This was the day that birders dream about. Light south winds and a rainy evening dumped huge numbers of migrants at Prince Edward Point today. Bird banders were scurrying around trying to keep up, while in the Point Traverse Woods birders there were quite content right where they were. Eighty-two species of birds were tallied in and from this relatively small woods, among them 18 species of warblers. Very few of the warbler species were in numbers fewer than 25-30. Among the most common were NORTHERN PARULA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BAY-BREASTED, YELLOW-RUMPED, AMERICAN REDSTART, YELLOW, BLACK-THROATED GREEN and BLACK-THROATED BLUE. Also present in lesser numbers were TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, MAGNOLIA, BLACKBURNIAN, PALM and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. OVENBIRDS were so numerous that many walked along horizontal branches beside us while calling repeatedly, and another was singing in inappropriate habitat across the road in a red cedar savanna. CERULEAN and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER were reported by other observers. Other good birds during this morning's 8:00 a.m. guided walk included several SCARLET TANAGERS, INDIGO BUNTING, WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, WOOD PEWEE, several LEAST FLYCATCHERS, and GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. In the distance, a COMMON RAVEN called several times. A LARK SPARROW was seen by other observers along Babylon Road early this morning.
The Prince Edward County Birding Festival continues this week, until Sunday, May 16th. Guided bird walks along trails in the Point Traverse Woods (Prince Edward Point) every morning at 8:00 a.m., Art of Flight show, banding demonstrations and workshops. I will be conducting a BIRDING BY EAR workshop tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., following the morning hike. Details at www.peptbo.ca To reach Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, take Main Street from the east end of downtown Picton, down the "Town Hill", and turn immediately right onto Union Street (directly across from Tip of the Bay Motel). Follow Union Street out of Picton (becomes County Road 8) for 2.5 km, and at the junction in the highway, follow County Road 17. Take County Road 17 for 6.5 km and look for the Black River Cheese sign, and turn left onto County Road 16 and follow for 1 km to the Stop sign at County Road 13. Follow County Road 13 past Black River Cheese for 23.6 km to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (County Road 13 eventually becomes Long Point Road). Follow Long Point Road until you begin passing the Point Traverse Woods and trails on the left and the Observatory a half kilometre farther along. Terry Sprague [email protected] www.naturestuff.net _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
