Geese, Swans, and Ducks

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Anser albifrons

Oie rieuse

The Greater White-fronted Goose, named for the narrow white face patch around the base of the bill, is a circumpolar breeder whose Canadian breeding range lies in the northwest reaching the shores of Hudson Bay. It winters mainly within western North America and rarely from the Great Lakes south to Florida (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Since about 1975, the number of sightings of this species has increased in New York State with 80 birds upstate in spring over 20 years, which outnumber birds found downstate (Levine 1998).

In the Kingston area, one bird occurred during winter, viz. 25 Feb 07 Amherst I. ferry channel, KFN, nine birds have been found during migration of seven springs and 11 birds during autumn of four years. The spring dates define an arrival of 4 Apr (7 yrs), earliest 25 Mar 84 & 87 both at Henderson, N.Y., Walker & Chamberlain, and latest 22 Apr 98 Westport, Briggs-Jude. On the Canadian side, the species was found on 2 Apr 95 Conway, Worona, and 22 Apr 98 Westport, Briggs-Jude.

Average autumn return is 16 Nov (4 yrs), earliest 3 Oct 02 when six appeared at P.E.Pt., Sprague. Autumn departure is 2 Jan (3 yrs), latest 12 Jan 2000 Kingston, M.H. Edwards & the McIntyre family. This adult bird lingered from 19 Dec 99 to 12 Jan 2000 mostly on the fields of the Collins Bay penitentiary farm. Other autumn records include one on 9 Oct 1937 Wellington Prince Edward, photo (Snyder 1941), one shot during October 1972 near P.E.Pt. (Sprague and Weir 1984), and one 19 Dec 82 Wolfe I., Weir & Young.

SUMMARY: Rare irregular spring and autumn transient. One winter record.

SNOW GOOSE
Anas caerulescens

Oie des neiges

Godfrey (1986) and the AOU (1998) considered the Snow Goose to include two subspecies viz. the Greater Snow Goose and the Lesser Snow Goose. The Greater Snow winters along the Atlantic coast within the U.S.A. and migrates to and from its arctic breeding areas through the province of Quebec. The Lesser Snow migrates via the Mississippi Valley and is the race most likely to be seen in the Kingston Region. In addition, the Lesser Snow has two colour forms namely the ‘white’ morph and the ‘blue’ morph. Formerly these morphs were considered to be distinct species (Cooke and Cooch 1968; Cooke, Parkin and Rockwell 1988; Cooke, Rockwell and Rank 1995).

Beaupre reported the first Snow Goose for our area on 30 Apr 1926, Amherst I. This was followed by a gap of 26 years until 12 Oct 1954, when 30 flew over the Greater Cataraqui R., Shepherd & Bishop. During the 19 years between 1949 and 1967, the species was found in only eight years to include five springs and three autumns. Subsequently, its frequency and numbers have risen steadily and the species has been found in every spring and autumn during the 42 years 1967-2008. The most reliable areas to find them continue to be Wolfe and Amherst Islands, along the shoreline at Conway, and on Hay Bay.

Average spring arrival is 26 Mar (40 yrs), earliest 21 Feb 91, Wolfe I., Avis & Gray. Average departure is 28 Apr (29 yrs), latest 23 May 99, Kingston, KFN. Peak numbers during spring are 15,000 on 18 Mar 02, Adams, N.Y. (Long 2002); 2,000 on 3 Apr 93 Amherst I., Scott & Miller; 700 on 22 Apr 98 Deseronto, Dewey; 500 on 20 Mar 96 Amherst I., Scott.

Average return during autumn is 9 Oct (41 yrs), earliest 30 Aug 87, Amherst I., Gray & Mackenzie, which involved two blue morphs. Their stay here is more protracted during autumn and the average departure is 20 Dec (37 yrs), latest 4 Feb 80, Wolfe I., L’Estrange & Peruniak. Peak concentrations include the flock of 350 that lingered from 9 to 22 Oct 95 Wolfe I., J.H. Ellis & M.J. Ellis, and the 300 on 10 Nov 04 Lyndhurst, NLB. In our area, the ‘white’ morph outnumbers the ‘blue’ morph by a wide margin during both spring and autumn. The flock of 40 ‘blues’ on 24 Nov 77 Wolfe I., Pyke, is the largest single concentration of this colour morph.

SUMMARY: Fairly common, sometimes very common, regular spring and autumn transient. The majority of the sightings are of the ‘white’ morph.

ROSS’S GOOSE
Chen rossii

Oie de Ross

The Ross’s Goose is the smallest goose to occur in Canada and its migration between its arctic nesting areas and wintering grounds in California occurs west of the Mississippi R. (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). It is considered a casual visitor to eastern Canada and U.S.A.

Only three sightings are on file for our region. The first lingered in Henderson, N.Y., from 25 Mar to 1 Apr 84, Walker & Chamberlain et al. (Kibbe & Boise 1984). The second was an adult with Canada Geese and it remained from 3 to 9 Nov 02 along Hay Bay near Dorland, Weir, Evans, Stewart, Paul. That same individual is thought to have moved 23 Nov 02 nearby to Prinyer’s Cove Prince Edward, fide Sprague. The third lingered 17 Oct 06 to 6 Nov 06 on the fields of the Collins Bay penitentiary, Kingston, KFN.

SUMMARY: Very rare occasional transient. One spring and two autumn records.

CACKLING GOOSE
Branta hutchinsii

Bernache de Hutchins

The Cackling Goose is new to the Kingston bird list as a result of actions of the AOU that divided the Canada Goose as a species into two different species (Banks et al. 2004). The large-bodied group remains known as the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) and the small-bodied group that became known as the Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii). The Cackling Goose now includes four small subspecies that breed only on the arctic tundra. Of these four subspecies, the one that nests closest to Ontario summers in the arctic to the north and northwest of Ontario along the upper western coast of Hudson Bay (Mowbray 2002). Its migration route is poorly defined so far.

Identification of the Cackling Goose in the field is not without difficulties given some similarities with the smallest forms of the Canada Goose. These difficulties are further compounded when small geese are seen flying among the large flocks of Canada Geese. The reader may wish to read the summary by Sibley (www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm), which is most helpful.

Prior to the AOU action in 2004 and subsequently, the bird records file of the KFN show a few entries of small geese migrating with flocks of the normal-sized Canada Goose, but it is impossible to be able to know whether the B. hutchinsii was involved. Our first reports of telescope study at close range involve three birds during autumn 2005 and a single during autumn 2006. The detailed written descriptions were thorough and were accepted by the Rare Birds committee of the KFN. They are two on 4 Nov 05 Little Cataraqui Creek at King St., Kingston, Ellis & Rowe, a single 18 Dec 05, Wolfe I., Weir & Vance, and one on 5 Oct 06, Little Cataraqui Creek, Kingston, Mackenzie.

SUMMARY: Status uncertain. Probable rare irregular spring and autumn transient.

CANADA GOOSE
Branta canadensis

Bernache du Canada

Samuel de Champlain (Grant 1907) wrote of geese during his travels and explorations through the Kingston area 28 Oct 1615, and although the species is not named they were probably Canada Geese. All our early ornithologists found the species in high numbers here (Quilliam 1973).

Spring arrival is 15 Mar (56 yrs) and average departure is 12 May (58 yrs). Earliest and latest dates have no meaning given the large numbers that spend the winter and the many that are now nesting here. Great spring flights pass through the eastern end of L. Ontario during late April and early May. Many Canada Geese spend time feeding on farmlands especially on Howe and Wolfe and Amherst Islands and many other birds rest on inland lakes. Flocks containing 10,000 birds occur in many springs. Largest spring flocks on record are the 34,000 on 4 May 78 Bateau Channel, KFN; 24,400 on 13 Apr 78 Wolfe I., Hughes & McGibbon; 20,000 on 21 Apr 85 Bateau Channel, Amphlett; 20,000 on 4 Apr 01 Delta, NLB and 15,000 each on 3 Apr 92 & 3 Apr 01 Wolfe I., Sachs & Ellis.

Quilliam (1973) predicted nesting within the Ontario portion of our area following breeding in 1968 at Perch R., N.Y. and within four years, a pair and seven young 15 Jul 77 were found on Amherst I., Hughes & Woods. This nesting was followed by a pair with 15 young 18 Jun 78 Camden L., KFN. The first nest with eggs was located 17 May 80 on Yorkshire I., Quilliam & Lyons, and the female was incubating three eggs. Little did Quilliam anticipate the strong increase in the number of breeding pairs over the subsequent 27 years. Breeding studies over the years 1981-85 showed about 250 pairs nesting annually. A similar study 20 years later 2001-05 revealed an increase in annual breeding pairs to (400±50).

Autumn migrants from the north appear by 22 Sep (53 yrs) and many large flocks are seen passing very high overhead and heading directly south over L. Ontario. Many thousands do land and their concentrations increase as autumn progresses. The 10,000 on 2 Oct 77, Amherst I., G. Matthews, are a large number for the early date, but more typical are the 24,293 on 15 Dec 02, Wolfe I. & Kingston, KFN; 24,046 on 14 Dec 03 Wolfe I. & Kingston, KFN; 24,948 on 12 Jan 04, Kingston waterfront, KFN; 23,539 on 16 Dec 01 Wolfe I. & Kingston, KFN. Average departure is 30 Dec (49 yrs) and depending on the severity of the winter high or low numbers remain until spring. In severe winters, most depart by Christmas and do not return until March. In mild winters, several thousand linger well into January and withdraw to the south only when adverse weather forces them to do so.

SUMMARY: Very abundant, regular spring and autumn transient. Common summer resident. Uncommon to fairly common winter resident.

BRANT
Branta bernicula

Bernache cravant

This small goose breeds through the high arctic of Canada and is a migrant through the Kingston region during spring and autumn. The first record of Brant here is of one shot at Black Ant I. on 19 Nov 1938 (Toner et al. 1942). The species has been seen in Kingston annually for the past 59 years since 1949, although spring occurrences are more frequent than those in autumn. It has been missed in only two springs, those of 1953 and 1960, while during autumn it was missed for 13 autumns, all during the early years of the KFN of the 1950s when coverage was less thorough than more recently.

Average spring arrival is 9 May (55 yrs), earliest 5 Apr 52, Wolfe I., G. Pyke, and average departure is 30 May (54 yrs) latest 24 Jul 54 Snake I., Blades, Erskine & Clarke excluded from the average. Spring flocks normally contain up to 1,000 birds especially along the L. Ontario shoreline. These flocks are easily seen from the mainland or from Amherst, Wolfe and Howe Islands as they fly in their loose bubbling formation. Peak numbers are the 10,000 on 12 May 87 Amherst I., A. Scott & J. Scott; 8,000 on 26 May 08 Amherst I., KFN; and 5,000 on 19 & 21 May 91 Kingston, KFN.

The average return in the autumn occurs by 18 Oct (41 yrs), earliest 17 Sep 02, Odessa L., Grooms, and departure is 30 Nov (42 yrs) latest 23 Dec 90 Amherst I., KFN. The size of the flocks is reduced during autumn normally (50-100) birds, as their passage is more protracted and leisurely. Noteworthy flocks are the 933 on 15 Oct 04 P.E.Pt. fide Sprague; 775 on 2 Nov 97 Kingston, KFN; 600 on 30 Nov 88 Wolfe I., Yaki et al., and another 600 on 14 Oct 02 Camden East, Good.

