Although conditions seemed to be ideal for a good movement of owls overnight, we succeeded in finding only 2 SAW-WHET OWLS in the Owl Woods. Other species had moved in numbers overnight however with large numbers of JUNCO, WHITE THROATED SPARROW, and HERMIT THRUSH, with some RUBY CROWNED and GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLETS. Of particular interest were about 100 PURPLE FINCHES scattered throughout the woods.
Given what appears to be the poor food supply on the Island coupled with the low numbers of hatch year SAW-WHET OWLS being reported by various banding sites, the outlook doesn't look good for a large number of overwintering owls this year. Still, they should be present in at least small numbers through the end of November. BOREAL OWLS are being reported in good numbers by more northerly banding operations however, and while they may not linger long, there may be a good chance of finding one on a stopover for a day or two anytime from now through early winter. Amherst Island is 16 km west of Kingston. Take exit # 593 from Highway 401, proceed south on County Road #4 (formerly Highway 133) to Millhaven on Lake Ontario - the ferry dock is 200m west on Hwy 33 (Bath Road). A round_trip costs $5.00. The ferry leaves every hour on the half hour from 6:30 am onward. To get to the "Owl Woods" after getting off the ferry: When you get off the ferry and drive up to the stop sign, proceed straight through on Stella Forty-foot Rd., to the south end, at the lake. Turn left, and drive to the intersection of the Marshall forty-foot Rd. (immediately east of 2090 South Shore Road). Proceed 1.3 km north to the S-curve. Walk north-east on the trails. Note: The Frontenac II will be out of service from October 1 - approx. November 15/04. The replacement ferry is much smaller, so be early if you're going to the island between those dates. You can also visit our website @ http://pages.ivillage.com/joey_2002/id1.html Alex. and Karen Scott
