Good evening stay at homes and field birders. Today Alfred Adamo took me to Presqu'ile for Shorebirds and despite the lack of directions to the park we found it and we were not disappointed in our shorebird quest. We found the previously reported Buff-breasted Sandpiper (possibly 2), and not one but 2 Western Sandpipers.
Some other birds we found as we wandered around were Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Bonaparte's Gulls, lots of Common and Caspian Terns, 7 Greater Scaup, Common Loon, 13 shorebird species that included besides the 2 above species Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderling, 10 Baird's Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers, both Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, and many Semipalmated Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers, 2 or maybe 3 Black-billed Cuckoos, 6 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (as we stood on Owen Point 5 Hummingbirds shot out of the willows and quickly flew out of sight over the lake), Belted Kingfishers, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a family of 3 House Wrens, Swainson's Thrush, 10 Warbler species including Mourning and Canada, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and lots of the usual suspects. Despite the high humidity it was a very nice day to be out birding, no wind and no burning sun. Directions PRESQU’ILE PROVINCIAL PARK (Fee- $10.00 per auto per day for you young guys and $8.00 for an old guy like me). I don't know the hours but they are available on the Internet and besides you can go in during all the daylight hours so who cares about the hours of operation ? Exit Hwy 401 at exit # 509 and drive south on County Rd 30 straight through Brighton going straight down Cedar St. to Harbour St. Turn right (west) here and follow Harbour St. to Lakeshore Rd and turn left (south). You will almost immediately pass through the park gate (FEE, see above). Drive straight ahead and follow the signs directing you to the Owen Point Trail, the Lighthouse and other birdie areas. PS If you are not shy then you may want to post your Presqu'ile sightings on Ontbirds as this will be of interest of resident birder and all around birders friend and helper Fred Helleiner, I know he will appreciate the info. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Eliminate annoying spam! My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster." http://www.ihatespam.net
