May 13. A WILD TURKEY was seen on May 14. Although the beach has virtually disappeared under record high lake levels, a few shorebirds have appeared, mostly to the north of the Park boundary but visible from within the Park. Notably, a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was present on May 14, and the PIPING PLOVER that frequented the remnants of the beach from April 21 onward was last seen on May 12 or 13. A lone WHIMBREL was just north of the Park boundary this morning. A family of AMERICAN WOODCOCKS tried to avoid traffic while crossing the road, with only partial success. SOLITARY SANDPIPERS were seen on May 12 and 13. Six BONAPARTE'S GULLS were off the lighthouse on May 12. All but one of the few ARCTIC TERN records from Presqu'ile have been in the latter half of May. A RED-THROATED LOON was still off the beach on May 12 and 13. A LEAST BITTERN did two fly-bys off the campground office viewing platform yesterday. GREAT EGRETS continue to be seen, both on their nests on High Bluff Island and at foraging locations such as the calf pasture cove. COOPER'S HAWKS, of which one was seen this week, are likely present thoughout the breeding season but generally remain secretive. There was at least one BARRED OWL sighting this week. Yesterday and today were marked by RED-HEADED WOODPECKER sightings, of which there were five in five different places, some of which may have been of the same bird. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are being seen and heard almost every day. A MERLIN flew past the lighthouse. Six flycatcher species seen this week are the most this year. They include the first EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE and WILLOW FLYCATCHER. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen on May 13. On at least four of the last five days, BLUE JAYS have been migrating over the lighthouse in good numbers. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are being seen regularly near the lighthouse. Among the six thrush species seen this week was an EASTERN BLUEBIRD. VEERY, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH all appeared for the first time this spring. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was in the day use area on May 13. The CEDAR WAXWINGS seen this morning are probably the vanguard of larger numbers that normally arrive in late May. PURPLE FINCHES continue to be seen in small numbers. The big attraction at this time of year can be the warbler variety. The 24 species seen in the past week represent a normal mixture, but the one prize sighting was anything but normal for the lucky three birders who had a 30-second view of a WORM-EATING WARBLER, only the fifth record for Presqu'ile. Others that pale in comparison but are still of interest include a female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, several BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS, and CAPE MAY and CANADA WARBLERS. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and LINCOLN'S SPARROW were all seen this week. SCARLET TANAGERS have been moving through in the past few days. Other birds of interest this week are INDIGO BUNTINGS, BOBOLINKS, and ORCHARD ORIOLES. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 11, 2017.
Persistent unseasonably cool weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has slowed the bird migration to a crawl and high lake water levels have inundated several areas that normally provide habitat for migrants. That is not likely to change soon but there is hope that the weather will begin to cooperate. Both yesterday and today a flock of BRANT flew past, with estimates of 400 and 40 birds, respectively. The most interesting duck is a male SURF SCOTER that has been off the lighthouse for the past three days. Two HORNED GREBES were in the same general area on Sunday and Tuesday. A WHITE-WINGED DOVE that spent three days at Presqu'ile in mid-May 14 years ago serves as a reminder to be alert for surprises at this time of year. The PIPING PLOVER that has been present since April 21 was still being seen yesterday. Four LEAST SANDPIPERS and ten LESSER YELLOWLEGS were on the beach on May 5. GREAT EGRETS continue to be seen, including one perched in a tree at the calf pasture. Both male and female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS are being seen regularly at the eastern end of the Park. There has been a steady but limited BLUE JAY migration past the lighthouse for several mornings. A COMMON RAVEN was seen this afternoon. A few BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS are being seen near the lighthouse. Every day a few warblers are appearing within a few hundred metres of the lighthouse but the variety (13 species) has not yet built up to expectations. For many visiting birders, the abundance of ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS in the past few days has been a highlight. A late DARK-EYED JUNCO was in that area yesterday. The first SCARLET TANAGER of the season was singing nearby this morning, as were two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Both ORCHARD ORIOLES and BALTIMORE ORIOLES have been among the regular birds at the lighthouse and nearby for the past two days. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 4, 2017.
Today being the 33rd anniversary of the discovery of one of North America's rarest birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park (a Lesser Sand-Plover), those of us with long memories have been out all week looking for something to surpass that. No such luck, but lots of consolation prizes. Minor surges of incoming migrants occurred on at least two days. With most of the ducks having left, even some fairly common species that have been seen this week are worth noting: 3 NORTHERN PINTAILS today; a male CANVASBACK on April 28 and 29 and May 3; two REDHEADS; four RING-NECKED DUCKS; up to seven WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS; a HOODED MERGANSER today. There have been two WILD TURKEY sightings. Two HORNED GREBES were found today. The first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD showed up yesterday. In addition to continued observations of VIRGINIA RAILS and a SORA in the marsh, two COMMON GALLINULES have also been present, perhaps more visible than in other years because of the high water in the marsh. Despite the limited amount of beach, there have been several sightings of the lone PIPING PLOVER, including one today. Three DUNLINS were present for two days, and two GREATER and one LESSER YELLOWLEGS were present on one of those days. An ICELAND GULL was on the beach this morning, and the first two COMMON TERNS also showed up today. A LEAST BITTERN was calling in the south end of the marsh last Saturday, eclipsing the previous early date for that species. The easiest place to observe GREAT EGRETS these days is near the entrance to the marsh boardwalk, where six were feeding this morning. An immature BALD EAGLE, the first in several weeks, soared overhead on May 2. The first PEREGRINE FALCON of the year appeared today. Most of the other excitement of the past week has involved the return of many passerine species, too many to enumerate. Among the highlights were higher than usual numbers of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS and a HERMIT THRUSH (not unusual but one of only a very few of that species this spring, in sharp contrast to other years). Thirteen warbler species, including an early AMERICAN REDSTART on May 1 and NORTHERN PARULAS, have appeared in the past week. The first BOBOLINK of the season was on High Bluff Island on May 1, and another was seen today. A few RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been near the lighthouse for much of the week. Both ORCHARD ORIOLES and BALTIMORE ORIOLES have been present since April 28. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 27, 2017.
Newly arriving migrants have made for great birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this past week, though the stereotypical fallout that has trees dripping with birds that wintered in the tropics has yet to occur. The first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of the season was in the woodpile marsh on April 21. With the campground opening this weekend, campers using tents instead of soundproof motorhomes may be treated to the sound of an early WHIP-POOR-WILL. A VIRGINIA RAIL has been both seen and heard in the marsh near the entrance to the boardwalk, where YELLOW RAILS are sometimes heard in late April and early May. The male PIPING PLOVER that successfully fathered three ploverlings on the beach last year reappeared on beach 2 on April 21, tying the record early date established in 1994. It or another was still there on April 24, 26, and 27, presumably awaiting the arrival of its mate from last year and/or one or more of its offspring. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER was near the lighthouse this morning. No one was able to pick out a LITTLE GULL from among the several flocks of BONAPARTE'S GULLS seen on the weekend, but this is normally the peak time of their spring migration. A RED-THROATED LOON was far out in Popham Bay yesterday. Indicative of surprises that may occur at this time of year was the adult NORTHERN GANNET that flew past on May 1 four years ago. GREAT EGRETS and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS are apparently nesting on High Bluff Island, and the former have been seen from the marsh boardwalk. A RED-TAILED HAWK on Saturday was unusual in the Park at this late date. Two new flycatcher species appeared this morning: a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER in Newcastle woods which was one day earlier than the previous early record and an EASTERN KINGBIRD flying over near the lighthouse. A COMMON RAVEN was again seen this week. While chatting at a picnic table on the lawn in front of the lighthouse visitor centre on Sunday, three birders were surprised to see a HORNED LARK feeding only a few metres away, in an unexpected location. The good news story is that the three remaining PURPLE MARTIN houses at the end of Bayshore Road are now occupied by at least 16 of the birds, apparently having evicted previous occupants (HOUSE SPARROW and TREE SWALLOW). A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was at the lighthouse on Sunday. The first WOOD THRUSH of the year arrived this morning. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at 12 Bayshore Road this afternoon may be the same bird that spent a few days almost a fortnight ago at 115 Bayshore Road. The warbler migration at Presqu'ile is slowly getting under way. In addition to the two species reported last week, there have been sightings of NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (since April 24), PALM WARBLER (April 24 and 25), and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (April 24). WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS appeared for the first time this morning. Two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were at the lighthouse on Saturday. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 20, 2017.
As the waterfowl migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park winds down, attention has shifted to land birds, that keep on arriving on suitable winds, which have been few in recent days. A CANVASBACK still present on April 14 was on the late side, but reasonable numbers of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS remain. RUFFED GROUSE are more evident than earlier in the year. As many as a dozen HORNED GREBES were counted on one day. Single AMERICAN COOTS were present on April 15 and 19. An early DUNLIN and about 100 BONAPARTE'S GULLS appeared on the beach on April 18. RED-THROATED LOONS are a Presqu'ile specialty in late April, and a maximum of five were off the beach on April 14. A GREAT EGRET put on a surprise showing at the lighthouse on April 14, evidently having just dropped in at this unusual location from a flight across the lake. Other GREAT EGRETS, as many as five, can now be seen with a scope on their nests on High Bluff Island. The first BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON of the year was also detected there yesterday. A surprising LONG-EARED OWL was playing hard to get in a thicket off Paxton Drive on April 16. PILEATED WOODPECKERS and MERLINS are being seen regularly, as is the injured COMMON RAVEN that has been patrolling Bayshore Road for over two months. Up till Tuesday of this week, PURPLE MARTINS have been checking out the nest boxes at the end of Bayshore Road, but a change of ownership has resulted in the removal of several of the boxes that have been occupied for a number of years, and the birds appear to have moved on. The first NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS of the year appeared this week, but there has been no sign yet of the BANK SWALLOWS returning to their colony at the day use area. Two MARSH WRENS were singing on April 15. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was seen on April 18, and a HERMIT THRUSH on April 19. One of this week's highlights was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD that obliged many viewers for one day. BROWN THRASHERS are now singing in traditional locations. More PURPLE FINCHES are being seen these days. PINE WARBLERS continue to be seen and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS have been seen every day since April 15, but others of the expected late April warbler arrivals have yet to appear. At least three FOX SPARROWS showed up in the past week. Several blackbird species take over most of the bird feeders every year in March and April, but frustrated birders expecting to find other birds displaced by the blackbirds should be aware that on at least one occasion a few years ago, a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was among them. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 13, 2017.