Many inland sightings are on file for the Brant and they include those at Camden East noted above, the 500 on 19 May 69 over the Quilliam Sanctuary, K.F. Edwards; 300 on 1 Jun 82 over Selby, Holmes and 180 on 18 Oct 91 at Clarendon, Saunders.

SUMMARY: Regular abundant spring transient and regular common autumn transient.

BARNACLE GOOSE
Branta leucopsis

Bernache nonnette

The Barnacle Goose is a species of the Old World breeding west only to Greenland and normally wintering in the British Isles and the Netherlands. Its occurrence is casual in North America in the Maritimes, south along the Atlantic coast and inland (AOU 1998). The seasonal pattern of distribution suggests that many of these records are of natural vagrants rather than escapes from captivity (AOU 1998). James (1991) ranked it as an occasional, rare straggler in southern Ontario. Adjacent to Kingston in New York State, the species is a very rare vagrant with sightings from the Atlantic coast as well as inland (Levine 1998).

The only Kingston sighting is a single on 20 Dec 92 Wolfe I., Vance & Weir. This wary bird was associated with 1,000+ Canada Geese at the Pyke’s farm and wore no tags, rings or other markings.

SUMMARY: One sight record.

MUTE SWAN
Cygnus olor

Cygne tuberculé

The Mute Swan is a species of temperate Eurasia that has been introduced into North America. It is kept in captivity to grace city parks and other public areas from which some have escaped to become established as breeders (Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998). This swan is non-migratory within Ontario and spends the winter near open water.

The first to be found in Kingston are the several seen at Consecon L., Prince Edward in 1963, followed by others there in 1967 and 1969 (Sprague and Weir 1984). Mute Swans have been present consistently at Perch R., N.Y. since 1981, where they have nested during many of these years. The first confirmed breeding on the Canadian side of our region was the nest 16 May 83 at Battersea from which two young were raised, Acton & B. Warmington. Recent confirmed breeding include the one fledged young with parents 11 Sep 05 Adolphustown, Ellis & Weir and a nest with eggs 15 May 07 South Bay, Ellis & Weir. The breeding studies for 2001-05 show that from five to eight pairs breed annually on the Canadian side of our region.

Numbers in all seasons have risen slowly and steadily since the mid-1980s. For the successive five-years periods 1985-90, 1991-95, 1996-2000 and 2001-05, the average annual numbers in autumn are 8, 15, 17, and 18, respectively, while those in the associated spring are 7, 11, 25 and 21. The Kingston Mid-Winter Waterfowl Census shows a sharp increase with tallies of 61 on 8 Jan 06 and 47 on 12 Jan 04, KFN. It is thought that the rising numbers at Perch R. and at Presqu’ile P.P. could be sources for the increases in Kingston.

SUMMARY: Uncommon permanent resident.

TRUMPETER SWAN
Cygnus buccinators

Cygne trompette

The breeding range of the Trumpeter Swan extends from Alaska, Yukon, northern B.C. and south locally within Montana and Saskatchewan. Formerly it bred over a much wider area in Canada and the U.S.A. (Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998, Lumsden & Drever 2002), but by the end of the 19th century, habitat destruction and subsistence hunting removed it from all of its traditional range wherever European settlers arrived. The species has been reintroduced and has become re-established in many parts of its historical range.

Mr. Harry Lumsden, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (retired), initiated the programme of re-introduction into Ontario in 1982. Birds were released at the Toronto Metro Zoo, the Wye Marsh, Isaac Lake and at 51 other sites. By 2005, about 523 Trumpeter Swans were estimated to be present in southern Ontario excluding eastern Ontario (Lumsden, 2006).

The first confirmed records for the Kingston Region occurred during May and June 1996 when a nest was found at Perch R., N.Y. that produced two young, Leone, which was also the first for New York State. Subsequent successful nesting occurred there annually to 2007 inclusive (Long 1998, 1999, 2000b, Scilingo 2002, 2004, Bolsinger 2005, 2006, 2007). The first confirmed record on the Canadian side of our area was a nest 12 Jun 96 along Big Rideau L., Cutfield. The Trumpeter Swan has been found on the Canadian side of our area in every season of each year since 1996. Four swans were released at Portland in 1999, 11 in 2000 at the Mac Johnston WMA and 12 at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, Kingston, in 2001.

Tagged birds from the release include the three numbered 131, 305, 397 that remained at Ivy Lea from 30 Jan 00, Mackenzie, to 20 Feb 00, Ellis & Weir. Birds wearing numbers 131 and 305 were seen again 9 Mar 02 at Lower Brewer’s Mills, S. Treganza. By 2006, many of the marked swans would have lost their wing tags. We cannot assume that an unmarked swan is raised in the wild. They appear to carry their tags for only four years or so and as many as can be caught from this group are retagged using the leg band for identity (Lumsden 2006). Spring and summer sightings are exclusively from along the Rideau system at Westport, Narrows Lock, Davis Lock, Jones Falls, Brewers Lock, and Elgin. Winter records are also from along the Rideau, but the numbers drop with severe ice conditions at which time the swans move to Ivy Lea, Howe I., Wolfe I., Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area (Division St.) (CRCA) Kingston. Swans from four of the releases at Kingston were seen during winter at four sites in New York State (Rochester, Montezuma, Lansing and Kirkwood) (Lumsden 2006). The number that bred annually in the Kingston area within Canada for the years 2001-05 is estimated to be from (5 to 10) pairs.

Not surprisingly, the greatest concentrations are noted out of the breeding season and include the eight from 18 Oct 03 to 14 Dec 03 CRCA S. Treganza et al.; eight on 12 Jan 04 Narrows Lock, KFN; seven on 17 Feb 05 Narrows Lock, McPherson and nine on 9 Mar 05 Lyndhurst, NLB; six on two dates 5 Mar 00 & 23 Mar 03 Waupoos Prince Edward, Gault & Sprague. Most recent releases near our area include the 15 birds 12 Jun 06 along the causeway leading to Big I., Prince Edward and the 11 during the same week in the Sawguin Marsh off Huffs I., Prince Edward (Sprague 2006).

SUMMARY: Uncommon local permanent resident.

TUNDRA SWAN
Cygnus columbianus

Cygne siffleur

Like the Canada Goose, the earliest record of the Tundra Swan in the Kingston region dates from the voyages of Samuel de Champlain whose diaries note their presence near Loughborough L. 28 Oct 1615 (Grant 1907). Bent (1951) documented the slaughter of this majestic species on its breeding grounds 1853-1877, during which time the Hudson’s Bay Company sold at least 17,671 skins for their breast feathers. It is not surprising that no more were found in our area until the 20th century, when six were located on Lower Rock L. on 27 Nov 1932 (Quilliam 1973).

Since the KFN record file began in 1949, the Tundra Swan has become more numerous and more regular during spring and autumn. This story is best seen from the following table.

For the spring migration, the increases in birds found per spring season amount to 3.2 fold and 7.7 fold during the respective time intervals with an overall increase of 24.7 since 1949. While a few swans sometimes over winter, spring migrants are obvious and their average spring arrival is 20 Mar (34 yrs). Average departure is 20 Apr (30 yrs), latest 3 Jul 95 when three were found on Amherst I., A. Scott.

The rise during autumn is more dramatic, as the numbers in the table show, probably accounted for by a shift in their traditional migration route as they migrate from the far northwest of Canada east-southeast to the Atlantic coast of the U.S.A. Average arrival is 29 Oct (33 yrs), earliest 1 Oct 90 Millhaven, J. Scott. Sharp increases occurred in 1996 and again in 2002. Peak flocks numbered 1,000 on 20 Nov 05, Wolfe I., Paul; 770 on 15 Dec 02 Wolfe I., KFN; 500 on 29 Nov 00 Wolfe I., Sachs; 500 on 25 Nov 02 Wolfe I., KFN. Probably the most reliable place to find the species because of the large numbers involved is on Wolfe I., although Hay Bay, South Bay, and Conway are also favoured places but with lower numbers. Average departure is 27 Dec (31 yrs), although this date may be misleading given the dramatic change in status as the swans now linger well into the New Year. Using departure dates for the third time period in the table above, the average departure becomes 9 Jan (17 yrs) with swans present all winter in 2001-02, 2006-07, and 2007-08. The Kingston Mid-Winter Waterfowl Census provides some insight into the changing numbers of lingering swans.

Confirmed nesting for the Tundra Swan in our area occurred during June 1995 when two fledged young were found with their parents at Perch R., N.Y., which was the first breeding record for New York State (Long 1995).

SUMMARY: Prior to 1970, a rare irregular spring and autumn transient; post 1988, a common regular spring and very common regular autumn transient; a few over winter.

WOOD DUCK
Aix sponsa

Canard Branchu

The historical records for this forest dweller indicate that its status has changed in the Kingston Region since the 1800s. Hadfield (1859a) found it not common, but by the early 1900s Macoun and Macoun (1909) upgraded it to ‘quite common’. By the 1920s, Beaupre inferred that its numbers were low (Quilliam 1973). Throughout the 1930s, Toner et al. (1942) considered the species to have increased greatly. Since the 1950s, the placing of nest boxes and the strong rise in numbers of Beaver Castor canadensis throughout our area are important factors in the continued increase in our Wood Duck population. Beaver ponds abound and they provide ideal habitat.

Average arrival in spring is 22 Mar (54 yrs), earliest 15 Feb 87 Millhaven, Ellis & Weir. The beaver swamps within the Canadian Shield of our area usually do not thaw until after this arrival date, thereby forcing the Wood Ducks to congregate with diving ducks. The 50-60 seen 28 Mar 59 on the Greater Cataraqui R., Lamb, and the 22 on 12 Apr 00 P.E.Pt., KFN, had gathered in such a spring. The earliest egg date on record is that for five eggs in a nest box 15 Apr 78 Amherst I., M. Matthews. Brood dates extend from 24 May 98 (12 chicks) P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir to 31 Jul 91 (31 chicks, probably from several nests) Seeley’s Bay, NLB. The nesting studies done 1981-85 resulted in about 680 breeding pairs annually and the corresponding nesting studies from 2001-05 resulted in (800″100) pairs annually. However, the area covered increased for the study 2001-05 in a ratio that indicates the numbers of nesting Wood Ducks on the Canadian side of our area has remained fairly constant. It is the third most common breeding duck in our area after the Mallard and Blue-winged Teal.

Once the breeding season is finished, concentrations of Wood Ducks become obvious, the largest among which include the 150 on 12 Sep 90 Canoe L., NLB; 100 on 26 Aug 73 Gananoque R., J. Wood; and the 100 on 26 Sep 90 Crosby, NLB. Average departure is 8 Nov (48 yrs) with the occasional bird lingering through winter, often as a result of injury.

Of the 289 Wood Ducks banded on Amherst I., only eight were recovered and these were in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Salem ON and Prince Edward ON.

SUMMARY: Fairly common summer resident.

GADWALL
Anas strepera

Canard chipeau

The Gadwall has undergone a major change in status in our region. Prior to 1966, only four records are on the file beginning with a single 15 Oct 1937 Gananoque L. and ten the following day near Lyndhurst (Toner et al. 1942). The next sighting was a single 15 Aug 54 Amherst I., Stewart & Quilliam followed by another 14 Aug 55 Wolfe I., Erskine. Between 1966 and 1968, 36 were found and subsequently the increase has been very strong and is most easily seen in the following table that shows the total number of Gadwall and the yearly average as tallied by differing surveys.

