Presqu’ile Bird Report for 6-12 May 2022
HIGHLIGHTS: Piping Plover, American White Pelican, Cerulean Warbler, Prairie Warbler
OVERVIEW: More birds were returning on schedule this week, but as in the past few weeks, we have yet to see a big push in terms of numbers. A few rarities spiced up the birding, although nothing in the class of last week’s Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Most waterfowl that aren’t going to breed here have moved on, with the exception of Long-tailed Ducks which are still common far offshore when calm conditions allow them to be seen. Shorebirds are trickling in but we are still awaiting the first
May 15, 2022 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 29 Apr – 5 May 2022
HIGHLIGHTS: Piping Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Tern, Red-throated Loon, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
OVERVIEW: Migration is well underway with many First of Years (FOY) reported, although there has still been no huge push of birds yet. Several rarities – especially the continuing Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – brought lots of birders to the Park this week.
SIGHTINGS:
Blue-winged Teal: A male was off Owen Pt. on 4 May.
Green-winged Teal: 35 on 4 May was a high count this late in spring.
Whip-poor-will: A migrant was heard on 4 May.
May 6, 2022 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 22-28 Apr 2022
HIGHLIGHTS:
Sandhill Crane, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red-throated Loon, Northern Goshawk, SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, Lincoln’s Sparrow
OVERVIEW:
Spring migration is ramping up with lots of new arrivals (First of Year=FOY) although there has still been no big push of birds yet. Several species came in unusually early, but everything was eclipsed by the discovery of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near the Lighthouse.
SIGHTINGS:
Redhead: A male close to shore at Gull Is. on 25 Apr might be a breeding bird.
Surf Scoter: Two were seen on 23 Apr.
May 1, 2022 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 15-21 April 2022
HIGHLIGHTS: Sandhill Crane, Glaucous Gull, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
OVERVIEW: Lots of expected migrants have been showing up more or less on time but numbers still seem thin. We have yet to see a big southerly air push that would assist migrants on their way. Waterfowl numbers have thinned out considerably now that the ice is gone but species diversity is still good. The islands – closed to the public during nesting season - are busy with nesting gulls, terns, egrets and cormorants. Songbirds are trickling in and some early nesting species like Brown Creeper are singing
April 23, 2022 - Doug McRae
Presqu'ile Bird Report 11-17 March 2022
HIGHLIGHTS: Glaucous Gull, Northern Shrike, Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco
OVERVIEW: The big news was a huge influx of birds, especially Canada Geese, on 17 Mar which saw a big movement of waterfowl and several other first-of-years to appear. Presqu’ile Bay is full of ducks, with the majority still being Redhead and Greater Scaup but now with many more puddle ducks mixed in. The Oregon Junco continued at a Bayshore feeder through the week.
SIGHTINGS:
Canada Goose: A huge passage of eastbound birds was noted on the morning of 17 Mar with 7000 seen by one party in
March 20, 2022 - Doug McRae
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 4-10 March 2022
HIGHLIGHTS: “Oregon” Junco
OVERVIEW: Birds really started to move in this week, especially with the very warm day on 6 Mar. Waterfowl are building up nicely with somewhere between 5000-10000 birds present, most being either Redhead and Greater Scaup. The number varies greatly depending upon ice conditions. The warm weather predicted for the coming week should ramp the waterfowl flight up into full gear. A few shorebirds came in as well, and early migrants like American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds became obvious.
SIGHTINGS:
Trumpeter Swan: Four were
March 13, 2022 - Doug Mcrae