The 13th Amherst Island Christmas Bird Count was held Dec 21 under cloudy/bright skies and strong SW winds. Fourteen observers counted 4,968 birds of 54 species. Highlights were: - one Black-legged Kittiwake and five Ring-necked Ducks, both new to the count, thanks to Ron Weir and Joel Ellis; - seven Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Owl Woods, one short of the previous high of eight in 2000; - at least twenty Long-eared Owls in the Owl Woods, equalling the year 2000 high.
On the owl downside, no Short-eared Owls were seen and only three Snowy Owls, but the latter's numbers may increase as they did last year from three at Christmas to at least eight in March. The strong winds may have kept the Short-eared Owls from foraging as well as Song Sparrows and Horned Larks which were also missing this year, and high waves hid any Common Loons from straining eyes,resulting in a species count slightly below the twelve year average of 56.9. Bud Rowe, reporting on behalf of Janet Scott, who is in hospital with double pneumonia. Get well soon Janet! Merry Christmas and good birding in 2004 from the Kingston Field Naturalists. Bud Rowe 613-545-0720 [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Bud Rowe" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
