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
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