This is the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory report for the week of August 12 to August 23rd, courtesy of David Okines, Bander in Charge.
This first update covers the 11 days since we opened. The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory opened for the fall season on the 13th of August and will continue until October 31st. COMMON LOONS were seen on the 11th and 13th and an AMERICAN BITTERN was seen on the 11th. Up to 6 GREAT BLUE HERONS have been frequenting the harbour as have three young GREEN HERONS. CANADA GEESE (40) were moving on the 23rd and up to three MUTE SWANS have been seen offshore. Up to 9 MALLARD have been seen around the harbour and three WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS seen on the 22nd were nearly 3 weeks earlier than last year. The only other ducks were 6 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS on the 18th. OSPREYS were seen on three dates and a BALD EAGLE flew over on the 11th. A young male NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on the 16th and trapped two days later. Occasional small groups of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS have been seen going over. On the 18th a male PEREGRINE FALCON was attacking a RING-BILLED GULL in the harbour but was unsuccessful. Seven species of shorebird were seen during the period and included 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS on the 16th, a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on the 18th and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER on the 11th. Small groups of BONAPARTE’S GULLS have been frequenting the rocks near the lighthouse and have been mostly adults. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO trapped on the 13th was probably one of the local adults. An EASTERN SCREECH OWL has been heard most nights lately and was banded on the 21st. The COMMON NIGHTHAWK passage has been quiet so far and peaked at just 3 on the 19th, larger numbers should be seen in the next few nights. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have been seen in good numbers and up to 12 a day are visiting the feeders. BELTED KINGFISHERS have been vociferous all week and the one that was trapped on the 23rd is the first banded since 2007. Flycatchers are moving and the 7 usual species being seen in good numbers. WARBLING VIREOS are never common but they have been banded in good numbers this week and RED-EYED VIREOS are starting to appear with a peak count of 8 on the 21st. BARN SWALLOWS were moving between the 13th and 16th when the peak count of 300 were counted. The local BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES appear to have had a good breeding season and up to 30 a day are being seen. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are also having a good year and the peak count was 25 on the 19th with most days seeing 10 or more in the bushes. THRUSHES are moving a bit earlier this year and several VEERY, SWAINSON’S and HERMIT THRUSHES have been banded. Nineteen species of warblers were seen during the period including CAPE MAY on the 18th, TENNESSEES on three dates and a BAY-BREASTED on the 21st. YELLOW WARBLER numbers are starting to drop as MAGNOLIA WARBLERS increase with up to 30 a day of the latter being recorded. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were early and were seen from the 11th onwards with up to 5 in a day being seen. Twelve AMERICAN REDSTARTS were counted on the 18th and 1-3 CANADA WARBLERS are being seen daily. A very early WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen on the 18th. BOBOLINKS are moving in good numbers with up to a 120 being seen in a day. PURPLE FINCHES are around in good numbers and up to 35 are being seen daily. And finally a CAROLINA WREN was banded on the 15th and is only the third fall banding record. For more information on the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, check out www.peptbo.ca Terry Sprague Prince Edward County [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/
