Amherst Island and Ottawa

     For a couple of years, my oldest grandson, Sam, has been hankering to visit Amherst Island, but you all know what effect COVID has had on everyone's travel plans. Finally, with restrictions lifted a little we were able to make it there.

     Miriam and I travelled up to Belleville the previous afternoon to spend the night, before meeting my daughter, Caroline, son-in-law, Andrew, Sam and his girlfriend, Mel, the following day at the Amherst Island ferry. We were also joined by our friend and fellow naturalist, Wendy, who was visiting her daughter in Kingston, and took advantage of the opportunity to tag along with us to see what we could find.

5 February 2022

Amherst Island, Lennox and Addington County, ON

     Miriam and I were the very first in line at the ferry terminal and settled in to wait for the others to arrive. 

As it turned out the absence of information on the notice board should have provoked a few questions in our minds, but more about that later.

     As best I recall it was around minus 25 degrees and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) huddled in a little open water near the dock.

     Hard to see, I admit, but there are also a couple of male Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) in the group.

     A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched high in a nearby tree was no doubt scanning for any opportunity to secure its next meal.

     It was not long before Wendy arrived and took up her place in line; with Caroline and the others arriving a little later.

     The ferry left on time at 08h:30 and as we drove along our normal route around the island we were surprised at the lack of Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus), one of the classic species of an Amherst Island winter's day.

     Lake Ontario was pretty much frozen as far as the eye could see.

     The Kingston Field Naturalists own and manage a property on Amherst Island and I had taken out a membership in order for us to have sanctioned access, but there was little to be seen.

     There are many nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis), Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and Purple Martins (Progne subis) waiting for spring occupancy; other than that the landscape was lifeless.

    The wind turbines you see in the background were installed after a protracted battle to try to prevent them, but they are now dotted throughout the island. The conflict between clean energy and a pristine landscape was clearly in evidence here, and every decision is a compromise it seems. Clean, renewable energy is a motherhood issue for everyone, it's how it is achieved that is the issue.

     A Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) was searching for food along the edges of the ice. It looked robust and healthy so one might assume it has been feeding well this winter.

      A Coyote (Canis latrans), one of several that we saw, loped across the frozen lake displaying its fluid, graceful gait.

     It's an image that would not be out of place on the northern tundra.

     Three hardy Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) made light of the frigid conditions.

 

     A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) was spotted far off in the distance and Miriam did well to get a picture.

     We were heading on an island circuit to get to an area where we could park to make the trip down to the woodland known as Owl Woods.

     En route, Sam spotted a Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) and was able to get the following shot.

     We parked at the entrance to the Owl Woods Trail and before embarking on our trek, Caroline provided hot coffee and homemade muffins for everyone. It was well received I can assure you.

    The sun came out and shone warmly on our backs and the walk down was as delightful as a winter stroll might be. Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are evidently used to humans bringing food, for from the moment we entered the woods, they were our constant companions. I had sunflower hearts in the car and had not thought to bring them, but they seemed attracted to Mel regardless.

     Sam obviously did not exude the same charm and they pretty much ignored him!

     Our target in the woods was Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus), as delightful as any tiny owl in the all the world, and verging on a Holy Grail for Sam. It took a while, but we located one, with Miriam actually spotting it first, and we were one and all entranced.

     I will publish just a few of the pictures we took, without further commentary - for none is needed.

     I expect that by now you have said "Aah" several times!

     It's always good to have a group picture, especially after such a great reason to celebrate.

Wendy, Mel, Sam, David, Caroline, Andrew

     Wendy then took the camera and took a picture with Miriam in the group.

Miriam, Mel, Sam, David, Caroline, Andrew

     It seems to me that it's not often that you have three generations of birders - father, daughter and grandson - in the same image, and it's a point of pride for me, and deep satisfaction too. 

Photo by Andrew Cudmore

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was totally unimpressed with the owl; in fact, I have no doubt it would have preferred the owl to move on.

     We spotted several Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens), every single one of them delightful.

