Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders 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: The weather has lapsed back towards wintery with predominately northerly winds this week. However, every time it swings back south, new birds continue to arrive. Highlights of the week include: CACKLING GOOSE, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, OSPREY, SANDHILL CRANE, SNOWY OWL, EASTERN PHOEBE, FOX SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Kingston DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, though not yet common, are certainly being seen more regularly. Like the cormorants, GREAT BLUE HERONS have also been dribbling in, though a noticeable push was noted across the region today (25th). Also seen today were PIED-BILLED GREBE, RUDDY DUCK, and a couple of EASTERN PHOEBE, all in Kingston's Inner Harbour. LESSER SCAUP are once again building in numbers there too, with 600 seen near the tip of Belle Island. A FOX SPARROW has been present, on and off, at a private feeder in Reddendale since 18th, last seen on 24th. Wolfe Island IBA A single CACKLING GOOSE was present near Marysville on 23rd but things have, in general, quietened down. SNOWY OWLS are still being seen, though it would seem that they are on the move, with new birds arriving (and others moving on) almost daily. PIED-BILLED GREBE returned to Barrett Bay on 25th, as did DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS. A FOX SPARROW was seen at Big Sandy Bay on 22nd. Amherst Island IBA Still plenty of SNOWY OWLS on the island: 16 were counted on 23rd, including several immaculate adult males. No shortage of EASTERN MEADOWLARKS either, with a tally of 24. Also seen that day were 15 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and 1 EASTERN PHOEBE. Please note that you must be a member of Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) or be accompanied by a member to access the Martin Edwards Reserve. Other sightings Just north of Kingston Mills, the first OSPREY of the season was seen on 25th. On the same date, a COMMON LOON was seen at the Howe Island ferry, and numerous COMMON SNIPE, and a couple of PINE SISKINS were seen near Sunbury. Pine siskins were also noted near Verona and Wilton. An EASTERN PHOEBE was seen at the same Verona location on 20th, with another at Elbow Lake Environmental Centre on 23rd. Two SANDHILL CRANES were seen in the north of the circle on Crosby Road on 25th. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been seen at just 2 locations to date - 2 were at Elginburg on 18th and 6 were near Lansdowne on 25th. An early CHIPPING SPARROW was seen in Napanee on 19th. Special note re Amherstview Sewage Lagoons: The property is still undergoing (delayed) construction work and is strictly off limits to all. It is now predicted to re-open (to those with written permission) in late summer/early fall. 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 shared 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 337 Button Bay Road, Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario K0H 2Y0 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 Home: +1 (613) 385-1651 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
