WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE
WEEK ENDING Thursday, July 19, 2007
As far as specific bird sightings go, it has been your typical ho-hum week,
not unlike what one would expect at this season of the year when bird
activity tends to be at its lowest ebb. Although most red blooded males
would be excited to hear that a REDHEAD was spotted at Sandbanks, it should
be pointed out that the sighting was actually a duck, and a male one at
that, and not one of the many hundreds of sun worshipers who use the popular
beaches at Sandbanks on a daily basis! REDHEADS are rarely seen in Prince
Edward County during summer - the duck, that is, and the REDHEAD in
question is no doubt the same individual that has been present since early
June in the Sheba's Island area of West Lake, just a short distance from the
Sandbanks location as the duck flies.
Numerous sightings of a mature BALD EAGLE continue to raise hope that the
species may one day nest again in the county. This week it was being
reported regularly in the Waupoos Island, Morrison's Point, McMahon Bluff
and Black River areas around South Bay and Smith's Bay. Two sites in the
county have been identified as prime locations to construct an eagle nesting
platform.
A CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was present on the 14th in a wooded area near the
corner of Fry Road and Gagne Road, and both OVENBIRDS and COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS seem to have returned to stage for encore performances. A
couple of days of humid weather during the week had many of us reaching for
a Cool Quencher, but not so hot that we had to arm wrestle anyone for the
last glass, as popularized on TV commercials. Cooler weather with rain in
many parts of the Quinte area today should see some renewed interest in
birding in the area.
While it may seem a bit early to be talking too seriously about the fall
migration, for shorebirds it is already underway, and has been for some
weeks. Presqu'ile Park has had good numbers of LEAST and SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPERS, SANDERLINGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, along with a PECTORAL
SANDPIPER and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. In the constructed wetland at
Brighton, water levels there have been lowered, and shorebirds have
responded to the feeding opportunities. A few LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY
SANDPIPERS and LEAST SANDPIPERS were present today, and with them was a
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER and a WILSON'S SNIPE. Also present, an OSPREY on a
nest and a GREEN HERON. If you are keen on some birding action, this is the
place to go. The site, normally closed to the public except for the viewing
platform along the highway, will be open to the public once again on Sunday
morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
BLACK TERNS were reported from Sheba's Island and others are always present
at Wellington Harbour. Singles of PURPLE FINCHES were reported at feeders at
Allisonville, Wellington, and near Cherry Valley. A flood of reports
involving young birds at feeders came in during the week, one of the
pleasures we derive from continuing a bird feeding program through the
summer months. More than a half dozen species with young are present in one
Allisonville backyard and rare is the feeder that doesn't have ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAKS and their young this summer (15 at one feeder near Glenora). Also
in great abundance at nectar feeders this past week were BALTIMORE ORIOLES,
some feeders reporting the presence of several birds, with one homeowner
near Cherry Valley having to make a feeder run into Picton to accommodate
the incoming parade of orioles. At least two feeders in the county also have
ORCHARD ORIOLES among the clientel. Gooseberry bushes on one property near
Madoc don't stand a chance from a ritual enjoyed by a dozen WILD TURKEYS who
jump up on a rail fence and make their way to a breakfast of fresh fruit on
the hoof every morning at the same time.
Of course, with all this activity, a few disappointments as well. At one
Belleville area backyard, the morgue there contained a young AMERICAN ROBIN
killed by AMERICAN CROWS, the latter ceremoniously leaving the remains in
the bird bath, a second robin expired beside the same bird bath, and a DOWNY
WOODPECKER in a small pool of blood after learning the hard way that glass
is actually a solid wall. Two birds, one a MOURNING DOVE were found
"exploded" on the front lawn, the work of a passing hawk. Such is life and
death, we guess, in the natural world.
At O'Hara Mill Conservation Area near Madoc Monday evening, there was lots
of activity there with RED-EYED VIREOS, WARBLING VIREOS, WOOD THRUSH, WOOD
PEWEE and BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER in song. FIELD SPARROWS have been
heard singing at one property along Maitland Drive in Belleville.
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
