Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintain records in a 50km radius of MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their sightings with ‘Kingston FN’. Alternatively, please email records directly to me – contact details below. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise. Species 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).
Please note: Owl Woods on Amherst Island will be closed from 21 November through to 11 December during the hunting season. Thank you everyone for your patience and respect to the owners of the property who have allowed us for many years to enjoy this treasure.
Overview:
Unseasonably warm weather over the last week meant that many of our lingering migrants decided to linger longer. Great Egrets continued to be seen in good numbers and there was still a good selection of warblers available to the careful observer. Two rare birds livened up the week – a Dickcissel and a Cattle Egret.
Highlights:
TUNDRA SWAN – two were seen on Hay Bay on 22 October.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL – three at the Amherstview sewage lagoons on 23 October, and five were at the same site on the 25th. Other sightings included four at the Millburn Creek NCC property on 23 October; 12 at Belle Park on the 24th; two flyovers seen from the Waterfront Trail, Gananoque, on the 25th.
BLACK SCOTER – four birds were observed from the Horne’s Ferry landing on 23 October, and two at the same site on 26.
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO – a rather surprising find at Belle Park on the 26th, seen by a group of North Leeds Birders.
HUDSONIAN GODWIT – a single bird was seen in Button Bay on Wolfe Island from 22-26 October.
RUDDY TURNSTONE – one was spotted on the Frontenac Islands on 24 October.
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER – two remained at Parrott’s Bay CA until the 22nd, with one still there on the 23rd.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER – two were also hanging on at Parrott’s Bay CA as late as 22 October.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER – the Amherstview sewage lagoons bird persisted until the 25th.
GREAT EGRET – at Belle Park, two were seen on 22 and 23 October, six on the 24th, and singles on 26 and 28 October. On 22 October eight egrets were observed leaving their roosting site on Middle Brother Island just before sunrise. One was seen at Elevator Bay that day. Five were present at New Canal Dock, Wolfe Island on the 24th. A single bird was seen in Cataraqui Bay on 25 and 26 October, and six were foraging in Barrett’s Bay, Wolfe Island, on 26.
CATTLE EGRET – one bird was seen east of Lower Brewers Mills (on private property, not visible from roads) on 27 and 28 October.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON – one was seen at the Invista property on the 22nd. Visitors toHillview Pond saw 2-3 birds on each of 24, 25, and 27 October.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER – one was seen in the city of Kingston on 22 October, and singles were also seen at Belle Park on 24 and at Big Sandy Bay on 26 October.
EASTERN PHOEBE – multiple sightings of individuals and pairs were recorded in the Long Point area of Prince Edward County on 26 and 27 October. A single was also at Lemoine Point CA on the 27th.
BLUE-HEADED VIREO – this late-departing vireo species was seen at Marshlands CA on 23 October. Singles were seen at Belle Park on 24 and 25 October. Two were at the Invista property on 24, and birds were also seen at Prince Edward Point NWA on 25 and 26 October.
FISH CROW – two birds overflew Belle Park on 23 October.
HOUSE WREN – one was at Belle Park on the 22nd.
GRAY CATBIRD – single birds were seen at Parrott’s Bay CA (22-23 October); Trailhead Place Pier (22), between Kingston Mills and Isle of Man road (23), Belle Park (24), and Big Sandy Bay (25 October).
EVENING GROSBEAK – at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory single birds were observed on 22 and 23 October, a pair on 24, 6 on 25, 1 on 26, 40 on 27 October. Seven birds were also at a feeder at Long Point Road and Gravelly Bay Road, PEC, on the 27th.
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER – one sighting at Belle Park on 23 October.
NASHVILLE WARBLER – singles at Belle Park on 22 and 26 October, and at Wartman-Patterson Park on 25.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT – one was seen inside a coffee shop in downtown Kingston on 22 October, and another at Belle Park on the 26th.
MAGNOLIA WARBLER – a single bird was seen at Prince Edward Point NWA on 22 October.
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER – one was at Point Traverse Woods on the 22nd, another at Parrott’s Bay CA on the same date, and then one at Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory on the 23rd.
PALM WARBLER – singles were seen on Long Point Road and at Point Traverse Woods on 22 October, two were at Belle Park on 22 and 23, and birds were also seen at Point Traverse Woods and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory on the 27th.
DICKCISSEL – a first winter bird was seen by a few people at Belle Park late on 22 October. A number of people looked for it on the following day with little success. Dickcissels are rare fall visitors to the Kingston area, with single birds seen every four or five years.
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.
Anthony
N. Anthony Kaduck
Kingston, Ontario
Email: kaduckintransit « at » googlemail.com