distance to the calls on the CD player. We were not so lucky with the Barred Owl calls but were able to entice a 
     
     Great Horned Owl to hoot in reply after hearing juveniles respond. From this area, we traveled to Cardross and 
     
     there had a Barred Owl respond. This was much more than we expected the evening before but knew we were in 
     
     for a tough day as the winds continued to climb. By now, dawn was approaching. 
     
    

    
     At dawn, we were parked overlooking the Rollo Bay Wildlife Management Area trying to steady our 
     
     scopes as the vehicle shook in the wind. Thousands of Canada Geese were stretched out across the bay as well as 
     
     hundreds of ducks. Shortly afier dawn, they were joined by still more flights from the northwest. By 8 am, we had 
     
     enjoyed the beauty of seeing and hearing thousands of geese rising and settling flock by flock in a huge grain field. 
     
     Alas, despite our diligence, no Snow Goose was found amidst the flocks. We were thrilled to hear the sounds of 
     
     some 2,000 geese lift en masse from the grainfield to return to the bay and subsequently start dispersing to 
     
     surrounding potato and grain fields. From the lookout, we moved around through Lower Rollo Bay hoping to 
     
     locate a Black-headed Gull. While we picked up a good variety puddle ducks and a single Blue Jay we were \ 
     
     unable to find the Black-headed Gull reported in this area by Vern Laux a few days earlier. Forest birds were not 
     
     to be heard or found. -- 
     
    

    
     Our route brought us along Sheep Pond Road then northward through Souris 
     
     West and Souris. The pond in Souris West yielded still more waterfowl and a bird 
     
     identified by some as a female Harlequin based on the colours, size, shape, diving 
     
     behaviour, and the presence of a whitish spot in front of and behind the eye. 
     
     However, consensus was not reached amidst the team. Around this time, Eric 
     
     discovered shorebirds on top of aquaculture floats and we were able to add Black- 
     
     bellied Plover, Dunlin, White-rumped Sandpiper, and Semipalmated Sandpiper. ' , ' 
     
    

    
     Several stops along Black Pond and then Basin Head finally brought us our first tw Yellow-rumped 
     
     Warblers. Then we arrived at East Point. By now, the winds were gale force and the southern and eastern waters 
     
     were covered in white caps. As we parked the van, a vast array of Common Eider and about one hundred Northern 
     
     Gannett were observed feeding in the lee waters close to shore. Scopes left unattended for seconds went tumbling 
     
     in the wind and we quickly moved into the lee of the gift shop overlooking the bluff. 
     
    

    
     East Point was certainly the highlight of the birding day. The stop here brought a Lesser Scaup, a female 
     
     King Eider, Black-legged Kittiwake, three species of scoter, and more over and on the waters. The raptors and 
     
     forest birds normally seen here were conspicuously absent on this day although one quick look was had by one 
     
     team member of a raptor disappearing into the canopy. It had the flight, colours, and size of a goshawk but the 
     
     glimpse was too fleeting to confirm its identity. 
     
    

    
     From East point we journeyed along the north shore road to North Lake, Campbell’s Cove, Priest Pond, 
     
     Monticello and then St. Peters before returning to Charlottetown where we lost one of our members to other 
     
     commitments. Known feeders, hot spots, and sheltered forest sites yielded little in the driving rain and wind. By 
     
     our 4:45 pm arrival in Charlottetown we had seen 62 species. The wind was abating and the sun was finally 
     
     - breaking through the clouds so the remaining team members decided to give the RBI. National Park a try. Here 
     
    
   
   
    
     we were finally able to add a few shrub and forest species to the list as well as the elusive Wood Duck and Caspian 
     
     Tem- 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     By day’s end at 7:20 pm, we had traveled 336 km and seen at least 75 species. We enjoyed the cornradery 
     
     of birding friends and had a wonderfully brisk autumn day amidst the many birding hot spot locations of eastern 
     
     Prince Edward Island. Thus the 2002 Neil Bennett Autumn Birding Classic field component came to a close. 
     
     However, the Birding Classic is not just for the birders who participate. It represents a chance for those interested 
     
     in birding to donate towards conservation of natural areas in Prince Edward Island and an opportunity to register 
     
     bird observations for future scientific analysis. The friends of conservation were generous and donated $675 to 
     
     this year’s project, the acquisition of Bird Island in northwestern Malpeque Bay. The Autumn Birding Classic 
     
     since its inception has raised over $7,500. 
     
    
   
   
    
     For the birding enthusiasts and future researchers on bird occurrence, the complete species list is provided 
     
     below. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Common Loon Red-throated Loon Red-necked Grebe