Presqu’ile Bird Report for the Week of 29 June-5 July 2018
By Doug McRae
Highlights: COMMON GOLDENEYE, CATTLE EGRET, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, PINE SISKIN
The oppressive heat and general lack of birders made for a slow week and a slim
report. It should be noted however that swallows and blackbirds are starting to
flock and gather at dusk over the marsh and a meadowlark near the lighthouse
(where they do not breed) shows that birds are moving.
Two male GREEN-WINGED TEAL off Beach 3 on 4 Jul were unexpected, as was a male
COMMON GOLDENEYE on 3 Jul off the foot of Huff Rd., just west of the park gate.
A flock of seven MERGANSERS, not identified to species (either Common or
Red-breasted), flew past the Lighthouse this evening and are the first in a few
weeks.
PIED-BILLED GREBES are becoming more obvious now that their chicks are larger.
Eleven were seen from the Camp Office viewing deck on 4 Jul. The long-staying
CATTLE EGRET was seen daily along Huff Rd. from 29 Jun until 3 Jul and may
still be around, although several searches over the past few days have failed
to find it. The Park staff conducted their annual count of herons nesting on
High Bluff Island and found 39 GREAT EGRET nests and a record 111 BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON nests. The latter have been observed feeding frequently on
colonial bird chicks, fish regurgitated by cormorants and Garter Snakes, some
of which are hung in trees!
A VIRGINIA RAIL was seen crossing the main road just south of the Beach 1 Rd.
on 4 Jul. So far only resident nesting shorebirds have been reported but the
first fall migrants could show up any day. Single BONAPARTE’S GULLS were seen
on 2 and 4 Jul near Salt Pt. RING-BILLED GULLS are starting to fledge from the
colony on Gull Is. with over 100 barely flying young noted on 4 Jul. Two
fledged HERRING GULLS were seen the same day. Family parties of ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOW were noted on 30 Jun and 4 Jul. Two BANK SWALLOWS were seen over the
marsh on 3 Jul and at least 25 BARN SWALLOWS – a mix of adults and young - were
flying over the marsh at dusk on 4 Jul.
A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH has been seen at a Bayshore Rd. birdbath several times
since 29 Jun at a site where they do not breed, suggesting a possible migrant.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, a local breeding species, was seen in the Fingers on
4 Jul. The first fledged ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen near the gate on 30
Jun. An EASTERN MEADOWLARK seen on a lawn near the Lighthouse on 28 Jun is
hard to explain, other than it is moving since they don’t breed in the park. A
loose group of 175 COMMON GRACKLES were seen flying into the marsh, another
sign of fall migration. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS have become scarce in recent
weeks but one was seen on the Owen Pt. Trail on 4 Jul. A few PURPLE FINCHES
have been visiting feeders along Bayshore Rd. through the week but a single
PINE SISKIN at a feeder on 4 Jul is hard to explain.
I am going to be away for the next two months counting shorebirds on the James
Bay coast so Bill Gilmour has kindly agreed to step in and do the weekly report
while I’m gone. Please email your sightings to him at tbki2...@gmail.com.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just
south of the town of Brighton. It can be reached from either Hwy. 401 or Cty.
Rd. 2 and is well signed. A Park map can be found in the information tabloid
available at the Park gate. Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High
Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is
not permitted during the breeding season.
Doug McRae
P.O. Box 3010
Brighton, Ontario
K0K 1H0
613-475-5014 H
613-243-4161 C
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