Hello Ontbirders
This afternoon, between 4:20 and 4:35, at the Quarry Ponds off Moodie
Drive (main pond), I observed what I'm almost certain is an adult
nonbreeding California Gull.
The bird was sitting on the water at a distance with other gulls,
mainly Herring.
I was able to do side-by-side comparison of size, shape, mantle-
colour, etc., with both adult Herring and adult Ring-billed.
The bird's size was between the two for-mentioned species. And, the
mantle was just slightly darker, regardless of the bird's angle. The
tertial step was thick (considerably thicker than Ring-billed). The
primary tips had extensive dark on both upper & lower sides, with
bright mirrors on the outer two primaries. The head had dark streaks
mainly on the nape. The eye was dark (comparison made to Herring).
And, the long & straight bill had a dark ring, similar to Ring-billed
Gull. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to confirm any red on the bill, or
any sense of leg colour other than pale.
I last saw the bird fly with other gulls toward the ponds deeper
inside the quarry property.
Directions courtesy of Neily World: http://ca.geocities.com/
[EMAIL PROTECTED]/stony8.htm
Independent Directions to this Site: From Highway 416 take exit 66
(Fallowfield Road). If southbound, a 0.4 km offramp dumps onto
Fallowfield, where you will turn right or west. If northbound, the
0.4 km offramp brings you to Fallowfield, where you will turn left or
west onto it and in 0.5 km join the southbound offramp traffic. Both
groups will now follow Fallowfield Road west for an additional 0.4 km
to reach Moodie Drive. Turn left or southeast onto Moodie Drive and
go 5.3 km, passing Cambrian Road to reach the quarries (second gate
on the left). Park along the side of the road without blocking the
access.
Warning: This site is private property and is an active quarry.
Because of liability concerns the pit operators do not allow access
during working hours. Trucks and machinery operate here on workdays,
so please don't block the roads into the quarry. At such times,
limited birding can be accomplished from the roadside, which
overlooks the pond, especially with a good scope.
Tony Beck
http://www.tonybeck.ca
Always An Adventure
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