Hardly a day has gone by in the past week without at least one newly arrived species of bird appearing at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, including a few that are earlier than expected. Birders have been finding migrants with no trouble at all, though many have moved out of the Park with the cooler weather of the past two days. A TRUMPETER SWAN was off the lighthouse on April 8. With the exception of LONG-TAILED DUCKS and BUFFLEHEADS, numbers of ducks are now sharply reduced from earlier in the month, but there is still a decent variety to be found. RUFFED GROUSE have been found on at least three days, with as many as four on a single day. Their drumming helps to locate them. Two HORNED GREBES were off the lighthouse on Tuesday, and more should be showing up soon in Popham Bay as well as in the open waters of Lake Ontario. An evening walk on the marsh boardwalk yielded the first VIRGINIA RAIL of the season on April 9. Not reported until too late for last week's report was a SANDHILL CRANE that was seen and heard over the marsh on April 5. Both WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK have been observed performing their aerial displays. A fly-past of a dozen or more BONAPARTE'S GULLS occurred at the lighthouse on April 7. On April 8 an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on a gravel bar off Owen Point and another that was nearly fully adult was on Gull Island. The former was still present on April 9, when eight GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were counted. A few CASPIAN TERNS have also returned, as have RED-THROATED LOONS in Popham Bay, one on April 9 and two on April 11. The first AMERICAN BITTERN of the year was in the marsh on April 9, and the first GREAT EGRET flew past High Bluff Island. OSPREYS have begun building their nest on the Salt Point lighthouse. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen on High Bluff Island and a BARRED OWL was preening itself in Newcastle Woods. RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS have both been found. MERLINS, as many as four on one day, have been seen, as well as COMMON RAVENS. Among the new arrivals are the following: PURPLE MARTINS, BARN SWALLOWS, MARSH WREN, a record early BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER near the lighthouse on April 11, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, BROWN THRASHER, PURPLE FINCH, PINE WARBLERS in at least three different parts of the Park, EASTERN TOWHEES, CHIPPING SPARROWS, FIELD SPARROWS, SAVANNAH SPARROW, FOX SPARROWS, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Another species that occasionally turns up in mid-April and should be looked for is TUFTED TITMOUSE. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending April 6, 2017.
The arrival of spring birds to Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been proceeding on schedule, with few early surprises. Seven TUNDRA SWANS were still in Presqu'ile Bay near 18 Bayshore Road on March 31. A pair of WOOD DUCKS flew over the lighthouse, as they often do on April mornings. With AMERICAN WIGEONS being numerous this week, there is a chance that one or more EURASIAN WIGEONS will show up before the more common species moves on. Four NORTHERN SHOVELERS flew in to join the wigeons and other ducks on Tuesday. Twenty-four years ago, a TUFTED DUCK spent two weeks at Presqu'ile, one of only two local records of that species, the other being in late March twenty years ago. There are at least 12 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS in the vicinity of the lighthouse. Many of the LONG-TAILED DUCKS have assumed their summer (alternate) plumage. A RUFFED GROUSE was seen and another heard drumming this week, and the WILD TURKEYS continue to be seen periodically. A few COMMON LOONS have returned, and the early morning overhead migration will soon be evident. For the first time since mid-December, no BALD EAGLES were reported. Two COOPER'S HAWKS in Jobes' Woods were behaving like a mated pair on territory. Some new woodpeckers have put in an appearance: the first RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER since early January; four YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS yesterday; a NORTHERN FLICKER on Tuesday; as well as yet another PILEATED WOODPECKER sighting. Yesterday behind the woodpile marsh, where the species nested some years ago, two (possibly three) MERLINS were squawking noisily. Two COMMON RAVENS were seen on Sunday. The first TREE SWALLOWS were also seen on that day. WINTER WRENS have been seen and heard in several places, including three that responded in song to an imitation of a BARRED OWL. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS have been ubiquitous. A very early HERMIT THRUSH was near the lighthouse on March 29. The expected mid-April influx of sparrows has begun, with two SWAMP SPARROW sightings, an apparently migrant WHITE-THROATED SPARROW near the lighthouse, and hordes of DARK-EYED JUNCOES. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Addendum to Presqu'ile Birding Report.
Two species that should have been included in the report sent out two hours ago are TUNDRA SWAN (2 on Sunday) and GREAT BLUE HERON.. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 23, 2017.
Whereas in a normal year early spring migrants would be arriving at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in good numbers by this late in March, this has not happened since late February. Instead there has been a trickle of new arrivals. The good news is that there are still thousands of ducks in Presqu'ile Bay that will likely provide visitors to this weekend's Waterfowl Viewing Festival with an opportunity to see what they came for and perhaps something unexpected, like the Harlequin Duck that appeared during the festival two years ago. Two WOOD DUCKS were seen along Bayshore Road this morning. Other dabbling ducks seen this week (all from Bayshore Road) were GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, MALLARDS, and NORTHERN PINTAILS. Among diving ducks, the most interesting ones were two SURF SCOTERS seen several times, several WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and a female BLACK SCOTER seen again on March 17 and 21. Ten WILD TURKEYS were still present, and a RUFFED GROUSE by the roadside, a species which has been scarce this winter, perhaps at the low point in its cycle. The first PIED-BILLED GREBE of the year appeared on March 19. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK posed for a number of birders on Sunday, and another was flushed at the lighthouse on Tuesday. Single BALD EAGLES were seen on three different days. Other raptors seen this week were SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (soaring over the "fingers"), and SNOWY OWL (on beach 3 from Monday to Wednesday). PILEATED WOODPECKERS were seen on three different days. One has been attacking a tree at 126 Bayshore Road. There were again sightings of COMMON RAVEN. Yesterday three SNOW BUNTINGS were off Owen Point and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD visited 83 Bayshore 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. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 16, 2017.
The return of winter conditions to Presqu'ile Provincial Park has limited the amount of day-to-day change in bird life as well as the amount of birder activity. On the bright side, the return of ice cover to much of Presqu'ile Bay bodes well for the annual Waterfowl Viewing Weekend scheduled for March 25-26, as ducks have so far shown no sign of thinning out as seemed likely only a week or two ago. No dabbling ducks were reported in the Park once the marsh froze over, but two WOOD DUCKS were able to find a patch of open water just outside the Park on Monday and one was still there on Tuesday, along with a RING-NECKED DUCK. In addition to the thousands of diving ducks of about eight species that have been present for the past few weeks, one female SURF SCOTER and three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen on March 11 and 13, respectively. Three and four HOODED MERGANSERS were also seen on those days. Other water birds such as loons, grebes, and cormorants will have to wait for the arrival of southerly winds, which are expected on a few of the coming days. It seems unlikely that most of the AMERICAN WOODCOCKS that arrived in late February will have survived the recent unseasonably cold weather, but one was seen as recently as March 14. On both Sunday and Monday three BALD EAGLES were seen, but no more were reported until this afternoon, when a single adult flew past the lighthouse. A BARRED OWL was the only other raptor seen. Even on the coldest days, the drumming of woodpeckers resounded through the woods. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 9, 2017.
Although little has changed in the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park since last week, the volume of spring migrants is still impressive for this early date. There are dabbling ducks of several species just outside the Park, but identifying those within the Park is challenging because of the great distance involved. Likewise, diving ducks remain in Presqu'ile Bay by the thousands (mostly REDHEADS) but are so far from vantage points on the south side of the bay (/i.e./, along Bayshore Road) that they can scarcely be seen even with binoculars, let alone identified. CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, HOODED MERGANSERS, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS have all been close enough to identify. Perhaps an AMERICAN COOT is out there among all the ducks. Seeing the resident flock of WILD TURKEYS away from Bayshore Road has not been reported until yesterday, when 10-12 crossed one of the trails before disappearing into the underbrush. The only BALD EAGLE seen this week was an adult perched across from the government dock on Monday. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK landed for two or three minutes on a railing near the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road before flying off empty-taloned. A third-hand report indicates that a SNOWY OWL was on the beach recently. There was a report of a NORTHERN FLICKER yesterday. COMMON RAVENS have become a regular, almost daily, sighting, often detected by their vocalizations. Two PINE SISKINS were still at 186 Bayshore Road on March 4. A fuzzy photograph of a bird at another feeder nearby suggested the possibility of a female EVENING GROSBEAK. The bird has not returned. About ten SNOW BUNTINGS were on the beach yesterday. A SONG SPARROW was photographed under the camp office bird feeder yesterday. The most reliable location for finding a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continues to be 83 Bayshore 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. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending March 2, 2017.
