Ontbirders
It was a bit shocking that we saw absolutely no other birders this morning.
Perhaps it was the bitter cold and light snow or perhaps birders were
"hung-over" from yesterday's birding.
We started at 8 at the overlook spot south of Adam Beck dam, described by
Willy in yesterday's post. Could not find the most interesting gulls. So we
drove north to Queenston. Just north of the road down to the boat ramp there
is an Anglican church. The road parallel to the river at the boat rampmis
Princess. We turned right on to the road for the church a very short street
before it turns left. There is a nice bluff and overlook of the river at
this point. There were large numbers of Ring-bills feeding at this point.
Most are just below eye-level affording nice studies.
Here, between 9 -9:15 we had excellent flying views of the adult Mew Gull. I
was thinking that this might be a different bird from yesterday as it was
quite light mantled, lighter than most that I've seen in Ontario, except for
one at bronte many years ago. However, upon checking Jean Iron's photos this
bird was the same shade of grey on the back, and was similarly almost
completely white headed. It was a lovely bird in this view, a little
daintier than the Ring-bills with large primary mirrors comprised of two
white primary spots, a clear yellow bill and large dark irides.
Back at the previous overlook south of Beck at 11 we found the 3rd basic
California Gull on the roosting rocks.
Most of the other usual suspects: Iceland Gull (~20), Thayer's Gull (3).
Lesser black-backed Gull (~9), Little Gull (1) at Queenston etc.
Bob Curry and Glenda Slessor
30-3115 New Street
Burlington, ON
L7N 3T6
905-637-2022
[email protected]
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