October 17, 2008
Alex spent a couple of hours in the Owl
Woods this morning. There were 4 SAW-WHET OWLS and at least a dozen LONG-EARED OWLS, 3 of which stayed put and gave good
views.
Also of note: BOREAL OWLS are on the move this
year to north of us, and one was reported near Ottawa on September 29th, I
believe one of the earliest recorded dates for up there. This is also the
4th year in their typical 4 year cycle of
irruptions.
October 18, 2008
The 4 SAW-WHET OWLS reported yesterday were seen again today in the owl woods, along with several LONG-EAREDS.
November 1, 2008
A number of birders were in the woods on Saturday, and reported 3
SAW-WHET OWLS, along with one BARRED OWL, and one LONG-EARED OWL.
From the KFN property on the Island, Bruce Di Labio reported 10+ Northern
Harrier, 6 Rough-legged Hawk, 5 Tundra swan, 5 Black-bellied Plover, and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. At dusk they
were entertained by a group of 26 Short-eared Owls feeding over a field just south of Stella. Also, there
was a good number of finches present on the island including 40+ White-winged Crossbill, 6 Common Redpoll, 30+ Pine Siskin
and numerous Purple Finch. One Pine Grosbeak was heard calling as it flew overhead. Overall hawk numbers good with 3 American
kestrel, 16 Red-tailed Hawk , 15 Rough-legged Hawk and 25+ Northern Harrier.
November 2, 2008
Report from Bruce Di Labio:
Hi Everyone Spent another interesting day birding Amherst Island. The
"Owl Woods" again hosted 2 Northern Saw-whet Owl, 1 Barred Owl and 1 Long-eared Owl. There were still a number of White-winged
Crossbill, Pine Siskin and Purple Finch in the woods. A late lingering "Western" Palm Warbler and Common Yellowthroat were
observed in the open area between the "Owl Woods" and Jack Pine Plantation. There was lots of raptor activity at the east
end KFN property including 1 Snowy Owl. Good birding, Bruce
November 4, 2008
Bruce was in the woods again, and reports seeing the BARRED OWL and LONG-EARRED
OWL, but no SAW-WHETS today. Also there were a couple of Eastern Bluebirds in the open area between the cedars and the pines.
November 7, 2008
7 members of the Cornwall
bird club, along with Bud and Joel from the KFN, found 2 SAW-WHET
OWLS in the woods, and 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS flying at
dusk, along with 50+ other species.
November 9, 2008
(reported by Chris Kimber
on Ontbirds)
Martin Mallet, Sara Calhim
and I spent the morning and early afternoon birding Amherst Island in defiance of the bands of horizontally blowing showers
and bitterly cold wind. The Owl Woods produced a Long-eared Owl
just past the feeders on the walk in, and a pair of Northern Saw-whet
Owls. The first was kindly pointed out by a pair of ladies whose names I should have noted for this post, along the
south edge of the Jack Pine Plantation, and the second I stumbled upon at close range in some of the isolated Jack Pines in
the field between the plantation and the woods. A couple of White-winged Crossbills were calling up above the woods but at
this point the sky had turned a crystalline blue, briefly, so as to render seeing them impossible. Among the House Finches
feeding on berries near the Owl Woods feeders were several Purple Finches, including at least one male.
A walk out
to the gravel bar at the east end of the KFN property yielded a relatively lightly marked Snowy Owl sitting sheltered from the wind part-way out the bar. 4 Black-bellied Plover were out on the bar,
likely the same ones we had seen earlier on the South Shore Road, and they were joined by a single Dunlin. 4 Tundra Swans
were at the bar as well, with a pair of female Hooded Mergansers augmenting the normal waterfowl assortment. The chop on
the lake south of the island made observing conditions somewhat difficult, but there were clearly lots of Long-tailed Duck
moving around on the horizon as well as 3 White-winged Scoter and a lone Common Loon. Several more Common Loons were in the
channel between Amherst and the mainland, but no other loons or grebes were to be found.
A Northern Shrike was trying
to stay upright in a stiff wet breeze on our way east out of Stella along Front Road early in the morning. Of course, the
usual abundance of Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers and American Kestrels dotted the eastern end of the island
all day.
