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Ontario Rare Bird Alert

[Ontbirds]Quinte Area Bird Report for week ending October 26, 2006

Terry Sprague

Fri, Oct 27, 2006 12:26 AM

WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE
WEEK ENDING Thursday, October 26, 2006

With November just around the corner, there are increasing signs of winter,
beyond deadening vegetation, cooler temperatures and many trees having
already lost their leaves. The first SNOW BUNTING of the season was seen at
West Point on Saturday, as were others on Wednesday at Prince Edward Point.
The fact that 30 were also seen in the Barrie area this week would seem to
verify that the few individuals found in the county during the week were
more than just wayward birds. Also suggesting cooler temperatures and snow
was an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at a feeder in Cherry Valley on the 19th, 4 at
Prince Edward Point on the 25th (one banded on the 21st), and the numbers of
LONG-TAILED DUCKS at the same location beginning to build up.

Speaking of Prince Edward Point, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS numbers have
drastically decreased and only around 2-500 can now be found roosting on the
offshore shoal. From 2 - 6 COMMON LOONS are to be seen daily as they fly
past heading south, on the 25th four GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen flying over
as were a few small flocks of CANADA GEESE which totalled 130. The GREATER
SCAUP flock offshore seems stable at around 2000 a day feeding just off the
point and LONG-TAILED DUCKS are becoming commoner with up to 40 a day being
seen Two BUFFLEHEAD were seen on the 25th, while up to a 140 RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS are seen daily.

A reasonable raptor week was had, with 3 BALD EAGLES on the 23rd, and a
small number of the commoner hawks all week, but a good passage occurred on
the 25th when the following were seen: 35 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 COOPER'S
HAWKS, 15 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 35 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 2 late BROAD-WINGED
HAWKS and 350 RED-TAILED HAWKS. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were flushed on the 24th
and 26th, while offshore there is a small build up of BONAPARTE'S GULLS
happening with up to 50 being seen in a day, and today there was a LITTLE
GULL among them. The EASTERN SCREECH OWL is still calling most nights, a
LONG-EARED OWL was trapped on the 21st and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are being
more cooperative with a record catch of 140 on the night of the 20th/21st.
Up to 32 have been trapped on other nights, but 10 - 15 being more normal.
One or two BELTED KINGFISHERS have been frequenting the harbour during the
week, BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are still moving through and 16 were seen on the
21st, the first HORNED LARK of the fall was flying over on the 26th and a
TREE SWALLOW did the same on the 21st.

Kinglets are starting to slow down and their peaks this week was 50
GOLDEN-CROWNED and 50 RUBY-CROWNED on the 21st. A flock of 22 EASTERN
BLUEBIRDS flew over on the 25th, 35 HERMIT THRUSHES were seen on the 21st
but have decreased to 10-15 a day since. AMERICAN ROBINS are still moving
and 110 flew over on the 24th with 85 going over the following day. A late
NASHVILLE WARBLER was trapped on the 21st and a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
was trapped on the 25th, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS have declined and peaked at
35 on the 21st, a male PINE WARBLER was seen on the 24th and a WESTERN PALM
WARBLER was seen on the 21st giving us five warbler species for the week.

The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the fall was trapped on the 21st and 5
were present today. Near the harbour, four FIELD SPARROWS were found today
feeding with the DARK-EYED JUNCOS. FOX SPARROW'S numbered 7 on the 21st and
6 on the 24th and 26th. A late SWAMP SPARROW was banded today and around 60
DARK-EYED JUNCOS are being seen daily. Five SNOW BUNTINGS flew over on the
25th and single NORTHERN CARDINALS seen on the 23rd and 24th were new in.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS peaked this week at 165 on the 25th and COMMON
GRACKLES peaked at 1200 on the 24th. Small numbers of PURPLE FINCHES are
appearing and 45 were found on the 21st with 25 seen on the 25th, with that
day having 25 HOUSE FINCHES as well. The Observatory will close for the fall
on the 31st October.

