PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY SPRING BIRDING FESTIVAL

 

2011 Reports

A busy schedule of events brought out a number of enthusiasts to this year's annual Spring Birding Festival.

 

Guided Bird Hikes at Point Traverse May 14th to May 22nd

Always popular, the Daily guided walks in the Point Traverse Woods (.5 km north of the Observatory) brought out birders in sometimes challenging spring weather conditions. The walks focused on songbird migrants including up to 30 species of warblers. The walks were guided by Terry Sprague, Rosemary Smith and Peter Fuller.

 

Cape May Warbler, Point Traverse Woods. Photo© Bruce Parker.

 

To read a summary of the birds that were seen on Terry's Point Traverse hikes click on the PDF link below.

 

Point Traverse Birding Festival Hikes 2011

 

 

Bird Banding Demonstrations at the Observatory

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory continues to demonstrate its valued contribution as a full-time migration monitoring station with large numbers of birds banded, significant foreign recoveries, and other observations. The main focus of the Observatory is the banding and observation of Neotropical migrants. This is complemented with a significant Northern Saw-whet Owl banding program in October.

 

Bander-in-charge David Okines showed visitors how birds are banded. Photo© Gail Foster.

 

The Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) was started in 1996; PEPTBO became a provisional member in 1997 and a full member in 1999. Currently there are 26 full members collecting standardized sets of data across Canada. The data that PEPTBO collects is analyzed by Bird Studies Canada and species trends are produced.

Former PEPtBO President Brian Joyce explained the importance of bird banding. Photo© Bruce Parker.

 

Visitors were able to observe the entire banding process from capture to release.

 

PEPtBO Board Member Mike Parry showed visitors how migrating birds were extracted from nets.

Photo© Gail Foster.

 

Indigo Bunting, banded and ready for release. Photo© Gail Foster.

 

 

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Spring Bird Count and Baillie Birdathon

 

2011 Report

Every May birders and their supporters across Canada participate in this 24-hour fund raising challenge. Through the efforts of our local paticipants the “Baillie” annually contributes about 30% of the funds needed to run the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory.

 

Northern Parula, Prince Edward Point. Photo© Bruce Parker.

This year we had 31 participants registered for our Prince Edward County Spring Bird Count, a part of the Baillie Birdathon. The total number of species seen was 172. As usual the Laphroaig Vultures saw the most species. The team was composed of “seasoned” birders led by David Okines with Eric Machell, Andrew Cadman and Gerry Phillips. Sprague’s Pipets were close seconds, as usual. This year Terry Sprague led Borys Halowacz, Kathy Felkar and Mike Burge. We were pleased to have some new “birdathoners” this year and the award for the most enthusiastic new birder was presented to Mike Parry.

Guest birders for 2011 were John Brett from the Wellington Rotary and Bob Bird from the Picton Rotary. John won their friendly competition for most money raised. Both Bob and John joined the Freycatchers led by Cheryl Anderson. The Freycatchers and the Pipits were tied for most money raised by a team. After eliminating “certain individuals” from the running, Nancy Fox won the award for most money raised by an individual. Bird Studies Canada initiated an online sponsorship system this year. While not everyone used the system, in general, it was easy to use and allowed participants to increase their donations. We applaud this innovation. At this writing the PEPtBO teams have raised over $12,000.

.... Cheryl Anderson

 

Orange-crowned Warbler, Prince Edward Point. Photo© Bruce Parker.

 

To read some of the reports from this year's Birdathon teams click on the PDF links below.

Cheryl Anderson 2011 Birdathon Report

 

Terry Sprague 2011 Birdathon Report

 

 

PEPtBO 2011 Annual General Meeting & Baillie Birdathon Wrap-up Dinner

 

Terry Sprague and Myrna Wood with PEPtBO Rosemary Kent. Photo© Cheryl Anderson.

 

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory gave special honours to two long time volunteers at the Observatory’s AGM on Saturday May 28. Myrna Wood and Terry Sprague were fêted by the Observatory’s President, Rosemary Kent and Vice –president, Cheryl Anderson. Both Myrna and Terry served on the first Board of Directors of the Observatory. They were also instrumental in starting the annual Spring Birding Festival. Terry continues to lead Birding hikes every May during the Festival. Myrna is involved in saving valuable birding habitat from industrial development.

Myrna’s citation, read by Cheryl finished: “Myrna is a woman who never gives up. She thinks through problems and finds a way to get to the best solution. Her long experience in activism has made her a valuable member of our community. We are delighted to honour her with this Certificate of Appreciation from PEPtBO.”

Rosemary read Terry’s citation which began: “Where does one begin to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions that Terry Sprague has made to and for “all things natural in the County”? Terry has dedicated both his working life and his “life-in-retirement” to increasing people’s appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the natural world. For over fifteen years, he has also given generously of his time and expertise to PEPtBO.”

The PEPtBO community extends congratulations to these two dedicated volunteers.