Today I spent the day walking the beaches along the southwest coast of
Prince Edward County doing my regular dead bird(probable botulism type E
victims) survey.
Highlights
1 immature Northern Gannet: Point Petre
While trying to make out the name on the Canadian Steamship laker heading
westward I noticed the gannet following behind the MV Atlantic Huron. It
remained within 500m of the stern of the Atlantic Huron with several Herring
Gulls for at least 20 minutes while I watched it.
King Eider: Point Petre
1 immature male feeding within 200m of shore with scoters and long-tailed
ducks. The eider was just south of the coast guard lighthouse station, in
an area of upwelling which holds alot of diving ducks fall-spring. Warning
the shoreline is limestone bedrock and cobble and SLIPPERY in rough weather.
Both the Eider and the Gannet were visible from the trail at the end of
Point Petre road(cty rd 24). Park at the end of the road and follow the
trail between the CFB Trenton Radio array base and the coast guard station
south to the lake (<100m).
Common Eider female: Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area
Was in West Lake within a raft of approx 200 Greater Scaup and close to
shore. From Bloomfield follow Cty rd 12 south to the provincial park day
use area in the sw corner of West Lake.
Little Gulls
Numbers down significantly (Bonaparte's as well) from recent years at this
time.
West Lake at Wellington - 2
West Lake at Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area- 1
East Lake - 2
Wellers Bay from end of Smokes Point road - 5
Other Live highlights
Point Petre: All three scoters, Horned Grebes, and 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers
(this species will winter here if the red cedar berry crop is present, like
it currently is), Eastern Bluebirds
Sandbanks Provincial Park Outlet beach area: 9 BBV (Botulism Beach Vultures)
as usual all Turkey Vultures which yearly enjoy the surf and turf botulism
buffet until freeze up in late fall/early winter, Several Great Black-backed
Gulls unfortunately enjoying the botulism victims as well. 1 Yellow-rumped
Warbler
West Lake at Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area:Adult Red-headed
Woodpecker possibly one of the resident pair
East Lake 40+ American Coots and the only Live Common Loon I saw all day!
Unusual sighting was there were no Tundra Swans present in their usual
locations, just 150+ Mute Swans. Several flocks over the last 3 years have
been present by the beginning of November. Also no Snow or Cackling geese
among the 1500+ Canada Geese.
Beached Bird survey (aka botulism type E survey)
9.5km of shoreline walked in Prince Edward and Northumberland Counties
52 dead birds and 31 dead fish probable botulism victims
Birds included 20 Common Loons, Long-tailed Duck, White-winged Scoter,
Double-crested Cormorant, 3 species of Gulls including 1 Bonaparte's and 2
Northern Flickers.
Fish consisted of Brown and Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike and Walleye.
Location Directions from North to south along hwy/cty rd 33
Wellers Bay -take Smokes Point Rd west from 33 just south of Carrying Place
West lake at Wellington- Park at the dock beside the LCBO in town right on
33
Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area -from 33 in Bloomfield follow
Cty rd 12 south to the provincial park day use area in the sw corner of West
Lake
Sandbanks Provinical park Outlet beach/east lake area- take cty rd 18 west
from cty rd 12 or Cty rd 10 south from 33 at Picton then right onto cty
11(follow park signs)
Point Petre -Cty rd 10 from south from Picton then cty 24 which ends at the
point.
_______________________________________________
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/
