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).
Special Note re Amherstview Sewage Lagoons:
KFN members have access to the above but Loyalist Township have ramped up the checking of permits etc., over the last 2-3 years – keep your membership with you at all times. They have recently been in touch to say that they are currently trapping muskrats on the property and that people must stay off the banks and not enter the wetlands area. These sections are roped off with signage. They have stated that anyone seen in those areas will be evicted and access will be permanently revoked.
Highlights:
Migration continues though we’re over the first wave and things ‘feel’ as though they’ve slowed a little. Last week’s Fish Crow and Tufted Duck continued, and the greening of fields and swelling of leaf buds brings an air of excitement. Very little snow/ice remains south of the shield and waterways are open, with the first Lakers coming through the St. Lawrence recently. Here are the highlights of the last week:
SNOW GOOSE – there were just a handful of reports this week (the majority of birds pass through to the east) with a high of just 5 near Lansdowne on 26th.
CACKLING GOOSE – there was just a single sighting of a lone bird on Wolfe Island on 1st.
TRUMPETER SWAN – unusually, good numbers have been seen on fields near Lansdowne with 47 reported there on 30th.
TUNDRA SWAN – poor numbers this year, though the Russell Road Wetland complex (as above) held the best numbers with 46 reported there on 30th.
TUFTED DUCK (OBRC Report required) – the male that was discovered on the Gananoque waterfront on 21st continued to 26th when it was seen by many.
SURF SCOTER – 3 birds were seen near Prince Edward Point on 26th.
BLACK SCOTER – 2 birds were seen near Prince Edward Point on 26th.
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE – a nice male was seen at Heritage Point, Bath, 29th-30th.
SANDHILL CRANE – there were sightings at at least 8 locations this week with a high count of 8 at the Russell Road Wetland complex on 30th.
ICELAND GULL – adults (including 1 Thayer’s) were seen at Lansdowne on 26th, with another at Collin’s Bay, Kingston 31st/1st.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL – an adult was seen at Lemoine Point CA, Kingston, on 31st/1st, and Lansdowne on 26th.
GLAUCOUS GULL – the only bird seen this week was at Amherstview on 29th.
GOLDEN EAGLE – a single bird was seen on Amherst Island on 27th.
EASTERN PHOEBE – the first birds arrived back on 26th and are now relatively widespread.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE – singles were seen at Napanee Limestone Plain IBA on 26th.
FISH CROW – the two birds at City Park, Kingston, continued to at least 1st, and are likely still present.
TUFTED TITMOUSE – birds were seen at Gananoque on 29th and Grenville Park, Kingston, on 30th.
CAROLINA WREN – birds were reported from Prince Edward Point on several dates, as well as Wartman-Patterson Park, Kingston, on 26th.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – birds were seen at Marshalnds CA on 29th and CFB, Kingston, on 30th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – as many as 12 birds again continued in the Verona area this week.
PINE SISKIN – widespread in low numbers.
CHIPPING SPARROW – the first was seen in the Collin’s Bay area, Kingston, on 27th.
FIELD SPARROW – the first was seen at Sillsville (Hay Bay) on 31st.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD – a high of 23 came from the Russell Road wetland complex on 30th.
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