BROWN CREEPER
Certhia americana
Grimpereau brun
The Brown Creeper Certhia americana is a New World species and was formerly considered to be conspecific with the Eurasian C. familiaris. It is found during summer over most of Canada and is a secretive, unobtrusive bird of mature forest that prefers large trees on which to forage, almost always creeping from the base upwards. The species winters mainly within the breeding range, but withdrawal from parts of the range occurs annually. Its southward passage in autumn and return in spring are regular phenomena through the Kingston region. At the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries, Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) found it during both spring and autumn, but did not find any during summer.
Since the KFN records began in 1948, the creeper has been found in every season of the year. Numbers tallied on the Christmas Counts vary and are dependent on weather conditions. The species is most easily detected on days without wind, which, when blowing through the trees, drowns out the creeper’s weak, high pitched ‘seep’ call note. Maxima on the Christmas Counts are the 35 in 1983 at Thousand Islands, 27 in 1987 at Kingston and 20 in 1983 at Westport.
Spring migrants return by 28 Mar (54 yrs) to augment the wintering population and most woodlots are visited by the Brown Creeper passing through our area. It is at P.E.Pt. where it is easiest to see this species. Their spring passage is heavy as the birds cling and crawl along virtually every obstacle whether a tree, pole, building or occasionally a human leg. Daily maxima include the 500 on 19 Apr 1976; 325 on 28 Apr 84, 300 each on 11 Apr 81 & 20 Apr 80; 150 on 15 Apr 89, KFN; 110 on 22 Apr 07, Sprague. About 85 per cent of their spring flight has passed through by the first week of May.
Relatively little searching for nests occurred here until the breeding study 1981-85 that revealed about 225 pairs nesting during each of those summers. Weir (1989) noted that this number was probably low by a factor of four given that it is easy to overlook the species as it is well camouflaged against tree trunks. My own experience to find the nest is by means of the short wiry, high pitched warble song of the male. When an intruder discovers a nest, the adults freeze and remain motionless to escape detection, a strategy that seems effective. The repeat study 2001-05 found (350±50) nesting pairs annually, which represents a modest increase over the results of the first study. Egg dates are 3 May to 18 May (2 nests) and brood dates range from 8 Jun to 21 July (22 nests).
Autumn migrants become obvious by early September and the autumn flight, like that of many species, is more protracted than spring. Peak daily numbers at P.E.Pt. include the 300 on 26 Sep 76; 115 on 19 Sep 05; 100 on 10 Oct 94, KFN. About 75 per cent of the migrant Creepers have passed through by the first week of October. The average last date is 18 Nov (51 yrs). The numerous extant specimens from our area are documented by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Fairly common summer and uncommon winter resident. Very common spring and autumn transient.
CAROLINA WREN
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Troglodyte de Caroline
The Carolina Wren is a wren of the Carolinean forest zone of eastern U.S.A. that reaches the northerly edge of its breeding range in extreme southern Ontario.
Since it was first recorded in this province when a specimen was taken at Mount Forest in 1891 (McIlwraith 1894), the Carolina Wren has spread northwards gradually. Snyder (1957) estimated this range extension at 560 km, with birds reaching Georgian Bay by the 1970’s (James et al.) By 1990, James (1991) considered the species to be a rare permanent resident in the Deciduous Forest region of Ontario.
Throughout its range, it is a permanent resident and, unfortunately, birds along the northerly edge are susceptible to harsh winters. The species cannot withstand the severe cold, and as a result, heavy casualties occur during some Ontario winters, which limit its expansion northwards from the counties of southwest Ontario. However, following such decimations, the population rebuilds slowly and range expansion occurs again during mild autumns and winters.
Kingston’s first known record dates from 23 Apr 1923, Kingston City, Beaupre. Some 26 years passed before the next one was found on 28 Jan 1949, Kingston City, Lamb. During the period 1949-60, sight records increased gradually, but they fell sharply during the decade 1961-70 due to difficult winters. From 1971-80, the species recovered with an overall number higher than ever before, despite a setback in 1975 and 1976. The subsequent five-year intervals reveal a continued increase in their population in the Kingston area. The following table provides the summary.
Summary of sightings of Carolina Wrens in the Kingston 1949 to 2005
The pattern of occurrence shows an influx during spring, average arrival 8 Apr (23 yrs), to supplement the wintering population. However, in spite the fact that the largest numbers appear during the autumn, there is no regular pattern and the determination of a meaningful average arrival or departure dates during that season is not possible. Most of the sightings have been from locations near water especially along L. Ontario, St. Lawrence R., Greater Cataraqui R., Rideau Canal system that include islands within the Thousand Islands group, Wolfe I., Amherst I., and other sites from P.E.Pt. east to Brockville. One pair raised two broods in a nest box at Picton during summer 1972 where six young were fledged from a second batch during August 1972 (Sprague and Weir 1984). Recently fledged Carolina Wrens were banded 6 Jul 1977 & 2 Jul 1980, P.E.Pt., KFN, and a pair summered at Cartwright’s Point in 1980, J. Cartwright, and this or another pair was there during the summers of 1981 and 1982. This author searched the area at that time for a nest but none was found. However, the distraction displays and alarm calls given by the male suggested nearby fledged young.
The nesting study 1981-85 revealed two summering pairs in the Kingston area and although nesting was suspected, it was not confirmed. Subsequently a nest was found 16 Jun 1991 on a ledge inside a shed on Cartwright’s Pt., Kingston City, Knox & Jakowski, which contained young birds that fledged later that month. This occurrence was followed by a nest at another site with three eggs 27 Apr 93, Kingston City, Powles, which fledged three young successfully. The repeat nesting study 2001-05 showed that (10±2) pairs nested annually. Egg dates are 15 Apr to 27 Apr (2 nests) and brood dates range from 3 May to 16 Jun (5 nests). At two other nests, not included in these statistics, recently fledged young were seen outside the nest from 16 June to 21 June.
SUMMARY: Regular rare visitor in all seasons. Recent confirmed nesting.
BEWICK’S WREN
Thryomanes bewickii
Troglodyte de Bewick
The Bewick’s Wren is a New World species whose range extends from southwest B.C. east to extreme southern Ontario, south to Mexico and Gulf states of the U.S.A (AOU 1998). Within Ontario, James (1991) notes it formerly bred at Pt. Pelee and he considered it to be a rare spring transient and occasional autumn visitor to Ontario. Only one record is known for the Kingston region and that occurred on 25 Sep 1993 P.E.Pt., Weir.
SUMMARY: One sight record.
HOUSE WREN
Troglodytes aedon
Troglodyte familier
This tiny ball of energy is the most numerous of the six species of wren to occur in the Kingston region, a situation unchanged over the past 115 years. At the close of 19th century, Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) found it to be common in eastern Ontario, especially in Leeds and Frontenac. The bubbling song of the male is heard as soon as the migrants return to Kingston from the south by 28 Apr (58 yrs) earliest 4 Apr 1980 P.E.Pt., K.F. M.C., & R.K. Edwards. The species has adapted readily to human habitation and occupies nest boxes put out for either it or the Eastern Bluebird or Tree Swallow. In spite of its size, it is most persistent at nesting and is able to displace larger birds from the nest box. Males continue to sing through the summer into August as the species frequently raises two broods annually in the Kingston area.
The results from the Breeding Bird Surveys 1968-87 in our area show a gradual increase over the 20 years that is characterised by a peak in 1976 and a sharp drop in 1977. The nesting study of 1981-85 showed we had about 3,475 pairs nesting each year. The repeat study 2001-05, which involved an increase in area of coverage, revealed (4,400±450) nesting pairs annually. The nesting densities for both studies are on average 58 pairs per 100 km2, but in parts of our region, the density exceeds 100 pairs per 100 km2 (1 pair per each 1 km x 1 km area). Egg dates range from 16 May to 7 July (9 nests) and brood dates extend from 31 May to 28 Aug (77 nests).
Autumn migration is underway during September and the average last date is 5 Oct (52 yrs), latest 15 Dec 2002 Wolfe I., Batalla. Specimen evidence for a number of House Wrens from our area is documented by Quilliam (1973) and Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Common summer resident.
WINTER WREN
Troglodytes troglodytes
Troglodyte mignon
The Winter Wren is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere of the Old and New Worlds (AOU 1998). Within North America, its breeding range extends from Alaska to Newfoundland to include most of Ontario (Godfrey 1986, James 1991). The Winter Wren is among the smallest birds found in the Kingston region and is one of the most exuberant and active. Shadowy, moist forest, especially those where tangled roots, fallen logs and upturned tree trunks abound, is its favoured breeding habitat. Its song is loud and composed of a rapid progression of wiry notes and trills that cascade over one another in an unending procession. Such a lengthy aria, without a pause, seems impossible for such a small creature to produce.
