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: There's been a big slow-down in bird arrivals this week, though most of the expected species have been seen. Highlights of the week include; CACKLING GOOSE, HARLEQUIN DUCK, GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, VIRGINIA RAIL, COMMON GALLINULE, SANDHILL CRANE, UPLAND SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, LESSER-BLACK-BACKED GULL, BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, BANK SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, and CAROLINA WREN. City of Kingston Not a great deal going on in the city this week unfortunately but there were still a few good birds to be seen. The BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS first reported on 11th at Invista increased to 5 by 22nd. A GREEN HERON was seen just across the road at Marshlands CA on 23rd. Also at this same location, a HOUSE WREN was seen on 20th. At Lemoine Point CA, a BANK SWALLOW was seen on 23rd and a CAROLINA WREN continues to be seen at Faircrest Blvd, on Kingston's eastern edge. A VIRGINIA RAIL was at RMC on 19th, and an early SORA was at the same location on 16th. A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen off Portsmouth Olympic Harbour on 20th and a HORNED GREBE was at the same location on 24th. Amherst Island Again not too many reports this week but a DUNLIN seen on 20th was notable. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS continue to be seen. Ferry services to both Amherst and Wolfe will be disrupted until the end of June - the Wolfe Island ferry is being serviced and has been replaced by the Amherst Island ferry, in turn replaced by the Glenora ferry, essentially halving capacity on all 3. Plan accordingly and car-pool if you can. 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. Wolfe lsland A mix of lingering waterfowl was located on the island on 22nd, including over 30 REDHEAD, a few dabblers including GREEN-WINGED TEAL and NORTHERN SHOVELER and a HORNED GREBE. A couple of CASPIAN TERNS, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and BROWN THRASHER were also seen. Kingston's first PALM WARBLER was also noted, and a handful of PURPLE MARTINS were seen on the west of the island. Other sightings Prince Edward Point has been very quiet this week, though the appearance of as many as 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS yesterday was certainly exciting. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen near Napanee on 19th and a male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was photographed near YARKER also on 19th. This is a rare bird for Kingston but we have now had 2 records this year. At Napanee Limestone Plains IBA both LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and UPLAND SANDPIPER have been reported this week (24th). At Sydenham a COMMON GALLINULE was first noted on 18th, with 2 there yesterday. A GREAT EGRET was also seen there on 22nd. Near Elginburg a HOUSE WREN has been present since 21st. Another GREAT EGRET was seen near Little Cataraqui Creek CA, on Perth Road, on 23rd. SANDHILL CRANES continue to be reported at Chaffey's Lock Road (18th) and Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (18th and 19th). The first BROAD-WINGED HASWK of the season was seen near Lyndhurst on 18th with the second up at Queen's Biological Station on Opinicon Road on 24th. Five adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS near Lansdowne on 21st constitute the highest count for many years. 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
