WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE
WEEK ENDING Thursday, March 22, 2007
It was only yesterday that temperatures started becoming a little more
tolerable and thoughts began to turn more seriously to spring birds. The
snow is melting, the water is running and AMERICAN ROBINS, RED-WINGED
BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES are everywhere right now, along with
increasing numbers of KILLDEERS. This past week, due a combination of cold
weather, and popular open waterfowl areas remaining concentrated enough to
permit close viewing of waterfowl species, there was an interesting mix of
reports commenting on waterfowl success, spring migrants and bird feeder
activity. Conditions keep deteriorating at Wellington Harbour as West Lake
continues to open, and waterfowl remain concentrated along the ice edge,
many too far away to pull in without the aid of a spotting scope. Species
there this past week included AMERICAN COOT, RING-NECKED DUCKS, BUFFLEHEADS,
MALLARDS, LONG-TAILED DUCKS, COMMON GOLDENEYE and MUTE SWANS.
At Point Petre, most of Soup Harbour remains ice and snow covered but an
open bit at the extreme eastern end contained over 200 GREATER SCAUP today,
along with a dozen LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a few BUFFLEHEAD. Muscote Bay at
Big Island, another traditionally productive area, is also awaiting
continuing warm temperatures.
On Sunday, there was good success at the Glendon Green boat launch off
County Road 18 across from Log Cabin Point, at the headwaters of the Outlet
River. The two wing tagged TRUMPETER SWANS were still present, along with
HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, COMMON MERGANSERS, REDHEADS and the
usual species expected there at this time of the year. Prince Edward Bay
ranges from good to poor viewing as wind direction fills in the open areas
with floating ice one day, and drifts it away on other days. On Sunday, one
of the good days, there were about 6,000 ducks close to shore, comprising
mainly GREATER SCAUP and a scattered numbers of TUNDRA SWANS. One NORTHERN
PINTAIL was among them.
The famous Kaiser Crossroad Cornfields slipped a step backwards from last
week's courageous attempt to produce at least a few species of waterfowl.
Until today's rain, the flooded fields were an ice field, and when the geese
leave as well, you know the situation is sad. However, after today's rain
and expected warmer temperatures, things should return to normal, and the
fields will once again produce their customary thousands of ducks and geese.
Keep an eye on Kaiser. It's a fabulous spot when conditions are right.
Last week's return of winter, saw renewed interest at most feeders, while
today ours was reduced to the atmosphere of a morgue. The famous feeder at
Glenora Road which excels seemingly in all conditions has 20 DARK-EYED
JUNCOS, the usual 6 DOWNY and 4 HAIRY WOODPECKERS, 2 RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKERS, 25 BLUE JAYS, 25 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and 25 HOUSE FINCHES.
Also present are 6 PURPLE FINCHES and 50 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. High numbers
of the latter species are also present at a feeder near Thomasburg where 60
were estimated, and 50 were seen in a backyard at Tweed. A half dozen PURPLE
FINCHES are also at the Thomasburg feeder, a species we no longer see in the
numbers we used to 30 years ago. The HARRIS'S SPARROW is still appearing
sporadically at a feeder at 2800 County Road 1 in Prince Edward County where
it first appeared in mid-February, and was last seen on Saturday, but may
still be around. The FOX SPARROW at Croydon, north of Napanee is still
visiting a feeder there.
The spirited melodies of SONG SPARROWS during the week were heard at 11787
Highway 33 (Glenora Road), Big Island, Cape Vesey, and Point Petre. GREAT
BLUE HERONS have made appearances across the region and one was seen
standing in the middle of Fish Lake Road yesterday. KILLDEERS are
everywhere - three flew over a residence at the west end of Big Island
today. At Trenton, two were noticed in a ditch that received a flow of water
from sump pumps from neighbouring homes. The birds disappeared after the
water succumbed to the cold temperatures of earlier this week. TURKEY
VULTURES have been seen on Philipston Road and Plainfield, just north of the
county, one was seen in Trenton, and one was seen near Highway 62 south of
Ben Gill Road yesterday, another at Point Petre, Mallory Road, Ridge Road,
and 10 were observed this morning flying low over Highway 62 just south of
Huff's Island Road. A group of eight was seen circling over the county
government offices at Picton's Shire Hall on Wednesday. The observer added
that "You can come to whatever conclusion you like."
So, despite spring coming in at minus 11 degrees Wednesday morning, things
are beginning to happen. An early EASTERN PHOEBE was seen in Trenton this
afternoon, and 12 kinglets, likely GOLDEN-CROWNED, were also seen. The first
TREE SWALLOW of the season, other than an individual spotted earlier in the
Kingston area, was at Little Lake Road in the Brighton area where two were
seen by a motorist. Five were spotted today on the Trent River flying over
solid ice below the high trestle. A NORTHERN FLICKER showed up at Point
Petre on the 19th, and another continues to be seen on Mitchells Crossroad,
both wintering individuals. Three RING-NECKED PHEASANTS were seen in a ditch
yesterday on the west side of Highway 49, just north of County Road 15. WILD
TURKEYS are turning up everywhere, many in spectacular display mode, and 50
were seen foraging in a corn field on Ridge Road near Stirling on Wednesday.
Pairs of WOOD DUCKS were seen in Consecon Creek at the corner of County Road
5 and Fry Road on the 18th, and another pair was seen on the 21st on a
frozen pond at George's Road.
Missed in last week's report was the sighting of a SHORT-EARED OWL, perched
on a telephone pole on Elmbrook Road north of Picton on the evening of March
10th. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL has been hanging around one home on Fish Lake
Road, and a BARRED OWL was spotted at the H.R. Frink Centre north of
Belleville one day last week. A RED-TAILED HAWK can be seen quite regularly
on the east side of Highway 49 about a kilometre north of Essroc Cement, and
a NORTHERN HARRIER is a regular occurrence at Big Island, alternating
between the east and west ends of the island, while another was seen last
week along Black Road at Demorestville. Two juvenile and two adult BALD
EAGLES are usually observed cruising the shoreline of Prince Edward Bay at
Cape Vesey most days and another is seen occasionally over the Bay of Quinte
along Glenora Road.
Other noteworthy sightings during the week included a PILEATED WOODPECKER
along May Road, several backyard RUFFED GROUSE at Fish Lake and at
Thomasburg, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, also at the latter location. One of
the most unusual sightings to come in during the week was of an INDIGO
BUNTING on Trenear Road, northeast of Brighton, on March 17th, likely a
wintering individual.
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, complete with featured photos, can be found on the
NatureStuff website, under BIRDING from the Main Menu.
Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.naturestuff.net
