In perfect gull-watching weather on Sunday 4 December 2016, over 130 OFO members and friends spend an enjoyable 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. It was a treat to see everyone from all over Ontario, and we were pleased to welcome our American friends from neighbouring states. Having so many sharp-eyed birders worked in our favour. Our group saw 10 species of gulls listed here in checklist order:
Bonaparte's Gull: numerous and almost all were adults. Little Gull: one adult seen very well from the boat launch at Queenston. *Black-headed Gull: one adult flying and resting on the water put on an excellent show at Whirlpool, though was a challenge to pick out from above at the viewing areas. Ring-billed Gull: common on the River. Herring Gull: common on the River at Adam Beck and above the Falls. Thayer's Gull: one adult at Adam Beck was seen well. One juvenile below the Falls was seen well by a group that braved the wet mist. 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 two adults and 1 third winter. Above the Falls out from the barge viewing area was one adult. Lesser Black-backed Gull: several adults and a juvenile at Adam Beck, and at least five adults and a juvenile seen from the control gates area. Glaucous Gull: one adult out from control gates area. Great Black-backed Gull: one adult at Adam Beck, two at Queenston, and least four adults and one juvenile above the Falls and at the control gates. Other Species on or near the River: four adult male Harlequin Ducks seen well from the viewing areas near the barge. At least five Tufted Titmice at Dufferin Islands were eating peanuts from people's hands, also a Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren and Brown Creeper. A Pine warbler was in a pine tree on the median between the Greenhouse and the River. Black Vultures were seen all day on various roofs and chimneys in Lewiston NY (up to 7 at one time), from the pull-off on the road below Brock Monument that leads down the hill to Queenston, adult Bald Eagle at Queenston. For tips and information about gull watching, please see http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/articles.gulls We thank everyone for coming and contributing to the success of the trip with their enthusiasm and camaraderie. For logistical support we are very grateful to Willie D'Anna, Betsy Potter, Dean Di Tommaso, Mike Nelson, Kevin Seymour, Greg Stuart, Karl Konze, Ron Pittaway, Eleanor Beagan and a person who texted us from a 613 number. Many shared their scopes and helped others see the birds. It was a fantastic day. After 17 years, we are retiring from leading the Niagara Gull Trip. It's a pleasure to announce that Josh Vandermeulen. Jeremy Bensette and Marcie Jacklin will be your Gull Trip leaders in December 2017. Ron Tozer and Jean Iron OFO Gull Trip Leaders _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
