Hi Ontbirders, Bill Gilmour and I did the weekly Presqu'ile IBA shorebird survey this morning. We saw 116 individuals of ten species. While nothing unusual was seen, it was obvious that the adult wave is pretty much finished as the vast majority of birds today were juvs - including the ten Baird's, the first for the survey this year. I imagine we will see a considerable influx of birds with the next big weather front. The last half of August/first week of September is typically the very best time for shorebirding at Presqu'ile in the fall. Today most birds were located along south end of the natural beach, and the south shore of Owen Pt. Numbers on Beach 3 and 4 have dropped drastically, possibly due to the removal of the algae habitat by MNR over the past week. It will likely take some weeks for this area to recharge.
A final note. I meant to mention this last week but forgot; during the 8 Aug survey, Maureen Riggs, Bill Gilmour and myself watched a juv Herring Gull make 4 separate aerial attacks on a flying Chimney Swift. The gull was flying by then changed direction and begin flying after the swift which was coming in off the Lake. As the gull got within a metre of the swift, the swift would dodge out of the way, then the gull would wait a few seconds then change course and chase it down again. They were last seen heading east over the panne. I have never heard of a swift/gull interaction like that before. Results: 2 B-b Plover (2ad) 30 Semi Plover (8a, 22j) 6 Killdeer (2a,1j,3u) 10 L Yellowlegs (10j) 5 Spotted S/p (1a,2j,2u) 1 Sanderling (1a) 33 Semi S/p (4a,29j) 15 Least S/p (1a,14j) 10 Baird's S/p (10j) 4 S-b Dowitcher (4j) Cheers, Doug McRae Directions: Presqu'ile is best reached by taking exit 509 (Brighton) south from Hwy. 401. Once in Brighton (5km), follow the park signs to Presqu'ile. Doug McRae <[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.
