This afternoon myself, Dave Don, Cheryl Edgecombe and Tom Crooks observed what we feel was a first basic California Gull on the north-east shore of Hamilton Harbour. The bird was off Eastport Drive at the islands north of the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, specifically at Neare Island which is the fourth island north of CCIW, the boulder island without shrubs close to shore. The bird was observed from about 2:00-2:30 p.m., and was at times sitting in the water beside or in front of the island, taking short flights and standing on the island. There were about 100 other gulls present, mostly Herring with a few Ring-billed and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Directions: From the QEW highway in Burlington heading Niagara-bound, take the Eastport Drive exit before the Skyway Bridge and pull over on the shoulder of the roadway opposite the first rocky island in the Harbour on your right. Rob Dobos Dundas, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED]
