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: What a difference a 'little' mild weather makes! In just a matter of days, we moved on from run-of-the-mill winter doldrums to that exciting buzz of 'what will arrive next'? Here are the highlights of the last week: SNOW GOOSE - Four 'blue' birds were seen at Kaiser Crossroad, Prince Edward County on 24th, and 400 'white' birds on Wolfe Island, also on 24th. These latter birds were associating with approximately 7000 newly arrived Canada Geese. CACKLING GOOSE - two birds were observed off Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, Kingston this morning (24th). WOOD DUCK - The male was only seen once this week (on 20th) at Napanee Springside Park, Napanee. This is most likely due to lack of observers rather than the bird moving on. NORTHERN PINTAIL - Birds arrived back in the region on 23rd with 26 at Gananoque and 6 at Kaiser Crossroad, prince Edward County. Today (24th), 53 were seen at Kaiser and 40 on Wolfe Island. BLACK SCOTER - As many as six birds were seen at Prince Edward Point on 20th. TURKEY VULTURE - A lone bird was seen teetering over the Cataraqui Mall in Kingston on 21st. KILLDEER - The first apparently genuine spring arrival was heard in Kingston on 22nd. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK - the long-staying adult bird was last seen on 18th. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - a single bird was again seen at Big Sandy Bay, Wolfe Island on 20th. TUFTED TITMOUSE - The single bird at Gananoque has not been seen since 19th. NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD - The continuing bird was seen in the west end of Kingston on several dates this week. Two additional birds were also seen on Wolfe Island, both on 20th. AMERICAN PIPIT - a single early bird was noted at Belle Park, Kingston on 19th. SWAMP SPARROW - a single bird was seen at the known wintering location of Big Sandy Bay, Wolfe Island, on 22nd. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - the first spring arrivals were seen on Wolfe Island on 22nd when 7 birds were seen. Since then, sightings have been widespread, with a high count (so far) of 230 near Odessa on 23rd. COMMON GRACKLE - The first arrivals were seen at the winter ferry dock, Wolfe Island on 23rd, since when, a few sightings (maximum 10) have been noted at a few locations across the region. In order to minimise disturbance to wildlife and property, Kingston Field Naturalists has adopted 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 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, a big thank you goes to all 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] 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 (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
