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:
It’s been another very cold week, with light snow events adding to an already deep snow base. Inland waterbodies are frozen and Lake Ontario is pretty solid in the Kingston area. Several lingering local goodies remain but a Western Meadowlark was a highlight for a few. Here are the highlights of the past week:
TRUMPETER SWAN – High counts came from Chaffey’s Locks where 75 were seen on 22nd; Lower Brewers Locks with 38 on 25th and Bedford Mills with 16 on 23rd. Unusually, 3 birds were reported from the Invista pond, Kingston this week.
NORTHERN PINTAIL – as many as 5 birds were seen at the Invista pond, Kingston, this week.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL – 3-4 birds continued at Belle Park, Kingston, this week.
CANVASBACK – a single male has been present at Invista, Kingston since 23rd.
ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULL – singles of each have been seen at the Amherst Island ferry (both sides) this week.
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT – a single bird was seen at the Millhaven side of the Amherst Island ferry 25th-28th, with another (or the same) at the Glenora crossing on 23rd.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK – Amherst has consistently been better than Wolfe this week with 35 noted there on 26th.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER – 4 birds were seen this week: at Arbour Ridge and Fairway Parks, Kingston, Howe Island, and Hay Bay.
PEREGRINE FALCON – there were just 2 reports this week 1 in Kingston on 23rd and another on Wolfe Island, the same day.
NORTHERN SHRIKE – there were just 2 reports this week; from Dulcemaine on 26th and Verona on 24th.
TUFTED TITMOUSE – birds were noted on the road to Howe Island on 26th, and at Ivy Lea on 22nd.
HORNED LARK – there were better numbers this week, but the species still seems under-represented in the area.
CAROLINA WREN – 2 birds continued at Marshlands CA, Kingston, with another at Glen Lawrence woods.
BROWN THRASHER – another wintering bird (the 3rd this season) was photographed at Wartman-Patterson Park, Kingston, on 25th.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – a continuing bird was seen at Marshlands CA, Kingston, 23rd-27th.
HERMIT THRUSH – at least 10 birds were reported this week, with 3 at Hay Bay on 26th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – up to 15 birds continued in the Verona/Piccadilly area this week.
PINE GROSBEAK – 2 birds were seen in the Depot Creek/Snider Road area on 24th and 26th.
COMMON REDPOLL – this species is not really making any inroads to the area this winter, though a ‘high count’ of 6 at Bath on 28th was a nice surprise.
PINE SISKIN – 2 birds were seen on Amherst Island on 25th with another 2 at Bur Brook Road the same day.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – 1-2 birds were seen on Wolfe Island this week, with 1 at Napanee on 25th.
SNOW BUNTING – Wolfe Island had the majority of birds this week, with 500 seen there on 23rd.
FOX SPARROW – a single bird was seen at CFB Kingston on 22nd.
‘OREGON’ JUNCO – an apparent classic individual was seen at Rapid Valley on 24th.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – birds were seen at 6 separate locations with an impressive high count of 5 at Gananoque on 22nd.
SAVANNAH SPARROW – a flock of 7 birds was photographed near Watercombe, Hay Bay, on 25th.
SWAMP SPARROW – a single bird was seen at Hay Bay on 26th.
EASTERN TOWHEE – a female was found at a feeder in the Woodburn area on 26th, contin uing to 28th at least.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (KFN Report required) – seen from 24th-26th at Hay Bay, we are asking that all observers submit a rare bird report, including photographic support where possible, in order to fully document this impressive winter find.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD – as many as 10 birds have been reported in the vicinity of Prince Edward Point this week, with a further 4 at Cressy on 26th.
COMMON GRACKLE – a continuing bird was seen at Ivy Lea on 25th.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER – 2 birds were seen at Bath on 23rd; 1 was at Prince Edward Point on 25th; and 2 were in Kingston on 27th.
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