Another trip to the island

This past week I was down on Amherst Island for a couple of days and had the pleasure of searching the island for birds!

The island is locked in the icy grip of winter and there is no open water present, except within the narrow strip between the island and the mainland traversed by the ferry. 

Unlike my trip in December, I didn't observe a single snowy owl on the island, although I did see one out on the ice while on he ferry.  A far cry from the 35 I saw the last time I was here just a few months ago!  Nonetheless there were other gems to be discovered.

Northern Harriers and other raptors were still present in good abundance, feasting on meadow voles.

Short-eared Owls are present on the island, and are easiest to spot if you wait until dusk!

Northern Saw-whet Owls are also popping up in many locations throughout southern Ontario!

Bald Eagles were also present in high numbers on the island.  I counted at least 20 each day I was there.  Are they eating the voles too?  There is no open water around the island.  I spotted ravens catching and eating voles too!

This Coyote seemed to be enjoying the late afternoon sun.

A meadow vole scrounges for food at the entrance to a snow tunnel. Note how they have stripped the bark off the trees.

White-tailed Deer are always abundant on the island.  Probably part of the reason why there is very little understorey vegetation in many of the small woodlots on the island.