Thursday, January 19, 2012

January 18, 2012 Birding Amherst Island

Made a quick trip to Amherst Island and found no snow on the island and no ice on the water. It looked more like late fall. I check the usual spots and found 3 Snowy Owls at the east end, KFN property and 1 along the South Shore Road. The Short-eared Owls starting flying at 4:14pm both east and west of Stella. A small number of hawks were observed including Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks along with American Kestrel. With the wide of waters I counted late 7 Common Loons and 1 Red-necked Grebe off the South Shore Road.
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 $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 contact information or how to become a member, please visit  http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."



Amherst Island Ferry

Icy road conditions to the Owl Woods.


With no snow cover,  Snowy Owls were easy to pick out. 

Short-eared Owls were already hunting at 4:15pm. 

The Short-eared Owl is a regular winter resident on Amherst Island in small numbers. 



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