Hello everyone from Kingston. The following species were identfied at Elevator Bay and just north in the ponds: Mallard, Canada Geese, Mute Swan; Mottled Duck; Black Duck; Common Pintail; Rudy Duck; Greater Black-Backed Gull; Kestrel and the Northern Harrier.

The conditions which delayed the inclement weather for about 48 hours resulted in better than expected birding on Amherst Island this past weekend.

Highlight of the period was the many hundreds of COMMON REDPOLL in dozens of flocks along the shore, in the fields and at the feeders. Accompanying them were lesser but still significant numbers of PINE SISKIN and EVENING GROSBEAK. Smaller numbers of PURPLE FINCH and CEDAR WAXWING were also seen.

While AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS move in for the winter, the last of the CHIPPING, VESPER and SAVANNAH SPARROWS are departing the area. There are still small numbers of WHITE-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS about as well as a few FOX SPARROWS, HERMIT THRUSH and the occasional EASTERN TOWHEE.

Hawks were not numerous but were sufficiently varied to be interesting. As well as many NORTHERN HARRIER and a few AMERICAN KESTREL and RED-TAILED HAWK there were a number of ACCIPITERS including COOPER'S HAWK and at least one NORTHERN GOSHAWK seen over the Owl Woods. No more ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS or NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen on the weekend.

Ducks continue to be slow so far with only small numbers of COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, REDHEAD, OLDSQUAW and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER about. SCAUP also seem very low in numbers so far except for some large rafts well out in the lake. All three species of common GREBE were also seen.

The shorebird population seems stable at the moment with little change from day to day. There are still a number of BLACK-BELLIED and KILLDEER PLOVER about, and the one SEMIPALMATED PLOVER continues to hang on. One AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was also seen on Sunday. Two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS joined hundreds of DUNLIN and several PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and SNIPE. SNOW BUNTING flocks increased in numbers and size while AMERICAN PIPITS begin to decline. About 15 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were also seen. There is still at least one VIRGINIA RAIL in the marsh just west of the gravel bar.

Likewise the Owl population appears stable at the moment as we await what should be the largest SAW-WHET OWL flight of the year which should occur over the next 7-10 days. Several SAW-WHETS were present in both the Cedar and Pine sections of the Owl Woods, along with one or two LONG-EARED OWLS and the resident GREAT HORNED OWLS. No SHORT-EARED OWLS were reported on the weekend.

The outlook for this weekend is a bit uncertain given the current weather conditions. Currently Amherst is right on the edge of a stationary front which could not only stall significant migration for a few days but also make whatever species are here rather unpredictable. However, the outlook seems to have improved over the past several hours and based on that here is the weekend outlook.

SHOREBIRDS - GOOD

Shorebird migration is winding down but expect to find a small number of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and at least one SEMIPALMATED PLOVER which continues to defy its instincts to move on. There should also be small numbers of SNIPE, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and PECTORAL SANDPIPER along with several hundred DUNLIN. Look for WHITE-RUMPED and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER which continue to be seen occasionally. HUDSONIAN GODWIT remains a longshot. Look too for LAPLAND LONGSPURS and SNOW BUNTINGS which have joined the AMERICAN PIPITS over the past week.

WATERFOWL - FAIR

Winter ducks continue to be slow but expect a few COMMON GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, OLDSQUAW, REDHEAD and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER along with good numbers of BRANT, COMMON LOON and all three species of GREBE. Winds will probably make for significant chop making location and identification more difficult.

RAPTORS - FAIR & IMPROVING

Expect good numbers of NORTHERN HARRIER, and smaller numbers of RED-TAILED HAWK and AMERICAN KESTREL along with a few ACCIPITERS. Look for ROUGH- LEGGED HAWK and NORTHERN SHRIKE both of which showed up in the past week. Longshot - NORTHERN GOSHAWK.

OWLS - FAIRLY GOOD FOR SOME SPECIES

Expect to find good numbers of SAW-WHET OWL in both the Cedar and the Pine sections of the Owl Woods, the remnants of the second wave of migration which occurred in the past week. The next wave, due in the next 7 to 10 days, should produce the highest peak number for this year although the first two weeks in November will probably produce higher total numbers than any similar period. Several LONG-EARED OWLS and at least one SHORT-EARED OWL also came with this flight. SNOWY OWLS are probably still at least 2 weeks away for us but those a few miles north of Lake Ontario should be looking for them any time now.