November 11, 2008
Karen and I made a thorough
search of both the Cedar Woods and the Pines of the Amherst Island Owl Woods today in hopes of finding an early BOREAL OWL
but came up empty handed. There were no SAW-WHETS found either, nor did we find the recent BARRED OWL. There were however
4 LONG-EARED OWLS.
While BOREAL OWLS have been seen earlier than this, they are more common in late November and early
December. Right now we're at a point between the end of SAW-WHET migration and the arrival of the overwintering population,
and the numbers will be very dependent on the vole population.
Other birds of interest today were a BROWN CREEPER,
2 or 3 FOX SPARROWS, some WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS, PURPLE FINCHES and a small flock (3) of CEDAR WAXWINGS.
Alex & Karen Scott
December 7,
2008
An updated report from
Bruce:
Hi Ontbirder's A quick
update on the Boreal Owls on Amherst Island. We ended the morning with 3 Boreal Owls, plus 5 Northern
Saw-whet and 20+ Long-eared Owls, all in the "Owl Woods" both Jack Pine Plantation and Red/White
Cedars. Lots of Meadow Vole sign and numerous Red-tailed & Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harrier and 1 American Kestrel.
Along the south shore Road there was 1 Snowy Owl. The male Eurasian Wigeon was still present at the DuPont Plant/Elevator
Bay at 3:30pm. Good birding, Bruce
December 8,
2008
Chris Kimber reported
3 BOREAL OWLS and 1 SAW-WHET OWL, along with the usual complement of LONG-EARED
OWLS
December 12,
2008
Reported from the Owl
Woods today: four BOREAL OWLS - three in the jack pine plantation and one very well concealed low in a spruce
tree just outside of the plantation. There were also three NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, at least 19 LONG-EARED
OWLS, and a variety of non-owl highlights including three female RING-NECKED PHEASANTS near the jack pine plantation,
three HERMIT THRUSHES in the plantation (aural only), five GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, a NORTHERN FLICKER, and a male RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER, which made a brief appearance at the feeders.
At the KFN property -
one SNOWY OWL and also two SNOWY OWLS and some SHORT-EARED OWLS along the
South Shore Road.
December 13,
2008
From Gary Fairhead:
Spent several hours in and around the Owl Woods and Jack Pine Plantation yesterday ( Saturday) with Ted Busby. Conditions
looked promising in the morning but quickly gave way to snow flurries. We saw several Northern Harriers and
Rough Legged Hawks shortly after getting to the island on the way to Owl Woods. A Northern Sawhet
had been discovered by others at the Jack Pine Plantation and Ted managed to find another.. Several Long Eared
Owls were seen in the Plantation and at least one Short Eared Owl was flying in the vicinity and
could be best observed on the South side where it was seen flying in the morning. There were quite a few people in the area.
Later in the afternoon. I found one Boreal Owl around 3:00 PM in the Jack Pines and the photos taken
are pretty busy with habitat but that was the bird's choice.There was a partially eaten mouse or vole on a branch a few feet
below where the Owl was perched. During the day we also saw 2 Hermit Thrushes, 1 Golden Crowned Kinglet, 1 Brown Creeper,
all in the Jack Pines as well as 2 American Tree Sparrows at the feeders. A White Breasted Nuthatch at the feeders put on
a very nice wing display to another Nuthatch it pursued in the area. On the way out we saw several Short Eared Owls hunting
on both sides of the road.
(See pictures on photo page - thanks Gary!)
December 14, 2008
From Patrick Blake:
I returned to Amherst Island today with my wife in an attempt to relocate all the boreal owls I reported on Friday. The
weather was harsher than earlier this weekend, with strong gusts of wind coming off Lake Ontario all day long. This forced
a lot of the smaller owls deeper into the jack pine plantation. We managed to locate one BOREAL OWL nicely tucked away under
a fallen tree, but there was no sign of the other three. However, we did find the three NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS I reported
earlier, and approximately 13 LONG-EARED OWLS, two of which were very calm around people and allowed for some great viewing.
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and BROWN CREEPERS were present in the jack pines as well. The male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is still
present at the feeders, but comes and goes often so patience is needed to spot him. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES
are also present at the feeders.
I attached links to some photos from today and Friday, which I would have done in
my previous posting had I had time to upload them to my website.
