Sunday, May 30, 2010

May 29, 2010 Birding Amherst Island

Birded Amherst Island late morning. Lots of activity at the east end of the island, KFN property. Highlight was a Willet at the gravel bar and a Whimbrel. There were also 3 American Bittern, 3 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Upland Sandpiper, 12 Wilson's Phalarope, and 110+ Brant. Earlier during the morning the Tricolored Heron was observed just west of the gravel bar. Unfortunately we couldn't relocate it.
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/ ."



In flight the Willet has a very distinctive wing pattern.


A pair of Wilson's Phalarope feeding.


With low water levels, there was lots of shorebird habitat at the east end of Amherst Island

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