The river was great today! Our group of seven birders had 12 species of gulls, including the first BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE reported in the river for the late autumn (there were two Kittiwakes at the river mouth back in September). Betsy spotted the Kittiwake rafting with Bonaparte's Gulls just a couple hundred yards above the falls - we had great looks! We were also lucky enough to catch up with the adult ROSS'S GOOSE on the river near Schweigler Road, found by the Burrells and their group. It flew shortly after we got there and headed north along the river. This spot is a little south of Bakers Creek, roughly halfway between Fort Erie and Niagara Falls.
There were excellent numbers of the less common species - our totals are below: ICELAND GULL - 20 total; 10 at Adam Beck overlook, 5 at the roosting rocks 1/4 mile upriver from Beck, 1 at the Whirlpool, 2 at the control gates, and 2 just above the falls. GLAUCOUS GULL - adult at Adam Beck, 2 first-cycles above Niagara Falls. THAYER'S GULL - 1 third-cycle and two adults at Adam Beck, 1 adult at the control gates on the wall. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - 19 total!! 4 at Adam Beck, 1 at roosting rocks, 14 above the falls. LITTLE GULL - one adult just above the falls. CALIFORNIA GULL - the third basic was picked out by Andy Guthrie and later by Betsy at Adam Beck; Jean Iron found it again later on the roosting rocks (late morning). BLACK-HEADED GULL - adult picked out by Jay McGowan and the Cayuga Bird Club at the Whirlpool. Great pick, Jay! BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE - a first-cycle found late in the day just above the falls. Good birding! Willie ---------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com _______________________________________________ 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/
