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 as expected, with some genuine highlights thrown into the mix including Little Gull, Black Vulture, Fish Crow, Lark Bunting, and Yellow-throated Warbler. Here are the highlights of the last couple of weeks:
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 6 on Wolfe Island on 9th.
CACKLING GOOSE – there was just a single report of two birds at Eden Grove on 10th.
TUNDRA SWAN – very poor numbers this year, with a high of 24 at the Russell Road Wetland complex on 2nd.
CANVASBACK – 4 birds were seen at Hay Bay on 5th.
SURF SCOTER – 1-2 birds were seen near Prince Edward Point on 11th and 15th.
RUDDY DUCK – a couple of birds continued in the Hay Bay area until 5th.
RED-NECKED GREBE – 2 birds were seen at Camden Lake on 10th, with 1 at Parrott’s Bay on 12th.
VIRGINIA RAIL – the first bird was heard at Burbrook Road on 10th.
SANDHILL CRANE – there were multiple sightings over the period with a high count of 4 on Wolfe Island on 15th.
UPLAND SANPIPER – the first of the season was seen at Odessa on 13th.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER – the first of the season was seen at Martin Edwards Reserve, Amherst Island, on 12th.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS – the first was seen at Napanee Limestone Plain IBA on with the next being seen on 12th at Martin Edwards Reserve, Amherst Island.
LITTLE GULL – 1-2 birds have been present at Martin Edwards Reserve, Amherst Island from 9th – 15th.
ICELAND GULL – a young bird continued at Collin’s Bay, Kingston to 3rd.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL – an adult was seen at Kaiser Cross Road, Prince Edward, on 7th.
CASPIAN TERN – the first was seen at Kaiser Cross Road, Prince Edward, on 10th.
AMERICAN B ITTERN – there were several first sightings on 8th.
GREAT EGRET – the first was seen near Prince Edward Point on 6th.
BLACK VULTURE – a single bird was seen at Prince Edward Point on 15th.
GOLDEN EAGLE – an adult was seen at Camden Lake on 10th.
BROAD-WINGED HAWK – the first (and only one so far) was seen at Milburn Creek on 8th.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE – 1-2 birds continue at the known breeding location of Napanee Limestone Plain IBA.
FISH CROW – the two birds at City Park, Kingston, continue. Please watch for and report any signs of breeding evidence.
TUFTED TITMOUSE – a single bird continued at Bateau Lane to 6th.
PURPLE MARTIN – the first birds arrived back (at Martin Edwards Reserve, Amherst Island) on 12th.
BARN SWALLOW – the first was seen on Amherst Island on 9th.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET – the first were seen on 10th at Big Sandy Bay, Wolfe Island and were widespread within days.
CAROLINA WREN – birds were reported from Prince Edward Point on several dates, as well as 3-4 locations in Kingston.
BROWN THRASHER – an early bird was seen on Amherst Island on 3rd, though the main arrival began just a couple of days ago.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – birds continued at Marshlands CA and Bath during the period. An additional bird was seen on Wolfe Island on 12th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – birds continued near Verona throughout the period.
PINE SISKIN – widespread in low numbers.
LARK BUNTING (OBRC report required) – a young male was found at Martin Edwards Reserve, Amherst Island on 13th, with a late report of a re-sighting on 15th, coming in this morning.
VESPER SPARROW – the first was seen at Bath on 15th.
EASTERN TOWHEE – widespread, with the first birds arriving in the first week of April.
RUSTY BLACKBIRD – widespread but in worryingly low numbers with a high of 20 near Verona on 8th.
PALM WARBLER – the first was seen on Howe Island on 15th.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER (KFN report required) – a cracking example of this species was photographed at Prince Edward Point on 14th, remaining to 15th at least.
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