WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, November 30, 2003
Just a short summary this week, as it appears from the lack of reports that very few people were out birding in the Quinte area. Not surprising, given some of the weather we had during the week. Predictions that COMMON REDPOLLS would soon be appearing in the Quinte area due to a shortage of birch seeds in the north, are starting to come true as an increasing number of reports of these colourful little finches are starting to come in. However, overall numbers of this species at all feeders continues to be low. There were three today at 23 Sprague Road, and more sightings came in during the week from County Road 1 northwest of Bloomfield, Belleville, Madoc and Napanee. Other interesting arrivals at local bird feeders during the week were 10 EVENING GROSBEAKS near Roslin, and two at a feeder at 2800 County Road 1 yesterday. This feeder also has 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1 female PURPLE FINCH and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and PINE SISKINS appeared at a feeder on Crookston Road near Tweed where there was also a NORTHERN SHRIKE. A NORTHERN SHRIKE turned up at a feeder on Belleville's Maitland Drive during the week and there was another at Big Island. High winds on Saturday made observation on Lake Ontario next to impossible. At Wellington, a small number of MALLARDS were near the government dock. Three days earlier, there had been BUFFLEHEAD, BONAPARTE'S GULLS and 3 lingering DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS at this location. Nine MUTE SWANS were seen at Sheba's Island during the week. NORTHERN HARRIERS during the week were seen at Elmbrook, Wellington, Gilead Road and Jericho Road. While the intent of winter feeders is to attract avian visitors, often their presence will attract other guests as well. An eastern chipmunk is a regular at my feeder at Big Island, and during the week, there were two reports of flying squirrels coming to feeders on Crookston Road near Tweed (5 - 7 nightly), and one other at a feeder closer to Madoc near the Two Loons Restaurant. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Judy Bell, Janet Foster, Shirley Preston, Mike Jaques, Nancy Fox, Lloyd Paul, John & Margaret Moore and Beth McPherson for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7th. Bird sightings must be in 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good birding. Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net "Terry Sprague" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