Average spring arrival is 19 Mar (39 yrs) with increasing numbers remaining here every winter. Our first confirmed breeding record is the nest with five eggs 5 Jun 72 Pigeon I. (M.H. Edwards 1972). Egg dates for ten nests in the Kingston region extend from 24 May to 9 July and the largest clutch was one 17 eggs on 14 Jun 77 Pigeon I., Weir. Dates for 16 broods are 15 Jun to 13 Aug. One group of 30 young was tended by four adults 13 Aug 73 Amherst I., Phelan. The breeding studies for the period 2001-05 resulted in (130±15) nesting pairs annually making it the 7th most common breeding duck, which compare with 106 pairs and 6th place for the five-year study 1981-85. The preferred nesting areas in Kingston are south of the Canadian Shield on the offshore islands and shoreline locations along L. Ontario from P.E.Pt. in the west to Hay Bay, Amherst I., Pigeon I., Wolfe I., Howe I., and along the St. Lawrence R. to include many of the Thousand Islands east to Brockville. Sewage lagoons are especially favoured.

By early September, post breeding flocks appear and include the 120 on 6 Sep 80 Main Duck I., R.K. Edwards & Moller. The numbers continue to rise through the autumn. Examples in Kingston, all KFN, include the 1,400 on 5 Nov 95, 1,000 on 6 Nov 95, 1,000 on 2 Nov 97, and 900 3 Nov 02. Average departure is 30 Dec (39 yrs).

SUMMARY: Fairly common summer resident; very common autumn and early winter transient. Uncommon, fairly regular winter resident.

EURASIAN WIGEON
Anas penelope

Canard siffleur

The Eurasian Wigeon breeds in Iceland and across northern Europe as well as northern Asia, but withdraws southwards during winter. While the species migrates through coastal Alaska and British Columbia during spring, it is casual or accidental throughout inland North America (Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998). James et al. (1976) classed the species as a rare and occasional visitor to the southern Great Lakes.

Records for this species number 17 birds (males) during 15 springs. The average spring arrival is 19 Apr (14 yrs), earliest 2 Apr 89 Wolfe I., Weir & Kingdon, and spring departure 18 May (8 yrs) latest 2 Jun 05 Amherstview Sewage Lagoon, Bryant. The opportunities for observers to see this rare visitor are increased with its tendency to linger in one place for a period of time. Examples include the single males 22 Apr 78 to 7 May 78 Wolfe I., A.E. Bell et al.; 21-28 Apr 98, Amherst I., KFN; 26 Apr 02 to 19 May 02 Amherst I., Mackenzie et al.; 22 May 05 to 2 Jun 05 Amherstview Sewage Lagoons, KFN; 10 Oct 06 to 31 Jan 07 Elevator Bay, Kingston, B. Ripley et al.

Autumn sightings are fewer than in spring with 11 male birds over 11 autumn seasons with average arrival 9 Oct (8 yrs), earliest a male 2 Aug 81 Amherst I., Weir. Among these, some lingered and include the singles 14-21 Oct 84 Wolfe I., KFN and 28 Sep 00 to 27 Oct 00 Wolfe I., R. & E. Sachs et al. Average departure is 11 Nov (6 yrs), latest 1 Feb 96. The latest bird was present 27 Jan 96 to 1 Feb 96 Dupont lagoon, Miller.

While the origin of the Eurasian Wigeon in Kingston remains unknown, it is known that some of the North American records originate in Iceland, as the recovery of banded birds on the Atlantic coast shows (Donker 1959). Levine (1998) noted that banding returns for the species’ occurrence along the Atlantic coast of New York indicate European origins.

SUMMARY: Irregular rare spring and autumn visitor.

AMERICAN WIGEON
Anas americana

Canard d’Amérique

The early ornithologists did record this species in the Kingston Region, but it appears to have been far less common than is the case today. Hadfield (1859) obtained a specimen on 14 Apr 1858, and Beaupre, who lived in Kingston from 1873-1930, found it on only four occasions (Quilliam 1973). Later Toner et al. (1942) described it as an uncommon migrant whose numbers peak in late October and early November.

Average spring arrival is 20 Mar (55 yrs), a date that has remained fairly constant over the decades. Early migrants are frequently found mixed within the large rafts of scaup, Canvasback and Redhead and it is interesting to watch the wigeon pinch food from the divers. My own observations suggest a symbiosis with the wigeon that provide an early warning system for danger in exchange for the food. Once the marshes and ponds become free of ice, the wigeon move to the shallow waters. Concentrations during spring passage are modest with largest groups numbering 120 on 23 Apr 71 Washburn, Evans; and 100 on five occasions 9 Apr 76 Amherst I.; 24-31 Mar 90 P.E.Pt.; 29 Mar 91 P.E.Pt.; 28 Mar 99 Wolfe I.;13 Apr 03 P.E.Pt., KFN.

As a nesting species, it is relatively new to Ontario with the first nest being found in 1934 (Baillie 1960). Breeding in the Kingston area was not confirmed until 4 Aug 85, when four broods were found on Amherst I., Weir, each accompanied by an adult female. Their family parties were composed of 6y, 3y, 4y, and 3y. Dates on file for seven broods span the period 29 May to 8 Aug. A combination of several broods in a crèche numbered over 30 young with patrolling adult females 12 Jul 92 Amherst I., Ellis & Weir. The summering and breeding pairs appear associated with marshes mainly along and near the L. Ontario shoreline, Bath area, Amherst I., Wolfe I., the Little Cataraqui Creek and the Greater Cataraqui R. The breeding studies done from 1981-85 revealed about 16 pairs breeding annually (12th most common breeding duck) and the subsequent studies from 2001-05 showed an increase to (25±5) pairs annually, but still the 12th most common.

Autumn migration becomes obvious during September as numbers rise steadily. The 200 birds on 14 Sep 77 Amherst I., G. Matthews are a high count for the early date, but the main passage occurs during late October and early November. Record high concentrations are the 5,000 on 22 Oct 95; 4,200 on 4 Nov 01; 4,000 on 3 Nov 02; 3,930 on 6 Nov 05 all on the Greater Cataraqui R., KFN. Average departure is 4 Dec (46 yrs). A few individuals often linger through winter in open water at locations such as the Dupont lagoon.

SUMMARY: Common spring and very common autumn transient, uncommon summer resident and rare winter visitor.

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK
Anas rubripes

Canard noir

Ornithological studies carried out in the Kingston Region during the 1850s by Hadfield (1859a) showed that the Black Duck as a common resident, a status that lasted through the 1920s as confirmed by Beaupre (1904). In assessing the status of this species for the period 1948-1970, Quilliam (1973) wrote ‘the Black Duck in this region is one of our commonest nesting ducks. As a summer resident, only the Blue-winged Teal may approach its numbers.’ Since she wrote this assessment, the situation has changed. By 1985, the species fell to fifth place among the nesting ducks of the region with about 200 pairs nesting annually (Weir 1989). Breeding studies for the period 2001-05 have revealed (185±20) breeding pairs annually, which reflects little change over the 20-year period since 1985. The species remains as the fifth most common breeding duck in the Kingston region.

Examination of their numbers during spring and autumn reveals some interesting information. Groups of the 500 and 1,000 seen 30 Mar 59 & 69 Greater Cataraqui R., Quilliam and Wolfe I., KFN, respectively are typical concentrations for the springs prior to 1970. However, norms of 50 to 200 in the migrant flocks prevailed from 1971-1989. Subsequently the flocks have increased to norms of 250 to about 500 birds, e.g. 525 on 18 Mar 90 Wolfe I; 500 each 24 Mar 91 Wolfe I. and 20 Mar 05 Cressy Pt., all by Ellis & Weir, but these numbers have not reached the levels of the period prior to 1970.

Autumn numbers have also gone through a minimum during the 1970s and 1980s. The 2,500 on 14 Nov 70 Wolfe I., KFN continues to stand as a record high during autumn. The fall migrant population has grown steadily since about 1991 and the Kingston Christmas Count and the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey provide a meaningful index for comparison. The Count is done within a fairly small area while the Survey covers a wide area.

These data are consistent with the census results of the numbers of breeding pairs of Black Ducks within eastern Canada, a source of migrant and wintering Blacks seen in Kingston. The census results show a decline starting in 1990 that reached a low point in 1994, followed by a recovery with a peak in 2000. For the period 2001-2003, a very slow decline is apparent (Bordage et al. 2003).

Egg dates are 14 Apr to 20 Jun (9 nests) and brood dates cover the period 14 Apr to 14 Aug (56 broods). In spite of the increase in numbers of breeding Mallard populations here, the Black Duck appears to be holding its own.

Two specimens of Mallard x Black hybrids from our area were taken 10 Sep 80 Amherst I. and are in the National Museum as 78846-47.

SUMMARY: Fairly common summer and winter resident, abundant spring and autumn transient.

MALLARD
Anas platyrhynchos

Canard colvert

The Mallard has increased its numbers steadily since the year 1900 and is currently our most common breeding duck. Breeding studies for the years 1981-85 showed about 4,000 pairs breeding annually in our region and the subsequent work 2001-05 resulted in a slight increase to (4,400±900) pairs each year. Among the early ornithologists here, Beaupre did not find its nest and it was not until 11 Sep 1919 that he obtained a specimen (Quilliam 1973).

The species’ adaptability has led to its exploiting a variety of habitat that includes the traditional areas of marshes, cultivated and grassy fields, ditches along roadways, but also beaver swamps and openings in forest, habitat normally used by the Black Duck. The Mallard has spread to urban centres in our area and the species is nesting in parks, residential subdivisions, university campus of RMC and the associated sports fields.

Egg dates for 49 nests extend from 19 Apr to 15 Jun and the dates for 199 broods of flightless young are 29 Apr to 23 Aug. Because the spring arrivals disperse immediately, normal concentrations in this season number up to about 1,000 birds. By September, migrants join the local breeders and their families to swell the numbers into the several thousands. Peak tallies on the Kingston Christmas Count, mostly from Wolfe I., are the 18,265 on 15 Dec 02; 14,601 on 14 Dec 03 and the 11,802 on 20 Dec 98. Some high numbers have been tallied on the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey, which extends from Ivy Lea in the east to P.E.Pt. in the west. These include the 21,616 on 11 Jan 04; 18,256 on 8 Jan 06 and the 16,206 on 9 Jan 05. Usually within a week of this survey, intense cold freezes most of the water when the waterfowl are forced to seek open water wherever possible and many move on to the south.

SUMMARY: Abundant spring transient, very common summer resident, very abundant autumn transient and fairly common winter resident.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL
Anas discors

Sarcelle à ailes bleues

Among the early ornithologists in our region, this species was not at all common. The Rev. C.J. Young confirmed nesting, but not commonly (Macoun and Macoun 1909), and his peer Edwin Beaupre was not able to find a nest (Quilliam 1973). Destruction of the breeding habitat of this species via drainage, agriculture practices as well as drought reduced its numbers severely after 1900 (Kortwright 1967). Between 1951 and 1976, its fortunes improved in Ontario during which time a steady rise in numbers was observed. This is attributed to a change in agriculture practices (Cringan 1960) and a rise in the beaver population (Novak 1976). By the late 1970s in southern Ontario as a whole, the Blue-winged Teal was second only to the Mallard in numbers of breeding pairs (Ross et al. 1984). This was also the situation in the Kingston Region based on our breeding studies 1981-85 when 4,150 breeding pairs annually were estimated. The corresponding study from 2001-05 shows a drop in number to (3,100±300) breeding pairs annually so the Blue-winged Teal takes second place to the Mallard. During both studies, breeders were located in open areas where ponds, marshes and slow-moving streams were present, but they were also present within Shield country wherever lakes and beaver ponds are found. It is not clear why the numbers have declined again. This drop is also observed in the upstate areas of neighbouring New York State (Levine 1998).

