Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of
MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their
sightings with ‘Kingston FN’. Alternatively, please email or send records
directly to me – contact details below. Please note that some sightings may
require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Special Note re Owl Woods
Owl Woods is privately owned, but a long-standing agreement allows visitors
to enter the property. However, the owners insist that all owl sightings at
this location are not reported on any social media platform (including
eBird) until the season is over, or we risk losing access. Although owls are
occasionally seen at other nearby locations, disguising your owl wood
sightings as ‘Amherst Island’ or even ‘Lennox and Addington’ goes against
the spirit of the message.
Highlights:
Temperatures dropped markedly this week and inland waterbodies are freezing
up nicely. However, Lake Ontario remains wide open and an increase in
temperatures forecast for this weekend may open things up again. There was a
reduced diversity of species this week but with a suite of Christmas Bird
Counts on the way, unexpected sightings will no doubt be forthcoming. Here
are the highlights of the past week:
SNOW GOOSE – a single bird was seen on Lake Ontario off Kaiser Cross Road,
Prince Edward, on 15th.
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE – An adult bird was photographed at Waupoos,
Prince Edward on 14th.
TRUMPETER SWAN – Chaffey’s Lock is currently the best place to see this
species with 98 seen there on 16th.
TUNDRA SWAN – whether it was a lack of birders getting out, or a genuine
drop in numbers, the high count this week was just 20 at Belle Park,
Kingston, on 15th.
NORTHERN SHOVELER – the male bird at Hillview Pond, Kingston, remained to
14th.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL – a single male continued at Hillview Pond, Kingston to
14th, with 4 reported from Belle Park, Kingston, on 15th.
ICELAND GULL – an immature bird was seen at Prince Edward Point on 14th,
with an immature and an adult at Bath, the same day.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK – birds continue to be concentrated on Amherst Island with
29 seen there on 12th.
NORTHERN SHRIKE – singles were seen near Charleston Lake on 12th, at Godfrey
on 14th, and on Amherst Island on 16th.
MARSH WREN – a late bird was still present at Marshlands CA, Kingston, on
14th.
CAROLINA WREN – there was just a single sighting this week of a continuing
bird at Balsam Grove, Kingston, on 12th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – up to 8 birds have been seen on several dates this week
near Verona, with 3 at Bedford Mills on 13th.
PINE GROSBEAK – 1 near Lansdowne on 18th.bird was seen
HOARY REDPOLL – there were 5 reports this week: 1 north of Sydenham on 12th;
1 on Chaffey’s Lock Road on 14th; 1 at Elgin on 16th; 2 at Lyndhurst on
16th; and 3 at Athens on 16th.
RED CROSSBILL – a single bird was at Depot Lakes CA on 14th, with 15 seen
near Lansdowne on 18th.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL – no reports.
PINE SISKIN – there were very few reports this week, with the most
consistent location being a private feeder near Brewers Mills where up to 4
birds have been seen this week.
SNOW BUNTING – again, there were very few reports this week but a flock of
100 was seen near Button Bay, Wolfe Island on 17th.
SWAMP SPARROW – a good number of birds are hanging on at Marshlands CA,
Kingston, with 13 noted there on 14th.
In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording
area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the
<https://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/KFN_sensiti
ve_sightings_policy.pdf> KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy. Please note that
you must be a card-carrying member of Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN), or
be accompanied by a member, to access both the Martin Edwards Reserve and
Amherstview Sewage Lagoons.
As always, a big thank you goes to all those who have submitted sightings
directly or via eBird.
Mark.