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.
Special Note re Owl Woods
Owl Woods is privately owned, but a long-standing agreement allows visitors to enter the property. However, the owners insist that all owl sightings at this location are not reported on any social media platform (including eBird) until the season is over, or we risk losing access. Although owls are occasionally seen at other nearby locations, disguising your owl wood sightings as ‘Amherst Island’ or even ‘Lennox and Addington’ goes against the spirit of the message.
Highlights:
It remained cold to very cold earlier this week with the crossing to Wolfe Island freezing over but opening up again as winds and milder temperatures prevailed at the end of the week. A number of continuing waterfowl were seen but it was a rather quiet week, though wintering sparrows continued at several locations. Here are the highlights of the past week:
TRUMPETER SWAN – Lower Brewers Lock had a high count of 93 birds this week, seen on 31st. With an additional 125 seen at Chaffey’s Locks on the same day, the Kingston area is clearly a major over-wintering area for this species.
TUNDRA SWAN – a few birds are still being seen but the majority have moved on. A high count of just 9 came from Amherst Island on 3rd.
NORTHERN SHOVELER – the continuing male was seen at Lemoine Point CA, Kingston, on 3rd and 4th.
NORTHERN PINTAIL – a male was seen on Amherst Island on 30th, with a female at the Invista pond, Kingston, on 3rd.
CANVASBACK – 2 birds were seen at the Invista pond, Kingston, on 5th.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK – a continuing bird was seen at Gananoque on 30th and 3rd.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK – numbers bounced back this week on Amherst Island with numbers in the high teens on several dates.
PEREGRINE FALCON – Kingston’s downtown bird was seen on 31st. Another individual was seen at Bath on 5th.
NORTHERN SHRIKE – as it was last week, 7 different birds were reported across the area.
CAROLINA WREN – there were fewer sightings this week – just 4 different birds were seen.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – two birds were photographed on Amherst Island on 3rd.
HERMIT THRUSH – 1-2 birds continued at Marshlands CA, Kingston, this week with an additional 2 found at Lemoine Point CA on 3rd.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING – the only local report was of 21 near Lansdowne on 30th.
EVENING GROSBEAK – a single bird was reported from Wolfe Island on 31st.
PINE GROSBEAK – 7 birds were seen on Florida Road, near Murvale on 31st with a single reported from Verona on 5th.
HOARY REDPOLL – there were numerous reports of mainly single birds from across the region this week.
RED CROSSBILL – 1 bird was seen near Verona on 4th.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL – no reports this week.
PINE SISKIN – 1-6 birds were noted at 4 separate locations this week.
LAPLAND LONGSPUR – no reports.
SNOW BUNTING – there were several reports of up to 50 or so birds on Amherst Island this week as well as numerous sightings at a variety of mainland locations.
GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – an immature bird continued this week at a location near Prince Edward Point, with the Wolfe Island adult bird making a reappearance on 2nd.
SAVANNAH SPARROW – a single bird was photographed near Waupoos, Prince Edward, on 4th.
SWAMP SPARROW – at least 8 birds continue in the region with reports from Marshlands CA, Little Cataraqui Creek CA, Amherst Island, and Prince Edward Point.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK – a single bird was seen on Amherst Island on 1st.
In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted 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.
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