COMMON RAVENS continue to turn up in the area. One was seen west of Cape
Vesey early last week, the Carnrike Road individual near Consecon was still
present on the 25th, and three turned up during the week at Prince Edward
Point. In addition to the juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER that appeared at a
bird feeder on Glenora Road last week, an adult bird arrived on the 21st at
the same feeder, appearing for at least four days, and may still be in the
area. And an immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER turned up in the backyard of a
birder near Cherry Valley, and seems to have found a feeder of sunflower
seeds next door which may keep it in the area for awhile. Three to four
EASTERN BLUEBIRDS appeared along Crookston Road in the Tweed area on the
25th, and 8 were found on Babylon Road, four at Point Petre, and 12 along
Ridge Road, in Prince Edward County the same day. So, it has been a nice
blend of summer, fall, and winter birds all appearing at the same time in
the area with late season arrivals, and some departing, often en masse.
Hundreds of AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were found at Prince Edward
Point by one carload of Kingston/Trenton area birders on Wednesday, 100s of
GREATER SCAUP (South Bay), 200 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 20 COMMON LOONS, 30
HORNED GREBES, and 50 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS being among those representing
higher totals.

At Sandbanks Provincial Park on Tuesday, there was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK seen,
but on the 19th, a sick RED-NECKED GREBE was seen near the Outlet River
mouth. The three SNOW GEESE and one of the two immature BALD EAGLES, seen
last week on the beach near the mouth of the Outlet River, were still
present on the 24th. There were two LITTLE GULLS at the extreme east end of
the Outlet Beach, but more upsetting was the discovery of no fewer than 10
dead COMMON LOONS along the beach from the far east end to the mouth of the
Outlet River. At East Lake today, 43 MUTE SWANS were seen all at one time,
and a late OSPREY was seen on the lake near Cherry Valley yesterday, and an
EASTERN PHOEBE was also seen. Tuesday was GOLDEN EAGLE Day near Cherry
Valley according to one birder who saw several pass over his house during
the space of one day, with four being in view at one point all at once.
Another GOLDEN EAGLE turned up at Consecon Lake on the 22nd. At Point Petre
this week, up to 10 HORNED GREBES, 2 BLACK SCOTERS and 15 WHITE-WINGED
SCOTERS were present.

This is a condensed version of the Quinte Area Bird Report, containing only
the significant sightings for Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. The
full version can be found on the NatureStuff website, under BIRDING from
the Main Menu.

Terry Sprague
Prince Edward County
tsprague@kos.net
www.naturestuff.net

.................................................................................
                NatureStuff - Tours and Things
                  interpretive hikes, bus tours
                   kayaking & canoeing tours
                    seminars & presentations
                        www.naturestuff.net
                             Terry Sprague
                         23 Sprague Road,
         R.R. # 1, Demorestville, Ontario  K0K 1W0
          613-476-5072 (home), 613-848-4549 (cell)

