[Ontbirds]Kingston area birds to Jan. 25, 2008

[Peter and Jane Good]

Now that winter has settled in, waterfowl numbers are down. Hardy Mallards
and Blacks and a few Common Mergansers make up most of the ducks but there
were still about 60 Tundra Swans on Wolfe Island last Sunday, although even
those will be forced to move on when their long necks can't reach the bottom
to feed.
Raptors remain abundant on Wolfe; over 3 dozen Rough-legged Hawks, with
smaller numbers of Bald Eagles, Red-tails, Am. Kestrels, and N. Harriers.
The high count for Snowy Owls this week was 4 last Saturday, along with 3
Short-eared Owls. Another Barred Owl was seen yesterday, this one right in
the city not far from the Queen's campus. This makes a total of 8 that have
been reported this month south of their normal habitat. Great Horned Owls
have started to sing duets and although it's not yet spring, we are well
past the winter solstice and the days are getting longer.
There are lots of gulls at both Violet and Napanee dumps, but a single
Glaucous at Bath was the only white-winged reported. Also at Bath on
Wednesday, a N. Flicker and at Sillsville 5 Rusty Blackbirds were
noteworthy. Four Common Ravens were seen north of the city.
Other than Common Redpolls, finches seem to have moved on. No Hoaries have
been reported since Jan. 14th and no one has mentioned Am. Goldfinches
lately.

Cheers,
Peter Good
Kingston Field Naturalists
613 378-6605