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. Note: some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Highlights: Migration began, faltered and will hopefully pick up again this weekend, though the first significant numbers of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and COMMON GRACKLES made it here earlier in the week. Other highlights include; KING EIDER, RED-NECKED GREBE, GREAT BLUE HERON, and TUFTED TITMOUSE. City of Kingston The Invista RED-NECKED GREBE, present since 18th Feb is still present, though other waterfowl can be scarce unless you visit late evening or early morning. Last night over 200 REDHEAD and 250 GREATER SCAUP roosted there but were already departing by 8am this morning. The few RING-NECKED DUCKS and occasional HOODED MERGANSER are more likely to be encountered at any time. The NORTHERN SHRIKE is still present and a BELTED KINGFISHER was seen there on 11th. PEREGRINE FALCON, MERLIN and AMERICAN KESTREL were all again seen in the city this week. Howe Island The resident TUFTED TITMOUSE and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen on Havenwood Trail. Check <https://twitter.com/HICountyFerry> https://twitter.com/HICountyFerry for ferry service updates. Amherst Island ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS continue to be seen with regularity, as do the resident RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS. HORNED LARKS and SNOW BUNTINGS continue. Prince Edward Point The immature male and female KING EIDER were seen twice this week but viewing conditions are now less than ideal with water channels opening and closing daily. Also present are WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, LONG-TAILED DUCK and GREATER SCAUP. On 12th, 35 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and a dozen COMMON GRACKLES were noted. Other Sightings West of the city, an adult ICELAND GULL was seen at Violet Dump on 11th, and numbers of RING-BILLED GULLS and GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have been picking up across the area. North of the city, PURLPE FINCHES, SONG SPARROW and occasionally a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD or two remain regular at a feeder near Elginburg. Five RED-WINGED BLACKBIDS were seen at Glenburnie mid-week. East of the city, near Lansdowne, the first GREAT BLUE HERON of the year was seen on 12th, along with RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and a lingering LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Across the border at Stoney Lighthouse, Jefferson County, an impressive count of 19 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and over 300 CEDAR WAXWINGS was made on 8th. Also noted was a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, somewhat of a rarity this winter, unlike the larger COOPER'S HAWK which remains widespread. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, the KFN Executive will no longer be reporting owl sightings via the Internet. To maintain records for conservation purposes, sightings are welcomed through all the normal channels. As always, thanks to all those who submitted sightings over the last week. Mark. Mark D. Read 47 Ellerbeck Street, Unit 1, Kingston, Ontario K7L 4H7 Canada Mobile: +1 613 2171246 Email: markdr...@gmail.com Blog: "Confessions of a Global Birder" http://markdread.blogspot.com <http://markdread.blogspot.com/> Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markdread/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - 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