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: As we roll into May, we still await the big push but as the weather clears, the winds swing round to the south, and the weekend approaches, the promise of good birding beckons. Highlights of the week include; KING EIDER, WILLOW PTARMIGAN, BLACK VULTURE, SANDHILL CRANE, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, LITTLE GULL, LEAST FLYCATCHER, FISH CROW, VEERY, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and CAROLINA WREN. City of Kingston RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have been very noticeable this week with 40-50 of each recorded almost daily at Marshlands Conservation Area where a few HERMIT THRUSHES, WINTER WRENS and BROWN CREEPERS also continue. Warblers have begun to move through too with YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER becoming fairly widespread and PINE WARBLER noted at Marshlands CA and PALM WARBLER at Lemoine Point. A NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen at Marshlands CA on 30th April and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was there on 1st May. Also at Marshlands, a NASHVILLE WARBLER was seen on 30th April, a VIRGINIA RAIL was heard on 1st May, a VEERY was observed on 29th, and a BLUE-HEADED VIREO continues to be seen in the vicinity of the car park. The CAROLINA WREN, seen last week at Cartwright Point continued until 25th at least. Amherst Island At the Martin Edwards Reserve, a WILSON'PHALAROPE was seen on 28th but SPOTTED SANDPIPER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS were the only other shorebirds present. Two 2 SANDHILL CRANES were also seen the same day as they made their way towards Kingston. PURPLE MARTINS were also new arrivals on the reserve, as was an AMERICAN BITTERN.A COMMON TERN was seen briefly as it flew by offshore, also on 28th. Please note that you must be a member of the Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) or be accompanied by a member to access the Martin Edwards Reserve. Prince Edward Point/County At Kaiser Crossroads, LITTLE GULLS have been seen in small numbers during the week but the number of waterfowl there is already decreasing. However, a CACKLING GOOSE was noted there on 28th and TRUMPETER SWANS from 26-28th. At Prince Edward Point, the KING EIDERS were still being seen daily earlier in the week, with 4 reported there on 28th. Also seen on the 28th was a BLACK VULTURE that was apparently also photographed. A FISH CROW was reported by the same party, as well as a pair of NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, making for quite a day. The first NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was noted on 27th, as was the first BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER. A GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER reported on the 27th April is an early local record. Other Sightings The big news of the week was a WILLOW PTARMIGAN at Point Peninsula, Jefferson County, NY from 25-27th April. Seen by many birders from both sides of the border this white-plumaged bird was certainly a sight for sore eyes and performed well over the 3 days it was present. Also of note, but on a different scale, were 6 CHIMNEY SWIFT seen there on 28th. North of the city, SANDHILL CRANES still continue to be reported near Elbow Lake. Up on Canoe Lake Road, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH has returned to its usual location and has been present since 26th April. A VESPER SPARROW, not too common these days, was also seen on Canoe Lake Road on 29th, as was an OVENBIRD. Rails have also returned north of the city and 4 VIRGINIA RAILS and 2 SORA were seen at Yarker Road Marsh on 29th. A COMMON GALLINULE has been present at Sydenham since 28th, joining an AMERICAN BITTERN that has been present for nearly 2 weeks now. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and UPLAND SANDPIPER have both been reported this week from the Napanee Plains area. Tail-enders include an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and a couple of DARK-EYED JUNCOS were still enjoying being fed at a feeder near Elginburg on 30th. Further east, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES were reported at both Lansdowne and Charleston Provincial Park on 30th April. 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/ 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 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
