Since Presqu'ile Provincial Park remains closed to the public, the only bird sightings worth reporting are those few that have been made on the private lands at Presqu'ile adjacent to the Park and those few that have been made inside the Park by authorized Park personnel.

A WILD TURKEY crossed Bayshore Road this morning before disappearing in the long grass of the calf pasture.  On Sunday evening a COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen and heard.  A WILSON'S SNIPE on Saturday was the only shorebird found.  Six BONAPARTE'S GULLS were in Presqu'ile Bay on Sunday.  The heron family was well represented in the past week, with the following species noted: AMERICAN BITTERN, LEAST BITTERN, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, and a few days earlier a GREEN HERON. 

A GREAT HORNED OWL was visible from Bayshore Road on Tuesday.  A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER that was seen and photographed on Tuesday between Stonehedge and the lighthouse raises the possibility that the species is nesting nearby.  A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is a regular patron of the feeder at 186 Bayshore Road.  Although most migrants have already departed for points north, there is still a possibility that a late migrant such as an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER will show up.  Two GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS at 94 Bayshore Road on Sunday were in an unexpected location for the time of year.  A GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH on June 2 tied the record late date for that species.  Two PURPLE FINCHES at 83 Bayshore Road indicate the likely presence of that species as a nesting bird.  A late BLACKPOLL WARBLER was still present yesterday.  Although EASTERN MEADOWLARKS are regular migrants at Presqu'ile, the sight of one flying into the Park on Tuesday was unusual, given that the spring meadowlark migration occurs in early April.  ORCHARD ORIOLES are a regular summer bird at Presqu'ile, and one was seen yesterday.

To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park after the Park re-opens, 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 Park is restricted until further notice, and access to the offshore islands is restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there.  Once the Park re-opens, 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: FHELLEINER@TRENTU.CA.