Greetings to all searching for the Razorbill:
Today, between 4 and 5 pm my wife, Jan and I spotted the Razorbill
swimming closely along the shoreline of Fort Niagara, near the point
where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. We did not observe it
diving, but did have a good size comparison to both Bonaparte's and
Ring-billed gulls.
To get there, turn right from Main Street in Niagara on the Lake onto
Regent Street and go to the end of the street to the stop sign to
Queen's Royal Park. There is a small parking lot with a gazebo.
Simply walk down to the water's edge and look across to Fort Niagara,
scaning the water's edge for a small stocky dark coloured bird slighly
smaller than a Ring billed gull. A scope is definitely required to
get the details of the plumage.
Happy birding!
Dave Jolly,
Senior Instructor
EARTHQUEST Biological Field School
8122 Rogers Rd. S., RR #5
Aylmer, Ontario
N5H 2R4
Tel: (519) 875-3340; Email: earthquestcanada(AT)yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________________
[1]grand prize of $500
References
1. http://g.msn.com/8HMAENCA/2752??PS=47575
From [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mon Jan 8 11:13:20 2007
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From: "Bob and Glenda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Rob Dobos" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "ONTBIRDS" <[email protected]>
References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Ontbirds]California Gull at Hamilton Harbour
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 11:18:06 -0500
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At 9:10 this morning we briefly observed the bird reported by Rob Dobos et
al yesterday. It was with a few Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls - only
about 15 in total. Just as we began to scope the bird the rain came pelting
down and the gull took off and rapidly flew east to Lake Ontario. Although
the view was brief the bird appeared to have the characteristics of a first
winter California Gull.
The bird may well return to Neare Island in the afternoon after feeding,
which might be a better time for studies, except for back lighting. See
Dobos email for directions.
Bob Curry and Glenda Slessor
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Dobos" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "ONTBIRDS" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 5:52 PM
Subject: [Ontbirds]California Gull at Hamilton Harbour
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]
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