This week at Presqu'ile Provincial Park there have been sightings of
rare birds from the four cardinal (yes, that'a bird!) points of the
compass. The excitement generated by such events helps to relieve the
drought typically associated with November birding.
Both a Red-throated Loon and Common Loons have been seen, the former
flying past Owen Point and the latter in several different locations.
Horned Grebes and Pied-billed Grebes are present in the offshore waters
and the bay, respectively, albeit in considerably reduced numbers.
Almost every day, one or two Double-crested Cormorants can be found,
often at Salt Point.
On November 1, a high-flying southbound "V" of Canada Geese contained
one Snow Goose. That may have been one of the larger "Greater" Snow
Geese that normally migrate to the east of Presqu'ile, but, for the sake
of representing a rarity from a more westerly direction, we can suppose
that it was a "Lesser" Snow Goose, a subspecies that normally migrates
further west than Presqu'ile. Seven Tundra Swans were seen on November
4 in Popham Bay. Several hundred Green-winged Teal, mostly in Popham
Bay, are at present by far the most numerous of the "dabbling" ducks,
but at least five other species are also present, including small
numbers of Wood Ducks and Northern Pintails. Among the "diving" ducks,
the most exciting find was a female King Eider, a rarity from the east,
that spent most of the day on November 2 near Sebastopol Island. A few
Black Scoters (as many as 18 on November 4) have also been present for a
few days in that general area of Popham Bay.
Three Rough-legged Hawks appeared in the Park this week, one over Salt
Point on October 31 and two at Gull Island on November 4. The rarity
from the north was a dark-phased Gyrfalcon that a handful of lucky
observers managed to see during the brief time that it spent on and
around beach 3 on November 3, harassing the local bird life and then
pausing to rest on the sand and allow itself to be studied at leisure
through spotting scopes.
At this late date, the more interesting shorebirds are mostly the
lingering individuals of species that have usually departed earlier (a
Least Sandpiper and a Semipalmated Sandpiper on November 2), but the
late-migrating Purple Sandpipers always generate interest between now
and the end of the year because there are few other places in Ontario
where they can be expected. The first of these birds was found this
year on November 4 at Owen Point and Sebastopol Island. It would
certainly rank close to the aforementioned King Eider as a rarity from
the east. Other shorebirds that can be found on most days along the
beach or at Owen Point or Gull Island are Black-bellied Plovers,
White-rumped Sandpipers (9 on November 4) and especially Dunlins, which
are at present the most numerous shorebirds. The only other shorebird
that is occasionally found at Presqu'ile at this late date that has not
already appeared this year is the Red Phalarope, the most recent of
which was here two years ago.
Barred Owls were found in two widely separated parts of the Park on
October 30 and 31. A Northern Saw-whet Owl posed on November 2 for
anyone who wanted to see it, in a cedar tree near the lighthouse. At
this time of year, there is renewed speculation about which species is
most likely to be added to the all-time Presqu'ile Park list, because of
the possibility that some determined observer willing to scrutinize
every cedar tree in the Park might find a Boreal Owl, a candidate
species for that honour. In the meantime, birders would be willing to
settle for a Long-eared Owl, which is another species not often found in
the Park.
There has been only one Northern Shrike observation at Presqu'ile since
the last weekly report. A very late Blue-headed Vireo, perhaps the
latest ever in the Park, was near the lighthouse on October 29.
Completing the compass rose of rarities is the Tufted Titmouse, the
southern bird that has been gracing the feeders at 186 and 191 Bayshore
Road and the surrounding woods on a daily basis for almost four weeks.
Some other land birds of the past week that are not likely to be around
much longer are Winter Wrens (2 on October 31), a Ruby-crowned Kinglet
on November 2, a Hermit Thrush on October 30, a Yellow-rumped Warbler on
November 1, and two Fox Sparrows on October 31. Feeders at the
lighthouse end of Bayshore Road have been overrun with Pine Siskins this
week, probably close to 100 at a time.
The Friends of Presqu'ile Park have discovered a previously hidden box
of 40 pristine copies of the 1993 book, Birds of Presqu'ile Provincial
Park, long thought to be out of print. They will be available for sale
at $5.00 a copy at the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre on November 6, 7,
10, 13, and 14. Although the contents need updating, the price is still
a bargain.
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. Visitors to Gull Island should be
prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift
current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven. It should also be noted
that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and
part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days.
Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be
directed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Fred Helleiner
186 Bayshore Road,
R.R. #4,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.