During the 19th century, Hadfield (1859) found the Winter Wren to be common in our area during May when spring migration is underway. Data gathered over the past 51 years show the average spring arrival at 3 April and the heaviest passage between 15 April and 7 May. Daily maxima at P.E.Pt. include the 55 on 28 Apr 84; 50 on 14 Apr 74; and 44 on 2 May 72, KFN. The skulking behaviour of this tiny wren makes it easy to overlook and these maxima are probably gross underestimates of the true numbers present on those days. The banding studies there verify that the species is more common than sight records indicate. Most Winter Wrens on their way to the nesting areas move through Kingston well to the north, but some remain to breed especially within the Shield sections of our region.
Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) found a nest during 1883 at Lansdowne. Lindsay also confirmed nesting (Baillie and Harrington 1937) in our area by finding young birds being fed out of the nest on 8 Jul 1926 at Mountain Grove. The local nesting study 1981-85 located about 175 nesting pairs each year that were distributed mainly within the Shield, which is well to the north of L. Ontario and the St. Lawrence R. The repeat study 2001-05 determined some (320±55) nesting pairs annually. The increase is real and has resulted from a more systematic search of the more remote habitat not visited during the 1981-85 study. This increase mirrors the strong rise in numbers in Ontario found on the Breeding Bird surveys for the entire period 1966-2005 (Sauer et al. 2005).
Egg dates range from 20 May to 23 June (4 nests) with the southerly most nest location in our area on Hill I. in June 1982. Brood dates are 16 June to 10 July (8 nests) and adults were feeding young out of the nest at 8 other nest sites from 3 July to 15 July. While very bulky and large for the size of the wren, the nests are well concealed among tangled roots and fallen trees on the forest floor. Some patience is required to find them, since the presence of the singing male, often at the top of the tallest nearby conifer, gives few clues of the nest location.
Southward autumn migration is heavy through the Kingston area for about six weeks from 15 Sep to late October, during which time some large concentrations can be seen at P.E.Pt. The largest daily maxima on record there are the 150 on 24 Sep 95; 100 on 3 Oct 92; 60 on 14 Oct 90, KFN. By 17 Nov (51 yrs), most have left our region, but a few remain to spend the winter. The species has been recorded during December for most of the years since KFN records began in 1948 and on every Kingston Christmas Count since 1990. Since 1954, the species has been found during January in 12 of the years and in February in three of the years. Specimen evidence is documented by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Fairly common spring and autumn transient. Uncommon summer resident and very rare winter resident.
SEDGE WREN
Cistothorus platensis
Troglodyte à bec court
The Sedge Wren is the most reclusive of the six wren species that are found in the Kingston area. This species prefers grass marshes and wet sedge meadows from which its distinctive most unmusical call is heard during late May and June. The call, reminiscent of tapping together two small stones, is easily detected especially during the night. Once song has ceased for the season, the birds are very difficult to locate.
Average spring arrival occurs by 23 May (49 yrs), earliest 1 May 1988 Kingston, Pratt. The various studies done by the KFN members since 1948 indicate this species is fickle with respect to its attachment to a particular nest site, where it is present in one nesting season, but absent the next. The colony in the wet meadow along the rail line towards the south end of the Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, has been occupied for the longest period of any known colony in our area. This nest site was discovered first by Beaupre when he found a nest with seven eggs on 23 Jun 1922 and he found three nests there 18 Jun 1924, but without eggs. Like the following species, the Sedge Wren builds dummy nests only one of which may be used. The next nest found at this site was on 11 Jul 1981 when Weir flushed two young from the well concealed nest hidden in the marsh grass. This nest would probably not have been found without the young betraying the location. Singing birds have been at this site on average in two summers out of three.
The nesting study 1981-85 revealed about 180 pairs nesting annually in our area and the repeat study 2001-05 determined the presence of (275±75) nesting pairs annually. More new nesting sites were located during the second study than were abandoned, which account for the rise in the number of breeding pairs and the larger error of 75 assigned to the 275 pairs reflects the lack of fidelity to a nest site. The only egg date is that noted by Beaupre above, but brood dates for three nests are 23 June to 11 July. Young were found being fed by adults outside the nest at five other sites during the period from 15 July to 28 August. The dates for nine newly built dummy nests are 10 June to 1 July.
Average autumn departure is 15 Sep (19 yrs), latest 10 Nov 86 Garden I., D.V. Weseloh. One migrant was killed at the Lennox chimneys on 19 Sep 79, which is in the National Museum as 69605, a date close to the average departure.
SUMMARY: Uncommon summer resident.
MARSH WREN
Cistothorus palustris
Troglodyte des marais
The incessant clattering song of the Marsh Wren is a familiar sound emanating from the extensive cattail marshes in the Kingston area from May to August. It is among our commonest marsh birds, which was also true during the late 19th century when Young carried out his field work here (Macoun and Macoun 1909). During the intervening 110+ years, some of our marshes have been destroyed, but conservation efforts have saved most of them in the Kingston region, although they always seem to be under pressures from development.
The first Marsh Wrens arrive in spring by 6 May (56 yrs), earliest 10 Apr 88 Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, Weir. Immediately on their arrival, the song of the males can be heard during the day or night. The males begin nest construction without delay, which is prior to the arrival of the first females, by weaving the bulky structure with a side entrance onto upright stalks of the marsh plants. The relatively large nests are easily found, but are often accessible only by canoe. Several dummy nests are built by the male, a strategy that complicates the location of the actual nest selected and used by the female in which to lay the chocolate brown eggs.
Egg dates for nine nests vary from 6 June to 18 July, dates for young in 16 nests range from 7 June to 8 August, and flightless young clinging to the cattails were found outside nine nests during the period 4 July to 17 August. Dates for 37 dummy nests extend from 7 June to 18 July. Numerous other nests are listed on file, nests that were not accessible, and therefore, their contents could not be examined. The nesting study 1981-85 found about 1,460 pairs nesting each year, and on the basis of the repeat study 2001-05, this total was revised to (1,850±250) pairs annually. The nesting density is similar in both studies and the increased numbers are due to finding marshes not surveyed during 1981-85. This species is very habitat specific and nesting densities are high in the healthy cattail marshes such as those along the Little Cataraqui Creek (100+ pairs), Greater Cataraqui R. (300+ pairs), Murvale Creek and adjacent Mud Lake (200+ pairs), Amherst I. (100+ pairs), Wolfe I. (100+ pairs), Camden and Varty Lakes (200+ pairs). A host of other smaller marshes are home to 10 to 50 pairs.
Many Marsh Wrens linger within the marshes until after the first autumn frosts. The average departure is 27 Oct (48 yrs), latest 1 Jan 1962 Greater Cataraqui R. marsh, Lamb. There are December records on file for 11 years since 1992. The seven killed at the Lennox chimneys are deposited in the National Museum as 64391, 66509, 69713, 71654, 71743, 88647 and 88648.
SUMMARY: Common summer resident. Rare early winter visitor.
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
Regulus satrapa
Roitelet à couronne dorée
The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a New World species of the coniferous forests whose nesting range in Canada extends from the Yukon to Newfoundland throughout the Boreal Forest (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Within Ontario, its main breeding range lies to the north of the Kingston area, although some remain here to nest. However, its numbers tallied during migration are sometimes overwhelming.
Spring migrants arrive by 31 Mar (48 yrs) to join the few that over winter each year. Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) found this species to be one of the commonest birds of early spring, but he did not report seeing one after 1 May. Records of the KFN indicate that their peak numbers are here about mid-April with some 75% having passed through on their way north by 30 April. Large concentrations are seen annually at P.E.Pt. and the experience of the late Dr. R.B. Stewart is worth noting. Having detected large numbers passing the Point 19 Apr 76, Stewart remained in one location and recorded the number of Golden-crowned Kinglets passing each hour. The birds were moving by the tip of the Point steadily as the day progressed and his tally was 6,000. The total number migrating along the entire peninsula must have been staggering. Some 2,000 were tallied there on 23 Apr 99, KFN. Most have left our area by 20 May (55 yrs) to leave behind a small nesting population in suitable habitat.
Young found a nest with seven eggs on 27 May 1904 in north Frontenac, which was collected for the National Museum. Farther south in the Harrowsmith Bog, known as the Wolfe Swamp on maps, Weir found several adults during June 1973 and 1974 among the Black Spruce Picea mariana, but the nest was not located. However, on 13 Jun 76 in the same area, Weir discovered the mossy nest suspended from a fork of a spruce branch, and between four and six young flew from the nest when discovered. The nesting study 1981-85 yielded ten nesting pairs mainly distributed through the Shield sections of our area where conifers grow. The results from the repeat study 2001-05 showed (60±15) pairs nesting annually. The increase is real and is a result of a more thorough search of habitat not visited during the first study. The only egg date is that noted above by Young, but brood dates for seven nests range from 31 May to 9 July. In addition, dates for fledgling young being fed by parents near four other nest sites extend from 5 July to 31 July.
