Wolfe and Amherst Islands?

[jjmb]

I am thinking about taking a drive down to Amherst or Wolfe Island next weekend. Other than the lone poster recently, has anyone been down there lately or have any knowledge of what's happening down there with birds these days? Don't worry, I'm not asking for locations of owls. It's just that from 1 year to the next 1 island can attract more birds than the other, and if I'm going to make the 2.5 hour trek, I just want to improve my chances of seeing something interesting. I'm just as happy to spot a hawk or a red poll as I am to see an owl.

I usually head to Amherst, because I like to walk around as well as drive around, but I just thought I would check in.

Thanks.

[Kin Lau]

We did both around boxing day. Lots of Red-Tail and Rough-legged hawks on both islands, with a good assortment of harriers too. We didn't see any eagles, but they were around.

The Varied Thrush in Moscow is also just 20km north of Amherst, and worth the trip if you've never seen one.

There's an older birding guide for both islands on the OFO site, I would definitely suggest printing it out.

The best spots on Wolfe island were the side roads, and they're all unpaved. Amherst is mostly paved, but the road into Owl Woods is dirt and unplowed.