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.v UNUSUAL BIRD SIGHTINGS AT PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NATIONAL PARK :by Judi Allen (Seasonal Interpreter, P.E.I. National Park)

Prince Edward Island National Park with its variety of wood— , land habitat, numerous sheltered salt marshes and ponds is an ' excellent area for bird watching, especially during migration. ' The snowless winter, extra early spring, and August's unruly weather have contriubted to some rather unusual bird sightings 1 this year.

-Just outside the Park on March 30th a Rough—legged Hawk was sighted hovering over a farm field.

-During early spring migration a Q;g§§_Eg;§t was reported May 4 on the Cavendish sandspit.

-A single Chimney Swift displaying its very characteristic flight pattern was observed over Dalvay Pond, May 15.

-June was an exciting month as there were well documented sightings of both a Gloss Ibis (Covehead Pond, June 29) and a Snowy Egret (Tracadie Marsh, June 15).

-A female Scarlet Tanager was seen August 2 darting in and about the apple trees around Dalvay hea quarters.

Also of interest: Piping Plover and Great Blue Heron nesting ~ numbers appear stable. Due to the poor winter and consequent low rodent populations the summer Marsh Hawk population in the Park was way down. Ring-necked Pheasants appear to have successfully survived the unfavor-

sightings this year than last. An Osprey was observed periodically from early May till September hunt;ng in the Long Pond and Campbell's Pond areas.

Fall shore bird migration is in progress now and should continue well into October. Least Sand— pipers, Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers , and Black-bellied Plovers are among 5”“? Ib" : the nost commonly observed species.

For those of you interested in the upcoming winter, I predict ; lots of snow early in the season as the muskrats started building their lodges August 1 this year, approximately three weeks early... ... so get your cross country skis ready!