While there have been several interesting sightings at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park in the past week, nothing has been totally unexpected.
Mid-summer diving duck sightings are infrequent at Presqu'ile, so the
four species present this week are noteworthy. Only the four REDHEADS
in Popham Bay are regularly seen there. In contrast, four WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS off beach 1 and a single LONG-TAILED DUCK at Owen Point were
unusual, as well as one of the latter vocalizing at night in Presqu'ile
Bay. The two HOODED MERGANSERS that had been in the woodpile marsh
since early this month (perhaps having fledged there) have now made
their way into the open waters of Lake Ontario nearby, where they
alternate between swimming close to shore and sitting on the south
beach. Recent sightings of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS on Lake
Ontario and in New York state just south of the lake are a reminder that
one appeared in nearby Prince Edward County in mid-July four years ago,
all of which were close enough to tantalize local birders and to stir
their hopes that the species might be added to the Presqu'ile list. In
addition to the distant views of GREAT EGRETS on High Bluff Island, four
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were spotted on Sebastopol Island, where they
have nested in previous years. On Tuesday a BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen
by one observer and heard by three others in the Jobes' woods area.
Yesterday in the marsh a VIRGINIA RAIL was heard and a SORA was seen.
Frequent sightings of COMMON GALLINULE in the woodpile marsh this summer
raised suspicions of breeding, which were confirmed on Tuesday, when
four freshly hatched chicks accompanied their parents there. Only one
adult PIPING PLOVER remains on beach 2, along with the three young
birds. A LEAST SANDPIPER was still on the beach on Monday, and a
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was there on Saturday. Throughout the summer the
Park has hosted a variety of passerine birds, among which the following
were seen or heard this week: ALDER FLYCATCHER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER,
ORCHARD ORIOLE, PURPLE FINCH.
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.
There is also a restricted area at beach 2, where the public is being
directed away from the Piping Plover fledglings.
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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