In very enjoyable weather on Sunday 30 November 2014, over 100 OFO members and friends spend an excellent day birding the Niagara River. The purpose of the trip was to identify and age the largest number of gull species and see other rarities on the River. It was impressive to have so many birders interested in gulls, and we were pleased to be accompanied by keen young birders whose sharp eyes helped with spotting. Our group saw 9 species of gulls listed here in checklist order:
Bonaparte's Gull: very numerous and all were adults. In the morning, the leucistic (almost all white) Bonaparte's Gull was on the roosting rocks on the American side, and seen by some from near the Butterfly Conservatory on the Canadian side. In late afternoon, we saw it well at the flypast at Niagara-on-the-Lake in a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls leaving the Niagara River to spend the night on Lake Ontario. Little Gull: one first winter at Whirlpool and one adult flying in the mist below Rainbow Falls. Ring-billed Gull: common on the River. Herring Gull: We saw hundreds especially above the Falls in the barge area where there were large feeding flocks. We noted all age classes, and picked out a few juvenile "Northern" Herring Gulls still in full juvenile plumage at this time, whereas southern juvenile Herring Gulls that hatched earlier this year have already molted into first winter plumage. Thayer's Gull: one adult and one third winter at Adam Beck. Kumlien's Iceland Gull: almost all the Iceland Gulls we see on the Niagara River are the kumlieni subspecies which breeds in the eastern Canadian Arctic. At Adam Beck we saw at least four adults, one second winter and one juvenile. Above the falls and at the Control Gates at Chippawa were several adults and a juvenile, and in the mist below Horseshoe falls a juvenile flew about putting on a great show. Lesser Black-backed Gull: one third winter at Adam Beck and several adults above the Falls. Glaucous Gull: one juvenile at Adam Beck and two juveniles above the Falls. Great Black-backed Gull: one adult at Adam Beck and several adults and a juvenile above the Falls and at the Control Gates. Other Species on or near the River: Many saw the rarest bird of the day, which was the Eurasian Tree Sparrow at 15732 Niagara River Parkway near Niagara-on-the-Lake. We are most grateful to the home owners for this viewing opportunity. A Purple Sandpiper was on the traditional rocks right of the barge. At least two Tufted Titmice at Dufferin Island were eating peanuts at the feeders. Up to 10 Black Vultures were either on roofs and chimneys in Lewiston or flying above the town. A Pomarine Jaeger at Niagara-on-the-lake was seen several times during the day, but did not reappear after about 3:30 p.m. However, at that location were at least two Red-throated Loons and many Horned Grebes. Two Peregrine Falcons were at Adam Beck and one flew over the Falls. Bill Read was available to sell the Peterson Gull Guide by Howell and Dunn, an invaluable resource for the serious gull watcher. For tips and information about gull watching, please see http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.gulls We thank everyone who came on today's trip for their energy and enthusiasm. We are indebted to those who helped get people on the birds and make the day such a success. Ron Tozer and Jean Iron OFO Trip Leaders _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
