Despite the summerlike weather fall migration continues. Common Loons are congregating in good numbers between Amherst Island and the mainland; over 30 last weekend and 14 midweek. Three Pied-billed Grebes on the KFN property on Tuesday were noteworthy. Duck numbers have not increased much as yet but there are some good concentrations of both Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal at a variety of locations. There were 8 species in the Amherstview sewage lagoons including Redhead and Ruddy Duck.
Great Egrets continue to appear; 2 at Millhaven and 5 on Amherst last Saturday, then 3 on Amherst on Wednesday along with Am. Bittern, Green, Great Blue, and Black-crowned Night-Herons. It's obvious that terns prefer remote islands in the middle of the lake and must spend a lot of time foraging over deep water. The CWS reported 65 Caspian and 203 Common Terns on Snake Island on the 27th but the only other reports were 2 Common and 1 Caspian on Amherst on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Shorebirds seem to be the most interesting group of late. The KFN property has been below par because of high water both inside the dike and on Lake Ontario. Also the lagoons have attracted nothing out of the ordinary despite one cell being drained and providing excellent habitat. Wilton Creek on the other hand, has provided excellent views of a good assortment. Highlights of the week include: 2 Baird's and a Wilson's Phalarope at the lagoons, 2 more Baird's on Amherst, 2 Solitary, a Stilt and a Pectoral in the Wilton Creek along with both yellowlegs, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers and lots and lots of Killdeer. Also there were 2 Red Knots on Snake Island on August 27th. Warbler movement has been steady but not been impressive. There were 8 species in the Owl Woods last weekend and although the evidence is anecdotal, there seems to be more than normal numbers of Wilson's Warblers. Similarly as the flycatchers move through, Yellow-bellied are mentioned more often than expected. Our largest flock of Common Nighthawks, 31, was on the Railton Road last Sunday evening and a bit out of season, a Whip-poor-will sang his heart out in the early hours of last Tuesday morning near Camden East. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
