Census #3 was once again very quiet for migrants. An increase in abundance of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was noted along with the first appearance of Eastern Meadowlark for the season. Being well into April and with three completed surveys under our belt, it is surprising that we haven’t encountered a single Brown Creeper or Golden-crowned Kinglet in 2009 along Canoe Lake Road. Both of these species are abundant early spring migrants in the Great Lakes and also breed in the FBS study area.

An active Osprey nest was discovered on Kingsford Lake this afternoon. The nest is within Frontenac Provincial Park boundaries. I was able to capture the pair copulating on high-definition video and will attempt to upload this clip to the site in the next few days. The next migration census is scheduled for April 18, 2009. This evening I will be out lurking around in the dark listening for owls in the FBS study area. A summary of this adventure will be posted tomorrow!

Results (new arrivals in bold)

Canada Goose 11
Common Loon 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Mourning Dove 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 5
Common Raven 1
Black-capped Chickadee 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
American Robin 7
European Starling 5
Song Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Red-winged Blackbird 11
Eastern Meadowlark 2
Common Grackle 11
Pine Siskin 4
American Goldfinch 6

Season Species Total=32