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: Not too much to report this week with very little change, though the first House Finches and Northern Cardinals are singing and Horned Larks are definitely starting to come through. Highlights of the week include; SNOWY OWL, SHORT-EARED OWL, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, HERMIT THRUSH, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, SAVANNAH SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and HOARY REDPOLL. City of Kingston The Invista TRUMPETER SWAN continued to be seen during the week though 14 were also seen in the Inner Harbour below the 401 on 1st. Also at that location are RING-NECKED DUCK, REDHEAD and MUTE SWANS. Back at Invista, a single LESSER SCAUP has been present for some days now, where the occasional GREATER SCAUP can also be found. PINE SISKINS and COMMON REDPOLLS continue in Reddendale, and up at Little Cataraqui Creek CA a HERMIT THRUSH was seen on 31st. SNOWY OWLS have been seen along the waterfront by several observers hunting mergansers and other waterfowl. Wolfe Island SAVANNAH SPARROWS were again seen on 31st but not since. Also seen that day were 9 SONG SPARROWS, a species seen at several other locations but in in lesser numbers this week. LAPLAND LONGSPURS continue in several locations (16 were on 4th Line yesterday), SNOW BUNTINGS are numerous (300 were seen at a feeder, again on 4th Line on 5th, and HORNED LARKS are increasing - 32 were encountered in a 15 minute drive on 6th. SHORT-EARED OWLS seem to be fairing quite well with several sightings over the last week, with as many as 6 seen on 31st. Amherst Island If you want to see ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, Amherst Island is the place to be, particularly along 3rd and 2nd Concessions. Observers regularly encounter numerous birds - 14 were seen on 31st without even stopping to scan the fields. Other Sightings North of the city, near Bedford Mills, a HOARY REDPOLL has returned to a feeder there and is sometimes joined by a female YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS continue to be seen in good numbers, with 30 at Lansdowne on 1st. TRUMPETER SWANS continue to move around the Rideau Canal system, but an impressive 65 (none tagged) were at Chaffey's Locks on 1st. RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have been seen near Gananoque and on Howe Island, and single NORTHERN SHRIKES were at Joyceville on 1st and Lansdowne on 4th. A single BOHEMIAN WAXWING was noted near Verona on 4th. 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