In terms of both weather and bird life, it has been like early spring at Presqu'ile Provincial Park until this morning. Birds have arrived back much earlier than usual and open water extends over much of the area that is normally frozen until at least mid-March. A TRUMPETER SWAN was seen on February 28. TUNDRA SWANS are uncommon at Presqu'ile, but a flock of 42 flew over on February 26 and one was in Presqu'ile Bay on February 27. GADWALLS and AMERICAN WIGEONS have been present in good numbers this week. An interesting duck at the edge of the marsh had the markings of a male MALLARD on the front two-thirds of its body and those of a male NORTHERN PINTAIL on the rear one-third. Diving ducks, especially REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, are present by the thousands in Presqu'ile Bay. However, on some recent days they have been so far away from accessible parts of the shoreline that identification of species is difficult to impossible, even with a scope. On Monday and Tuesday, the female SURF SCOTER first seen a week ago was still off the Salt Point lighthouse, and the female BLACK SCOTER was there on Sunday and Monday. A RUFFED GROUSE was found on Tuesday, and WILD TURKEYS continue to wander occasionally onto Bayshore Road. In a normal year, AMERICAN COOTS would be showing up when the ice begins to break up, but there have been no recent sightings yet. At least four AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were performing their ritual mating display in two different parts of the Park on the remarkably early date of February 27. Up until Tuesday, two or three BALD EAGLES could be seen almost every day. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen on Monday, and a MERLIN on Tuesday. Two COMMON RAVENS sitting shoulder to shoulder at the calf pasture were not the only ones seen in that area this week. Perhaps they will be nesting in the area, as they did once before in the Park. Three observers heard a bird singing in the marsh that, later in spring, would have been identified as a MARSH WREN, but they could not see the singer to confirm its identity. On the weekend, two PINE SISKINS were again visiting the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road. Single WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were seen in two different parts of the Park, undoubtedly over-wintering individuals rather than migrants. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES are now widespread. 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 will have to wade through water more than a few centimetres deep on approach. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 23, 2017.
In an abrupt change from earlier this month, the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has changed day by day. Not surprisingly, given the unusually warm weather, early migrants are appearing daily and ice conditions are more like what one would expect in mid- to late March. The elderly TRUMPETER SWAN known to many eastern Ontario birders as K29 (its wing tag designation) was present near the calf pasture on Tuesday. Although there have not yet been any sightings of WOOD DUCKS, many of the other early dabbling ducks have appeared in small numbers: GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, NORTHERN PINTAILS, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, all of which are somewhat earlier than normal. There are thousands of diving ducks in Presqu'ile Bay these days, mostly REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, but with a sprinkling of other ducks in the /Aythya/ genus: CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and LESSER SCAUP. This afternoon, opposite 123 Bayshore Road, one observer saw all three scoter species within the field of his scope. The female SURF SCOTER was the first of the spring at Presqu'ile, the WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have been there all winter, and the female BLACK SCOTER may be the same individual that was seen twice in mid- to late January as well as yesterday. A few minutes later, the same observer saw all three merganser species near the calf pasture. The pair of HOODED MERGANSERS were pre-dated by two males in the same area on Tuesday, and the COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS have been present in small numbers all winter. The regular group of WILD TURKEYS again crossed the road, this time near 42 Bayshore Road. With a KILLDEER being seen this afternoon just outside the Park, it is not too much of a stretch to expect that species and/or an AMERICAN WOODCOCK to show up in the Park before the end of the month, the record early dates for those two species being February 23 and 26, respectively. Both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL were off Gull Island on Monday. Apart from the BALD EAGLES that have been seen almost every day in the past week, there were no other raptors reported. The previously reported injured COMMON RAVEN has taken to flying around and is being seen regularly near the government dock. A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, an uncommonly seen but known-to-be-present winter bird at Presqu'ile was seen this morning. Two PINE SISKINS have made infrequent brief visits to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, including yesterday and today. Yesterday the first RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS of the season descended on local feeders, with 14 at 83 Bayshore Road. Among them this afternoon was a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. 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 may encounter water a few centimetres deep on approach. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Addendum to Presqu'ile Birding Report.
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 Islandmay encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks and drifts of snow obscuring water below. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 16, 2017.
Most of the birds seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week have been the same species that have appeared off and on throughout the winter. That may change with the promise of a warm weekend ahead and the possible arrival of some early migrants. Even a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in February would not be unprecedented at Presqu'ile. Two AMERICAN WIGEONS and an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK off the government dock yesterday are birds that were somewhat unexpected there. On the other hand, CANVASBACKS are now there every day. A flock of about 25 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS that flew past Salt Point on Tuesday was by far the largest number seen this year, a group of five having been there through most of the winter. The 20 COMMON MERGANSERS off the government dock yesterday were also more than the occasional one or two that have been seen over the past few weeks. On Saturday, both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL were among the other gulls on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. One or two BALD EAGLES can be seen on most days around Presqu'ile Bay. The only other raptors in the past week were a COOPER'S HAWK and a BARRED OWL. One observer saw two PILEATED WOODPECKERS at the campground office. The COMMON RAVEN with a broken wing has so far eluded the many red foxes along Bayshore Road and was seen again this afternoon in front of #80. HORNED LARKS and SNOW BUNTINGS (100 or more) were on Gull Island on Tuesday. Two PINE SISKINS were at 83 Bayshore Road on Saturday. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
Re: [Ontbirds] Fox Sparrow and two White-throated Sparrows in Northumberland County.
Subsequent to the posting below, Maureen Riggs found seven (!) Fox Sparrows at that location this afternoon, as well as the White-throated Sparrows. - Fred Helleiner. On 2/16/2017 3:05 PM, Fred Helleiner wrote: Today my wife and I saw a small group of sparrows nowhere near a feeder, including a Fox Sparrow and two White-throated Sparrows. The location is near Salem between Brighton and Colborne, south of County Road 2. Take Blyth Park Road south from #2. It turns west and becomes Simpson Road shortly before reaching the lake. About 100 metres beyond house 386 there is a row of pines on the north side with shrubbery along the roadside, which is where the birds were. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 9, 2017.
Typically, February is a slow month for birding. The past week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been no exception, but a surprising foretaste of spring occurred yesterday. In the aftermath of the warm front and accompanying southerly winds that passed through Presqu'ile during the night on Tuesday, three male AMERICAN WIGEONS appeared yesterday among the REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP at the government dock. To my knowledge, no one has reported that species anywhere near Presqu'ile all winter, so those birds may be genuine spring migrants. Other ducks of interest, including up to 22 CANVASBACKS, a male RING-NECKED DUCK, two LESSER SCAUP, and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, are merely a continuing presence from recent weeks. Likewise, the WILD TURKEYS in the calf pasture that have been seen repeatedly all winter were seen again this week. The five BALD EAGLES that were soaring high overhead on February 1 may have been moving towards their breeding territories elsewhere, since the only subsequent sightings at Presqu'ile were single birds on February 2 and 3. Two NORTHERN HARRIERS were hunting together in a blizzard on Gull Island on Monday. Other raptors seen this week were a RED-TAILED HAWK seen through a scope from the government dock, a SNOWY OWL on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, a sleeping BARRED OWL photographed beside the road in the Park, and a reported PEREGRINE FALCON at the lighthouse on Monday, a species not previously reported in the Park this winter. The injured COMMON RAVEN patrolling the lawns on Bayshore Road was still present this morning. AMERICAN ROBINS have been seen every day this week. A dozen CEDAR WAXWINGS were at the calf pasture on Monday, but the presence of a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Brighton late this afternoon has raised hopes that some may show up in the Park. Two PINE SISKINS are regular patrons of the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, as is a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at 83 Bayshore Road. SNOW BUNTINGS were present on Gull Island on Monday. 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 (a few metres of ankle-deep water separate it from Owen Point) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks and drifts of snow obscuring water below. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending February 2, 2017.
There has been little change in the bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week. Ducks continue to occupy Presqu'ile Bay in large numbers, and land birds continue to be concentrated around bird feeders. In Presqu'ile Bay, CANVASBACKS in double-digit numbers are among the thousands of REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, which evacuate the bay only during those brief periods when it freezes over, only to offer a spectacular return flight as soon as there are patches of open water again. A scrutiny of those flocks often pays off with a RING-NECKED DUCK and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. More COMMON GOLDENEYES than in recent weeks are also present and are engaged in their courtship displays. BALD EAGLES have been seen on most days, including a group of five that were soaring high overhead yesterday. Outside the Park at Gosport across the bay from Presqu'ile, twelve of them were videotaped last Friday squabbling over a dead fish on the ice. On calm evenings this month or in the pre-dawn, it may be possible to hear GREAT HORNED OWLS in "the fingers". The only other owls seen in the past week were SNOWY OWLS, one on the breakwall at 172 Bayshore Road on Friday and another (or the same one) at the day use area on Monday. A COMMON RAVEN, perhaps injured, was parading on a lawn on Sunday. Two PINE SISKINS visited the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road on Monday, and one was there again on Tuesday. Two stalwart individuals who trekked out to Gull Island in the wind this morning photographed a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were visiting the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road and at the campground office. 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 (a few metres of ankle-deep water separate it from Owen Point) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks and drifts of snow obscuring water below. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January19, 2017.
