REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD POINT, courtesy of David Okines
An AMERICAN BLACK DUCK joined the MALLARDS in the harbour on the 30th and 3 BLUE-WINGED TEALS were there on the 27th. Thirty RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS off the lighthouse were the first of them for the fall. A small trickle of up to 8 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS a day have been going through with occasional COOPER’S HAWKS in with them as well. One or two MERLINS have been seen around the point with one being banded on the 29th. Shorebird variety has picked up but no big numbers of anything yet. Highlights included - 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS being seen around the harbour. Five RUDDY TURNSTONES were present on the beach on the 31st, and up to 11 SANDERLINGS have been seen as have up to 8 LEAST SANDPIPERS. Forty BONAPARTE’S GULLS on the 29th were first for the fall. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS continue to trickle through in the evenings with a peak of 20 on the 29th. Three EASTERN WOOD-PEWEES were banded on the 26th, but it has been a quiet week for the other flycatcher which have only been present in small numbers. The first BLUE-HEADED VIREO of the fall was banded on the 29th, as was the first PHILADELPHIA VIREO. RED-EYED VIREOS arrived on the 26th when 5 were seen. The 28th saw windy weather, but it did bring a good movement of swallows with it - 150 PURPLE MARTINS were recorded as were 200 TREE SWALLOWS, 20 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, 450 BANK SWALLOWS, 80 CLIFF SWALLOWS and over 1800 BARN SWALLOWS. The following day smaller numbers of swallows went through and a few were banded, including the first PURPLE MARTIN ever trapped here. The first GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH of the fall was caught on the 31st as was a SWAINSON’S THRUSH. Twenty species of warblers were seen during the week but no large warbler movements occurred. New for the fall were NORTHERN PARULA on the 27th and BLACK-THROATED GREEN and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS on the 26th. Three TENNESSEES were seen on the 27th and MAGNOLIA numbers increased during the week to a peak of 25 on the 31st. BLACK-THROATED BLUES arrived late in the week with a peak of 10 on the 28th. Three western PALM WARBLERS were noted on the 31st and BLACKPOLLS increased to 12 on the 31st. AMERICAN REDSTARTS numbered 10-12 all week with four more CANADA WARBLERS being trapped bringing to 31 the number banded. A SCARLET TANAGER was seen on the 30th, 30 –50 BOBOLINKS were seen daily and the second BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD to be banded this fall was caught on the 29th. This equals our best fall banding total for this species. To reach Prince Edward Point, follow County Road 13 from South Bay for 17 kilometres. The network of birding trails in the Point Traverse Woods have been mowed and groomed for the fall season. The Observatory is just a half kilometre past the Point Traverse corner. Terry Sprague [email protected] www.naturestuff.net _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
