Although there has not yet been a major influx of fall migrants to Presqu'ile Provincial Park, there has been a steady build-up of new arrivals, creating a more interesting mix of species than there has been for a good many weeks. The Owen Point trail, the adjacent beaches, and the waters of Popham Bay continue to provide the greatest variety.
A Common Loon was calling far out in Popham Bay on August 18. On August 20, a Least Bittern fluttered across the boardwalk leading from the parking lot to the Owen Point trail. Out in Popham Bay, an interesting variety of diving ducks was present on August 17: a Greater Scaup, 9 White-winged Scoters, and 4 Common Goldeneyes (5 on the following day). Near the other end of the Park (east of the Nature Centre), two Common Mergansers were flushed from the shore on August 19. Five species of hawks appeared at Presqu'ile this week, a substantial increase over any previous week this summer: an Osprey near the lighthouse on August 17, a Sharp-shinned Hawk at the north end of the Owen Point trail on August 20, a Cooper's Hawk at the calf pasture and one on the beach on August 18, a Merlin pestering shorebirds on the beach on August 19 and 20, and a Peregrine Falcon doing the same thing on August 19. Among the more interesting shorebirds present during the past week were up to five Black-bellied Plovers almost every day, an American Golden-Plover on August 17, a Whimbrel on August 19, several Baird's Sandpipers almost every day, and a Stilt Sandpiper on August 17. The cool front that is expected on Friday night should bring in many more, perhaps including Buff-breasted Sandpipers and/or Red-necked Phalaropes, both of which occur almost annually at Presqu'ile at this time of year. A Forster's Tern near Owen Point on August 17 and a Black Tern over the outer part of Presqu'ile Bay on August 18 were both somewhat unusual. Olive-sided Flycatchers pass through Presqu'ile in small numbers during a very brief period in spring and fall. The first one sighted this fall was at the start of the Pioneer Trail on August 21. Other than that, a smattering of migrant warblers is the only sign that the fall land bird migration has reached the Park. In a normal year, small flocks would be flitting through the trees in considerable numbers by now. This weekend promises to accelerate that process. 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.
