Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: Ann Brokelman on March 03, 2009, 01:20:48 PM

Title: Amhurst Island - Feb 28, March 1 and 2, 2009
Post by: Ann Brokelman on March 03, 2009, 01:20:48 PM

Went away for the weekend to Amhurst and had a wonderful time.  Found a great place to stay - rented a farm complete with our own cows on the island.  (Highly recommend this place).  Birding was totally amazing.
16 snowys ( 3 in flight screaming at each other) many others just flying, some sitting on rocks, trees, hydro poles, fields and ice.
2 long eared owls
4 saw whets
50+ deer
many red tails (2 mating)
3 meganzers
15 kestrels
scaup
3 northern harriers (1 F and 2 M)
32 rough legged hawks ( 9 flying together) (plus 2 pair talon touching)
common goldeneye
mink
coyote
30+ ravens
3 horned larks
cardinal
downy woodpecker
red bellied woodpecker (lifer)
1 RW blackbird
1 M cooper hawk
doves, sparrows,
red poles
harry woodpecker
long tails
pintails
swans
I know I have missed something and my spelling is terrible but well it was totally amazing.  Ann

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Post by: Niloc on March 03, 2009, 05:11:21 PM

Anne thanks for the info, I have been very interested in Amhust now that I joined this site, can you give any more details as to where you stayed and the cost etc perhaps you can throw these folks some more  business as I would be interested in doing a photo shoot especially for the Snowy Owls...

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Post by: Ann Brokelman on March 03, 2009, 06:06:28 PM

Thanks for asking.  The tern inn was an amazing place to stay.  Amhurst is wonderful.  Just to clarify for other people as I have already been asked.  The counts are not repeat owls or hawks.  For example the total owls we saw in different locations were 16.  It is possible that the owls moved to different areas of the island and I may have counted one or two twice but that is all.  The rough legged hawks were all counted on one day.  Other days we saw more.

www.amherstisland.on.ca/terninn (http://www.amherstisland.on.ca/terninn)

The web site will give you the cost.  It is a huge farm house with 4 large bed rooms.  Plenty of room for at least 4- to 6 people.  

ann

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Post by: Kin Lau on March 03, 2009, 07:04:58 PM

Thanks Ann, that looks pretty nice.

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Post by: Misty01 on March 04, 2009, 01:13:48 AM

Yeah, I can't wait a friend of mine and I are going next wed or thursday  :D Last time we went the ferry was broken and was having it's engine replaced, I can't wait to finally see the famous owl woods! Hope that we see as many birds as you did.

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Post by: Ann Brokelman on March 04, 2009, 09:55:05 AM

Misty

Take yaks or cleets on your boots it is very icy in owl woods.  People were slipping all over the place.  I have a good pair of cleets on my boots.  Cost was $30 for the pair but really a life saver.  The owls are a bit of a walk but well worth it.  The drive up to owl wood was a real mess.  You may be best to leave your car on the main road and walk up.  An extra mile but on a nice day you won't get stuck.  The south entrance was the only one open.

Be very careful walking.

Ann

Title: Tern Inn
Post by: MEGHAN on November 01, 2009, 05:24:05 PM

Found this today online

"Please be advised that Tern Inn is no longer in operation."

It's too bad   :(

Meg

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Post by: Ann Brokelman on November 09, 2009, 10:23:04 AM

Hi there.  I talked to the owners of Tern Inn andyes they have closed the fram but they gave me a list of other locations to stay on theisland.  If you are interested please PM me.  Anywhere you stay on the island is close to birds, hawks and owls.  I am planning to go again this year for a long weekend.  What a great place Amhurst Island.  Ann

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Post by: skyviewer on November 10, 2009, 07:49:44 PM

Wow Ann looks like you had a VERY worthwhile trip out to Amhurst.  I have read some other postes about Amhurst.  I met you out at the pond in Kinsale this summer with my wife, son and baby daughter.  Do you think i could bring them to Amhurst or would it be better by myself.  I'd like to make a weekend trip out of it.  I was thinking of going in a couple of weeks.

Thanks


Daxton

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Post by: Ann Brokelman on November 11, 2009, 08:05:26 AM

Hi Skyviewer I do remember you and your family.  Yes take your family to Amhurst.  Lots of time to drive around in the car and look for owls, hawks and others.  Owl woods is a bit of a hike especially if it is cold and there is ice on the path.  Jen and I went in February so the path was pure ice but seeing the red bellied woodpecker and owls was worth it.  Put clets on my boots.  It would be a great place for a family weekend.  Looking forward to going this year.  PM is you want the new locations to stay.  Ann