At around 2:10 p.m. this afternoon while watching Lake Ontario from the large parking lot within Fort Niagara State Park in the US, I had brief (about 20 sec), distant (>500 yards) in-flight views of a cormorant which appeared to be an adult non-breeding GREAT CORMORANT. I picked the bird up while scanning far off to the west as it appeared to be flying due NNE and possibly up out of the river mouth. From there it continued north and then wrapped around and headed east along the shore till I lost it out behind the trees far off to the west. As I was scanning I was caught off guard tempting to pass it along when I noticed what APPEARED to be extensive white feathering around a yellow gular patch. By the time I zoomed in and tried looking carefully at the bird, combined with the scope shake and distance I couldn't be sure of exactly how extensive the white actually was and where it ended and met the yellow. I have to say that to my eye the bird did appear quite burley and thick-necked, although with the distance and not having a direct comparison with DC Corms, I'm hesitant to even use this as a supporting character. Afterwards I sped over to Dietz Rd. at 4 Mile Creek State Park hoping to catch it there and had no luck--perhaps it landed on the water between then or I simply did not get there in time. Either way I thought it'd be important to get the word out, esp. since this locale has hosted 3/4 of the region's past Great Cormorants. Other birds around were a CACKLING GOOSE with the Canada's on the big lawn plus a small flock of 5 female-type BLACK SCOTERS just offshore amongst several other expected species of waterbirds. Jim Pawlicki Amherst, NY **************AOL Search: Your one stop for directions, recipes and all other Holiday needs. Search Now. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212792382x1200798498/aol?redir=http://searchblog.aol.com/2008/11/04/happy-holidays-from -aol-search/?ncid=emlcntussear00000001) _______________________________________________ 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