The first southbound migrants appear by 20 Sep (54 yrs). Their flights become heavy during October and about 50% have passed through by 15 Oct, similar to the timing of the flight of the Saw-whet Owl. Daily maxima during autumn match those of spring and include the 6,000 on 5 Oct 86, KFN; 5,000 on 30 Sep 89 & 4,000 12 Oct 87, Ellis & Weir. The average date of autumn departure is 1 Dec (51 yrs) and during most winters, a few Golden-crowned Kinglets remain in the area. The species has been found on every Kingston Christmas Count since 1980.
During the field work carried out to document the case for setting up the P.E.Pt. National Wildlife Area, 1,880 Golden-crowned Kinglets were banded from 1975-81 from which only two were recovered. One banded at the Point on 15 Apr 78 was found dead 12 May 79 in Montreal, and the other ringed on 30 Sep 79 was re-trapped and released alive on 26 Apr 80 in Ottawa. The banding work at the Point also revealed that the migrating N. Saw-whet Owls eat some of the kinglets, both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned. Some 32 of the extant specimens in the National Museum from our area are listed by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Very common, sometimes very abundant, spring and autumn transient. Rare to uncommon summer and winter resident.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
Regulus calendula
Roitelet à couronne rubis
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is another New World species and like its sister species the Golden-crowned, nests through the Boreal Forest from Alaska to Newfoundland (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Its main nesting range within Ontario lies even farther north of Kingston than that of the Golden-crowned (Godfrey 1986). The Ruby-crowned Kinglet arrives in Kingston by 13 Apr (52 yrs), earliest 22 Mar 89 Washburn near Joyceville, R.K. Edwards. Its main passage occurs here within the first 10 days of May after the main flight of Golden-crowned has gone through and like the latter species, large concentrations can normally be seen annually at P.E.Pt. Daily spring maxima of Ruby-crowned Kinglets there include 2,000 on 19 Apr 76, Stewart; 1,500 on 11 May 75, KFN; 500 each on 12 May 75 & 13 May 92, KFN & Stewart. Most are gone by the last week of May, and the single there on 1 Jun 80, Dean & McRae, is considered a straggler.
Only a few summer records are known for our region and those are associated with isolated pockets of their preferred spruce habitat. Two confirmed nests are noted on file. The species can be found during most summers within the dense spruce of the Harrowsmith Bog (Wolfe Swamp). Our first nest was located there 1 Jul 73 high in a Black Spruce Picea mariana as the adults were feeding young. Its contents could not be examined since climbing the tree would have damaged the nest. The second nest, also in a spruce tree, was located with the Sandbanks P.P Prince Edward (West Lake sector) on 25 Jul 76 by Richards (1983). Each nesting study of 1981-85 and 2001-05 found only two singing males on territory without confirmation of breeding.
Southbound Ruby-crowned Kinglets appear on average by 11 Sep (54 yrs) and heavy passage occurs during early October with about 75% having gone through by 15 October. Daily peak tallies during autumn at P.E.Pt. include the 5,000 each on three occasions 30 Sep 89; 17 Oct 92; 10 Oct 93; 4,000 on 5 Oct 86; 3,000 on 12 Oct 87, KFN. Virtually all have gone south by 6 Nov (54 yrs), latest 25 Jan 1998 Wolfe I., KFN. It has been found on 13 of the 38 Kingston Christmas Counts 1969-2006. Some 73 were killed at the Lennox chimneys and most are now in the collection of the National Museum.
During the field work carried out to document the case for setting up the P.E.Pt. National Wildlife Area (see also Golden-crowed Kinglet), 3,607 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were banded there and the only recovery is of one ringed 20 Oct 78 and found dead on 26 Feb 79 in Salisbury, N.C., 900 km SSW.
SUMMARY: Very common, sometimes very abundant, spring and autumn transient. Very rare summer resident.
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER
Polioptila caerulea
Gobemoucherons gris-bleu
In Ontario, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was confined to the counties southwest of London prior to 1930, but has subsequently expanded its range in a steady progression to the northeast in Ontario and adjacent New York State. Bull (1974) concluded that the invasion into New York originated from the south by way of New Jersey, as well as from the west via Ohio and southern Ontario along the shore of L. Erie. Since Bull provided this analysis, the gnatcatcher has spread further into New York to include the east shore of L. Ontario and the St. Lawrence R. (Levine 1998). The gnatcatchers in the Kingston area appear to be arriving from over L. Ontario and along its north shore from the west. James (1991) considered this species as an uncommon summer resident in Ontario’s Deciduous Forest Region.
The first documented major incursion into our area occurred in 1953 when arrivals appeared on 12 May 53 at Huycks Pt. Prince Edward, where Lumsden collected two birds (Sprague and Weir 1984), and at Kingston 16-17 May 53 Quilliam et al. Since then, the species has been recorded here in 1954, 1958, and every year since 1959 with rising numbers. Subsequently, the species has become an entrenched local breeder. The increase is remarkable rising from 1 bird per year for the period 1953-60, 3.5 per year for 1961-70, 20 per year 1971-80, 46 per year 1981-90, 54 per year 1991-2000 and 55 per year 2001-05. Their average spring arrival is 30 Apr (48 yrs), earliest 11 Apr 81 P.E.Pt., K.F., M.C., R.K. Edwards. Not surprisingly, the largest concentrations are found at P.E.Pt., where the daily maxima on file are 27 on 21 Jun 93, Di Labio and 20 on 19 May 85, KFN.
As soon as the migrants appear, the wheezy scratchy song of the male is easily heard and nest construction begins with nest building dates extending from 5 May to 22 May. The first nests were confirmed in 1978 at Charleston Lake P.P. and in 1979 at P.E.Pt. Egg dates range from 8 May to 8 June (6 nests) and brood dates are 6 June to 1 July (22 nests). Nesting is annual at P.E.Pt., in the Quilliam Sanctuary, in the areas of along Canoe and Devil Lakes. The nesting study 1981-85 resulted in 55 nesting pairs each year and the repeat study 2001-05 confirmed the expansion already noted with some (90±20) pairs annually.
Gnatcatchers begin leaving our area by late August and the 20 on 30 Aug 98 P.E.Pt., KFN, are thought to have been gathering for departure. The average last date is 22 Sep (37 yrs), latest 12 Nov 1958 Kingston, Quilliam. Three other November sightings are on file, viz. 4 Nov 1973 P.E.Pt., Brigham et al.; 8 Nov 1985 Kingston, Edmunds; 10 Nov 1988 P.E.Pt., R.K. Edwards.
During field studies at P.E.Pt., 38 were netted and banded from 1976-81, but none was ever recovered. One specimen, found dead on 4 May 80 at the Point, is now in the New Brunswick Museum as 4488.
SUMMARY: Uncommon summer resident. Unknown prior to 1953.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR
Oenanthe oenanthe
Traquet motteux
The main breeding range for this holarctic species lies within northern Europe and northern Siberia. It also nests within North America, but in two distinctly separate breeding populations. One population nests within the eastern Canadian arctic and the other in the Yukon, western Mackenzie District and Alaska. It is most interesting that both populations migrate back to the Old World to over winter. Those in the eastern arctic move over Greenland and Iceland to Europe, while those in the west pass into Asia. However, a few individuals migrate south during autumn into southern Canada where it is considered to be casual by the AOU (1998) and Godfrey (1986). James (1991) considered it a rare transient through southern Ontario, mainly during autumn. In adjacent New York State, Levine (1998) noted some 112 records since the 19th century of which 56 were seen 1981-1999. Some 65% were found during September and 20% during the following two months. He attributes the recent increase in sightings to increased observer activity.
Four sightings of single birds are on file for the Kingston area. The first remained 21 -25 Sep 1993 on Vanderbilt Island in the St. Lawrence R., west of the bridge at Ivy Lea, but on the American side of the international boundary, Houghton, B. & M Wood, Baker & Hosier. The second appeared at Glenburnie on 19-20 Sep 94, photo, Harmsen, Weir et al. and was seen by many observers. The 3rd was an immature that lingered 11-14 Sep 95 Amherst I., R & B. Ripley et al. and it is thought the same individual appeared on 23 Sep 95 in Sydenham, fide Chubb. The 4th lingered from 13 -15 Sep 07 on Wolfe I., photo, G. Smith et al. These dates define an average arrival of 16 Sep (4 yrs) and departure of 21 Sep (4 yrs).
SUMMARY: Casual autumn transient.
