Hi Gordon:

During the KFN fall roundup, Nov. 7& 8, our group--Bob & Barb Frewin & Gerald & Shirley Paul birded Prince Edward Point, Amherst & Wolfe Islands, and Elevator Bay at the mouth of Little Cataraqui Creek. Here are some of the 69 species we tallied:

Prince Edward Point: white-winged scoter, red-necked grebe, common loon, 300 plus cedar waxwings, yelow-rumped warbler, oldsquaw, rough-legged hawk, Cooper's hawk, goshawk etc.

Amherst Island: snipe, dunlin, greater yellowlegs, killdeer, pectoral sandpiper, northern shrike, Bonaparte's gull, etc.

Wolfe Island: broad-winged hawk,snow bunting, horned lark, black scoter, mockingbird, tundra swans, kestrel, rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk etc.

While ducks were easy to find--20 species--land birds were scarce. In fact I began to softly sing "Where have all the land birds gone?/Long time passing..." The weather was great and the unofficial total number of species seen by all 12 groups of birders was 124.

Hi Gord:
Gerald & Shirley Paul spent three hours on Wolfe Island the afternoon of November 1 and had the following sightings: 15 Bluebirds--males and females--gathered on the roadside and fluttering from haystacks to trees and fence posts for 15 minutes. They put on an amazing display and revealed the appropriatness of Thoreau's image: "The bluebird carries the sky on its back."

Four pippits descending on the haystacks the moment the bluebirds vacated them.

Eight snipe on the mudflats--all in my binoculars at one time and scurrying along the cattail edges in a manner reminiscent of William Blake's image of men hurrying home to beat the fast falling night.

Two flocks of snow buntings--a total of approximately 100 birds--flying over the stubble of long-harvested fields of corn, then descending gently as snowflakes to search for lunch among the furrows.

Four rough-legged hawks, one dark phase the rest light, perched, soaring, flapping and hovering in their relentless search for mice.

A denuded sugar maple with a tree-full of red-winged blackbirds filling the maple's skeleton with feathers taking the place of autumn's lost leaves.

Horned larks picking gravel on the roadsides, black-bellied plovers staring wide-eyed at us as we stared at them, yellow-legs triggering childhood memories when we first tried walking on stilts, and much, much more.

Binoculars in hand, take a ride on the free ferry to Wolfe Island.
You'll be glad you did!

This is from Sat Oct 24 with strong west winds. Little Cataraqui river at "Elevator Bay" and the Greater Cataraqui River around Bell's Island are filling with ducks and geese. Good numbers of redhead, ring-necked among the scaup, and some bufflehead. Lots of pintail and some shovellers among the widgeon, gadwall, mallards and blacks. There were still two hudsonian godwits at Little Cat. today, 8 dowitcher sp, and several pectoral and dunlin, greater and lesser yellowlegs. Small flocks of Bonapartes gulls flying west into the wind. On Amherst, large flocks of snow buntings, some pipits and longspurs, 3 saw-whet and one long-eared owl. Alex Scott reports 6 saw-whets earlier in the week. One dark phase rough legged hawk on KFN property there. Several golden and many black-bellied plover still about. Tree sparrows and hermit thrushes in the woods.

cheers...

Hi Gord,
Ken F. Edwards took advantage of the strong north west winds Oct. 1 to visit Prince Edward Point and was not disappointed. In an hour he saw 5 Bald Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle, 1 goshawk, 2 Cooper's, 1 merlin, 1 peregrine, 50 sharp shins, 25 red-tails, 15 T.V.s, 10 harrriers, and broad-wing and 2 red shouldered hawks. Monday Sept. 28 when 10 sharp-tailed sparrows were seen at Dundas marsh Hamilton, I searched the cat-tail marshes on Amherst Island where we have had them occasionally past years but no luck, just lots of swamp sparrows, and marsh wrens, small flocks of lapland lonspurs and larger flocks of pipits.

Hi Gord:
Just a little update from Kingston. Sat. Sept. 12 a long-billed dowitcher at Amherstview lagoon, and one at Amherst Island gravel bar with 3 golden plover and other waders. Also Sept 12. a red-throated loon and an eared grebe at Prince Edward Point. Common migrants now in the area include pipits, white-throated and white-crowned sparrows, lincoln's sparrow, both kinglets, winter wren, and yellow-rumped and palm warblers.

