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. Species underlined in bold type require completion of a rare bird report available on the KFN website or directly from me. If indicated, an OBRC report may be required instead (http://www.ofo.ca/site/Obrcreport).
Highlights:
Migration continues to pick up speed, temperatures are improving, and Lake Ontario continues to open up. New arrivals and ‘firsts-of -the-year’ are always exciting but it was fairly quiet in terms of rarities. Here are the highlights of the last week:
SNOW GOOSE – there were several reports this week but 17th was the big day with over 1000 coming through Kingston, and similar numbers just outside the area to the east.
CACKLING GOOSE – 1-2 birds were seen at Sandhurst Shores on 13th/14th with 1 at Green Bay Park, Kingston, on 15th.
TUNDRA SWAN – very low numbers to date, with the highest count from the Russell Road wetlands near Lansdowne on 18th.
CANVASBACK – as many as 6 have been present in Kingston’s inner harbour this week, with additional sightings on Amherst Island (2) on 18th, and 1 in Gananoque on 16th.
RUDDY DUCK – at least 2 birds were seen in Kingston’s inner harbour on several dates this week.
HORNED GREBE – the first was seen at Sandhurst Shores on 14th.
SANDHILL CRANE – 4 birds were seen at Moscow on 14th, with 1 at Lemoine Point, Kingston, on 12th.
WILSON’S SNIPE – the first was noted at Prince Edward Point on 14th.
ICELAND GULL – singles were seen on Amherst Island on 18th, Millhaven on 12th, with 1-2 at Prince Edward Point 14th-18th.
GOLDEN EAGLE – a single bird was seen on Amherst Island on 18th.
PEREGRINE FALCON – singles were noted on Amherst Island on 18th and Prince Edward Point on 17th.
EASTERN PHOEBE – the first was seen near Verona on 17th, with the next at hay Bay on 18th.
NORTHERN SHRIKE – birds were reported from Amherst and Wolfe Islands, as well as Marshlands CA, Kingston.
TUFTED TITMOUSE – a single bird was seen 12th – 14th at Bateau Lane, Kingston.
TREE SWALLOW – the first (6) were reported from the Howe Island ferry on 18th.
CAROLINA WREN – birds were reported from Marshlands CA and Ravensview, Kingston this week, as well as Prince Edward Point.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – a single bird was reported from Third Avenue Park, Kingston, on 15th.
HERMIT THRUSH – a continuing bird was seen at Bur Brook Road, Kingston, on 12th.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING – a lone bird was seen near Verona on 18th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – numbers are declining in the Verona with 11 reported there on 18th.
COMMON REDPOLL & PINE SISKIN – both species were widespread this week in low numbers.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – a single bird was seen on Amherst Island on 16th.
SNOW BUNTING – Birds are generally moving away from the islands, being seen more frequently at inland locations, with 200 on Fairfax Road, Lansdowne on 14th.
FOX SPARROW – the Bur Brook Road bird was seen again on 12th and 13th, with the Bateau Lane bird also seen on 13th. Another was seen on Amherst Island on 18th.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – wintering birds continued at Millhaven, Gananoque, and Little Cataraqui Creek CA, Kingston.
SWAMP SPARROW – 1 bird continued at Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, with another at Butternut Creek.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK – the species arrived in good numbers this week.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD – 8 birds continued in the vicinity of Prince Edward Point, being seen on 13th.
In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the 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. Permits are being checked on a regular basis at Amherstview and those without are being evicted. KFN members wishing to enter the Invista property, must enter through the west gate and show their membership card to security.
As always, a big thank you goes to all those who have submitted sightings directly or via eBird.
Mark.
Mark D. Read
337 Button Bay Road,
Wolfe Island,
Kingston, Ontario
K0H 2Y0
Canada
Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246
Email: markdread@gmail.com