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Amherst Island in early December
December 5, 2021 @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm EST
$15.00 – $30.00
The Amherst Island, located near Kingston, is well known as one of the perfect places for birdwatching. We organize our next guided hike to the Island for those who are interested to know more about birds and other wild, creatures inhabiting this area. We’ll take binoculars and scope for observation of waterfowls and other birds.
More information about birding on Amherst Island you can find here:
Place and Subject of the Excursion:
We plan to explore the roads of the Island as follows: Front Rd., South Shore Rd., the Island West End, and the Owl Woods. At this time of the year, we have an opportunity to see many waterfowls (geese and ducks), which stay for winter in unfrozen waters near the island. We also explore the space around the roads that to spot first Snowy Owls arrived there for wintering. Other species – the Short-eared Owl – often stay on fence posts waiting for mice feeding in the fields. The area is also attractive for many birds of prey such as the Northern Harrier, Rough-Legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and even Bald Eagle. Many small passerine birds stop for winter on the island, surveying roads and farms for food sources. One of the most interesting places to visit is Owl Woods where several owl species stay in the winter season: some of them as the Northern Saw-Whet Owl and Barred Owl usually stay solitary or in pairs in winter, others as the Long-eared Owl forms flocks gathering in the rusting places. The birders are allowed to visit Owl Woods, following the Code of Conduct, respecting the private property of stewards who owned this land and the “privacy” of wild creatures: no harm to the owls and their habitats is allowed. We stay at the island in the daytime from 11:30 to 5:00 pm that to see how night birds prepare for hunting, perching at the poles located around agricultural fields.
We’ll meet near the Ferry at Millhaven Ferry Dock (mainland side), 5604 Highway 33, Millhaven, ON at 11:15 am on Sunday, December 05. Carpooling from Ottawa to the island is welcomed. We plan to leave Amherst Island at 5:00 pm – after sunset.
Dress:
The weather forecast on Sunday is good with a light frost. Strong wind is not predicted this day that is good for bird observation. It is suggested to have warm jackets, gloves, or mittens. Waterproof shoes will be appropriate to walk to the woods. Take sandwiches and water/ tea or coffee with you. Do not forget your cameras and binoculars!
