Wednesday, May 25, 2011

May 25, 2011 Birding Amherst Island


Hi Everyone
Ben and I spent a good part of today birding Amherst Island. Overall,a good selection of birds including 3 groups of Brant totaling 212 along the south shore, 2 male Blue-winged Warblers in the Owl Woods, and a small selection of shorebirds including 3 Red Knot, 4 Ruddy Turnstone and 5 Short-billed Dowitcher at the east point on the KFN property. Other birds of note included 3 Upland Sandpiper, 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 3 Willow Flycatcher and 1 late Rough-legged Hawk.
Good Birding, Bruce and Ben


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 $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.

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 contactinformation or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."






A pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows follow the Amherst Island ferry.

A male Northern Harrier over the Owl Woods.

A young Great Horned Owl ready to leave the nest on Amherst Island.


Canada Geese with young.



A male Blue-winged warbler was a surprise.


A small group of Brant grazing at the east point of Amherst Island.


The Wilson's Phalarope is a regular breeder on Amherst.


On our return home we made a quick stop at Opinicon Road and observed a banded male Cerulean Warbler.

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