QUINTE AREA BIRD REPORT FOR PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, March 05, 2009
SONG SPARROWS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were in fine fettle early this morning along Sprague Road, indicating an early spring influx of these species into the region. Several EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were also noted along this same road five days ago. And AMERICAN ROBINS? Well, what can we say except it is difficult to determine who are migrants and who are among the many hundreds that wintered over, particularly in Prince Edward County where some estimates along the Long Point Peninsula toward Prince Edward Point ranged from 500 to 1,000 individuals. Except for predicted higher temperatures today and through the weekend, there has been little to suggest that winter has released its icy grip just yet. Still plenty of ice resulting in waterfowl sightings being sparse except for areas east toward Cressy where ducks so far have to be content with what they can get. The Moira River in Belleville still has a nice assortment where up to 100 MALLARDS are present, along with COMMON GOLDENEYE and CANADA GEESE. Six AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS were present just east of the George Street boat launch in Belleville earlier this week. PINE GROSBEAKS, rare this winter in Prince Edward County, staged an encore performance, with 8 turning up in a backyard along Bloomfield's Main Street. COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS are still present in high numbers across the region with numbers at feeders ranging from 50 to 100 at many feeders. Three HOARY REDPOLLS are still regulars at a feeder at Lake on the Mountain, and others turned up during the week at Jackson's Falls, east of Milford. A NORTHERN SHRIKE can be seen periodically along Gorsline and Fish Lake Roads where it was first seen in early January. A PURPLE FINCH was reported at a Consecon area feeder during the week, and a BALD EAGLE over Fish Lake a few days ago was the only individual of this species reported this week, along with one in the Tweed area. Signs of spring, albeit subtle, are on the horizon with a TURKEY VULTURE spotted about 30 miles south of Syracuse by local residents returning through that area on the 4th. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is still at 23 Sprague Road, although others that had been regulars at other feeders in the County appear to have disappeared. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen on Walmsley Road, and WILD TURKEYS numbering as high as 100 or more are seen regularly along County Road 10 south of Picton. A BARRED OWL was observed perched in a tree in the Carrying Place area. Despite the frigid temperatures this week, a STAR-NOSED MOLE was seen running bravely across the road outside the Presqu'ile Provincial Park office on the 3rd, and a MORNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY, very much in dormancy yet, was found under a board at a residence along Fish Lake Road. RACCOONS are very much in evidence, particularly at my feeders at night, and a STRIPED SKUNK was wandering about on Thursday east of Lake on the Mountain. BEAVERS have been active at Big Island and off Smoke's Point Road and a RED FOX was seen at Gardenville. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Anne Potter, David Bree, Pamela Stagg, Louisa Ielo, Donn Legate, Frank Artes & Carolyn Barnes, Rosemary Smith, Ted Cullin, Donna Fano, Fiona King, Mia Lane, Mike Burge & Kathy Felkar and Anne Potter for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated on Thursday, March 12th,. but sightings can be e-mailed any time before the Wednesday night deadline. Featured photographer this week is Louisa Ielo of Harbard Road in Gardenville where this week's photo of the old wharf at Weller's Bay highlights the Main Birding Page of the NatureStuff website. Photos in the online edition of the Quinte Area Bird Report are of a BARRED OWL and a BEAVER. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County [email protected] www.naturestuff.net _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
