WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA
for the week ending Thursday, June 16, 2005
With the heat of this past week making it difficult to stand in one spot
without perspiring, never mind actively birding, it is not surprising that
few reports of birds have come in. Still, WOOD THRUSHES, and especially
RED-EYED VIREOS continued to sing endlessly this past week in their
respective areas, while most bird song had dwindled to silence. Early
morning, before the heat built up appreciably, was the best time to bird. On
Sprague Road at Big Island, there are both EASTERN TOWHEES, WOOD THRUSHES,
and singles of WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW singing along the 1.5 kilometre stretch daily. A NASHVILLE WARBLER
has been actively singing from the same elm tree most mornings for about a
week. A juvenile AMERICAN WOODCOCK, judging by the droppings, had amazingly
spent the night on the shoulder of the road without getting run over, but
flew into an adjacent wooded area when I picked it up at 5:15 a.m. this
morning.
At Massassauga Point Conservation Area on Monday evening, there were few
birds about, due to the heat, although resident WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and
EASTERN TOWHEES are almost guaranteed here along the trails. However, the
cooler weather of today brought many birds back into full song throughout
the Quinte area. At the Salmon River Bridge north of Shannonville, which is
being replaced with a new structure, there were numerous birds in full song
today which easily could be heard above the cacophony of automobile traffic
and construction noise. Included in the chorus were ALDER FLYCATCHER,
WARBLING VIREO, RED-EYED VIREO, WOOD THRUSH, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER and
WOOD THRUSH.
At the East Lake boat launch at Sandbanks Provincial Park, at the headwaters
of the Outlet River, at least three pairs of BLACK TERNS have been noted by
one observer in the cattail marsh in that area, where a LITTLE GULL was also
seen on the 11th. At Gardenville, a GREAT EGRET flew over the same day,
likely an individual from the Presqu'ile Park colony.
As we get closer to July and August, and future bird sightings being
sporadic, at best, this is the final report until September. However, any
noteworthy sightings in the Prince Edward County area, will be posted under
the Birding category on my website at www.naturestuff.net as they occur.
Many thanks to all those who submitted bird sightings for this weekly report
throughout the year. Those wishing to explore Prince Edward County with
binoculars sometime will always find updated information on the NatureStuff
website on what to expect each month, places to bird, and trails and hiking
areas to try out. Under the Birding section of the website, you can also
find a checklist of the birds of Prince Edward County, and columns that I
write on birds and other facets of natural history for five local newspapers
can be found under the COLUMN heading as well as under NATURE BITS. Prince
Edward County is anchored to the mainland by three bridges - one at Carrying
Place on Highway 33, accessible from 401 at the Wooler Road exit; Highway 62
at Belleville, accessible from 401 via the Wallbridge/Loyalist Road exit,
and Highways 62 and 37 exits; and the Deseronto area at the Highway 49 exit
at Marysville. There is also the Glenora Ferry connecting Highway 33 from
Adolphustown to Glenora at the east end of the county. Should you find
anything of interest, an e-mail note to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or a phone call
(613-476-5072) would be most appreciated.
Thank you again. It has been a pleasure doing the Quinte Area Bird Report,
and we'll do it all again, come September.
Terry Sprague
Picton, Ontario
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.naturestuff.net
