The wind was from the east this morning. We arrived at Van Wagners Beach in
Hamilton about 8 A.M. Within 5 minutes we saw both a close juvenile
Parasitic Jaeger chasing gulls and a close juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake.
Several jaegers and the juvenile kittiwake were seen on and off before any
other birders arrived around 10 A.M. Over the noon hour, Rob Dobos spotted
a fine light morph adult Parasitic Jaeger and a juvenile Parasitic by the
Wave Tower, which gave excellent views through scopes.
The best bird of the day came about 2 P.M. when Dan Salisbury yelled adult
and juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake flying together by the Wave Tower. They
landed near the tower bobbing in the waves. Then they flew giving excellent
views of a first adult kittiwake in Ontario for many there. Juvenile
kittiwakes are regular on Lake Ontario but adults are a prize find away
from salt water.
We left at 2:30 for an appointment. Perhaps others will report what we
missed! If you're close, head now to Van Wagners, which is the best place
in southern Ontario for oceanic birds.
Directions: Exit 88 from QEW to Centennial Parkway to Van Wagners Beach
Road. Go past Confederation Park to Hutch's Restaurant for nearby parking.
Quoting Brandon Holden, "the stronger the easterly winds the better".
Happy pelagic birding,
Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway
Jean Iron
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jeaniron/
9 Lichen Place
Toronto ON M3A 1X3
416-445-9297
