It was a pretty good weekend for gulls on the Niagara. Large gulls have finally started to really build in numbers. At least ten LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen today after a dearth for most of November (power plants and above the falls). An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at the power plants Sat. and a first year bird was seen above the falls today. Several Iceland Gulls were seen both days at the power plants and a couple were seen above the falls today. A couple Thayer's-type at the power plants. One LITTLE GULL above the falls today, one below, and three at the Whirlpool including one first-winter (Spanish Aero Car). I heard no reports from the Lewiston/Queenston area which is usually the most reliable spot for Little Gull. Two Bonaparte's Gulls still with complete hoods were reported - one at the Whirlpool and one below the falls.
Best birds today were an adult BLACK-HEADED GULL, found by Kevin McLaughlin, at the Whirlpool; adult CALIFORNIA GULL at the power plants perched just to the left of the Moses power dam (seen most of yesterday and in the afternoon today); and an adult NELSON'S GULL (a Herring X Glaucous Gull hybrid) at the power plants. The latter bird is larger than the Herring Gulls, very pale on the back and wings, very lightly spotted on the nape, and has a Thayer's-like wingtip pattern. A PURPLE SANDPIPER was found by Jean Iron a short ways above the barge, not as far from shore (Ontario side) as they are usually found - the first of the season in the falls area. Mike Morgante had two PURPLE SANDPIPERS above the Peace Bridge, seen from LaSalle Park on the NY side. The injured BRANT continues in the shallows along shore between the Ontario Hydro building and the Gate House above the falls. There were a few RED-THROATED LOONS close to shore near the mouth of the river at Lake Ontario; a Red-necked Grebe was also seen there. Other birds were Merlins at the Ontario Hydro building and at the golf course across from the Ontario Hydro gorge access road (which we are NOT allowed to drive down); two Peregrines at the falls and another at the power plants. A Turkey Vulture was seen at the power plants. On Saturday at dusk, Bruce DiLabio conducted a count of Bonaparte's Gulls at the flypast in Niagara-on-the Lake, totalling over 12,000. Three adult Little Gulls were seen with them. Good birding! Willie -------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Niagara Falls, N.Y. [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
