Hi Ontbirders
Yesterday, January 6th, we birded Amherst Island which was almost devoid of
raptors. In the Owl Woods we found 2 Long-eared Owls and 1 Barred Owl.
Elsewhere on the island we found 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, 1
American Kestrel and 2 Northern Shrikes. Lake Ontario is wide open and we
viewed a variety of waterfowl from the east point of the KFN property.
Highlights were 580 Gadwall, 48 Tundra Swans, 1 Surf Scoter and 2
White-winged Scoters. In the Owl Woods was a flock of 50+ Common Redpolls
which included 2 Greater Common Redpolls. A female Red-bellied Woodpecker
was observed in the woods as well. Waterproof foot wear is highly
recommended to bird Amherst Island over the next few days. Finally, at the
Dupont Plant / Elevator Bay we had a 14 species of waterfowl which included
16 Redheads, 2 Ring-necked Ducks and 19 Hooded Mergansers.
On Saturday, January 5th in the afternoon, birded Wolfe Island. Despite the
drizzle and snow flurries we managed to locate 5 Snowy Owls, 32 Rough-legged
Hawks and 2 Northern Shrikes. The majority of the birds of prey were located
between 5th and 8th Line Road.. Two Lapland Longspurs were observed with a
flock of Horned Larks. If you require additional information please email me
privately.
An item of note: there will be no Amherst Island ferry service on Thursday,
January 10th between 9:30am and 1:30pm.
good birding, Bruce
Directions: 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.
Wolfe Island: This free ferry can be reached in downtown Kingston near the
corner of Ontario and Barrack St.
Please read below.
Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists'
property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN
member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit
http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."
Bruce Di Labio
400 Donald B. Munro Drive
P.O.Box 538
Carp,Ontario,K0A 1L0
(613)839-4395 Home (613)715-2571 Cell
Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bruce.dilabio/
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