There was a striking difference between birding at Presqu’ile Provincial Park at the end of last week and in the first few days of June. While migration has not completely stopped, the majority of birds present now are on their breeding territory.
A lone BRANT on the beach gave observers close views at least up till June 1. MUTE SWAN cygnets are already in evidence. Among other ducks, a few that are not expected this late in the spring were an AMERICAN WIGEON on June 1, two GREEN-WINGED TEAL on May 30, an unidentified SCAUP on June 1, and single LONG-TAILED DUCKS on May 30 and 31. A WILD TURKEY crossed the main entrance road on June 2. GREAT EGRETS are in evidence every day. The OSPREY nest on the Salt Point lighthouse seems to be active. In a slightly modified repetition of the May 26 shorebird fallout, another such event on a smaller scale occurred on May 30. That was characterized as much by the variety of species as by their absolute numbers. With only five previous spring records, all between May 24 and 31, the three AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS among about 60 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were a highlight. Another rarity on that day was a WILLET. Not quite in the same league but still noteworthy were a WHIMBREL, 55 RUDDY TURNSTONES, a RED KNOT, 125 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, a rather late LEAST SANDPIPER, a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, 450 DUNLINS, and a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. While most of those were gone by the next day, there were still 10 RUDDY TURNSTONES on June 1, a SANDERLING on June 3, and about 40 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS today. There could still be some interesting shorebirds in the week ahead, as suggested by previous sightings of an AMERICAN AVOCET on three different occasions as late as June 8 and 23. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, BARRED OWL, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, and MERLIN are resident species that are often sought by visiting birders. All of them have been seen or heard in the past week. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was found on May 31. There is an active nest of a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH beside Paxton Drive near Atkins Lane. There have been repeated records of a CAROLINA WREN in the past week, from the calf pasture and 83 Bayshore Road, perhaps the same individual in each case. A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was seen on June 1, almost a record late date for that species. The warbler migration has petered out, with only a few stragglers in the first three days of this month. A totally unprecedented spring occurrence at Presqu’ile was that of a NELSON’S SPARROW at the lighthouse on June 1. ORCHARD ORIOLES are resident in several parts of the Park. Three PURPLE FINCHES on June 2 were somewhat unusual. 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. 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 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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
