For the most part, bird life in Presqu'ile Provincial Park at this time of year is highly predictable: birds, especially passerines (land birds) have settled in on their breeding territories and stay within them until their young are fledged. Only a few individuals, probably non-breeders, show up unexpectedly when most of their conspecific cousins have moved on to other areas.
Although Wood Ducks are probably breeding somewhere in the Park, as they have done in previous years, the lone bird in the marsh on June 22 is the first one reported for at least two weeks. An American Wigeon at Gull Island was unexpected, as were a male Canvasback at the calf pasture and a male Bufflehead in Presqu'ile Bay between 16 and 18 Bayshore Road, all three of which were seen on June 25. A White-winged Scoter mid-way between the lighthouse and Barcovan on June 22 was also exceptionally late. Surprisingly, a handful of migrant shorebirds can still be found on the beach: a Semipalmated Plover on June 24, a Ruddy Turnstone on June 26, and a Semipalmated Sandpiper on June 24 and 25. With the solstice behind us, it will be only a matter of weeks until southbound shorebirds begin arriving and blurring the distinction between spring and fall migrations. One of the resident Barred Owls in Jobes' Woods was spotted on June 21. No, that does not make it into a Spotted Owl, in case anyone asks. Judging from the experience of previous years, from now on campers in the more easterly campgrounds (Craigs, Maples, and Hidden Valley) may expect to be awakened occasionally by the hooting of these birds. A Brown Creeper was seen in Jobes' Woods on June 25, not far from where a nest of that species was found two years ago. There was a report of two Northern Mockingbirds on June 22 at the western end of Lilac Lane. On June 23, an American Redstart and a Mourning Warbler were both singing near the lighthouse, where they have not been found for several weeks. On June 25, an Orchard Oriole was singing lustily near 76/77 Bayshore Road, the general area in which one or more have been present since 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. 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.