The unusual extent of open water in Presqu'ile Bay has provided opportunities for observing waterfowl that are normally anticipated as February progresses. Land birds remain concentrated around bird feeders. CANADA GEESE have begun feeding on lawns and on Gull Island, which is devoid of snow. Four TRUMPETER SWANS and three TUNDRA SWANS were present on January 13, and two of the former were seen yesterday. With the exception of a single MALLARD, dabbling ducks have not yet shown up in Presqu'ile Bay. GADWALLS are often among the first to do so and might appear before the end of this month. The large numbers of diving ducks are mostly REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, and COMMON GOLDENEYES. Among them a male CANVASBACK has been seen on four of the last five days. One or two RING-NECKED DUCKS and LESSER SCAUP have also been detected. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are generally near the lighthouse. A female HOODED MERGANSER was at the calf pasture on January 13. A RUFFED GROUSE was seen on Sunday, and the flock of WILD TURKEYS continues to cross Bayshore Road periodically, but otherwise manages to stay hidden. Two observers found an AMERICAN COOT off the government dock on Sunday. Large flocks of HERRING GULLS rest on the remaining ice of Presqu'ile Bay during the day. With a scope it has been possible to pick out as many as three ICELAND GULLS, four GLAUCOUS GULLS, and up to eight GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Both adult and immature BALD EAGLES have been patrolling Presqu'ile Bay all week. A SNOWY OWL was on Sebastopol Island on Sunday and on Gull Island yesterday. PILEATED WOODPECKERS were seen in two different locations. COMMON RAVENS were seen on two different days. The flock of HORNED LARKS that has been wintering on Gull Island was still present yesterday. A GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET near the lighthouse was at a location where the species is not expected until late in March. AMERICAN ROBINS usually winter at Presqu'ile but seldom in the numbers seen this year (45 by one estimate and 30 by another). SNOW BUNTINGS continue to be seen at Owen Point. The wintering WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (perhaps two) at 83 Bayshore Road is easily seen feeding on the ground. 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 (a few metres of water with a depth of a few centimetres separated it from Owen Point recently) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks and drifts of snow obscuring water below. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 12, 2017.
Highly variable weather conditions at Presqu'ile Provincial Park have given rise to highly variable success rates for visiting birders. On good days, many species, including some that are uncommon, can be found. MUTE SWANS now number well over 400, approaching the numbers that were present in late December. A TRUMPETER SWAN and two TUNDRA SWANS have been among them as recently as yesterday. A male CANVASBACK was seen on January 7. REDHEADS come and go more than any other species, reaching a high of about 350 on January 6 and almost disappearing on other days. There have been sightings of single RING-NECKED DUCK and LESSER SCAUP. Up to five WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS continue to be seen on most days near the lighthouse. The flock of WILD TURKEYS at the west end of the calf pasture has become more conspicuous, being seen by a number of observers. Birders with a scope have had some success in scanning the huge flock of gulls that spends the day on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. In addition to the predominant HERRING GULLS, there have been a single RING-BILLED GULL (as well as another at Owen Point), at least three ICELAND GULLS, two GLAUCOUS GULLS, and half a dozen GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. It would not be out of the question if a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were among them, but the distance involved in finding and identifying such a bird would be a challenge. BALD EAGLES have been seen on four of the last seven days, as many as five at a time, either sitting on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay or soaring overhead. Three NORTHERN HARRIERS were on High Bluff Island this morning, in addition to at least one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A COOPER'S HAWK sat watching the bird feeders at 186 Bayshore Road yesterday. On Sunday, two SNOWY OWLS were on Gull Island. Yesterday one was sitting on a duck blind in the marsh and today one was on Sebastopol Island. On Friday evening a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was photographed outside 54 Bayshore Road. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was attracted to the pocket of birds consuming food that had been put out for chickadees on Paxton Drive. One or two COMMON RAVENS were seen this week. Eight HORNED LARKS were on Gull Island on Sunday. AMERICAN ROBINS are in the Park in flocks of up to 250 or more. A probable AMERICAN PIPIT flew over Owen Point yesterday. About 200 SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Island on Sunday, but today only about 30 could be found. Two SONG SPARROWS and two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS patronize feeders on Bayshore Road. 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 (a couple of metres of water with a depth of a centimetre or two separated it from Owen Point recently) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks and drifts of snow obscuring water below. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending January 5, 2017.
With no exceptional rarities found at Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week, the focus has been on unusually large numbers of a few species. Hundreds of MUTE SWANS continue in Presqu'ile Bay, where there is open water from between the calf pasture and the marsh, though that may change with tonight's predicted low temperature unless the wind keeps blowing the newly formed ice out towards the lake. A few TRUMPETER SWANS, as many as four on December 30, can usually be found among them. There was a report of a CANVASBACK on January 1. REDHEAD numbers were building up gradually throughout the week, reaching a peak of about 1,200 yesterday. A male RING-NECKED DUCK was among them on January 1 and 4. With duck hunting scheduled to end on January 10, those two species may become more predictable as to their feeding location. A female KING EIDER that was seen on Monday at nearby Barcovan may turn up at Presqu'ile. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS continue to be seen almost every day off the lighthouse. Seven WILD TURKEYS were seen on December 30. When HERRING GULLS are resting on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, as they do when not flushed by an eagle, with a scope one can sometimes find other gulls. Two ICELAND GULLS and three GLAUCOUS GULLS have been detected there in the past week. A few BALD EAGLES are often feeding there on the ice. NORTHERN HARRIER and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK are the only other hawks seen in the past week. A SNOWY OWL has been on Gull and Sebastopol Islands and another on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, and a BARRED OWL was seen in the woods. There were two sightings of COMMON RAVEN on January 1. Nine HORNED LARKS were on Gull Island on December 30. There seemed to be a movement of AMERICAN ROBINS on Sunday, as they were being seen in flocks of a few dozen in many locations both in the Park and beyond, some of them flying westward. Relatively few remained in subsequent days. A PINE SISKIN paid a brief visit to a feeder on Monday. SNOW BUNTINGS, numbering about 275 (!), were at Owen Point and Gull Island on December 30. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS have been at 83 Bayshore Road, the latter on only one occasion. 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 (a couple of metres of water with a depth of a centimetre or two separated it from Owen Point recently) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 29, 2016.
Presumably because birders have been preoccupied with celebrations of one sort or another during the past week, there has been a paucity of bird reports from Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Most of the interesting sightings have been in Presqu'ile Bay, where residents keep an eye on what there is to see when otherwise not occupied. The ice margin has retreated to the calf pasture, allowing waterfowl to avoid the hunters at Salt Point. Late last week about 600 MUTE SWANS and at least a dozen TRUMPETER SWANS were in Presqu'ile Bay. Yesterday the numbers of the former had dwindled somewhat and a dozen or so TUNDRA SWANS accompanied them. The first CANVASBACKS usually show up at about this time. This week there have been only a couple of dozen REDHEADS, as well as a lone male RING-NECKED DUCK for a few days. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are there in single digits. A surprising concentration of about 120 COMMON MERGANSERS on Tuesday was the only sighting of that species in over a week. Seven WILD TURKEYS were along Bayshore Road near Lilac Lane yesterday. Three AMERICAN COOTS were off the government dock on Friday but have not re-appeared. Two ICELAND GULLS and one GLAUCOUS GULL have been on the edge of the ice in Presqu'ile Bay. The big news among Bayshore Road residents has been the BALD EAGLES sitting on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay and in adjacent trees. On most days several have been seen at once, and two observers mentioned counting ten or eleven at a time. Two observers found a NORTHERN GOSHAWK along Paxton Drive, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on Gull Island. The only owl of the past week was a BARRED OWL. A flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS was seen on Friday. After spending over a week at 186 Bayshore Road, the SAVANNAH SPARROW mentioned in last week's report disappeared after Thursday of last week. 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 (a couple of metres of water with a depth of a centimetre or two separated it from Owen Point on Tuesday) may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 22, 2016.
Once again, it has been shown that a concentrated effort by numerous birders, as on the recent Christmas Bird Count, reveals the presence of more birds at Presqu'ile Provincial Park than one would suspect from casual birding. Between 400 and 500 MUTE SWANS as well as a few TRUMPETER SWANS and TUNDRA SWANS have been present in Presqu'ile Bay through much of the week. Most dabbling ducks have left but an AMERICAN WIGEON was found on Sunday. In contrast, a good variety of diving ducks is present, including REDHEADS, a RING-NECKED DUCK, WHITE-WINGED and BLACK SCOTERS, a HOODED MERGANSER, and a late RUDDY DUCK on December 21. Up to four AMERICAN COOTS have also accompanied some of the ducks that feed at the edge of the ice off the government dock. On Sunday, a long-staying DUNLIN with an injured leg and a PURPLE SANDPIPER were on Gull Tombolo. Three BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen on Tuesday. Both ICELAND GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL have been seen. A few BALD EAGLES have been feeding on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay, including four adults this afternoon. There have been a few sightings of NORTHERN HARRIERS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and SNOWY OWLS, as well as one GREAT HORNED OWL. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have been scarce at Presqu'ile this season, unlike other places near and far, but one was found on the Christmas Bird Count. A NORTHERN FLICKER was near the Park entrance on Monday. On Friday a PEREGRINE FALCON was one of several species feeding off a dead bird on the ice of Presqu'ile Bay. A surprising count of 37 HORNED LARKS on Gull Tombolo was made on Sunday. On Saturday two observers found a WINTER WREN at 94 Bayshore Road. An AMERICAN PIPIT and about 90 SNOW BUNTINGS were on Gull Tombolo on Sunday. A SAVANNAH SPARROW with no tail has been a regular visitor to the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road, a late SWAMP SPARROW was on Gull Tombolo on Sunday, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have been at 83 Bayshore Road (3) and at 30 Bayshore Road (1). Although the days are getting longer (has anyone noticed?), now that winter has begun, other sparrows and blackbirds may be converging on 83 Bayshore Road, where there are about 30 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, or other places where there are feeders. 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 Tombolo may encounter a slippery coating of ice on the rocks. Ice cleats are recommended. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0Ending December 22, 2016. 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Addendum to Presqu'ile Birding Report.
