Seven gull-watchers birded the river from the Adam Beck overlook at the power plants to the control gates above the falls. Still large numbers of BONAPARTE'S GULLS and today we actually found something with them - two adult LITTLE GULLS just above the falls, picked out by Kevin McLaughlin and Dean DiTommaso. There was also a dark immature Bonaparte's Gull below the falls. There were several ICELAND (most at the power plants) and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS around. One adult THAYER'S GULL was at Adam Beck, found by Jean Iron. We could not find a Glaucous Gull today.
One highlight was seeing a kettle of six TURKEY VULTURES, an adult BALD EAGLE, and a COMMON RAVEN, spotted by Dean DiTommaso at the Adam Beck overlook. The raven remained over the NY side and is just the second I have ever seen in Niagara County, NY. Another highlight was seeing presumably one of the BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS from Dufferin Islands at the control gates, spotted by Betsy Potter. We had good views briefly before it became very skulky and hard to see though some could still hear it. This is the latest ever in the Buffalo study area. The immature male HARLEQUIN DUCK was again seen along the NY shore, downriver from the main Adam Beck overlook. Two other HARLEQUIN DUCKS (a female and an immature male, spotted by Celeste Morien) were seen above the barge that is above the falls. They were on the small island that has two scrawny trees. They have been here irregularly in previous years as well as in the preceding weeks. Good birding! Willie ------------------ Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com <http://www.betsypottersart.com/> 2013 Big Year: http://www.betsypottersart.com/willie-s-photos/2013-big-year/ Odonates: https://www.flickr.com/photos/107683885@N07/sets/72157653377711578 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