Hi Gordon: Sept. 4, I observed the following birds in the vicinity of Squaw Point on the Rideau Trail in the city of Kingston: Green Heron, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Lincoln's Sparrow, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Moor Hen, Pied-billed Grebe, Bobolink, Caspian Tern, American Widgeon, and these warblers--Chestnut-sided, Wilson's, Magnolia, Yellow-throat, American Redstart, Tennessee, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Parula, Yellow and Pine.On the same day at Amherstview Sewage Lagoons were: all the swallows except Bank and in large numbers; Shoveler, Bufflehead, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semi-Palmated Sandpiper, Greater and Lesser Yellow-Legs, Killdeeer, Sanderling, Philadelphia Vireo, Kingfisher, plus more common species for a total of 62. Sept. 5 at Squaw Point early in the morning there was another influx of warblers and vireos and flycatchers including; Black-and-white warbler, Red-eyed Vireo and Least Flycatcher. On the Cataraqui River, later on that morning we spotted two Osprey.Having just returned from a two-week birding trip from Quebec City to the Gaspesie where we saw many seabirds, gulls, and shore birds but only 30 or so land birds, it was a pleasure to return to the Kingston region where all but the seabirds are found in season.

Hello Gord,

Been a while since I wrote and since it's kinda slow right now, everyone waiting for the fall migration to begin, thought I'd tell what we've got in our yard from Battersea. We lived in Bath till the end of May and have now moved into a house we bought on Dog Lake. The birds are plentiful here.

Our favorite: the great blue heron; saw four of them together the other day
Common terns and ring-billed gulls splash into the water
Tree swallows fly over the lake catching insects
Belted kingfishers also look for food from the lake
Heard a cardinal in the distance for two days, seems to be gone now
Also hear a loon but never see him
Flocking around the feeder are common grackles, mourning doves, red-wing blackbirds (but they seem to be gone now), chipping sparrows, house finches, goldfinches
Eastern wood peewees and eastern phoebes are seen in the willows
Robins numbering as high as 24 are in the yard, usually there is 10-15
Flickers stand in the yard with the robins and peck for insects on the ground
A pair of downy woodpeckers is seen now and then, also a pileated woodpecker
Turkey vultures hover in the sky
A pair of battling ruby-throated hummingbirds are constantly at the hummingbird feeder
A rose-breasted grosbeak has been seen
Heard a saw-whet owl but haven't seen it
Canada geese have flown overhead but don't seem to like to land in our lake

That seems to be all that I can recall. There is also a huge eagle's nest or osprey's nest on top of an electrical tower way up on Route 11, where it gets closer to connecting to Route 15.

Hi Gordon:

Turn from Bath Road to Queen Mary Road and right on first street (Greenview). You will come immediately to a tiny creek that flows into Little Cataraqui Creek. Park and while leaning on the bridge rails you will see two families of Moorhens: one family fairly well advanced; a second family in the tiny black-chick red-bill stage. You may also see on a log: painted turtles, a large family of Mallards, and a family of three or four Marsh Wrens. I know these aren't rarities but they are so accessible and dependable that birders might want to take their families and friends to have a peek. Then, too a number of foxes patrol the area especially on the nearby railway line and crows regulary harass a Horned Owl in the woods at Squaw Point across the tracks from the Moorhens.

Just an update to let birders know that the pair of Avocets reported on June 20th seem quite content with the habitat at the Amherstview sewage lagoon. The other shorebirds reported there on the weekend have moved on but the Avocets are still present. A male RUDDY DUCK has joined the other puddle ducks in the partially drained lagoon.

A pair of AMERICAN AVOCETS were spotted today at the Amherstview sewage lagoons and were reported to the Kingston Field Naturalists' information line before noon.They were still there at 8.00 p.m. in the northwest pond which has been mostly drained. Also present were GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, and a large number of ducks: BLUE-WINGED AND GREEN-WINGED TEAL, WOOD DUCK, GADWALL, PINTAIL, SHOVELLER and MALLARD.

