WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE
WEEK ENDING Thursday, February 01, 2007
A Belleville resident these days is scurrying all over the Belleville and
Picton area as he seeks out bags of corn for over 50 MALLARDS that have
become regulars at his backyard on Oak Ridge Blvd. The birds were regulars
when a nearby creek was open, and have decided to stay with the arrival of
colder weather rather than seek out any open waters elsewhere in the region.
The arrival of several centimetres of snow today, and continuing below
freezing temperatures has resulted in lots of activity at most feeders
across the area. Two HERMIT THRUSHES are at a feeder in the North Park
Street part of the city, and another was reported from Cramahe Township in
the Brighton area. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been reported at many feeders
and our own flock of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at 23 Sprague Road continues to
hover at 80 or more most mornings. A SONG SPARROW at an Elmbrook feeder has
now been joined by a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Another of the latter species
is also at a feeder in Allisonville, where regulars there include 25
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, 30 DARK-EYED JUNCOS, 20 MOURNING DOVES, 35 HOUSE
FINCHES, and at least one tired MOURNING DOVE that was seen being pursued by
a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Profitable birding is also to be had at a Glenora Road
feeder where 50 HOUSE FINCHES are the star attraction there, enjoying encore
stage performances by 25 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 30
BLUE JAYS and as many MOURNING DOVES, just to highlight a few of the
clientel. Species such as MOURNING DOVES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS and especially
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS have shown marked increases in numbers at feeders
since last week.
SNOW BUNTINGS are turning up now more often as increasing snow depths across
the region cause this species to become more active and easily observed.
Flocks numbering only a few individuals to over a hundred were observed
during the week at Big Island, Foster's Road, Highway 33 near Wellington,
and 40 seen in the fields adjacent to Highway 62 near Old Cheese Factory
Road. With the increased activity by SNOW BUNTINGS along roadsides has come
activity by another roadside species that would seem to be offering a
promise of more spring like weather in the offing - numerous sightings of
HORNED LARKS. Also in evidence during early mornings while it is still dark
has been the resonant calling of area GREAT HORNED OWLS as this species
begins to think seriously of commencing household chores.
While colder weather has increased activity in most areas of the County,
waterfowl watching has been restricted to only those areas where open water
remains. Wellington Harbour had over 100 MALLARDS today, along with 39 MUTE
SWANS, 26 RING-BILLED GULLS, 4 AMERICAN COOT, 8 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 20
LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 1 COMMON MERGANSER and about 100 CANADA GEESE. Another
100 CANADA GEESE were spotted out in the field north of Wellington, along
County Road 2.
County Road 2 is one spot where you can almost be sure to see RED-TAILED
HAWKS these days. Two were seen today, 4 were spotted along nearby County
Road 1, and 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS turned up along Highway 33. A dark phase
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen near Milhaven on the 30th, and more RED-TAILED
HAWKS during the week were also seen near County Road 28, and outside the
county, others were seen along Maitland Drive in Belleville, Harmony Road at
Corbyville, and several sightings at Stirling. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK appeared
at a feeder on Belleville's Maitland Drive, and there was a fly by COOPER'S
HAWK at 23 Sprague Road last Friday. BALD EAGLE numbers appear to be down,
if we go by sightings that have come to my attention. An adult bird was seen
on the 30th at South Bay, and across the bay, an observer there at Cape
Vesey noted 2 adults and an immature bird today.
CEDAR WAXWINGS during the week were seen at Prinyer's Cove checking out some
fake berries on an outdoor Christmas decoration, and others were seen at
Cape Vesey (24), 30 along Glenora Road which have been present for much of
the winter, and 60 near a feeder at Allisonville. A resident flock at
Massassauga Point continues to be reported almost weekly. A RUFFED GROUSE
showed up in a Fish Lake backyard on the 30th, and WILD TURKEYS during the
week were seen at Cape Vesey, and Lake-on-the-Mountain Road at Glenora.
This is a condensed version of the Quinte Area Bird Report, containing only
the significant sightings for Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. The
full version can be found on the NatureStuff website, under BIRDING from
the Main Menu.
Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.naturestuff.net
