Amherst Island - Ecology

Ecology

Amherst Island is home to approximately 500 white-tailed deer amongst varied other native wildlife. In the winter, snowy owls regularly visit the island; the island is home to long-eared owls and great horned owls in summer. The island has a nature reserve called Owl Woods.

Amherst Island is internationally known as an Important Bird Area and a key migratory location for birds; this fact has caused some concern for those wary of the proposed industrial wind turbine project slated to be built on the island.

The island is noted for farming, particularly of sheep of which there are several thousand on the island. The island's roads have little automobile traffic making it an excellent locale for cycling, especially on its gravel and dirt roads that hug the shores of Lake Ontario.

Steady lake winds are prevelent most of the year. The island has warm moderate summers and cold brisk winters.