Gull Watch 2012

Sunday December 2 was the annual Niagara River Gull Watch. Jean and I arrived shortly after 8:00 a.m. and the temperature was already in the double digits. We did not get away that easily however. Shortly after the arrival of trip leaders Jean Iron and Ron Tozer, it began to rain. As predicted in various weather reports, the rain stayed with us the whole day and though I was dressed in rain gear, it was not fun at times.

From the Adam Beck Power Station viewing platform, we looked down at the hundreds upon hundreds of gulls that were looking for a quick and easy meal spit out of the U.S. and Canadian hydro-electric generating stations.

While here, gull species observed included the usual Herring, Ring-billed and Bonaparte's as well as a few Iceland Gulls (adults and juveniles) and a couple of Glaucous Gulls. The Franklin's Gull and Thayer's Gull that were observed the day before were not found by our group. No additions for my year list but I made up for it by spotting a fox just north of the parking area as we stood at the viewing platform.

At the Whirlpool, hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls were sitting on the river. I was looking for a Little Gull for the year list and it seemed a possibility when our friend Nancy spotted one for a moment as it flew amongst a group of Bonaparte's. Once it settled down on the water it was not found again and another addition to the year list was denied. Standing at the marina in Niagara-on-the-Lake during a fly-by may be required before the end of the year in order to tick Little Gull.

The OFO group moved further up river to identify more gulls above the Falls. Jean and I took our time as we cut through Dufferin Islands Nature Area. Two birders from the Huntsville area needed a lifer Tufted Titmouse and we had some idea where we might be able to find one or two. Jean hand fed a female titmouse the week before while its mate preferred to take seed from a tree stump.

No appearance of the little gray birds so we moved to the other side of the Niagara Parkway to search for gulls.

We joined our friend Anne and the five of us scanned the river near the Old Gatehouse. Little did we know that the most exciting bird of the day for Jean and I was lurking in the nearby bushes and we walked right by it when moving on to the east side of the Engineerium. We looked at the waterfowl near the barge and had no luck spotting the Black-headed Gull seen through the scope of another birder. Seemed there were many gull watchers on the river this day as there will be for the next month or so.

Our small group eventually caught up to the main group on the west side of the Engineerium.

Some were lucky enough to have caught a quick view of the Black-headed Gull and we gave it try. The wind picked up and the rain continued as we stood on a concrete wall above the river (it's not as a dangerous as it sounds). Just like the Whirlpool, we searched through the flying Bonaparte's Gulls for our quarry. Another needle in the hay stack situation. This time, we were looking for a slightly larger gull with slate gray under the wings. The red legs and bill would help but with this many gulls moving about, the colour underneath the wings would be easier to spot. No addition to either the lifer or year list. With the exception of some one's umbrella being blown into the Niagara River, all was not lost.

We headed back up river with Ron Tozer in search of what had been seen in the brush near the Old Gate House. The bird was a Black-throated Blue Warbler! I quickly went through the year list in my head and as best as I could remember, Jean and I had not seen this species of warbler in 2012. A first of the year warbler in December would be a worthy consolation and a sweet addition to our Winter List. In no time, we all had great looks at a male Black-throated Blue Warbler as it moved through the bushes below the path.

After lunch (thanks for treating us Rick!), there was not much action at the feeders in Chippawa and the group returned to the river above the Falls to scope the gulls between Dufferin Islands and the Control Gates. Good views of Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A Great Blue Heron on the wall near the Control Gates was a nice addition to our winter list. With the return of the rain and the wind at our backs, Jean and I decided to call it a day. A short stop at the west end of Dufferin Islands concluded the day with an observation of a Merlin perched at the top of a tree across the pond.

None of the gulls I needed were observed but the Black-throated Blue Warbler was a great find. Thanks to Rick Thornton (we owe him two lunches now?) for spotting this bird that we usually see in May. The checklist for the Black-throated Blue observation was my first entry later that evening. I wanted to confirm that it was a first of the year. Sure enough, after entering the warbler observation on eBird Canada, the total species for 2012 on "My eBird" page increased by one. The next day, the daily rare bird alert for Ontario was in my e-mail "inbox". 7 reports of the Black-throated Blue Warbler, including my observation, were listed on the eBird alert. Later that evening, all seven observers received an e-mail from the volunteer Ontario regional data reviewer. Was the validity of the sighting in question? Not at all. The reviewer was more concerned with the differences in checklist locations. Huh?

