October 22, 2012 Prince Edward County birding

Spent today birding Prince Edward Point, Point Traverse and various areas in Prince Edward. On the drive to PEPT there were 100's of Dark-eyed Juncos and a number of large flocks of Pine Siskin along the road.  The birds appeared to be picking both seeds and grit from the road side. At PEPT there was lots of activity overhead with a small movement of raptors. Eight species were observed, 40+ Red-tailed Hawk, 11 Red-shouldered Hawk, 7 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Northern Harrier, 2 Cooper’s Hawk, 1 Merlin , 1 immature Bald Eagle and 17 Turkey Vulture.

Other note worthy observations included 20 Hermit Thrush, 150 Cedar Waxwing, 14 Eastern Phoebe, 400+ Dark-eyed Junco, and 6 Fox Sparrow.  Winter finches appeared to be on the move with 500+ Pine Siskin, 25 Purple Finch, 26 Evening Grosbeak, and 20+ White-winged Crossbill. A late Black-throated Green Warbler was also observed.

Later in the day at Gosport  near Brighton a Glossy Ibis was sighted. We managed to get to see this individual as it fed vigoursly during our hour stay. The Glossy Ibis is a very rare visitor to eastern Ontario and this is a late date.  There were numerous shorebirds present including 1 Hudsonian Godwit, 11 Greater Yellowlegs, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, 16 Pectoral Sandpiper,  and 100+ Dunlin.

An immature Cooper's Hawk hunting iat Point Traverse.



Many flocks of  Pine Siskin were observed in the area.



A Ruby-crowned Kinglet quietly waits to be removed from the banding net.  

 Over 40+ Red-tailed Hawk were observed during the raptor flight.  



 
An immature Sharp-shinned Hawk waits release at the Prince Edward Point Banding Station.



 Pine Siskins were attracted to the mist net by the vocalizations of other captured siskins.  This individual decided to sit on the net.  

A Kettle of hawks and vultures  over  Prince Edward Point.

 

A Glossy Ibis at Gosport was a rare find. The ibis was still present the following morning.