Wildlife Viewing.
Owl Woods on Amherst Island is the most reliable site in Ontario for Northern Saw-whet Owl and Long-eared Owl in winter — a private forest patch reached on the M/V Frontenac II ferry from Millhaven, then a road and a trailhead kiosk where Kingston Field Naturalists posts the season's code of ethics. Through January and February, the patch holds both species in most winters.
The brief.
The Amherst Island wintering window runs roughly November through March, with peak owl and raptor concentrations January through February. Access to Owl Woods is entirely by long-standing landowner agreement — the woods are privately owned, and the kiosk at the entrance carries the rules.
Two binding conditions: visitors must minimise disturbance to the roosting birds and must not report sightings on social media or eBird until the season closes (a landowner condition; KFN reiterates the rule in its annual project update). The woods close annually during the November deer hunt — confirm the year's closure dates with KFN before crossing.
Beyond the woods, the open island farmland holds Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Harrier on roadside fence posts and hydro poles. The ferry runs 365 days a year; pay the round-trip fare on the Millhaven side.
3. places.
- 01
Amherst Island
Globally and continentally significant Important Bird Area; KFN-curated wintering site for owls and raptors. Open farmland concentrates Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Harrier on fence posts and roadside trees.
- 02
Owl Woods (Amherst Island)
Privately owned forest patch with a CRCA-property entrance kiosk; reliable for Northern Saw-whet Owl and Long-eared Owl in winter, with Barred Owl and Great Horned Owl resident in the area.
- 03
Parrott's Bay Conservation Area
75.6 ha mainland marsh and woodland with osprey nesting platform; spring and summer for waterfowl and marsh species, year-round for forest birds.
Today's read.
Cold but firm — winter-ready conditions · light winds · clean air.
By the book.
- 01Owl Woods is privately owned; access is by long-standing landowner agreement and the kiosk code of ethics applies.Source ↗
- 02Owl Woods sightings must not be reported on eBird or social media until the season is over (landowner condition).Source ↗
- 03Owl Woods closes annually during the November deer hunt; confirm the year's exact dates with Kingston Field Naturalists.Source ↗
- 04Parrott's Bay Conservation Area is open daily 7:30 a.m. to dusk; no washrooms or privies on site.Source ↗
- 05The M/V Frontenac II ferry runs 365 days a year between Millhaven and Stella; pay the round-trip fare on the Millhaven (mainland) side.Source ↗