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: No major changes were noted this week, meaning that anticipation is building for the next big wave of migrants. Highlights of the week include; EURASIAN WIGEON, KING EIDER, HARLEQUIN, GREAT EGRET, GOLDEN EAGLE, SANDHILL CRANE, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, UPLAND SANDPIPER, LITTLE GULL, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL, and CAROLINA WREN. City of Kingston This has been the week of RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS with the birds easy to find, and in good numbers, across the city. In with them are a few GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and BROWN CREEPERS. HERMIT THRUSHES continue at Marshlands, Invista and Lemoine Point, as do occasional WINTER WRENS. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS are widespread but the first WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW was seen at Marshlands on 23rd. On 24th, also at Marshlands, the first BLUE-HEADED VIREO of the season was also seen, though both YELLOW-RUMPED and PINE WARBLERS came in a couple of days earlier. EASTERN TOWHEES and BROWN THRASHERS continue to arrive but are still not easy to pin down. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have also been hard to find, the only reports coming from Lemoine Point. NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS have been present at Invista for just over a week now but the 5 CLIFF SWALLOWS seen there on 23rd were the first of the season. Amherst Island At the Martin Edwards Reserve, 2 UPLAND SANDPIPER were reported on 24th, the first for the island this year. Also seen on the reserve were good numbers of GREEN-WINGED TEAL, along with a few NORTHERN SHOVELER and NORTHERN PINTAIL. Typical for the reserve, SAVANNAH SPARROW are now to be found in good numbers. Please note that you must be a member of the Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) or be accompanied by a member to access the Martin Edwards Reserve. Prince Edward Point/County At Kaiser Crossroads, the EURASIAN WIGEON was seen again last weekend but not since. Two TRUMPETER SWANS put in an unusual appearance yesterday. GREATER YELLOWLEGS were seen last Sunday as were 4 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Three LITTLE GULLS were seen on 23rd amongst the almost 200 BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Also of note, as a rare bird in the region, was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. At Prince Edward Point, all three species continue to be seen, though the 2 BLACK SCOTERS are often tricky to locate. The KING EIDERS also continue but are likewise not guaranteed. Four HARLEQUINS appeared on 21st and have been seen on-and-off all week. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, PALM, PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were all seen in the vicinity of the net lanes on 22nd during an OFO field trip. Other Sightings A GREAT EGRET was seen near Napanee from 18th-20th with another (or the same) seen at Hay Bay, also on 20th. Other birds were noted on Wolfe Island on 18th and Perth Road on 23rd. North of the city, SANDHILL CRANES continue to be reported near Elbow Lake, with as many as 7 seen on 21st. At Sydenham, an AMERICAN BITTERN has been present for several days and is already holding territory. Near Inverary, 2 VESPER SPARROWS were seen on 21st and up near Davis Lock, a GOLDEN EAGLE was observed for nearly 10 minutes at Murphy's Bay Wetland on 20th. At Seeley's Bay, 6 BLUE-WINGED TEAL were noted on 22nd. Near Westport, an EASTERN WHIP-POOR-WILL was noted on 20th. Further east, 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS were seen in with 5 GREATER YELLOWLEGS at Marble Rock, north of Gananoque, on 23rd. In the States, a SORA was already present at Perch River, Jefferson County, NY on 20th and 150 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at the same location on 22nd. 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 4H7 Canada Mobile: +1 613 2171246 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
