Today a group of birders from the U of Guelph Wildlife Club birded Amherst Island. We combed Owl Woods pretty thoroughly for much of the day, and did not locate a Boreal Owl. Highlights:8 Northern Saw-whet Owls. Most were in trees on the periphery of the woods.1 Barred Owl. Just past the feeders on the left hand side in a clump of cedars.4-6 Snowy Owls. Along the island roads. Also, one seen from the ferry, to the west on the ice.1 Merlin. Flyby near Owl Woods. Of course, there were copious numbers of Rough-legged Hawks and a few Northern Harriers and American Kestrels. Some of the first spring migrants were coming through (RWBL, COGR, AMRO). A Pileated Woodpecker and Red-bellied Woodpecker were in the vicinity of the feeders. 1 Great Horned Owl was seen on a light post alongside the 401, I believe near Whitby.
Directions to Amherst Island: (from Bruce Dilabio) 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. CAUTION : - Though there is very little snow in and into the Owl Woods the trail is very icy in some spots, and flooded in others. Good birding,Josh Vandermeulen _________________________________________________________________ Share photos with friends on Windows Live Messenger http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9650734_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
