Hey Birders,
Well another pretty nice day, activity was good until the temperatures
increased and then dropped off.
Prothonotary Warbler - 1-2 males singing there hearts out at Fish Point
Olive-sided Flycatcher - 1 bird at Fish Point - pretty early, watched it pick
apart a bee!
Thayerish Gull - 1 2nd year bird at the Scudder Dock
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1 bird at Sheridan's Point
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3 first-year birds at Fish Point, 1 was a 'new'
bird, likley bringing the total to at least 6 birds
Northern Mockingbird - 1 bird at Fish Point
Blue-winged Warbler - 1 at Fish Point, 'reverse migrated'
Warbler numbers and diversity is starting to peak, good numbers of early
migrants, like Yellow-rumps and Palms are around, while birds like A.
Redstarts, Bay-breasted and Wilson's Warblers are starting to show up in larger
numbers.
Several people have commented about 'reverse migration' and have asked more
about it. I thought perhaps I'd share some of my thoughts...its likely not a
'true' migration, although no one can say for sure without capturing and
tracking birds. The 'reverse migration' that I have referred to in previous
emails is likely a 'correction' flight, where birds have either overshot there
breeding/stopover sites where they have traditionally stopped or are
'programmed' to do so and are flying back to these areas. The other theory
regarding 'reverse migration' is that inclement weather is occurring or
approaching and these birds are trying to get ahead of the bad weather. Just a
few thoughts on 'reverse migration' and hopefully providing some clarification
to people who have emailed.
Species seen on the island since April 25th: 216
Good Birding!
Ken Burrell
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Pelee Island Heritage Centre West Dock, Pelee Island, Ontario, N0R 1M0 (519)
724-2291 "pimuseum" <pimuseum at hotmail.com> The Heritage Centre is open from
10 am - 5 pm daily. The foyer contains a 'sightings board' listing May bird
sightings (open 24 hours). Lighthouse Point is on the NE corner of the island,
Sheridan Point on the NW corner, Mill Point on the SE corner, and Fish Point on
the SW corner, due south of the West Dock.
Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO) continues its daily banding and
censusoperation. Visitors are welcome. For more information about PIBO please
visit: www.pibo.ca or call 519-724-2829.
Pelee Island can be reached by ferry leaving Leamington several times daily.
For times and reservations, call 1-800-661-2220.
The Ninth Annual Pelee Island Bird Race will take place from noon Friday, May
6, to noon, Saturday, May 7. The Springsong Celebration continues Saturday
evening with a 'Talk and Dinner'.
The Bird Race is 'All-Green,' i.e. bicycle or pedestrian travel. All teams
welcome! Contact the Heritage Centre for details.
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
