Hello all, Today while birding on the Niagara River I had the Slaty-backed Gull in the same area it has been reported the last number of weeks. For those wondering, it is above the falls below the Control Dam (the long structure that extends well out into the river from the Ontario side), which can be viewed from the car pull-off. The bird was visible on the island amongst other gulls. I observed the bird sleeping at around 1:30 PM. By close to 2:15, the bird got up, giving excellent views of its bright pink legs. There was a LBBG in the immediate vicinity that gave great comparison views. A scope is necessary to view this bird. Additionally, a 3rd basic Thayer's was on the breakwall here. Many Iceland Gulls were around as well as a few Glaucous.
Also of note, 2 Horned Grebes were found by Blayne Farnan just north of Fort Erie along the river, for those who still need this bird for their winter or year list. They were loosely associating with some Buffleheads and were near a raft of diving ducks, mostly Canvasback and C. Goldeneye. White-winged Gulls (especially Iceland) were very common at Adam Beck. Not uncommon to have 3 or 4 individuals in the scope at one time. I had a Peregrine Falcon fly low over the road between Adam Beck and the roundabout near Queenston. A word on the Spotted Towhee in Port Colbourne: It was not seen by the time I left at 11:30 or so. There was a Northern Mockingbird around as well as a very vocal Carolina Wren and a Tufted Titmouse. Pine Siskins called over head and some of the birders saw White-winged Crossbills. Directions for the Spotted Towhee (from John Black's message) - To get to Lakeshore Road East you need to find Lorraine Road and follow it south to Lakeshore Road East. Lorraine Road can be reached by traveling about 1 to 2 km east of Highway 140 on Highway 3 . Turn south on Lorraine and then West on Lakeshore Road East. Then go to 735 Lakeshore Road East. Please do not park in the driveway or the graveyard. Instead park on the road. The bird has been spending much of its time in the shrubs separating the two driveways The bird may then go to the feeder on the balcony or to the ground below the balcony where there is some seed. The interval between visits to the feeder on Friday was about 2 hours. You need to be patient. The bird is very flighty . Try to see the bird in the hedge from the bottom of the driveway. If that fails, then walk about half way up the driveway until you see the the balcony. There is also a female Eastern Towhee present. There will be a guest book for you to sign in the mailbox at the bottom of the driveway. Good birding, Josh Vandermeulen _________________________________________________________________ So many new options, so little time. Windows Live Messenger. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/messenger.aspx_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
