Ottawa Area Birding: Amherst Island with JC Birding

December 1, 2021

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

After some discussion it was decided, given Thursday's weather forecast for the Kingston area (rain and snow), to go birding on Wednesday, the forecast was much better - high of 4, cloudy with some sunny breaks. Now the meet up time was discussed in more detail, should we get the ferry at 8:30 or 9:30, we took the 9:30 ferry a little bit more sleep. Taking the 416 then 401, we saw 4 or 5 Red-tailed Hawks, American Crows, and Canada Geese along the way. We arrived at the ferry around 8:45, only birds on the water were Canada Geese, a Bald Eagle flew low over the geese, over the ferry area and landed in a tree where one eagle became two. As we approached the Amherst dock, we saw Ring-necked Ducks off in the distance.

Once on the island, we turned on Front Street and had not driven very long, when Northern Harriers were spotted - at least six of them. Oh I think we spent about an hour watching and photographing the Harriers and in the distance Snow Buntings. Driving a bit further, we stopped at a feeder - House Finch, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch and Mourning Doves all were enjoying the seeds put out by the homeowner.

Turning down Lower 40 Foot Road, we talked about the last time we were there and where we saw the Snowy Owl (only one was spotted on our last visit at the very end of the day). We stopped and brought out the scopes, Red-tailed Hawk and a Snowy Owl perched on the Osprey's Nest. Great, we got one Snowy, early in the day, maybe we will see more. Owls are not reported, so we had no idea how many owls were around. On South Shore Road, we kept our eyes on the water, but there really was not much activity - Red-breasted Mergansers, but on the other side before the Owl Woods entrance a Kestrel was spotted.

Since we all had an early start to the day, lunch was in order, parked at the turn in for the Owl Woods (there is a concrete barricade preventing anyone from driving in). Most ate outside, December 1 and we can still picnic, amazing. It also speaks to the weather, there was a breeze but actually the weather was very comfortable for December 1. The owl woods are closed for hunting, but it is a long walk to see "maybe" owls.

Several times during the course of the day, we remarked about how many little flying bugs were out, they were not bothering us, but for December 1, it was truly remarkable that we saw so many. I took photos at maximum magnification, and I did send it to Sami, who thought I was dreaming in technicolor, asking him to sharpen hundreds of bugs in flight, sure why not. Take a look and maybe identify the bugs for me.

At the end of South Shore Road, mmm should we go onto Long Point Road or keep on Stella 40 Foot Road. Long Point Road it is, lucky us, we saw another Snowy Owl and then one that was rather close and cooperative. We all spent time taking photos of that owl. Turning around we saw yet another Snowy, making that 4 for the day, we were happy. Back on Stella 40 Foot Road, we drove to Concession 2, where Short-eared Owls were photographed last year, no such luck this year. We saw lots of hunters in their neon vests and coats - no unfortunate deer in the back of trucks. There were deer seen but by us, not the hunters and we made no attempt to tell the hunters where the deer were. Now this is downright embarrassing, but we saw two largest birds perched on a paddock facing away from us, we could not identify them, so out comes the scope Mourning Doves, really!!!!

We were too early to check the fields on Front Street for the Short-eared Owls so we went west on Front Street. We stopped to look at a duck in the water, Barb nor I could really see the duck very well, but thought it was a Gadwall. Bill got out and started laughing, a Gadwall decoy! Hooded Mergansers on the water and our big surprise of the day a Belted Kingfisher on the hydro line. Driving further we saw 3 Tundra Swans and Common Mergansers. Turning around we drove to where the Short-eared Owls are usually seen, but nothing, so we kept driving, we turned around and yes about 6 Short-eared Owls playing in the field, such a wonderful site to see and a great way to end the day. We caught the 4:00 ferry back, we had planned on the 5:00 ferry but we were happy with what we had seen.

Got home by 6:30, I was not even late for dinner.