Like many of those reading can relate to, David Hallett and I failed to find the Ross's Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake after birding the area from Niagara Fall to Niagara-on-the-Lake from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. However, there was a lot of diversity 'gull-wise' ... as well as some nice surprises. We were lucky to located the Black-headed Gull in middle of Niagara River feeding with a dozen Ring-billed Gulls between north of the Lewiston boat launch area ... not far from where Michael Carlson found it yesterday and also saw two Little Gulls in the same area (no doubt all the same birds). Adam Beck never fails to produce: we nailed 12 Iceland Gulls, 2 Glaucous Gulls, 3 Thayer's Gulls and 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. At the Whirlpool, two Little Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The falls was less than stellar ... only three Bonaparte's Gulls and just the usual suspects ... but our total of 36 Greater Black-backed Gulls was respectable. We spent our last hour and half pouring through stings of Bonaparte's Gulls (over 2500) near the mouth of the Niagara River (se Niagara-on-the-lake) to record what we think was an impressive total of 7 Little Gulls (all travelling as singles mixed in loose lines of Bonapart's Gulls). The single Black-backed Gull we found was flying solo. A pair of Harlequin Ducks flew from the river and landed in the lake as we were leaving. We were very surprised at the number of Long-tailed ducks that were also moving south from the river into the lake (2000+).
Directions: Most of the locations described here are familiar to most local birders. However, finding the boat ramp at Lewiston is a bit of a challenge. Take the first street heading east at the bottom of escarpment parkway and drive for one block; then take the last major street heading north. There is a small sign saying 'Boat Ramp' within 100 meters, so turn east and proceed down a steep slope on a one-way road which weaves down to a circular opening in the woods; then make a quick left and follow the road further down the hill to a relatively large parking area used throughout the winter by local fishermen. It provides for a 180 degree unobstructed view of the river and the Queenston docks. This later part of the trail is best done with an SUV due to steep slopes and the fact that it appears not be regularly plowed. Wayne Renaud _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
