At Presqu'ile Provincial Park, spring bird migration comes in waves, the timing of which depends on the weather, particularly wind direction and overnight flying conditions (especially precipitation or lack of it). Three pronounced waves of birds that had arrived overnight occurred on the mornings of May2, May 5, and May 7, the latter being the best birding day of the spring to date.
Great Egrets are again nesting on High Bluff Island, for the third (?) consecutive year. During the day, they frequently feed in the marsh, where they can often be seen from the road opposite the bird sightings board. Others in that family that can be expected to arrive any day now are Least Bitterns and Green Herons. Water birds have definitely taken second place to passerines this week, the only noteworthy sightings being two female Canvasbacks in the marsh on May 4, a female Surf Scoter near the lighthouse on May 3 and 4, and two Black Scoters in Popham Bay on May 4. Almost all of the hundreds of diving ducks that were present in Presqu'ile Bay until last weekend cleared out with the opening of the fishing season, which saw the bay dotted with motor boats. Among scattered raptor sightings during the past week, a Merlin on May 3 was the most interesting. Once the shorebird migration gains momentum, both Merlins and Peregrine Falcons should be watched for along the beach. The two Willets which spent May 6 on the beach were the most interesting shorebirds of the week, but a Least Sandpiper and a Dunlin on May 3 were early harbingers of the large flocks that will soon be arriving. A Whip-poor-will that flew past a birder in broad daylight on May 2 was an unusual observation. A Chimney Swift was patrolling near the lighthouse with a group of swallows on May 5. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds first arrived on May 2 and have been patronizing feeders regularly since then at 83, 186, and 191 Bayshore Road. Seven species of woodpeckers were seen in the Park on May 7, including a Red-headed Woodpecker that visited the feeders at 186 Bayshore Road several times during the day and was also seen at the lighthouse on that day and the next, a female Red-bellied Woodpecker that has become a bit of a noisy fixture since May 4 in the lighthouse area and the surrounding woods, and two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. An Eastern Kingbird at the lighthouse on May 2 was the only one of that species reported in the Park to date. Among the birds that arrived at Presqu'ile on May 7 were good numbers of Least Flycatchers and a few Great Crested Flycatchers. All six of the regular species of swallows were in the lighthouse area on May 5 and May 7. Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers are being seen almost every day at the lighthouse and along the nearby section of Paxton Drive. Veery, Hermit Thrush, and Wood Thrush have all been present this week, and it seems likely that the next wave of migrants will include a few Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes. A Northern Mockingbird appeared at the north end of the Owen Point trail on May 3. Although it is over a week until the "Warblers and Whimbrels" weekend at Presqu'ile, the woods in the Park are already alive with warblers. Eighteen species were seen on May 7, including several Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers, an Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Parula, and an early American Redstart. It is a virtual certainty that they will be joined by Scarlet Tanagers within the next few days. On May 7, the Park was inundated with White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Baltimore Orioles. Many of these can still be seen at the feeders on Bayshore Road. An adult male Orchard Oriole was at the lighthouse on May 5, and a first summer male appeared briefly at 188 Bayshore Road (where they have previously nested) on May 8. A male Purple Finch stopped for a few minutes on May 7 at the feeders at 186 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. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
