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: It's been very quiet this week, likely due to the mild conditions and subsequent dispersal of birds. Highlights of the week include: CACKLING GOOSE, SNOWY OWL, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and RED CROSSBILL. Since it has been so quiet this week, this will be brief. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen at Finkle's Shore, Bath on 4th. The Invista/Cataraqui Bay CANVASBACKS in Kingston have become more mobile but the highest count of the season was made on 2nd when 75 were seen - we are usually lucky to get a couple of sightings a year. RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSERS, and AMERICAN COOT all remain at the same location. The odd COMMON LOON can still be found; Wolfe Island, Amherst Island and Kingston being the best locations. Kingston's pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen vocalising atop the Princess Towers on 2nd. A TURKEY VULTURE was seen on Bath Road on 4th, possibly one of the birds that is overwintering in Prince Edward County. SNOWY OWL numbers on the islands of Wolfe and Amherst seem to be increasing - a survey on Wolfe Island yesterday notched up 47 birds. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was a nice find on Amherst Island on 31st Jan. Amherst's Vesper Sparrow has not been seen since 24th, though Wolfe Island's SAVANNAH SPARROW was seen on 4th Line on 30th. Best bird of the week was, without doubt, RED CROSSBILL (2 birds) seen near Sunbury on 2nd. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS have been widespread. 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 shared 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 337 Button Bay Road, Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario K0H 2Y0 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 Home: +1 (613) 385-1651 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
