In the lead-up to the annual Monarchs and Migrants weekend taking place
at Presqu'ile Provincial Park on September 3-4, both monarchs and
migrants have been arriving in good numbers. Some of the latter will be
outfitted with attractive aluminum bands on their legs on Saturday and
Sunday morning, weather permitting, and will be able to show them off to
an admiring public. In addition, monarchs will be wing-tagged at the
lighthouse.
There have been several reports of a TRUMPETER SWAN and a MUTE SWAN
acting aggressively towards each other at Salt Point. The WOOD DUCK
count reached 24 birds in the marsh this morning. Three NORTHERN
SHOVELERS were at Owen Point on two consecutive days. Eleven REDHEADS
were in Popham Bay on August 26. Twenty-seven PIED-BILLED GREBES were
in Presqu'ile Bay this morning. An early HORNED GREBE was near
Sebastopol Island on August 26. Two GREEN HERONS were at the calf
pasture on that date.
Some interesting raptors seen in the past week were both adult and
immature BALD EAGLES, an AMERICAN KESTREL, and on the same day a MERLIN
and two PEREGRINE FALCONS. After a relatively slow start to the
shorebird season, the numbers reached several hundred on the weekend and
the variety has also been good: twenty species. The highlights among
them were BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER,
two WHIMBRELS, up to five RED KNOTS, WHITE-RUMPED, BAIRD'S, PECTORAL,
and STILT SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, up to four BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, and
three SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was also seen. A
flock of nine COMMON TERNS flew over Owen Point on August 28. A BARRED
OWL at the calf pasture was in an unusual location.
Three COMMON NIGHTHAWKS flew over on August 26. As usual, RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS were at the calf pasture and at 83 Bayshore Road. BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHERS are being seen here and there. Warblers are appearing in
small flocks in various locations (18 species). A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER
at 83 Bayshore Road on August 30 was the second of that species in the
Park in just over a week. SCARLET TANAGERS should be returning within
the next week.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground
office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird
report for species not listed there.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [email protected].
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
