Hello birders:
Many waxwings usually means it has been a good day at Presqu’ile. That was the case at today's annual September OFO outing which produced a familiar narrative: excellent warbler movement, one or two notable shorebird species, high waterfowl diversity and solid representation across the spectrum of bird families expected at this time of year. The weather was also just downright gorgeous. The warbler species count totalled 17 for the group, and there were undoubtedly several more species about the Park. The thickest density was in the cedars beside the Park Store. Smaller flocks at the lighthouse area in the early morning and the Pines and Lakeside campgrounds in the early afternoon helped boost the list. Notables warblers from today included a single CANADA at the lighthouse, lone TENNESSEE at three different locations, two OVENBIRD near the lighthouse, several NORTHERN PARULA at two locations, a single BLACKBURNIAN at the lighthouse, two CAPE MAY near the Park Store, a lone WILSON’S at two locations, two BLACKPOLL near the Park Store and the rest of the “Eastern Black--- Five” warblers (not sure if that’s a thing; we could make it a thing…). Two SCARLET TANAGERS feeding on Riverbank Grapes at the lighthouse were likely today’s best non-warbler passerines, though some may lean more towards the RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET near the Park Store for that distinction. A streaky juvenile DARK-EYED JUNCO was likely from a local pair. Raptor diversity edged shorebirds eight to seven, and the low species count of the latter was in no small part affected by the high species (and individual count) of the former. MERLINS were common throughout, and appearances were also put in by AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER, the two “small” accipiters and OSPREY. Some of these were sighted at the Shrew Solutions, Inc. property immediately north of the Park gate. The best shorebird was a juvenile RED KNOT feeding with a SANDERLING flock mixed with “peeps" off of Owen Point. A small flock of mainly LEAST SANDPIPERS at the base of the point also contained a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. During one of the many raptor-induced disturbances at Owen Point, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER appeared amid the ‘piper pandemonium. A typically high waterfowl species tally of 14 was aided by a distant BRANT off the south shore of Gull Island (visible from the High Bluff campground), two TRUMPETER SWANS off Owen Point and a solid, albeit skittish, collection of marsh and sewage lagoon frequenters at the Brighton Constructed Wetland and the adjacent Brighton Sewage Lagoons. Special thank-yous go out to Doug McRae for mid-day tips and access to his Shrew Solutions property, Bill Gilmour and Maureen Riggs for local tips and logistical support, and Keith Lee of the Municipality of Brighton for allowing group access to the Brighton Constructed Wetland. Presqu'ile Provincial Park is located south from Highway 401 exit 509 (Brighton/Campbellford) after which it is well-signed. The Brighton Constructed Wetland is just east of Brighton on Highway 64 and is accessible with the purchase of a $5.00 annual pass. Good birding and see you in 2017! Ian Shanahan, London (but really a Presqu'ile boy at heart) p.s. If you would like the detailed ebird checklist, send me your email and I'll be more than happy to share it. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