Spring arrivals are here by 30 Mar (57 yrs), earliest 8 Mar 83 Amherst I., G. Matthews. Groups at this season rarely exceed 45 birds as they disperse immediately to begin nesting. The peak for their arrival occurs mid-April. Egg dates are 24 Apr to 30 Jun (8 nests). Brood dates when adult females were with flightless young are 5 Jun to 5 Sep (113 broods). Our records show the normal brood contains about 8 young. Local females appear to form ‘kindergartens’ composed of several adults controlling fairly large groups of flightless young. Examples include the 75 young with 25 adults on 7 Aug 94 and 40 on 4 Aug 90, both Amherst I., Ellis & Weir; 25 on 26 Jul 72 Amherstview Sewage Lagoon, A.E. Hughes.

The largest concentrations of this species are found during August and September when young of the year join with the adults prior to southward migration. Record highs are the 600 on 5 Aug 74 Amherstview Lagoons, Weir; 400 on 27 Sep 69 Wolfe I., Peruniak. It is the earliest of our waterfowl to leave and most have departed by late September. The average last date is 22 Oct (57 yrs), latest 20 Dec 92 Kingston, Hannah, which was found as part of the Kingston Christmas Count.

Banding on Amherst I. has shown the Blue-winged Teal migrates NE along the St. Lawrence R. during August and September. Then they appear along the Atlantic coast in Maine, probably having over flown the contiguous U.S.A. Some band returns are from Florida and Louisiana. One recovery is from French Guiana, a total of 5,175 km SE of Amherst I. Another was found 4,320 km. SW in Mexico, and a third from Venezuela, 3,760 km SE.

SUMMARY: Very common summer resident.

CINNAMON TEAL
Anas cyanoptera

Sarcelle cannelle

The breeding range of the Cinnamon Teal extends from central Mexico and western U.S.A. to southwest Saskatchewan, southern Alberta and British Columbia. The North American birds winter from southwest U.S.A. south to Columbia (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). In southern Ontario, the AOU (1998) considered the species to be a casual visitor. James et al. (1976) and James (1991) classed it as rare during spring and autumn and they listed only two specimens, three sight records and one unexpected breeder. The first breeding record for Ontario occurred 24 Jun 84 at the Amherstburg sewage lagoon south of Windsor (James 1984).

Seven records are on file for the Kingston area. Five are thought to have been wild birds, one a possible escape, one a known banded bird that was shot. The first sighting occurred 19 Jun 66 Big I., Sprague, but since the bird was unusually tame, it may have escaped from captivity. The second was a male 3-4 May 80 P.E.Pt., and was first found by two Belleville men, whose identities are unknown to this author. The KFN was alerted and the Cinnamon Teal was viewed by several observers that included Dean, Mackenzie, A.E. Bell, K.F. & M.C. Edwards. Unlike the individual at Big I., this one was very wary and flew out towards Timber I. when flushed and was not seen again here.

The third, also a male, was found 10 May 81 Amherst I., F. & A. Cooke, A.E. Hughes. The fourth was a report of a Cinnamon Teal shot 2 Dec 84 Wolfe I., fide A.E. Bell, P.J. Good, although the bird was not seen by either Bell or Good. The fifth was found 20 Jul 86 on the KFN property on Amherst I., Weir, and its moult had begun. This male was consorting with several Blue-winged Teal and all flew off readily upon human disturbance. The sixth was shot 3 Oct 92 Perch R., Chamberlaine, and is judged to have been an escape since it wore a plastic leg tag Smith (1993). The seventh was a male 2 May 93 Crosby, fide Mess.

SUMMARY: Casual spring and autumn visitor.

NORTHERN SHOVELER
Anas clypeata

Canard souchet

When Baillie and Harrington (1936) summarised the status of the N. Shoveler in Ontario, they knew of breeding evidence only in Haldimand that was based on sight records of adults with young in 1886 and 1887. Peck and James (1983) included a few more confirmations and they observed until that date, there were only a few scattered nesting reports, almost all of which derived from southern Ontario.

The first known Kingston record dates from 30 Nov 1936 when one was shot near Gananoque (Toner et al. 1942). Its skull and wings are preserved in the ROM. The next record came during the first week of September 1951 along the shore of the Greater Cataraqui R. at the site of the former Kingston Tannery, Bowen. The next one was found in 1953 and the species has been seen annually in the subsequent 55 years.

Our first confirmed nesting was 25 Jun 61 when an adult female was found with her 7 or 8 chicks on Horseshoe I., KFN. Since then, dates for 21 broods of flightless young extend from 10 June to 3 August with most broods numbering 7 or 8 chicks. Our only nest with eggs is that of 17 Jun 95 Amherst I., A. Scott. The breeding studies carried out from 1981-85 concluded that 22 pairs bred annually (9th most common breeding duck) and the similar work for the period 2001-05 found an increase to (35±3) pairs nesting each year (11th most common). This gradual rise mirrors the general change in the species’ status here.

Spring arrival is 5 Apr (53 yrs), earliest 24 Feb 02 Wolfe I., Di Labio, although the occasional individual over winters. The largest concentrations in spring number 60 on 23 Apr 00 Amherstview Sewage Lagoon, Hennige, and 39 on 23 May 99 Kingston, KFN. The best time to see small groups of the species during spring is the first half of April as migrants and breeders arrive.

Autumn numbers are greatly increased by young of the year and peak concentrations occur in November, tallies that have grown steadily since the mid-1990s. Examples in Kingston, especially on the Greater Cataraqui R near Belle I. and in the Amherstview Sewage Lagoon are the 350 on 4 Nov 01; 160 on 8 Nov 98; 150 each on 3 Dec 98 and 5 Nov 00 and 2 Nov 03, all KFN. Average last date is 17 Nov (37 yrs), latest 10 Feb 80 Dupont lagoon, Kingston, Weir.

SUMMARY: Fairly common spring transient and summer resident. Common autumn transient and rare winter visitor.

NORTHERN PINTAIL
Anas acuta

Canard pilet

The status of the Northern Pintail in the Kingston Region continues to change gradually since the late 1800s and early 1900s. Beaupre found only one, thought to be a migrant that he shot 11 Sep 1911 Amherst I. (Quilliam 1973).

Average arrival in spring is 19 Mar (56 yrs). Flocks in spring typically number 200-500 and the largest groups noted on file are the 810 on 23 Mar 00 Waupoos (Kaiser Cross Road), Sprague and the 600+ on 30 Mar 69 Wolfe I., Little & A.E. Bell. By late April, these groups have dispersed, some of which migrate onwards and others remain to breed. Our first confirmed nesting of the N. Pintail occurred during June 1949, when three nests were located on the Brother I., J. Herrington. Subsequently, egg dates range from 10 Apr to 13 Jun for 13 nests. Brood dates are 3 May to 20 Aug for 37 broods.

Breeding studies carried out from 1981-85 revealed 50 pairs nesting annually and the similar study 2001-2005 showed (75 ± 5) breeding pairs annually. During both study periods, the pintail ranks as the 8th most common breeding duck in our region. The rise in our breeding population mirrors the change in Ontario as a whole, where numbers rose by 10% during the years 1957-1973 (Bellrose 1980). In adjacent New York State, the species is a scarce breeder and the occurrences are mainly upstate not far from Kingston (Levine 1998). Most of our pintail nesting is away from the Canadian Shield as the species prefers agricultural and grassy areas near water and cattail marshes. The greatest density of nesting birds occurs on our offshore islands, in the marshes near agricultural lands, and at sewage ponds and lagoons. It has expanded its nesting range north and west in Kingston between 1981-85 and 2001-05 and is now found along Varty and Camden Lakes, the Moira R. near Foxboro, Lonsdale, Centreville, Odessa L., Perth Road, Queensboro, Newboro and Westport.

Autumn migration begins in early September and, typical of many species, is more protracted than in spring with a peak reached during November. Typical concentrations during autumn of 30 birds up to the 1980s increased to 200 by the late 1990s and over 300 by 2006. The largest single groups were made up of 400 on 4 Nov 01 and 320 on 2 Nov 03 Kingston, KFN. Average departure is 13 Dec (53 yrs), but some birds over winter every year especially in open waters such as the Dupont lagoon, Ivy Lea and open areas along the Rideau Canal.

SUMMARY: Fairly common spring and autumn transient, uncommon to fairly common summer resident. Rare winter resident.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL
Anas crecca

Sarcelle d’hiver

Spring arrival for the Green-winged Teal in our area is 26 Mar (52 yrs), earliest 8 Mar 83 & 95 Amherst I., G. Matthews & A. Scott. Typical concentrations during this season are 50 birds with the largest groups numbering 125 on 5 Apr 98 Wolfe I., Ellis & Weir and 100 on 5 Apr 02 Amherst I., P.J. Good. Dispersal occurs fairly quickly as some migrants continue their migration and others begin nesting here.

Our first confirmed nesting dates from 1 Jul 62 when 3 males, 2 females and 10+ downy young were found in a beaver pond within Bell’s Swamp, Mansfield, Hughes & Quilliam. The next occurred 5 Aug 72 when 8 downy young were with an adult female in the sewage lagoon, Amherstview, Weir. Quilliam (1973) explained the paucity of summer records up to 1972 by noting that our observers were not finding the type of places where the species prefers to nest. The breeding studies of 1981-85 proved her to be correct as our observers explored new areas and discovered 80 pairs confirmed breeding annually thereby placing this species as the 7th most common nesting duck. The subsequent breeding studies 2001-05 found (140±10) pairs nesting each year, thereby moving it into 6th place among our breeding ducks. The increase appears to be a result of the further explorations into rarely visited sections of our Shield as well as a real rise in numbers in those areas where the species has nested faithfully. The greatest concentration lies along L. Ontario especially on the offshore islands, but they are confirmed nesting in lower numbers throughout the Canadian Shield of our region where beaver dams are widespread. Dates for flightless young with the adult females are 7 Apr to 1 Aug (43 broods).

Post breeding congregations appear by mid-July and include the 100 on 1 Aug 76, Hughes & Quilliam, and 75 on 18 Jul 84, R.K. Edwards, both at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons, and the 50+ on 31 Jul 70 Amherst I., KFN. These groups contained local birds with females, young as well as moulting males probably also from local nesting. Numbers increase steadily during October and November presumably as a result of arriving migrants. Peak tallies at this time are the 375 on 3 Nov 02 Kingston, KFN; 350 on 4 Nov 01 Kingston, KFN; 300 on 18 Oct 95 Kingston, NLB. Average departure is 23 Nov (52 yrs), latest 20 Jan 90 Kingston, Worona.

SUMMARY: Fairly common spring transient and summer resident. Common autumn transient.

