With the fall bird migration in full swing, every day brings new surprises at Presqu'ile Provincial Park. In particular, whenever a cold front passes through, the composition of the local bird life changes considerably within the following days. Early evening has been the time to watch for egrets and related birds as they make their way to their roosts. On at least three evenings during the past week, Great Egrets in small groups or singly have been sighted flying southwest over the marsh towards the offshore islands. They also appear from time to time feeding in the marsh. A Cattle Egret, presumably the same bird as the one seen over the marsh at dusk on August 24, was seen in the same place, also flying southwest, on the evening of September 1. On subsequent evenings, at least until September 4, it has been seen flying to the gravel bar off Owen Point and resting there for a few minutes before flying on. The best time seems to be shortly after 7:15 p.m. Black-crowned Night-Herons also fly by those locations towards dusk. Good numbers of Wood Ducks are frequenting the marsh, though they are often obscured by emergent vegetation. At dusk they, too, fly around. Redheads can be seen in various parts of the Park, but the five at the lighthouse on September 2 were in an unusual location. The Common Goldeneye that has been a "regular" near the lighthouse for three weeks is now spending more time near Salt Point. Presqu'ile Park is not noted for its hawk migrations, but a minor flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and Merlins took place on September 4 and 5. The latter species is being seen almost every day in various parts of the Park. A Peregrine Falcon was seen on September 2. There still are periodic sightings of Common Moorhens in the marsh, though they, too, are difficult to see because of vegetation. The first American Coots of the season, approximately ten, appeared on September 3 in the weedy part of Presqu'ile Bay where they normally congregate. Good numbers of shorebirds remain at the traditional locations (Owen Point, the natural beach, Chatterton Point, and Gull Island, though the latter remains off limits until September 11). The numbers at these locations and at Salt Point fluctuate on a daily basis. Often if they are scarce or missing from one area they can be found in one of the others. Among the more interesting reports this week were a Willet on August 29, continuing sightings of one or more Red Knots at least until September 3, daily sightings of several White-rumped and Baird's Sandpipers, a Purple Sandpiper reportedly seen off Owen Point a full month earlier than any previous record, up to three Stilt Sandpipers, and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper on September 5. There still have been no jaeger reports from Presqu'ile this year, but it is likely to be only a matter of days before they appear. The writing of this report is interrupted by stop-the-press information about a Forster's Tern that appeared at Owen Point late this afternoon (September 5). Four species of vireos (Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, Warbling, and Red-eyed Vireos) were seen by one observer on September 5, all of them enticed out of hiding by "pishing", a technique that has been effective, in fact essential, for locating the foraging flocks of small passerines that are widely scattered throughout the Park. A Carolina Wren has been singing occasionally at the lighthouse from August 30 to September 4, and another was heard behind the woodpile marsh on September 1. With the sighting of both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets on September 5 and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers on August 31 and September 3, all three of the "old world warblers" were represented at Presqu'ile this week. The report of a Gray-cheeked Thrush in Jobes' Woods on August 31, apparently a week earlier than any previous Park record, is surprising, especially since no other thrushes of any species except American Robins have yet arrived. They can be expected to come in large numbers soon. Mixed flocks of warblers, one containing an estimated 200 birds, can be found, with patience and "pishing", in various parts of the Park. Among the more interesting species sighted during the past week are a Blue-winged Warbler on September 4, Orange-crowned Warblers on August 31 and September 4, a Northern Parula on September 2, and, most surprising of all, a male Hooded Warbler, also discovered by "pishing", on September 2. Interested persons are welcome to join the Ontario Field Ornithologists' outing at Presqu'ile on September 8. It will depart from the north end of the Owen Point trail (formerly the beach 4 parking lot) at 8:00 a.m. 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 normally available at the Park gate. Access to the offshore islands is restricted until September 11 to prevent disturbance to the colonial nesting birds there. Questions and comments about bird sightings at Presqu'ile may be directed to: FHELLEINER@TRENTU.CA. -- Fred Helleiner 186 Bayshore Road, R.R. #4, Brighton, Ontario, Canada, K0K 1H0 VOICE: (613) 475 5309 If visiting, access via Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fred Helleiner <fhelleiner@trentu.ca>