Presqu’ile Bird Report for 14-20 Jun 2019
HIGHLIGHT: SNOWY EGRET
Things have really settled into the summer grove with most sightings pertaining to breeding birds with lots of observations of fledged young, and a dearth of reports so this will be quick!
Interesting/lingering waterfowl included a GREEN-WINGED TEAL, the first AMERICAN BLACK DUCK in weeks, a COMMON GOLDENEYE and two COMMON MERGANSERS, all off the natural beach on 19 Jun. Two distant SCAUP thought to be GREATER were seen just north of Owen Pt. on 17 Jun. Three LONG-TAILED DUCKS were photographed on 16 Jun and two more were seen off the west Picnic Area on 18 Jun.
All the expected herons are being seen regularly and the long-staying SNOWY EGRET was dependable at its Beach 3 feeding spot until 16 Jun. On 17 Jun it was seen briefly at Beach 1 and has not been reported since. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK carrying food was seen near the Park Store on 15 Jun. A SORA was calling off Presqu’ile Parkway (the causeway) on 14 Jun.
For the first time in weeks no migrant shorebirds were reported but the breeding regulars – KILLDEER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK and WILSON’S SNIPE were all noted. A first-summer COMMON TERN, a plumage rarely seen here, was reported on 17 Jun. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen on 16 Jun. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS continue to be reported in unprecedented numbers (which is anything more than one). It seems there are at least two pairs nesting plus an adult showed up at the Birdhouse Nature Store feeders 16-17 Jun. Another visited a feeder near Gosport just outside the park.
A family party of WINTER WRENS with four barely flying young was seen in the Fingers on 17 Jun. A BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, possibly the only one in the park, was seen near Trail’s End campground on 17 and 18 Jun. A male EASTERN TOWHEE was in the Beach 2 parking area on 19 Jun but was not reported before or after so may be a late migrant. A BOBOLINK was reported on 15 Jun via eBird but with no details. Since this species is not believed to nest in Presqu’ile, it may refer to a bird seen nearby – details regarding exact location would be appreciated.
Needless to say we local birders would love to hear promptly of any rarities that visitors find so if you see something rare, please feel free to call or text my cell (613-243-4161) or Bill Gilmour’s cell (613-475-4219) and we will get the word out to the local birding community. Thanks.
Directions: 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 (10 March-10 September).
