The past week has seen a steady flow of migrants through Presqu'ile
Provincial Park. Both water birds and land birds have provided many
opportunities for interesting birding.
Almost every day this week, one or two Red-throated Loons have been
patrolling the waterfront between Salt Point and the lighthouse, giving
excellent views of a species that is often seen only far offshore. The
best place for viewing Horned Grebes this week has been Popham Bay,
where seeing 15-20 at a time is not unusual, but a group of over a dozen
were swimming off the south side of Gull Island on October 16.
This has been a week of interesting geese at Presqu'ile. Three Snow
Geese, including one blue-phased, were on the beach on October 16, and a
Brant that was first seen off Owen Point on October 13 has subsequently,
at least until today, been lounging on the shore of Gull Island. In
addition to the usual dabbling ducks, which are plentiful in the marsh,
there has been a build-up of diving ducks on all sides of the
peninsula. Among others, there were at least four Black Scoters near
the lighthouse on October 16, and Buffleheads have appeared in small
flocks since October 14.
A late Osprey was seen at the calf pasture on October 12, and a Merlin
was chasing the shorebirds around Gull Island on October 14. Other
hawks have been less evident than in previous weeks. The first
Rough-legged Hawk of the season can be expected any day now. A Ruffed
Grouse in a birder's yard near the lighthouse was unexpected.
There are still several dozen shorebirds in the Park, mostly Dunlins,
but several species are lingering later than normal: Semipalmated
Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Least Sandpiper. With water levels
dropping fast, it is not surprising that a number of Greater Yellowlegs
and perhaps some Lesser Yellowlegs have appeared in the marsh. Up to
two and possibly three Little Gulls were in the Owen Point/Gull Island
area from October 12 to 14. An unidentified tern was seen in the
distance on October 10.
Campers in the High Bluff campground heard Great Horned Owls nearby on
two consecutive nights last weekend. Thanks to a noisy group of
Black-capped Chickadees, a well-hidden Northern Saw-whet Owl was
revealed to a passing birder on October 13 and stayed in the same spot
throughout the day, much to the delight of a good many interested
passers-by, both birders and others.
Eastern Phoebes and Blue-headed Vireos were among the few remaining
insectivores during the past week. A Gray Catbird and a Brown Thrasher
were weekend visitors at 83 Bayshore Road. The tally of warblers is
down to four species: Nashville, Orange-crowned, Palm, and the
ubiquitous Yellow-rumped. They have been replaced by sparrows and their
allies, including at least three Eastern Towhees on October 13, a Vesper
Sparrow on October 10, and two Lapland Longspurs on Gull Island on
October 16. An Eastern Meadowlark was seen on October 10, and the first
Pine Siskin of the season briefly visited a feeder at 186 Bayshore Road
on October 16.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a
boat should be prepared to wade through knee-deep water in which there
is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It
should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, Owen Point,
and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird watching on
those days.
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.
