Migration continues apace. There were 11 warbler and 2 vireo species along with a Scarlet Tanager at Bedford Mills early in the week. Near Elginburg, a Canada Warbler on Sunday and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet on Monday were their best birds. The KFN had a field trip to Prince Edward Point last Sunday. There was nothing to speak of on the water and land birds required some effort. Thrushes and sparrows were absent and warblers were in isolated pockets. A Connecticut near the lighthouse was the best bird of the day. Several Sharp-shinned Hawks soared overhead or zipped through the woods and there were a few nice kettles of Turkey Vultures. We saw at least three Bald Eagles and at times the air was full of Blue Jays; the board at the observatory estimated 4000 by early afternoon. There were night flights over Kingston on the 13/14; lots of Swainson's Thrushes and on the 15/16; several thousand Swainson's and hundreds of Gray-cheeked Thrushes.
Raptors made up in variety what they lacked in numbers. There were still 3 Osprey at RMC on the 10th, a Red-shouldered Hawk at Bedford Mills on the 11th and a Peregrine at the sewage lagoons on the 13th. Merlins put in appearances at Bedford Mills, Amherst Island and the lagoons. Barred Owls were calling this week at Elginburg and Bedford Mills. Calling Whip-poor-wills were heard from at least three locations north of the city this week and our last (?) Ruby-throated Hummingbird was at Elginburg on Wednesday. Shorebird watchers have had a great week locally. On Amherst Island last Saturday there were 4 species of heron and 13 kinds of shorebird including 2 Am. Golden Plover and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The Amherstview sewage lagoons too, had an excellent variety including Stilt Sandpiper and Long-billed Dowitcher. These latter observations are tainted somewhat by the fact that birders were trespassing. The KFN is currently trying to get some agreement with Loyalist Township that would allow us to legally observe the birds and resolve the ongoing issues of trespass and liability regarding access to the lagoons. Until that occurs, any reports to Ontbirds might only encourage more trespassing and jeopardize these negotiations. I realize that there are a whole variety of arrangements at lagoons across the province and if anyone has suggestions that would help in resolving our dilemma I would appreciate hearing from you. This is not a topic for discussion in the Ontbirds forum- please email me privately at [email protected]. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
