My wife and I spent the afternoon at Amherst Island. Overall it was slow in
the Owl Woods, with only singles of BARRED, BOREAL, and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS.
No LONG-EARED OWLS were observed by us or any of the other
birders/photographers were spoke to. A 3rd year BALD EAGLE flew over the woods
when we arrived, around noon.
Near dusk were observed three AMERICAN KESTRELS around the island, one on Front
Road near Marshall 40-Foot Road, harassing a RED-TAILED HAWK. A second was
close to the ferry dock, again on Front Road. The third was eating a vole on
the fence along Stella Road. A SNOWY OWL was on the KFN property, with another
nearby on a telephone pole, visible from South Shore Road.
Upon leaving we noticed approx. 15 TUNDRA SWANS with 6 MUTE SWANS and at least
150 CANADA GEESE on the channel between the island and the mainland.
Good birding!
Pat
DIRECTIONS (courtesy 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. 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 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 had owl observing ethics).
Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge.
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