Migration Summary for the Period May 6^th – 12th

 

Pelee Island Bird Observatory

 

 

It was a busy week for both birds and birders as Pelee Island celebrated it’s 8^th annual SpringSong Festival and ‘green’ bird race. Joseph Boyden highlighted the weekend event and Fred Bodsworth returned for a second year as our guest birder. Dinner at the Pelee Island Winery on Saturday was capped off with a reading by Joseph from his captivating novels – Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce. The evening was enjoyed by one and all.       

 

The race for the Botham Cup was also a smashing success. Eleven teams undertook the grueling 24-hour marathon and, once again, the consummate field-craft and daring-do of the island’s perennial favourites – the Finch and Chips – reigned supreme. A total of 155 species was recorded by all the teams and everyone had a great time.   

 

There were quite a few migrants documented at Fish Point during the summary period and new arrivals continued to appear on a daily basis including spring ‘firsts’ for Willet and Peregrine Falcon, along with eight other species. Other noteworthy sightings at the beginning of the week included White-eyed Vireo on the 7^th and 3 Sandhill Cranes and a Clay-colored Sparrow observed by PIBO staff on the afternoon of the 8^th.

 

On the second day of the bird race a number of unusual species were noted by birders on the island including a Kirtland’s Warbler discovered and videoed along the west shore and a King Rail heard and seen on Stone Road. Sixteen warbler species were recorded by PIBO staff during the morning coverage period on May 10^th, including a banded Yellow-breasted Chat, along with increased numbers of flycatchers, vireos and thrushes.

 

Next week’s summary will be posted on May 21^st.

 

Photo: Sumiko Onishi