Presqu’ile Birding Report 3rd August to 9th August 2018

 

Highlights: RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, CAROLINA WREN

 

Very few reports of birds came in this week due to the holiday weekend and  hot and stormy weather!

 

A LONG-TAILED DUCK on Aug 3rd and a BLUE-WINGED TEAL on Aug 5th were ducks of interest this week and unfortunately both were in poor shape due most likely to avian botulism. RUFFED GROUSE was spotted again this week near the campgrounds. A COMMON NIGHTHAWK was spotted flying around the bridge at the Calf Pasture.

 

Shorebirds reported today were 8 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 7 SANDERLINGS, 3 LEAST SANDPIPERS, 5 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 7 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS. All these birds were between Beach 3 and the natural beach.

 

COMMON LOONS are being seen in numerous locations. RED-TAILED HAWK, MERLIN were spotted in Calf Pasture today and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK buzzed the yard at 83 Bayshore on August 8th. A BARRED OWL was heard hooting from the backyard of 83 Bayshore on Aug 5th. A adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues to be seen daily at 83 Bayshore this week and was joined on August 8th by a juvenile making it 2 years in a row they have successfully breed in the Park! 

 

CAROLINA WRENS continue to be heard and if lucky seen around the Lighthouse again this week. One also made it to 83 Bayshore briefly on Aug 8th. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS are being heard this week usually near conifer plantations. CEDAR WAXWINGS can be seen flocking up in the Calf Pasture.

 

The BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER on Aug 8th is the first one reported this fall. Other warblers seen were NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, BLACK-AND-WHITE, NASHVILLE, AMERICAN REDSTART, BLACKBURNIAN, YELLOW and PINE Warbler.

 

A couple of SCARLET TANAGERS were seen hawking for insects from 83 Bayshore.

 

Bill Gilmour

 

Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton.  It can be reached from either Hwy. 401 or Cty. Rd. 2 and is well signed.  A Park map can be found in the information tabloid available at the Park gate.  Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is not permitted during the breeding season.