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
Sialia sialis
Merlebleu de l’Est
This gentle species nests throughout Canada east of Saskatchewan, south to Texas and Mexico (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Its range in Ontario extends north through agricultural areas to the central regions of the province (James 1991). Hadfield (1864) found it common in the Kingston area during spring 1858. Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) also judged it to be common here in 1901, as did Beaupre five years later in 1906 and later in 1922, during both spring and autumn. Toner et al. (1942) considered it as an abundant summer resident in Leeds. The records begun by the KFN in 1948 indicate this species is a welcome harbinger of spring.
The cold winter and the cold early spring storms in southern U.S.A. during 1957-58, the prime wintering areas for this species, spelled disaster for those bluebirds heading for eastern Ontario. Only three were found in the entire Kingston region during 1958. From 1964 to 2008, their numbers rose slowly but steadily, thanks to a number of nest box programmes including those at Centreville, Moscow, L. Opinicon, Sydenham, and throughout Leeds among others locations. The average spring arrival date is 23 Mar (58 yrs) and large concentrations of migrants during this season are not found anywhere within our region, rather small groups are fairly easily located in passage.
The nesting study 1981-85 determined that some 925 pairs nested each year of the survey. The repeat study 2001-05 revised that number up to (1,600±250) nesting pairs annually, most of the increase accounted for by an expansion into areas not occupied 20 years earlier. Nest box programmes appear responsible for most of this rise. Egg dates extend from 14 Apr to 12 July (60 nests). Brood dates range from 21 April to 28 July (187 nests).
Migrants move south during October and November with the average departure date of 14 Nov (54 yrs). The largest single flocks recorded are the 55 on 24 Oct 2004, Di Labio; 53 on 30 Oct 2003, Sprague; 50 each on 28 Oct 1991 H.& A. Barclay and 9 Nov 1997, Ellis & Weir, all records at P.E.Pt. The species has been found during every winter from 1987 to 2006 except those of 1991 and 1993. Specimen evidence is listed by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Fairly common summer resident. Fairly regular uncommon winter resident.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
Sialia currucoides
Merlebleu azuré
The Mountain Bluebird is a New World species that frequents open country, woodland edges and farmland from western Canada east to Manitoba. It is considered a casual visitor to southern Ontario (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). James (1991) described it as an occasional rare migrant in southern Ontario, usually during autumn. Adjacent to Kingston in New York State, Levine (1998) listed only seven records up to 1998 and described the species as a casual vagrant to the state.
Four reliable sightings are known for the Kingston region. The first is a male that remained from 31 Mar to 13 Apr 1990 at P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir, many observers (Weir 1990b). The 2nd remained in one location 21-27 Jan 92 at Pt. Peninsula, N.Y., Chamberlaine et al. This was followed by the 3rd on 18-28 Feb 1997 also at Pt. Peninsula, Mueller & Prosser. The 4th is of a female 22-26 Feb 2000 P.E.Pt., Ellis & Rowe, many observers. These records define an average arrival 22 Feb (4 yrs) and departure 14 Mar (3 yrs).
SUMMARY: Casual winter visitor.
TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE
Myadestes townsendi
Solitaire de Townsend
The Townsend’s Solitaire is a species of the western nearctic whose nesting range lies in the mountains from the Yukon, B.C., southwest Alberta south to California (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). It wanders occasionally eastwards during migration, occasionally to Ontario where it is considered casual (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986).
James (1991) considered it as a rare straggler in southern Ontario, while Levine (1998) noted only six records for New York State up to 1998.
Four reliable sightings are on file for the Kingston area. The first is an adult on 5 Nov 1998 at Cape Vincent, N.Y., just across the channel from Wolfe I., M. Wood. This was followed by another adult on 6 Nov 2005 at P.E.Pt., Good & Mackenzie. The third appeared 5 Nov 2006 at P.E.Pt., M.H. Edwards, Ellis, Innes, Good, Weir.
This bird was only a few kilometres from its location in 2005. The fourth was found near this same location on 27 Feb 2007 (photo) at P.E.Pt. by Mackenzie & Rowe. The last two solitaires were consorting with robins.
SUMMARY: Casual autumn migrant.
VEERY
Catharus fuscescens
Grive fauve
During the 19th and 20th centuries (Macoun and Macoun 1909, Quilliam 1965, Weir 1989), the Veery was a very common nesting species in our area. Its status has not changed today even though some habitat has been lost due to expanding urban areas. The Veery prefers cool, damp, deciduous or mixed forest with bushy undergrowth to conceal its nest that is hidden on the ground.
Spring migrants first arrive by 4 May (58 yrs), earliest 20 Apr 2003 P.E.Pt., R.K. Edwards, but its main flight normally appears from 15 to 25 May. At P.E.Pt., concentrations of migrants up to 45 daily are not atypical and the daily maximum is 80 on 21 May 78, Stewart & Weir. By mid-May, territories are set up and the males’ enchanting ethereal descending song ‘veer- veer- whee-u whee-u whee-u….’ can be most often heard within a few hours of sunrise and again at sunset.
The nesting study of 1981-85 determined that about 4,100 pairs nested here each year. The repeat study 2001-05 revealed (5,100±800) pairs nested annually, thereby placing the species as the 2nd most common nester among the thrushes after the American Robin. The nesting density is similar for both studies, but the increase results from an expanded area of coverage. Not surprisingly, the nesting density of the Veery was greatest within the Shield habitat. In some of those areas, the greatest nesting density varied between 2 and 3 Veeries per 10 hectares, significantly lower than from studies in southern Quebec (Moskoff 2005). Nesting was confirmed within towns and cities, especially within Conservation Authority lands, as well as on some of the offshore islands where sufficient wet woodlots are present.
Egg dates are 8 May to 18 June (4 nests) and brood dates extend from 22 May to 26 July (37 nests). The roadside Breeding Bird Surveys in our area may not present an accurate picture of the numbers of the Veery, since most of the routes do not penetrate their main habitat. The roadside BBS at Roblin does sample some typical Veery habitat and 31 were found 6 Jun 04, 21 were found on 5 Jun 94 and again 2 Jun 02, 18 on 4 Jun 2000, and 17 on 6 Jun 98, Weir & Ellis.
As occurs with a number of our nesting species, a few Veeries head south during July, perhaps after failed nesting attempts. However, the main passage occurs during the latter half of August. The netting and banding work at P.E.Pt. confirm that this is the case e.g. 40, 30 & 20 on 20, 23 & 28 Aug 1975, respectively. The 40 tallied there as sight record on 7 Sep 81, Mackenzie & Weir, are a high number for the late date. The average last date is 13 Sep (42 yrs), latest 23 Oct 81 Collins Bay, M. Brown. Fifty-five were killed at the Lennox chimneys and many of these are now in the National Museum, (Weir 1989).
SUMMARY: Common summer resident.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH
Catharus minimus
Grive à joues grises
The breeding range of the Gray-cheeked Thrush extends from eastern Siberia in the Old World, eastwards into Alaska, Yukon and across northern Canada in the stunted spruce forests to Newfoundland (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Within Ontario, its range lies within a narrow band along the Hudson Bay coast (Godfrey 1986, James 1991). The species occurs only as a spring and autumn migrant through our area.
The subtle differences in plumage between this species and Swainson’s Thrush pose a challenge for observers. This challenge is further complicated by the skulking behaviour of the Gray-cheeked that often hides within ground vegetation of the woods. In spite of these difficulties of identification, a fairly accurate picture has been painted for the status of this species in the Kingston area thanks to skilful observers, extensive netting and banding during both seasons of migration, and monitoring its characteristic call during its nocturnal migration.
Beaupre found a few Gray-cheeked Thrushes during spring and autumn of 1923 and 1929. Merriman located only one in each spring of 1927, 1928, and 1930. These field observers were at a serious disadvantage compared with modern times thanks to great improvements in optical equipment, field guides and the advent of tape recordings. During the early years of the KFN from 1948 to 1966, fewer than five sightings were recorded annually and the species was missed entirely in 1952, 1955, and 1959. Since 1960, it has been found every year and numbers have increased substantially since 1970, which is due not to a real increase in the numbers of Gray-cheeked passing through, but rather to our ability to identify the species.
The average spring arrival is determined to be 15 May (47 yrs), earliest 3 May 1966 Cartwright Pt., Kingston, Hughes & M. Brown. Most of our sight records of this species are from wooded areas that contain an open under storey, but with low ground vegetation, that include the lands along the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area in Kingston, Cartwrights Pt., Amherst I., and P.E.Pt. The daily maximum is 25 birds grounded on 19 May 1996, P.E.Pt., KFN, after a heavy night flight of 40 Gray-cheeked Thrushes per hour for 5.5 hours passed over Kingston 18-19 May 96, Weir. Average departure is 27 May (39 yrs), latest 19 June 1949 L. Opinicon, Stewart. Occasionally, a few migrant male Gray-cheeked Thrushes are heard singing just before the sun rises.
