The KFN did their annual spring round up last weekend and with less than
fallout conditions tallied 167 species. We had all the expected vireos, 22
species of warbler (more heard than seen), 9 flycatchers and 16 different
shorebirds. There were 100's of Cedar Waxwings at Prince Edward Point as well
as two of the Harlequin Ducks that have delighted birders for the past month.
Both Merlin and Peregrine Falcons are nesting in the city.
Noteworthy waterfowl included three flocks of Brant; two over the Queen's
Biology Station during the day and another over Camden East in the middle of
the night last Friday. There was a Eurasian Wigeon at the lagoons on the 21st
but it only remained one day.
There was a Least Bittern in the Moscow marsh on Saturday and a Tricolored
Heron was on the KFN property on Amherst Island on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Yesterday there were four Am. Bitterns on Amherst.
Shorebird migration continues with the mix changing daily. On Monday there were
4 Short-billed Dowitchers, a White-rumped Sandpiper, both yellowlegs and a
Red-necked Phalarope at the lagoons and on Amherst 30 Short-billed Dowitchers.
By Wednesday the number of dowitchers on Amherst had dropped to 20 and
yesterday there was only one along with 2 Black-bellied Plover, a Semipalmated
Plover and lots of Least Sandpipers and Wilson's Phalaropes. Four Turkey
Vultures loafed on the bar on Amherst looking quite out of place in what is
normally an area frequented by gulls, waterfowl and shorebirds.
Other good sightings this week were Common Nighthawks at Frontenac Park and
Newburgh, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Bedford Mills, an Orchard Oriole on Howe
Island, and yesterday an Am. Pipit on Amherst and 5 Sandhill Cranes over the
Cataqui Town Centre.
Cheers,
Peter Good
Kingston Field Naturalists
613 378-6605
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