Martin Mallet, Anne-Claire Larochette and I birded Amherst Island and the Amherstview sewage lagoons this afternoon. The latter produced little of interest (high water levels in all lagoons), though there was a male Ruddy Duck present.
Amherst yielded some good shorebirding at the E. end of the island, right at the tip of the KFN property. The highlight was a flyby by a pair of Marbled Godwit, perhaps the same birds which were present last weekend, though that they would not have departed would be a surprise to me. Those birds headed north from the pond towards the NE tip of the island. In addition, at least one Baird's Sandpiper and a pair of Leasts joined the large flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers and a few Dunlin in the pond at the end tip of the property. At least 5, probably more, Wilson's Phalaropes of both sexes were flying up and down the length of the KFN property and affording stunning views the entire time we were present there. There was another large flock of Semipals feeding in a sheep field about 300m W of the KFN property entrance, but no other species were present with them. Owl Woods was quiet, the wave of migrants largely passed and only residents remaining, but of some note was a Grasshopper Sparrow present along Marshall Forty Foot Road just south of the Owl Woods entrance. Directions to 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 now $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. The Owl Woods are located at the S-bend along Marshall Forty Foot Road, which is the N-S line to the E of Stella Rd. Chris Kimber Dept. of Biology Queen's University Kingston, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