IN THE WOODS:

There should continue to be large numbers of HERMIT THRUSH in the woods along with some WHITE-THROATED and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. FOX SPARROW should still be present but getting a little harder to find. Highlights of this past week's migration were good numbers of COMMON REDPOLL and EVENING GROSBEAK with smaller numbers of PINE SISKIN and PURPLE FINCH, all present into the weekend. These should continue but in somewhat smaller numbers over the weekend. Longshots: BOREAL CHICKADEE and PINE GROSBEAK.

Stay dry and remember - if things do get too bad this weekend there's always VIRTUAL BIRDING on the Net. All birds guaranteed there!

OWL ALERT:

Expect a major flight of NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL over the next 48 hours. This could be one of the largest flights in several years. It should produce large numbers of roosting SAW-WHETS over the next 2 or 3 days with smaller but still significant numbers well into the weekend.

Watch also for increasing numbers of EVENING GROSBEAK, PURPLE FINCH and PINE SISKIN as well as SNOW BUNTING, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and NORTHERN SHRIKE.

For more details see Amherst Island weekend report dated October 18-19, 1997.

Not surprisingly the highlights of the weekend were to be found at the KFN gravel bar and the immediate surrounding area.

Shorebirds were abundant on the weekend with good numbers of BLACK-BELLIED and KILLDEER PLOVER still present as well as a few SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. As expected the GOLDEN PLOVER have now departed the area, at least as a regular, and none were seen over the weekend.

DUNLIN were present in the hundreds, and there were increased numbers of PECTORAL SANDPIPER and SNIPE. There were also a few GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a single SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. Unexpected was a RUDDY TURNSTONE. This is well after the average September departure date for this species here, but still 2 or 3 weeks away from the latest record. Another late bird was a VIRGINIA RAIL in the marsh near the gravel bar.

The anticipated 3 grebe weekend turned into a 4 grebe weekend when several PIED-BILLED GREBES, a RED-NECKED GREBE, and about 30 HORNED GREBES were joined by the highlight of the weekend, an EARED GREBE. The EARED GREBE was still present on Monday morning. Also present in the area were 10-20 AMERICAN PIPITS and a single female LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

HAWKS were small in numbers but varied. As well as the usual NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED-TAILED HAWKS and KESTRELS, MERLIN and COOPER'S HAWK were also seen, along with the occasional TURKEY VULTURE. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was calling regularly in the Owl Woods on both days.

A few OLDSQUAW and a small number of BUFFLEHEAD joined the REDHEADS, COMMON GOLDENEYE and SCAUP already present. All 3 species of MERGANSER were also seen along with a good variety of dabblers. One very large raft of perhaps a thousand GREATER SCAUP were seen, and there were several hundred WHITE-WINGED SCOTER in the lake to the west of the Island.

There were still lots of HERMIT THRUSH, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and WHITE- THROATED SPARROWS in the woods. FOX SPARROWS were numerous - there were about 50 in the Owl Woods - and some muted songs were heard.

The outlook for SAW-WHET OWL migration continues to look good. At Prince Edward Point, the nets were open Friday and Saturday night for the first time in 3 years. Eight NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were banded on Friday night and four more on Saturday night. These were good numbers considering the fact that the conditions were not favourable for owl migration into the Point. In addition, all but one of the owls was a hatch-year bird. In the past, high numbers of hatch-year birds has been a characteristic of large owl flights. This fits with about a four hundred percent increase in the number of SAW-WHETS found in the Owl Woods on Amherst this year as compared with last year at this time. Unfortunately there does not appear to be any correlation that I have been able to find between the number of migrating owls and the number that overwinter here. Still, as pointed out before (see report "Amherst Island - September 27- 28"), the outlook for this winter should be at least fair as far as this owl is concerned.

