This is the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Report for the week of May 11-17, courtesy of David Okines, bander in charge:
An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen flying over the area on the 12th and GREEN HERONS were seen on the 12th (3) and the 15th (1). BRANT were moving on the 14th when over 1200 were recorded, a further 11 were seen on the 16th. The flat calm lake on the 14th enabled us to see over a thousand each of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and LONG-TAILED DUCKS, also seen were at least 2000 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS; doubtless these birds are present most days but their viewing is disrupted by the choppy lake conditions. A few BROAD-WINGED HAWKS were moving this week with 25 on the 11th and 50 on the 17th. A PEREGRINE FALCON was observed on the 16th. SOLITARY SANDPIPERS were seen on the 12th and 13th. Three to 11 LEAST SANDPIPERS were seen on the 12th to the 14th. A flock of 43 BONAPARTE’S GULLS on the 17th were the first for nearly two weeks. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS arrived on the 12th and one to two have been present nearly every day since then. A WHIP-POOR-WILL was heard calling on the evening of the 13th and 8 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were circling the area on the 17th. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have increased and up to 15 are being seen in a day. One to two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS have been present most of the week and a PILEATED was in the area on the 14th and 15th. EASTERN WOOD PEWEES arrived on the 12th and one or two YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS have been seen. WILLOW and ALDER FLYCATCHERS arrived on the 13th and LEAST FLYCATCHERS peaked this week at 15 on the 12th. A YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen at Point Traverse on the 16th with the other four regular vireo species being seen in small numbers all week. BLUE JAYS are starting to move and up to 100 a day are now going over. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have all but finished moving and a male EASTERN BLUEBIRD hung around for most of the 11th. VEERYS have increased and peaked at 8 on the 12th and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES numbered 25 on the 13th. WOOD THRUSHES can be heard singing most mornings and peaked at 10 on the 16th. GRAY CATBIRDS are now being seen everywhere and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen on the 13th. Twenty-seven species of warbler were seen during the week. BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS were seen on the 12th and 14th, a BREWSTER’S WARBLER was seen on the 16th and a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen on the 14th. TENNESSEES are increasing and peaked at 35 on the 16th while ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen on four dates. Fifteen NORTHERN PARULAS were noted on the 13th, 75 MAGNOLIAS were counted on both the 13th and 17th. With the exception of the 15th, 1-2 CAPE MAY WARBLERS have been seen daily. The 13th saw at least 150 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS present along with 20 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS and 15 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. BAY BREASTED were out in force at Point Traverse woods on the 16th and 17th as were BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and AMERICAN REDSTARTS. The first MOURNING WARBLER arrived on the 15th and HOODED WARBLERS were seen at Point Traverse and in the Cedar Woods. Four WILSON’S WARBLERS were seen on the 16th, as were four CANADA WARBLERS. SCARLET TANAGERS have been seen almost daily but not in big numbers yet. A record late AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen on the 14th at Point Traverse and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen there on the 16th. LINCOLN’S SPARROWS have increased and 18 were seen on the 16th. Both WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have almost finished with only a handful a day now being recorded. A single DARK-EYED JUNCO was seen on the 13th. INDIGO BUNTINGS are adding splashes of colour, as are the up to 20 BALTIMORE ORIOLES. A pair of ORCHARD ORIOLES appear to be setting up shop near the end of the harbour. A late PINE SISKIN was seen on the 14th. BEYOND PRINCE EDWARD POINT: Ostrander Point yesterday had several CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, and a MERLIN was seen flying overhead. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD on Big Island is still present where it has been most of the spring, WHIP-POOR-WILLS on Army Reserve Road, and LEAST SANDPIPER at Sandbanks. Beaver Meadow Wildlife Management Area on the 16th produced at least 3 VIRGINIA RAILS, SORA, several BLACK TERNS, GREAT BLUE HERON, WOOD DUCKS, COMMON GALLINULE, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Daily bird sightings can be seen on the Quinte Area Bird Report at www.naturestuff.net . News from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory can be seen on their website at www.peptbo.ca . 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/
