This is the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory report for the week of October 12 to October 18, courtesy of David Okines, Bander in Charge.
HORNED GREBES are starting to appear off the point now and up to 15 have been seen in a day. The DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS have decreased to between 2 and 500 now. TURKEY VULTURES (120) flew over on the 12th and 65 on the 16th were the peaks. Three NORTHERN PINTAILS flew past on the 16th and GREATER SCAUP had increased to 2000 offshore by the 17th. WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS numbered 140 on the 15th and 250 on the 17th, there are probably more than that offshore, but most are well offshore and hidden by the waves. A BLACK SCOTER was seen on the 12th as were the first LONG-TAILED DUCKS of the fall; numbers of this species are slowly increasing and 20 were seen on the 17th. A few raptors were moving on the 16th and included singles of RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN GOSHAWK and a late BROAD-WINGED HAWK. A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen on the 14th. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL has been heard occasionally during owling and the occasional BARRED OWL has also been seen. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS continue to move but its been slower this week. Three nights were lost to the weather but 51 were trapped on the 12/13th and 85 were trapped on the 16/17th. MOURNING DOVES have gone and only one bird was seen all week. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was seen on the 13th and a few HAIRY WOODPECKERS are starting to appear. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were trapped on the 12th and 13th and up to 8 EASTERN PHOEBES are being seen around the area. The last BLUE-HEADED VIREO to be seen was on the 13th. BLUE JAY numbers are now down to just 10-15 a day and the occasional COMMON RAVEN puts in an appearance. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES are definitely moving and between 70 and 100 are being seen daily; the 16th though saw over 500 go through. Up to 7 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are still being seen and the 17th saw 15 BROWN CREEPERS in the area. Both GOLDEN and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have dropped to just 40 or less being seen a day now. The last SWAINSON’S THRUSH was seen on the 12th but up to 25 HERMIT THRUSHES a day are still moving through. AMERICAN ROBIN numbers are staring to pick up as we get nearer the end of October and peaked at 210 on the 16th. 3 AMERICAN PIPITS were seen on the 12th and 2 GRAY CATBIRDS were seen on the 13th. Just four species of warblers were seen this week. A NASHVILLE WARBLER was banded on the 12th, 2 BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS were seen on the 16th, and an AMERICAN REDSTART was seen on the 12th; other than that, a few YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS have been moving with peaks of 42 on the 12th and 18 on the 16th. Sparrows have been trickling through but no big numbers have been seen. The first 2 FOX SPARROWS of the fall were banded on the 13th and another was banded on the 17th. NORTHERN CARDINALS were caught on the 16th and 18th. Icterids have been moving this week and peak counts were 100 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on the 17th and 4200 COMMON GRACKLES and 70 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on the 16th. PURPLE FINCHES continue to pass through with peak counts of 45 on the 12th, 60 on the 13th and 20 on the 16th. Small groups of PINE SISKINS are moving over the area but not often stopping. Elsewhere around Prince Edward County, the season’s first reported NORTHERN SHRIKE was made on Bradley Crossroad, east of Lake on the Mountain, on Wednesday. Four SANDHILL CRANES were present in a field west of 23 Sprague Road, Big Island early in the morning of October 13th. A FOX SPARROW is visiting a feeder in Belleville, and two WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are still present at a Big Island feeder. There is good birding to be had at Wellington Harbour, where late last week there was a GREEN HERON, several PIED-BILLED GREBES, an AMERICAN WIGEON, a LESSER YELLOWLEGS and about 30 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. For birding news around the Prince Edward County area, be sure to click on BIRDING/QUINTE AREA BIRD REPORT from the Main Menu of my website. Prince Edward County is situated south of Belleville and Trenton. There are five access points – C.R. 64 from Brighton, Highway 33 at Carrying Place, Highway 62 at Belleville, Highway 49 at Deseronto, and Highway 33 at Glenora. To reach Prince Edward Point, take County Road 10 from Picton to Cherry Valley and Milford, then C.R. 13 at South Bay to Prince Edward Point. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County [email protected] www.naturestuff.net _______________________________________________ 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/
