Birders,
Just after 5:45 pm this evening I observed 6 adult Little Gulls feeding among several hundred Bonaparte's Gulls very close to shore, just off the Barrie Marina. This is a rather early date for this species on the bay as they typically do not appear until late September at the earliest. Some of the birds can be very noticeable even with the naked eye, as a flash of their dark under wings gives them away among the Bonaparte's. I briefly watched one Little Gull calling repeatedly as it was harassed for a good half minute by a Bonaparte's, perhaps to give up a meal, or at least scold it for stealing one. Of note it might be worth keeping an eye out for species such as Black-legged Kittiwake over the next month or so, as one juvenile bird was observed within the bay last year from October 16-26. Earlier around noon I observed over 550+ Common Loon about 1.5 km out into the bay from the south shore. Their numbers should fluctuate in the coming weeks and begin to peak by mid October. This will also be a great time to look for Pacific Loon among the Common's as several individuals were observed at a time from mid to late October last year. Directions to the marina: Exit Highway 400 at Dunlop St W and head East until you reach Toronto St. Turn right on Toronto St. and follow it south until you reach the Barrie Marina on your right. Good birding, Dave Szmyr _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
