There were a number of great birds reported in the past week including a GLOSSY IBIS, a LARK BUNTING, and a WORM-EATING WARBLER (a few details can be found below). Most of the expected migrants have made their way back to the Kingston Region, though numbers of many species seem to still be rather low. A few "winter" birds are still lingering, such as LONG-TAILED DUCK, which can still be found along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
City of Kingston 400 BRANT and an ORCHARD ORIOLE were at Lemoine Point Conservation Area. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was at the Marshlands Conservation Area. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was at Cartwright's Point. Amherst Island A GLOSSY IBIS was seen briefly on the Kingston Field Naturalists property on the island's east end on the morning of May 14. It was not relocated in the afternoon. Also on Amherst's east end was AMERICAN BITTERN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, LEAST SANDPIPER, WILSON'S PHALAROPE and PEREGRINE FALCON. Please note that you must be a member of the Kingston Field Naturalists to access this property. Also of note elsewhere on the island was UPLAND SANDPIPER, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and CLAY-COLOURED SPARROW. For more information on birding Amherst Island please see http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/birding/amherst_island.pdf. Amherstview Sewage Lagoons Shorebird habitat was lacking, so only a single LEAST SANDPIPER and KILLDEER were found at the lagoons. Waterbirds included WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, LESSER SCAUP and BUFFLEHEAD. Also of note were 6 BLACK TERNS. Please note that you must be a member of the Kingston Field Naturalists or otherwise have permission to access the lagoons. Opinicon Road Numerous flocks of BRANT were recorded flying over Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS). Very few RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have been reported in the Kingston Region so far this spring but a single female has been patronizing the feeders at QUBS for several weeks now. Most of the notable Opinicon Road birds had returned inlcuding EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER, and CERULEAN and GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS. A VESPER SPARROW was at Chaffey's Lock. For more information on birding Opinicon Road, including where to find CERULEAN WARBLERS, please see http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/birding/birdinginfo.html. Prince Edward County Spring birding at Prince Edward Point continued to be highly rewarding this past week. Some of the best birds included SURF and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, MERLIN, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, WILSON'S, BLUE-WINGED, GOLDEN-WINGED, CAPE MAY, BAY-BREASTED and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, ORCHARD ORIOLE and PINE SISKIN. But the WORM-EATING WARBLER on May 14 was by far the most notable species. The flooded fields along Kaiser Crossroad continued to draw in shorebirds including SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SPOTTED and LEAST SANDPIPERS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. Other Observations A male LARK BUNTING was found near Sharbot Lake along Over the Hills Road on May 15! It was photographed. No word if it is still there today. A MOURNING WARBLER was found off County Road 42 near Newboro. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was along Canoe Lake Road. Several LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were reported north of Newburgh. Thanks to all those who submitted observations this past week. Mark -- Mark Andrew Conboy Operations & Research Assistant and Outreach Coordinator Queen’s University Biological Station 280 Queen's University Road Elgin, Ontario, Canada K0G 1E0 phone: 613-359-5629 fax: 613-533-6617 email: [email protected] or [email protected] QUBS website: http://www.queensu.ca/qubs/index.html QUBS blog: http://opinicon.wordpress.com/ QUBS flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qubsoutreach/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
