Thursday, April 25, 2013

April 21, 2013 Amherst Island birding

Hi Ontbirders
Spent the day birding Amherst Island. Overall a beautiful sunny day with lots of bird activity. The Owl Woods had a nice variety of land birds including 12 Eastern Towhee, 3 Brown Thrasher, 2 Hermit Thrush, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 Pine Warbler, and 3 Ring-necked Pheasant were heard. A Sandhill Crane was spotted flying over the woods calling and an adult Little Gull was seen off the South Shore Road along with 750+ Bonaparte's Gull. On the KFN property a late lingering immature Snowy Owl was observed along with an early adult Black Tern. 
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 meters 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 $9.00 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/ ."




A late lingering Snowy Owl on Amherst Island


An adult Bonaparte's Gull harasses the Snowy Owl. 


The Spotted Sandpiper is a regular spring migrant and breeder on Amherst Island. 



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