This is the weekly report from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for the week of May 24-30, courtesy of Bander-In-Charge Stéphane Menu.
The week started, on Friday May 24th, with a massive cold front, bringing strong North wind and rain for most of the day. There was no banding, nor observation on that day. North wind kept blowing, albeit not as strongly and without precipitation, in the next 2 days, which could explain why so little birds were seen and banded then. Better weather during the rest of the week brought more diversity and numbers. There are still migrants moving through, mostly flycatchers like YELLOW-BELLIED and ALDER FLYCATCHERS, GRAY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES (the latter still in good numbers), BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, MOURNING, WILSON’S, and CANADA WARBLERS. The strong North, shifting to West, wind on Sunday May 26th brought some nice raptors: a BROAD-WINGED HAWK, 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS flying together, several RED-TAILED HAWKS, and a young BALD EAGLE. That day, a total of 8 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were also observed. Since May 25th, a few PURPLE MARTINS have been observed around the nest boxes. During the week, a few individuals of usually earlier migrants were seen: 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on May 27th; one LONG-TAILED DUCK on the evening of the 29th; a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was banded on the 28th; the banded female DARK-EYED JUNCO was still around the banding lab; a banded PINE SISKIN was recaptured 3 days in a row during the week, not putting any fat on despite using the bird feeder intensely; a female EVENING GROSBEAK was heard, then banded, on May 26th; 2 LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were banded on the 30th. May 31st will be the last day of bird migration monitoring at Prince Edward Point for the spring. To reach Prince Edward Point, follow County Road 10 from Milford, or County Road 13 from Black River Cheese, and follow for 17 km to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County www.naturestuff.net [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
