The Quinte Field Naturalists may very well get a WHITE PELICAN on their Christmas Bird Count this year! What was more than likely the same individual that has been on the Napanee River since September 21, and missing in action since last week when its favourite loafing area froze solid, turned up in Belleville today. It was first seen by a motorist crossing the Norris Whitney Bridge. perched atop a light standard, before taking flight where it was observed at close range as it flew towards the open water. The bird first turned up in the Bay of Quinte on August 21st, at Trident Point, just east of the Salmon River mouth and had been tracked daily as it moved east down the bay and ended up near the mouth of the Napanee River. Hopefully it will hang around the bridge for a few days and allow birders to get it on their winter bird lists.
The Norris Whitney Bridge, often referred to simply as the Bay Bridge, connects Belleville to Prince Edward County at Highway 62, accessed from either Highway 2 (Dundas Street) or from 401 at Exits 538, 543 or 544. If the bird cooperates, Zwick’s Park on either side of the bridge, or the nearby Kiwanis Bayshore Trail on the east side of the Moira River mouth, might be good places to try for the bird. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
