REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD POINT, courtesy of bander in charge David Okines
TURKEY VULTURES started moving in earnest this week with 500 counted on the 3rd
and 600 on the 6th. A GREEN-WINGED TEAL was seen in the harbour on the 4th and
a REDHEAD was seen among the MALLARDS there on that same day. GREATER SCAUP
arrived on the 30th when at least 60 were seen offshore, numbers have since
increased to at least 300. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also being seen offshore
and peaked at 80 on the 5th. Two SNOW GEESE flew low over the area on the 1st.
It has been a good week for raptors, a late OSPREY was seen on the 6th and the
3rd saw at least 33 BALD EAGLES going over, most of them in a one-hour period.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS (350) flew over on the 3rd with over a hundred seen on two
other dates. Ten NORTHERN GOSHAWKS were noted on the 3rd and RED-SHOULDERED
HAWKS were seen on the 4th and 5th, a single GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on the 3rd
and two were noted on the 6th. A PEREGRINE FALCON flew over on the 5th.
A few SANDERLINGS can still be found occasionally on the beach and a
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was flushed on the 3rd. A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was
banded on the 3rd and is the first one trapped in the fall for four years.
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are finally increasing and 88 were banded on the 5th
alone. A total of 146 were banded during the week. Daily updates on the owl
banding can be found on our website (www.peptbo.ca). YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS
are increasing and 10 were seen on the 3rd. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS numbered 25 on
the 3rd and up to 15 on other days. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was banded on the 3rd.
The good migrating conditions on the 3rd were enjoyed by the BLUE JAYS, over
12,000 of them flew over on that day alone. The 2nd saw 15 TREE SWALLOWS go
past in one flock and the 4th had at least 110 go over.
BROWN CREEPERS are increasing and up to 20 a day are being recorded, kinglets
are increasing slowly and both species peaked at 75 on the 5th. The first small
arrival of HERMIT THRUSHES took place on the 6th and 16 were banded. The 125
EUROPEAN STARLINGS seen on the 3rd were about 100 more than what are normally
present. Twelve AMERICAN PIPITS were seen on the 1st.
Warbler variety is still up and 19 species were noted during the week.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen on the 2nd to 4th, 8 NORTHERN PARULAS were
seen on the 3rd and the 30th saw 30 MAGNOLIAS present. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS
have started to move and peaked at 900 on the 3rd, a PINE WARBLER was seen on
the 3rd as were 120 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER on the 30th
may be the last of those for the year.
EASTERN TOWHEES have increased and up to 5 a day are being seen. CHIPPING
SPARROWS have returned, or at least are migrating through again and 2 to 3 a
day are now present. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have increased and peaked at 80 on
the 3rd, meanwhile up to 10 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are being seen and DARK-EYED
JUNCOS are becoming commoner and peaked at 45 on the 6th. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have
been moving all week with 120 on the 3rd being the best day for them. It must
be near winter as PINE SISKINS have been moving in reasonable numbers and up to
120 are being seen in a day.
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
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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/