The Savannah Sparrow that was at 186 Bayshore Road briefly yesterday re-appeared five minutes after this week's birding report was sent. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 15, 2016.
Since last weekend, the onset of wintry conditions has significantly altered birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Not only has much of the open water frozen over, but birders themselves have become scarce, a situation that will change this Sunday during the Christmas Bird Count. On Sunday 380 MUTE SWANS were counted, as well as several duck species generally encountered in only small numbers in winter: 9 GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEON, 5 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 28 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS. Also on that day, two HORNED GREBES were in Popham Bay and one in Presqu'ile Bay. A DUNLIN was on Gull Tombolo on Sunday and Tuesday. There were still three BONAPARTE'S GULLS off Owen Point on Sunday. In years past, both IVORY GULL and LITTLE GULL have been seen at Presqu'ile in the last few days of astronomical autumn, including one of the former during a Christmas Bird Count. A COMMON LOON was off the lighthouse on December 10 and 13. Two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were on High Bluff Island on Sunday. BARRED OWLS are present year-round in the Park, and one was photographed this week. A PILEATED WOODPECKER at the entrance to Jobes' Woods was unconcerned about the four birders who watched it from a short distance for 15 minutes. Four HORNED LARKS were on Gull Tombolo on Tuesday, and 30 SNOW BUNTINGS were there on Sunday. A SAVANNAH SPARROW with no tail paid a brief visit to 186 Bayshore Road yesterday. 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 (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross. Much of the shoreline there is ice-covered, making walking potentially dangerous. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority this Saturday, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on that day. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 8, 2016.
The fall bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has effectively ground to a halt. The interesting sightings of the past week consist mainly of birds that should have left by now. Some of them may still move further south, but others will likely remain to attempt to winter over, which is a choice that would be facilitated by the continuation of open water and by the presence of numerous feeders. TRUMPETER SWANS and TUNDRA SWANS have been much in evidence. On Sunday a flock of 14 of the latter flew past Gull Tombolo. Eight of that species and six of the other were in the marsh this morning. Both yesterday and today, both of those species could be seen from the campground office viewing deck. On most days the marsh has remained unfrozen, allowing dabbling ducks, including two GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Tuesday and a continuing AMERICAN WIGEON, to continue feeding there. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS have been seen in small numbers. A RUFFED GROUSE on the Owen Point trail and ten WILD TURKEYS in the calf pasture were the only gallinaceous birds this week. On Friday morning a much confused but otherwise healthy and very late PIED-BILLED GREBE was on the road beside the Park entrance gate before skittering under a parked car, where a heroic staff member was able to grab it (while being vigorously pecked) and take it to a nearby marsh. On Tuesday morning a flock of eight SANDHILL CRANES flew north-west over the beach, perhaps a spinoff from a flock of almost fifty that had flown in that direction high overhead just outside the Park a few minutes earlier. That sighting was also a record late date for Presqu'ile. For a second consecutive Sunday, another swarm of birders from far afield made their way to Gull Tombolo in a successful search for a PURPLE SANDPIPER. At the same time a DUNLIN was also present, but neither of these birds could be found on Tuesday. Every day for the past week, BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been seen, and a LITTLE GULL flew over on Sunday. Last year a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was photographed at Owen Point on December 10 and seen nearby on the following day. This morning a late COMMON LOON was near the lighthouse. An immature BALD EAGLE soared overhead yesterday morning and another of that species was also seen. Several observers have seen a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on High Bluff Island. A SNOWY OWL was seen on Friday. A very late NORTHERN FLICKER was seen along Paxton Drive on Monday. A PEREGRINE FALCON was on High Bluff Island on Sunday. A PURPLE FINCH was at a feeder on Saturday. The most recent sighting of a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was at 83 Bayshore Road on December 2. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW spent Tuesday afternoon at 186 Bayshore Road. 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 (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending December 1, 2016.
After a swarm of birders (a new collective noun) descended on Presqu'ile Provincial Park on Sunday, with satisfying results, there has been relatively little birding taking place since then. At Gull Tombolo on Sunday, observers could see three swan species at once: MUTE SWAN, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS, 6 TUNDRA SWANS. The mild weather has allowed several species of ducks to remain in the marsh and nearby, including AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Other ducks of interest this week have been numerous WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and up to six HOODED MERGANSERS. Ten WILD TURKEYS have again appeared in the open area around the calf pasture. Four HORNED GREBES were seen on Tuesday. AMERICAN COOTS can usually be seen opposite 36 Bayshore Road. A DUNLIN was the only shorebird seen on Tuesday, but three PURPLE SANDPIPERS delighted many birders on Sunday. There were two GLAUCOUS GULL sightings in the past week, as well as singles of RED-THROATED LOON and COMMON LOON. An eagle seen on Sunday was too distant to be identified as to species. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are now regular on High Bluff Island. A SNOWY OWL was on Sebastopol Island on Sunday and Tuesday. A PEREGRINE FALCON was also seen. A late BELTED KINGFISHER was again seen at Salt Point. A PINE SISKIN was at 186 Bayshore Road on Tuesday. It is not clear whether the YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS visiting feeders at 83 and 186 Bayshore Road are the same bird or two different individuals. A SONG SPARROW seen on Sunday was the first in a few weeks. Both WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have been coming to feeders. There may be other sparrows lingering in the Park that will perhaps gravitate to the several feeders once there is a significant snowfall. 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 (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 24, 2016.
Although the field trip to Presqu'ile Provincial Park scheduled for last Sunday was postponed for a week because of threatening weather, those birders who came to the Park despite that found some interesting birds, a few of which remained in subsequent days. Two TRUMPETER SWANS accompanied a small group of MUTE SWANS near the lighthouse yesterday. Since the marsh froze over earlier in the week, most of the dabbling ducks have disappeared or moved to a patch of open water just outside the Park, but GADWALLS remain in Popham Bay. REDHEADS remain the most numerous duck species. A HARLEQUIN DUCK off Gull Tombolo has been a source of attention for those able to find it. A nearby female SURF SCOTER was a superficially similar bird. Before the marsh froze over, there was a female HOODED MERGANSER there. Eleven WILD TURKEYS were again seen this week. Several HORNED GREBES have been seen in Popham Bay, and a rather late PIED-BILLED GREBE was in Presqu'ile Bay on November 18. Eight AMERICAN COOTS were at the outer edge of the marsh yesterday. On Tuesday, three shorebird species were on Gull Tombolo: 5 DUNLINS, a PURPLE SANDPIPER, and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. An ICELAND GULL was also there. The only GLAUCOUS GULL of the season was seen on November 17. A RECORD late TURKEY VULTURE flew over on November 19. A COMMON RAVEN was calling near the lighthouse yesterday. This is the time of year when BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS can be expected, and a flock was seen just outside the Park recently. A late AMERICAN PIPIT was at Owen Point on Tuesday. Both PURPLE FINCHES and PINE SISKINS have visited the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road this week. A surprisingly late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was catching insects around the windows of the Visitor Centre yesterday, and it or another one spent much of today at 186 Bayshore Road, where it aggressively defended its preferred peanut feeder against other birds. 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 (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 17, 2016.
From near and far, birders came to Presqu'ile Provincial Park this week in search of one of the long-awaited specialty birds for which the Park is noted in November. Some were more successful than others, but a good variety of birds was available for all to see. The only unusual swan this week was a TUNDRA SWAN heard flying over in the thick fog. Although the number of dabbling ducks appears to have diminished somewhat, exceptions being GADWALLS and two NORTHERN PINTAILS, diving ducks, especially REDHEADS, are present in huge numbers, one estimate being 4,000 of that species between Popham Bay and Presqu'ile Bay on Sunday and another estimate being 3,800 in Popham Bay alone. A SURF SCOTER, several WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and a BLACK SCOTER were among the diving ducks. Nine WILD TURKEYS were again seen on Monday at the calf pasture. On most days a few HORNED GREBES can be seen with the help of a scope. On Tuesday a rather late BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 12 DUNLINS were on Gull Island (which was still an island then). On Sunday, a lone PURPLE SANDPIPER was in the north-east corner of Gull Island and two others were on the south shore of the island. They have not been seen since then, despite the best efforts of searchers, but might re-appear for Sunday's field trip of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.. About 500 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were present this morning, a remarkable increase from a couple of dozen on Tuesday. With the first ICELAND GULL of the season showing up at Chatterson Point on Sunday, can GLAUCOUS GULLS or even an IVORY GULL (which once showed up on November 22) be far behind? A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL flew past the lighthouse on Tuesday. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was perched on High Bluff Island this morning. A BARRED OWL was near Jobes' woods. A late NORTHERN FLICKER was at the lighthouse this morning. Several PILEATED WOODPECKERS have been seen. This morning a MERLIN sat in a tree on Sebastopol Island and a few minutes later a PEREGRINE FALCON was walking along the shore of that island. On Tuesday on Owen Point, a mixed flock of birds contained about 40 HORNED LARKS, three LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and half a dozen SNOW BUNTINGS, while an AMERICAN PIPIT was on Gull Tombolo. Four EVENING GROSBEAKS paid a brief visit to the feeders at 83 Bayshore Road on Monday, and the next morning at the same location were a CHIPPING SPARROW and a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Most passerines are now found only at feeders, but a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW this morning was an exception. 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 (now a tombolo) are now able to walk there without special footwear, but under certain conditions such as high winds there may be a few metres of water a few centimetres deep to cross. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Owen Point, Gull Tombolo, 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 10, 2016.
