Given the huge influx of new birds it is difficult to give a short summary for the first two weeks in May. Most of the local birding activity has been to the north of the city especially on the Opinicon Road and at the Queen's University Biological Station not far from Chaffey's Lock. On May 3rd there were 2 Sandhill Cranes, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers as well as Wood Thrush, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole, Golden-winged Warbler, Am. Redstart and Yellow-throated Vireo. The next day added Scarlet Tanager, Common Yellowthroat, a Black-throated Blue Warbler and a most unexpected Yellow-throated Warbler. By May 8th there was a Canada and a Tennessee Warbler as well as a Red-eyed Vireo and more than a bit unusual given the habitat and the time of year, a Clay-colored Sparrow and an Evening Grosbeak. By Saturday numbers had started to increase; 7 Yellow-throated and 12 Red-eyed Vireo. A Brewster's Warbler was also noted on the 9th. On the Canoe Lake Road, also north of the city, Ovenbird and both Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush were found on Friday.
Closer to town certainly lacks the diversity of the shield country but some good birds were seen nevertheless. A Sandhill Crane flew over Elevator Bay on May 2nd. The first local Marsh Wren was at Little Cat and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird visited a feeder out Montreal Street on the 3rd. Also on that Sunday there were 4 Caspian and 2 Black Terns at the Amherstview sewage lagoons along with 8 species of waterfowl. There was a Bobolink at Lemoine Point on the 6th and 2 more Black Terns in the west end of the city on the 8th. A Great Egret was on the Orser Road last Saturday. The "white" grackle continues to visit a feeder in Cartwright's Point along with up to 4 Red-bellied Woodpeckers. The Brant migration is in full swing; 1600, in two flocks, flew along the waterfront west of the city on Tuesday. Pine Siskins continue to patronize feeders and there was still a Snowy Owl on Wolfe Island yesterday. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
