Hi Ontbirders:
In a previous email I had indicated the Rapidsview parking lot as a good place to get park near the Falls. Recently I found out that the Falls parking lot is just across from the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the operating hours are better. I understand the falcons are active from early in the morning so this is a better place to park due to earlier operating hours. Niagara Falls is one of the best public places to view Peregrine Falcons because you are already elevated high up from the nest site. As a result you often see the falcons flying at eye-level and sometimes very close to where you stand on the tourist walkway. If you do not see the juveniles flying around, a good place to look for them is on top of the decommissioned Ontario Power Plant building...you are actually looking down at the top of the roof of that building from the tourist walkway. It's a long rectangular shape with plants growing on top just downstream from the Horseshoe falls. Rapidsview Parking (2.5km from the Horseshoe Falls) >From June 23 to September 3 Hours: M-F 9am to 5pm S-S 9am to 8pm Cost: $10 includes free shuttle to the Falls and back Falls parking lot (across the TableRock Complex from the Horseshoe Falls) >From June 23 to September 2 Hours: M-Sun 7:30am to Midnight Cost: M-F $10 S-S $15 **Once in awhile the price may increase depending on traffic volume (price did increase on day Nik Wallenda crossed the Falls on high-wire) Some images I have uploaded from a recent visit to the Falls. Male with just caught prey over Niagara Gorge http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/144496327/original Un-banded male http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/144480755/original Banded female named Diamond, originally from a 2009 nest in Canton, Ohio - USA. http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/image/144479915/original W. Hum http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/some_recent_shots _______________________________________________ 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/
