Greetings Ontbirders,
The annual Presqu’ile OFO trip led by myself and my dad Don
Shanahan is once again in the books and with many sightings of note to
report.
Though the weather looked ominous to start the day as we set out
in search of songbirds around the Lighthouse area, little more than
occasional periods of thin drizzle in the morning were encountered. A
MERLIN perched in plain view near Presqu’ile Weekly Birding Report writer
Fred Helleiner’s residence. Its presence, unfortunately, was surely the
cause of unusually wariness of a songbird flock on Paxton Drive. Better
success with songbirds was achieved at Calf Pasture as good views of a
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and both BLACKPOLL and at least three BAY-breasted
WARBLERS were enjoyed by all. A lingering adult CASPIAN TERN as well as a
newly arrived immature COMMON LOON were seen off the shores of Calf Pasture
in addition to several PIED-BILLED GREBES. Three COOPER’S HAWKS also made a
brief appearance.
As is almost always the case on this outing, shorebirds reigned
supreme due to a productive visit to Owen Point. Quality looks at several
SEMIPALMATED and LEAST SANDPIPERS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, SANDERLINGS and
BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS, two PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and an adult DUNLIN right at
Owen Point were combined with slightly more distant looks at RUDDY
TURNSTONES and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS (adult and juvenile birds). Two
juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS also dashed by briefly as did a distant
PEREGRINE FALCON over Gull Island. Ducks of note in the Gull Island area
included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN
PINTAIL, GREATER SCAUP and REDHEAD. On the way to and from Owen Point, two
small songbird flocks contained GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLERS, MAGNOLIA WARBLERS and a WILSON’S WARBLER.
After lunch, the group visited the Gilmours’ cottage at 83
Bayshore Road and enjoyed some exceptional backyard birding involving looks
at a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, three BROWN THRASHERS, two SWAINSON’s THRUSHES, a
resident CAROLINA WREN, a group of newly-arrived WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and
several RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS. A songbird-dispersing buzz by a
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK signalled our departure to our last stop at the Brighton
Constructed Wetland.
At the wetland, many LESSER YELLOWLEGS, BONAPARTE’S GULLS and
BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen as were three SORAS. Two or three MARSH WRENS
and a single COMMON MOORHEN capped off the afternoon as did across-the-road
looks at WOOD DUCKS and a HOODED MERGANSER.
Non-bird species of note included several Monarchs, two Eastern
Tailed Blues, various darners and clusters of Fringed and Bottled Gentians.
The total bird species count was *Ninety-four* (possibly a new
high for this trip) as birding was steady all day. *Fourteen species of
shorebirds* as well as *twelve species of warblers* greatly contributed to
the high species diversity of the day.
My dad and I would like to extend a special thanks to the
Gilmours for their incredible hospitality (and good birds) and Bill Gilmour,
Maureen Riggs and the contingent of local birding friends for volunteering
their time to lend extra eyes and ears all day.
Good birding and see you next year!
Don and Ian Shanahan
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