Hello birders: This afternoon between Noon and 2:00PM, Sofia Vargas Nessi and I watched 2 of the Piping Plovers (the 3rd individual did not show) in and around the exclosure erected by Park staff at the Beach 2/3 area. The male completed a display flight close to shore during a rare moment when the female was away from 2 nesting scrapes that she was actively visiting at the back (east) part of the exclosure. As per Doug McRae's observation from 20 May, after digging in each scrape, the female PIPL would sit as though incubating eggs. Eventually, the male joined the female, and after a brief bit of strutting, he mounted the female and they copulated.
This is the first recorded observation of copulating Piping Plovers at Presqu'ile for several decades (likely since at least the early 1960s, though Park staff may have more concrete numbers on this). Great binocular and telescope views of the birds can be had many metres from the edge of the exclosure, and I encourage all to give this pair a wide berth. After sporadic attempts by lone birds to establish territory on the Presqu'ile beach over the past decade, this year's copulating pair is an exciting development for long-time Park visitors. Presqu'ile Provincial Park is well signed south from Highway 401 Exit 509 (Brighton/Campbellford). To get to the Beach 2/3 area, park at the Owen Point Trail parking lot and walk north along the beach. Good birding! Ian and Sofia _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
