Today, between 1030 and 1130 hours, I observed an immature Sabine's
Gull flying between the Engineerium and the brink of Niagara Falls. It
was feeding in the company of hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls and at least
two white terns (probably Common but difficult to be sure at the large
distance) . There were also a number of Tree Swallows feeding out over
the water. Observing from a spot just north of the Control Weir two
Little Gulls were seen about half way across the river. They were
feeding with the Bonaparte's Gulls and at least two white terns. Once
again there were a number of Tree Swallows flying over the river.
John Black
St. Catharines, ON
Directions
Take the QEW and exit at Highway 420 toward the river. At the river
bear right along River Road. After you pass the Falls there is a large
stone building on the left (The Engineerium) . Parking is a problem.
For $3.00/hour you can park in the Botanical Gardens across from the
Engineerium. If you prefer to park for nothing then continue past the
Engineerium and travel to the south end of Dufferin Island where there
is a road to the right. You can park in free spaces along this road and
walk back to the Engineerium. To reach the control weir continue past
Dufferin Island and you come to a structure on the left and a control
weir that stretches almost half way across the river. (The weir is open
during the day but is closed at night to divert water from the Falls to
the Adam Beck reservoir.) There is a parking lot just south of the
control weir . Park there and walk back to below the weir and you can
look out over the river .
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sun Oct 17 18:16:32 2004
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From: "Margaret Bain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ontbirds" <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 17:33:42 -0400
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Subject: [Ontbirds]Snow Geese, Brant, Red Knot Cobourg harbour
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October 17:
The SW gales of the last few days have produced some good birding in Cobourg
harbour. Water levels have dropped recently and a large mat of mud and algae
has built up in the extreme SW corner, sheltered from the winds by the west
headland.
An immature white Snow Goose has been grazing with Canadas on the lawns of
the yacht club for almost a week. Two adult blue Snow Geese have been in the
harbour itself yesterday and today and one lone Brant has been feeding with
Mallards at the edge of the algae mat.
Other waterfowl include American Wigeon, Gadwall, N.Pintail, N.Shoveler, 7
Green-winged Teal, and both scaup.
Shorebirds on the algae today included 3 or 4 Black-bellied Plovers, a
beautiful silvery gray juv. Red Knot, about 20 Dunlin, a few Sanderling,
Pectoral Sandpipers, and up to 3 White-rumped Sandpipers.
Clive Goodwin from his eyrie overlooking the harbour had a flyby Parasitic
Jaeger on the 15th and a dense flock of 150 Brant out on the lake. A few
Boneys are still hanging around. Flocks of Red-breasted Mergansers have been
flying west, as well as flocks of White-winged Scoters with occasional Surf
and Black.
Cobourg harbour is at the foot of Division Street. Exit Hwy. 401 at
Divisidion Street, Exit 474.
There is quite a bit of construction around the harbour area at present. To
reach the west side of the harbour, drive south on Division almost to the
harbour and turn west (right) onto Albert Street at the last set of traffic
lights. Drive west just less than 0.5km, then turn south on Hibernia Street
at the next set of traffic lights to find parking at the main parking lot at
the edge of the harbour.
Margaret Bain
Cobourg
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
