Forwarding for Bob Spahn, who found this gem last Thursday. Note that the
bird was seen again from Glen Haven Road today, Monday. The bird is in
first-winter plumage. Also note that Rt 590 can be reached via Rt 490 which
comes off of the Thruway (I-90).
Willie
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Willie D'Anna
Betsy Potter
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
As noted in Willie D'Anna's posting, the Ross's Gull was seen on
Irondequoit Bay this morning Sunday, Jan 12, and was still present at least
through mid-afternoon. It has moved north from the original south end
location to the next large area of open water, still south of the Rt 104,
Irondequoit Bay Bridge. Follow the original directions and exit Rt 590 at
Empire Blvd heading east, then turn off on Orchard Park Blvd - first left
after the Winton Rd stoplight, and follow it to the bottom of the
hill at the Bay. Instead of entering the small parking lot at that point,
follow the road left (North) along the edge of the Bay past the Irondequoit
Fish and Game Club around a hard right turn. After a few hundred yards, the
road will turn left and start up
Glen Haven Rd (no road sign to note the name change). If you park along the
road near that point, you will note a service road/trail to the right to the
edge of the Bay. Follow that to the Bay. The south end of the open water is
straight out and the
whole open water area is in view. At 1:30 until after 2:00 when several of
us were doing a waterfowl count in the area and some other visitors were
there, the Ross's Gull was resting there, first on the water, then on the
ice.
As for the other areas noted in Willie's note, the Newport House is a
restaurant. If you were to visit there, you need to park so as to leave
close spaces for customers and not wander out on the private docks. The
open water is mostly to the south from that point. The Glen Edith area on
the east side is a restaurant no longer in business and the area is entirely
privately owned. The group from Ohio found their way there and obtained
permission to bird from the property. I won't post the location at this
point.
Other birds in the area included a pair of adult Bald Eagles passing and
many gulls. Among the gulls at the north end of the Bay (where Rt. 590
deadends at Lake Road) have been Iceland, Glaucous, Thayer's, and Lesser
Black-backed. Just to the
east at Ontario Beach at the mouth of the Genesee River, 2 adult Little
Gulls were found yesterday and today one each Dunlin and Sanderling, both
very rare in winter. There is also a good selection of wintering waterfowl
scattered through this area.
Bob Spahn
"Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
