Yesterday 17 December, we met Declan Troy of Alaska, Ross Harris and
Kevin McLaughlin for our annual gull trip to Niagara. Bruce and
Robert Falls joined us for most of the day. Highlights:
Adam Beck Lookout
California Gull, the third winter bird was spotted by Kevin in
flight. It later perched on the rocks on the American side just
downriver from the dam giving great views in the scope.
Thayer's Gull, 2 adults
Kumlien's Iceland Gull, 6 adults and 6 juvenile/first winter
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adults and 1 juvenile
Nelson's Gull (hybrid Herring x Glaucous), 1
Whirlpool
1 leucistic Bonaparte's Gull. It is all white except for a few grey
feathers on the back and a dark ear spot. The bill is black so it
could be confused with an Ivory Gull. It's the same size as the other
Bonaparte's, but being white it often looms larger.
Above the Falls
Little Gull, 2 adults
Kumlien's Iceland Gull, 1 adult and 2 juveniles
Thayer's Gull, 1 adult
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 adults and 1 juvenile
We had nine species of gulls and one hybrid. There are thousands of
Bonaparte's Gulls on the Niagara River, Herring Gulls (abundant),
Ring-billed Gulls (common) and Great Black-backed Gulls are there in
good numbers.
Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway
Toronto ON
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