This afternoon, on Hulbert Road in the Town of Wilson (Niagara County), there was a large mixed flock (about 400 birds) of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and LAPLAND LONGSPURS. In a single pass I counted 126 Longspurs on the ground before the fidgety flock took flight. With this group, though usually on the edge of the flock, was a single AMERICAN PIPIT. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON made some unsuccessful forays through the flock. The location is on the east side of Hulbert Road, about ¼ mile north of Youngstown-Wilson Road. Look for the slightly browner patches where manure was sprayed, the favored spots for these birds.
In the morning there was a MERLIN at the town marina along Eighteen Mile Creek in Olcott Beach. Photos of the Lapland Longspurs and the Merlin can be seen here: http://www.betsypottersart.com/willie-s-photos/2013-big-year/ At Fort Niagara S.P. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER numbers are building. An immature ICELAND GULL was the only bird of note here. Almost no Bonapartes Gulls at the Lewiston dock. At Devils Hole State Park, the roosting rocks were covered with gulls upon my arrival but they all took flight almost immediately when the Whirlpool Jet Boat roared past. Only about 2/3 returned, which included many Ring-billed and Bonapartes Gulls. An adult ICELAND GULL and an adult ICELAND or THAYERS GULL were the only birds of note. Good birding! Willie ------------------ Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com <http://www.betsypottersart.com/> 2013 Big Year: http://www.betsypottersart.com/willie-s-photos/2013-big-year/ Big Year List: http://www.happtech.com/BigYearDanna/CurrentList/ShowCurrentListTable.aspx Odenates: http://www.betsypottersart.com/willie-s-photos/dragonflies -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
