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. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Highlights: With the increasing temperatures comes, albeit slowly, a gradual opening of the waterways. A fairly wide channel now extends from the upper reaches of Kingston's Inner Harbour to Belle Island and the Wolfe Island ferry channel now actually has areas of open water rather than solid ice and slush. An increase in waterfowl has been noted and highlights of the week include; TUNDRA SWAN, WOOD DUCK, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and COMMON GRACKLE. City of Kingston The return of three species of dabblers this week is very welcome, with NORTHERN PINTAIL seen at Invista on 10th, and AMERICAN WIGEON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL in the upper reaches of the Inner Harbour today (13th). Also at this latter location, good numbers of REDHEAD and RING-NECKED DUCK were seen today, as well as all three species of swan, the Tundras and Trumpeters being quite vocal. Near Belle Island, a singing male PURPLE FINCH was the first of the season. Not rare by any means, both HERRING and RING-BILLED GULLS have returned this week and several observers have reported seeing AMERICAN ROBINS. SONG SPARROWS have been singing at Invista since 10th. The resident PEREGRINE FALCON was seen at its usual downtown location on 12th. A flock of 45 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen at Lemoine Point CA on 7th, as well as at least 1 HOARY REDPOLL. CEDAR WAXWINGS were seen at Lemoine Pointy CA on 7th and near Ravensview, east of the city on 11th. COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS continue in the Reddendale area and a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD has just been seen in the same area. Wolfe Island Not too many reports this week. HORNED LARKS continue and 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen on 9th. An unidentified loon was seen the same day flying along the ferry channel. SNOWY OWLS continue to be seen on the ferry crossing and at several locations on the island. Amherst Island Two COMMON GRACKLES were seen on 12th were probably genuine migrants though none have been reported since. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was again seen on 2nd Concession on 12th but is likely to have over-wintered, as is the NORTHERN FLICKER seen on 9th. Three SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen on the island on 9th, 4 ICELAND GULLS were reported on 12th and 8 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were observed on 7th. Other sightings The male WOOD DUCK at Springside Park in Napanee was joined by a new pair this week and the male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER seen inland at Chaffey's Locks continued to 11th at least. Another was found at Lower Brewers on 9th and continues as of today (13th). At Upper Brewers, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on 8th. Just west of here, 2 HOARY REDPOLLS continue to visit a local feeder and up on Chaffey's Lock Road a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen on 12th. In Glenburnie, 75 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were brief visitors to a garden on 9th and the Howe Island RUSTY BLACKBIRDS numbered 11 on 8th. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy <http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/birding/KFN_sensitive_sightings_policy. pdf> . Also note that, as requested by the landowners, sightings of owls at the privately-owned Owl Woods must not be distributed on the Internet (this includes posting as 'Amherst Island' on eBird) by KFN or anyone who visits. To ensure continued access to this location, please respect their wishes and follow the guidelines posted on-site. To maintain records for conservation purposes, sightings from that location are welcomed through all the traditional channels. As always, thanks to all those who have 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
