We started off the week well with a Cattle Egret on Amherst Island May 5th but it disappeared and three subsequent trips to the island failed to relocate the bird. There were 1000 Red-breasted Mergansers off the south shore of Amherst on Saturday but this had dwindled to a few dozen by Wednesday. A flock of 150 Brant flew past the KFN property on May 6th and a single seemingly-injured one remained on Wednesday.
A Snowy Owl, not mentioned last week, appeared last Saturday and stayed at least until May 10th on the KFN property. Only a single Rough-legged Hawk was seen on Amherst last Monday. Shorebirds are around but no rarities and not in large numbers. Dunlin, Wilson's Phalarope, Upland and Pectoral Sandpiper were mentioned and the only change of note is that there are increasing numbers of Semipalmated Plovers and Least Sandpipers. And now to the passerine migration where there's a lot more noise and colour. There were widespread reports of Great-crested Flycatchers, Baltimore Orioles, Wood Thrushes, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Eastern Kingbirds, Warbling Vireos, Catbirds, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. A second Yellow-throated Vireo was seen at Opinicon on May 10th and a Red-eyed Vireo was reported from Dupont yesterday. Warblers were varied but not yet an inundation. Species mentioned included Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Golden-winged, Ovenbird, Cerulean, Nashville, Black-throated Green, Black and White, Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. As an indication that we are moving from migration to breeding season there are reports this week of both Great Horned Owl and Woodcock with young and it seems that young Canada Geese (Canada Goslings?) are everywhere. To close, some miscellaneous sightings: Whip-poor-will calling at Camden East May 5th, a Mockingbird at Dupont May 11th, 2 American Pipits at Morven May 9th, and 2 Chukar on Wilson Rd. May 7th. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605
