Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders 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: Spring-like conditions have continued for most of the week, with new birds continuing to arrive almost daily. Highlights include: SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GOLDEN EAGLE, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, TREE SWALLOW, SNOWY OWL, HERMIT THRUSH, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, FOX SPARROW, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Kingston An early movement of 19 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS was seen passing over the city on 17th, at the same downtown location where 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS are still being seen. A HERMIT THRUSH was seen at Belle Park on 16th and a FOX SPARROW in Reddendale on 18th. AMERICAN ROBINS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, COMMON GRACKLES, and a scattering of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS are now widespread. Waterfowl numbers (including migrating geese) have dropped off this week. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was seen at the Wolfe Island ferry dock on 12th, and a RUSTY BLACKBIRD was seen just north of the city near Elginburg on 14th. Wolfe Island IBA No further sightings of last week's highlights but a number of CACKLING GEESE (over 40) were reported across the island on 12th but not since. Also seen on 12th were good (for Kingston) numbers of SNOW GOOSE with well over 1000 birds. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on 13th, as were 3 TREE SWALLOWS. At Big Sandy Bay, 2 WINTER WRENS were present on 15th. EASTERN MEADOWLARKS are now fairly widespread across the island; an EASTERN BLUEBIRD was present at the winter ferry dock on 16th. Amherst Island IBA Notable records this week include the first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of the season, a male on the Martin Edwards Reserve and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD nearby. Twelve SNOWY OWLS were present the same day, most on the ice. SNOW GEESE (74) and EASTERN BLUEBIRD were seen on the island on 14th. 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. Prince Edward County Not many reports out of Kaiser Cross Roads this week but the site is surely worth a visit if in the county. A pair of NORTHERN SHOVELER were reported there on 17th along with 580 NORTHERN PINTAIL and a good selection of other waterfowl. An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen near Sandbanks on 17th. Other sightings Three records of SANDHILL CRANE were received this week; 2 near Crosby on 17th, 6 near Millhaven on 17th; and 1 near Camden on 18th. Special note re Amherstview Sewage Lagoons: The property is still undergoing (delayed) construction work and is strictly off limits to all. It is now predicted to re-open (to those with written permission) in late summer/early fall. 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
