From Point Petre to Long Point, an estimated 40,965 ducks were counted, compared to a previous high of 26,000 birds. Nearly all of Prince Edward Bay was frozen early in the week due to the cold snap last weekend and nearly no winds to move the ice.

These two gulls were with an estimated 500+ Bonaparte's Gulls that were either feeding with these two or passing by heading west. Also at the lagoons were 28 Ruddy, Redhead, 250+ Dunlin, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and of course Killdeer.

At 6:00 a.m. an estimated 4,000 lifted from the open waters and headed in a northeasterly direction, passing directly over our house in a series of separate skeins.

Of course, at this time of the year, the most abundant species is the DARK-EYED JUNCO, and there has been a good number of these around this year, and today an estimated 1000+ were present. Up to 8 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS have been frequenting the area and today a late SCARLET TANAGER was trapped.

TURKEY VULTURES alone accounted for 425 and 650 respectively on both days, and numbers of RED-TAILED HAWKS were equally impressive with 650 to 900 birds estimated in kettles that passed over on Sunday. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS averaged about 60 on each day, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS rose from 145 on Saturday to 350 on Sunday.

Other noteworthy shorebirds have included a Whimbrel on May 26 and two on June 1, an estimated 80 Ruddy Turnstones and 40 Red Knots on June 1 (the latter having disappeared by noon), the first two Sanderlings on May 31 and over a dozen on the following day, small numbers of White-rumped Sandpipers, and a male Wilson's Phalarope at Owen Point on June 1,

Ken also found 6 Herring Gull nests and an estimated 200 Ring-billed Gull nests (based on fast walk through) and at least 4 Caspian Terns (likely nesting) and some small terns (probably Arctic) and at least 1 Great Black-backed Gull. Next update in 2 - 3 days. Ron Pittaway Toronto & Minden ON

An estimated 1200 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were found along the Waupoos peninsula, and another 650 were counted at Prince Edward Point where 5 SURF SCOTERS and 3 BLACK SCOTERS were also seen.

An estimated 800 were at West Lake on the 28th, and more than 2,000 created an infernal din as they fed in the now flooded corn fields along Kaiser Crossroad, where other species noted both yesterday and today included WOOD DUCK, TUNDRA SWAN, MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAILS, WOOD DUCK and one SNOW GOOSE.

CANADA GEESE are starting to move around and at an estimated 1,000 made an impressive pass down the Bay of Quinte from Carrying Place this past week. a small open spot along Belleville's Bayshore Trail attracted the attention of 50 MALLARDS during the week who wait patiently for conditions to improve in the Bay of Quinte.