Great Gray Owl
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February 14-16, 2015
Get ready for some of the best birding that winter has to offer! You will feel a step closer to arctic birding on this three-day excursion, as we explore the area where Lake Ontario empties into the St. Lawrence River. This pastoral setting plays host to a large concentration of wintering and staging birds, most notably irruptive raptor species. Owls will take center stage on this tour, with 8 species possible! Amherst Island has a long history of amazing numbers of owls, including Saw-whet Owls, Long-eared Owls, Snowy Owls and rarer species like Boreal Owl and Great Gray Owl. We will search for other winter birds of prey in Cape Vincent and on Point Peninsula, such as highly variable Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, Short-eared Owls, and Snowy Owls. We may even cross paths with a Gyrfalcon or Northern Hawk-Owl. The Gray Partridge, a local specialty, is a distinct possibility. We will also appreciate the many other wintering birds in the area. which may include a large number of waterfowl species, Northern Shrikes, winter finches (Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll, White-wing Crossbill, Red Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, and Pine Grosbeak), Snow Buntings, and much more! Day One: Meet in Gananoque, ON at 11:30 a.m. We will get acquainted over lunch and discuss the region’s possibilities. After lunch, we will head to the extensive fields of Wolfe Island. We will hope to encounter a wide range of species with an emphasis on the owls and hawks familiar to this landscape. We will summarize our sightings over a relaxing dinner in Gananoque.
Day Two: Meet at 6:00 a.m. for the drive to catch the ferry to Amherst Island. We will spend the day enjoying incredible looks at owls and other raptors, including a walk through the famous Owl Woods. After lunch, we'll travel the roads of the island in search of more winter birds. We’ll head back to the inn around 6:00, with a stop for a relaxing dinner (included) and a review of our sightings. Day Three: Meet at 7:00 a.m. for check-out, before heading out for more birding. We will concentrate on species we may have missed by traveling to the Cape Vincent area and Point Peninsula in NY. The tour will conclude around 2:00, after a stop for lunch and a summary of the many sightings. Depending on the distribution of target species, the itinerary may be shifted with a visit to Amherst Island on Day 1, birding the Kingston to Ottawa area on Day 2, and finishing with Wolfe Island on Day 3. Tour Details This tour includes two nights of accomodations at a comfortable inn. Rooms are furnished with either one or two queen-size beds. One lunch (Saturday) and one dinner (Sunday) at two of the area’s well-known eating establishments are included, as well as the cost of the ferry passage to Amherst Island.
Also included are professional guide services for the duration of the tour. Brett M. Ewald will be the tour leader on this exciting excursion. As well as being an accomplished birder, naturalist, and biologist, Brett has been involved in a number of research projects studying birds of prey, and also possesses an intimate understanding of winter birding in the Northeast. He looks forward to sharing the wonders of Amherst Island and Cape Vincent with you! Besides the remarkable birding, this mostly rural region is known for its picturesque landscapes and historic sites, not to mention the beauty of the St. Lawrence River. Tour Pricing Prices listed are per person, based on your level of occupancy. Double: $349.00 Terms and Conditions
A $100.00 deposit is required at time of booking. Any balance due is required December 31, 2014. Confirmation and an informational packet, including details and directions, will be sent upon receipt of deposit. Make your check or money order payable to Lakeshore Nature Tours. If the tour is full, a waiting list will be taken, and filled according to the date of registration. A $25 service fee will apply to cancellations before December 31, 2014. Cancellations after December 31, 2014 will forfeit the entire $100.00 deposit. Transportation is the responsibility of the participant(s) throughout the course of the tour. To register for this tour please complete the registration form. (Viewing the registration form requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader please click here for the free download.) For more information, call, email or write:
12398 Platten Road |
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