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 or post records directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
A REMINDER RE OWL WOODS: A condition of being allowed continued access to the Owl Woods is that observations of owls seen there are not posted to the Internet (in any form) during the current season. Notices explaining the reasons for this are posted at several locations in the woods. Currently the landowners allow access but this may change if the rules are broken. I am happy to answer questions on their behalf privately. Highlights: There was a return to extremely cold temperatures later in the week after the heavy rain and strong winds of the previous weekend. Birders, understandably, seemed to be somewhat thin on the ground. Here are the highlights of the last week: TRUMPETER SWAN - numbers were way down this week. Whether that is due to a lack of observers or birds dispersing is unknown. This week's high count was of 12 birds at Lower Brewers Mills on 28th. NORTHERN PINTAIL - single males were present on 23rd at Ivy Lea and Invista, Kingston. TURKEY VULTURE - single birds were seen at Godfrey and Lower Brewers Lock, both on 23rd. BLACK VULTURE - seen just outside the area at Picton, the 2 birds encountered on 23rd are likely continuing individuals first seen last April. SNOWY OWL - there were very few birds encountered this past week, with a high count of 4 on Amherst Island on 23rd and just 1 on Wolfe Island on 26th. If you do find one, please keep your distance to reduce negative impacts and always respect private property. GYRFALCON - a grey individual was seen just outside the area at Babylon Road, Prince Edward County yesterday (28th). PEREGRINE FALCON - no sightings this week. EVENING GROSBEAK - there were just 2 sightings this week - 4 birds were seen on Howe Island on 24th and 2 were seen just north of Kingston on 25th. PINE GROSBEAK - 12 birds were seen at Gananoque on 23rd. COMMON REDPOLL - there were continued widespread sightings across the region this week, with up to 300 birds being consistently seen at a feeder near Verona. HOARY REDPOLL - a single bird was present on 27th amongst the several hundred Common Redpolls at Verona. LAPLAND LONGSPUR - numbers are down for this one with 2 birds on Wolfe Island on 23rd and 4 at Camden Lake, also on 23rd. SNOW BUNTING - numbers are also down with this species, though a high of 180 birds near Napanee on 24th was notable. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW - a continuing bird was seen in Kingston today, 1st. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property in the recording area, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy <http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/birding/KFN_sensitive_sightings_policy. pdf> . Please note that you must be a card-carrying member of Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN), or be accompanied by a member, to access both the Martin Edwards Reserve and Amherstview Sewage Lagoons. As always, a big thank you goes to all those who have submitted sightings directly or via eBird. Mark. Mark D. Read 337 Button Bay Road, Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario K0H 2Y0 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 Email: <mailto:markdr...@gmail.com> markdr...@gmail.com 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 (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