Good birding!
Boreal Owl #1 (12/12): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#P-2-15 ** Please note: boreal owls #'s 2 & 3 were not photographed; #2 was snuggly hidden on a tall stump, surrounded by
thin twigs and branches, and #3 was near the top of a tree in the northwestern end of the plantation, approximately 20ft
above the ground ** Boreal Owl #4 (12/12): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#435402395_JsUZn Saw-whet Owl #1 (12/12): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#435402362_7KeoJ ** Please nore: saw-whets #2 & 3 we also not photographed; #2 was in a tall tree near the entrance to the plantation
on the eastern side, and #3 was on the northern edge of the plantatiion with its back to me (the tree was not accessible from
the other side) **
Saw-whet Owl #1 (12/14): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#436574276_WTn3f Saw-whet Owl #2 (12/14): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#436574374_UA5jy ** Please note: saw-whet #3 was in an extremely dense juniper tree approximately 600ft west of the jack pine plantation
and was not photographed ** Boreal Owl (12/14): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4266081_mRyWe#436574392_tDPWg Red-bellied Woodpecker (12/14): http://pj-mcblake.smugmug.com/gallery/4386688_qfR9t#436603151_Kj8cD
December 15, 2008
3 SAW-WHET OWLS reported in the Owl Woods, as well as the usual LONG-EARED OWLS. 3 SNOWY
OWLS were seen as well, and one NORTHERN SHRIKE along the South Shore Road.
December 18, 2008
Thursday with the help of 3 or 4 experienced birders we scoured the Owl Woods pretty thoroughly.
By the end of the day we had 1 BOREAL OWL and 5 SAW-WHET OWLS. There were
also numerous LONG-EARED OWLS throughout the woods and many SHORT-EARED OWLS in the surrounding
areas. There were 4 or 5 SNOWY OWLS between the village and the east end of the Island.
Other sightings were a number of RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSS BILLS including one flock of at least
20 of the latter, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES, a few REDPOLLS and SISKINS. There were at least 3 NORTHERN SHRIKE, and 29 TUNDRA SWANS.
Hawks are plentiful, mainly HARRIER, ROUGH-LEGGED and RED-TAILED.
Alex Scott
December 30, 2008
From Bruce Di Labio: Hi Everyone Spent the morning birding the "Owl Woods" on Amherst Island
starting at 8:00am. Our first run through yielded only 1 Northern
Saw-whet
Owl, 7 Long-eared Owls and 3 Short-eared owls hunting
over the open fields.
On the second run we found an additional 3 Northern Saw-whet Owls
and few
more Long-eared Owls. As we were leaving I decided to check
one more tree, a spruce which I had observed Boreal in previous
years and to my surprise there it was sitting quietly. It was a "lifer" for a number of the birders who were still searching
the woods. At the east end of the island we observed 1 Snowy Owl
on the KFN property. The "Owl Woods" also had a number of finches including 16 White-winged Crossbill, 3 Pine Siskin and 20+
Common Redpoll. There was 1 Northern Shrike at the north side entrance road to the woods. We did have a Great Horned Owl
along CR4 near Taylor Kidd Road driving down and on our return we observed 3 Eastern Bluebirds along CR 4 at Millhaven Road. We
ended the day in Ottawa with our 7th species of owl,
Northern Hawk-Owl on Grandview Road. Good birding, Bruce
December 31, 2008
Spent the day in the Owl Woods. The Saw-whet
population continues to increase with at least 6 being present
today. This and
the significant number of voles bodes well for the rest of the
winter.
Another Boreal has joined in as
well. This one is
a huge female that must be pushing the upper limits of the size range. Perched
high in a tree, it was hard to identify at first - with its head tucked in and
its feathers puffed out it looked at first to be the size of a fat Long-eared
Owl. Fortunately someone came along with a Boreal song and after several
repeats it turned to look at us, confirming the identity, and several photos
were obtained.
There are still 6-8 Long-eared Owls
present, but
the Short-eared Owls weren't seen today, at least around
the Owl Woods.
There were 2 Hermit Thrushes again in the pines,
several flights of White-winged Crossbills, and the Red-bellied flew overhead
just at dusk.
The northern section of the Marshall 40 foot to the
woods is now impassable to vehicular traffic but so far the southern section
remains open.
