Hello Ontbirders Spent the morning birding various sites on Amherst Island. The most productive area was the east end (KFN property). While walking along the edge of the first pond I observed a Nelson's Sparrow hoping around on the ground with a group of Swamp, Song and Savannah Sparrows. There were 17 species of shorebirds including 5 Long-billed Dowitcher, 3 White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Dunlin, 1 Baird's Sandpiper, 6 Am. Golden Plover and 11 Black-bellied Plover. Other species of note included 3 American Bittern, a late Bobolink, and 3 Caspian Tern. A quick check in the Owl Woods produced 1 Eastern Towhee, 1 Ring-necked Pheasant, 6 Palm Warbler, both Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Good birding Bruce Directions:Amherst Island: Located 18 km. west of Kingston. Exit off Hwy. 401 at exit 593 (County Rd. 4, Camden East) and drive south to the very end (Millhaven). Turn right on Hwy. 33 and drive 100 metres until you see the sign for the Amherst Island ferry. The ferry (20 minute trip) leaves the mainland on the half hour and leaves the island on the hour. Cost is $8.00 Canadian round trip. There are no gas stations on the island. There are restrooms on the ferry, and at the island ferry dock. The East End K.F.N. property is at the easternmost part of the island on the east side of the Lower Forty Foot Road. Because of liability issues, visitors to the Kingston Field Naturalists' property at the east end of Amherst Island MUST be accompanied by a KFN member. For KFN contact information or how to become a member, please visit http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ ." Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www.dilabiobirding.ca http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O. Box 538 Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0 Office 613-839-4395 Mobile 613-715-2571