[Ontbirds]Kingston area birds to April 25, 2008

[Peter and Jane Good]

Another week of atypical April weather and the birds have not disappointed.
The focus has almost completely shifted from waterfowl and overwintering
raptors to new arrivals. The last Common Redpoll reported was at Camden East
on Monday and there were only 2 Rough-legged Hawks on Wolfe Island that same
day.

The shorebird migration has moved beyond snipe, woodcock and Killdeer. There
were 14 Greater Yellowlegs on Wolfe and an Upland Sandpiper on the Florida
Road on the 21st. This same location also had the area's third Sandhill
Crane on the 23rd.

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawk surveys north of the city tallied 26 on the
Canoe Lake Road last Saturday and 19 on the Opinicon Road on Sunday. Two
Broad-winged Hawks were seen this week; the first at Amherstview on the 19th
and the second on the Opinicon Road on the 20th. Barred Owls are calling
"all over the countryside" and a Screech Owl was in the Milton subdivision
east of the city.

There were 2 Rough-winged Swallows at RMC and a Purple Martin on Wolfe
Island on Monday. Eastern Bluebirds were reported from the Gananoque area as
well as the Florida Road. Cartwright's Point had a Carolina Wren and 2 House
Wrens on Wednesday. Purple Finches are now showing up in good numbers in
many locations. Pine Warblers are outnumbering Yellow-rumped so far with 4
on the Canoe Lake Road on Saturday, 13 on the Opinicon Road on Sunday and 2
more in Cartwright's Point on Wednesday.

Cheers,
Peter Good
Kingston Field Naturalists
613 378-6605