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 or post records directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Highlights: Looks like the cold snap did us some favours with a good week in the Kingston area for rarities. Highlights of the week include: GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, KING EIDER, SANDHILL CRANE, DUNLIN, ICELAND GULL, SNOWY OWL, GYRFALCON, TUFTED TITMOUSE, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, FOX SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and COMMON GRACKLE. Kingston Not too much from the city this week, though Cataraqui Bay continues to hold a good number and variety of species including over a hundred TUNDRA SWANS, 400 REDHEAD, 200 GREATER SCAUP, and singles of BONAPARTE'S GULL, GREAT BLUE HERON and BELTED KINGFISHER. SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at CFB Kingston on 24th. Wolfe Island IBA This afternoon a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen on Stevenson Lane in with a flock of several thousand Canada Geese and 58 SNOW GEESE. CACKLING GOOSE was suspected but the rain and fog hindered viewing. On 4th Line, the island's first SNOWY OWL of the season was also seen this afternoon. A BARRED OWL (rare for the island) was seen on 2nd Line on 20th. Also seen that day were a couple of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS near Horne's Ferry - 6 were seen at Button Bay on 23rd. SNOW BUNTINGS and HORNED LARKS were seen throughout the week but there have been no more reports of Lapland Longspur. Amherst Island IBA The first SNOWY OWL of the Kingston area season showed up on Front Road late on 18th and just missed last week's report. On 22nd, both DUNLIN and ICELAND GULL were seen at the east end of the island. On 23rd, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and a single RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were also seen but raptors do seem to be scarce so far this year. 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. Also note that the OWL WOODS ARE NOW CLOSED for 3 weeks and will reopen on Monday 12th December. Other Sightings The female KING EIDER continued to be reported until Sunday 20th but, despite searches, has not been seen since. The CACKLING GEESE just down the road opposite the old CIL factory, were still present on 22nd. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were seen at many locations during the week, as were many RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. However, the 17 Rusties seen near Napanee on 21st are of note; a FOX SPARROW was seen nearby on the same date. A B ROWN-HEADED COWBIRD was seen just north of Millhaven on 21st and COMMON GRACKLES were seen just west of Gananoque on 23rd (1) and 24th (3). At the same location, a TUFTED TITMOUSE has been regular all week. Of note was a hybrid RED-SHOULDERED x RED-TAILED HAWK also seen and photographed there on 23rd. A bit further north in Frontenac Provincial Park, a grey GYRFALCON was seen and photographed on 19th. Still at the northern edge of the circle, SANDHILL CRANES have been noted near Crosby on several occasions over the week. In the same area, an EVENING GROSBEAK was seen on 24th. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy. 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 (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