Alex Scott
January 1, 2009
From Paul O'Toole:
Spent a few hours birding owl woods and finally managed to locate one Boreal
owl past the bird feeders on the left side of the trail (North) close to the
trail in some cedars. The regular long eared where present
in the Jack Pines
with one in the same general area as the Boreal. Two Saw-whet
were located,
on on the outer North edge of the Jack Pine Plantation on one just off the
main trail on the way back out from the Planation. Snowy owls
were seen
heading out of owl woods on the North side entrance in the field to the west
of the owl woods path while a second snowy was located on the KFN property. 1
Kestrel; 2 shrikes, several red tail hawks & 1 coyote were also seen. See
images below, others available under flicker account
newfoundlander61.
Boreal: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3156665027_f051c85a98.jpg
KFN
Snowy: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/3156705341_3c983baf35.jpg
January 2, 2009.
The owl population of the Amherst Island Owl Woods continued to increase over the past week.
The single (probable male) BOREAL OWL that has been present regularly since early December was joined Wednesday by a very
large female BOREAL and today by another smaller one. Today's final count was 3 BOREAL OWLS, 8 SAW-WHET OWLS, and at least 12 LONG-EARED OWLS.
Also present were a single HERMIT THRUSH although 2 or 3 have
been seen together this past week, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
in the feeder area.
There were also a few SHORT-EARED OWLS
but not in the numbers they have seen recently. SNOWY OWLS
are also numerous with up to 12 being counted this week all over the Island.
There was a COOPER'S HAWK just south of the Owl Woods today as well as numerous RED-TAILED and ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWKS and a few HARRIERS.
Today was the Amherst Island Christmas Count so there may be a more detailed list of other
Island birds when it is published
Alex & Karen Scott
January 3, 2009
Alex was over to the woods today, and again found 3 BOREAL OWLS and 8 SAW-WHET OWLS, as well as
the usual 12 - 15 LONG-EARED OWLS. There were also 3 Pine Grosbeaks in the woods.
Karen Scott
January 4, 2009
Alex and I had the pleasure of escorting photographer
Marie Read through the woods today. We found 3 BOREAL OWLS, 6 SAW-WHET OWLS and 15
- 20 LONG-EARED OWLS, most of which were sitting quietly today, allowing nice looks.
Karen Scott
January 5, 2009
Alex was over to the woods today, and found 2
BOREAL OWLS and 7 SAW-WHETS, and the usual 15 - 20 LONG-EARED OWLS.
Karen Scott
January 8, 2009
Alex was in the woods Tuesday and found 3 BOREALS, and
8 SAW-WHETS, so we know the 3 are still there. Yesterday, Wednesday the 7th, he went to the woods
with a group of students from Upper Canada College and their teachers, and they found 2 BOREAL OWLS, and
6 SAW-WHETS - but 2 of the ones the day before had been in the cedars, and there wasn't time to go there
yesterday, so likely that's where the "missing" 2 were. As usual, 15 - 20 LONG-EARED OWLS.
Oh, and there was a report of a TUFTED TITMOUSE at the feeders, seen by one of the birders from Conecticut.
Karen Scott
January 11, 2009
Weekend report from Bruce Di Labio:
Hi Everyone Birded Amherst Island Saturday, January 10th and today, Sunday
January 11th. Conditions were excellent and we were still able to drive to the Owl Woods from the South Shore Road.
Both days were very successful in the woods with 3 Boreal Owls Saturday, 2 today, 4
Northern Saw-whet Owls Saturday, 5 today, 9 Long-eared Owls Saturday, 14
today, and 2 Short-eared Owls Saturday, 8 today. We also had 9 Snowy Owls
scattered around the island. Hawk numbers were good with 34 rough-legged and 28 Red-tailed Hawk,
6 Northern Harrier and 2 Bald Eagles. Other interesting observations included 100+ White-winged
Crossbills, 1 Hermit Thrush, and a Northern Flicker. Water bird numbers were limited due to ice conditions around the island.
