Monday, April 11, 2011

April 10, 2011 Birding Amherst Island

The birding today on Amherst Island was interesting with a nice selection of migrants. Highlights included a movement of Bonaparte's Gulls along the southshore of the island. Over 1200+ were counted, many back into breeding plumage with their black heads but many still moulting. The east point (KFN property) had 1 Greater Yellowlegs and a variety of puddle ducks including Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon and Gadwall. Overall quiet for raptors with only a few Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk and 4 Rough-legged Hawks still hanging around the island.
Off the south shore we counted 40+ Common Loon, 3 Red-necked Grebe and 8 Horned Grebe along with 1500+ Long-tailed Ducks and smaller numbers of Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Merganser.
The "Owl Woods" was very quiet with no owls.


Directions: Amherst Island: 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. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road.

Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN
member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit
http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ."




Long-tailed duck was the most common waterfowl.


A sure sign Spring were croaking North Leopard Frogs .


Another sign of Spring was an Eastern Garter Snake.


Adult Bonaparte's Gull s feeding along the south shore of Amherst Island.


Over 1200+ Bonaparte's Gulls were counted along the south shore of Amherst Island.


Tree Swallows were back in numbers.

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