Mon., Jan,13, 2003 Hi other hardy birders.
There is an alternate site for some of the not so agile birders out there to view the Black-headed Gull in the Queenston Sand Docks area (Thanks to Dave Don & Tom Crooks). This will also save you from a slippery walk up the river trail from the Sand Docks but do visit the Sand Docks as well as the gull may be there if not observed from the above location and who knows what else you may see. Near the top of the hill on the Niagara Parkway and directly opposite the entrance stairs to the Brock Monument (hard to miss this imposing structure) is a small parking area (east side of road or left side heading towards Niagara Falls). Below this parking area is the area just above (south of) the small falls on the USA side and you can walk about 100 yards or so to your left and you will be just past (north of) the metal stairs with two pillars also on the USA side. The river and the Gull was visible all along this area as well as 4 Iceland Gulls and an adult Little Gull passing by heading up river. We also observed an adult Lesser black-backed Gull and another Iceland Gull hanging around in the above area. Also at this location we observed the juvenile Bald Eagle that has been reported lately. It seems to be using the trees below this viewing area as a vantage point and we observed it sitting in a tree eating a fish and had it flying around at eye level at times no more than 100 ft away. The other great thing about this vantage point is that you are only about 10 to 100 yards from the warmth of your automobile. A small aside of interest for those who care is the birds we observed Sat., Jan. 11, 2003 at the end of Dumfries St. just at the start of the road down to the Sand Docks. Seen here were 2 Carolina Wrens, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a N. Mockingbird, both Nuthatches, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and about 50 A. Robins. We also found at the Docks themselves the usual B. Kingfisher, more Robins, a N. Mockingbird and 2 Song Sparrows. Norm Murr Richmond Hill, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] SAND DOCKS AND THE NIAGARA PARKWAY VIEWING AREA AT QUEENSTON >From St Catherines drive east on the QEW to the junction (Y split) with Hwy 405. Drive down Hwy 405 to the Niagara Parkway (at the river), turn left (north) and drive down the hill to Dumfries St. in Queenston. Turn right here and drive to the end, cross the last street, go down the hill and turn left at the first road and this will take you to the Sand Docks. After turning left onto the Niagara Parkway and then right to head down the hill you will almost immediately come upon the small parking area on your right. You should recognize it from its brown coloured wooden rail construction. NCM "Norm Murr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