We made a brief stop at the warm water lagoon at the Dupont Plant/Elevator Bay and observed 22 American Coot, 42 Gadwall,
2 American Wigeon, 4 Ring-necked Duck, 1 Lesser Scaup and 7 Hooded merganser along with 100's of Mallards and American Black
Ducks. Good birding, Bruce
January 12, 2009
Alex and I spent three hours in the woods this afternoon, and found 3
BOREAL OWLS, 9 SAW-WHETS, 15 - 20 LONG-EARED OWLS, and at least 4 or 5 SHORT
EARED OWLS. On the way back to the ferry we saw 2 SNOWY OWLS, and 2 BALD EAGLES,
as well as numerous hawks we didn't have time to stop and identify; as I had to get home to get to work.
Karen Scott
January 14, 2009
I braved the below 0 (Fahrenheit) temperatures this morning along
with Bruce Di Labio and Marilyn MacIvor and her husband. The south approach is still open but just barely.
By the time we got separated we had found 1 Boreal Owl and 5 Saw-whets
and Bruce had counted at least 19 Long-eared Owls. I went deeper into the woods and found the second Boreal in it's
typical territory, and then a third. The third one was not in a usual location and was extremely well hidden.
I was lucky enough to catch just a glimpse of tail feathers at first. I ran off to try and locate Bruce but I guess
he had gone by that point. As I continued my search, I came to the area where I had seen the second Boreal but
didn't see it. I checked the surrounding area more thoroughly but couldn't find it so I thought perhaps it had moved,
although there were no other footprints than my own in the area.
Just as I was leaving that section I came across a pile of feathers
and a closer inspection left no doubt that it was the remains of the Boreal Owl. Now, nature is nature, and it doesn't
always behave the way we'd like. Several years ago we had a Northern Goshawk that decimated the Long-eared Owls that
season, leaving piles of feathers here and there. Another year we lost several Saw-whet Owls to a Barred Owl, but none
of these had quite the same impact as this morning's find. I think the difference is that with the Boreals being
few in number and having established their wintering territories within the woods, we get to know them and their personalities
more and they become more like pets in that we know them as individuals. So I felt a real sense of loss in discovering
the remains of this beautiful bird just after I had seen it less than an hour previously.
What happened? Well, I haven't seen any Goshawk in the neighbourhood
this year and although I got a brief glance of a Coopers hawk a couple of weeks ago down on the south shore, I haven't
seen it around the Owl Woods either. While there are numerous Long-eared Owls around, they are not daytime hunters for
the most part and there have been many times in the past 30 years where there have been large numbers of Long-eared, Saw-whets
and Boreal Owls and no evidence of interaction or predation. The only time I have seen anything close is once when a
Long-eared Owl landed in a tree close to a Saw-whet, the Saw-whet was startled and took off to a different perch, but there
was never any real threat. There have been quite a few Rough-legged Hawks overhead but I think it unlikely one would have
found it or taken it. The Short-eared Owls, however, have been very active in and around the area in question and have
been roosting in these same trees, so that is my best guess at this time. Interestingly, the last time we saw this particular
owl while the Short-eareds were active, it seemed not to be concerned about our presence at it's roost, but was constantly
watching overhead as the Short-eareds were flying around above the woods. This is the first predation of a Boreal
Owl that I have seen, and it has been years since the last Saw-whet met such an end.
Anyway, the count is now 2 Boreal Owls and 8 (?9) Saw-whet Owls,
19 Long-eared Owls and about 24 Short-eared Owls.
Alex.
Thursday January 15, 2009
Janet Scott reported a BOREAL OWL very well hidden in the Cedar woods - hard to tell at
this point whether one of the regulars has moved, or if we have a new one. She also reported another kill, of a LONG-EARED
this time, in the same area as the Boreal the other day.
Monday January 19, 2009
Following the untimely demise of one of our BOREAL OWLS, the other
2 seem to have packed up and left as well. There were 3 present on Wednesday, January 14 prior to the kill, only one
reported on Thursday and Friday, and since then nothing. I did a complete search on both Saturday and Monday and failed
to find one. There were several field trips on Sunday none of whom apparently were able to find one either.
The conditions for the past 2 days have not been particularly good
with heavy snow making it hard to get a good look at most of the trees. Still Karen and I did turn up 6 SAW-WHET
OWLS both Saturday and today.
