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: These February reports are beginning to sound like a broken record but at least some of the residents are now singing on a daily basis. With the continuing bitterly cold weather highlights of the week include; WOOD DUCK, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, SNOWY OWL, GOLDEN EAGLE, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, CAROLINA WREN, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. City of Kingston A CAROLINA WREN was again seen near the Tett Centre on both 20th and 21st and the resident pair of PEREGRINE FALCONS continues to be seen downtown though less often this week. The diversity and numbers of waterfowl hasn't changed too much either this week, though more corpses are being seen on the Wolfe Island ferry crossing - caught by Snowy Owls or caught out by the cold is unknown. However, despite the mortality, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS have increased and COMMON MERGANSERS decreased. A male LONG-TAILED DUCK was in the Wolfe Island Ferry channel on 22nd and 23rd. Things remain stable at Invista, the highlight being the long-staying banded TRUMPETER SWAN. Wolfe Island HORNED LARK numbers have continued to decrease on the island, though a single flock of 35 was seen on 26th. SNOWY OWLS can still be found in many locations, and the lone adult male can still be seen literally staring up at the passing ferry on most days. Six BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were again seen on 8th Line on 22nd. Other sightings Only the male WOOD DUCK was seen this week at Springside Park in Napanee (23rd). However, a male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER has been seen on a number of dates at the Glenora crossing over to Prince Edward County. Another male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was reported way inland at Chaffey's Locks on 25th. Near Sunbury, as many as 3 HOARY REDPOLLS have been coming to a feeder this week. A genuine highlight this week was an immature GOLDEN EAGLE, seen and photographed, on Chaffey's Lock Road on 22nd. The Howe Island RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were last reported on 22nd but may well still be present. A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen on the island on 24th. Just 500m outside the circle, a TUFTED TITMOUSE was seen on the 1000 Island Parkway on 23rd, and across the border at Point Peninsula, Jefferson County, NY a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen the same day. 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: [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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