CANVASBACK
Aythya valisineria

Fuligule à dos blanc

The breeding range of the Canvasback extends from Alaska southeast through the Canadian prairies (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Birds from the western parts of this breeding range, including the northwest prairies, winter on the Pacific coast, while those from the rest of the prairies migrate southeast to winter along the Atlantic coast (Palmer 1976). Those in the latter group pass over the lower Great Lakes. Spring return to the prairies occurs more or less in the reverse direction. Between 1955 and the early 1990s, the North American population of Canvasbacks dropped from 500,000 to about 200,000 (Alison & Wendt 1994, Bellrose 1980). Prairie droughts, the draining of their nesting sloughs for farming, and hunting pressures have contributed to the decline.

Beaupre’s travels in our area around 1900 indicate fairly good numbers (Quilliam 1973). Toner et al. (1942) wrote of their former abundance, but by the late 1930s, it had become scarce. The information on the KFN files shows the species’ presence every year since 1948, but it also shows a contrasting pattern of abundance and scarcity. Spring arrival is 28 Feb (56 yrs) with a few spending the winter here, and spring departure is 20 Apr (55 yrs), latest 3 Jun 84 Amherst I., P.J. Good. Concentrations in this season normally vary between 1,000 and 4,000. The largest groups are the 8,500 on 1 Apr 88 and 7,700 on 18 to 26 Mar 90 all near Wolfe I., Ellis & Weir and KFN, respectively. Some 7,500 were feeding on 9 Apr 95 along the Greater Cataraqui R., KFN. However, during the springs of 2003-05 and 2007-08, their overall numbers were fewer than 100.

Return in autumn occurs by 23 Oct (48 yrs), earliest 15 Sep 73 Odessa L., L. Norman. Numbers in autumn are normally far lower than those of spring. Fewer than 100 birds were recorded for the entire fall seasons in the years 1949-52, 1958-60, 1962-65, 1967-69, 1973, 1978, 1980-82, 1989-95, 1997-98, 2000, 2003-07. More than 1,000 appeared during the autumn of the years 1972, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1988, when the tallies were 1,062, 2,700, 1,528, 2,740 and 1,145, respectively. Most depart around Christmas, 31 Dec (51 yrs). The group of 3,000 on 1 Jan 75 in the St. Lawrence R. between Rockport and Mallorytown Landing, E.&G. Holroyd, is noteworthy for the late date as is the group of 2,500 on 26 Dec 84 Wolfe I., Ellis.

SUMMARY: Common spring and fairly common autumn transient, whose numbers fluctuate. Fairly regular winter visitor.

REDHEAD
Aythya americana

Fuligule à tête rouge

The Redhead breeds mainly in northwest North America east to eastern Michigan and sporadically to southeast Ontario (AOU 1998). Quilliam (1973) was able to extract little information regarding the Redhead from the diaries of Beaupre based on his waterfowl censuses in the Kingston area around the year 1900, because Beaupre merged his counts of Redhead with Canvasback and Ring-necked Duck. Toner et al. (1942) considered the Redhead to be an uncommon migrant that was judged to have been more common previously. The file of the KFN since 1948 shows an oscillating pattern of abundance and scarcity in both spring and autumn, but the species has been present every year.

A few Redhead remain through the entire winter when waters are open around Kingston, but obvious migrants return on average 1 Mar (55 yrs). Concentrations during spring migration are normally of (50 to 150) birds; exceptionally large concentrations are the 600 on 19 Mar 88, Pratt and 350 on 1 Mar 98, KFN, both close to Wolfe I. The average departure date is 20 Apr (58 yrs), but some remain during summer.

Our first summer record occurred on 30 Jul 71 Amherst I., Hughes & Quilliam and Redheads summered there in 1973, 1974, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 2003. In addition, they summered nearby at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons in 1983, 1990, 2000 and 2002. The first confirmed nesting was of an adult female with one flightless young at these lagoons 21 Aug 83, Weir. Three years later, three chicks with an adult female were found during the last week of June 1986 south of Westport, Parsons. The nesting studies of 1981-85 revealed five pairs nesting annually, but the surveys done from 2001-05 detected only 2-4 pairs nesting annually.

Some autumn migrants from the eastern prairies move through the Lake of the Woods area and then to the eastern end of L. Ontario on their way to the Atlantic coast (Alison & Bailey 1994). They arrive in the Kingston area on average 6 Oct (48 yrs) and their numbers increase steadily during October and November. Largest groups at this time are the 4,500 on 1 Nov 83, Wellesley I., KFN; 3,500 on 15 Nov 92, J.H. Ellis & M.J. Ellis, and 3,200 on 15 Nov 77, Ross, both groups along Wolfe I.; 5,019 on 3 Nov 02, KFN, and 3,300 on 6 Nov 88, KFN and 3,000 on 19 Nov 89 all at Kingston, KFN. A single raft contained 4,804 on 17 Dec 06 Wolfe I., MacKay & Runtz. Numbers remain high through early winter until the freeze up forces many to depart our area. The high tally from the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey is the 5,034 on 9 Jan 05, KFN.

SUMMARY: Uncommon to common spring transient, common to abundant autumn transient. Rare local breeder and irregular winter resident.

RING-NECKED DUCK
Aythya collaris

Fuligule à collier

Since the 1930s, the Ring-necked Duck has undergone a rapid expansion eastwards in its breeding range, the easterly boundary of which was formerly northwest Ontario and Michigan, aside from local records in New Brunswick and Maine (Mendall 1938, 1958). The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas 1981-85 showed the species had expanded further and as of the survey years nested through the Canadian Shield to central and southeast Ontario and Kingston (Cadman et al. 1987). The survey of breeding pairs of Ring-necked Ducks in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and eastern Ontario for the period 1990-2003 showed an oscillating pattern with high numbers in 1990, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004 (Bordage et al. 2003). It is not known whether any of these breeders pass through Kingston during autumn and spring.

The first nesting report for the Kingston area was from Perch L., N.Y. (Bull 1974), but no date was given. The first on the Canadian side was confirmed on 8 Jul 82 when an adult female with her 5 chicks were at the Lansdowne Sewage Lagoon, Sutherland. The next nesting was north of Tamworth near Gull Creek when a family group was found in June 1983, Black. The breeding studies of 1981-85 showed about 18 pairs summering annually, thereby ranking the species the 11th most common breeding duck. The similar studies of 2001-2005 revealed (55±5) breeding pairs each year or 9th most common breeding duck, an expansion that reflects a more thorough search of difficult to reach Shield areas and more breeders in the established areas. The date on file for one nest with eggs is 26 Apr 01 Gull Creek, S. Treganza, while the dates 28 Jun to 17 Aug are for 20 broods of flightless young.

Average spring arrivals appear by 12 Mar (56 yrs) and these early arrivals continue to be seen feeding with scaup and Canvasbacks, often in restricted freshly opened channels in the ice. Large numbers are seen up to five weeks after their arrival and then dispersal occurs. Large rafts include the 5,000 on 2 Apr 95 Wolfe I., KFN; 3,000 on 30 Mar 96 Cataraqui R., Ellis & Weir; 1,300 on 9 Apr 03 Elgin, NLB; 1,100 on 2 Apr 06 Sillsville, Weir, 1,000 on three occasions 27 Mar 86 Cataraqui R., Weir, and 24 Mar 88 Amherst I., A. Scott, and 17 Apr 93 P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir. Most depart by 29 Apr (55 yrs).

Autumn return on average is 10 Oct (40 yrs). At this time, they are often offshore in L. Ontario mixed with large concentrations of scaup making it difficult to obtain accurate numbers. As a consequence, our tallies during the fall are probably under estimated. Tallies of rafts of Ring-necked Ducks without their containing a mixture of other diving ducks typically number up to 3,000. Peak counts are the 7,000 on 7 Nov 04, 5,470 on 6 Nov 05, 5,130 on 5 Nov 00, 4,300 on 3 Nov 96, all Kingston, KFN. Autumn departure occurs by 21 Dec (41 yrs) and a few try to over winter, sometimes successfully.

SUMMARY: Very common spring and abundant autumn transient. Uncommon summer resident. Rare irregular winter visitor.

TUFTED DUCK
Aythya fuligula

Fuligule morillon

The Tufted Duck, a close relative of the scaup, is a species of the Old World that breeds from Iceland east through Scandinavia to Sakhalin, the Commander Islands, south to central Europe and through the Middle East to China and Japan. It is a rare visitor to the Great Lakes region (AOU 1998).

Three records of males are on the KFN files. The first was found on the American side of our area on 1 Apr 95 Pt. Peninsula, N.Y., Leone (Chamberlaine 1995). The second lingered from 8 Jan 96 to 15 Mar 96 Dupont Lagoon, Kingston, Miller et al., a time during which many observers saw the bird. The third Tufted Duck flirted around the international boundary between Canada and the U.S.A. It was first located 29 Jan 2000 around Fineview, N.Y., Leone (photo) and was then seen in various locations near Hill I. and Wellesley I. until 26 Feb 2000, many observers (Long 2000a).

SUMMARY: Very rare occasional winter visitor.

GREATER SCAUP
Aythya marila

Fulligule milouinan

The Greater Scaup continues to be one of the commonest ducks in the Kingston Region on the basis of its numbers of tens of thousands during spring and autumn migration. To make meaningful comparisons of the tallies of today with those of the early ornithologists here is difficult since they grouped together the Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck. High counts by Beaupre are the 2,500 on 8 Nov 1927 and 2,000 on 9 Apr 1929 (Quilliam 1973). Merriman’s work here from 1931-1938 produced 5,000 as his largest single group (Quilliam 1973). He was followed by Toner (1942), who estimated 9,900 scaup in a single raft along the St. Lawrence R. 17 Mar 1938.

Records of the KFN for the Greater Scaup are quite complete with regular counts having been done over several decades that show the species returns on average 20 Feb (56 yrs) although the species over winters regularly. This date is about 32 days earlier than its sister species the Lesser Scaup. The Greater is among the earliest migrants to appear as the ice begins to open. Rafts in spring typically contain up to 10,000 birds. High counts are the 63,000 on 9 Apr 95 Wolfe I., KFN that increased from the 30,000 there 2 Apr 95 and the 35,000 on 20 Apr 97 P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir. Most are gone from the area by 15 May (57 yrs). During 21 of 31 years since 1976, a few birds remained here all summer but without any evidence of nesting attempts.

Returning migrants reappear by 20 Sep (52 yrs). Sometimes the early arrivals are in small rafts such as the 200 on 4 Sep 91 Amherst I., NLB, 200 on 18 Sep 93 and 150 on 29 Aug 83, the latter two sightings at P.E.Pt., Weir. The rafts increase in numbers throughout September with the peak passage occurring during October and early November. The waters off P.E.Pt., Wolfe I. and Amherst I. have traditionally yielded impressive numbers. Noteworthy numbers inshore at P.E.Pt. are the following that exclude the large rafts along Timber and False Ducks Islands located too far off shore to count the scaup accurately (KFN).

High tallies along Wolfe I. include the 50,000 on 14 Nov 99; 25,000 on 14 Nov 98; 25,000 on 17 Oct 99; and the 20,000 on 14 Nov 79, all KFN. Similar rafts appear along the shores of Amherst I. and include the 20,000 on 5 Nov 82, Ross and the 70,000 on 9 Nov 75 that were strung out to Wolfe I., KFN. By 5 Jan (57 yrs), most have left Kingston. Variable numbers, depending on the ice conditions, over winter here.

While continuing to be a very abundant migrant, the huge rafts seen 25+ years ago have declined in size. Whether this is due to a change in migration route or this is resulting from a decline in the population cannot be determined from the Kingston data alone.

