Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders already using eBird are encouraged to share their sightings with 'Kingston FN'. Alternatively, please email, phone or post records directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Highlights: There's been a definite increase in the movement of birds into the area this week, with several new arrivals and one genuine rarity. Highlights of the week include; SNOW GOOSE, SURF SCOTER, AMERICAN BITTERN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, SANDHILL CRANE, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, CASPIAN TERN, LITTLE GULL, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, NORTHERN SHRIKE, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, PURPLE MARTIN, CAROLINA WREN, BROWN THRASHER, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, PINE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, EASTERN TOWHEE, FIELD SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, LARK SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, and EVENING GROSBEAK. City of Kingston The highlight of the week has been a LARK SPARROW that was found at Lemoine Point CA on the evening of 13th. It was still present this morning (16th) but far less cooperative than previously. Other sparrows have arrived this week, including EASTERN TOWHEE (13th), FIELD SPARROW (13th), and greater numbers of FOX SPARROW, which numbered 6 on 13th and 7 on 14th at Marshlands CA and 6 on 15th at Lemoine Point CA. Good numbers of LESSER SCAUP were seen last weekend (12th) when 162 were counted north of Belle Island. Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at Invista on 11th and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS was at Lemoine Point CA on 14th. A CASPIAN TERN was seen at Lemoine Point on 15th. The first NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS of the season were seen at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Lemoine Point CA on 14th, and the first RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was also at Lemoine Point on 12th. A BROWN THRASHER was seen near the 401 on 11th, with another at Lemoine point CA on 12th. A CAROLINA WREN was seen at Beechgrove Complex on 15th, seeming to indicate a good year for this species. Amherst Island Not so many SNOWY OWLS this week - just 5 were seen on 14th, but an incredible 49 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen the same day, as well as 15 NORTHERN HARRIERS. The first ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (7) of the season were seen there the same day, as well as over 1000 LONG-TAILED DUCKS and 200 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. A PURPLE MARTIN was seen on the island on 11th. Please note that you must be a member of Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) or be accompanied by a member to access the Martin Edwards Reserve. Wolfe lsland The season's first AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at Big Sandy Bay on 12th, where FIELD SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and WINTER WREN were all seen. A late NORTHERN SHRIKE was also seen. Elsewhere on the same day, SAVANNAH SPARROW, BARN SWALLOW and a BONAPARTE'S GULL were encountered. Prince Edward Point/County Just missing last week's report, the first VESPER SPARROW and FIELD SPARROW of the season were see on 10th. Vesper Sparrows were also seen 0n 12th and 16th. Other birds this week have included 3 SURF SCOTERS and 400 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on 16th, 2 BROWN THRASHERS on 15th, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS on 15th (10 on 16th), 3 PURPLE FINCHES and a PINE SISKIN, also on 15th, and 2 PINE WARBLERS on 16th. Finally, a LITTLE GULL was seen on the Glenora ferry crossing early this morning (16th). Other sightings The previously reported SNOW GEESE on Howe Island continued to 12th, at least. A VESPER SPARROW was seen north of Sydenham on 12th and another was at Sweets Corners on 16th. Two EVENING GROSBEAKS were at a feeder near Yarker on 15th and 3 were at Camden East on 13th. The first GREATER YELLOWLEGS of the season was seen on Washburn Road on 13th, and SANDHILL CRANES have been reported from at least 3 different locations this week. A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was back at Napanee Limestone Plain IBA on 14th and 3 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were up at Queens University Biological Station on 12th. The number of NORTHERN SHOVELERS at Amherstview Sewage Lagoons increased to 16 on 14th, where 4 LESSER SCAUP, a REDHEAD and 167 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were also counted. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy <http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/birding/KFN_sensitive_sightings_policy. pdf> . Also note that, as requested by the landowners, sightings of owls at the privately-owned Owl Woods must not be distributed on the Internet (this includes posting as 'Amherst Island' on eBird) by KFN or anyone who visits. To ensure continued access to this location, please respect their wishes and follow the guidelines posted on-site. To maintain records for conservation purposes, sightings from that location are welcomed through all the traditional channels. As always, thanks to all those who have submitted sightings over the last week. Mark. Mark D. Read 47 Ellerbeck Street, Unit 1, Kingston, Ontario K7L 4H5 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 Email: [email protected] Blog: "Confessions of a Global Birder" http://markdread.blogspot.com <http://markdread.blogspot.com/> Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markdread/ eBird Guidelines for Reporting Sensitive Species <http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1006789-guidelines-for-repor ting-sensitive-species> _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
