A group of eight ardent gull-watchers found ten species of gulls along the Niagara River today, viewing from the Canadian side. Finally, the LITTLE GULLS are in! We had seven - two from the Queenston boat ramp (look downriver, although one briefly came right in front of us), four (!) just above the falls, with great views from opposite the "greenhouse", and one more from the control gates in Chippewa. We had an adult THAYER'S GULL sitting and flying below the falls. ICELAND GULLS were seen across from the greenhouse, below the falls, and at the Adam Beck overlook (the power plants). One adult GLAUCOUS GULL was on the "island" out from the control gates. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were out from the control gates and at Adam Beck. We did not check the roosting rocks above the power plants today. Numbers of large gulls were unimpressive today but that's not too surprising for a weekday when the dumps are open.
The adult BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen briefly on the water at the Whirlpool (Spanish Aero Car). However, it and the many Bonaparte's Gulls resting on the water were then repeatedly flushed by the Niagara Jet Adventures boats, driving the boats directly through the raft of birds. Despite spending a considerable amount of time looking, we were unable to find the bird again and we are convinced that it moved to another area to rest. We only found one HARLEQUIN DUCK today, a female feeding in the rapids near the stranded barge (between the Ontario hydro building and the gatehouse). A HORNED GREBE was in the gorge below the falls, along with several CANVASBACK, AMERICAN WIGEON, COMMON MERGANSERS, and a smattering of other ducks. Our group consisted of Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Kevin McLaughlin, Declan Troy, Ross Harris, Marcie Jacklin, Betsy Potter, and myself. Good birding! Willie ------------------ Willie D'Anna Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com Willie's photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/107683885@N07/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
