Amherst Island Winter Birding

Tour Description

Amherst Island has been a well known winter birding hotspot in the province for decades, and for good reason! Due to the geography and habitat of the island, it often attracts large numbers of wintering raptors such as Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Snowy Owl, Barred Owl, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl and Northern Saw-Whet Owl. During a strong owl winter, there can be up to 7 species present, including Boreal and Northern Hawk Owl. The odd Gyrfalcon occasionally makes an appearance too! Raptors aside, the island is a great spot to see other birds too, such as Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Redpoll, Northern Shrike and a variety of waterfowl species. Amherst is a quiet. peaceful place in the winter, dotted with small farms and stone walls along the roadside, providing a scenic backdrop for a birding adventure. We will depart on the ferry to Amherst at 10:00am from Millhaven, in order to ensure we get there at a good time for morning bird activity. Once we arrive on the island we will spend the morning slowly cruising some of the backroads, stopping frequently to scan the fields for raptors. We will also make a few stops along the waterfront to add some lake birds to our day's list. In the afternoon we will do a bit more walking, exploring Owl Wood's in hopes of finding more elusive species such as Long-eared and Northern Saw-Whet Owls. During the late afternoon we will drive the fields on the island searching for Short-eared Owl, ending the trip around 5:30/6;00pm and taking the ferry back to the mainland. During the day we will be offering identification pointers and trying to ensure everyone gets good views and photos of the species we encounter. This trip will involve up to 3 kilometers of walking on snowy roads and trails. There may be patches of ice, so bring ice cleats for your shoes if you have them. We will spend the day birding at a slow and relaxed pace, taking frequent stops along the way. Bathroom breaks are spaced throughout the day, with a planned stop every 2-3 hours. *Notes* -There are no gas stations on the island, so make sure to fill up before arriving. -bring your own lunch, snacks, and water (stay hydrated!) -bring sunscreen, a hat and warm enough clothes to be comfortable outside in the cold. Winter conditions along can be quite variable, and more layers are always a good idea. - a spotting scope will be provided but feel free to bring your own. -Advice on accommodations and places to eat will be provided after registering.