There are still numerous LONG-EARED and SHORT-EARED OWLS about as
well as many hawks and a few eagles. Two HERMIT THRUSHES continue to be seen as well as a few GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS.
Today there were 2 CARDINALS at the feeders as well as DOWNEY and HAIRY WOODPECKERS and the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
Still no definite ID on the predator but my own opinion is either
a GOSHAWK or a PEREGRINE FALCON both of which have been reported on the Island. So far, we have identified a Junco,
a Starling, the Boreal Owl, a Long-eared, and a Short-eared Owl as victims of this unknown predator. The Short-eared
Owl carcass that we found on Saturday was almost complete except for a large hole in its back. My favourite interpretation
of this is that it was the Short-eared Owl that took the Boreal, and the 2 remaining Boreals ganged up and took it from behind
and then lit out for the hills.
We also had a report from one of the ferry crew of 2 Glaucous Gulls.
As of today, the south approach to the Owl Woods is still drivable
but it won't take much more to close it to regular traffic.
Alex and Karen Scott
January 20, 2009
Connie Denyes reported 1 BOREAL OWL, well hidden deep in the woods today.
January 22, 2009
We got a report today from Wednesday January 21 of 1 BOREAL OWL and 1 SAW-WHET OWL in the pines, along with
at least 11 LONG-EARED OWLS.
January 25, 2009
John Schmelefske sent a report for yesterday and today of 1 BOREAL OWL, seen both days,
4 SAW-WHET OWLS, and approximately 20 LONG-EARED OWLS in the woods. Also seen were
at least 7 SNOWY OWLS, and numerous hawks.
Other birds of interest seen were Red-bellied Woodpecker, Redpolls, Snow Buntings, Pine Siskins, Golden-crowned
Kinglets, and Shrike.
January 31, 2009
Reported by Bruce Di Labio:
Hi Everyone Birded Amherst Island today. Despite the -20 C temperature this morning, birding was
good. Due to snow conditions,we parked along the South Shore Road and walked in to the "Owl Woods". We observed 5 Northern
Saw-whet Owls and 6 Long-eared Owls. On our walk out we observed one Northern Shrike.
We drove around the island roads and counted 47 Rough-legged Hawk, 16 Red-tailed Hawk , 3 American Kestrel, 11 Snowy
Owl and 2 Short-eared Owl. There were 140+ Snow Bunting along the South Shore Road. Overall a good outing. At the
DuPont Plant/Elevator Bay pond we observed 6 Ring-necked Duck, 6 Hooded Merganser, 16 American Coot and 3 Gadwall among
the 1000+ Mallards and 200+ American Black Duck. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles Good birding,
Bruce
February 1, 2009
Birding Amherst Island and owl woods today, located 1 Boreal; 3 Northern Sawwhet; 1 Long Eared, & 1
Barred owl in owl woods. Other species located were snowy owl; long tailed duck during the ferry crossing and a nice close
look at a Rough-Legged Hawk. Images of all available at link below. If link doesn't work search in flickr under newfoundlander61.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newfoundlander61/
Paul O'Toole Kingston
February 2, 2009
An Unwelcome Visitor in the Owl Woods
If the continued predation of Long-eared and Short-eared Owls in
the Amherst Island Owl Woods by an as yet unidentified predator was not bad enough, the arrival this week-end of
a Barred Owl is bad news for the overwintering Saw-whet population there.
Despite having large numbers of Long-eared Owls and Saw-whet Owls
present at the same time over the past 30 years, the only time I have witnessed Saw-whet predation has been when a Barred
Owl is also present. These owls are also by far the most troublesome when they are present in the same area as a Saw-whet
banding operation.
It was not unexpected then that today the Barred Owl was seen carrying
the remains of a Saw-whet Owl which it dropped at one point enabling us to identify it as an unbanded Saw-whet. Most
likely it was the big female that has been roosting regularly in one of the pines along the east margin of the woods between
the Cedar Woods and the Pine plantation. In addition, there was evidence of another fresh Long-eared/Short-eared kill,
and there were a couple of feathers from what appeared to be a Boreal Owl although there was no evidence of any carnage nearby.
