Hello birders: A group of 22 participants enjoyed a dizzying fall-out of passerines to begin Sunday's annual OFO outing at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in Brighton. The northeast wind gradually shifted to an east wind and steadily gained strength throughout the day beneath partly cloudy skies. The core group amassed 78 bird species, while off-shoot sub-groups contributed another 7 species for a total of 85.
*Lighthouse and area (8:00am–mid-morning)* Warblers and other passerines were cascading from tree to tree around the Lighthouse parking lot and a small section of adjacent Paxton Drive. 16 warbler species were spotted, including Black-and-white, Tennessee, Nashville, American Redstart, Cape May, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Canada, and Wilson's. Red-eyed Vireos, a singing Warbling Vireo, both nuthatch species, a small flock of Cedar Waxwings, Easter Wood-Pewees, Alder/Willow Flycatchers, Blue Jays, American Goldfinches, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were also in the mix. Singles of Common Raven and Northern Harrier (immature) circled overhead briefly. *Owen Point Trail / Owen Point / beach (mid–late morning)* Many more passerines fed in the cedars, and both Palm and a late Yellow Warbler foraged in the willows at Owen Point. From the point, we scoped two Caspian Terns, one 1st-cycle Great Black-backed Gull, and a distant group of Sanderlings (part of a larger groups of shorebirds on the north shore of Gull Island — accessible as of tomorrow). One Sharp-shinned Hawk and at least one Merlin put in appearances, which kept the shorebirds scattered and flighty. We did, however, eventually enjoy close views of a flock containing many Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers and two Semipalmated Sandpipers. A juvenile Black-bellied Plover flew past as well. *Calf Pasture (early afternoon)* After a quick lunch by the Park Store, we stopped by Calf Pasture, but it was too windy for much bird activity, save for a resident Belted Kingfisher and a family group of Eastern Phoebes. *The Birdhouse Nature Store (early afternoon)* Winds were unfavourable for raptor viewing, but many passerines were on the move here. A distant Northern Flicker offered satisfactory views. *Brighton Constructed Wetland (BCW) / Brighton Sewage Lagoon (early–mid-afternoon)* After seeing four juvenile Common Gallinules en route, we encountered six juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs and one adult Greater Yellowlegs at the BCW. Several Green-winged Teal, many Wood Ducks, and two Marsh Wrens were other notables here. We finished the outing around 2:50 p.m. at the entrance to the gated Brighton Sewage Lagoon where two adult Bonaparte's Gulls, two Blue-winged Teal, and one Spotted Sandpiper completed our day's tally. Thanks again to the local birders who offered their assistance and to Keith Lee of the Municipality of Brighton for granting group access to the BCW. We hope to see you next year. Good birding! Ian and Sofia Shanahan _______________________________________________ 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
