Although the Gannet has not been seen since Wednesday and the Townsend's Solitaire since Sunday, it was still a very good day on the river. The adult MEW GULL at Adam Beck was the highlight for us - it flew on both the US and Canada sides before landing on the NY side (see previous post). We also had an adult BLACK-HEADED GULL at the Queenston narrows. The bird was below the large steel art piece that is on the top of the American bank and the stormwater outlet a little upriver from there. Although this bird has been seen here numerous times the past couple of years, it normally is only seen briefly and that was the case today - we had it for about three minutes before losing it as it flew downriver. Park at the lot for the boat ramp in Queenston and walk south (upriver) about 300 yards. If you get to a 30 foot wide or so clearing, that is about the southern limit of where we saw the bird today - go back north a little and look between trees. The bird could also be seen from the trails that start at Artpark on the American side and head upriver toward the bridge.
The adult CALIFORNIA GULL was also seen at the main Adam Beck overlook today. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON caught a Bonaparte's Gull and proceeded to sit and consume it on the Adam Beck power plant below and to the left of the main overlook. One or two PURPLE SANDPIPERS were seen by Craig McLauchlan and Carol Horner above the falls (above the barge). A possible adult HERRING X LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was on the breakwall below the control gates, independently identified as such by Betsy and me and Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, and Kevin McLaughlin. This bird had pinkish legs with a yellowish tinge. The mantle was about halfway between Herring and LBBG in darkness (similar to the Mew Gull we saw). It seemed like it was Herring-sized with heavy LBBG-like head streaking and a large orange spot on the bill. Jean Iron may have gotten some decent photos which I was unable to do before it flew. Two adult NELSON'S GULLS (Herring X Glaucous hybrid) were seen today - one by Jean Iron et al on the breakwall below the control gates and one by us at Adam Beck in the morning. 11 species of gulls were reported today (no Glaucous that I am aware of). 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.
