This is the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory report for the week of September 28 to October 04, courtesy of David Okines, Bander in Charge. Our apologies for the delay.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT numbers are starting to drop and generally only about 1000 remain on the offshore shoal now. Daily, a few small groups of CANADA GEESE can be seen flying over. In the harbour on the 1st an AMERICAN WIGEON was present, and on the 3rd a group of three NORTHERN SHOVELERS flew past. The 28th saw a flock of 210 GREATER SCAUP head south but no others were seen all week. A CACKLING GOOSE flew over in a flock of CANADA GEESE on the 28th. The OSPREY continues to be present in the harbour, MERLINS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS have been present all week and two small movements of raptors occurred during the week. On the 29th, birds seen included 200 TURKEY VULTURES, 2 BALD EAGLES, 65 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 4 COOPER’S HAWKS, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, a late BROAD-WINGED HAWK, 45 RED-TAILED HAWKS and the first 3 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS of the fall. The second movement on the 1st had the same species, but only half of the numbers of the above birds present. The EASTERN SCREECH-OWL has been calling most nights and the 2nd saw 2 LONG-EARED OWLS fly over at night. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, numbering 245, were seen during the week. One to two BELTED KINGFISHERS have been present daily in the harbour. Late YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were banded on the 28th and 4th. BLUE-HEADED VIREOS numbered 30 and 20 on the 1st and 2nd and a late PHILADELPHIA VIREO was banded on the 4th. BLUE JAY numbers have decreased with a peak of 820 on the 4th. Three TREE SWALLOWS flew over on the 1st. It looks as though BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES are starting to move as 150 were recorded on the 4th with 20-30 a day being seen before that. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are still moving with up to 15 a day being seen, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are also moving with a peak of 10 being seen on the 1st. BROWN CREEPERS are starting to pick up as well with up to 25 a day being seen. Seventeen WINTER WRENS were recorded on the 2nd but 1-5 is more normal during the week. A small push of kinglets began on the 1st when 250 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were seen along with 80 RUBY-CROWNED, the following day RUBY-CROWNS numbered 120. The last VEERY was seen on the 28th and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES have started to decline, as have SWAINSON’S THRUSHES. HERMIT THRUSHES are starting to increase though and they peaked at 26 on the 2nd. A surprise in the nets on the 4th was a very late WOOD THRUSH. The 2nd and 3rd saw flocks of 7 and 4 AMERICAN PIPITS going over. Sixteen warbler species were seen during the week. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were seen on 5 days this week with 2 birds on the 1st and singles on the other days. Two NORTHERN PARULAS were seen on the 29th and 1st with two other dates having singletons. Fifteen to 30 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS were seen daily and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS had a good movement for a few days with peaks of 200, 300 and 250 on the 30th, 1st and 2nd. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS peaked at 15 on the 1st and single PINE WARBLERS were seen on the 2nd and 3rd. A yellow PALM WARBLER was banded on the 1st and AMERICAN REDSTARTS peaked at 6 on the 1st. A single SCARLET TANAGER was noted on the 1st. A FIELD SPARROW on the 2nd was the first of that species since August. SONG SPARROWS numbered 20 on the 1st and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW was found by the harbour dock on the 1st. Three SWAMP SPARROWS were seen on the 1st. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have increased and up to 60 a day have been seen in a day, and a small handful of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have been seen mixed in with them as well. DARK-EYED JUNCOS are slow to get moving and peaked at 10 on the 2nd and 3rd. A few Icterids are starting to go over in the mornings and have included up to 60 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, 40 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and 30 COMMON GRACKLES; all three of these species should increase in the next few days. Small numbers of PURPLE FINCHES continue to move with up to 15 a day being seen. PINE SISKINS suddenly started moving, and large flocks of up to a hundred were seen from the 28th to the 30th with a peak day count of 450 on the 30th, none were seen after that. Elsewhere around Prince Edward County, the GREAT EGRET roost on Indian Island in the Bay of Quinte near Trenton dropped in numbers vey quickly from the 78 birds counted on September 26th, to only 20 on October 4th. Two SANDHILL CRANES were seen yesterday near Demorestville. For birding news around the Prince Edward County area, be sure to click on BIRDING/QUINTE AREA BIRD REPORT from the Main Menu of my website. Prince Edward County is situated south of Belleville and Trenton. There are five access points – C.R. 64 from Brighton, Highway 33 at Carrying Place, Highway 62 at Belleville, Highway 49 at Deseronto, and Highway 33 at Glenora. To reach Prince Edward Point, take County Road 10 from Picton to Cherry Valley and Milford, then C.R. 13 at South Bay to Prince Edward Point. 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/
