REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD POINT, courtesy of bander in charge David Okines
At least 2 GREEN HERONS have been frequenting the western end of the harbour
this week. Six MUTE SWANS were seen offshore on the 19th, on the 16th four
GREEN-WINGED TEALS were seen and the first WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS of the fall
were seen that day as well. The 18th saw 2 COMMON MERGANSERS fly over the area.
Raptors have been fairly quiet this week but SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS continue to go
over and 60 were noted on the 20th. No shorebirds were seen during the week.
The two BELTED KINGFISHERS continue to haunt the harbour. NORTHERN FLICKERS
have increased and 12 on the 16th was the peak count for the week. The first
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER of the fall was banded on the 22nd. Four species of
flycatchers were seen during the week with YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER being the
commonest. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS have increased and up to 20 a day are being seen.
A WARBLING VIREO was banded on the 16th and 10 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS were also
seen that day. RED-EYED VIREOS continue to move and peaked at 25 on the 17th.
BLUE JAY migration continues at a slow pace with a peak count of 400 on the
21st. Occasional RED and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are being seen as are a few
BROWN CREEPERS.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are slow to start moving and peaked at 7 on the 16th and
17th, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS have yet to be seen this fall. GRAY-CHEEKED and
SWAINSON’S THRUSHES are trickling through and a WOOD THRUSH was banded on the
18th. CEDAR WAXWINGS (60 to 100) are being seen regularly.
Twenty species of warblers were seen during the week. Highlights for warblers,
were 3 NORTHERN PARULAS on the 17th, 40 MAGNOLIA WARBLERS on the 16th, a CAPE
MAY WARBLER on the 19th, up to 25 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS a day all week,
35 AMERICAN REDSTARTS on the 16th, a CANADA WARBLER has been seen twice during
the week and at least 180 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS were present in the morning in the
banding area with 74 being trapped. Bird of the week was the second CONNECTICUT
WARBLER of the fall that was trapped on the 20th, it was a nice adult male.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have increased a bit and up to 12 a day are being
recorded; as yet, no DARK-EYED JUNCOS have been seen. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES have
started moving and up to 130 a day are going over.
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.
_______________________________________________
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/
