August 31, 2012 Thick-billed Kingbird Update

The Thick-billed Kingbird is still being seen (as of 10:00 a.m.) this morning at Presqu'ile, although it is becoming much harder to see, staying out of sight and inactive for 30 minutes at a time. Today it is frequenting the Calf Pasture Cove, spending most of its time on the actual Calf Pasture Point (the spit of land that forms the northern shore of the cove). It has been flying out over the water catching bugs then returning to trees on the point. The mowed grass area by  the parking lot is the best vantage to see the bird, especially when  it flies out over the water. There is a strong west wind which may be  influencing its behaviour and perching sites. It has not been seen  near the cottage at 44 Bayshore Rd. where it had spent the first day  and a half, but it was along the hydro line earlier in the morning, so  accessing it via the Calf Pasture parking area is still the best option.

Cheers,

Doug McRae

Directions: Presqu'ile is south of Brighton on the north shore of Lake Ontario.   The park is well signed from Hwy 401. Because Bayshore Road is narrow  with few good parking spots, please access it from Presqu'ile  Provincial Park at the Calf Pasture day use area. Take the park road  (instead of bayshore) and follow it; when it becomes a one way loop,  follow it around past the lighthouse and in about 3 km, go right on  Atkins Lane to the Calf Pasture Day Use parking area. You can pick up  a park newspaper at the gate which has a map.

The Thick-billed Kingbird was last seen late August 31st at Calf Pasture. There were no reports on September 1st.