WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, December 14, 2003
Once again, a relatively brief summary, as few reports came in this week. The big highlight, if there is any highlight, was a BARRED OWL near the intersection of 401 and Wallbridge/Loyalist Road on Wednesday. Another BARRED OWL was seen the previous week, at Bell Creek, in east Belleville. With today's blanket of snow, bird feeders were absolutely hopping with birds, nearly all species experiencing noticeable increases in numbers. Our own feeders at 23 Sprague Road had fully 60 HOUSE FINCHES along with the usual complement of TREE SPARROWS, MOURNING DOVES and BLUE JAYS, the latter three at least doubling in number today. There is a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH coming to a feeder at Sheba's Island, and a feeder in Trenton had a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER today, joining a PILEATED WOODPECKER that has been a regular there now for some time. COMMON REDPOLLS have been noted at a feeder east of Elmbrook, and nine PINE SISKINS are coming to a feeder near Bongard Crossroad east of Lake-on-the-Mountain. Of course, the big news at feeders, is the RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at Kingston which continues to visit a nectar feeder there, seen again this morning at 8:40 a.m. A feeder on Maitland Drive north of Belleville had an AMERICAN KESTREL during the week, but the real treat was a pair of NORTHERN BOBWHITES that dropped in from who knows where. They called repeatedly as they pranced up and down the sundeck, before flying off. Missed in last week's report was a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at Bon Echo Provincial Park, and a dead NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, found on Palmer Road in Belleville on December 5th. RED-TAILED HAWKS during the week were seen at Big Island, Bongard Crossroad, and an immature at Belleville. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was hovering kestrel-style over a hay field along South Big Island Road yesterday, and today there were 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS along a farm laneway a half kilometre south of Baycrest Marina on Big Island. At Point Petre, it was a slow week for birds. Buteos were much in evidence, with six RED-TAILED HAWKS observed along Royal Road, and a NORTHERN HARRIER seen mid-week. Small groups of CANADA GEESE were present in Soup Harbour for most of the week, along with 24 MALLARDS, a small flock of COMMON GOLDENEYE, and at least 200 BUFFLEHEAD. TREE SPARROWS at Point Petre numbered 50 or more, and a GREAT BLUE HERON was seen at Cherry Valley on December 11th. The open water at Wellington still had the AMERICAN COOT on Thursday, mentioned in last week's report, along with one tardy DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. This report has been checked and double-checked for typos. Several readers pointed out that last week's summary proudly reported "Double-breasted" Cormorants, instead of "Double-crested" Cormorants at Wellington. It's amazing what the mind fantasizes when the days become cold and blustery. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Mike Carmody, Matt Coffey, Paul McCoy, Catherine Sinclair, Joanne Dewey, Judy Bell, John Blaney, John & Margaret Moore, Bob Sachs, Wynne Thomas, Joe Victor and John Charlton for their contributions to this week's report. This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21st. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good winter 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.