Unusually mild weather notwithstanding, bird life at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has taken on a wintry aspect. Most species that are present now are ones that can also be found in mid-winter. The two TRUMPETER SWANS that were in Popham Bay for almost three months were last sighted on November 3. Several dozen GADWALLS have gathered around the north shore of Gull Island. Well over 1,000 REDHEADS are rafting in Presqu'ile and Popham Bays. Female BLACK SCOTERS are being seen regularly in Popham Bay, with a count of twelve on Sunday. HORNED GREBES are now being seen only in single digits. Up to November 8, a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and a few DUNLINS were being seen, but none could be found today. Four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on November 6 were on the late side. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on Chatterson Point on Tuesday, and an immature was on the Salt Point lighthouse on Saturday. A few COMMON LOONS have been swimming near the lighthouse. Two DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were still lingering on Tuesday. On Sunday a COOPER'S HAWK was seen catching a shorebird in flight. Two days later, one observer found single immature NORTHERN GOSHAWKS in two widely separated parts of the Park and assumed them to be different birds. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on High Bluff Island on Sunday. The only owl reported this week was a SNOWY OWL on Sebastopol Island this morning, two days later than the first arrival last year. A BELTED KINGFISHER at Salt Point on Saturday was the first in recent weeks. Ten years ago on November 12, both AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER and BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER were found in "the fingers", a part of the Park that is under-birded and that warrants a search for these species. PILEATED WOODPECKERS were seen on two different days this week. A MERLIN and a few COMMON RAVENS were not unexpected sightings. On Sunday, eleven HORNED LARKS and two LAPLAND LONGSPURS were on Gull Island, and a HERMIT THRUSH was near Owen Point. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW at 83 Bayshore Road may turn out to be an over-wintering bird. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending November 3, 2016.
Birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in November can be disappointing after the peak of bird migration in the preceding two or three months, but sightings in the past week suggest that there is still plenty to see. A noisy flock of 130 BRANT flew in from the north on Sunday. Yesterday morning a NORTHERN SHOVELER was in the marsh opposite the campground office, and this morning a NORTHERN PINTAIL was there, along with a variety of other dabbling ducks. There were two different SURF SCOTER sightings this week, and two different RUFFED GROUSE sightings by one observer on Monday. The WILD TURKEY family at the calf pasture was out on the road yesterday morning. RED-NECKED GREBES were seen on two different days, with six seen on Sunday by two observers. Outside the Park gate but perhaps within the Park boundary was a late COMMON GALLINULE on November 1. Shorebirds continue to be seen, mostly around Gull Island: a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on Sunday and today; 41 DUNLINS on Sunday; two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on Sunday: a GREATER YELLOWLEGS in the woodpile marsh today. This is the date when one RED PHALAROPE (or perhaps two) showed up last year. This is also the month when the much anticipated influx of PURPLE SANDPIPERS usually occurs, attracting numerous birders to Presqu'ile, which is noted for that species. An adult LITTLE GULL and an immature LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were among dozens of other gulls of commoner species taking advantage of a massive flock of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS on Sunday. That flock has been moving around Popham Bay and was still present today to the north of the Park boundary. Also seen on Sunday were up to four RED-THROATED LOONS, and one was seen again yesterday. Although DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are being seen daily mostly in ones and twos, a flock of about 400 was in Presqu'ile Bay on Friday, after most of that species had been assumed to have left. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was an interesting find. A BARRED OWL was seen on Tuesday, and a SHORT-EARED OWL was on Gull Island today. Among the resident woodpeckers seen this week were a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and a few PILEATED WOODPECKERS. MERLINS were seen at least twice. There was a rather late EASTERN PHOEBE on Sunday. A COMMON RAVEN was seen twice on Tuesday. The CAROLINA WREN behind the woodpile marsh was singing again yesterday. A few YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are lingering, with one as recently as today. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 27, 2016.
Migrant land birds are still evident in Presqu'ile Provincial Park but in somewhat reduced numbers. Other birds remain plentiful. This time of year has produced several rare birds in the past, as noted below. Two BRANT were reported on October 21 and 22. The two long-staying TRUMPETER SWANS on and around Gull and Sebastopol Islands show no signs of departing. While most of the duck species that were present in the Park a week ago are still present, there are significantly more WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and BUFFLEHEADS and one additional species, a HOODED MERGANSER. The family group of WILD TURKEYS that has been seen repeatedly in recent months at the calf pasture was seen again this week. On both Tuesday and Wednesday there were flyover SANDHILL CRANES, and one was in the marsh yesterday. Six shorebird species have been seen in the past week. SANDERLINGS and DUNLINS have dominated, but there were also four WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS on Sunday on Gull Island, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER on the beach on Saturday, four WILSON'S SNIPE in the woodpile marsh on Tuesday, two GREATER YELLOWLEGS in the marsh opposite the campground office on Saturday, and one of those on the south shore of High Bluff campground on Tuesday. Earlier this week, hawks were migrating west, but mostly just outside the Park. Most were TURKEY VULTURES, with 28 in one flock on Sunday. Other species that were close enough to be visible from the Park included NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and GOLDEN EAGLE. The most recent record of a NORTHERN HAWK-OWL at Presqu'ile was on October 30, 2000. Perhaps one will break the drought this weekend. A jogger flushed a BARRED OWL in Newcastle woods, and a scolding of chickadees drew attention to a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL near the campground office on Sunday. MERLINS and a PEREGRINE FALCON have again been seen this week. A species that is more likely than NORTHERN HAWK-OWL is GYRFALCON: all of the four autumn records at Presqu'ile have occurred between October 25 and November 12. An anonymous report of a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on October 23 cries out for documentation of some sort, perhaps a photograph, since it is two weeks later than the previous late record. A rare bird report should be provided to the Park office. Another rarity that might reappear is WHITE-EYED VIREO, since the two most recent sightings were on November 3 three years ago and October 27 last year. COMMON RAVENS continue to be sighted. The CAROLINA WREN that has been in the same general area since mid-September was seen again on Sunday. Eight EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were at the calf pasture on Saturday. Fifteen years ago, a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE spent a few days at Presqu'ile from October 27-30. Small numbers of PURPLE FINCHES have been showing up at feeders and elsewhere this week. SNOW BUNTINGS have been frequenting the shores from one end of the Park to the other, with several flocks on Gull Island. A late NORTHERN PARULA was photographed on October 22. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 20, 2016.
A few uncommon birds have been among the many species that have made Presqu'ile Provincial Park an interesting birding destination in the past week. The maximum fall count of BRANT (400 birds) was on this date in 1985. Again this week, three species of swans have appeared in the Park: MUTE SWANS, TRUMPETER SWANS, and TUNDRA SWANS. As wintering ducks begin to return, the variety of ducks (21 species) keeps growing. Some of the highlights include up to 23 WOOD DUCKS, up to 35 GADWALLS, reports of ten BLUE-WINGED TEAL and six NORTHERN SHOVELERS, two NORTHERN PINTAILS, well over 100 GREEN-WINGED TEAL on most days (though only five could be found in the rain today), up to 12 RING-NECKED DUCKS, two SURF SCOTERS, two BLACK SCOTERS, three LONG-TAILED DUCKS, two BUFFLEHEADS, and two COMMON GOLDENEYES. The time is ripe for a EURASIAN WIGEON to join the others. The carcass of a RING-NECKED PHEASANT was washed up on the beach. Cuckoos, especially YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS, are never common at Presqu'ile, but that species exhibits a peculiar pattern of occasionally showing up in late autumn, as was the case on October 18 of this year. A late immature COMMON GALLINULE just outside the Park entrance on October 14 was of interest. Among ten shorebird species seen in the past week, an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, a RED KNOT, and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK were of particular interest, but the most noteworthy were a PURPLE SANDPIPER reported without any details on October 17 (a very early date) and a LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER seen by numerous individuals on October 16. Two dowitchers seen on the previous day may also have been of that species. Another bird reported without any details was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK on October 14. Two MERLINS were seen on October 18, including one that was dive-bombing a PEREGRINE FALCON that appeared to be at least twice its size. PILEATED WOODPECKERS and COMMON RAVENS continue to be seen regularly. A HORNED LARK was seen on Tuesday, and for the third time in recent weeks a CAROLINA WREN was found on two different days. A PURPLE FINCH visited a feeder briefly on Tuesday. Other than YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, which are still around in reduced numbers, the only other warblers were COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and PALM WARBLER, of which two were in the Gull Island/Owen Point area on Tuesday. The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS of the season were found on October 16 and 17. On the following day a SAVANNAH SPARROW was on Gull Island. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 13, 2016.
