Saturday, December 13, 2008

Amherst Island: Boreal Owls

December 7, 2008

A quick update on the Boreal Owls on Amherst Island. We ended the morning with 3 Boreal Owls, plus 5 Northern Saw-whet and 20+ Long-eared Owls, all in the "Owl Woods" both Jack Pine Plantation and Red/White Cedars. Lots of Meadow Vole sign and numerous Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harrier and 1 American Kestrel. Along the south shore Road there was 1 Snowy Owl.

Boreal Owl, Amherst Island


Northern Saw-whet Owl, Amherst Island


Long-earred Owl, Amherst Island


The male Eurasian Wigeon was still present at the DuPont Plant/Elevator Bay at 3:30 pm.

Good Birding,
Bruce

Directions: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for theAmherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. To reach the Owl Woods, turn left (east) at the four-way stop sign by the general store and drive 3.4 km along Front Rd. to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. Marshall Forty-Foot Rd. is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Rd. to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 km, look for the K.F.N. kiosk which had owl observing ethics). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.

Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/.

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