QUINTE AREA BIRD REPORT FROM THE PRINCE EDWARD POINT BIRD OBSERVATORY FOR THE PERIOD August 13th to August 17th
With this report we welcome back David Okines with his weekly update on the bird migration and banding activities at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, located at the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, in Prince Edward County.
Through the summer, the usual weekly Quinte Area Bird Report assumed a new identity as readers were invited to submit sightings of not only birds but other wildlife and plant species as well. This report was sent to a private list of subscribers, and has also appeared weekly on the NatureStuff website. The report became so popular among readers that I have decided to continue the informal format of the summer report. However, much of the content involving other wildlife species and wildlife stories of interest, and its much longer length, is probably not suitable for the OntBirds listserv. Therefore, two reports will be written now, with the OntBirds edition containing only the report filed weekly by bird bander David Okines, and any other significant sightings that might occur in the county. Those wishing to see the entire wildlife report can find it weekly posted on my website at www.naturestuff.net, under BIRDING from the Main Menu, and will be submitted simultaneously with the OntBirds report.
Meanwhile, back to the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory report; the Observatory was manned from the 13th when David Okines arrived to set up the nets and traps and monitoring will continue until the 31st October. Two hundred birds have been trapped since Monday which is more than usual for this time of year and bodes well for a good fall season. COMMON LOONS can be heard calling offshore on calm days but they have not actually been seen yet. The DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS are present and can often be seen feeding near the mouth of the harbour first thing in the morning. Up to 60 MALLARDS and 4 AMERICAN BLACK DUCK are feeding near the lighthouse on the algae. A few shorebirds can be seen on the algae around the harbour entrance with small numbers of SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER being seen so far. An UPLAND SANDPIPER flew over on the 16th and 7 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were on the beach beside the lighthouse on the 15th.
Two PILEATED WOODPECKERS were in the trees near the nets but were not trapped on the 17th. Flycatchers are moving through in small numbers with up to 10 each of all the common species (except EASTERN PHOEBE) present on any given day. Swallows are flying and feeding around the area on most days with BARN and BANK being the most common; a PURPLE MARTIN was seen on the 13th. A VEERY was present on the 14th and a HERMIT THRUSH was banded on the 16th with a SWAINSON'S THRUSH on the following day. Good numbers of the GRAY CATBIRDS, SONG SPARROWS, YELLOW WARBLERS and COMMON YELLOWTHROATS have been trapped indicating a good local breeding season for these species. The 15 species of warblers seen or banded so far include TENNESSEE, YELLOW, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, CAPE MAY (today), MYRTLE, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACK AND WHITE, AMERICAN REDSTART, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, WILSON'S AND CANADA. A few BALTIMORE ORIOLES are moving through and a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was trapped today.
Our thanks to David Okines for submitting this update weekly. This report will be updated on Thursday, August 24th.
Terry Sprague Prince Edward County [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net