Once the log jam of birds waiting in points further north through much of last week finally broke on Sunday, Presqu'ile Provincial Park was suddenly inundated with hundreds of southbound migrants that had been held up by summer-like weather and southerly winds. In addition to the long-staying TRUMPETER SWANS around Sebastopol Island, four TUNDRA SWANS were nearby on Tuesday. A good variety of ducks is present to the west of the camp office lookout over the marsh. On most days, there are WOOD DUCKS, GADWALLS, AMERICAN WIGEONS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, and MALLARDS, but the majority are GREEN-WINGED TEAL (275 by one count). Today there were two NORTHERN PINTAILS, and on Tuesday the first RING-NECKED DUCK of the season showed up there, followed by four on Wednesday. A female SURF SCOTER off Salt Point on Monday and a few WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS in Popham Bay were also of interest. A RUFFED GROUSE was seen on two different days and a WILD TURKEY on Sunday. On Sunday and Tuesday, single RED-NECKED GREBES were seen. Only six shorebird species were around this week. Both BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS have been present this week, including this morning. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on Tuesday and Wednesday and a rather late SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER today were also seen. At this time of year, observers should be on the lookout for RED PHALAROPES, which occasionally stop at Presqu'ile. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK seen on Friday also qualifies technically as a shorebird. A CASPIAN TERN was still lingering on Friday. Although the GREEN HERONS that frequented the woodpile marsh for over seven weeks appear to have departed, the AMERICAN BITTERN that was also there was last seen on Friday. Apart from numerous TURKEY VULTURES, hawks and owls have been scarce this week. A GREAT HORNED OWL was calling late one night, and MERLINS and a PEREGRINE FALCON have been seen sporadically. As usual, there have been a few sightings of RED-BELLIED and PILEATED WOODPECKERS. The first NORTHERN SHRIKES of the season sometimes show up in mid-October. What may be the last RED-EYED VIREOS of the year were seen on Saturday and Sunday. Although GRAY JAYS are rare at Presqu'ile (only one record in the past forty years), all of the autumn sightings have been in October, including one on October 16 six years ago. COMMON RAVENS are again being seen on most days, including nine on Saturday. A CAROLINA WREN was singing near the woodpile marsh on Friday, almost three weeks since another or the same one was also heard there. HERMIT THRUSHES were ubiquitous on the weekend. Half a dozen AMERICAN PIPITS were in the woodpile marsh on Tuesday and Wednesday. The same observer who photographed the first LAPLAND LONGSPUR of the season last week also photographed the first SNOW BUNTING of the season on the beach yesterday. Warblers have thinned out since the weekend, but up to and including the weekend eight species were seen, including a few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and rather late TENNESSEE, BAY-BREASTED, and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. Three FOX SPARROWS were among the hordes of other sparrows in the Park. 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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending October 6, 2016.
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 29, 2016.
The fall bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park was in full swing on the weekend, when dozens of birders were present to enjoy it. Since then, a diminished number of birders (those who don't have to keep working/school hours) are still finding lots of migrants representing species normally found this late in the season. The three TRUMPETER SWANS mentioned in previous reports continue to be seen, with the two on and around Sebastopol Island being the most reliable. More dabbling ducks have made their way into the marsh, where at least five species have been seen from the camp office viewing deck. (The adjacent sign restricting access does not apply to that deck.) Most diving ducks, especially REDHEADS and GREATER SCAUP, as well as HORNED GREBES, are far out in Popham Bay. WILD TURKEYS have been seen again this week, with a high count of 12 on Sunday. On both Saturday and Sunday, a late BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was at Owen Point. Among the shorebirds seen this week were AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, RED KNOT, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, as well as at least eight other species. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was still present on Sunday, this time on High Bluff Island. The woodpile marsh continues to provide good views of AMERICAN BITTERN (also seen today along the marsh boardwalk) and GREEN HERON. One birder was surprised today to flush an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON from the edge of Gull Island. The bird then posed for prolonged looks before flying off again. An OSPREY seen today was rather late. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS were seen at least twice. A PEREGRINE FALCON flew over Gull Island on Sunday. While not quite a record, an EASTERN KINGBIRD sighting on Saturday was very late. COMMON RAVENS are being seen and heard almost every day, and one observer saw seven at once. Both HORNED LARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS were on Gull Island today. A HOUSE WREN put in a brief appearance yesterday. GRAY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON'S THRUSHES are being seen here and there. Eight years ago on October 2, a vagrant VARIED THRUSH was the only record of that species from Presqu'ile. Warblers, including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, have been fairly easy to find even after their onslaught on the weekend. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOES also became prominent on the weekend and have been ever since. A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was in the woodpile marsh on Sunday. 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 shin-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: fhellei...@trentu.ca <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 22, 2016.
Exceptionally warm and pleasant weather at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has slowed the bird migration but has provided many birders the opportunity to enjoy studying birds at their leisure, especially on Gull Island. The BRANT that has appeared sporadically in recent weeks was once again on Gull Island on September 16. In addition to the TRUMPETER SWAN bearing wing tag K29, two others of that species, apparently untagged, have been present for most of this week. Last year on September 20 a EURASIAN WIGEON accompanied the AMERICAN WIGEONS in Popham Bay. The latter species has again been building up its numbers in Popham Bay this week, as have GADWALLS and REDHEADS. Ten WILD TURKEYS were again seen this week. HORNED GREBES have gathered in small groups far out in Popham Bay. As recently as this afternoon, a few RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS remain in the Park. COMMON GALLINULES have been a fixture for most of the week in the woodpile marsh. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS are fairly easy to find at Owen Point or Gull Island. A WHIMBREL was photographed last Saturday. Shorebird viewing has been excellent, with 14 species seen. Among them were RUDDY TURNSTONE (usually on Sebastopol Island), DUNLIN (a single individual seen on most days), two or three BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS on most days, a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER today, two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Gull Island and the lighthouse. On Saturday and again this morning, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on Sebastopol Island, and was photographed on High Bluff Island today. Most terns have left but a CASPIAN TERN flew over this morning. The most recent GREAT EGRET sighting was on Tuesday. An AMERICAN BITTERN and two GREEN HERONS continue to frequent the woodpile marsh. An OSPREY yesterday and several MERLIN sightings were of interest. GREAT HORNED OWLS have been heard at the campgrounds. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen on Sunday and another was heard yesterday. EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE and EASTERN PHOEBE were the only flycatcher species this week, but birders are reminded that Presqu'ile's only SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER showed up in 1986 on September 28, a time of year when rare flycatchers from the west and south-west sometimes wander into Ontario. Again this week, a shrike was seen near Owen Point, presumably the same LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE that was discovered last week. That bird was hatched and raised in captivity at the African Lion Safari this year and released at Newburgh, near Napanee, on August 26. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen yesterday. A HORNED LARK was seen on Monday. Both HOUSE WREN and CAROLINA WREN were heard. There were three GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH sightings. A flock of AMERICAN PIPITS has been regular on Gull Island. Warblers have thinned out a bit, but an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and two rather late YELLOW WARBLERS were of interest. More of the former can be expected from now on. A few SAVANNAH SPARROWS and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW have been seen, as well as a rather late SCARLET TANAGER yesterday. 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 shin-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 after tomorrow. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 15, 2016.
Again this week, well over 100 species of birds have been in Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Among them were some that were arriving unexpectedly early in the fall and others that were lingering a bit later than usual, as well as some that would be considered uncommon by some and downright rare by others. Again this week, the elusive BRANT has put in an appearance, actually two - on the south side of Gull Island on Sunday and on the north side on Monday. Less elusive are the two TRUMPETER SWANS that are being seen on most days around Gull Island. The REDHEAD flock off Sebastopol Island has grown to about 30 birds. The only new duck for this season was a female BUFFLEHEAD with the REDHEADS on September 9. HORNED GREBES should be showing up there within days. An estimated 30 COMMON MERGANSERS were off Gull Island for a couple of days. Five or more WILD TURKEYS crossed Atkins Lane this morning. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen on Sunday. Among the shorebirds frequenting Owen Point and Gull Island are a RED KNOT (two on Saturday), an early DUNLIN on September 13 and 14, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER also on those dates. BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS continue to be seen almost daily. One of the highlights of the week was an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the beach that was first discovered on Saturday and seen again three days later. One or two GREEN HERONS can usually be seen in the woodpile marsh. Notable hawks seen this week include an immature BALD EAGLE and two COOPER'S HAWKS (one of which was scolding two BARRED OWLS in Jobes' woods), as well as MERLINS and a PEREGRINE FALCON. Unquestionably, the most surprising find was a banded LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE that was photographed on Gull Island this morning. This endangered species had not been seen at Presqu'ile for a number of years. There were several COMMON RAVEN sightings this week, including a group of three yesterday morning. A late BARN SWALLOW was at the lighthouse on Sunday. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on September 12, the first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET of the fall on September 11, and an AMERICAN PIPIT on September 12. Again this week, warblers have been too numerous to itemize. At least 20 species have been represented in the flocks that have appeared in many parts of the Park. It is at this time of year that NELSON'S SPARROWS show up on Gull Island with some regularity. An immature DARK-EYED JUNCO that was photographed on Sunday was surprisingly early and may have been hatched locally. A remarkable 125 COMMON GRACKLES were flying out of the marsh on Sunday morning. 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 shin-deep water (not allowing for waves) in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 8, 2016.
