Friday, September 2, 2011

September 1, 2011 More Presqu'ile birding.

Hi Everyone
The shorebird viewing continues to be excellent at Owen Point. This morning there was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper feeding in the roped in area at the point along with a small group of Least Sandpipers. I counted a total of 5 juvenile Red Knot and another Buff-breasted Sandpiper feeding just north of the point in the vegetation. Also present were 3 juv. Short-billed Dowitcher, 1 ad. White-rumped Sandpiper, 6 Baird's Sandpiper and 7 juv. Ruddy Turnstone. In Presqu'ile Bay I counted 27 Pied-billed Grebe and a total of 117 Mute Swan. Land birds were in small numbers including 3 Red-bellied Woodpeckers at Calf Pasture.
Good Birding, Bruce


Directions: Presqu'ile Prov. Park is located south of Brighton, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. It is well signed from either Hwy. 401 or Hwy. 2.




An early morning visit to Owen Point found the shorebirds feeding within the roped off area including a Buff-breasted Sandpiper!


In eastern Ontario Presqu'ile Provincial Park is the best location for Buff-breasted Sandpiper. It is an annual visitor to the park starting in late August to late September.


Check between Beach #1 and Owen Point along the shoreline and after September 10th on Gull Island.

A juvenile Red Knot bathing at Owen Point.


Ruddy Turnstones are regular fall visitor to the park starting in late July with adults and mid August onward for juvenile birds.

Presqu'ile Provincial Park is also known for Monarch butterfly migration.


Monarch Butterfly caterpillar feeding on milkweed plant.


Another Monarch Butterfly caterpillar.


A tree frog sits quietly on a milkweed
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It was amazing the variety of creatures that are associated with Milkweed plants. This spider had a web spun and was waiting for lunch to show up!



Another interesting animal was a land snail that was clinging to the milkweed plant. I counted a total of 7 snails in one patch of milkweed.

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