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.
SPECIAL NOTE: The Owl Woods (Amherst Island) is now closed through to December 5. Thank you for your patience and please respect the wishes of the Lauret family who own the property and have allowed us to enjoy this treasure for many years.
Highlights:
Whilst the temperatures have remained above average, this week definitely saw a turn towards colder weather and more persistent northerly winds. It was a quiet week on the whole, though a Cattle Egret did provide entertainment for a couple of observers. Below are the highlights of the past week:
TRUMPETER SWAN – it was a quiet week for this species with a high of 15 at Bedford Mills on 13th. Just north of the area at Narrows Locks, 28 were seen on 15th.
TUNDRA SWAN – the vast majority of records came from Wolfe Island where 47 were seen at Reed’s Bay on 17th. 21 birds were seen at Prince Edward Point on 19th.
CANVASBACK – not common in the area, 10 birds were seen at Bayfield Bay, Wolfe Island, on 7th November.
SURF SCOTER – Prince Edward Point had 2 birds on 14th.
RUDDY DUCK – 18 birds were seen at Hay Bay on 13th; 12 were seen at Bayfield Bay, Wolfe Island, on 14th, and 6 were present at Belle Island, Kingston, 15th – 19th.
SANDHILL CRANE – birds continue just outside of the area at Forfar, where a flock of 61 birds was seen on 19th (and continue today, 20th).
RED-THROATED LOON – a single bird was seen at Prince Edward Point on 18th.
CATTLE EGRET (KFN Report required) – this bird of the week was seen at Newburgh on 14th.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK – it looks like there were very few visitors to Amherst Island this week, where a high of 6 was noted on 14th. 1-3 birds were reported on Wolfe Island, over the week.
YELOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER – late birds include 2 at Balsam Grove, Kingston, on 13th and 1 on Howe Island on 15th.
PEREGRINE FALCON – 2 birds were seen in downtown Kingston on 16th.
NORTHERN SHRIKE – the number of sightings is starting to pick up with birds seen at 7 distinct locations this week.
TUFTED TITMOUSE – a single bird was at a private feeder off Montreal Street in downtown Kingston on 17th.
HORNED LARK – numbers are building on Wolfe Island, where 30 were seen on 17th.
CAROLINA WREN – 1-2 birds were seen at Prince Edward Point 13th – 16th, with another on the mainland side of Howe Island on 14th.
HERMIT THRUSH – late birds were noted at Prince Edward Point 16th – 18th, and at Bur Brook Road, Kingston 13th – 19th. An additional bird was seen at Gore Road, Kingston, on 19th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – a female was seen at Button Bay, Wolfe Island, on 13th.
COMMON REDPOLL – there was just a single report (of 1 bird) at Prince Edward Point on 16th.
PINE SISKIN – up to 6 birds were seen at Prince Edward Point this week, with 2 at Bur Brook Road, Kingston on 14th and 4 at Sydenham on 13th.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – 2 birds were seen near Lansdowne on 14th, with a single on Wolfe Island on 17th.
SNOW BUNTING – high counts of 40 apiece came from Prince Edward Point on 16th and Wolfe Island on 17th.
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 D. Read
337 Button Bay Road,
Wolfe Island,
Kingston, Ontario
K0H 2Y0
Canada
Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246
Email: markdread@gmail.com