The average return date by southbound migrants is 10 Sep (39 yrs), earliest 29 July 1978 P.E.Pt., KFN, which is about three weeks after the average arrival of the Swainson’s Thrush. Both sight records and the banding records concur on this point. There are first arrival dates within the month of August for only three years. Autumn sight records exceed those of the spring probably because of the longer period of passage here, and the young birds of the year increase the numbers moving through.
Daily maxima at P.E.Pt. grounded during the autumn passage include the 85 on 8 Sep 05; 65 on 28 Sep 07; 40 on 18 Sep 99; 35 on 15 Sep 05, fide Sprague. The fairly regular counting of night migrants during autumn has been most revealing and the activity provides some insight into the large numbers that are never seen on the ground. This author started the night project around 1980 to count and identify the various species by their calls, as they pass over my home. The migrants call to each other, presumably to help them maintain a safe distance between one another, as they navigate the darkness. In general, the flights can be heard by 2200h and seem to peak between 2330h to 0400 h and end by 0600h. In addition, on clear nights when the flights are underway, the numbers heard increase as the post midnight hours unfold, as though the birds are moving at a lower altitude. A summary of these nocturnal flights for Gray-cheeked Thrush and Swainson’s Thrush is given in Appendix N. On a few nights, over 3,000 Gray-cheeked have been tallied.
Average departure is 6 Oct (41 yrs), latest 18 Dec 77 Cartwrights Pt., Kingston, Avis & Hutchison, which may have been an injured bird. Seven local specimens are in the National Museum (Ottawa), and two are in the New Brunswick Museum (Saint John). See Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Regular uncommon spring and fairly common autumn transient.
BICKNELL’S THRUSH
Catharus bicknelli
Grive de Bicknell
The Bicknell’s Thrush is a newcomer to the AOU list (AOU 1995) of North American birds, having been separated from the foregoing species Gray-cheeked Thrush. Formerly, it was considered as a subspecies of the Gray-cheeked Thrush. For those interested in the persuasive arguments, Ouellet (1993) provides interesting reading. This species is confined as a nester to northern Nova Scotia, the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, high elevations in New Brunswick, south through the mountains of New England into eastern New York State. Based on banding studies, migrants move through the eastern U.S.A to their wintering areas in the Caribbean (AOU 1998). My experience with it as a nester is from New Brunswick.
Like the preceding species, the Bicknell’s Thrush is a shy, unobtrusive bird. This fact, combined with the newness of the split, presents challenges in identifying the species in the field. Netting and banding provide a reliable way for a positive identification to be made, and the first confirmed record for Kingston originated with the banding work at P.E.Pt. 1975-1981, from which two specimens are in the National Museum dated 19 Dec 79 as 69348 and 2 Sep 79 69604. Subsequent banding records for Bicknell’s Thrushes netted at P.E.Pt. are singles on 23 Aug 01, 24 Aug 01 and 27 Sep 04, Machell & Okines.
SUMMARY: Very rare autumn transient.
SWAINSON’S THRUSH
Catharus ustulatus
Grive à dos olive
The Swainson’s Thrush is another New World Catharus species whose nesting range extends through the forested regions from Alaska east to Newfoundland, which includes the Canadian Shield of Ontario. However, its nesting range does not quite reach the Kingston region, but large numbers of migrants pass through our area on their way to and from the nesting forests.
The spring arrivals appear on average by 9 May (57 yrs) earliest 20 Apr 1955, Kingston, K.F. Edwards, but the peak numbers move through during late May. Many woodlots and some residential gardens in our area provide sanctuary and food for this common migrant. Daily maximum sight records at P.E.Pt. are the 100 each on 28 May 76 & 22 May 83, and 80 each on 22 May 83 & 20 May 84, KFN. The calls uttered by the Swainson’s Thrush during its night flights are the same as some of the calls given on the nesting grounds and are easily recognised. Two examples of my monitoring spring night flights of this species over Kingston include
1,800 per hour for 5.5 hours 18-19 May 96 for a total of 9,900 and the 7,200 per hour for 2 hours overnight 27-28 May 2005 for a total of 14,400. It is noted that 300 were grounded on the morning of 19 May 96 at P.E.Pt., KFN. The average spring departure is 27 May (53 yrs), latest 18 Jun 80 P.E.Pt., KFN.
Summer occurrences are rare and the few sightings within the evergreen forests of our Shield in the northerly sections of our area are probably of late migrants. Returning autumn migrants appear by 25 Aug (49 yrs), earliest 4 Jul 80 P.E.Pt., KFN. Our banding data define an earlier arrival at 31 Jul (11 yrs), earliest 4 Jul 80, KFN, but the numbers in the early vanguard are few. The peak passage moves through within the first three weeks of September. The largest single group seen at P.E.Pt. during autumn is the 1,000 on 28 Aug 75, KFN, birds that were along the main road near Pt. Traverse at dawn. These individuals had just landed following their night flight and had not yet moved into the adjacent woodlands to feed and rest.
Night flights of this species during autumn are intriguing. Tremendous numbers pass overhead in the darkness calling to each other while most of the human population sleeps oblivious to the unfolding events. This author started the night- counting project around the year 1980 to tally and identify the birds by their calls, as they pass over my home in Kingston. A summary of these nocturnal flights for Gray-cheeked Thrush and Swainson’s Thrush is given in Appendix N. Impressive one-night totals for the Swainson’s Thrush include the 43,200, 42,000 and 36,000 birds on 16-17 Sep 06, 20-2 Sep 06 and 12-13 Sep 00, respectively.
Among the 2,706 Swainson’s Thrushes netted and banded at P.E.Pt. from 1975-81, one ringed 10 Sep 77 was recovered exactly one year later 10 Sep 78 at Fairbanks, Alaska some 3,750 km NW. Another banded on 26 May 78 at Long Pt., L. Erie, was re-trapped at P.E.Pt. the following morning. This individual had probably flown the 300 km from the SW during the overnight flight. Some 57 were killed at the Lennox chimneys, many of which are in the National Museum (Weir 1989).
SUMMARY: Common spring and common to very common autumn transient. Very rare local summer resident.
HERMIT THRUSH
Catharus guttatus
Grive solitaire
The Hermit Thrush is a New World species that breeds in forests across Canada that include central and northern Ontario as far south as the Kingston region (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986, James 1991). In our area, its fine song can be heard during May and June emanating from the cool, moist, evergreen woods of the Shield as well as from hot, dry sandy pine stands. Among our early ornithologists, Beaupre found a nest with three eggs on 11 Jun 1901 at Junetown Leeds. Within our region from about 1948 to the 1970s, surveys during summer rarely included the Shield sections and the dearth of information led Quilliam (1965) to observe on the lack of summer records.
Spring arrivals are here by 13 Apr (56 yrs) and the main flight of the Hermit Thrush occurs earlier than those of its sister Catharus species. About 50 per cent of the flight passes through by 1 May, which is eight days prior to the arrival of Swainson’s and 15 days before the Gray-cheekeds. Migrant Hermit Thrushes can be seen in most woodlots and they appear by the ones and twos in urban gardens, where they lurk and feed on the ground in the shadowy thickets along fences and hedgerows. Concentrations are greater at P.E.Pt., where the daily maxima are the 75 on 27 Apr 84; 60 on 21 Apr 85; 45 on 4 May 88, KFN, and the daily normal is 20 to 30 birds there.
The nesting study of 1981-85, which penetrated the Shield sections, defined for the first time the status of this species as a breeder here. Some 125 pairs were discovered nesting annually in our area with the main group distributed within the Shield country from Madoc and Queensborough in the northwest to Westport in the northeast and fewer pairs south to Perth Road, Sydenham and Godfrey. The extensive stands of Red Pine Pinus resinosa in the plantations here are especially favoured by this species and these man-made habitats appear to have played a role in the range expansion noted during the subsequent study 2001-05. This second study capitalised on the previous work and a more thorough and widespread search was done with the result that some (300±100) pairs were found nesting each year. The rise is due to a combination of a range extension to more southerly parts of our region and an increased density in the known occupied territories because of the more thorough search.
Egg dates range from 25 May to 11 June (4 nests). Young have been found in 16 nests within the period 6 June to 25 July. Flightless young have been located just outside 18 other nests from 14 June to 24 July. Nests are normally placed on the ground well hidden by natural vegetation, and the bluish eggs are best located by flushing the female.
