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.
Highlights: So, the cold winter weather finally broke this week and a big thaw ensued. Lake Ontario is still frozen but it shouldn't be long before it and other water bodies open up. Southerly winds also brought in the first wave of (overdue) migrants. Here are the highlights of the last week: SNOW GOOSE - a lone bird was seen on Amherst Island on 14th. TRUMPETER SWAN - Birds are already starting to spread out as they look for opening waters. This week's high count is from 9th when 28 were still present at Lower Brewers Lock. WOOD DUCK - Early arrivals (10) were seen at Belle Park, Kingston, on 14th with 20 there today (15th). BARROW'S GOLDENEYE - Last week's male at Fishers Landing, NY, was last seen on 9th. KILLDEER - birds were seen at several locations on 14th with a high of 4 noted on Amherst Island. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - the first of the year was seen at Belle Island, Kingston, on 14th. TURKEY VULTURE - slow to arrive, singles were seen at Napanee and Harrowsmith on 9th, with 1 on Amherst on 13th and 2 at Gananoque on 15th. SNOWY OWL - numbers have dropped from a high of 31 on Amherst Island on 9th to just 3 on 14th. There were no reports from Wolfe Island this week. If you do find one, please keep your distance to reduce negative impacts and always respect private property. PEREGRINE FALCON - Kingston's downtown bird was seen on 4 occasions this week. HERMIT THRUSH - what was presumably the overwintering individual was seen at Marshlands CA, Kingston, on 9th. EVENING GROSBEAK - 2 birds were seen on Howe Island on 13th, with another 2 at a private feeder, just north of Kingston on the same date. PINE GROSBEAK - 2 were seen at Little Cataraqui Creek CA, Kingston, on 9th, with 4 near Inverary on 14th. 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. SNOW BUNTING - there were widespread sightings this week but in low numbers. A high of 45 birds was noted near Brewers Mills on 10th. FIELD SPARROW - 3 birds were photographed at Gananoque on 10th. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - singles were noted near Murvale on 11th and in Kingston on 13th but by 14th they were widespread. COMMON GRACKLE - with singles on Amherst on 9th and Howe Island on 12th, birds were being seen more widely by 14th/15th. 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
