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Kingston Area Birds: 4th-11th February 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).

Highlights:

It warmed up somewhat from mid-week onwards with the beginning of an associated loss of snow in some areas. However, all inland waterbodies are frozen and Lake Ontario remains pretty solid in the Kingston area. Several lingering local goodies continued but overall, it was a fairly quiet week. Here are the highlights of the past week:

TRUMPETER SWAN – High counts came from Chaffey’s Locks where 48 were seen on 5th; and Wiltse Creek with 30 on 11th.

NORTHERN PINTAIL – a single bird was seen in Kingston on 9th.

PIED-BILLED GREBE – a single bird continued at Kingston Mills to at least 8th.

ICELAND GULL – a single bird continued at Millhaven (ferry to Amherst) this week.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL – an adult was again seen at the above location on 6th.

GLAUCOUS GULL – two have continued in the vicinity of the Amherst Island ferry this week.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT – two birds remain in the area – one at the Amherst Island ferry in Millhaven and the other at the Glenora crossing.

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK – Amherst has again been consistently better than Wolfe, though numbers do appear to be declining. 24 birds were seen on Amherst on 9th, with 12 on Wolfe on 7th.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER – only one bird was reported this week – a continuing individual at Balsam Grove, Kingston.

PEREGRINE FALCON – singles were seen in downtown Kingston on several dates this week with another at the OPG plant, Bath, on 8th.

NORTHERN SHRIKE – there were just 4 birds reported this week.

TUFTED TITMOUSE – a single bird was heard in Gananoque on 6th.

HORNED LARK – Wolfe Island and 6th Concession (near Woodburn) were consistent locations this week, with 16 noted at both.

CAROLINA WREN – singles continued this week at Marshlands CA and Ravensview, both Kingston.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD – a continuing bird was seen just north of Kingston on 9th.

HERMIT THRUSH – at least 8 birds were reported this week, an exceptional year.

EVENING GROSBEAK – 10 birds continued in the Verona area this week.

PINE GROSBEAK – no reports.

COMMON REDPOLL – just 2 birds were reported – near Verona on 9th.

PINE SISKIN – birds continue in the Bur Brook Road/Little Cataraqui Creek CA area, where as many as 12 were seen on 7th.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR – 5 birds were seen on Wolfe Island on 7th, definitely the best place to see them.

SNOW BUNTING – Wolfe Island again had the majority of birds this week.

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – 3 birds continue at Gananoque, last seen on 8th; 3 also continue in the Arbour Ridge area, Kingston; and 1 was seen near Millhaven on 11th.

SWAMP SPARROW – 3 birds continued at Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, this week.

EASTERN TOWHEE – the female found in the Woodburn area on 26th Jan was seen on 7th.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD – as many as 10 birds again continued in the vicinity of Prince Edward Point this week, with 2 seen at Little Cataraqui Creek CA, Kingston, 9th-10th.

COMMON GRACKLE – a lone bird was seen on Amherst Island on 9th.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER – 6 birds were seen in the vicinity of Prince Edward Point on 7th, with another at Bur Brook Road on 5th.

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