To be continued

OFO Niagara Gull Trip: Dance of the Black-legged Kittiwake

Sunday morning was sunny and though it was only 7:30, the temperature was a balmy 9 degrees as we drove along the General Brock Parkway (Hwy. 405). This was odd. Jean and I were heading to the Adam Beck overlook to meet fellow OFO members for the annual Niagara River Gull trip. Where was the freezing cold? The knee-deep snow? Yes, during our first gull trip in 2007, a large amount of snow fell on the Niagara Region overnight and we were stuck behind a snow plow on the 405. The slow-moving plow delayed our arrival and we missed some good gulls that were found early. Since then, we always arrive an hour before the planned start time. 


Jean Iron (co-trip leader) was unloading her scope and there were a few eager birders already searching the river below when we arrived at Adam Beck. Jean and I started surveying the many Herring and Bonaparte's Gulls. We were looking for our first of the year (FOY) Thayer's and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Both had been regularly observed at this location (except the last time we were there) recently and it seemed the ticks would likely happen on this day.


Our first tick was a brownish bird that Jean spotted flying directly into the mass of Herring Gulls.  The bird was a juvenile Pomarine Jaeger! A lifer tick (#311)! While viewing the jaeger, we observed it harassing the gulls periodically as it flew above the turbulent waters. I had viewed video of this jaeger from last Sunday, but I was not expecting to observe this species during the gull watch. After the more than satisfactory views of the juvenile Pomarine Jaeger (and Jean bringing me to the realization that it was indeed a lifer), Jean and I commenced our search for a Lesser Black-backed Gull observed by some in the group. We found the first winter Lesser Black-backed milling about the wall of the Robert Moses power station.

The next gull was a "Kumlien's" Iceland spotted by Jean Iron. Our 5th gull species of the day was an adult Great Black-backed Gull. It was standing on a rock further down river. There are a few rocks on the U.S. side of the river, near the wall of the U.S. power generating station, that should be scanned when standing at the Adam Beck overlook. Jean Iron found a gull sitting on the water near this rocky point that she suspected was a Thayer's Gull. The brown streaking on the head and neck was extensive (also found on Herring Gulls),but it was the dark eye that confirmed our next FOY (#212).

The next stop for the group was the Whirlpool. Prior to the day of the trip, I was afraid we would not have time to continue on. Jean's mum had purchased tickets to a matinee performance of The Nutcracker at Brock University. I thought we would be birding at Adam Beck until 10:00 am, leaving little time for the Whirlpool, but due to the fact we started earlier in the morning and the group spotted the birds we wanted to see, we were done at Adam Beck shortly after 9:00 am. There was time for another shot at spotting the Black-legged Kittiwake.

The viewing platform at the Spanish Aero Car was 2 to 3 birders deep. Even a tall birder would have had trouble spotting a gull at the bottom of the Niagara Gorge from behind this wall of birders. Though they were viewing the kittiwake quite easily from the platform, it was difficult to get on the gull when standing away from the ledge.

Patience was required and when a spot opened up for both Jean and I, we squeezed in and started scanning the Bonaparte's Gulls flying above the Class 6 rapids.

This time, we got on the first winter Black-legged Kittiwake, lifer #312 (FOY #213) without a hitch.

The group moved on with trip leaders Jean Iron and Ron Tozer in search of a Slaty-backed Gull at the control gates above the Falls. Jean Iron captured images of the rare visitor (that was spotted by Kevin McLaughlin) the day before the trip.

We observed the kittiwake a little longer before heading back to Queenston Heights for a try at spotting some Black Vultures. While at Adam Beck, Jean Iron received a call from Willie D'Anna confirming the presence of Black Vultures over Lewiston, N.Y. so the tick was possible.

With General Brock's statue pointing in the right direction, we looked for another FOY species from two locations across from Queenston Heights.

Though we had the assistance of John Black and Kevin McLaughlin, the Black Vultures were nowhere in sight. A Red-tailed Hawk was the only raptor to drift by the spot that was new to all of us.