Hi Gordon: Today, June 20, we observed two American Avocets at the Amherstview Sewage Lagoons just west of the city of Kingston ON. They were also observed by Paul MacKenzie and other members of Kingston Field Naturalists.

Hi Gord:
I know others must have reported them, but I have a pair of nesting bluebirds!! (They are really enjoying the birdbath too.) Also have a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers seriously considering nesting nearby. There is a good chance that a pair of Pileated woodpeckers have decided to take up residence as well.

My list of some birds seen so far this year include:
Ruby throated hummer
Great Blues
Baltimore Orioles
Song sparrows, White Crowned sparrows
Kingfisher
House wren
Brown Creeper
Cliff Swallows (trying to nest on my gingerbread trim again)
Barn and tree swallows

Happy birding!!

Hi Gord. Sent three photos which you should get in a few days - however I'm hoping the film in the camera will have better shots as well as several of our newcomer today (Sat. May 16). This Common Grackle with the white-boattail and white-wing bars is now a proud papa....two babies were in my cherry tree this morning and at least one or two others still in their nest in the pine tree next door. So my Update is too report on one of the babies: my husband and I were really surprised as the little fellow not only has his papas white tail but he also has the lower breast area white - and all under his wings is completely white (more than the wing-bar) and even more surprising is a partial white ring around his neck (it runs from the side across the back of his neck to the other side)but does not run under his beak.....I sure hope the cats in the neighborhood don't get him. My husband got the camera out with the telphoto again so hopefully I'll be able to send you a couple more shots of our 'partially white common grackles'. Thanks for posting.

These observations were made from 6-8 pm 11 May 98:

Winter Wren; Common Yellowthroat; Yellow Warbler; Gray Catbird; Palm Warbler; Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and an American Woodcock.

6 MAY 98

Also last night at the Hiking Trail at Elevator Bay in Kingston, a Least Flycatcher; Eastern Peewee; Yellow-Rumped Warbler, and White-Throated Sparrows.

Hi Gord. This is my second attempt at trying to give you my bird sighting. I tried awhile back but it doesn't seem to be on your list. I enjoy your site very much and visit often. I'd like to try and report my sighting once again: April 1st/98 saw a boattail grackle with a very white tail and he also has white wing-bars (similar to those of the redwind blackbird in size and location, but white like his tail). He has settled in with his Misses in my neighbors pine tree and visits my yard often. I've nicknamed him "Charlie" after my dad who once owned a little white boat. 'Charlie' doesn't seem to mind if you talk to him - and he can be rather cheeky at times. In all other aspects the rest of the bird is the coloring of the Grackle. My husband and I have managed to take a few photos of him because he is so unusual. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this oddity? I'm rather new to bird watching but would love to here comments from others about my 'Charlie'. My email is seagull@aracnet.net and we live in Kingston, Ontario. Thanks again.

Thanks for the report

Gord Gallant
gallantg@interlog.com

Good influx last night. At Little Cataraqui rose breasted grosbeak, warbling vireo, nashville, black and white, northern waterthrush, catbird, white crowned sparrows. At Amherstview sewage lagoons 30 black terns, 6 ruddy ducks, 20 shovellers, greater and lesser yellowlegs, spotted and least sandpiper.

Dear Gord

Finally one bobolink ! Carolina wren appears to be nesting along Old Front Road near Kingston airport. Palm warblers and virginia rail along the Little Cataraqui trail. Despite wet calm weather

new arrivals have been rather few. Maybe tomorrow !

Cheers !

Dear Gord,

I enjoy browsing the bird reports.
Alex Scott showed us a Smiths longspur on Amherst Is April 22 as well as a Eurasian wigeon. Adult little gull seen at Reeds Bay, Wolfe Island Apr 23.

