Tonight in the pouring rain I setup at Niagara-on-the-Lake to count the Little Gull/Bonaparte's gulls flyby
Highlights: Black-headed Gull was observed flying out of the river at 6:55pm with a flock of bonnies. At 7:23 it flew up river close to shore with a small flock of Bonnies. The bird appeared to be mostly moulted into breeding plummage. There were a small number of bonnies in a similiar stage of moult as well tonight. Little Gulls 90 adults were observed leaving the river tonight with 2/3rds leaving the river after 7pm. Most were flying as lone birds within Bonnie flocks. Bonaparte's Gulls 7905 birds were observed leaving the river. This is an undercount, for the evening flyby was well on it way when I arrived at 530pm, and flocks of Bonnies were still leaving the river after I stopped counting at 8pm due to weather/light conditions. Harlequin Ducks 2 females were observed flying out of the river at 7pm. Other highlights: 1 immature Glaucous Gull 1 Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 Caspian Tern 3 coots leaving the river just before 8pm 114 White-winged Scoters drifting out to the lake. 2000+ Long-tailed Ducks There was flock after flock were leaving river all during the 2.5 hrs I was there. Directions. Queens Royal Park is situated on Front st. at the mouth of the river in Niagara-on-the-Lake Tyler Hoar. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
