[Ontbirds]Presqu'ile Birding Report for Week Ending May 1, 2008.

[Fred Helleiner]

On April 26 (last Saturday) there was a surge of birds arriving at 
Presqu'ile Provincial Park that included several species that do not 
normally return until early May.  The residue of that influx, along with 
a few other surprises, has kept birding interesting throughout this 
week.  The unsettled weather of the next few days might bring on another 
wave of migrants.

While waterfowl have not totally disappeared, their numbers are such 
that the migration is essentially over. As an example, Common 
Goldeneyes, present in the hundreds through the winter, are now 
difficult to find.  Sightings of Red-throated Loons have also dwindled 
to one or two in the past week. Only the flocks of Brant that pass 
through Presqu'ile in early to mid-May have yet to be recorded. Great 
Egrets are now a daily sighting, with as many as five visible on High 
Bluff Island, where they nest. 

The beach has been the scene of exciting finds this week.  Four Turkey 
Vultures were consuming some kind of carrion along the shore.  The first 
Spotted Sandpiper arrived on April 25, and Dunlins were there on April 
26 and 29.  On the latter date, they were accompanied by a rare find, 
one of the few Western Sandpipers known to have been found in spring in 
Ontario.  A Wilson's Snipe was again heard winnowing in that area.  Dare 
we hope for a repetition of the events of May 4, 1984, when a Lesser 
Sand-Plover (then known as Mongolian Plover), Five Willets, and a 
Baird's Sandpiper showed up?

In the interlude between the waterfowl migration and the shorebird 
migration, for both of which Presqu'ile is noted, attention has shifted 
to land birds.  A Chimney Swift flew over on April 26 and a 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird has been at the feeder at 83 Bayshore Road 
since April 27.  Both of those observations may be the earliest on 
record for the Park. Whip-poor-wills may also be present but are not 
likely to be found unless one goes out after dusk or before dawn.  
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are infrequently seen but frequently heard in 
the eastern part of the peninsula.  A pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers 
were seen excavating what appeared to be a nest hole.  That  species is 
not known to have nested at Presqu'ile in the past.   Two new flycatcher 
arrivals were also early: a Least Flycatcher on April 26 and an Eastern 
Kingbird on April 29.  The only two vireo species seen this week were 
Blue-headed Vireos and an early Warbling Vireo on April 27.  Two Common 
Ravens made a noisy pass over the east end of the Park on April 27, 
renewing questions as to where they are living.  All six of the usual 
swallows have been found in the past few days.  A Tufted Titmouse, the 
second this spring, was around the lighthouse on April 30, but the 
Carolina Wren that has been singing for weeks has either gone quiet or 
moved on.  One or two Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers have been around on most 
days.  One wonders why no American Pipits have yet been recorded.

Finally, the /piece de resistance/ for spring birders, the wood 
warblers, have been making a good showing.  Eight species, including a 
record early Blue-winged Warbler, were discovered on April 26, and two 
additional species (Black-throated Blue Warbler and Blackburnian 
Warbler) were found on May 1.  Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen by 
several observers on May 1.  A Bobolink, perhaps a record early arrival, 
was seen on April 26, the same day that Baltimore Orioles (also a 
probable record early date) first appeared.  A Rusty Blackbird was seen 
on Paxton Drive today.  The feeders at 83 Bayshore Road hosted two Pine 
Siskins on May 1 and an Evening Grosbeak on April 29. 

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.

Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be 
directed to: FHELLEINER at TRENTU.CA.

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--
Fred Helleiner

186 Bayshore Road,
Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0
VOICE: (613) 475 5309
If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park.