As of this morning (Monday), conditions appear favourable for a major flight of NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL over the next 48 hours. This could be the largest flight in the past several years. While it may produce some additional LONG-EARED OWLS as well, don't expect any exotic species such as BOREAL OWL with this flight. There probably won't be any SNOWY OWL for Amherst with this either but those along the northern shore of Lake Ontario should be getting the first reports any day now.

Look for increasing numbers of EVENING GROSBEAK, PURPLE FINCH, and PINE SISKIN. SNOW BUNTING, LAPLAND LONGSPUR and NORTHERN SHRIKE should also be a part of this movement. REDPOLLS are another distinct possibility although a bit early for many.

Look for Amherst to be very quiet this weekend. Exceptions - Shorebirds and SAW-WHET OWLS.

OUTLOOK FOR SHOREBIRDS - GOOD BECOMING FAIR.

All four PLOVERS are present into the weekend but decreasing numbers of GOLDEN and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS may make these hard to find by the end of the period. There are also at least 7 species of SANDPIPERS present to including lots of DUNLIN, some GREATER YELLOWLEGS and PECTORAL SANDPIPER but SANDERLING, SNIPE, WHITE-RUMPED and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER are getting scarce. Look for HUDSONIAN GODWIT as an outside possibility. Look too for WATER PIPIT and possible early LAPLAND LONGSPUR in the fields approaching the gravel bar.

OUTLOOK FOR OWLS - POOR EXCEPT FOR SAW-WHET OWLS.

Several good flights of SAW-WHET OWLS this week have resulted in above average numbers roosting in the Owl Woods. Expect these to decline sharply over the next several days in advance of the next major wave. However, enough should remain to make looking interesting and worthwhile. Suggest you concentrate your search in the Pine Woods. Finding at least one is almost a guarantee. You'll be lucky however to find a LONG-EARED OWL and even luckier to find a SHORT-EARED.

OUTLOOK FOR HAWKS - FAIR

Outlook for hawks a little better than usual. Look for HARRIER, RED-TAILED and RED- SHOULDERED HAWKS. There may also be small numbers of KESTREL and ACCIPITERS. Outside possibility remains for an early ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

The rest of the Island promises to be very slow. DUCKS are still scarce but look for good numbers of COMMON LOON and for all 3 species of GREBES. The woods too should be very quiet except for ROBINS, HERMIT THRUSH, WHITE-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. One highlight should be FOX SPARROW. Look too for increased numbers of PURPLE FINCH and EVENING GROSBEAK especially flying overhead.

Enjoy your weekend.

The weekend developed much as expected.

There was a heavy flight of NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS on Friday night. They did not linger long, however, and all but a few had departed by the following day, -typical behaviour for the early migrants of this species. A few more stragglers from this first wave of an expected 4 or 5 between now and mid-November showed up on Monday. Several LONG-EARED OWLS were also present, along with resident GREAT HORNED OWLS. No SHORT-EARED OWLS were recorded this weekend.

Shorebirds were numerous and varied throughout the period but no unusual species were found. Plovers present were BLACK-BELLIED (25), GOLDEN (6), SEMI-PALMATED (2), and KILLDEER. Sandpipers included GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SANDERLING (4), DUNLIN (70), SNIPE, PECTORAL (3), WHITE-RUMPED (2), and SEMIPALMATED (1).

Migrating hawks were essentially non-existent on the Island during the weekend.

There was not much change either in the duck population. There were still some REDHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE and both SCAUP but no great numbers of any, although HORNED GREBE were still present in good numbers.

Songbird migration continued slow with the trend being more departing than arriving. One exception was the arrival of the first FOX SPARROWS. There were also small numbers of EVENING GROSBEAKS and PURPLE FINCHES over the period.

OUTLOOK FOR SHOREBIRDS - GOOD

BLACK-BELLIED, GOLDEN, SEMIPALMATED and KILLDEER PLOVER, YELLOWLEGS, DUNLIN and PECTORAL SANDPIPER were all present in good numbers going into the weekend and should continue, although the SEMIPALMATED PLOVER are getting scarce. Also present during the past week have been SANDERLING, SNIPE, SEMIPALMATED and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Other less likely possibles this weekend would be RED KNOT and HUDSONIAN GODWIT, and of course there's always the unexpected.

