There are very few signs of winter in the bird world. Some Tree Sparrows and Pine Siskins remain at a few local feeders and a single Snowy Owl was seen on Amherst Island last Sunday. The excitement of the waterfowl migration is waning in anticipation of the April/May songbird influx. Nevertheless, two Blue-winged Teal were found on Wolfe Island on April 7 so the spring duck list is almost complete.
The passerine migration in the Kingston area is yet but a trickle. April 10th marked the arrival of three more swallow species: a Purple Martin and a Barn Swallow at Dupont and a Cliff Swallow on Howe Island. The start of the Rideau Trail off King St. produced 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Hermit Thrush, 1 Brown Thrasher, and 2 White-throated Sparrows on April 12. (This has always been one of the better birding spots within the city during spring migration). The next day a Chipping Sparrow and a Pine Warbler were seen in the Sydenham area and another Chipping Sparrow was at RMC. Other sightings of note this week include a Greater Yellowlegs and 3 Osprey on Amherst April 9. (Maybe this wiil be the year that the second platform on the KFN property gets used). There were also a pair of Osprey and a Common Loon at RMC today. The second American Bittern of the year was found north of the city at HWY 38 and Unity Rd. on April 10. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605