So far there has been a rather significant decline in the owl population
over the past several weeks - from 8 Saw-whets on January 9 to just 4 today, from 3 Boreals up to January 14 to 1 today, and
from about 20 Long-eared Owls as recently as a week ago to just 2 today and yesterday. Whether these declines reflect
the presence of predators, a declining food supply, or just chance, the fact is that the populations have declined significantly
and rapidly during a period when we would have been expecting a gradual increase into March.
Also, please be advised that the roads to the Owl woods are now
impassable from both directions. Do not be fooled by the fresh tire tracks of those who persist in trying to drive
up from the south. Short of a big plough on the front, your 4 wheel drive just ain't going to make it!
Alex.
February 3, 2009
From Bruce Di Labio:
Hi Everyone Birded Amherst Island late afternoon today. After
a brief search of the "Owl Woods" I located the elusive Boreal Owl in the southwest
section of the Jack Pine Plantation. Also, located 2 Northern Saw-whet Owl and 1 Long-eared Owl.
Towards dusk did a quick run around the island and observed
7 Snowy and 1 Short-eared Owl. Please review OFO's Ethical Birding Principles Good birding,
Bruce
February 4, 2009
Not good news today - the last remaining Boreal Owl seems to have met its fate in the talons of the Barred Owl
overnight along with at least two more Saw-whets yesterday. At the moment there are still 5 Saw-whet Owls
present although how long they will survive is anyone's guess. Still one Long-eared Owl in the Cedar
Woods, and a Raven was seen and heard calling several times.
February 5, 2009
We had reports of the BARRED OWL, and 3 SAW-WHET OWLS. Apparently
no sign of any LONG-EARED OWLS. No sign of additional Saw-Whet kills though, which is good news, at
least for now.
Saturday February 7, 2009
Birded owl woods today and located 1 Boreal
Owl; 2 Northern Saw-whet, & 1 Barred owl. No sign of any Long Eared's.
See link for images.
Paul O'Toole Kingston Flickr user name newfoundlander61
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newfoundlander61/
February 13, 2009
We got one report from the Owl Woods today, of 1 SAW-WHET
OWL and 3 LONG-EARED OWLS. No sign of the Boreal or the Barred Owl. The RAVEN was also
seen again today, as well as numerous hawks, and 2 SNOWY OWLS at the east end of the island.
February 16, 2009
Some good news - Ottawa Field Naturalists had a field trip to the island yesterday (Sunday), and reported
3 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, and 3 BOREAL OWLS in the woods, as well as the BARRED
OWL. No Long-eared Owls were seen.
Seen at the feeders in the woods were the Red-bellied Woodpecker, several Redpolls, including one Hoary
Redpoll, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, and several Robins.
Around the rest of the island: at least 18 SNOWY OWLS, about 25 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 30 RED-TAILED HAWKS,
3 HARRIER, 1 AMERICAN KESTREL, and seen from the ferry, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON.
February 16, 2009
Report from Paul O'Toole:
Birded owl woods today and was treated to 3 Boreal Owls.
No sign of the Barred today and also found 2 Northern Saw-Whet. One freshly killed Short Eared in the woods
may indicate its still around. Hoary & common redpolls at the feeders.Images at link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newfoundlander61/
February 21, 2009
From Paul O'Toole:
Birded owl woods today and was able to locate 6 Northern
Saw-Whet; 2 Long Eared, & 1 Barred owl. 1 Male Rednecked Pheasant put in a
brief appearance on the south side of the jack pine plantation. At the owl woods bird feeders were good numbers of common
redpoll (no Hoary observed) & 1 Red-Bellied Woodpecker put in a brief appearance.South entrance was driveable today but
may not be so good tomorrow with pending snow tonight. Just to the west of the south entrance to owl woods a large flock
of snow buntings was feeding at a nearby feeder. 1 Snowy owl was sitting a a tree behind the maint. buildings just up from
the general store. See link below for images from today.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newfoundlander61/
March 12, 2009
Sorry about the lack of reports - lots of sickness in the house this winter; not to mention last minute
details of moving into a new church building - first service in the new church is this Sunday!
Last report we had from the Owl Woods was last weekend, when 8 SAW-WHET OWLS were found, along with the
BARRED OWL. The last report we've had of the BOREAL OWL was March 1. We're hoping someone may be over this weekend
and send in a report.
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Thanksgiving 2004 |
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Saw Whet in the Pines |
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