The owl population of the Amherst Island Owl Woods continued to increase over the past week. The single (probable male) BOREAL OWL that has been present regularly since early December was joined Wednesday by a very large female BOREAL and today by another smaller one. Today's final count was 3 BOREAL OWLS, 8 SAW-WHET OWLS, and at least 12 LONG-EARED OWLS. Also present were a single HERMIT THRUSH although 2 or 3 have been seen together this past week, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER in the feeder area.
There were also a few SHORT-EARED OWLS but not in the numbers they have seen recently. SNOWY OWLS are also numerous with up to 12 being counted this week all over the Island. There was a COOPER'S HAWK just south of the Owl Woods today as well as numerous RED-TAILED and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and a few HARRIERS. Today was the Amherst Island Christmas Count so there may be a more detailed list of other Island birds when it is published. The ferry to Amherst Island is located in Millhaven, Ontario a few miles west of Kingston. The ferry leaves on the half hours and the cost is $8.00 per car. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
