WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, March 21, 2004
With the exception of a nightly dusting of snow throughout this past week, Prince Edward County continues to bask in snow free conditions, although day time temperatures have been less than favourable for working away at the ice in the bays and lakes. However, this has created some ideal conditions for waterfowl, forcing many species within easy viewing distance. Less water this spring at the popular Kaiser Crossroad fields has resulted in average luck here, although today there were 10 TUNDRA SWANS, 200 CANADA GEESE, 50 MALLARDS and a few NORTHERN PINTAILS present. Conditions at Log Cabin Point in East Lake at the headwaters of the Outlet River continue to be favourable for viewing the waterfowl there. The two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE first observed on March 13th were present through March 17th, but failed to turn up two days later, although they still may be around. Generally there are well over 100 CANADA GEESE present, and on the 17th, there were AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and at least 100 GREATER SCAUP. Cressy Lakeside today had 1,000 scaup, 20 REDHEADS, 50 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 2 MUTE SWANS. Wellington Harbour on Wednesday had 60 RING-NECKED DUCKS, scaup, REDHEADS, HOODED MERGANSERS, AMERICAN WIGEON and NORTHERN PINTAIL, along with both MUTE and TUNDRA SWANS. Prince Edward Point today was relatively quiet with mostly only LONG-TAILED DUCKS present. Little Bluff Conservation Area today though was the hot spot to be where 5 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were found, along with 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS and several AMERICAN ROBINS. Nearer Prince Edward Point, there was a large flock of 250 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, with only 2 or 3 CEDAR WAXWINGS mixed in. Lots of RED-TAILED HAWKS were present at the Point today, and a couple of NORTHERN HARRIERS. Signs of spring seem to be slow in appearing, although 3 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS near Cressy were encouraging for the homeowner there. There was a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on Crookston Road a week ago near Tweed, and a TURKEY VULTURE was seen soaring over 401 and Wooler Road west of Trenton. A GREAT BLUE HERON was seen south of Milford today, and another was observed flying over Bloomfield on Friday. Other good sightings during the week included an immature BALD EAGLE at the Massassauga Conservation Area today, a MERLIN on Highway 62 south of Rossmore on Friday, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER coming to a feeder on Lane's Lane at Prinyer's Cove, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER just past Bongard's Crossroad. Until the weather warms up a few degrees, we will all have to be content with the flocks of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Janet Foster, Lloyd Paul, Brooke Bussell, Margaret Bain, Vince Lebano, Doris Lane and June Hazel for their contributions to this week's report. This report also appears on the Birding page at www.naturestuff.net . This report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 28th. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Good winter....ooops, spring birding. Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net
