Though the southbound migration peak has largely passed, Presqu'ile's traditional hotspots are still worth a close look.
Large numbers of Canada Geese have been staging on the Presqu'ile Beach, perhaps resting up before they migrate to Toronto. Puddle ducks appear increasingly apprehensive and small numbers of Greater Scaup have been seen in Popham Bay; six flew over Gull Island on September 23. Numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers are increasing and these birds are beginning to appear in mixed feeding flocks in Popham Bay. When watched carefully, these flocks occasionally yield Little Gulls and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Two Common Loons flew past Owen Point on September 20 and a careful scan of Popham Bay usually turns up a couple of these birds. Horned Grebe numbers continue to rise in Popham Bay and one observer tallied over 90 as well as a couple of Red-necked Grebes on September 24. On the 25th, another careful observer looking north from the Owen Point gravel bar picked a rare Eared Grebe out of the Horned Grebe cohort. This bird was seen again at 6:00pm from beach 3. The regularly reported, frog-eating American Bittern was seen leaving its beach 3 haunts again in the afternoon of September 25. Numbers of Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets continue to drop with the latter being more numerous. Throughout the week, migrating Turkey Vultures were seen soaring over the Park. A startled Virginia rail flipped up in front of an observer near the Gull Island pond on the 23rd. More Peregrine Falcons have not materialized and the most abundant raptors seen during the week were Merlins, most often patrolling the Owen Point - Gull Island corridor. Black-bellied Plovers have been around all week with 21 seen on Gull Island on September 19. Smaller numbers of American Golden Plovers have also frequented Gull Island and the sand beach all week with a rather high 9 seen on Gull Island on the 25th. Numbers of Semipalmated Plovers have risen and are most likely to be seen foraging inland on the sand beach. Thirty-four congregated at the south end of beach 3 on the evening of the 23rd. A Greater Yellowlegs was near Owen Point on the 19th, another flew by beach 3 on the morning of the 25th and a Lesser Yellowlegs was on Gull Island on the 21st. Sanderling numbers held at between 25 and 30 birds all week; Semipalmated Sandpipers totaled about half these numbers and Least Sandpipers have diminished to a handful. A probable hybrid involving a White-rumped-like Sandpiper with a formidable bill was seen on Gull Island on September 19 & 20. A couple of Baird's Sandpipers were recorded on the same day but not later on in the week. Dunlin numbers have risen to a dozen or so and it is intriguing to watch the flocks for brightly coloured juveniles still early in their moult. Merlin patrols and the week-long absence of the Gull Island Buff-breasted Sandpiper is probably not coincidental. Bonaparte's Gull numbers have risen to as high as 12 off beach 3 and an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen briefly at the same location on the morning of September 25. A small number of Caspian Terns can be seen at various gull roosts. A Great Horned Owl was heard by three birders near the marsh boardwalk observation deck on September 21. A few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have persisted throughout the week. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers are also still present. Seeing songbirds has mainly come down to finding a feeding flock when it moves to low cover. A group was seen well at the Lighthouse on September 22 and another was in the Pines Campground on the 23rd. A single Ruby-crowned Kinglet was seen at the Calf Pasture on the 19th and more thrushes have appeared including Gray-cheeked Thrushes on Newcastle Trail on the 19th, Swainson's Thrushes near the Lighthouse on the 22nd and a Wood Thrush off Paxton Drive on the 25th. Good numbers of American Robins are foraging in flocks wherever berry-laden shrubs and bushes can be found. A dozen or more American Pipits are regular on Gull Island. Up to fifteen warbler species have been seen in the aforementioned flocks and the first reported Orange-crowned Warbler was seen near Owen Point on September 23. A Pine Warbler was heard singing off Paxton Dr. on the 25th. Good numbers of White-throated Sparrows are now present in the Park. A White-crowned Sparrow was spotted at a Bayshore Dr. feeder on September 24 and, on the same day, an immature found on Gull Island was one of the "clear-lored" western subspecies. A couple of optimistic, immature Rose-breasted Grosbeaks attempted to sing near the Lighthouse on the 24th. No "winter finches" have been reported yet but, with the juncos, should not be far away. To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations mentioned in this report are illustrated in a tabloid available at the Park gate. As the Presqu'ile duck hunt begins on September 27, access to Gull Island will be restricted to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wading conditions to Gull Island are as stated in recent reports. For Fred Helleiner, Don Shanahan Brighton 613 475 3502 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
