With a few exceptions, birding at Presqu'ile Provincial Park has settled
in to the summer doldrums, which means that there are many species of
birds to be found but which ones are in the Park can usually be
predicted with close to certainty.
A TRUMPETER SWAN was reported on June 3. Other waterfowl seen in the
past week included an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, a
LONG-TAILED DUCK, a BUFFLEHEAD, and HOODED, COMMON, and RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS. A LEAST BITTERN was in the marsh this morning. From the
beach, with the help of a scope, one can observe up to eight GREAT
EGRETS on High Bluff Island. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON flew past the
lighthouse on June 4. A VIRGINIA RAIL was reported on June 3. Two
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS spent two days on the beach. The nesting PIPING
PLOVERS are now incubating four eggs. Some late migrating sandpipers
seen in the past week were RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, and over 30
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. In the past there have been three mid-June
(8th - 23rd) records of AMERICAN AVOCET in the Park. A repeat
performance can not be ruled out. There were still two BONAPARTE'S
GULLS present on June 3.
There has been only one sighting of RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER in the past
week though the species is certainly present. As this report was being
written, a MERLIN flew past. The tail end of the BLUE JAY migration
took place on June 4, when ten birds flew over the lighthouse. Three
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were seen on Monday. A report of a HERMIT THRUSH
on June 3 is puzzling, as this species is rarely seen at Presqu'ile
after mid-May. The only warblers that were likely still just passing
through were a BLACKPOLL WARBLER on June 3 and a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
on June 6, and even that one could well be a summer resident. The HOUSE
SPARROW population has quadrupled this week, with eight birds,
presumably a family group, visiting the feeders daily at 186 Bayshore Road.
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: fhellei...@trentu.ca.
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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