OUTLOOK FOR OWLS - FAIR

Four species of owl, GREAT HORNED, SAW-WHET, LONG-EARED and SHORT-EARED (one only) OWL present into the weekend. Look for increasing numbers of SAW-WHET and LONG-EARED OWL over the next 3 to 4 weeks. SNOWY OWL has been seen this early but is not likely until early November.

OUTLOOK FOR HAWKS - FAIR TO POOR

There are still good numbers of NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK and KESTREL present on the Island, and 3 PEREGRINE FALCON were seen in the past week, but Prince Edward Point near Picton would be a much better place, especially Saturday, and perhaps Sunday if north-west winds materialize. Look for all 3 ACCIPITER and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK there as well as the above mentioned species. Small numbers of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK are also likely about now.

OUTLOOK FOR OTHER SPECIES

Winter ducks have begun to arrive, especially REDHEAD, SCAUP, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, COMMON GOLDENEYE and the MERGANSERS. There are also good numbers of HORNED GREBE out in the Lake.

Songbird migration is very slow here right now. Don't look for much until at least Monday, and expect to get wet when you do. Watch for EVENING GROSBEAK beginning to appear in small numbers.

Have a good weekend!!

The Owl Woods began another owl season on Sept. 28 with the arrival of the first migrating SAW-WHET OWLS.

Shorebird migration continues steady but slow with all expected species having appeared but in low numbers. Present on the weekend were AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER (5), BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (2), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and numerous KILLDEER; also GREATER YELLOWLEGS (2), SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SANDERLING, SEMIPALMATED and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN and SNIPE. Highlights present on both Saturday and Sunday were HUDSONIAN GODWIT (1) and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (1).

Large numbers of AMERICAN PIPITS were present and migrating HORNED LARKS of the Northern race augmented the summer residents.

Southerly winds made migrating hawks on the Island almost nonexistent, but there are still large numbers of NORTHERN HARRIERS and AMERICAN KESTRELS present.

The resident OSPREYS appear to have left. There appeared to be at least six adults present over the summer months. The pair on the KFN property at the east end raised only one young this year after having successfully fledged three in each of the past two years and two the previous year. Two eggs appear to have hatched raising the possibility that this was a different female, a speculation supported by behavioral differences observed over the summer.

Migration of WARBLERS has also been slow here, except Saturday morning when a heavy mist grounded large number of them and other passerines.

OUTLOOK FOR OWLS:

The vole population has increased after it crashed in the spring of 1996 but is still far short of peak levels. Expect an average year at best for migrating owls. After two years of heavy flights, don't expect BOREAL OWL this winter. Likewise after a heavy movement two years ago and an echo movement last winter the outlook for GREAT GRAY OWL is not good either. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS should be present in at least small numbers over the winter as should LONG-EARED OWLS. SHORT-EARED OWLS had a good summer here with lots of young but have since decreased markedly in numbers. Look for a few here but more likely on Wolfe Island or perhaps Howe Island. SNOWY OWLS should be here but probably in less than average numbers. Consolation may be a good year for winter finches.

A Spotted Sandpiper was observed at CFB Kingston, Ontario on 9 Sept 97. Currently large number's of waterfowl and geese can be observed at Coomodore's Cove, King St West in Kingston, with best viewing between 6 and 7 am.

On Saturday 23 Aug 97 I observed an Osprey fishing at the Cataraqui Conservation Area off Perth Road. The sighting was observed on the south end of the lake and was my first Osprey I've seen this year in the Kingston area. However I have been away during June & July and didn't get much birding in. More reports to follow.

Hi Gord: Birding August 4/97 on Amherst Island,Shirley & Gerald Paul observed 62 species. Interesting sightings included: least bittern, family of moor hens, black-crowned and great blue herons, colony of black tern, common tern, Caspian tern, common loon, snipe, least sandpipers, semipal sandpipers, semipalmated plover, black-bellied plover, Wilson's phalarope, kestrel, red-tailed hawks, harriers. Alex Scott was with us at the KFN bar and was the first to spot the shy least bittern.We birded for three hours.