WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, June 01, 2003
Heavy, lush foliage on the trees now has made birding in some of the more popular birding areas a little more challenging. Sound oriented birders with trained ears continue to chalk up respectable lists and are still finding good numbers of warblers and other migrants in the area. On Monday, an impressive 20 species of warblers were tallied by observers at the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area with MOURNING WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER, CERULEAN WARBLER, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER ranking high among the species seen. One observer described the din of 20 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS there as "deafening." On Thursday, there were still good numbers about and observers that day found 15 warbler species. Other good finds included 50 RED-EYED VIREOS, 4 PHILADELPHIA VIREOS, a GREEN HERON, 3 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Other observers yesterday added SEDGE WREN and both ALDER and WILLOW FLYCATCHERS. A trip to Main Duck Island on Wednesday, located 12 miles out in Lake Ontario from Prince Edward Point produced SCARLET TANAGER, several BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, CHESTBUT-SIDED WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, FIELD SPARROWS, and a VESPER SPARROW singing at close range near the old John Foster Dulles cabin site. Large numbers of BARN SWALLOWS are once again nesting in the abandoned light keeper's house at the point, as well as in the net shed and blacksmith shop at the harbour. Birds reported from the Trenton area on on Thursday included BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, OSPREY, COOPER'S HAWK, NIGHTHAWK and SORA. This is the nesting season and among the various species reported during the week either nesting or claiming territory was a pair of WOOD DUCKS just west The Rock along the north shoreline of Prince Edward Bay. However, there is still good birding to be had at most feeding stations in the area. There are still good numbers of ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS patronizing feeders ( a gold v ariant is coming to one feeder at Waupoos). A COOPER'S HAWK was seen doing a little birdwatching of its own at a feeder on Ridge Road, and the same residence had a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER at the window. A Bloomfield feeder this morning enjoyed a visit from an ORCHARD ORIOLE, with the same feeder also attracting BALTIMORE ORIOLE and a NORTHERN CARDINAL. In Belleville, Maitland Drive back yard regulars have included SONG and FIELD SPARROWS, WILD TURKEYS, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, BROWN THRASHER, and nesting EASTERN BLUEBIRD. Oh, to have a backyard like that! Two adult BALD EAGLES, seen in the Milford area, were definitely of interest this past week, as was a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, heard at Prince Edward Point on Monday. There was a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO at Deroche Lake on Saturday, a huge piece of property owned by Quinte Conservation, east of Thomasburg. VEERIES, WOOD THRUSHES and HERMIT THRUSHES were in good supply there, and also found were SCARLET TANAGER, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, WARBLING VIREO and RED-EYED VIREO. At one location along the the wooded shore of Deroche Lake, two RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS called as they circled above, and a BARRED OWL called several times. While rejoicing in the discovery of these species, a VIRGINIA RAIL called from the marshy shoreline. Other birds seen here during the week included both BLUE-WINGED and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, CEULEAN WARBLER and LEAST BITTERN. Definitely an area worth birding if you don't mind roughing it through lots of slippery mud and following deep ATV trails and avoiding occasional stands of prickly ash. The area is located at the east end of Vanderwater Road but visitors are cautioned to come with topo maps to find your way around. Belleville Marsh on Monday night, despite a steady rain, produced SWAMP SPARROW, YELLOW WARBLER, RED-EYED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, CHIMNEY SWIFT, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BELTED KINGFISHER, MALLARD, CANADA GOOSE, GRAY CATBIRD, as well as two COMMON MOORHENS in the west pond beside the trail. The guided hike tomorrow evening (Monday) will be at the H.R. Frink Centre, 9 km north of Belleville, off Highway 37 on Thrasher Road, commencing at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Those attending must register by e-mailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] . And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to David Bree, Fred Chandler, Mary Hart, Julie Hymus, Lloyd Paul, Paul Thompson, Bon Sachs, Donald McClure, Laura Pierce, Hank Vos, Jack Lashley, Marlene Bulpit, Mia Lane and Bill Ogden for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 08. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good birding. Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net "Terry Sprague" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
