Spring bird migration has definitely slowed down at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in the past week, but the prospects are rosier as the weather forecast is good.

Great Egrets (three on one occasion) are being seen at the re-built portion of the marsh boardwalk known as Audrey's Place, a low-level platform reached by walking through the cedar forest. A Black-crowned Night-Heron was on Sebastopol Island on April 5. One of the next birds to appear at Owen Point or over the marsh will be a Caspian Tern.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was at the south end of Atkins Lane on April 8, a normal date for that species. An Eastern Phoebe was singing at the bird sightings board on April 9. A rather late date for Northern Shrike was established on April 5, when the bird at the calf pasture was still present. Brown Creepers and Winter Wrens are being found in various parts of the Park, some of them in full song. A Savannah Sparrow was on the roadside near Beach 2 on April 7, which was also the date on which two Fox Sparrows were behind 191 Bayshore Road. A Purple Finch was singing in Jobes' Woods on April 5. A dozen or so Pine Siskins are still visiting the feeders at 186 and 187 Bayshore Road.

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.

Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: FHELLEINER@TRENTU.CA.