Over 100 species of birds have been seen at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, a clear indication that the fall migration is in full swing. There has been lots of birding activity at Presqu'ile Provincial Park, with results that have generally satisfied everyone. Perhaps the Ontario Field Ornithologists' outing to Presqu'ile Provincial Park this Sunday will generate even more sightings of interest, especially after the predicted change in the weather. The BRANT that was seen on two previous occasions this summer was spotted again yesterday. Two TRUMPETER SWANS have been fairly regular off Owen Point. Ducks have been present in somewhat increasing numbers. Where one GREATER SCAUP has lingered for weeks, three were seen yesterday. As well, COMMON MERGANSERS have re-appeared in three different places. One of the biggest surprises was a flock of eleven WILD TURKEYS, an adult with ten young. Someone saw a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO on Sunday. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was also seen on that day. COMMON GALLINULES are easy to find in both the woodpile marsh and the marsh along the causeway leading into the Park, where eleven birds were counted. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was on Gull Island on Friday. Otherwise, the shorebird flock at Owen Point has remained fairly stable all week. In addition to the commoner species, it has included one WHIMBREL late last week, a STILT SANDPIPER on Sunday, a few BAIRD'S and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER with an injured leg. As many as three GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS are now being seen. AMERICAN BITTERN, GREAT EGRETS, and GREEN HERON have all been seen on more than one occasion. A BALD EAGLE was seen on two different days. COOPER'S HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, MERLIN, and PEREGRINE FALCON have all been seen in the past week. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and ALDER FLYCATCHER were among seven flycatcher species in the Park. YELLOW-THROATED VIREO and PHILADELPHIA VIREO were also seen. Single COMMON RAVENS were found twice. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on Monday. Two GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES and an AMERICAN PIPIT were the first of the season. Too many warbler species (!) to be listed here, but a HOODED WARBLER seen briefly at the lighthouse this afternoon was an interesting report. Several sparrow species are summer residents at Presqu'ile, including a few WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS that were seen twice this week, but migrants such as WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS should soon be appearing. 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 until after September 10 to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water (not allowing for waves) in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. Birders are encouraged to record theirobservations 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 <mailto:fhellei...@trentu.ca>. ** -- 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending September 1, 2016.
Birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has been rewarding this week, and the cold front that arrived last night has continued the trend. One TRUMPETER SWAN has been seen pretty regularly on or near Sebastopol Island, and two were on Owen Point on August 28. Among the other ducks along the north shore of Gull Island were a NORTHERN SHOVELER on Tuesday and a NORTHERN PINTAIL on two different days. A GREATER SCAUP is often seen with the small group of REDHEADS in Popham Bay. Four RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were seen on Tuesday. RED-NECKED GREBES have been spotted in both Popham Bay and Presqu'ile Bay. Both YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO were found on Saturday, but the former was only heard. Three COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were at the calf pasture on August 26, seven were at the lighthouse on Tuesday, and one was seen this evening. Shorebirds continue to be an attraction at Owen Point and on the beach. The first WHIMBREL of the season was photographed today. The only STILT SANDPIPER was at the tip of Owen Point briefly on August 29. A few BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS are there every day. Single BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen on August 27 and 28. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was with the aforementioned STILT SANDPIPER. There are other shorebirds that are still likely to show up, including AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and possibly RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. There were sightings in the past week of AMERICAN BITTERN, GREAT EGRET, GREEN HERON, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON. A BALD EAGLE was photographed at the calf pasture yesterday. The first significant hawk migration of the fall was detected this morning, featuring several SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, the latter species not normally migrating this close to the lake shore. A BARRED OWL was photographed on Sunday. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were at Salt Point. MERLINS have been patrolling the shore, and yesterday a PEREGRINE FALCON was also seen there. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen on four occasions, and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS on two. Five vireo species were seen this week: YELLOW-THROATED, BLUE-HEADED, PHILADELPHIA, WARBLING, RED-EYED. Two BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen on Saturday. Two very early sightings of HERMIT THRUSH on August 28 were in different parts of the Park. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was an unusual sighting. A bird that usually puts in an appearance in September is LAPLAND LONGSPUR, but most of the records are from Gull Island, which remains off limits until September 11. Warblers in loose flocks are being found all over the Park these days. Most of the ones that are being identified (despite their confusing plumages and their habit of flitting among the foliage) are not unusual, but a report of an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER on August 27 certainly is, because of the exceptionally early date. TENNESSEE WARBLERS and CAPE MAY WARBLERS have also been among them. Another exceptionally early sighting was of a reported LINCOLN'S SPARROW on August 27. SCARLET TANAGERS are being seen almost daily, with very few showing any red colouration. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 25, 2016.
Not only has the fall bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park got into full swing, but the variety now includes a good many passerines to complement the shorebirds that have held sway in recent weeks and continue to provide excellent viewing opportunities. For the second consecutive week, a BRANT was on the beach, this time yesterday evening. The TRUMPETER SWAN that has been among the other swans around Sebastopol Point for several weeks was still there this morning, as was a GREATER SCAUP among the REDHEADS. A single BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was at the lighthouse on Sunday and a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was in Jobes' woods on Tuesday. Yesterday evening a CHIMNEY SWIFT flew over. The observer who found a SORA yesterday probably got to see the bird, since most vocalization has ceased for the season. At least some of the COMMON GALLINULES that were hatched in the woodpile marsh this summer are still there but fully grown. Fifteen species of shorebirds and a hundred or more individuals have put in an appearance in the past week at Owen Point, where they feed within metres of the viewing area in habitat (algae flats) that is more natural than in sewage lagoons. Some of the highlights include RUDDY TURNSTONE, STILT SANDPIPER (one or two almost every day), BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (several almost every day), WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS. A GREEN HERON pretending to be a shorebird has also been among them or nearby on most days. GREAT EGRETS frequently fly past there. An adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON flew over the marsh at dusk on Sunday. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was at the calf pasture. A MERLIN has been making repeated passes over the shorebirds. The coming week will mark the fourth anniversary of the discovery of a THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD, which delighted many birders from far afield for a period of four days. It now serves as a reminder that rare flycatchers from the west and south-west do occasionally show up in southern Ontario in fall. A good variety of warblers can be found on most days. At least fifteen species have been seen, plus a good many more that got away before being identified. The first two SCARLET TANAGERS of the season were at the calf pasture yesterday. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 18, 2016.
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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 11, 2016.
It comes as no surprise, given recent weather, that the fall bird migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has largely stalled. It is equally unsurprising that most birders are waiting for more auspicious (derivation: /auspex/ = bird-watcher) conditions before visiting the Park. At least one TRUMPETER SWAN was again present this week in Popham Bay. Among the ducks off Gull Island the following have been seen this week: NORTHERN PINTAIL, up to five GREEN-WINGED TEAL, up to eight REDHEADS, GREATER SCAUP, LONG-TAILED DUCK. A RED-NECKED GREBE was also there this morning, a day earlier than the previous early fall date. The recent revision to the taxonomic order in which birds are listed places RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD immediately before the rails. Since early August is the time when at least two Ontario records of this western vagrant have occurred, including one at Presqu'ile four years ago, it is worth drawing to the attention of birders that not all hummingbirds should be assumed to be RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS (and that even those common ones are related to rails!). A COMMON GALLINULE continues to be seen in the woodpile marsh. Most of the attention this week has been focussed on shorebirds, which made a sudden appearance on Saturday and have been present in growing numbers since then. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (up to seven) are in various plumages, some still in full breeding plumage. Only two of the young PIPING PLOVERS were seen yesterday, and today all three were seen but only briefly. Between Owen Point and Gull Island, several dozen sandpipers have been feeding on the algae flats, including a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER on Saturday and today, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER this morning, and two SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS on Monday. Two SOLITARY SANDPIPERS also flew over on that day. Two GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 13 LESSER YELLOWLEGS appeared on Saturday. A few BONAPARTE'S GULLS are being seen from time to time. The GREAT EGRETS are still sitting in the trees on High Bluff Island, and a GREEN HERON was in the woodpile marsh. A BALD EAGLE on Monday, a COOPER'S HAWK on Saturday, and three MERLINS on Tuesday were of interest. On both Monday and Tuesday, single COMMON RAVENS were seen in the Park. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was seen on Tuesday. A few migrant warblers have appeared, including NASHVILLE WARBLER and MAGNOLIA WARBLER, which are not known as summer birds at Presqu'ile, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, which may have migrated in from points north. A juvenile EASTERN TOWHEE was certainly of local origin. 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 and beach 3, where the public is being directed away from the area frequented by young Piping Plovers. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending August 4, 2016.
At Presqu'ile Provincial Park the weather has not been conducive to action on the birding front. Nevertheless, a few fall migrants continue to trickle in, and there is a plethora of summer resident birds. A swan with a black bill, possibly a TUNDRA SWAN, was near Sebastopol Island on July 29. Three AMERICAN WIGEONS, three BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and three REDHEADS were among the ducks in Popham Bay. Two juvenile WILD TURKEYS were seen on July 29. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen and another was heard. August is the month when COMMON NIGHTHAWKS move through Presqu'ile, though usually a bit later in the month than this. A fully grown juvenile VIRGINIA RAIL at the tip of Owen Point was apparently lost. The shorebird scene has not changed much in the past week, except for a few more individuals. At least one BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER is being seen regularly. Five SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were present this morning. The three young PIPING PLOVERS are being seen on most mornings on the beach, and at least one as far away as Gull Island. There was an anonymous report without any details of a RED KNOT. A LESSER YELLOWLEGS was present on July 29. Two immature BONAPARTE'S GULLS were off Owen Point this morning. Someone reported a BLACK TERN, again without any details. This species has been rare at Presqu'ile in the past two decades. Both AMERICAN BITTERN and LEAST BITTERN have been seen recently. With a scope up to 11 GREAT EGRETS can usually be seen on High Bluff Island from the beach. PILEATED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen. Three juvenile MERLINS were in the calf pasture on July 29. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was still calling this week. Only a few of the PURPLE MARTINS that nested near the lighthouse are still present. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH is a summer resident at Presqu'ile, but the one found late last week was the first in several weeks. 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 and beach 3, where the public is being directed away from the area frequented by young Piping Plovers. 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 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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
