The post below reminds us that the Niagara River has been designated an important bird area. One of the species that helped the river to attain that designation is Bonaparte's Gull. The Niagara River attracts multi thousands of Bonies every spring and fall. This should be near the peak of that species' migration on the Niagara River and at one of its favorite areas - the lower river at Lewiston. However, today, I was shocked, and more than a little concerned, to find NO Bonaparte's Gulls from the Lewiston landing. There were lots of Common Terns but no Bonies. Typically, one finds hundreds of Bonies at this location at this time of year. Something seems very wrong. In over thirty years of birding, I have never experienced anything close to this at this time of year.
Willie D'Anna Wilson, NY dannapotter<AT>roadrunner.com From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bird observations from western New York Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 12:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Wetland of importance... Dear GeneseeBirds-L community. Some of you may have seen Jess Hoelscher's letter in the Buffalo News (pasted below) concerning a petition to have the Niagara River Corridor designated as a wetland of international importance. On this Earth Day, I encourage you to learn about the designation (http://www.ramsar.org/) and to consider adding your name to this petition: https://www.change.org/p/united-states-fish-wildlife-service-canadien-wildli fe-service-nominate-the-niagara-river-corridor-for-a-ramsar-designation. Thanks for considering. For those who care to read it, Jesse's aforementioned letter is below. -Chris Designate Niagara River as wetland of importance Western New York has access to 25 percent of the world's fresh water. One of our most important resources, the Niagara River Corridor, supports 338 species of birds, 102 species of fish, 35 species of mammals and 734 species of plants. It links the Great Lakes Erie and Ontario, and supports local economies of tourism, manufacturing, technology and green energy, among others. The corridor is important to our recreation, waste processing, power generation, trans-shipment and drinking water. So how do you, a local citizen eager to celebrate Earth Day, honor such an important body of water in a productive way? By showing your support for nominating the Niagara River Corridor as a Wetland of International Importance, otherwise known as a Ramsar site. Signed in 1971 (the year after Earth Day began), the Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation of wetlands. Such a designation not only increases funding, attention and research to the area, but also marks international cooperation and progression toward sustainable development. Groups from the United States and Canada have been working hard to designate the Niagara River Corridor as the newest wetland of international importance. When designated, this will be the first transboundary (i.e.: including two countries) Ramsar site in North America. Chances are, you want to support your local environment, but might not have the time or resources to do so. What you can easily do is search online for "SUNY Buffalo Ramsar Niagara," navigate our page and click "Show Your Support." It's easy, takes little time and allows you to voice your opinion that our water matters. Benjamin Franklin said, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." Let's take him for his word and work together to ensure our well never runs dry. Jesse Hoelscher East Aurora -- Christopher Hollister Education Librarian 524 Lockwood Memorial Library University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14260 Phone: (716) 645-1323 Fax: (716) 645-3859 E-Mail: [email protected] -------------------- For the sake of our songbirds, please choose coffee that comes from shade grown coffee plantations. -- 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/ --
