Hey all. The title says it all. I went to the Queenston Boat Docks after
dipping on the Mew Gull with Jean Iron, Kevin Mc Laughlin, Mark Cranford and
others. After 15 minutes of watching the Ring-billed Gulls flying about at
fairly close range (100-200 meters at most) I spotted the (a) brachyrhynchus
Mew Gull flying about in midst of the Ringed's. It did some larger circles
flying slowly for about 5 minutes and then began to head down river (north) and
I eventually lost it about 1km upriver in the flurry of Bonaparte wings as they
made for the lake.
I believe this to be the same bird Jean saw just before noon today.
Mostly yellow bill though not as bright as the brightest Ring-billeds around.
Some dull smudging seemed apparent but nothing all too noticeable really. Bill
was a little smaller too. Back was darker than Ring-billeds. Bird seemed same
size as Ring-billeds, though I only ever saw it in flight except for a brief
few seconds when it landed on the water. There was nothing about the outer
primary windows that STRUCK ME as weird off hand, what with so many
Ring-billeds of varying degrees nearby but what I could notice is the "string
of pearls" for lack of a better term (this is often used in association with
Slaty-backed Gull ID) forming a row about 3/4 of the way out the inner
primaries (just check Sibley's if I'm confusing you!). This also confirms that
it's not a "Common" Gull (Larus b. canus).
I would HIGHLY suggest to those who are looking for this bird tomorrow to spend
their time between where Jean saw it on the rocks near opposite the Butterfly
Observatory and at the Queenston Boat Docks. The boat docks had by FAR the
majority of Ring-billeds on the river up to the Whirlpool at least and it seems
like this bird hangs out with Ring-billeds.
Directions: To view the roosting rocks along the river, which are on the
American side, park at the north end of the Butterfly Conservatory parking lot
and walk north towards Adam Beck about 200 metres to two light coloured
horizontal wooden bars in the brown fence. Queenston Boat Docks - follow
Niagara River Parkway north towards Niagara-on-the-Lake and turn off
Dumfries(?) towards the lake as you enter the village of Queenston. Princess
is the street that parallels closest to the river and the boat docks are
accessed from a smaller road/drive down the hill here.
Thanks to Jean and everyone for their help today!
Good Birding,
Andrew Keaveney
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