At Presqu’ile Provincial Park, July has lived up to its
reputation as the slowest month of the year for finding exciting birds. Even mid-winter, while having a much lower
number and variety of birds, often has more genuine surprises for those who are
willing to brave the elements. The only
refreshing aspect of the last week of July is that a few southbound migrants
have begun to appear.
An AMERICAN BLACK
DUCK was at Gull Island on Monday, and a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on Sunday, both
species that have not been much in evidence this summer. Two GREEN HERONS were seen on two different
days. A TURKEY VULTURE and an OSPREY
were both perched on the beach (on different days). Shorebird numbers have not yet built up, the
only migrant species being SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, and
LEAST SANDPIPER, all in small numbers. Among gulls, there was a BONAPARTE’S GULL with a mostly black head and
an immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.
A flock of about 15 ROCK PIGEONS flew past the lighthouse
yesterday. Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were
at the beach 2 parking lot this morning. PURPLE MARTINS have been replaced by BARN SWALLOWS as the most abundant
swallow species in the Park this week. A
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was seen and heard this morning, likely a newly
returned migrant. More warbler species
will be arriving shortly. Both male and
female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK have been at the lighthouse.
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. Access to the offshore islands is
restricted at this time of year to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting
birds there.
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
