Hi Ontbirders, I birded eastern Amherst Island today and saw lots of intersting birds. Owl Woods still provided plenty of owls; 1 GREAT HORNED OWL, 1 BOREAL OWL, 7 LONG-EARED OWL, BROWN CREEPER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, a singing EASTERN TOWHEE, 6 FOX SPARROWS in a flock, two lingering AM. TREE SPARROWS and many SLATE-COLOURED JUNCOS. At the KFN-property, I saw 30 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 30 GREEN-WINGED TEALS, a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEALS, AM. WIGEONS, AM. BLACK DUCKS and GADWALLS in the ponds, six NORTHERN HARRIERS (+ a few more along the roads), a pair of OSPREY on their usual nesting platform, many KILLDEERS and WILSON'S SNIPES, a lone BONAPARTE'S GULL, a SNOWY OWL, three BELTED KINGFISHERS, 20 TREE SWALLOWS, two SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and many EASTERN MEADOW LARKS. Along the South Shore Rd., I spotted several COMMON LOONS, a HORNED GREBE, and a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER lying on the water. Among the thousands of CANADA GEESE that migrated eastwards over the island this morning, I managed to pick out a CACKLING GOOSE and two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE with my spotting scope.
Good Birding, Frode Jacobsen Kingston Directions To Amherst Island - Ontario Road Atlas, MapArt Publishing [Pg. 36, E54 & E55] Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Road 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 $5.00 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 kilometres along Front Road to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Road. Marshall Forty-Foot Road is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Road to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 kilometres, look for the K.F.N. kiosk). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.
