Betsy and I birded the Erie shore from Rock Point Provincial Park to Fort Erie today. Several places near the shore were full of songbirds, especially Rock Point. The best bird was a very late BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Rock Point associating with a large flock of both kinglets, chickadees, creepers, both nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Also at Rock Point were 2 PURPLE FINCHES (3 more on Stonemill Road near Fort Erie), 1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 2 E. PHOEBES, 9 CHIPPING SPARROWS, 1 MOCKINGBIRD, 2 TUFTED TITMOUSE, 2 CAROLINA WRENS, 2 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 1 DUNLIN.
Ducks of interest included 12 BLACK SCOTERS and 4 SURF SCOTERS at scattered locations. There were also LOTS of Canada Geese and dabbling ducks (Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Black). Other birds included 2 FOX SPARROWS at the foot of Buffalo Road and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS at the foot of Buffalo and Kraft Roads. Sadly, dead Common Loons outnumbered live ones today. There were 5 at Rock Point, 2 at Morgan's Point, and 1 at Grabell Point. This annual event in recent autumns is disturbing. DIRECTIONS: Rock Point Provincial Park is south of Dunnville, Ontario and can be reached from County Road #3 - follow the signs. Good birding! Willie -------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Niagara Falls, N.Y. [EMAIL PROTECTED] "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
