Thirteen OFO members Toronto, Picton, Kingston, Napanee and Stratford, led by
Terry Sprague, birded Prince Edward Point today and found 78 species.
Temperature was 10 degrees with partly cloudy skies and strong winds by early
afternoon. Ten species of warblers were checked off, but missing were some
obvious ones such as yellows. We did, however, manage to find prairie,
blue-winged, northern parula, Blackburnian, Nashville, and palm, among the more
notable ones, as well as a yellow-throated vireo. Both white-winged and surf
scoters were present in Prince Edward Bay among the nine species of waterfowl
spotted. A persistent Wilson's snipe winnowed non stop all day and a flock of
about 30 rusty blackbirds was present in the Point Traverse area for much of
the day. One of the more unusual finds was a rather displaced marsh wren who
chattered deep within a tangle of deciduous shrubs near the banding area, a
long way from the nearest cattail marsh. A bald eagle floated lazily over us
during lunch, and both Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawk were found, and a
broad-winged hawk. Despite the unsuitable habitat, several bobolinks
entertained us upon our arrival with their rollicking song. Both hermit thrush
and wood thrush were seen. Baltimore orioles were present, lots of
white-throated sparrows, and a few white-crowned sparrows, and a small flock of
purple finches at the banding station.
Early buttercup, early saxifrage, spring beauties, fragrant sumac and
Dutchman's breeches were all in bloom. The bane of Prince Edward Point, dog
strangling vine, was just beginning to peek through the ground, a plant so
insidious and aggressive, that it has caused garlic mustard to become something
of a rarity. On behalf of the OFO, I want to thank those members who attended.
Birding Week at Prince Edward Point begins May 10th and I will be present every
morning at 8:00 a.m. to lead tours through the Point Traverse Woods until the
18th. Join us if you can. Details at www.naturestuff.net under EVENTS.
- Terry Sprague
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NatureStuff - Tours and Things
interpretive hikes, bus tours
kayaking & canoeing tours
seminars & presentations
www.naturestuff.net
Terry Sprague
23 Sprague Road,
R.R. # 1, Demorestville, Ontario K0K 1W0
613-476-5072 (home), 613-848-4549 (cell)
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