The number of gulls on the river continues to be somewhat depressed. However, diversity at present is pretty good. The highlight Saturday was a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE seen at three different spots on the river. It was seen in the morning from the Lewiston Boat Ramp, late morning at the power plants from Adam Beck feeding for an hour or so, and around sunset in a large raft of Bonaparte's Gulls that were floating past a couple dozen birders at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The CALIFORNIA GULL from Adam Beck (perhaps an adult after all, with a stained tail) was seen at its favorite perches, near the north corner of the Moses power dam. Adult LITTLE GULLS were seen from the Lewiston and Queenston boat ramps and in the afternoon near the mouth of the river. About eight LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were found, all adults, with most above the falls and one or two from Adam Beck. Two adult ICELAND GULLS were at the control gates as were two adult THAYER'S GULLS and 3 or 4 ICELANDS (one first winter) were at Adam Beck. Another white-winged gull was reported at the Queenston boat ramp. A probable adult NELSON'S GULL (Herring X Glaucous hybrid) was seen at Adam Beck. An adult GLAUCOUS GULL was reported between the barge and the falls.
Early in the morning, a SNOWY OWL (immature male?) was perched on the northeastern-most structure on the grounds of Old Fort Niagara which is at the mouth of the river on the NY side. Good birding! Willie -------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, N.Y. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
