This is the weekly report from the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory for the week of April 25-May 02, courtesy of Bander-In-Charge Stéphane Menu.
Relatively few new “arrivals” (new species) were noted during the first part of the week. Following the intense rain on Monday, 13 new species were detected during the next two days. A SANDHILL CRANE was heard and seen flying low over the juniper plain on the 28th. An immature GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was flying along the shoreline on the 29th, but the observation was too short to determine the exact age. The first 2 EASTERN KINGBIRDS were seen in the afternoon of the 28th near the lighthouse. The first WARBLING VIREO was singing high up in a tree on May the 2nd. A great find, on May 2nd, was a FISH CROW seen and heard by several people around the harbour. Very few BROWN CREEPERS are still around, with only one detected for the whole week, on the 28th. Likewise, it is already the tail end of migration for the GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, with only a handful seen or captured, all of them females. On the other hand, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS are in the middle of their migration, with approximately equal numbers of males and females captured. The first WOOD THRUSH of the season was detected on May 2nd, as well as the first GRAY CATBIRDS (with 2 birds). A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen near Point Traverse on April 28th. The first YELLOW WARBLER was heard on the 28th, with another one on the May 1st, and 3 on May 2nd. The first NASHVILLE WARBLERS were detected on May 2nd, as well as BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS. On May 1st and 2nd, the first OVENBIRDS finally arrived. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were entering their peak migration time, with the former being the most banded during this week. The first WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen on May 1st. A SCARLET TANAGER was heard briefly, but not seen, on May 2nd, the first for the season. At the same time, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was proudly showing off its bright orange and black. Two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS (one male, one female) were seen at about the same time on May 1st, but not together. A daily account of spring arrivals can be found on the NatureStuff website, under BIRDING from the Main Menu. To reach Prince Edward Point, follow County Road 10 from Milford, or County Road 13 from Black River Cheese, and follow for 17 km to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. Kaiser Crossroad can be reached by taking Highway 33 (Loyalist Parkway) from Picton to Lake on the Mountain and following County Road 7 to Kaiser Crossroad. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County www.naturestuff.net tspra...@kos.net _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