SUMMARY: Very abundant spring and autumn transient.

LESSER SCAUP
Aythya affinis

Petit Fuligule

Prior to the start of KFN records in 1948, the only report of the Lesser Scaup among the early ornithologists in the Kingston area was by Merriman, who found two on 24 May 1934 (Quilliam 1973). Aided by modern optical equipment and excellent field guides not available to the early observers, the status of the Lesser Scaup has been clarified in our region. The subtle differences in plumage and shape (jizz) can be resolved in good light with care.

Spring arrival is 24 Mar (56 yrs), earliest 12 Feb 77 Dupont Lagoon, Kingston, Weir. Congregations in this season typically contain 500 birds usually found in the shallower bays along Wolfe I., South Bay, Smith Bay, Sillsville as well as the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons among others. The largest rafts noted in spring are the 3,000 & 1,000 on 1 May 94 & 13 Apr 96, respectively, South Bay, Ellis & Weir; 200 on 25 Apr 93 Wolfe I., Ellis & Weir.

The flocks of Lesser Scaup that pass through Kingston continue to contain many more males than females, perhaps reflecting a different migration route taken by the two sexes. Bellrose (1976) noted that the Lesser has the greatest surplus of males of all the species of the game ducks. Spring departure on average is 20 May (44 yrs), but a small number spend the summer here.

Breeding has still not been confirmed in our region although the species has summered in 30 of the 38 years since 1969. One young bird was trapped 23 Sep 77 Amherst I., M. Matthews, as part of the KFN banding project there, but because it was able to fly, it is not known if it were hatched on the island. The breeding studies 1981-85 indicated two pairs may have nested on Amherst I, but this was never proven. A similar conclusion was reached after the similar breeding studies 2001-05 when 4 or 5 pairs summered consistently on Amherst I and at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons.

Autumn migrants begin arriving 8 Oct (41 yrs), sometimes as large groups at an early date such as the 1,500 on 14 Sep 90 P.E.Pt., KFN. Three reliable locations for viewing the species during fall are the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons, Little Cataraqui Creek on King St., and at the CRCA land on Division St., all in Kingston. Peak numbers are present in early November, usually found during the annual Fall Round-up with the largest concentrations of 12,000 on 6 Nov 94; 5,300 on 4 Nov 01; 4,400 on 3 Nov 02, all by KFN. The King St. site of the Little Cataraqui Creek hosted 5,000 on 17 Oct 93 and 4,000 on 25 Oct 92, KFN. Average departure occurs by 18 Dec (44 yrs) latest 13 Jan 02 Kingston, KFN.

Specimens in the National Museum include 64311 and 80858, which are females found shot on the beach at P.E.Pt. on 30 Oct 79 and 7 Nov 76, respectively; and 64313, a male found shot on Amherst I. 25 Oct 76. Four others shot by hunters during October 1981 are also specimens in the National Museum 78864-67.

SUMMARY: Very common spring and abundant autumn transient. Rare summer resident.

KING EIDER
Somateria spectabilis

Eider à tête grise

The King Eider breeds in North America along the arctic coast and islands from Alaska east to Greenland, south to the west coast of Hudson Bay to include the islands in both Hudson and James Bays (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Some birds winter on the Great Lakes irregularly in variable numbers (Alison 1975). Alison suggested that larger numbers wander into southern Ontario when arctic breeding conditions are favourable and birds have reproduced more successfully.

Prior to 1966, three occurrences are known for Kingston. The first is a specimen taken in the Thousand Islands in December 1896 (Young 1900), which was followed by the shooting of several in Landon Bay 20 Nov 1936, one of which is in the ROM (Toner 1942). Two appeared 10 Dec 1948 Loughborough L., O’Neil.

During the subsequent 40-year period 1966-2005, 47 King Eiders have been reported in our area made up by 2 adult males, 8 immature males and 37 female-plumaged birds. They were distributed among 20 autumns, 7 winters and 2 springs. Most of the sightings have been from the waters at P.E.Pt., Amherst I., Wolfe I. and the Bath Road.

Average arrival in autumn is 22 Nov (21 yrs), earliest 6 Oct 87 Collins Bay, R.K. Edwards. Average departure in late winter is 1 Mar (10 yrs), latest 21 May 78 (adult male) P.E.Pt., Rattray, Weir et al. Recent specimens include the hatch year male found dead 19 Dec 76 Big Sandy Bay, Wolfe I., Cooke (National Museum 64341) and a female shot by hunters 15 Nov 86, east end Wolfe I. The identification of the latter bird was confirmed by Dr. Michael J. Evans. It is interesting to note that at nearby Presqu’ile P.P., where waterfowl hunting is allowed, a number of King Eiders were killed in 1985 and 1986. These include the 8 shot from 2 Nov 85 to early December and 2 shot in the period 4 Oct 86 to 30 Nov 86 (Weir 1986b, 1987a).

SUMMARY: Fairly regular rare visitor in autumn and early winter. Two spring records.

COMMON EIDER
Somateria mollissima

Eider à duvet

The Common Eider is a holarctic breeder whose range in North America extends from the arctic south to Hudson and James Bays, northern Quebec and Atlantic Canada. It is considered a casual visitor to the Great Lakes in winter (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). This species is the rarer of the two eiders to occur in our waters.

Quilliam (1973) included this species with the realisation that she was entering a controversial area of bird records. She noted ‘we are aware of the fact that the King Eider is believed to be the more common of the two eiders to enter L. Ontario and this is undoubtedly true at the western end of the lake. Whether the same conditions apply at the eastern end is by no means a proven fact.’ Since she wrote this, Common Eiders seen here by experienced observers at close range number 16 during the 50 years since 1955 of which two are adult males and another is a specimen. It is appropriate to list each of these sightings.

1. 04 Nov to 5 Dec 55 ( 2 im %) Kingston waterfront, Cartwright, Quilliam, K.F. Edwards, Stirrett.
2. 19-20 Nov 67 (1 & or im %) Wolfe I., Bell, Stewart, Quilliam et al.
3. 27 Dec 70 (1 & or im %) near RMC, Kingston, Stewart.
4. 31 Dec 74 (2 ad %.) Wolfe I., Finney.
5. 17 Dec 77 (1 & or im %) P.E.Pt., Stewart & Quilliam.
6. 19 Oct 78 (1 & or im %) P.E.Pt., Quilliam & Etcherberry.
7. 29 Nov 78 (2 & or im. %) Amherst I., Nicholson.
8. 15 Dec 84 (1 &) Amherst I., shot by hunters, Phelan.
9. 09 Oct 89 (1 & ) Amherst I., KFN.
10. 24 Nov to 2 Dec 90 (1 &) Bath Road near Millhaven, Ellis & Weir.
11. 06 Jan 91 (1 &) Amherst I., P. Good.
12. 27 to 30 May 01 (1 &) Amherst I., R.K. Edwards, R. Sachs.
13. 05 Jan 03 (1 &) Pt. Vivian, N.Y., Leone (Smith 2003).
14. 13 Sep 03 (1 &) P.E.Pt., Okines et al.
15. 17 Feb 04 (1 &) P.E.Pt., fide Sprague.
16. 21 May 05 (1 &) Amherst I., Weir, M.H. Edwards, Vance.

Record #8 was a bird that was shot by hunters, who would not part with the bird as specimen evidence. It was examined in hand by Frank Phelan, Queen’s Biology Station, and confirmed as a Common Eider. The origin of the Common Eiders seen in our area is unknown and it is possible that the eiders seen here may arrive from along the St. Lawrence R.

Average autumn arrival is 16 Nov (11 yrs), earliest 13 Sep 03 P.E.Pt., Okines. Twelve of the sightings occurred between September and April. Average spring departure is 11 Mar (6 yrs) latest 30 May 01 Amherst I., R.K. Edwards, R. Sachs.

SUMMARY: Irregular, very rare visitor in autumn and winter. Two spring records.

HARLEQUIN DUCK
Histrionicus histrionicus

Arlequin plongeur

The North American breeding range of the Harlequin Duck is divided into two widely separated sections. In the west, the range includes Alaska and Yukon, south in the mountains to central California and Colorado. In the east, the range includes Newfoundland, Gaspé and coastal Labrador (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). During winter, it is a rare visitor to southern Ontario (James et al. 1976, James 1991) and not surprisingly many sightings are from the Niagara Falls area since the species prefers fast flowing and turbulent water.

Since the first sighting in 1973, 32 birds have been found in the Kingston area up to 2008 with an average autumn arrival date of 27 Nov (18 yrs), earliest 26 Oct 80, Amherst I., K.F. & R.K. Edwards. The 32 have occurred in 24 of the 35 years distributed as 12 during autumn, 17 during winter and 3 in spring. Their average departure occurs by 6 Mar (9 yrs), latest 22 May 76 Amherst I., Kaijser, Little & Weir.

SUMMARY: Very rare irregular autumn and winter visitor. Three spring records.

SURF SCOTER
Melanitta perspicillata

Macreuse à front blanc

The Surf Scoter breeds from Alaska east to Labrador, south to B.C. and northern Ontario and eastern Quebec (AOU 1998, Godfrey 1986). Of the three scoters known in the world, the Surf is the only one whose breeding range lies entirely within North America. Our first record dates from 5 Oct 1898 Kingston, Beaupre, when he shot one female in the company of three others. His next find occurred over 20 years later on 22 May 1922 Kingston.

During the 60-year period 1948-2008, this species was seen here in 33 of the springs and 48 of the autumns. Systematic searching of the deep water along our offshore islands and at P.E.Pt. has clarified the status of this species here. Spring arrival occurs by 20 Apr (26 yrs), earliest 4 Mar 2000, P.E.Pt., Mackenzie & Rowe. Typical flock size during spring is of 1 to 15 birds. Exceptions are the 125 seen 7 May 98 P.E.Pt., Edwards family, and 100 found migrating northwards 21 May 85 over the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons, Weir. Most have departed by 18 May (29 yrs), latest 24 May 08 P.E.Pt., Okines.
Autumn arrivals appear by 13 Oct (46 yrs), earliest 4 Sep 91, Hay Bay, Hennige. Flocks during this time of return passage contain usually (1 to 20) birds. The largest single groups are the 100 seen 18 Oct 77, Amherst I., G. Matthews, and the 40 found 3 Oct 93, Amherst I., Hennige. The average last date is 8 Dec (42 yrs), latest 28 Jan 95 P.E.Pt., Worona. Specimen 69916 is in the National Museum and dates from 14 Oct 77, Amherst I.

SUMMARY: Uncommon, sometimes common, fairly regular spring transient. Fairly common, fairly regular, autumn transient.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Melanitta fusca

Macreuse bruné

The White-winged Scoter breeds within the far northerly sectors of both the Old and New Worlds. The New World group winters mainly along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and is a regular migrant through the Great Lakes Region (AOU 1998). It is the most common of the three species of scoter to appear in the Kingston area and is the easiest to identify thanks to its obvious white speculum contrasting against the black surrounding plumage.

