Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) maintains records in a 50km radius of MacDonald Park, Kingston. Birders using eBird are encouraged to share their sightings with 'Kingston FN'. Alternatively, please email or post records directly to me - contact details below. Please note that some sightings may require review and remain unconfirmed unless stated otherwise.
Highlights: A definitive change in the weather has brought with it numerous new migrants to the area. Birders have been put in force enjoying the genuinely spring-like conditions. Highlights of the week include: SNOW GOOSE, HARLEQUIN, GREEN HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, GOLDEN EAGLE, SANDHILL CRANE, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, DUNLIN, LITTLE GULL, SNOWY OWL, CHIMNEY SWIFT, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, and CAPE MAY WARBLER. Kingston Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS showed up at Invista on 17th but haven't been seen since. The first of the warblers were seen this week, with PINE WARBLER at Lemoine Point CA on 17th, PALM WARBLER at Marshlands CA on 22nd and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER at the same location on 18th; a BLUE-HEADED VIREO was seen there today. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen in the north of the city on 21st. A GREAT EGRET was seen at Marshlands on 21st. Wolfe Island IBA At least 1 SNOWY OWL was still present as of the 21st, as were several ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. A lone immature SNOW GOOSE has become attached to a 'resident' flock of Canada Geese and was still present on 22nd. SAVANNAH SPARROWS are now widespread, PURPLE MARTINS are checking out the boxes and a RING-NECKED PHEASANT was seen on 7th Line this morning (22nd). Amherst Island IBA Few birders have visited the island this week but a SPOTTED SANDPIPER was seen at Martin Edwards Reserve on 21st as well as GREAT EGRET and BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Please note that you must be a member of Kingston Field Naturalists (KFN) or be accompanied by a member to access the Martin Edwards Reserve. Prince Edward County Prince Edward Point and Kaiser Cross Road always receive attention at this time of year. On 17th, an OFO trip picked up LITTLE GULL and DUNLIN at the latter and an early CHIMNEY SWIFT and an impressive 300 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at the former. Also at Kaiser, 2 early BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and a single AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER were seen on 16th. A maximum of 8 LITTLE GULLS was seen there on 19th. Rolling back to 14th, a male HAERLEQUIN was seen at Prince Edward Point on 14th. Now that the bird observatory is open, birders once again feel the lure of this fabulous location - the first LEAST FLYCATCHER, NASHVILLE WARBLER and CAPE MAY WARBLER of the season were seen there today (22nd). All three scoters have been seen over the week. Other sightings The first GREAT EGRET of the season showed up near Bath on 14th, and an UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen near Elginburg on 17th. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE(S?) have returned to Napanee Plains IBA and are currently being reported quite frequently. North of Kingston, single SANDHILL CRANES have been reported from numerous locations. A GREEN HERON was seen near Sunbury on 16th, and a GOLDEN EAGLE was up near Westport, also on 16th. Special note re Amherstview Sewage Lagoons: The property is still undergoing delayed construction work and is strictly off limits to all. It is now predicted to re-open to those with written permission in late summer/early autumn. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted the KFN Sensitive Sightings Policy. Also note that, as requested by the landowners, sightings of owls at the privately-owned Owl Woods must not be shared 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 337 Button Bay Road, Wolfe Island, Kingston, Ontario K0H 2Y0 Canada Mobile: +1 (613) 217-1246 Home: +1 (613) 385-1651 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
