Eleven species of gulls were seen on today’s Peterborough Field Naturalists trip to the Niagara River. The outing was a great success in fine balmy weather and ideal viewing conditions. 1. Franklin’s Gull: one first winter bird on the Roosting Rocks between Adam Beck and the Butterfly Conservatory 2. Little Gull: 1 that flew to Lake Ontario at the fly-past at Niagara-on-the-Lake. 3. Bonaparte’s Gull: abundant. 4. Ring-billed Gull: common. 5. Herring Gull: abundant. 6. Thayer’s Gull: 1 adult at Adam Beck Overlook. 7. “Kumlien’s” Iceland Gull: 2 or 3 adults at Adam Beck overlook. 8. Lesser Black-backed Gull: 9. Glaucous Gull: 1 first winter in the middle of the river at Chippawa. 10. Great Black-backed Gull: many. 11. Black-legged Kittiwake: one first winter flying with Bonaparte’s at the Whirlpool OTHER BIRDS Juvenile Pomarine Jaeger seen all day at Adam Beck. 3 female Harlequin Ducks on the wall at Chippawa. 1 Purple Sandpiper on its usual rock right of the barge above the Falls. 3-5 Black Vultures seen at the overlook on the Niagara Parkway below Brock Monument and several seen at Adam Beck. Tufted Titmouse and Red-bellied Woodpecker at feeders in Chippawa and along the Parkway near Queenston. At this latter location, we also had Northern Flicker, White-throated Sparrow, American Robin, and Cedar Waxwing. A wonderful time was had by all!
Location: Niagara River between Chippawa and Niagara-on-the-Lake
Observer: PFN members (trip led by Tony Bigg)
