Hello, birders.
Highlights, details below --- Over 1000 Canvasback (Jan. 11), King Eider (Jan.
10), Little (Jan. 9), Lesser Black-backed (Jan. 9, 10), Glaucous (Jan. 8, 9,
10), Iceland (Jan. 8, 9, 10), Thayer's Gull (Jan. 9), Common Redpoll (Jan. 11).
I greatly enjoyed my trip to Western New York and adjacent Ontario. I combined
sightseeing w/ birding. Friendly people, nice scenery, good and abundant birds
and responsible drivers (!).
Sat. Jan. 8
In the afternoon I ran into a few other birders on Goat Island (Niagara Falls
SP, NY). We birded there and on Grand Island before I had to go. I saw some
of
the uncommon species there that Brad Carlson noted in his post of Jan. 9. He
and the other birders were cool enough to let me tag along. We saw lots of
waterfowl and gulls at both locations. I enjoyed the weather that day - so
variable, sun and snow.
Sun. Jan. 9
First stop was the Queenston, Ont. boat launch. Heard a flyover Redpoll as I
walked down the path. After an hour of watching along the river I saw an adult
LITTLE GULL. I observed it for several minutes as it flew around in the large
(a few hundred) Bonaparte's Gull flock. One time it alighted on the water to
pick or grab something but it seemed to come up empty. When in the air the
Little's dark underwings were visible w/ the naked eye and that's what first
drew my eyes to it. Besides the Bonaparte's Gulls, the 162 Long-tailed Ducks
were the most numerous birds there. The Long-tails were beautiful and were
calling frequently. Many hunters were upstream, firing often, presumably at
the
Long-tails. Some were apparently on the Ontario side and a park officer took
note. Other birders stopped by including a group from the OFO. I perused the
new Niagara region bird book, written by their president. A nice job!
Continuing on the Ontario side, Adam Beck was wonderful. Again I ran into a
group of local birders. We ID'd gulls including LESSER BB, GLAUCOUS and
ICELAND. Others but not me IDd a couple of THAYERS. It was great that I got
to
see this species. It was fun and challenging to try to find a Thayers myself,
although I'm not sure that I did. The hundreds of gulls included 200+ Herring
and 300+ Bonaparte's Gulls.
More birding on the Ontario side at the whirlpool area, at a pulloff along the
river in Chippewa and near what I think is the Niagara Control Structure found
lots more gulls and waterfowl but nothing unusual.
Did not bundle up enough on this day. Man, it was cold. Did better on Monday
with 5 layers.
Mon. Jan. 10
I birded a couple of locations near Port Welland. First stop, Westcliffe
Park.
Cold and quite windy but it was quite birdy. Among the numerous gulls were two
2nd cycle GLAUCOUS. Red-breasted Mergansers were abundant along the lakeshore,
at least 150. Red-breasted and Common Mergs gave me the opportunity to compare
the females side by side. Mallards numbered at least 225 in a small secluded
area behind the dock. More waterfowl of 6 other species were present. 6
Double-crested Cormorants hung out.
Next I went to the Welland Canal Trail at the George Nicholson section, which
is
where I wanted to go in the first place but couldn't find. This is where I saw
the adult male KING EIDER (see post from Jan. 10). Again there were numerous
gulls and waterfowl. In the general area of the Eider were 2 adult ICELAND
GULLS and my only White-winged Scoter of the trip. In the area where I was
standing when watching the Eider was a Hermit Thrush, first heard ("chuck")
then
seen well perched on a low branch. Where I parked at the end of Seaway Haulage
Rd. there was a decent sized flock of Robins (50? hard to tell) as well lots
of backyard bird types - Chickadees, Juncos, Goldfinches, etc.
Below the falls from the Niagara side in mid-afternoon - more gulls and
waterfowl of course. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was nice at the base of
the American Falls. Most of the waterfowl hugged the Canadian side as well as
a
couple of American Coot.
Last stop of the day was perhaps my favorite of the trip, the Three Sisters
area
of Goat Island. I obtained very close views of diving and dabbling waterfowl.
The birds paid little or no attention to me. It was interesting to see
Mallards
diving under the turbulent water. Never seen that before, I wonder what they
were feeding on? They were the most abundant bird there. Saw one more Coot.
Gulls included 2 adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED. Numerous songbirds were active.
Gulls streaming in at sunset, presumably going to roost on the river.
Tue., Jan. 11
Not much time for birding. In the morning made quick 1 hr. trip to Grand
Island
SP (NY) where I walked the trail from the West Creek parking lot to the bridge
over the mouth of the creek and back. Lots of backyard-type birds were near
the
parking area - woodpeckers, chickadees, etc. As noted in a recent post,
Canvasbacks were abundant, a conservative est. of 1250 - 1500 on my short
walk.
Approximately 85% were male. My only No. Pintail of the trip was here, a male
not far off the shore. Mallards, Goldeneye and Can. Goose also. When I was
ready to turn back at the little bridge I heard Redpolls. Turned my head, they
were 30' away in an Alder. I watched them feed for several minutes. I
searched
this flock of 23 COMMON REDPOLLS for a Hoary but didn't see one.
Thanks to all who helped me w/ my trip beforehand and thanks for the
hospitality
of those who I bumped into. If you want to bird in the DC area sometime, feel
free to contact me!
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
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