Day by day, birding has been getting better and better at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park this week. Another very rare bird appeared briefly but
could not be relocated.
Diving ducks are uncommon at Presqu'ile until later in the fall, but 34
REDHEADS and a GREATER SCAUP were seen off Owen Point. Two "huge" WILD
TURKEYS were seen today, the first in a number of weeks. For the fourth
consecutive week, a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was found, indicative of
increased birder activity compared to the earlier summer. Three COMMON
NIGHTHAWKS flew over on Monday evening and two CHIMNEY SWIFTS flew over
today.
Shorebirds have captured most of the attention recently, with sixteen
species present and most of them within easy spotting distance along the
beach, where there is excellent habitat. Over 200 individuals were
present today, constantly coming and going, necessitating repeated
visits to ensure that none are missed. Highlights of the week include
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (two today), three RUDDY TURNSTONES today, the
first of the season, a RED KNOT this afternoon, four STILT SANDPIPERS
this afternoon, an early DUNLIN since Monday, and eight or nine BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER today. Perhaps the next
shorebird to appear will be a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, which occasionally
visits the Park in late August. On August 19, the spotlight shifted
away from the shorebirds when a lucky birder spotted not one but two
LONG-TAILED JAEGERS over the beach. As noted last week, there is only
one previous record of that species at Presqu'ile, and that was on
almost precisely the same date in August sixteen years ago.
GREAT EGRETS are still being seen daily, with one observer counting
eight birds today and another counting twelve. Two GREEN HERONS flew
over on Monday. In addition to single TURKEY VULTURES seen feeding on
carcasses on the beach, a number were spotted overhead today perhaps in
migration mode. Both yesterday and today, an immature BALD EAGLE was
seen overhead. An early BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen on August 18. An
adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Newcastle woods this evening was unusual,
but RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, at one time the rarer of the two species,
are being seen fairly regularly. MERLINS are being seen regularly, with
one birder seeing two on Friday. A PEREGRINE FALCON over Gull Island on
Monday caused momentary panic among the gulls and terns.
This was obviously a flycatcher day, with one observer seeing 30
individuals, including three each of OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, as well as a calling ALDER FLYCATCHER and
thirteen other /Empidonax/ flycatchers. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES,
variously described as nine or fifteen birds, were seen today, including
some whose behaviour suggested a posssible "movement", perhaps a
precursor to a more extensive flight to come. Single BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHERS were seen on two different days. Among the 18 warbler
species found this week was one that was photographed and has become the
subject of debate as to its identity, possibilities being PRAIRIE
WARBLER, which would be a rare find, and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. The
difficulty simply reinforces the notion of "confusing fall warblers",
which gained prominence among birders since the appearance of Peterson's
early field guide in which the term is used. Two INDIGO BUNTINGS were
seen on Sunday.
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
restrictedat this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial
nesting birds there. Birders are encouraged to record their
observations on the bird sightingsboard provided near the campground
office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Parkand 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].
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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