The first of the southward bound Hermit Thrushes appear on average at the migrant sites by mid-August, which may involve birds from the local nesting areas. However, the main influx arrives by mid-September with noticeable night flights passing over at that time. Three examples from my night counts over my home in Kingston are the 3,000 per hour for 5 hours on 29-30 Sep 03 for a total of 15,000; the 300 per h for 5 h on 19-20 Sep 04 for a total of 1,500; the 3,000 per h for 5 h on 22-23 Sep 04 for a total of 15,000. Noteworthy concentrations grounded at P.E.Pt. include the 300 on 10 Oct 03; 250 on 23 Sep 01; 100 on at least five occasions, KFN. Most have departed by early November, average last date 16 Nov (55 yrs). A few remain to spend the winter, especially during those years that are not severe. A number of specimens in the National Museum are listed by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Common spring and autumn transient. Uncommon local summer resident and rare winter resident.
WOOD THRUSH
Hylocichla mustelina
Grive des bois
Another New World species, the Wood Thrush is a breeder of eastern U.S.A. whose nesting range reaches into extreme southern Ontario (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). The species’ loud, clear and unhurried flute-like song is a familiar sound during May and June coming from the under storey of the mature deciduous forests of the Kingston area. All our early ornithologists found the Wood Thrush here with the first records on file dated in 1858. The roadside BBS show an overall rise in the Kingston nesting population during the years 1968-87 (Quilliam 1987), which is in accord with the findings from the continental BBS for north eastern U.S.A. and southern Canada (Robbins et al 1986). The subsequent steady numbers on the BBS in our area conform to the over all results of the analysis for Ontario by Sauer et al. (2005) for the period 1980-2005, notwithstanding the mixed picture painted by Roth et al. (1995) for the continent as a whole.
The average spring arrival date is 4 May (56 yrs), earliest, 18 Apr 2002 Kingston, Johnson. The main influx appears within the following three weeks. Typical concentrations at P.E.Pt. are of 15 to 20 birds with high tallies of 30 each on 12 May 81 and 9 May 83, KFN. On nearby Main Duck I., the 25 on 23 May 81, KFN, are a large number for the late date and probably involved mostly females.
The nesting study 1981-85 revealed about 3,050 pairs annually, which were distributed fairly widely throughout our region. The repeat study 2001-05 revised this total upwards to (3,900±400) pairs nesting annually, which places the Wood Thrush as our 3rd most common nester among the thrushes. The nesting distribution is similar for both studies and the rise in numbers is a result of the increased area covered. The species is found nesting within our towns and cities, especially on Conservation Authority lands. The Wood Thrush places its nest in small and mid-sized saplings that grow within the canopied forest and the nest is fairly easy to find. Egg dates for 10 nests are 23 May to 25 June. Brood dates for 31 nests range from 6 June to 9 July.
Once singing stops, the birds are easily overlooked, but patient searching normally will result in finding them. Banding work at P.E.Pt. shows that a few early southbound migrants appear by mid-July, perhaps failed breeders, but the main migration takes place steadily during late August and September. Kills at the Lennox chimneys during autumn involved only 16 birds over eleven years. While this author has recorded the species passing over with other nocturnal migrants, the one-night totals are well below those of the Swainson’s Thrush. The average date for last sighting is 25 Sep (42 yrs), latest 7 Nov 76 P.E.Pt., K.F.N. A number of specimens are in the National Museum (Weir 1989).
SUMMARY: Fairly common spring and uncommon autumn transient. Common summer resident.
AMERICAN ROBIN
Turdus migratorius
Merle d’Amérique
The American Robin is among the best known Kingston birds and is generally regarded as the harbinger of spring. The first migrants, which are the males, return when snow continues to lie on the ground. Hadfield (1859) found this species commonly distributed here and by the time he was in Kingston, the Robin had already benefited from the clearing of the forests by the first settlers. The species has adapted extremely well to human settlement and it nests readily in urban gardens, ornamental trees, on windowsills, door lamps, mailboxes and under decks. In season, earthworms make up a large part of the diet, so manicured lawns and golf courses are frequently used depending upon the use of pesticides and herbicides.
The males return by 3 Mar (58 yrs) to join the few that over winter annually. Within a few weeks, they establish territories within which their early morning cheery song is given daily to attract females, which do not arrive until 6 Apr (24 yrs). Frequently the first females appear in segregated flocks as demonstrated by the 75 on 22 Apr 78; 40 on 10 Apr 76; 30 on 7 Apr 2001, all at P.E.Pt., KFN. Typical migrant flocks contain up to 400 birds, but fairly often larger numbers e.g. 1,500 on 3 Apr 88; 1,000 on 28 Mar 98; 600 on 28 Feb 03 (extremely early for numbers); 500 on five occasions 26 Mar to 16 Apr, all at P.E.Pt., KFN. Migrating Robins, probably those heading much farther north, continue to pass through our area during late April and early May, during which time, our local birds are incubating eggs or feeding young (nest and brood dates below). Examples include the 150 on 4 May 2000; 140 on 4 May 72; 100 each 4 May 97 & 7 May 95 & 15 May 94, all P.E.Pt., KFN.
The Robin has been consistently among the top three or four most numerous breeders as measured by our local roadside Breeding Bird Surveys 1968-87 (Quilliam 1987) and subsequently. The nesting study 1981-85 determined that about 125,000 pairs nested annually and the repeat study 2001-05 revised this number upwards to (190,000±25,000) pairs, thereby placing it as the second most common breeding songbird after the Red-winged Blackbird. The rise is a result of an increased area of coverage with about the same breeding density between the two studies of 25 pairs per sq km. While the urban areas host significant numbers of nesting Robins, it is the forested sections where the nesting density is greatest. Egg dates range from 11 April to 26 July (200 nests) and brood dates are 21 April to 19 June (39 nests). Evidence indicates that the species raises up to three broods annually in our area.
Across North America as a whole, Robin numbers have shown a strong and significant recovery as measured by the continental roadside BBS for the years 1965-79. Robbins et al. (1986) attributed this comeback to a decline in pesticide contamination. However, in adjacent New York State, a 15% drop in breeding numbers is documented by the BBS there, which Peterjohn (1995, in Levine 1998) suggested may be due to pesticide spraying. The effects of such spraying in the Kingston area are not known. In a more recent analysis of the BBS results for the period 1980-2005, Sauer et al. (2005) concluded that any decline in the breeding population of the robin has been minimal.
Autumn migration is underway and most evident during October when large flocks are often seen flying south during daylight hours. Thousands were noted by the late J.A. Warren on 12 Oct 68, Gould L., and other noteworthy flocks include the 5,000 each on 29 Oct 88 Amherst I., Yaki et al., and 5 Nov 2000 P.E.Pt., KFN; 2,500 each on 25 Oct 92 & 3 Nov 2001 P.E.Pt., KFN. Many also migrate by night when some can be heard passing overhead in the darkness. Most flocks have gone by 4 Dec (55 yrs), but some remain to spend the winter. Once urban lawns become frozen and the earthworms burrow below the frost line, the robins move to sheltered areas, especially those with White Cedar Thuja occidentalis, fruit-bearing plants and trees. During adverse winters only a few are seen, but in the milder winters large flocks are found. The 500 on 31 Jan 2003 at Camden East, P.J. Good, provide one such example. They are found in most years on many local Christmas Counts with variable numbers apparently tied to weather conditions.
The nominate race Turdus migratorius migratorius breeds here. However, during autumn migration, the larger darker race T. m. nigrideus of northern Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador is sometimes seen. It is identified by the more extensive black on the head, neck and upper back (Godfrey 1986). The largest single group is of 10 on 8 Nov 1998 P.E.Pt., Weir et al.
The numbers of extant specimens from the Kingston area are documented by Quilliam (1973) and Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Abundant summer resident. Rare to fairly common winter resident.
VARIED THRUSH
Ixoreus naevius
Grive à collier
The Varied Thrush is a western nearctic species whose nesting range extends from Alaska and Yukon south through B.C., western Alberta to northern California. While it winters within the breeding range, its southward drift also takes it into Baja California. A few individuals wander eastwards during winter and the species is considered casual in eastern North America (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). The first Ontario record was noted in 1963 (Baillie 1964). James (1991) considered it a rare winter resident in the southern part of the province. Kingston’s first record occurred on the New York side of our area. The subsequent five have been on the Canadian side and all birds appeared at feeders for lengthy stays to allow viewing by many observers.
- 1 Feb to 31 Mar 1993 (1) feeder, Theresa, N.Y., Prosson & Crowell
- 4 Dec 97 to 25 Mar 1998 (1 ad male) feeder, Kingston, N. & R. Turkington, m.ob.
- 6 Feb to 28 Feb 1999 (1 male, 1 female) feeder, Portland Leeds, R. Sachs, Rowe et al.
- 7 Jan to 15 Apr 03 (1 male) feeder, Prinyer’s Cove Prince Edward, Chapman, m.ob.
- 22 Dec 04 to 14 Feb 05 (1) feeder, Moscow, N. & D. Drew, m.ob.
- 2 Mar 06 (1) feeder, Verona, Griffin.
