In lovely weather on Sunday 29 November 2015, over 125 OFO members and friends spend an excellent day birding the Niagara River. The purpose of the trip was to identify and age the largest number of gull species and see other good birds on the River. We were pleased to have so many birders interested in gulls and to be accompanied by keen young birders whose sharp eyes helped with spotting. Our group saw 9 species of gulls listed here in checklist order: Bonaparte's Gull: very numerous and almost all were adults. In the afternoon, the leucistic (almost all white) Bonaparte's Gull flew up and down the River at Adam Beck and gave excellent views. Black-headed Gull: one adult reported at the fly-past at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Ring-billed Gull: common on the River. Herring Gull: We saw hundreds especially above the Falls near the barge and control gates where there were feeding flocks. Thayer's Gull: one adult above the Falls was seen well as it stood for a while and flew around near the barge. Kumlien's Iceland Gull: almost all the Iceland Gulls we see on the Niagara River are the kumlieni subspecies which breeds in the eastern Canadian Arctic. At Adam Beck we saw 2 adults and 1 third winter. Above the falls and at the control gates there were several adults, one of which near the barge provided great comparison with adult Thayer's Gull. Lesser Black-backed Gull: almost full adult and juvenile at Adam Beck and three adults above the Falls. Glaucous Gull: Three adults above the Falls. Great Black-backed Gull: one adult at Adam Beck and three adults above the Falls and at the control gates. Small numbers so far this year. A possible first winter California Gull was reported at the control gates at Chippawa above the Falls. We're hoping someone will get better views and photos to confirm it. Other Species on or near the River: A first year male Harlequin Duck just north of Adam Beck was visible from the lookout. At least three Tufted Titmice at Dufferin Islands were eating peanuts, also a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Two late Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were at Dufferin Islands along with two Brown Creepers and Carolina Wrens. We ended with 10 Black Vultures in a row on a roof in Lewiston NY, seen from the pull-off on the road below Brock Monument that leads down the hill to Queenston. For tips and information about gull watching, please see http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.gulls We thank everyone who came on today's trip for their energy and enthusiasm. A great team spotted the birds and helped everyone see the gulls, including Mark Ansell, Maris Apse, Eleanor Beagan, Mike and Ken Burrell, Willie D'Anna, Bill Gilmour, Tim Lucas, Kevin McLaughlin, Mike Nelson, Betsy Potter and Ron Pittaway. It was a very successful day. Ron Tozer and Jean Iron OFO Trip Leaders
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