With the fall bird migration now in full swing at Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, there are more interesting bird sightings being reported than
space can accommodate, including some rarities. Without wishing to jinx
the event by putting pressure on the leaders, I am predicting that those
who are planning to visit the Park on Sunday for the annual Presqu'ile
outing of the Ontario Field Ornithologists are in for a real treat.
There is even the remote possibility that a tropical oceanic waif may be
found, as tropical storm Hanna will have reached this latitude by then,
though it is not predicted to veer inland towards the Great Lakes..
All of the common dabbling ducks have been seen around the shores of
Popham Bay in the past week, including a Northern Shoveler seen on
August 31 and again on September 4. The big influx of diving ducks is
not expected until next month, but a Common Goldeneye on August 31 and
up to seven Red-breasted Mergansers were a bit unusual. In the heron
family, this week has again produced an American Bittern (flying over
Owen Point), the usual Great Egrets, a Green Heron on two different
days, and at least one Black-crowned Night-Heron.
Two Turkey Vultures sailed past on September 4. Among the true
raptors, Ospreys are still present though in somewhat diminished
numbers. Others have included the usual Northern Harriers,
Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, and Merlins, all of which have been
keeping the shorebirds on the alert. A Broad-winged Hawk on August 30
was an uncommon sight at Presqu'ile. The only nocturnal raptor noted
this week was a pair of Barred Owls in Jobes' Woods, which on two
separate occasions were persuaded to call, most recently at about 8:30
p.m. on September 3.
There has been a fairly rapid improvement in shorebird habitat at Owen
Point, with the accumulation of algae mats. There and at Gull Island,
which will be open for visitors again next Thursday, seventeen species
of shorebirds have appeared in the last week, and a few expected species
have not yet appeared, including American Golden-Plover and
Buff-breasted Sandpiper. A Whimbrel was seen by a number of people on
August 31, a Red Knot was there on September 4, several Sanderlings,
White-rumped Sandpipers, Baird's Sandpipers, and Pectoral Sandpipers
have been present, but the highlight of the week was a Western Sandpiper
on September 2. Totally unprecedented at Presqu'ile and perhaps
anywhere in Ontario was a report of a flock of at least ten Western
Sandpipers on September 4. For the past three days, a lone Stilt
Sandpiper has been at Owen Point. Other shorebirds of some interest
were Black-bellied Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Ruddy Turnstone.
A few flycatchers are still being found, including Olive-sided
Flycatchers on August 31 and September 1 and a rather late Eastern
Kingbird on August 4. The thrush migration is barely getting started
but should soon be in full swing. American Pipits have been seen for
several days at Owen Point. Warblers have been plentiful this week.
Among others there have been sightings of Blue-winged Warbler (September
3), Golden-winged Warbler, early Palm Warblers, and the highlight, - a
Prairie Warbler that was located at Owen Point on September 2 and,
remarkably, re-located on the following day.
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. Birders who have not visited
Presqu'ile in the past few years may not be aware that the boardwalk
that provides access into the marsh has been closed and is unlikely to
be re-opened for another year or so. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted until after September 10 to prevent disturbance to the
colonial nesting birds there. It is not clear yet how deep the channel
is between Owen Point and Gull Island, though earlier in the summer it
was said to be chest-deep.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
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