WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA
for Sunday, September 28, 2003
There was no report this week from the Prince Edward Point Bird
Observatory; however, birders in the area did come up with a few sightings
this past week. The COMMON EIDER which first turned up September 13th, was
still in the area between Point Traverse and Prince Edward Point as of
yesterday. According to observers there yesterday, the bird was easily found
directly opposite the banding station near the observation deck on shore.
Also yesterday, there was a BLUE-HEADED VIREO in the woods behind the
banding station. Also seen in the area was EASTERN TOWHEE, 20 AMERICAN
KESTRELS, COOPER'S HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and RED-TAILED HAWK.
Overall, it was an impressive week in the Prince Edward County area. The
first LITTLE GULL turned up at the mouth of the Outlet River, at Sandbanks
Provincial Park, on September 21st. Three days later, the number of LITTLE
GULLS had increased to three, and in among them and numerous BONAPARTE'S
GULLS, there was an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, seen by one of the park
naturalists. Also present on the beach were 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 30
SANDERLINGS, 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a few SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS.
At the extreme west end of Sandbanks Provincial Park, at Wellington
Harbour, a ROSS'S GOOSE was present both Thursday and Friday. Whether this
is the same individual that was seen last fall on November 3rd at Hay Bay,
and later, on November 23rd, at Prinyer's Cove, is uncertain. Also present
in West Lake at Wellington were about 6 CASPIAN TERNS, CANADA GEESE,
AMERICAN WIGEON and COMMON MERGANSERS. A GREAT EGRET was also seen.
But it wasn't necessary to go to open water to find waterfowl. A
displaced MUTE SWAN was reported by several observers wandering around in an
open field on Shannon Road, between Ridge Road and County Road 32, near
Bloomfield. The bird is somewhat aggressive to concerned passersby, but has
not offered to take flight, leading some to believe that it may be a
possible victim of the duck hunting season. Nine MUTE SWANS have been
present this week at Sheba's Island, in West Lake, where other incidentals
have been NORTHERN FLICKER, GREAT BLUE HERON, HOUSE FINCHES and BLUE JAYS.
Outside the county, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were present during the week south
of Stirling, and a family of WILD TURKEYS has been present most of the
summer on Vanderwater Road, east of Thomasburg, where they have been feeding
on sunflowers seeds in the garden, as well as black currants.
And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and area. Our thanks
to Paul Jones, Helen Graham, Joanne Dewey, Albert Boisvert, Maureen Riggs,
Donn & John Legate and Jess Chambers for their contributions to this week's
report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 05. Bird
sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. to be included in the next report. Good
birding.
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.naturestuff.net
"Terry Sprague" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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