Saturday, January 8, 2011

January 8, 2011 Birding Wolfe and Amherst Island

Spent the morning birding Wolfe Island. Overall the activity level was low but we did manage to find an active group of Short-eared Owl which put on a nice display for us. No Snowy Owl were found which appears to be the "norm" so far this winter. Numerous Rough-legged Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk were observed, a few Northern Harrier and American Kestrel were seen. Waterfowl numbers were also low and a small flock of Tundra Swans were still along the south side of the island in Button Bay. In afternoon we birded Amherst Island till dusk and found 2 Boreal, 3 Northern Saw-whet and 6 Long-eared Owls and again no luck with Snowy Owls.




Past and present day Wolfe Island.


Now Wind Turbines dot the landscape on Wolfe Island.


Rough-legged Hawk


One area had 250+ Mourning Doves resting in a number of trees near a feeder.


Short-eared Owl coming in for a landing.


Short-eared Owls perched.


Short-eared Owls can sometimes be very active during the daylight hours.



A Short-eared Owl resting on a conveyor belt with a wind-turbine in the back ground.


close-up.


A Red-tailed Hawk sits quietly as the large turbine blades turn.


No shortage of raptors on Wolfe Island.


A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk in flight.


Northern Saw-whet Owl


Northern Saw-whet Owl roosting.


The Long-eared Owls roosting.


Boreal Owl


Boreal Owl

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