These sightings define an average arrival of 8 Jan (5 yrs), earliest 4 Dec 97 Kingston, N. & R. Turkington and an average departure of 15 Mar (6 yrs), latest 15 Apr 2003 Prinyer’s Cove, Chapman.
SUMMARY: Very rare irregular winter visitor.
GRAY CATBIRD
Dumetella carolinensis
Moqueur chat
The Gray Catbird is a New World species widely distributed across North America (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986), a species very adaptable to human settlement. Its cat-like mewing call is a familiar sound of summer in our area emanating from the dense thickets and tangles along wooded edges, streams and roadsides within towns, villages, and cities, as well as through the countryside. Hadfield (1859) located the species here and later Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) found it to be very common. The Gray Catbird, like the American Robin, appears to have benefited from the opening of the mature forests by the European settlers.
Spring migrants are here by 4 May (58 yrs), earliest 16 Apr 85 Hay Bay, Rogers. Males begin singing on territory as soon as they arrive, but the main migration does not arrive until the third week of May, among which are birds heading farther north. Daily maxima at P.E.Pt. are 200 on 20 May 84; 80 on 21 May 78; 60 on 22 May 77, Stewart & Weir. One adult Catbird banded at P.E.Pt. on 13 May 77 was killed by a car on 1 Oct 80 in nearby Alexandria, N.Y.
The nesting study 1981-85 revealed about 10,600 pairs each year distributed throughout our region. The repeat study 2001-05 revised this number upwards to (13,500±1,400) pairs annually with the increase accounted for by an increased area of coverage. The nesting density is about the same for both studies. When averaged over the entire region, the density is about 2 pairs per 1 km x 1 km area, but in some sections where the habitat is ideal, the density reaches 45 pairs per square kilometre. This is lower than the 67 pairs per 1 km x 1 km area found by Speirs (1985) based on a 40 acre study area at Pickering, Ontario.
Egg dates are 5 May to 11 July (16 nests) and brood dates extend from 30 May to 25 July (47 nests). At another 22 nest sites, parents were found feeding flightless young. In our area, the species raises two broods each summer and when singing has ceased for the summer, the catbirds are fairly easily found as they respond readily to ‘pishing’ and squeaking noises.
Fall migrants become obvious during September and the average last date is 17 Oct (57 yrs). However, sightings are on file for November 1957, 1968, 1986, 1990, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002; for December 1986, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004; for January 1997, 1998 and February 1997. Extant specimens in the National Museum are documented by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Very common summer resident. Rare irregular winter resident.
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
Mimus polyglottos
Moqueur polyglotte
The Northern Mockingbird is a southern nearctic species widely distributed through Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S.A that reaches the northerly limits of its breeding range in extreme southern Canada along the prairies, south western Ontario and south western N.B. (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). It has been expanding its range northwards gradually since the 1950s and Snyder (1957) considered this expansion to have covered 350 km to join the Carolina Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Cardinal as new immigrants to the province. Within Ontario, James (1991) ranks it as an uncommon permanent resident within the Niagara peninsula, but rare and irregular elsewhere in the south.
The first record for the Kingston region is a specimen taken before 1915 by the late R.M. Horsey (MacClement 1915). The second occurrence was on 12 Nov 1936 Gananoque Junction, Lunn (Toner et al 1942). Some 19 years passed until the next find on 4 May 1955 Barriefield along the Cataraqui R., Kingston. Subsequently the species has become more regular and frequent in all seasons as the following table indicates. Starting in 1962, the species has been found annually in our region and annual numbers have risen steadily.
Numbers of N. Mockingbird by season in the Kingston region 1955-2005
Our first confirmed nesting occurred 13 Aug 66 Cole Hill Road, Cooke & Bernabek. This nest contained three well feathered young. This nest was photographed by Lowther. A number of nests have been found subsequently with egg dates of 2 May to 6 July (6 nests). Brood dates for 7 other nests range from 25 June to 13 August. Flightless young were found beside four other nests from late June to 19 July. The nesting study 1981-85 showed that about 25 pairs bred annually in our area, mostly along a narrow 20 km band along the St. Lawrence R. and L. Ontario. The repeat study 2001-05 revealed (4010) pairs nesting annually. The rise represents a real increase as the species’ range expansion continues albeit slowly with more nests away from the lakeshore.
The mimic song habits of the Mockingbird are well known. Our local birds are heard to sing the songs of the White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Robin, Carolina Wren and Cardinal. Those Mockingbirds that sing the songs of the Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Wren in our area have probably spent time in southern U.S.A., perhaps having been hatched there.
SUMMARY: Uncommon permanent resident.
BROWN THRASHER
Toxostoma rufum
Moqueur roux
The breeding range of the Brown Thrasher, the third of the mimic thrushes to occur in Kingston, extends from southern Canada south through most of the U.S.A. (AOU 1998), and most of the birds in the northerly sections of the nesting range withdraw southwards for winter. This smart plumaged species prefers habitat in the early stages of succession and it can be found in our area within bushy fields, deciduous thickets, and in young second growth. Unlike the Gray Catbird, the Brown Thrasher shuns close approach to human settlement for nesting. However, a few pairs continue to nest regularly in the Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, and throughout the lands of the Cataraqui River Conservation Authority. Males proclaim their loud song from tree-top perches, and the repeated phrases are easily recognised as ‘drop-it, drop-it; cover-it-up, cover-it-up; see-it, see-it; pick-it up, pick-it up’. Historical data for our region show that the species was common during the 19th and 20th centuries. Hadfield (1859) saw it during spring 1858, as did Young during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Macoun and Macoun 1909). Because the species avoids heavy forest, it has benefited from clearing of woodland by the early settlers.
Spring migrants return to the Kingston area by 19 Apr (58 yrs) and their migration peaks during the period 1 May to 15 May. Spring concentrations normally contain about 10 birds. Noteworthy large groups, probably grounded migrants, include the 75 on 11 May 97; 53 on 3 May 72; 43 & 40 on 2 May 72 & 10 May 74, respectively, all P.E.Pt., KFN.
The roadside BBS done in the Kingston area from 1968-87 show a steady downward trend that began in 1975 (Quilliam 1987), which conforms with that also found for the north eastern states of the U.S.A. (Robbins et al. 1986). However, the continental surveys for the same period do not show a decline in its numbers for Ontario as a whole (Robbins et al. 1986). Subsequently, our local surveys 1991-2008 show a pattern of rise and fall in numbers. The nesting study 1981-85 revealed about 3,100 breeding pairs annually that were distributed fairly widely through our region, but in pockets of isolated suitable habitat. The repeat study 2001-05 determined the annual numbers of nesting pairs fell to (2,800±300) in spite of an increased area of survey. The distribution is similar for both studies, but the nesting density appears lower in the second study falling from 52 pairs per 100 km2 to 36 pairs per 100 km2. Egg dates cover the period 11 May to 28 July (17 nests) and brood dates range from 6 June to 1 August (27 nests). The Brown Thrasher, like several other nesting species in our area, raises two broods each summer.
Autumn migrants are moving southwards during September and concentrations are always fewer than occur during spring. The largest groups are of 20 on 23 Sep 01 and 15 on 24 Sep 88 P.E.Pt., KFN. Not a single Brown Thrasher was killed at the Lennox chimneys. Specimen 69628 in the National Museum dates from a car kill on 27 Sep 79 P.E.Pt. (Quilliam 1973). The average last date is 27 Oct (52 yrs), but since 1964 the species has been found during December in 15 of the years and it has remained throughout eight winters.
SUMMARY: Common summer resident. Fairly regular very rare winter resident.
EUROPEAN STARLING
Sturnus vulgaris
Étourneau sansonnet
The European Starling is an Old World species that was first introduced to North America when 60 were released in to New York City’s Central Park in March 1880. It was planned to introduce all the birds mentioned by Shakespeare (Wetmore 1964, Long 1981). Subsequent attempts to establish this species in Quebec were tried in 1875, 1889 and 1892, but all tries failed. It was first introduced in Canada at Niagara Falls in 1914 (Long 1981, Godfrey 1986). By the mid-1930s, it was established as a breeder throughout southern Ontario (Baillie and Harrington 1937).
The first Kingston record is that of the specimen taken by Beaupre on 21 Oct 1921, Wolfe I., now in the National Museum (Quilliam 1973). Four years later, he found 150 on 5 Dec 1925 near Kingston, and he confirmed the first breeding record here by collecting 7 eggs from a nest on 9 May 1926. The eggs are now in the ROM (Baillie and Harrington 1937). Subsequently in the Kingston region, the species continued its expansion but with increases in some years and declines in other years.
