Ontbirders,
Today's OFO gull trip to the Niagara River was a success, and the warm
temperatures and no wind made it a pleasant day. We found 8 species of
gulls. Franklin's Gull: One in first basic plumage in late afternoon flew
by the Flypast with a group of Bonaparte's Gulls at Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Thayer's Gull: One adult at Adam Beck and another adult on the wall at the
control gates at Chippawa. Kumlien's Iceland Gulls: Two adults at Adam Beck
and one adult on the wall at the control gates at Chippawa. Lesser
Black-backed Gull: one adult and two juvenile/first basic birds at Adam
Beck; two adults above the falls, four adults at Chippawa. We also saw
Herring Gull (abundant), Ring-billed Gull (abundant), Bonaparte's Gull
(abundant), Great Black-backed Gull (uncommon). At Fort Erie we hoped to
see the 1000s of Bonaparte's Gulls and 6 Little Gulls that were seen on
Saturday and much of last week, but the Bonaparte's had all but disappeared
overnight. Where did they go? During the Flypast at Niagara-on-the-Lake
only about 750 Bonaparte's Gulls went out to roost on Lake Ontario this
evening - a much lower number of Bonaparte's Gulls than usual for this date.
Other Sightings: One Purple Sandpiper and one Spotted Sandpiper on the
rocks straight out from the north side of the Toronto Hydro building just
north of the barge above the Falls. Tundra Swans including young of the
year at Bakers Creek between Chippawa and Fort Erie. Red-bellied Woodpecker
and two Tufted Titmice were at feeders at Chippawa. Carolina Wren (heard),
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Horned Grebes, two Red-necked Grebes, 1000s of
Bufflehead, plus Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters at Fort Erie.
Ron Tozer and I thank the 40 plus participants who enjoyed gull watching
today along the Niagara River.
Jean Iron and Ron Tozer
OFO Trip Leaders
Ontario Field Ornithologists
www.ofo.ca