The first historical records known for our region are the flocks of 150 birds 18 Oct 1928 and 12 Nov 1928, Kingston, Beaupre. The species has been found every year since KFN records began in 1948. Autumn arrivals appear on average by 26 Sep (47 yrs), although a few non-breeders occasionally spend the summer here in the deep waters along our offshore islands and at P.E.Pt. Large congregations have been recorded that include the 20,000 on 12 Dec 99; 15,000 tallied 8 Dec 96; 12,500 on 2 Nov 97; 10,500 on 4 Nov 01, all of these at P.E.Pt., KFN. Average departure is 24 Dec (51 yrs), but some spend the winter here. Unusually large concentrations for the late date are the 15,005 on 11 Jan 99 and the 14,500 on 6 Jan 96, all at P.E.Pt., KFN, counted on the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey. In both of these years, the cold snap arrived and forced the scoters to fly to more hospitable waters.

Spring return occurs by 28 Mar (35 yrs) and their numbers rise substantially throughout April. Large rafts are the 9,000 on 27 Apr 96; 4,000 on both 30 Apr 95 & 20 Apr 97; 3,000 on three occasions 24 Apr 93, 16 Apr 94, 5 May 03; 2,000 on 24 May 08. All of these were found at P.E.Pt., KFN. Spring departure occurs by 25 May (56 yrs).

Four specimens are in the National Museum viz. dated 23 May 83 and 6 Mar 86, 83762-63, Kingston and Oct and Nov 86, 86115-16, P.E.Pt.

SUMMARY: Very abundant spring and autumn transient. A few winter and summer records.

BLACK SCOTER
Melanitta nigra

Macreuse noire

The Black Scoter, like the previous species, is a holarctic species that migrates through the Great Lakes basin (AOU 1998). It is the least common of the three scoters that pass through Kingston. The first sighting on file is that of 25 Oct 1905, Horseshoe I., near Wolfe I., Beaupre. Subsequently, he noted a flock flying west along L. Ontario at Kingston 22 May 1922. The next sighting on record is a single 22 Oct 1950 along the shore of the Bath Road, KFN. The status of this scoter along with the other two species has been clarified fairly well here, but it has taken 57 years to do so.

The species has been seen in each autumn for the past 43 years 1965-2007 with the average arrival date of 17 Oct (41 yrs), earliest 14 Sep 75, P.E.Pt., Woods & Hughes. Flock sizes vary from (1 to 50) birds with an unusually large group of 1,000 counted by aerial survey 14 Dec 88, False Ducks I. off P.E.Pt., Fillman, CWS. The next single largest group is the 75 found 22 Oct 02, Lower Beverly L., Williston.

Spring records are fewer and for the past 44 years to 2008 the species has been seen during 29 springs. Typical numbers during this season are (1 to 5) birds per group with the largest flock on record containing 20 birds 20 May 01 Kingston, KFN. Average arrival date is 12 Apr (19 yrs), earliest 22 Mar 54 Amherst I., Saundercook. Departure occurs by 17 May (25 yrs), latest 6 Jun 67, Wolfe I., Woods & Hughes. One specimen of a male in the National Museum 63271 dates from 12 Oct 75, Amherst I.

SUMMARY: Uncommon irregular spring transient, fairly common and fairly regular autumn transient. A few early winter records.

LONG-TAILED DUCK
Clangula hyemalis

Herelde kakawi

The early naturalists in the Kingston Region reported the Long-tailed Duck only from the St., Lawrence R. and L. Ontario, where it was common during winter (Macoun and Macoun 1909, MacClement 1915). Young (1900) considered it common in 1900 and he noted many flying about Kingston waters 15 May 1900. Beaupre also found it to be numerous 10 May 1905 and again 1 May 1928 along Simcoe and Snake Islands. Based on our current knowledge of this species here, the spring birds by Young and Beaupre were congregations of migrants on their way northwards.

This species has been seen annually since KFN records began in 1948. Autumn arrival is 16 Oct (50 yrs) and the few non-breeders that spend the summer here may be mistakenly assumed to be early migrants. Our first fuller understanding of its status came with the survey study at P.E.Pt. during the springs of 1971 and 1972. Subsequent censuses there from 1988-2007 during autumn showed a steady increase in numbers throughout November peaking by mid-December. Typical during December and January are very large numbers that fly daily heading northeast past P.E.Pt. during the first few hours of dawn as they move from the nightly sleeping areas to the daytime feeding locations. Accurate tallies of the birds in these flights within 1,000 m of the shore have been obtained and the numbers are impressive. The peak tallies are the 155,685 on 9 Jan 00; 148,236 on 15 Dec 01; 135,300 on 18 Dec 99; 105,614 on 10 Jan 99; and 101,717 on 19 Dec 98. See Appendices C and H for annual comparisons. Beyond the 1,000 m limit, large numbers of divers pass at the same time, but they cannot be identified with certainty.

By March and April, returning migrants, probably from the Atlantic coast, join the wintering birds. At this time, their loud, far-carrying calls reminiscent of baying dogs are heard by day and night and courting is active within the rafts. At P.E.Pt., the rafts become huge and are so tightly packed on occasion it seems a person could walk across the water on the backs of the birds. High counts there at this time are the 300,000 on 20 Mar 01 Ellis & Rowe; 225,000 on 17 Apr 03 Okines; 150,000 on 17 Apr 00 fide Sprague; and 120,000 on 30 Apr 99, Stewart. Exodus from the Kingston area occurs during the first three weeks of May and is often visible near sunset as large flocks rise from the waters, gain altitude and head northwards from P.E.Pt., Amherst I. and Wolfe I. By mid-May, numbers decline as replacement birds no longer arrive from the southeast. Average date of departure is 21 May (54 yrs). During the 46 summers from 1961 –2007, Long-tailed Ducks have over summered here in at least 17 of them.

SUMMARY: Very abundant spring and autumn transient and winter visitor. Rare, irregular summer visitor.

BUFFLEHEAD
Bucephala albeola

Petit Garrot

The Bufflehead breeds from Alaska, south to B.C., through the prairies to northern and central Ontario, and west-central Quebec and locally south of these regions (AOU 1998). It is the smallest diving duck to occur in the Kingston region and sufficiently tiny to enter woodpecker holes, which it uses for its nests. Erskine (1971) wrote that its numbers declined throughout North America during the late 1800s and early decades of the 1900s. By 1950 however, its wintering numbers had increased nearly everywhere including the Great Lakes region.

The historical record in the Kingston region parallels the continental picture painted by Erskine. Hadfield (1859) considered it to be common, but Beaupre saw it on only eight occasions between 1896 and 1930, with none noted on his waterfowl surveys from 1927-1930 (Quilliam 1973). Subsequently, Toner et al. (1942) categorised the Bufflehead as an uncommon migrant during autumn.

Autumn arrival occurs on average by 20 Oct (52 yrs) and the few birds seen prior to this date are likely individuals that have spent the summer here. Prior to 1970, the largest groups tallied during fall were the 37 on 3 Nov 63, Wolfe I., Erskine, and the 80 on 6 Nov 66 Amherst I., KFN. Since then, their numbers have risen steadily and typical rafts contain up to 400 birds throughout the autumn. The annual Fall Round-up, held on the first weekend in November, produces 500 to 1,500 Buffleheads with the record high of 1,740 on 2 Nov 03, KFN. Migrants continue to arrive after this date and record high numbers on the Christmas Counts are the 1,600 on 15 Dec 02 Kingston, KFN and the 1,248 on 20 Dec 03 P.E.Pt., KFN. Numbers remain high through the winter, but birds are displaced by ice conditions and the most reliable wintering area is at P.E.Pt., where there is usually open water.

As soon as open channels appear in our lakes and rivers by early spring, Buffleheads also appear. Peak numbers occur during late March and early April and rafts up to 200 birds are typical for this season. Record high tallies are the 2,000 on 10 Apr 97 along the Bath Road, Stewart; 500 on 5 Apr 02 Amherst I., P.J. Good and the 400 on 9 Apr 95 Wolfe I., KFN. The average departure date is 14 May (56 yrs), but summering birds have been found in 1990, 1991, 1995-1998, 2004, 2005 and 2007. The first confirmed Bufflehead nesting in the Kingston region occurred 15 Aug 04, when an adult female attended her two flightless young at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoon, Ellis & Weir. The parents were seen there throughout the summer, but it was not until August that the young were found accidentally. Fewer than five pairs breed in our area each year.

Specimens in the National Museum include one male found dead on 30 Oct 76 Amherst I., 64314; a male and female found on the beach 14 Nov 81 P.E.Pt., 78878-78879; and another shot in late November 1981 Amherst I., 78868.

SUMMARY: Very common spring and autumn transient. Common winter visitor.

COMMON GOLDENEYE
Bucephala clangula

Garrot à oeil d’or

The Common Goldeneye breeds within the northern hemisphere of the Old and New Worlds. Within North America, the range extends from Alaska east to Newfoundland, south through the Canadian prairies, to central Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes (Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998). The first reference to this species in the Kingston region was by Hadfield (1864), who obtained a specimen in November 1857. Young found a flock in 1897 during August in the Bay of Quinte, some of which he thought nested nearby (Macoun and Macoun 1909).

Fall arrival occurs on average by 20 Oct (52 yrs) and by November, very large flocks are present that continue to increase in size throughout December. High tallies on the Christmas Counts include the 3,572 on 15 Dec 02 Kingston; 2,830 on 14 Dec 02 P.E.Pt.; 2,545 on 28 Dec 86 1000 Islands, KFN. The Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey covers a wider section of waterfront than does a single Christmas Count and so one expects larger numbers of the Common Goldeneye to be tallied on these surveys, to wit 10,096 on 11 Jan 04; 8,113 on 10 Jan 99 and 8,011 on 9 Jan 2000, KFN.

The ‘Whistler’ as this species is also known because of its wing whistle has been found on every Christmas Count in Kingston since 1948 and numbers remain high all through the winter wherever there is open water e.g. 7,000 on 9 Feb 96 P.E.Pt., KFN. As ice retreats during March, their numbers rise inshore along the edges of Wolfe and Amherst Islands. Peak spring tallies include the 4,000 on 4 Apr 93 Wolfe I., Ellis & Weir; 3,000 on 2 Apr 95 Wolfe I., KFN; 3,000 on 9 Mar 04 Amherst I., Ellis & Good.

Most depart our region by 12 May (57 yrs). A few have remained here during 24 of the 31 summers since 1976. Initially it was thought that these involved only non-breeding immature birds, since the species does not normally breed in their second year of life. However, careful summer surveys revealed our first known successful nesting on 10 Jul 94 when an adult female was found with her 10 flightless chicks. It was later confirmed that she incubated these eggs in a nest box near Sugar I., off Gananoque, Grooms. Checks of this area in subsequent summers revealed additional successful nesting 20 Jul 95 Hay I., Grooms & Maybee, with the female and her seven chicks and again 15 Jul 01 Tremont I., Maybee, with the female and her 16 chicks. Fewer than five pairs breed annually in our area.

Extant specimens in the National Museum are the female found dead on the beach 23 Mar 75 P.E.Pt., 63363; one found in October 1981 Amherst I., 78874; and another in December 1982, Picton, 78874.

SUMMARY: Abundant spring and autumn transient and winter visitor. Uncommon regular summer resident.

BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Bucephala islandica

Garrot d’Islande

The breeding range of the Barrow’s Goldeneye extends from Alaska to Greenland, also Iceland, and in North America, but in the east only to northeast Quebec and Labrador. It winters mainly along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and at this time is considered to be a casual visitor to the interior of southern Canada (Godfrey 1986, AOU 1998). James (1991) considered it as a rare transient and winter resident.