It is present in every month of the year and has been found on every Kingston Christmas Count since its inception in 1948. However, there is an obvious migration during spring and autumn when flocks of migrants are seen winging their way either northwards or southwards. During autumn, typical flocks contain up to 5,000 birds during September and largest single groups are the 10,000 on several occasions viz. 6 Sep 79 Amherst I, Hughes; 24 Sep 89 Millhaven, Weir; 10 Nov 98 P.E.Pt., KFN. Spring flocks contain fewer birds normally up to 1,000. The largest single over wintering group held 10,000 on 28 Feb 75 at the prison farm in Joyceville, McIntosh.
Our local roadside BBS from 1968 to 2008 show the Starling to rank consistently within the top ten most common nesting species. The nesting studies 1981-85 and 2001-05 determined that 54,800 and (55,000±7,000) pairs, respectively nested annually here. The local breeding population appears stable and ranks as the 10th most common breeding songbird in the Kingston region. While the species shuns forests for nesting and it has disappeared from areas where natural succession has taken over abandoned farms, the expanding urban areas appear to offset this loss. Nevertheless, native species that use nest holes continue to be under pressure from the Starling that is aggressive in throwing out the eggs and young of the Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Tree Swallow, and Eastern Bluebird. Meaningful arrival and departure dates cannot be determined for this species. Specimen evidence is listed by Quilliam (1973) and Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Abundant summer resident and spring and autumn transient. Common winter resident.
AMERICAN PIPIT
Anthus rubescens
Pipit d’Amérique
The American Pipit, formerly Water Pipit, belongs to the large family of Wagtails and Pipits Motacillidae, which are terrestrial birds of open country, tundra, alpine slopes during the nesting season, and rocky shorelines, beaches, and fields out of the breeding season. In all seasons, it walks, teeters back and forth and flicks its tail. It is a holarctic breeder and its nesting range in the New World extends from Alaska, the Yukon through the arctic to Labrador and Newfoundland, and south in the Rocky Mountains. The species passes through Kingston on its way to and from their northerly breeding grounds, and are normally seen here on ploughed fields and shorelines. Their ‘distinctive ‘tsip-tsip’ call is given in flight as well as on the ground and is readily learned, thereby allowing easy detection of these well camouflaged birds feeding in fields.
Spring migrants appear by 26 Apr (39 yrs), earliest 7 Feb 2002 Wolfe I., Di Labio. Spring flocks rarely number more than 30 birds with the record high of 123 in on 19 May 2002 Wolfe I., KFN, which are many fewer than occur during autumn. It is probable that some are missed during spring as the birds feed in the furrows of the freshly ploughed fields. During the past 41 years, it has been missed during spring only in 1970 and 1992. The average departure is 20 May (40 yrs), latest 31 May 58 & 66, Wolfe & Amherst Islands, respectively, KFN.
This pipit reappears by 12 Sep (55 yrs), with a very early migrant on 5 Jul 2000 near Napanee, NLB. The species is hard to miss during their return migration as numbers remain high for eight weeks, especially along the rocky shorelines of our offshore islands. Beaupre noted his first here on 20 Sep 1923 on Snake I. and he recorded large flocks during the autumn from 1923 to 1929. The species has been recorded annually here starting in 1950. The largest single flocks have contained 1,000 on 23 Oct 04 Wolfe I., Ellis & Weir; 750 on 25 Sep 99 Amherst I., Ellis & Weir and 500 on several occasions during September and October on Wolfe and Amherst Islands, KFN. The average departure date is 13 Nov (54 yrs) with sightings during December in 8 years since 1993, latest 18 Jan 2007 at Gananoque, Haig.
SUMMARY: Regular uncommon spring and common autumn transient.
BOHEMIAN WAXWING
Bombycilla garrulous
Jaseur boréal
The Bohemian Waxwing is one of two waxwing species to occur in the Kingston area, both of which sport elegant sleek plumage that never appears ruffled. However, the Bohemian frequents both the Old and New Worlds and is a visitor here. Its breeding range in North America lies in the northwest south to Washington State, east to Manitoba, the Hudson Bay coast of Ontario and west-central Quebec (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). This species, although slightly larger in size that its sister species, the Cedar Waxwing, is most easily identified by the chestnut-coloured crissum or under tail coverts, which are white in the Cedar Waxwing.
Out of the breeding season, the Bohemian Waxwing wanders and its travels may be considered erratic and irruptive. In some winters, very few appear in Ontario, while in others a strong flight brings thousands along an axis that extends from Atitkokan east to Sudbury and Ottawa (Weir 1982). Some birds wander south of this axis into the Kingston region, where normally the largest numbers are found around Perth and Westport. In some years, large flocks reach the shores of L. Ontario especially at P.E.Pt., perhaps arrested by the open expanse of the lake.
Beaupre is the first of the early ornithologists to mention the Bohemian Waxwing. One was brought to him on 16 Dec 1895, but he recorded 20 on 3 Mar 1912 at Kingston City. Subsequently, he found it to be common during winter 1919-20, which was a season of mass irruption that reached Washington State in the west to Massachusetts in the east (Bent 1950). The KFN records show irruptions reached Kingston during 20 of the 59 winters, but a few birds appeared during 42 of them. See the summary table below. Not surprisingly, the invasions to Kingston are part of widespread flights into eastern North America (Weir 1990a, Kaufman 1994, Ridout 1994, 1996, Currie 2000).
Total winter sightings of the Bohemian Waxwing in the Kingston area 1949-2008
These data define an autumn arrival 18 Nov (34 yrs), earliest 6 Oct 2002 Depot Lakes Conservation Area, Sprague. The birds remain for the winter, usually in locations where berries are abundant. Impressive sized single flocks include the 2,000 on 13 Feb 2000 P.E.Pt., J.& E. Christie; 1,500 on 13 Jan 02 P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir; 800 each on 26 Feb 2000 & 9 Apr 2000 P.E.Pt., KFN. The average last date is 5 Mar (41 yrs), latest 27 Apr 96 Camden East, Mackenzie. Specimen evidence is listed by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Fairly regular uncommon to common winter visitor.
CEDAR WAXWING
Bombycilla cedrorum
Jaseur d’Amérique
The Cedar Waxing, the sister of the preceding species, is found only in the New World and is the common waxwing of the Kingston area in all months of the year. Its breeding range extends across most of Canada and the U.S.A. (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Given its appearance in numbers during any month, the calculation of average arrival and departure dates has no meaning. Migration during spring and autumn is evident at P.E.Pt., where the species stages and feeds by taking advantage of the berries on the extensive stands of Red Cedar Juniperus virginina. The spring arrivals appear to augment the wintering birds during March or April or May and sometimes in June. The largest migrant flocks at P.E.Pt. have contained 4,100 on 20 May 90; 1,000 each on 21 Apr 90 & 5 May 90; 500 on 20 Apr 97; 400 on 25 May 91 and 300 on 2 Mar 97, all KFN.
Egg dates for 62 nests range from 19 June to 17 August, which places this species among the latest nesting species in our area. Dates for young in the nest are 2 June to 4 September (16 broods), and dates for freshly fledged young being fed by their parents extend from 23 June to 5 Sep (23 broods). Five eggs are the maximum number found in any of our local nests, and occasionally parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird Molothros ater has been noted. The Cedar Waxwing seems erratic in loyalty to a nesting area. They may be present during one year and absent the next. The nesting studies of 1981-85 and 2001-05 determined some 5,600 and (6,000±600) pairs nested annually, respectively, with similar overall distribution and density between the two studies.
The Cedar Waxwing is a highly social species that appears in flocks out of the nesting season. On several occasions, this author has watched groups of several adults perched on a wire or tree branch when another waxwing landed at one end of the group with a berry in its bill. The berry was passed from one waxwing to the next, each bird in turn moving the berry to the adjacent bird all the way to the other end of the row where the last bird swallowed the fruit.
Autumn migrants are moving through during August to October, when typical flocks at P.E.Pt. contain up to 250 birds.. The largest single flocks there are the 3,000 on 27 Oct 84, Ellis; 2,500 on 24 Oct 95, KFN; 1,000 15 Nov 98, KFN. The species usually appears on local Christmas Counts having been missed six times on the Kingston CC since 1948, six times on the Napanee CC since 1965 and missed only once on the P.E.Pt. CC since 1977.
Among the waxwings netted and banded at P.E.Pt., there are some interesting recoveries. One, ringed there as a nestling on 3 Aug 80, was found shot on 13 Feb 81 in Morelia, Mexico, some 4,241 km SSW of the Kingston area. Another, banded as an adult on 6 Jul 78, was recovered on 28 Jun 79 in Wytheville, VA, 875 km SSW and another ringed 14 Aug 77 turned up on 19 Jul 79 in Alpena, MI, 525 km WNW. Another banded on 6 Aug 79 was re-trapped and released five days later on 11 Aug 79 at Long Pt., L. Erie. Specimen evidence is listed by Weir (1989).
SUMMARY: Common permanent resident. Numbers subject to fluctuation.
