Ottawa Area Birding: Amherst Island with JC Birding

November 5, 2024

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Barb C., Bill, Barbara and I were on the road at 7:00 heading to Amherst Island. We wished to be on the ferry at 9:30 and we got to the waiting area at 9:10. We saw a Red-tail Hawk on the way. At the landing we saw Mallards, Common Mergansers and Ring-billed Gulls. We did see a raptor in the sky that turned out to be another Red-tail. There were not too many vehicles on the ferry going over, the new ferry is so nice, a beautiful lounge for the walk-on passengers and such a friendly crew.

Once off the ferry we turned left on Front Street, once out of Stella we saw our first Northern Harrier (we saw 8 during the course of the day). We had decided we would walk to the owl woods. We took the trail / road to the woods from Front Street, it is marginally shorter than the path from South Shore Road. While walking down the trail, Barb C pointed out a Garter Snake and then a few feet away another much smaller Garter Snake. While walking to the feeders, we saw a rather large bird flying low, so we walked to the area, where we saw it land. Then it took off again, I got a bead on it -- Pileated Woodpecker. We got to the bird feeder and none of the feeders had seeds in them. There has always been a container with bird seed in it, Barb C took some and added seed to several of the feeders saying when we come back maybe there will be birds around. We met a fellow with a camera who told us he was unsuccessful at finding any owls and to be careful he had seen ticks. That did not deter us, off we went checking all the evergreen, hoping to see a Northern Saw-whet Owl. We finally got to the stand of Pines, and the trail suddenly got much worse, obviously not a lot of people had been in the woods. Still checking the evergreens and finding nothing, we continued to the fenced off area, where success usually happens. The trail was so overgrown, that we paid more attention to getting through the area, and no time at looking at the pines. We were more like bushwhacking and it was no fun. We walked maybe 15 or 20 minutes, but not getting all that far, we decided to 'forget it'. We headed back to the feeders, where the Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches and Blue Jay had found the seeds. It was about 12:00 and we all agreed it would be a great place to have our lunch, but our lunches were back in the car.

We saw 5 Garter Snakes in total while walking to and from the vehicle. We wondered when these snakes went into hibernation. Internet search indicates the snakes generally 'brumate' in late October. I have never heard of the term, but it means to enter into a lethargic state, somewhat analogous to hibernation but not the same. It is a state of sluggishness, inactivity or torpor during winter and is done about a meter below ground. A well insulated hibernaculum (another word I am unfamiliar with) makes it easier for snakes to maintain a low metabolic rate. Hibernaculum is simply a shelter occupied during the winter by a dormant animal such as a snake or insect. Okay enough science lesson

We also saw a couple of Wooly Bears, Monarch Butterflies and several different species of Sulfurs during our walk. Barbara spotted a small light brown frog, which Bill could not identify! That's because it turned out to be a Boreal Chorus Frog, which he had never seen, but had heard many times. This frog in our area was formerly thought to be the threatened Western Chorus Frog.

While walking back to the vehicle we met a man driving a small off road vehicle. He told us that the barricades to the Owl Woods had just been put in place a couple of days ago and the Owl Woods would be closed in a few weeks for hunting. We timed our trip perfectly. Finally back at the vehicle (we had walked about 6 K), we decided that we would have our lunch in a much nicer location. Front Street parallels the water, we got to see lots of Canada Geese, Mallards and a couple of Mute Swans, On the south side we saw our first Rough Legged Hawks (2 seen during the day).

Once parked at the corner of South Shore Drive and Lower 40 Foot Rd facing the Kingston Field Naturalist Club properties, we had our lunch. I was watching out of the side window and I saw a bird perched on a small rock, Barb C was on the passenger side back seat, she saw it as well. We both came to the conclusion it was an American Pipit. KFN has put up so many Bluebird boxes and Purple Martin apartments.

We saw a very cute sight - we stopped to watch a fawn nurse. Then Mom took off followed closely by the fawn. My thoughts were I hope they survive the deer hunt. Note: I spoke to a hunter the following day and he said they don't shoot Momma deer, if the shooter is following the rules.

Lake Ontario was very rough, hence not too many waterfowl -- Common Mergansers and Red-breasted Mergansers.

We saw a Kestrel / Merlin perched and then it took off, we drove a bit and saw it and when it saw us it took off again -- Merlin behaviour, but the wings were longer and slimmer -- Kestrel behaviour Merlin wings. A bit later in the day we saw 2 Kestrels and both Barb and I thought the Kestrel / Merlin bird was a Merlin, Bill disagreed. Love birding when you can disagree and no feelings hurt. We saw a flock of 4 Swans - 3 Mute 1 Trumpeter.

We drove to the end of Long Point Road and there we saw a single House Finch, Goldfinch and Black-capped Chickadees at a feeder. On the water more Canada Geese and Mallards.

I would be remiss if I did not mention all the Red-tailed Hawks - we saw 9 of them.

We decided we wanted to drive the dump road because Margaret had had success there a week ago, well that was not the case today, nothing. Time was moving on and we wanted to get to Front Street to see the Short-eared Owls, we were a bit early so we drove on, but really nothing. Going back to the Short-eared Owl spot, we stopped and we looked and looked, but sadly no Short-eared owls.

Caught the 5:00 ferry back and home by 7:15.