The following observations were made on King St. West at the hiking trail across form Comodores Cove pm of 23 Apr 98:

Ruby -crowned kinglet; Downy Woodpecker; Song Sparrow; Osprey; Goldfinch; Flicker; Cardinal, and my first warbler sighting of the year in Kingston, a male Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Dear Gord,

I have recently moved from London to Kingston. Actually we are currently renting a house in Bath with plans to buy a house somewhere in the vicinity of Kingston. I posted to your London page a few months ago for the first time. Now, I'd like to contribute what I see from Kingston. Got the ole birdfeeder up already. Here is what we've seen over the past month:

A small flock of common grackles. They are strutting around the yard while feeding, heads tilted up and puffing themselves up in their spring display.
There have been three male cowbirds and three female cowbirds.
One song sparrow.
Many robins.
A house finch pair.
Tree swallows are in the air.
Geese flying overhead as well as ring-billed seagulls, plus mallards.
We spotted a pair of great blue herons winging their way west two weeks ago.
A pair of red-winged blackbirds and their mates are enjoying our seeds.
A pair of mourning doves inspects the grounds.
And an assorted starling or two.
A few old squaw were floating in Collins Bay.
I keep hearing a northern flicker but haven't seen it.

And for me, a new bird sighting, a pine siskin on the feeder.

I've read the other reported sightings and plan to go check out the bald eagles east of Gananoque. Hope they are still there.

hi- I am bringing my husband to kingston for a weekend of birding on may 8. He has a life book and has been an avid birder but we don't take the time to do it much any more and i thought this would make a nice birthday present. Could you suggest some good places around kingston to go?

Thank you for any ideas you might have.

In our suburban Kingston backyard, this afternoon, we had a first! A female pine grosbeak, seemingly indifferent to the grackles and house finches, took her turn at the feeder, just stocked up with striped sunflower seed yesterday. Perhaps her appearance has something to do with the last 36 hours of blowing snow, and the previous two days of freezing rain, from a system coming up from the Mississippi Valley.

Little Cataraqui Creek, Bath Road to Lake Ontario: March 4: Hooded and Common Mergansers, Brown Cowbirds, 30 Red-winged Blackbirds, 4 singing Northern Cardinals, 3 White-throated Sparrows, 4 singing House Finches, 5 Common Grackles, 12 Tree Sparrows. March 8: 1,000+ gulls including 30 Black-backed Gulls as well as Herring and Ring-billed Gulls, Gadwall. March 10: when the temperature dipped, the Red-winged Blackbirds disappeared from the cattails and the Purple Grackles also vanished. After seeking them all day, I finally found them--about 75 birds in all--perched, at dusk in a spruce and in shrubs below near a group of feeders on the Cataraqui Golf & Country Club. Wolfe Island, March 13: observed 30 species including aperhaps 2,000 Canada Geese, 1,500 Red-winged Blackbirds, 150 Snow Buntings, 20 Common Redpolls, 100 Horned Larks, 120 American Godeneyes, 25 Grackles, flocks of Bufflehead, Mallard & Common Mergansers; 3 Tundra Swans, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-Legged Hawk, Sparrow Hawk and a Northern Shrike. March 17 singing Song Sparrow. As the train went by the cattails, I listened to the train whistles and noted that when they were short the Red-winged Blackbirds responded with short whistles, and when the train whistle was long, the birds responded at length. Besides birds, I've seen the following critters in the first two weeks of March within the city: 4 Red Foxes, 2 Wolves or Coyotes, waking-up Chipmunks, and Squirrels playing Ring-around-th-Rosie. Since birding has its slow times, here's a poem worth contemplating:

BIRD THOUGHTS (poet not known)

I lived first in a little house, and lived there very well,
I thought the world was small and round, and made of pale blue shell.

I lived next in a little nest, nor needed any other,
I thought the world was made of straw, and brooded to mmy mother.

One day I fluttered from the nest to see what I could find.
I said: "The world is made of leaves, I have been very blind.

A length I flew beyond the tree, quite fit for grown up labors,
I don't know how the world is made, and neither do my neighbors.

Hi Gordon, here's my report for the period Feb. 2-16, 1998, of birds observed in the Kingston Region:

Along the first two kilometres of the Rideau Trail: American Robin--as many as ten on one day, small flock of cedar waxwings, 50 Canada Geese, Common Redpolls, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, three pairs of Northern Cardinals, numerous Tree Sparrows and Chickadees, never more than 6 House Finch, congregations of Mourning Doves, a few White-breasted Nuthatch. In the Dupont pond, Mallards, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron and Coot were observed. From my ninth-floor window overlooking Little Cataraqui Creek, I watched a Cooper's Hawk trying to capture a Gray Squirrels and a Hairy Woodpecker but after a ten-minute hilarious stalk and chase, gave up and flew away.On Howe Island, Feb. 16, at a friend's feeder I watched two Yellow-rumped Warblers showing off their colors--an ever-so welcome sight in winter after the ice storm. The Northern Hawk Owl continues to be seen north of 401 off Highway 15. For detailed information call the Kingston Field Naturalist's Line at 613 549 8023.

