Today, Chris Traynor and I took forty-eight OFNC/KFN members to look for owls on Amherst Island . Rather strange owl sightings include a quality look at a BOREAL OWL sitting out in the open and another quality look at a GREAT GRAY OWL in the Owl Woods. At the southeast corner of the island there was a flock of 11 SHORT-EARED OWLS flying together at 12:00 noon and 1 GREAT HORNED OWL sitting on the ice about a kilometre offshore. Other notable birds seen were 1 RING-NECKED PHEASANT, 1 GLAUCOUS GULL, 1 AMERICAN ROBIN and many COMMON and RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and COMMON GOLDENEYES. Great weather and fun times.
Good Birding Bruce Ripley Directions To Amherst Island - Ontario Road Atlas, MapArt Publishing [Pg. 36, E54 & E55] Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Road 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 $5.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island. To reach the Owl Woods, turn left (east) at the four-way stop sign by the general store and drive 3.4 kilometres along Front Road to the (seasonal) Marshall Forty-Foot Road. Marshall Forty-Foot Road is across the road from house #2320. Drive along Marshall Road to the mid-way point, where there is an "S" in the road (1.2 kilometres , look for the K.F.N. kiosk). Park in the gravel lane or off the road edge. The chickadees can be hand fed.