WEEKLY BIRD REPORT FROM PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND THE QUINTE AREA FOR THE WEEK ENDING Thursday, October 26, 2006 With November just around the corner, there are increasing signs of winter, beyond deadening vegetation, cooler temperatures and many trees having already lost their leaves. The first SNOW BUNTING of the season was seen at West Point on Saturday, as were others on Wednesday at Prince Edward Point. The fact that 30 were also seen in the Barrie area this week would seem to verify that the few individuals found in the county during the week were more than just wayward birds. Also suggesting cooler temperatures and snow was an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at a feeder in Cherry Valley on the 19th, 4 at Prince Edward Point on the 25th (one banded on the 21st), and the numbers of LONG-TAILED DUCKS at the same location beginning to build up. Speaking of Prince Edward Point, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS numbers have drastically decreased and only around 2-500 can now be found roosting on the offshore shoal. From 2 - 6 COMMON LOONS are to be seen daily as they fly past heading south, on the 25th four GREAT BLUE HERONS were seen flying over as were a few small flocks of CANADA GEESE which totalled 130. The GREATER SCAUP flock offshore seems stable at around 2000 a day feeding just off the point and LONG-TAILED DUCKS are becoming commoner with up to 40 a day being seen Two BUFFLEHEAD were seen on the 25th, while up to a 140 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS are seen daily. A reasonable raptor week was had, with 3 BALD EAGLES on the 23rd, and a small number of the commoner hawks all week, but a good passage occurred on the 25th when the following were seen: 35 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 6 COOPER'S HAWKS, 15 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 35 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, 2 late BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and 350 RED-TAILED HAWKS. AMERICAN WOODCOCKS were flushed on the 24th and 26th, while offshore there is a small build up of BONAPARTE'S GULLS happening with up to 50 being seen in a day, and today there was a LITTLE GULL among them. The EASTERN SCREECH OWL is still calling most nights, a LONG-EARED OWL was trapped on the 21st and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are being more cooperative with a record catch of 140 on the night of the 20th/21st. Up to 32 have been trapped on other nights, but 10 - 15 being more normal. One or two BELTED KINGFISHERS have been frequenting the harbour during the week, BLUE-HEADED VIREOS are still moving through and 16 were seen on the 21st, the first HORNED LARK of the fall was flying over on the 26th and a TREE SWALLOW did the same on the 21st. Kinglets are starting to slow down and their peaks this week was 50 GOLDEN-CROWNED and 50 RUBY-CROWNED on the 21st. A flock of 22 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS flew over on the 25th, 35 HERMIT THRUSHES were seen on the 21st but have decreased to 10-15 a day since. AMERICAN ROBINS are still moving and 110 flew over on the 24th with 85 going over the following day. A late NASHVILLE WARBLER was trapped on the 21st and a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was trapped on the 25th, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS have declined and peaked at 35 on the 21st, a male PINE WARBLER was seen on the 24th and a WESTERN PALM WARBLER was seen on the 21st giving us five warbler species for the week. The first AMERICAN TREE SPARROW of the fall was trapped on the 21st and 5 were present today. Near the harbour, four FIELD SPARROWS were found today feeding with the DARK-EYED JUNCOS. FOX SPARROW'S numbered 7 on the 21st and 6 on the 24th and 26th. A late SWAMP SPARROW was banded today and around 60 DARK-EYED JUNCOS are being seen daily. Five SNOW BUNTINGS flew over on the 25th and single NORTHERN CARDINALS seen on the 23rd and 24th were new in. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS peaked this week at 165 on the 25th and COMMON GRACKLES peaked at 1200 on the 24th. Small numbers of PURPLE FINCHES are appearing and 45 were found on the 21st with 25 seen on the 25th, with that day having 25 HOUSE FINCHES as well. The Observatory will close for the fall on the 31st October. COMMON RAVENS continue to turn up in the area. One was seen west of Cape Vesey early last week, the Carnrike Road individual near Consecon was still present on the 25th, and three turned up during the week at Prince Edward Point. In addition to the juvenile RED-HEADED WOODPECKER that appeared at a bird feeder on Glenora Road last week, an adult bird arrived on the 21st at the same feeder, appearing for at least four days, and may still be in the area. And an immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER turned up in the backyard of a birder near Cherry Valley, and seems to have found a feeder of sunflower seeds next door which may keep it in the area for awhile. Three to four EASTERN BLUEBIRDS appeared along Crookston Road in the Tweed area on the 25th, and 8 were found on Babylon Road, four at Point Petre, and 12 along Ridge Road, in Prince Edward County the same day. So, it has been a nice blend of summer, fall, and winter birds all appearing at the same time in the area with late season arrivals, and some departing, often en masse. Hundreds of AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS were found at Prince Edward Point by one carload of Kingston/Trenton area birders on Wednesday, 100s of GREATER SCAUP (South Bay), 200 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 20 COMMON LOONS, 30 HORNED GREBES, and 50 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS being among those representing higher totals. At Sandbanks Provincial Park on Tuesday, there was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK seen, but on the 19th, a sick RED-NECKED GREBE was seen near the Outlet River mouth. The three SNOW GEESE and one of the two immature BALD EAGLES, seen last week on the beach near the mouth of the Outlet River, were still present on the 24th. There were two LITTLE GULLS at the extreme east end of the Outlet Beach, but more upsetting was the discovery of no fewer than 10 dead COMMON LOONS along the beach from the far east end to the mouth of the Outlet River. At East Lake today, 43 MUTE SWANS were seen all at one time, and a late OSPREY was seen on the lake near Cherry Valley yesterday, and an EASTERN PHOEBE was also seen. Tuesday was GOLDEN EAGLE Day near Cherry Valley according to one birder who saw several pass over his house during the space of one day, with four being in view at one point all at once. Another GOLDEN EAGLE turned up at Consecon Lake on the 22nd. At Point Petre this week, up to 10 HORNED GREBES, 2 BLACK SCOTERS and 15 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were present. This is a condensed version of the Quinte Area Bird Report, containing only the significant sightings for Prince Edward County and the Quinte area. The full version can be found on the NatureStuff website, under BIRDING from the Main Menu. Terry Sprague Prince Edward County tsprague@kos.net www.naturestuff.net ................................................................................. NatureStuff - Tours and Things interpretive hikes, bus tours kayaking & canoeing tours seminars & presentations www.naturestuff.net Terry Sprague 23 Sprague Road, R.R. # 1, Demorestville, Ontario K0K 1W0 613-476-5072 (home), 613-848-4549 (cell)