Indicative of the diversity of bird life at Presqu'ile
Provincial Park at this time of year is the tally of 145 species in the past
two weeks by a single birder who has been camping in the Park. Almost all of those were within the Park
boundaries. Inevitably, there are
several uncommon birds among them, as indicated below.
A SURF SCOTER put in a brief appearance in Presqu'ile Bay
and a BLACK SCOTER was seen twice in Popham Bay. Hearing a RUFFED GROUSE drumming at this time
of year is unusual, but that did happen yesterday, perhaps stimulated by the
summer-like weather. HORNED GREBES in
Popham Bay have been increasing in numbers all week, and a few RED-NECKED
GREBES have also been spotted. GREAT
EGRET just outside the Park gate was the first in several weeks. A few GREEN HERONS appeared this week,
including one at Salt Point this afternoon that displayed signs of being
injured. Single late OSPREYS were seen
on September 22 and 23. BALD EAGLES were
seen on two different days. Other hawks
included COOPER'S HAWK, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, and PEREGRINE FALCON.
Seventeen shorebird species were seen this week. AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS are now a daily
presence, especially, but not exclusively, on Gull Island. It has been almost two weeks since a
HUDSONIAN GODWIT was discovered at Presqu'ile, and the species is being seen
every day on Gull Island, often in the company of a WHIMBREL. RED KNOTS
(two or three) were present up till September 21. There have been no reports of WESTERN
SANDPIPER since last weekend except for
a report of three individuals (two adults and a juvenile) at Owen Point this
morning. WHITE-RUMPED and BAIRD'S
SANDPIPERS are being seen on most days
in small numbers, but PECTORAL SANDPIPER and DUNLIN numbers have been
increasing steadily. The first LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULL of the season was on Gull Island on September 21. Two CASPIAN TERNS and three COMMON TERNS on
September 24 were on the late side.
A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was near the lighthouse on September
22. On September 19, a GREAT CRESTED
FLYCATCHER was found. An anonymous
report of a shrike on September 22, apparently identified as a NORTHERN SHRIKE,
would require documentation because the date is much earlier than any previous
record at Presqu'ile. A PHILADELPHIA
VIREO was seen on September 22. There
were several sightings of COMMON RAVENS this week. The first HORNED LARK of the season was on
Gull Island on September 23.
GRAY-CHEEKED, SWAINSON'S and HERMIT THRUSHES have all been seen this
week. The first two LAPLAND LONGSPURS
were on the beach yesterday. On Monday a
group of birders counted 18 species of warblers in the vicinity of the
lighthouse. Several ORANGE-CROWNED
WARBLERS have been sighted this week.
EASTERN TOWHEE and DARK-EYED JUNCO were among the sparrow species seen
this week. PURPLE FINCHES and PINE
SISKINS that appeared on Monday may be precursors of the winter finch picture.
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. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat
should be prepared to wade through water that is knee-deep, not taking into
account any wave action, in which there is often a swift current and a
substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. It should also be noted that,
because duck hunting is on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull
Island, High Bluff Island, and part of the calf pasture are not available for
bird-watching on those days after tomorrow. 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
Fred Helleiner
