Presqu’ile Birding Report for the week of 6th July to 12th July

 

Highlights: WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, PIPING PLOVER, WILSON’S PHALAROPE, CATTLE EGRET

 

A surprising total of 52 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 11 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen between beaches 1 and 2 on July 8th. This same flock was seen again on July 12th. This flock is fairly far out and needs to be seen early in the morning on calm days before heat haze builds up! Up to 6 GADWALL have been reported this week off of Sebastopol Island and the 2 GREEN-WINGED TEAL reported last week were relocated today on natural beach. A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER flew past the Lighthouse today.

 

4 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were seen in the town of Brighton on July 12th.

 

A VIRGINIA RAIL was found in a somewhat odd location of Salt Pt on July 8th and another at the Marsh Boardwalk on July 8th and 11th. Families of COMMON GALLINULES can be found on the Marsh Boardwalk or easier at Brighton Constructed wetland.

 

The bird of the week was a PIPING PLOVER band number 064 a female who nested here in 2016. This bird was originally found on July 8th between Beach 1 and 2 and relocated on July 12th in the same area. A single SEMIPALMATED PLOVER was also seen on July 8th in the same area. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE spotted by the Park Staff on High Bluff Island was a nice find. A SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was also spotted on Beach 1 July 12th. WILSON’S SNIPE could be heard winnowing from Beach 1 Parking lot on July12th and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS flew over Beach 1 calling as it headed out to one of the islands. LESSER YELLOWLEGS were located at a couple of locations this week 2 July 10th on Huff Rd and 2 July 12th at the Constructed Wetlands. KILLDEER AND SPOTTED SANDPIPERS can easily be seen on the beaches of Presqu’ile as family groups are moving around.

The fall shorebird season is starting to kick off and the beaches at Presqu’ile look great! 

 

BONAPARTE’S GULL has been reported most days this week at Beach 1and Salt Pt with a high of 3 birds and the team studying COMMON TERN’S on Gull Island had a tern they thought was a FORSTER’S TERN flyby although not confirmed for sure at this point.

 

An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on July 8th and LEAST BITTERN were seen numerous times this week along the Marsh Boardwalk.

 

A COOPERS’S HAWK was seen being harassed by a mob of birds opposite Louisiana Pond and a RED-TAILED HAWK flew over a residential yard on July 10th.

 

For those looking for swallows 7 CLIFF SWALLOWS were seen on July 8th on Huff RD and a mix of 150 SWALLOWS were seen at the same location July 10th. PURPLE MARTIN’S can still be seen around Lighthouse.

 

More common breeding birds such as EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE’S, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, RED-EYED AND WARBLING VIREOS,BROWN CREEPERS, HOUSE, WINTER and MARSH WRENS, WOOD THRUSH among others can be heard still singing in suitable habitats such as Newcastle Woods and Jobes Woods. Early morning is best!

 

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS AND ORCHARD ORIOLES are readily being seen in residential backyards but can be also found looking in other locations in Park such as Lighthouse and Calf Pasture.

 

Thanks to all the observers and Park Staff who shared their findings for this report. Without them this would be a very short list!

 

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.