Hi Gordon:

I've been in Costa Rica Jan. 13-27, hence no report the last few weeks. Since my return I've seen the following birds on Wolfe Island where the recent ice storm has decapitated and amputated the limbs of numerous trees leaving fewer perches for the birds.

The 7 Snowy Owls seen Jan. 31 were favoring the tops of hydro poles as perches. Strangely enough, I saw not a single hawk whereas usually we see a number of Red-tailed Hawks and Rough-legged Hawks. A few Horned Larks were seen on roadsides, a Downy Woodpecker on a broken-backed tree but nothing much else. Feb. 1, on a one km. stretch of the Rideau Trail from Bath Road to Princess St. in Kingston, again the trees had been devastated by the January ice storm. At feeders on this trail, I saw: 5 Common Redpolls, a White-breasted Nuthatch, American Goldfinch, Tree Sparrows, a Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch and a large number of Mourning Doves.

Although I was not on a birding trip in Costa Rica, with my companion, Shirley, I was abble to identify 169 species. Here are the few "Ontario" breeders observed there: Green Heron, Whimbrel, Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Tennesee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Palm Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Indigo Bunting. Another three months and we'll be seeing them in good old Ontario! While waiting for our return flight in Liberia's new palm-thatched airport, my companion discovered in an inside corner high up in the ceiling, a Barn Owl! Before long, many of the people in the airport were gazing at the owl and waiting in line to borrow our binoculars.

Hello Gordon:

I am on Howe Island, east of Kingston. I have had a Yellow-rumped Warbler coming to my feeder since December 4th, and was able to confirm yesterday Jan. 24th that I actually have 2 Yellow-rumps coming. They are more prominent in the afternoon, but are feeding mainly on cracked corn and sunflower bits, but are also eating suet and millet. I have been reluctant to report as I keep thinking they will leave, but since the ice storm and all the snow they are still here, I guess for the long haul now. I also had a male Red-bellied Woodpecker last Sunday, Jan. 18th but have not seen it this weekend.

Sharon David
Editor of the Blue Bird, Journal of the Kingston Field Naturalists.

__________________________________________________

Sharon David      (davids@pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca)

Research Technician, Department of Psychology,

Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario (Canada)     K7L 3N6

Tel:  (613) 545-2485,  Fax: (613) 545-2499

WWW: http://pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca/~davids



Editor: The Blue Bill (Quarterly Journal of the Kingston Field Naturalists).

Hi Gordon: We forgot to mention in Gerald's report of birds seen on January 02 a Great Blue Heron seen at Collins Bay on our way home from Amherst Island just as it was getting dark. This proved to be an exciting day to start 1998 birding.

Hi Gordon: Here are some of my recent sightings:
Dec. 27/97 Belted Kingfisher at Collins Bay; Dec. 29 four Red-winged Blackbirds at Little Cataraqui Creek; Dec. 31 White-throated Sparrow & Song Sparrow at Little Cat; Jan. 1/98 at Wolfe Island in a white-out, I missed the Red-bellied Woodpecker that has been around for some time but observed: Purple Finch, House Finch, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Horned Lark, American Coot. On the same day, my companion and I had close-up long-term views of the Varied Thrush just east of Barryfield--a gorgeous male that feeds below a mulberry bush in a natue-lover's backyard. The following day, Jan. 2, accompanied by Bob & Barb Frewin and my partner Shirley, at Amherst Island we saw the following: 400 Canada Geese, one Red-tailed hawk, 21 Rough-legged Hawks, three Northern Harriers, Three American Kestrels, one Long-eared Owl, 18 Short-eared Owls, one Northern Shrike and a variety of finches. Jan. 3, in the White Pines on the Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, mobbing American Crows found, for us, one Great Horned Owl. I've lived on the edge of the Golf Course for 14 years and every year the Great Horned Owls raise a family in the pines. From my ninth-floor eyrie overlooking LIttle Cataraqui Marsh, I watched a Cooper's Hawk (Jan. 3) pursuing an identified bird. Over the years, I've observed about 90 species from my window and balcony. Jan. 4/98 (date of this report) in search of the Northern Hawk Owl just north of city centre, we failed to find it but in a spruce woods we spotted a Northern Saw-whet Owl. Looks like a good year for birds. I'll be in Costa Rica in mid-January but will report again just before departing for this southern wonderland for birds..

