Ontbirders, There were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Pittock Reservoir today, near Woodstock. One was an adult in definitive basic with the other a 3rd cycle basic. Both appeared [based on mantle shade] to be the expected l.f. graellsii. These birds arrived coincident with an influx of Herring Gulls, that have being virtually absent [locally] up until today. I would assume mild conditions farther north have keep these birds from arriving earlier in any numbers.
Pittock has never been much of an attraction for larger [4 year] gulls, for whatever reason but has always hosted a tremendous number of Ring-billed Gulls, with numbers peaking near 70,000 birds in late summer. Wildwood Reservoir [at the north-west corner of Oxford County], on the other hand, has been outstanding for the larger gulls, with literally hundreds of records of white-wings and dozens of Lesser Black records. These birds frequented a mink farm operation just north of the lake-- that is before this operation was ''cleaned-up'', reducing the number of chicken parts available on the nearby fields. I'm sure the neighbours are glad that the mess and stink is gone although we really lost one of the best locations in the province for observing many white-winged gulls [and numerous odd balls, hybrids and never-to-be-identified] very close at hand, sometimes just feet away. Local records of Mew Gull and California Gull came from here, as well as irregular visits from Franklin's Gulls. Also present at Pittock, for the past two weeks, are up to 6 Cackling Geese. 5 of the birds are classic b.h. hutchinsii, the other is structurally as tiny as the other 5 birds, darker overall [more dusky] with a darker chest and a very restricted white throat patch, although I would think it would still fall within range of variation for hutchinsii. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. There is also a single white morph adult Snow Goose, along with increasing numbers of waterfowl, with Common Merganser the most numerous [600+]. 6 Sandhill Cranes flying over on Nov 27 provided a late date for migrants in the county, although they seem to be moving late just as the northern nesting gulls and waterfowl seem to be. Three Bald Eagles [3rd year and two adults] have taken it upon themselves to rid the reservoir of any sick or crippled gulls and geese. I'm sure their efforts are appreciated... Directions - To reach Pittock Lake, take Vansittart Avenue north from Dundas. Cross the bridge and look for Pittock Park Road on the east side. Follow this to the park gates [est 1.5 km]. Park outside the gates and walk in. James Holdsworth, Biological Consulting Services 14 Marian St, RR#1 Woodstock, On, N4S-7V6 [519]537-2027 [519]535-8760 [cell] [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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/
