It was one of those days when you plan to go out for just a hour or two and
you end up spending most of the day birding. Didn't even pack a lunch.
Anyway, the Northern Hawk Owl lured me out into the minus 28 degree weather.
At 10:15 a.m. after three drive-bys, I found the NORTHERN HAWK OWL sitting in a
grove of poplar trees along South Shore Road by house number 3600. Close to
the Owl Woods Road was a RING-NECKED PHEASANT, BALD EAGLE and a NORTHERN SHRIKE
carrying what looked like a cardinal. On the 3rd Concession about 1 km. east
of Emerald Road there were 15 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and a SONG SPARROW. In the
wooded area on Emerald Road there was a BROWN CREEPER. By the utility building
there were 8 SNOW BUNTINGS.
Feeling a little pumped I decided to head to Prince Edward Point. At noon
about half a km. before the Glenora Ferry at house number 11045 there were 10
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on the large platform feeder. They were not there at 3:45
p.m. At Prince Edward there were 200 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 40 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 15
AMERICAN ROBINS, 2 BALD EAGLES and 1 NORTHERN SHRIKE. A quick stop at the
Black River Cheese Factory for a bag of curd then off to Waupoos. Here there
were 2 BALD EAGLES 2 NORTHERN FLICKERS, 1 SONG SPARROW, 15 HORNED LARKS, 2 SNOW
BUNTINGS, 20 AMERICAN ROBINS, 8 PINE SISKINS and 10 COMMON REDPOLLS. Just
north of Conboy off Hwy. 33 there were 50 WILD TURKEYS.
There was no open water anywhere except the two ferry channels which really
are not open either. I did not go to the Owl Woods but noticed two vehicles
driving in from the south end without too much difficulty.
Cheers
Bruce
Amherstview
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 $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas
stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island
ferry dock.
Directions to Prince Edward Point - Ontario Road Atlas, MapArt Publishing [pge
35, quad G 52 & 53]
Located in Prince Edward County. Take exit 566 (Marysville) off the 401 and go
south on County Road 49 to Picton. Take County Rd. 8 to County Rd. 17 to County
Rd. 16 to County Rd. 13. Follow County Rd. 13 to the end until you reach the
Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.
Directions to Waupoos - Ontario Road Atlas, MapArt Publishing [pg. 35, quad F52
& F53]
Located in Prince Edward County. Take exit 566 (Marysville) off the 401 andgo
south on County Road 49 to Picton. Go east on County Rd. 8 to County rd.25.
Take County Rd. 25 to County Rd. 7 and turn right (east).
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