     We bid the owl good bye, mouthing gratitude for the privilege of seeing this charming creature, and I was  inwardly ecstatic that Sam had gotten his bird.

 

Photo by Andrew Cudmore

         Winter was all around us as we trudged back to the car.

     It is indeed a blessing to live in the north.

     Caroline had made a fine lunch for us and we enjoyed hot carrot soup, tasty baps with mortadella, Genoa salami and cheese, with muffins still remaining from the morning, and fruit. What a feast!

     The other bird that was high on Sam's list was Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) and barely had the wish escaped his mouth than a shrike was perched alongside us. Wielding his new (to him) Nikon camera that Miriam had presented to him that very morning, Sam got a very acceptable picture.

     As you might expect Miriam rattled off a few too.

     As we made our way back to the ferry we espied another fox, engaged in hunting for rodents under their protective covering of snow. This individual had no tail; what had happened to it we can only surmise, but it must be a serious loss in winter conditions when foxes wrap themselves in their tail for warmth.

Photo by Andrew Cudmore

     When we arrived at the ferry there were already many cars lined up and there was confirmation of what we had heard earlier, that the boat was having problems and may not operate. Thus, we would be stuck on an island without accommodation in temperatures that were predicted to plummet to around minus 30 overnight - hardly ideal sleeping-in- the-car weather! It was then we learned that the ferry had been breaking down for several days and the schedule had been very erratic. All of this was learned from other passengers and there was never anyone there to explain the situation to us. Furthermore there was a large electronic display board which could have been used to furnish updates, but it never was.

     Finally, the three o'clock ferry arrived at around 4:30, and that was the last ferry of the day, and it appeared that the number of cars exceeded capacity and everyone did not board.

     We were certainly happy to see the ferry berth at the dock and we drove on with deep relief, but it was a very poorly managed situation and I am sure did not end well for all.

     We all said goodbye to Wendy having enjoyed her company immensely, and had an uneventful drive to Caroline and Andrew's house in Orléans, where a glass of wine and a fabulous dinner were welcome indeed.

     It had been a day to remember!

6 February 2022

Ottawa and Navan, ON

     Unfortunately Ottawa has become known of late for the obscene blockade set up my malcontents, fanatics and societal misfits, but we had more agreeable things on our minds.

     Mel had other obligations, so Sam, Andrew, Caroline, Miriam and I set out to see if we could rediscover a Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) Sam had scouted out the day before we arrived.

     In unerring fashion Sam had it spotted before we could say "hawk owl!", perched high in a bare deciduous tree.

     For those readers not familiar with northern owls, this is a highly desired species, leaving its home in the boreal forests only rarely, and appearing in the south infrequently. Even then, it is far from easy to locate.

     We were able to get closer, and Sam succeeded in getting a decent photograph, having really learned how to use his camera in record time.

     His dad didn't do too badly either!

Photo by Andrew Cudmore

 

     It was Sam's keen observation that discovered an impression on the snow where the owl had plunged in to capture a rodent.

    

     The owl moved between the deciduous tree and a conifer, permitting us different angles of view; barely could we have choregraphed it better. Look closely and you will see the owl perched at the very top of the tree in the centre.

     Miriam took many pictures, just a few of which are reproduced here.

     We were thinking back and I am quite sure that the last Northern Hawk Owl we saw was in 2004, so that will give you an idea of the special nature of this encounter, and it's all thanks to Sam.

     After spending a half hour or so with the hawk owl we set off to Navan where a few open expanses have not yet been gobbled up by housing tracts, to search for Snowy Owls. We found but one, a female at the top of a tree, but quite distant, in an area where Sam routinely spots several.

     He went back there the next day and was able to capture the following images.

Snowy Owl ♂

Snowy Owl ♀

     We had a brief, but very exciting visit, and between Amherst Island and the Ottawa area were able to see some of the most highly sought-after owls in North America, and in the case of Northern Hawk Owl and Snowy Owl, other northern regions of the world.

     What a pleasure it is for an ancient birder like me to pursue my passion with the succeeding two generations of my family. Who can doubt they inherited good genes!