This message is being relayed from Bruce Di Labio on Amherst Island.
The owl woods are very productive this morning. There are at least two Boreal Owls, four Northern Saw-whets and 30+ Long-eared Owls. At the Kingston Field Naturalists Club property on the east end of the island there was one Snowy Owl and there were two Snowy Owls and a couple of Short-eareds along the south shore road. Conditions are overcast but there is no snow coming down. There is less than 1 cm of snow on the ground but some sections of the trail are icy. The road in is no problem; you can drive right up to the woods. There were also three Hermit Thrushes. As Bruce was talking there was a meadow vole running by his feet. He said the vole population seems to be good which should bode well for continued owl success. Brian Morin Directions: 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 $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. (for insurance purposes you must be accompanied by a K.F.N. club member). 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 has owl observing ethics). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge. _______________________________________________ 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
