While it might say Spring on the celestial calendar, southern Essex County,
including Point Pelee received another 30 cm of snow on March 21st and
22nd. On the good news side there should be lots of water in the sloughs
along the Woodland Nature Trail for when the Northern and Louisiana
Waterthrushes and Prothonotory Warblers show up when Spring really does
arrive. However, with the snow no new passerine migrants were observed at
Point Pelee this week. All previously reported passerines, including the
Pine Warbler, were still present, with most species observed along the
Woodland Trail.
While no new passerine migrants were observed at least three new gull
species were noted. A few Herring and Bonaparte’s Gulls were observed on
ice flows off of the Tip, and there were larger concentrations of both
species at Wheatley Harbour. There was also a number of Great Black-backed
Gull on the break wall at Wheatley Harbour.
Most of the action this past week was in the flooded field outside of Point
Pelee at the intersection of Concession Road D and Road 19. The dabbling
ducks previously noted in the dyke at Concession Road E just outside the
park have moved a little further north to this field. They were joined by
two new species, Northern Pintail and Blue-winged Teal. A flock of
approximately 30 male Bufflehead was at Wheatley Harbour.
Tundra Swans were also putting on a good show within 50 metres of Road D
just west of Road 19 and there was still a large concentration of Tundra
Swan at the north-east corner of Concession B and Concession Road 19 as of
March 26th.
Also at Concession Road D and Road 19 were two Cackling Goose (Branta
hutchinsii) within a larger flock of Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis).
There were also several dozen Killdeer in this field, a new species for the
year.
Visitors to Point Pelee National Park should note that the bridge over the
Sturgeon Creek from the Bevel Line Road to Point Pelee Drive is closed for
repair until April 18, 2008. To access the Park go east on Seacliff Drive
East from Erie Street South in Leamington. Continue east on Seacliff Drive
past the Bevel Line turn-off to Concession Road 12. Turn Right on
Concession 12 and join up with Point Pelee Drive at Paula's Restaurant.
Submitted by Todd Pepper for Friends of Point Pelee.
4th Annual Fundraising Dinner
Friday May 9th, 2008 @5:30 PM
Pelee Days Inn- $60 per person ($25 tax receipt)
Reservations can be made at www.friendsofpointpelee.com
To help our environmental impact...this is a ticketless event!
Presentation: "Coming Home: Return of Western Lake Erie's & Detroit River's
Charismatic Megafauna"
by Dr. John Hartig - Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Janice Rogers, General Manager
Friends of Point Pelee
519-326-6173
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.friendsofpointpelee.com
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