Happy Birding,

Dear Gord;
For all who are interested an opportunity for a close look at a family of Bald Eagles at Landon's Bay East of Gananoque. Two adults and four immature birsd are located in the trees and along the ice line across from the Landon's Bay Nature Center three miles east of Gananoque on the 1000 Island Parkway. They can be seen from very close range in the trees at the east end of River Road and in the Oaks in the MTC park at Landon's Bay. I have seen the adults for a couple of weeks in these trees but this morning they were joined by four immature birds. There are large quantities of waterfowl at the same location - a raft of 5 to 10 thousand (mostly Mergansers) were there this morning.

Happy New Year

From my ninth-floor window Dec. 16, on the edge of Little Cataraqui Creek, I watched with binocs and scope an immature Northern Goshawk in the water, drinking and splashing water on itself . The spectacle lasted about 10 minutes. Then, it flew off to the floor of a nearby white pine woods and was tearing at feathered prey that likely was grabbed from one of the feeders on the woods side of the nearby apartment building.

Dec. 21, a Swamp Sparrow appeared on the Rideau Trail at Squaw Point about 2km north of Lake Ontario.

Dec. 20, on the road into Beaver Meadow Conservation Area, Prince Edward County, with my companion Shirley I encountered 9 Red Crossbills picking grit: 3 mature males, 5 females and 1 immature male. We studied them at close range for ten minutes.

Dec. 21, a few Kms north of 401 off Hwy 15, I saw the Northern Hawk Owl that has been around for weeks and another Northern Goshawk.

Dec. 23, just east of Kingston, I spotted the lost and lingering Varied Thrush high in a tree and studied it for ten minutes.

RED TAILED HAWKS were observed in the following areas: Hwy 15 between the 401 & Hwy 2; Sunset Lane off Hwy 15; Hughes Rd off Hwy 15; Gore Rd off Hwy 15. Six AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS on Hughes Rd off Hwy 15. At the Dupont Plant on King St. West there are three TUNDRA SWANS, large numbers of CANADA GEESE; MALLARDS & BUFFLEHEAD. Also observed there were about 12 RICHARDSON CANADA GEESE and a lone RUDDY DUCK.

Hi Gordon:

Here's a brief report on recent sightings in the Kingston Region during the first two weeks of December, 1997:

Wolfe Island, Dec. 2, during a two-hour visit. Here are some of my sightings:

3 Red-tailed Hawk, a Northern Harrier, 300 Greater Scaup, 50 Redhead, Red-breasted Merganser, 80 C. Redpoll, 2 Horned Lark, 45 Snow Bunting, 2 Bonaparte's Gull, Song Sparrow. An interesting sight was that of a Great Blue Heron stalking prey in its usual fashion but on a sheet of clear ice. Returning to Wolfe island Dec. 14, we watched a Rough-legged Hawk divebombing a mature Snowy Owl which was perched atop a hydro pole. Also worthy of mention are: 2 Tundra Swan, large mixed flock of Redheads and Scaup, Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and a flock of perhaps 50 Brant! In the Little Catararaqui Creek area I've sighted during December the following worth mentioning: White-throated Sparrow, Robins, Cooper's Hawk, Song Sparrow and a Great Blue Heron, fishing while on the ice-covered creek.

The Kingston Field Naturalists have an information line--613-549-8023--and today's tips include: Northern Hawk Owl just north of the city; Red-bellied Woodpecker on Wolfe Island's Hwy 96 West; 30, 000 Oldsquaw plus Saw-whet Owl. Long-eared Owl and Snowy Owl on Amherst Island.