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: A week of mixed weather has not produced anything new in the region, though wintering waterfowl continue to increase and passage sparrows decrease. Highlights of the week include; BRANT, TUNDRA SWAN, BLACK SCOTER, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, SANDHILL CRANE, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, 'OREGON' DARK-EYED JUNCO, and EVENING GROSBEAK. City of Kingston Waterfowl numbers continue to build up in Cataraqui Bay where TUNDRA SWANS have been increasing all week; this evening approximately 40 birds were present. Following on from last week, up to 2 female BLACK SCOTERS have been seen in the bay but have not been seen since 28th. A RED-THROATED LOON was seen off Portsmouth Olympic Harbour on 30th and 2 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were observed at Lake Ontario Park the same evening. At Faircrest Blvd, east of city, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was a late surprise for one birder and a BAY-BREASED WARBLER was seen in the Reddendale area on 27th. Wolfe Island A KFN field trip to the island didn't produce too much in the way of surprises last Sunday (26th) but a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, plenty of widespread TUNDRA SWANS, and a late BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER were all appreciated. On 29th, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen but the location to be was Button Bay were thousands of scaup (mainly GREATER SCAUP) are currently present, amongst which are REDHEAD, RING-NECKED DUCK, a variety of dabblers and 25-30 HOODED MERGANSERS. On nearby Garden Island, a late YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was seen on 25th as well as an unexpected but most-welcome NORTHERN GOSHAWK - the first record for the island I believe. Also on Garden Island (but in the previous week), 28 SANDHILL CRANES were seen on 21st. Prince Edward Point Starting with a record just outside the circle, 5 PINE GROSBEAKS were seen feeding on wild berries on Ostrander Point Road on 29th. Fully within the circle, the first BOHEMIAN WAXWING of the season was seen near the lighthouse on 30th. Also seen the same day was a BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHER and a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Numbers of scoters (primarily WHITE-WINGED SCOTER) are increasing at the point, along with LONG-TAILED DUCK, but the presence of 5 BLACK SCOTER on 25th is noteworthy. Other Sightings An EVENING GROSBEAK was seen today (31st), again visiting a feeder on Washburn Road; approximately 70 BRANT flew over the same location, also this morning. At Camden East an 'OREGON' DARK-EYED JUNCO showed up this morning at the same location where one spent last winter. 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 4H5 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 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
