Despite the continued summery weather of the past week, there are increasing signs at Presqu'ile Provincial Park that the fall bird migration is under way.
Great Egret sightings have become sporadic, but one was seen earlier in the week. On August 10, a Green Heron was seen at the woodpile marsh (adjacent to High Bluff campground), where none has been present all summer. A Blue-winged Teal, also the first at that location in several months, was there on August 14. On two separate occasions, an Osprey flew past the lighthouse. A Sharp-shinned Hawk, perhaps the first fall migrant, was there on August 8. A Virginia Rail scuttled across a pathway off the Owen Point trail on August 9. Twelve species of shorebirds were found this week, up from a mere eight last week. Among them two Black-bellied Plovers were on the beach and on Gull Island on three different dates. On August 14, when there was a minor influx of shorebirds, two Baird's Sandpipers and two Short-billed Dowitchers were among others along the shore east of Owen Point, and a Pectoral Sandpiper was at beach 3. The most surprising of land birds at Presqu'ile during the past week was a Horned Lark that flew up from the beach. A Least Flycatcher at the lighthouse and Northern Waterthrushes at the calf pasture and at Owen Point were probably early migrants. The main influx of warblers and other passerines is yet to come. 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.
