Dave Gordon and I watched from the south end of Squaw Island from about 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and did not see the bird return to the railing on the NY side where it had fed heavily earlier in the day. It was last seen around 4:00 p.m. flying over to the Fort Erie side and appeared to land with the large raft of Bonaparte's that were sitting just upstream from the Int. Railroad bridge as they normally do. We scanned the raft several times as well as the milling Bonys close to the shore in Fort Erie, but were unable to relocate the bird, although it would have been easy to miss at that time with the distance and lighting. Also around were at least 1 juv. Common Tern and 4-6 Great Egrets on the Fort Erie shore. Some photos of the Sabine's Gull can be found here: _http://picasaweb.google.com/jmpawli88_ (http://picasaweb.google.com/jmpawli88) To say the least, a simply amazing bird. Jim Pawlicki Amherst, NY In a message dated 10/27/2008 9:57:09 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
On 10/27/08 about 2:30 PM Bill Watson found the juvenile Sabine's Gull from Squaw Island (home of the Buffalo Sewage Treatment Plant). Bill called various BOS members but reported that the bird left while members were enroute. While Bill, Jim Pawlicki and I were discussing our bad luck, Jim spotted the bird returning. We got absolutely close looks, most passes the Sabine's hugged the breakwall and we had to lean out from the rail to see the gull pass below us at 10 feet. We also saw it repeatedly come in, pass beneath us as it caught minnows, then we saw a rear view as we excitedly got continuous good looks. Eventually the bird settled onto the water and we saw it drift away then it returned again. Eventually it drifted downriver to the Canadian side and I would be very surprised if it does not return yet another time tommorrow morning. It ate a lot of minnows along the wall. Get off the I-190 (northbound) at the Peace Bridge exit and continue to Niagara St. then continue north towards the Peace Bridge. For I-190 southbound traffic get off at the Ontario St. exit and proceed southbound on Niagara St. Look for Ferry St. on the west side of Niagara St. and Rich Lane (same street) on the east side of Niagara St. and turn into Robert Rich Way, shortly crossing the Black Rock Canal Bridge then an immediate right and then an immediate left into the parking lot. The Sabine's is seen right there. Any questions, please feel free to call. Jerry Lazarczyk Grand Island NY 716-773-7453 716-548-0798 cell _____________________________________________________________ Free Fashion Design Education Information. Click now. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4vDzHWcN6fhJdjfZ92D6n4toN n87QtU1mgTn28FRQTn3E4Xd/?count=1234567890 **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics – check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) _______________________________________________ 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
