There were a few good sightings on Amherst Island this morning which include four species of owls. At the east end KFN property there was 1 SNOWY OWL which was first sitting atop of the northend osprey platform but then moved to the southend osprey platform. In the Owl Woods there was 1 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL sitting high in a white cedar which was located for me by the resident chickadees. Also, there was 1 BARRED OWL and 1 LONG-EARED OWL sitting calmly in full view and not seeming too concerned about my presence. Other good sightings include 6 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 10 COMMON REDPOLLS, 15 SNOW BUNTINGS, 20 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE and 1 AMERICAN ROBIN. At the Amherstview Lagoons there were very few birds with 1 female LESSER SCAUP among the BUFFLEHEAD and 10 BONAPARTES GULLS being seen.
Happy Holidays Bruce Ripley Amherstview 613-384-6392 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 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 $5.00 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. The road is closed due to snow drifting so you might have to make the 1km or so walk in. The chickadees can be hand fed. Directions to Amherstview Sewage Lagoon - Ontario Road Atlas, MapArt Publishing [Pg. 36, D55] >From Hwy. 401 take exit 599 (County Rd. 6, Odessa) south on County Rd. 6 to Taylor-Kidd Blvd. Turn left (east) on Taylor-Kidd and drive approx. 1 km watching for a lane on your right after crossing railway overpass. This is the entrance to the lagoon. If you're coming from Amherst Island, drive east on Hwy 33 approx. 9 km. and then turn left on County Rd 6. Continue north about 1.5 km and turn right (east) onto Taylor-Kidd Blvd.
