Report from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for the week of October
01 - 07, courtesy of manager David Okines.
The DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS offshore have now dropped down to a hundred or so
a day. TURKEY VULTURES numbered 350 on the 6th and 700 the following day, a day
when a good movement of raptors was had. AN AMERICAN BLACK DUCK was seen in the
harbour on the 6th along with the MALLARD. Thirteen NORTHERN PINTAIL flew
over on the 5th and GREATER SCAUP numbered at least a 1000 on the 6th.
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS are also increasing and 65 were seen offshore on the 6th,
a single was seen on the 2nd and two were present on the 7th.
A late OSPREY was seen on the 4th and BALD EAGLES have been seen on and off all
week. A female PEREGRINE flew over on the 5th and on the 7th there were 280
SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 3 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, the first
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK of the fall and at least 25 RED-TAILED HAWKS. NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWLS have been slow this week and only 15 were banded. A BELTED
KINGFISHER continues to haunt the harbour and 10 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS were
noted on the 2nd.
A late YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was banded on the 2nd, Three to five EASTERN
PHOEBES have been present all week, up to 45 BLUE-HEADED VIREOS could be found
in the bushes and 1-5 RED-EYED VIREOS have also been around. On the 1st there
were two PHILADELPHIA VIREOS banded. BLUE JAY migration has slowed down and
peaked at 550 on the 1st, most other days have had 100 or so being seen going
over. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES have started to increase and up to 15 were noted
in the bushes. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES continue in their good fall numbers with
up to 15 in a day being recorded. BROWN CREEPERS have remained steady with up
to 40 a day being seen. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS have increased and peaked at
500 on the 6th, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are also moving but in fewer numbers and
200 on the 6th was the most in a day. A late BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER was
photographed on the 2nd.
GRAY-CHEEKED and SWAINSON'S THRUSHES have decreased but HERMIT THRUSHES
continue to move with the peak of 65 being seen on the 2nd. As fall
progresses, we start to see a return of some of the breeding species. Migrant
AMERICAN ROBINS are starting to be seen in the early morning and up to 55 a day
are being recorded. AMERICAN PIPITS (36) on the 5th was noteworthy.
Just to show that all is not over, 16 species of warblers were seen during the
week. Highlights of the week were an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a TENNESSEE
WARBLER on the 2nd, a PINE and a yellow PALM WARBLER on the 1st, up to 200
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on the 1st and 2nd, an AMERICAN REDSTART on the 1st and
2 WILSON'S WARBLERS on the 3rd.
A SCARLET TANAGER with a band on it was retrapped on the 6th. Among the
sparrows was an early FOX SPARROW on the 4th, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS numbered
100 on the 2nd and 7th. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have remained constant at around
35 a day. DARK-EYED JUNCOS arrived in force on the 3rd and 100-130 have been
seen daily since then. October is the time when the blackbirds return and RUSTY
BLACKBIRDS numbered and impressive 180 and 175 on the 1st and 2nd, 300
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS flew over on the 7th as did 75 COMMON GRACKLES. A rarity
at the Point, a HOUSE SPARROW, was trapped on the 7th, only the third time one
has ever been banded in the fall with the last one being done in 2003.
For more more sightings, be sure to check out the Quinte Area Bird Report on
the Main Birding page at www.naturestuff.net. And for more news from the
Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, be sure to visit their website at
www.peptbo.ca .
Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
tspra...@kos.net
.............................................................
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Terry Sprague
23 Sprague Road
R.R. 1, Demorestville, ON K0K 1W0
613-476-5072 (home), 613-848-4549 (cell)
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