This was for the 28th. ----- Original Message ----- From: Weseloh,Chip [Ontario] Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 08:53 PM To: 'birdalert@ontbirds' <birdalert@ontbirds> Subject: Little Gull at Garden Island (Kingston)
This evening, shortly after 7:30 PM, while observing a foraging flock of Bonaparte's Gulls of the NE shore of Garden Island, I observed a single adult Little Gull. It alternated flying and foraging with the BOGUs as they settled on the water feeding in spiral fashion (much like phalaropes), presumably on some emerging midges. (BOGUs had been seen feeding between Kingston and Garden Island earlier in the day.) The feeding process of this flock of gulls was most dramatic. They would feed for several minutes, then take flight, whirling and swirling just above the water. Some resettled on the water while others flew off to the west. In the background, closer to the Kingston shore, 2-3 flocks of 50-100 apparent BOGUs also passed to the west. These westerly flying flocks were headed presumably for a nocturnal roost site down the channel somewhere or possibly out in the open Lake Ontario, although several small flocks (10-15 birds) of westerly flying BOGUs did join up with the foraging flock containing the LIGU. By 7:44 PM, all the BOGUs and the single LIGU had left, also heading off to the west. Sunset was at approximately 8:04 PM. Anyone with any information on roosting sites for BOGUs in eastern Lake Ontario, please contact me personally. Cheers, Chip Weseloh Directions: There is no easy was to get to Garden Island. The easiest way to visit the general vicinity would be to take the Wolfe Island Ferry from downtown Kingston to Wolfe Island. The ferry passes within 400-500m east of Garden Island and the areas where the BOGUs and LIGU were foraging and flying. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
