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: The Christmas and New Year holidays encouraged birders to get out and brave the elements but with Lake Ontario having just frozen over in our area, birds are becoming somewhat scarce. Highlights include; SNOWY OWLS, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, TUFTED TITMOUSE, FOX SPARROW City of Kingston/Wolfe Island A SNOWY OWL continues at Landings Golf Course and the same (or possibly another) is sometimes seen at Lemoine Point. Two new birds were seen at Invista on 1st. A trip to the western end of Wolfe Island on 30th revealed 13 birds - it's certainly quite the year. Just one Rough-legged Hawk was seen on the same trip. At least 2 different SONG SPARROWS have been seen at private feeders in the city though they, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, remain scarce. With the waterfront now frozen, the only area of open water is at Invista, where good numbers of MALLARD, GADWALL and BLACK DUCK hide a few HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, AMERICAN COOT and GREATER SCAUP. The BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD reported last week just north of the city was seen again on 29th. Amherst Island Regular birds include 3-4 SNOWY OWLS, RED-TAILED HAWKS, SNOW BUNTINGS and NORTHERN SHRIKE. Both NORTHERN HARRIER and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK have become scarce, presumably due to the thick layer of ice-encrusted snow. A single HORNED GREBE was seen on New Year's Day though the RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD seen on last week's Christmas Count was seen only until the 29th. A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD also seen on the count (Fri 27th) has not been relocated despite numerous searches. Singles of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD and HORNED LARK were also noted during the week, as well as surprisingly good numbers of NORTHERN FLICKER. Howe Island The TUFTED TITMOUSE continues to be regularly seen on Howe Island, as do 2 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS and 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. The 9 BALD EAGLES seen feeding on a carcass at the western crossing on 1st must have been quite a sight. An EASTERN SCREECH-OWL is seen occasionally. Other Sightings West of the city 4 GLAUCOUS GULLS and a single ICELAND GULL were seen at Heritage Park on 28th, where a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER has also been occasionally observed. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (at least 3) were seen on Babylon Road, Prince Edward on 1st, as well as MERLIN, 100 AMERICAN ROBINS and a dozen CEDAR WAXWINGS. East of the city, the long-staying RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported on 1st at Gananoque Golf Club. North of the city, near Bedford Mills, a FOX SPARROW was seen at a feeder station on 2nd, somehow avoiding the SHARP-SHINNED, COOPER'S and RED-TAILED HAWKS also frequenting the garden. 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: [email protected] Blog: "Confessions of a Global Birder" http://markdread.blogspot.com <http://markdread.blogspot.com/> Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markdread/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup
