Thursday, February 19, 2009

News from Cuba!!!

The first Cuba birding tour went very well, lots of great birding and weather. We were able to locate most of the endemics and near endemics and had excellent views. Highlights included Blue-headed Quail-Dove, Zapata Wren, Stygian Owl, Cuban Grassquit, Giant Kingbird and Zapata Sparrow. We missed Bee Hummingbird. Overall recorded 150+ species and visited areas in La Guira, Zapata, La Belen and Cayo Cocco. Onto my next tour, Feb.19-Mar.1!

Cuban Trogon

Bahama Mockingbird

Good birding,
Bruce

Friday, February 6, 2009

The next few weeks

Hi Everyone,

Well, I'm off to Cuba for the next few weeks. As such, things will be a little quiet around here. If I have internet access from down there, I'll let you know how things are going and what exciting things we're seeing. If not, I'll be sure to report when I return.

Good birding,
Bruce

Answers: Quiz 7 - Who Am I?

Hi Everyone,

Here are the answers to Quiz #7:


Photo #1

Bohemian Waxwing

This species is easy to recognize by its yellow tail band, red under tail coverts and grayish belly.


Photo #2
Brown Pelican

A little more imagination was require to identify this preening Brown Pelican. Taken on my Florida trip.

Good birding,
Bruce

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A few more photos from Amherst today

Here are a few more photos from Amherst Island today.

Northern Harrier in flight.

When you arrive on the island, take some time to check the map - it might save you some time.

With the bright, sunny weather, everyone was out sunning themselves.

A Long-eared Owl sunning itself.

A Meadow Vole out running around the path.

Good birding,
Bruce

Amherst Island Birding...again

February 3, 2009

Birded Amherst Island late afternoon today. After a brief search of the "Owl Woods" I located the elusive Boreal Owl in the southwest section of the Jack Pine Plantation. Also, located 2 Northern Saw-whet Owl and 1 Long-eared Owl. Towards dusk did a quick run around the island and observed 7 Snowy and 1 Short-eared Owl. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles.





Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: Amherst Island: 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 the Amherst 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/

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Amherst Island Birding

Spent another morning birding Amherst Island. The "Owl Woods" was active with 4 Northern Saw-whet Owls, 2 Long-eared Owls, 1 Short-eared Owl and 1 Barred Owl. No luck with the Boreal Owl which was seen yesterday afternoon. Did a quick check along the South Shore road and observed 3 Snowy owl and there was along the channel seen from the ferry. Also a noticeable increase in gulls, 60+ mainly Herring but 2 first winter Iceland Gulls were also noted. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles.

Saturday was a busy day on Amherst Island

There is lots of snow on Amherst Island. It is recommended
that you not drive down the road to the Owl Woods but that
instead, you park along the South Shore Road and walk
in. Be careful when parking along the South Shore Road:
do not block the road and be cautious around the
soft shoulders.


Normally very skittish, this pair of Long-eared Owls was very obliging.

A Northern Saw-whet Owl resting during the day.

Good birding,
Bruce

Directions: Amherst Island: 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 the Amherst 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/