After hearing a report of four Brown Pelicans flying west along the south Lake Ontario shore just west of Rochester, NY yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, Bill Watson and I ventured to Port Weller as well as areas nearby on the Niagara Peninsula in case they decided to make a stop at the piers. On the day, no pelicans, but several nice sightings from around the area. So Hamilton, be on the lookout (as you always are). The highlight came late in the day when we spotted 4 juvenile BLACK TERNS cruising around and actively feeding in the swells just off Niagara-on-the-Lake, from the small parking area just west of the golf course. It was interesting to watch as they flew stiffly into the east wind and actively picked at the waters surface, repeatedly swinging around and continuing the process. Also seen were several COMMON TERNS, plus 2 SANDERLING heading east. At the Avondale cannery ponds in St. Davids, viewing from Line 8 Rd. we were able to get limited looks at shorebirds in one of the close ponds. The gate was open and we spoke briefly to an employee who mentioned that we could ask for permission to access from the manager, but being limited on time, we opted to view from just outside the fence. Shorebirds of note included about 5 SEMIPALMATED, 15 LEAST, 2 SOLITARY, and 8 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 2 WILSON'S SNIPE, 8 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and 3 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS. Also present in the trees at the edge of the ponds was a nice hatch-year BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. At Port Weller our first stop was Jones Beach at the base of the east pier. Amongst the many Mallards were 2 each GREEN-WINGED TEAL and AM. BLACK DUCK, plus a single SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on the extensive algae mats. At the small marsh on the east pier were MUTE SWAN plus both AMERICAN COOT and COMMON MOORHEN, each with young. At the end of the pier was a large feeding/loafing flock of 70+ CASPIAN TERNS plus numerous cormorants and gulls. Three Caspian Terns were banded, 2 with standard metal bands and 1 with additional color bands on the left leg, pale blue over white. Also interesting was an adult Caspian Tern that had bright orange feet and lower tarsi away from the normal jet black legs and feet. Out on the "foot" of the pier, we had fly-bys of 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES, SANDERLING, plus 2 un-id. PEEPS. Songbirds were quiet in the strong winds, but we did manage several YELLOW WARBLERS, plus CHESTNUT-SIDED and MAGNOLIA, and also BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Jim Pawlicki Amherst, NY [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) Port Weller east can be accessed from Seaway Haulage Rd. off Lakeshore Rd. in St. Catharines, and just east of the bridge over the Welland Canal. Niagara-on-the-Lake is well signed at the foot of the Niagara River at Lake Ontario. The Avondale cannery ponds can be viewed from Line 8 Rd., a west turn off Four Mile Creek Rd. (Rt.100) in St. Davids.
************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
