WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA for Sunday, November 14, 2004
Several nice days this past week translated into delayed departure times for several birds in the area. The two SANDHILL CRANES, present south of Picton since mid August, still appear, then disappear, like the winds of November. The pair turned up again in fields along County Road 10, just south of Mowbray Road on November 12th. Five lingering AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were still taking advantage of the fall weather at Prince Edward Point last weekend, as were 35 TUNDRA SWANS. The latter species in recent years, has been routinely turning up in South Bay in November, their numbers increasing to well over a hundred, until cold weather freezes South Bay and nearby Smith's Bay, forcing them to continue their migration. At least two ornery GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen during the week, one at a pond at the far end of Easterbrook Road, and another in a pond area by the small foot bridge on the Bayshore Trail (George Street area) in Belleville. COMMON GRACKLES and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW are coming to feeders in the Point Petre area, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS are still present at many feeders across the county. Some spectacular numbers of some species at Prince Edward Point last weekend during the Kingston Field Naturalists' annual Fall Roundup. In addition to two PACIFIC LOONS and 4 RED-THROATED LOONS, there were 160 COMMON LOONS, 300 HORNED GREBES, 7000 GREATER SCAUP, 2500 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 3000 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 2500 BUFFLEHEAD and 1000 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Other notable birds rounded up by the Kingston birders included a KING EIDER, 6 SANDERLINGS, 7 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 185 DUNLIN, a BARRED OWL and 4 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Project FeederWatch got underway during this weekend with good numbers of birds being reported at most feeders. Daily visitors reported include AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, high numbers of BLUE JAYS, along with the usual guests expected at this time of year. Most feeders across the county now have PINE SISKINS. The sighting last weekend at Prince Edward Point of no fewer than 650 PINE SISKINS is certainly a good indication of things to come. Over 30 PINE SISKINS were present at the Wellington on the Lake Golf Course on Monday. A total of 25 BRANT passed over Sprague Road on Tuesday, and up to 3 white phase SNOW GEESE have been appearing with flocks of CANADA GEESE in fields west and south of Napanee. East of Lake-on-the-Mountain, near Bongard Road, sightings there during the week included a TURKEY VULTURE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Further east, at Prinyer's Cove, there were 50 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS there this morning. PURPLE FINCHES have been seen on Vanderwater Road, east of Thomasburg where other backyard guests have included a pair of WILD TURKEYS strolling along through a garden. And that's it for this week from Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. Our thanks to Ron Weir, Helen Graham, Richard Koppens, Eileen Robbins, Beth McPherson, Lyle Anderson, Doris Lane, and Joe Victor for their contributions to this week's report. This report is also posted in the BIRDING section of the NatureStuff website. The weekly bird report will be updated by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 21st. Bird sightings must be in by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday evening to be included in the next report. Terry Sprague Picton, Ontario [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.naturestuff.net