The first sighting of this species in the Kingston region dates from 16 Apr 1950, when a male was studied at close range along the south end of the Greater Cataraqui R., O. Brown (fide Stirrett). The next is an autumn record of four 27 Nov 1960, of which three were shot at Stoney Pt., Jefferson, N.Y. (Bull 1974), located southeast of Galloo I. within the traditional 50 km circle of Kingston. One of these specimens is a mount in the collection of the Case Junior High School in Watertown, N.Y.

Beginning in 1979 with systematic and regular waterfowl surveys during autumn through spring, the Barrow’s Goldeneye has been found here in 21 of the 28 years up to 2007 and 47 individual birds have been tallied of which 31 were males. These records define an average arrival date of 9 Dec (12 yrs), earliest 8 Nov 87 P.E.Pt., M. Brown & Weir and average departure 21 Mar (22 yrs), latest 21 May 94 (male) Amherst I., KFN. The species is usually found with Common Goldeneye, but occasionally with rafts of scaup. The increase in Kingston sightings probably results from our increased surveys combined with an increased knowledge of the field marks to separate the Barrow’s from the Common Goldeneye. The Barrow’s Goldeneye breeds in two widely disparate areas (Godfrey 1986). The largest numbers are in the west from Yukon, B.C. southwards. However, in the east, lower numbers breed in Labrador and northern Quebec and presumably, these are the individuals noted in winter along the Atlantic coast south to New York. The origins of the birds in our region can only be surmised to be from the eastern Canadian breeding population.

SUMMARY: Rare, fairly regular fall, winter and spring visitor.

HOODED MERGANSER
Lophodytes cucullatus

Harle couronné

The lack of historical information makes it impossible to assess the status of this species in the Kingston region the prior to the mid-20th century. Relying on the records of the KFN that began in 1948, Quilliam (1973) considered the species to be a rare summer resident, but noted a gradual increase in numbers seen during spring passage. Using the results of migration and breeding studies after 1973, Weir (1989) also noted the trend to greater numbers during migration, but for the first time provided an estimate of the number of breeding pairs in our region.

The breeding studies from 1981-85 revealed about 220 pairs nesting annually, thereby making it the 4th most common breeding duck after the Mallard, Blue-winged Teal and Wood Duck. The subsequent similar work carried out 2001-05 showed an expansion of their breeding areas and an increase to (250 ± 25) breeding pairs each year, but it remains the 4th most common breeding duck. The greatest density of breeders continues to be throughout our Shield sections north and northeast from the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The Hooded Merganser is timid, shy and unobtrusive on the breeding ponds and streams and it is very easily missed even when a pair is known to be present. Once the broods are with the female, they are more easily located. On the other hand, locating the broods is made more difficult by the remoteness of the large number of beaver ponds and forest pools in our region.

Spring arrival occurs by 11 Mar (57 yrs) at which time the courting males are more obvious than at other times of the year in locations along the Greater Cataraqui R., bays along Wolfe, Amherst and Howe Islands, Hay Bay and P.E.Pt. Spring concentrations are dependent on ice conditions. In those years when the break up is unusually late, large concentrations are found to include the 200 on 24 Mar 88 Amherst I., A. Scott; 180 on 12 Apr 72 Greater Cataraqui R. Hughes & Weir; 150 on 10 Apr 94 Wolfe I., KFN. The largest spring raft on record contained 500 on 16 Mar 86 Washburn, Mackenzie. Dispersal to the beaver ponds occurs immediately when ice breaks up.

Egg data are few, but this is not surprising since the species nests in holes in trees located frequently at heights above six meters and so accessibility is an issue even when a nest is located. Three egg dates are on file for 24 Apr (one nest) and 28 Apr (two nests). Another nest contained young on 30 May 01 Opinicon, fide Phelan. Brood dates extend from 17 Apr to 20 Aug (60 broods) and another female with her three young 21 Sep 67 was extremely late. It is of interest to note the observation by John Haig who counted hundreds flying over the Narrow’s Lock at dusk on each evening from late July to early August 1989. It is likely these involved family groups that had gathered from the surrounding Shield areas.

Hooded Mergansers move to larger bodies of open waters by October as migration is underway. At this time, they number up to 40 birds per group. The Fall Roundup provides a measure of their numbers in our area at that stage of their passage and the high tallies are the 409, 350, 200 and 236 on 8 Nov 92, 2 Nov 97, 3 Nov 96 and 6 Nov 05, respectively, KFN. The average last date is 13 Dec (50 yrs) and a few birds spend the winter in open water around Chaffeys Locks, Ivy Lea, Dupont lagoon at Kingston among other sites. The 75 birds on 20 Dec 06 at Chaffeys Locks, Ellis & Weir, are a large number for the late date, but the water was not frozen.

SUMMARY: Common Spring and autumn transient. Fairly common summer resident. A few winter records.

COMMON MERGANSER
Mergus merganser

Grand Harle

The Common Merganser continues to be one of our commonest ducks during winter and visits by observers to open water locations nearly always result in fairly good numbers. At Ivy Lea beneath the bridge to Hill I., where the narrow deep channel remains ice-free, tallies have resulted in 1,100 on 21 Feb 82,Weir; 1,000 16 Jan 83, Mackenzie. The Christmas counts at the Thousand Islands have produced some impressive numbers that include the 4,495 on 26 Dec 05 and the 4,390 on 2 Jan 93. The Kingston Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey has also produced impressive numbers viz. 17,641 on 11 Jan 98; 14,706 on 8 Jan 06; 9,752 on 13 Jan 02, KFN.

Average arrival during autumn passage is 6 Oct (51 yrs) and their numbers increase steadily through November especially on waters away from L. Ontario. The mouth of the Napanee R. and Hay Bay are favourite feeding areas at this time and impressive numbers have been tallied here to include the 10,000 on 26 Nov 94 Ellis & Weir; the 5,000 to 10,000 on 16 Nov 82 Bell and 10,000 on 22 Dec 84 KFN. Farther inland were the 2,000 on 14 Nov 90 Cranberry L., M. Chapman.

Once the ice melts during March and April, wintering birds and returning migrants reoccupy shallow bays and inland lakes, but flock size is lower than occurs during autumn. Typical are the 1,500 on 28 Mar 69 Greater Cataraqui R., Woods; 1,000 on 23 & 26 Mar 80 Wolfe I., KFN and the 1,000 on 17 Apr 93 P.E.Pt., Ellis & Weir. Average departure is 5 May (56 yrs), although some pairs remain to nest in our area.

The breeding studies done 1981-85 revealed about 18 pairs breeding annually (10th most common breeding duck). The repeated studies from 2001-05 revised this number to (45±10) pairs breeding annually, still in 10th place. The increased numbers appear due to a range expansion rather than a rise in the density within the established nesting sites. Egg dates are 10 Apr to 1 Jul (6 nests) and brood dates extend from 20 Jun to 10 Aug (20 broods of females with flightless young).

SUMMARY: Abundant spring and autumn transient. Very common winter visitor and uncommon summer resident.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER
Mergus serrator

Harle huppé

The Red-breasted Merganser prefers more marine habitat and is found on less sheltered waters than the Common Merganser. The Red-breasted arrives here by 23 Mar (56 yrs), but variable numbers spend the winter depending on ice conditions. The deep waters off P.E.Pt. and along the south shore of Amherst I. are ideal locations to find this species during its passage. Peak numbers include the 4,000 on 23 May 04; 1,500 on 4 May 86; 1,050 on 18 May 03; 500 each on 1 May 99 & 5 May 02, all P.E.Pt., KFN. In some springs, their numbers have been unusually low for reasons that are not clear, such as occurred in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1991 when rafts contained 50 or fewer birds. Most have gone by 16 May (53 yrs).

With respect to nesting in our area, Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) wrote that the species’ nesting status had declined by the 1890s. Young found nests with eggs 27 & 30 Jun 1896. During the transition into the 20th century, its breeding status appears to have been unchanged. The breeding studies of the 20th century 1981-85 concluded that about 12 pairs breed annually here (13th most common breeding duck) and all were confined to offshore islands located in L. Ontario. The species prefers rocky islands and shorelines of lakes and rivers (Peck and James 1983). The breeding studies repeated at the start of the 21st century 2001-05 resulted in (15± 3) pairs nesting annually (13th most common), which represents no change over the 20 year-period between the studies. Once again they were confined mainly to the offshore islands with one pair being found along the rocky islands of Charleston L. Dates for adult females with their unfledged young extend from 26 Jun to 10 Aug (8 broods).

Passage migrants return by 15 Oct (51 yrs), and peak numbers are reached within a few weeks of this date and include the 6,000 on 25 Oct 05, fide Sprague; 4,055 on 6 Nov 05 KFN; 2,250 on 7 Nov 04 KFN, all at P.E.Pt. Numbers drop steadily and most have departed by 23 Dec (48 yrs). Unusually high counts for the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey are the 3,423 on 7 Jan 07 and the 949 on 11 Jan 04, KFN.

SUMMARY: Very common spring and autumn transient. Uncommon summer and uncommon winter resident.

RUDDY DUCK
Oxyura jamaicensis

Erismature rousse

Young (Macoun and Macoun 1909) is the first person to have noted this species in our region, as he found it occasionally during autumn along Wolfe I. The next Ruddy Ducks on the record are of three shot near Kingston 23 Oct 1923 and 30 & 31 Oct 1928, and of another seen 20 Nov 1928, Beaupre. Specimen evidence in the ROM includes one from 31 Oct 1928, another in Sep 1934 (no date) and one dated 8 Oct 1938 Kingston & Wolfe I. Twenty-five years were to pass until the next sighting 17 Nov 1953 Little Cataraqui Creek, Erskine.

This species has recently expanded its range from the prairies into eastern North America. Confirmed nesting for Ontario was obtained in 1948 from L. St. Clair in the southwest. Gradual increases in numbers have occurred, but breeding within Ontario is scattered widely south of the Canadian Shield. Man-made sewage ponds and lagoons have provided suitable nesting habitat to assist the spread of this species. The Ruddy Duck has been seen in our region annually since 1964 that allows for more meaningful statistics. Average spring arrival is 24 Apr (41 yrs), earliest 16 Mar 57 Greater Cataraqui R., J. Cartwright & M.H. Edwards. The largest group noted in spring is the eight on 3 Jun 02 Amherstview Sewage Lagoons, P.J. Good.

Summering birds were first noted in 1975 at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoon, but young were not located that summer. Nesting was confirmed two years later when an adult female tended her brood of six young 28 Jul 77 at these same lagoons, R.K. Edwards. The next confirmed nesting was discovered with a female and her five young 24 Jul 82 Wiltse L., near Lansdowne, Sutherland. The 1981-85 breeding studies revealed that only two pairs nested during that period. The subsequent supporting study 2001-05 showed a minor increase to about five pairs and all were in the immediate vicinity of Kingston. Brood dates extend from 24 Jul to 8 Aug (4 broods), but a nest has not yet been found with eggs.

Migrants reappear by October to join the local breeders. By 1994, autumn concentrations rose sharply with 85 on 3 Nov 96; 65 counted 6 Nov 94; 45 on 2 Nov 97, all near Belle I., Greater Cataraqui R., KFN. Other reliable feeding areas are the Little Cataraqui Creek north of the bridge on King St. and along the south shore of Hay Bay. Average departure is 25 Nov (38 yrs), latest 21 Jan 95 Elevator Bay by Dupont, Kingston, J.H. & M.T Ellis.

SUMMARY: Regular uncommon spring and autumn transient. Rare to uncommon summer resident.