January 21, 2010 Amherst Island Birding

The birding on Amherst Island was very good today with a nice selection of owls and hawks. In the "Owl Woods" we found 1 Boreal, 3 Northern Saw-whet, 1 Barred, and 1 Long-eared Owl. At the East End (KFN property) there were 2 Snowy Owls and near Stella 1 Short-eared Owl was observed sitting on a fence post. The hawks included 22 Red-tailed and 9 Rough-legged Hawk, 6 Northern Harrier and 2 American Kestrel. There is little snow cover on the island and the road into the "Owl Woods" is open but has limited parking. Also, the trail in the woods is icy in some areas. 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. 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/ ."

The Boreal Owl, a rare northern winter visit was a highlight in the "Owl Woods".

This well camouflaged Northern Saw-whet Owl was easy to miss.

The Barred Owl is now becoming a regular visitor to Amherst Island.

With the lack of heavy snow cover, Snowy Owls are easier to pick out at the east end on the KFN property.

This Short-eared Owl was sitting in the open during the afternoon.


A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk was one of a number of hawks observed around the island hunting in the open fields.