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Kingston Area Birds: 19th – 25th March 2022

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 with many species arriving on, or slightly ahead of, time. However, a couple of excellent observations this week have brought folks in from far-and-wide: Fish Crows in downtown Kingston and a Tufted Duck at Gananoque – both performing well. Waterways, major and minor, are now in the final stages of opening up. Here are the highlights of the last week:

SNOW GOOSE – again, there were several reports this week but mainly in much lower numbers. A high count of 250 came from Lansdowne Dump on 20th.

TUNDRA SWAN – still very low numbers to date, with the highest count of 20 from the Russell Road wetlands near Lansdowne on 20th. Interestingly, Trumpeter Swans have also been using the same wetland, with as many as 25 seen there on 20th.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL – the first birds (4) were seen at Kaiser Cross Road, Prince Edward, on 24th.

CANVASBACK – 1-3 birds continued in Kingston’s inner harbour this week, with 5 in Gananoque on 25th.

TUFTED DUCK (OBRC Report required) – a male was discovered on the Gananoque waterfront on 21st – it continues to date. Interestingly, a hybrid Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaup was also seen at the same location.

SURF SCOTER – 2 birds were seen near Prince Edward Point on 25th.

BLACK SCOTER – a single bird was seen near Prince Edward Point on 25th.

RUDDY DUCK – the only report was of a single bird on the Gananoque waterfront on 21st.

SANDHILL CRANE – there were several sighting this week (in low numbers) with a high of 3 apiece from the Russell Road Wetland complex near Lansdowne and presumedly the same 3 birds at Lansdown Dump on 20th.

BONAPARTE’S GULL – the first (3) birds of the season were seen at Waupoos, Prince Edward, on 24th.

GLAUCOUS GULL – the only bird seen this week was at the Howe Island ferry on 20th.

COMMON LOON – the first was seen near Sandhurst Shores on 20th.

OSPREY – the first was seen near Gananoque on 22nd, with additional observations in Kingston on 25th.

GOLDEN EAGLE – an immature bird was seen on Amherst Island on 20th.

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE – the first bird of the season was noted at the traditional location of Napanee Limestone Plain IBA on 21st.

FISH CROW – with records increasing over the last couple of years, the finding of an apparent pair (one seen collecting nesting material) at City Park, Kingston, may signal the start of a local breeding population.

TUFTED TITMOUSE – this, like the following, is another species that appears to be increasing in the area, with birds reported from 4 locations this week, including Bateau Lane, Balsam Grove, Gananoque and near Howe Island.

CAROLINA WREN – birds were reported from 5 locations this week.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – birds were seen at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Kingston, on 24th and at Bath the same day.

EVENING GROSBEAK – as many as 12 birds continued in the Verona this week, with 3 seen on Wolfe Island on 20th.

COMMON REDPOLL – there was just report of a single bird this week at Bur Brook Road on 21st.

PINE SISKIN – widespread in low numbers.

SWAMP SPARROW – birds were seen at Amherstview Sewage Lagoons on 20th and Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, on 20th.

EASTERN TOWHEE – birds were seen near Loughborough Lake on 19th, Amherst Island on 21st, and Glenburnie on 25th.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD – genuine migrants are now beginning to show up with a high of 15 near Harrowsmith on 24th.

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