Ottawa Area Birding: Amherst Island with JC Birding

January 13, 2026

Birding Report by Jane Burgess

Ian, Richard, Barb C. Bill, Barbara and I left Nepean at 7:00 a.m. we wanted to get the 9:30 ferry. On the way we saw Wild Turkey, American Crow, European Starling, Canada, Geese, Red-tailed Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker.

We got to the Millhaven Ferry Dock around 9:10, we then checked out what was on the water - Common Goldeneye, Mallard and Red-breasted Merganser and flybys of Canada Geese. We got back in our vehicles and drove onto the ferry. Once the ferry was underway, we were out of the vehicles to check out what was on the water -- Long-tail Duck shouted Bill -- 5 or 6 of them flew by. Closer to the Amherst Island Ferry dock - we saw Trumpeter Swan, Mallard and Canada Geese and oh my gosh, 2 Long-tail Duck up close and personal. They were not bothered at all by the ferry coming in.

Once off the ferry we drove to Front Street and made a left and started our great day on Amherst. We stopped at most of the bird feeders. The first feeder had a good number of healthy looking House Sparrows. On the water we saw a small flock of Common Goldeneye along with some Common Mergansers and Swans. A couple of us decided to get out and walk a bit, Barbara and I were talking and she said you often see more if you walk -- look -- a Red Fox ran across the field to the road, stopped and then ran across the road to another field and disappeared. Back in the vehicles and a bit further down the road, we saw at least 15 Mourning Doves sunning themselves.

We saw our first Red-tailed Hawk on the island, then Rough-legged Hawk and finally a Northern Harrier. We saw several of each species while on the island, We kept our eyes out looking for that lone Snowy Owl that was seen on the CBC but unfortunately did not see it. Turning onto South Shore Road we saw a Herring Gull and several small flocks of Common Goldeneye. Further on we saw Bufflehead. We continued on South Shore Road to the very end, seeing more House Sparrows and a single American Goldfinch.

Back to Stella 40 ft and turning on to Concession 3, a Hairy Woodpecker and an American Tree Sparrow was seen. And somewhere in our travels, Bill photographed a Savannah Sparrow, an excellent sighting for mid January. We decided we would have lunch in the Beach Road parking lot. Richard remarked that there was really nothing to see in the way of birds, yes we had water views but that is all. Just as lunch was winding down, he said "walking on the stony beach there are two Ring-necked Pheasant". I put up my bins ever so fast, yes I saw them. Ian was not so lucky and the others had left to continue birding on the road. Ian and Richard got out with their cameras to see if they could get a photo, nope, the birds had walked off the beach and into the wooded area. No doubt the pheasant were put on the island for hunting purposes.

I texted Barb to find out where they were, we caught up to them after seeing a large flock of turkeys (50+). Ian and Richard were not interested in taking any photos of them. We finally caught up with Bill, Barb and Barbara and off we went again. On our travels a Cooper's Hawk flew over the vehicles. and I think we saw the Northern Shrike on Front Street. Off we went to see if we would be lucky to find the Short-eared Owls. The time was about 3:30, nope, no luck there, but it was a bit early, but the sun was going down.

We caught the ferry back at 4:00.

Good birding 36 species is always excellent in mid January. I think everyone will agree we always enjoy time on Amherst Island.