In the afternoon, while OFO birders were rejoicing their views of Harlequin Ducks; a very distant Slaty-backed Gull (possible sighting); and yes, of course, our nemesis bird (Purple Sandpiper), I watched my first live performance of The Nutcracker. It was a Canadian-inspired Nutcracker. The ballet was connected to the director's favourite pastimes, canoeing in Algonquin Park.

Algonquin Park? Hmmm. We' re on vacation this week. There may be some time spent birding the upper Niagara and after some inspiration from the Group of Seven painting backdrops used in the ballet, a planned visit to Algonquin Provincial Park seemed all the more reasonable. This birding year is turning out to be better than I thought it would be. And the year is not over yet!

It's Not Always Going to Be Black and White

Another weekend of exciting birds in Niagara. Many birders were out and about at several spots along the Niagara River. At Queens Royal Park in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), the Razorbill continued to be observed, jaegers were spotted, Black Vultures were soaring above the Niagara Gorge and an excellent variety of gulls were observed at Adam Beck and the Whirlpool. With the Razorbill and Franklin's Gull safely ticked, it was time for Jean and I to observe a Black Vulture. But first, we had to make a stop at small pond in rural NOTL. 

On Friday, my friend Dave posted on ontbirds that there was an American White Pelican at Jack Custers Bird Sanctuary. Up until Dave's post, I had no idea there was such a place.  

Jean and I arrived late Saturday morning and we discovered fellow Niagara birders, Paula and Kathy had the same idea (this appears to happen quite frequently whether we are in Niagara or beyond). The pond is on the small side, but the juvenile American White Pelican did not seem to mind.  I set up our scope and Jean started capturing images with her Nikon Coolpix.

Jean contacted her dad and we continued to view the pelican until my father-in-law and his partner Ruth returned to St. Kitts to continue their weekend chores. I having set my chores aside (yet again), moved on to Queenston with hopes of ticking #210 for the year. I thought our best chances would be to look from atop the gorge at the Locust Grove picnic area in Queenston. Each vulture we examined, as they soared over the Niagara River and the town of Lewiston, N.Y., had a red head. They were all Turkey Vultures. Dip #1 for the day.

The next stop for Jean and I was at the Adam Beck overlook where we found  "Burg Birder" Blake scanning the gulls on the river. He had seen Franklin's , Lesser Black-backed and Thayer's Gull but during our time there all we found was one adult Iceland, a species already on the year list.

Blake informed us that he had observed a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake at the Whirlpool earlier in the day. Well, since it was worth a shot, we travelled up river for the possibility of observing a lifer bird. We've stood at the look out of the Spanish Aero Car many times in search of a Little Gull. Spotting a kittiwake amongst the hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls would not be easy. Juvenile Bonaparte's and Black-legged Kittiwakes are similar in appearance. What we needed to note was a bolder "M" across the back and a black line across the nape of the neck. We spotted a juvenile gull flying but it was a quick look and neither of us viewed the black collar. Another attempt was offered once we were informed the kittiwake had landed on the waters of the Whirlpool. Unfortunately, it was in the midst of a few hundred Bonaparte's. I used the scope to look for the cliff-nesting gull, but could not find it. Dip #2 for the day.

Sitting one species better than last year's Ontario list, I spent Sunday running errands. The constant light rain was also a deterrent, but I was content with just the American White Pelican tick. As of Monday, the extremely rare visitor to Niagara was still on the small pond in NOTL and it was the subject in the local news section of today's St. Catharines Standard. I'm hoping it sticks around for another few days, then it can be ticked again for another list, the 2011/2012 Winter List.

If only Black Vultures and Black-legged Kittiwakes were as cooperative as White Pelicans.

Bird-A-Day Challenge: River Birding

It was the last full week of January and I found myself still chasing after a bird for the Bird-A-Day challenge. I started the week searching the rural roads of west St. Catharines after work and ticked American Kestrel. After spotting three of the small falcons in my travels, I took it as a sign that this was the bird for Monday January 24. The next day, my search stretched even further and included areas of North Pelham. It was looking hopeless but I finally settled on a Northern Cardinal observed at a feeder.

On Wednesday, I used a different mode of transportation, one that was beneficial to my health and in finding a bird, I walked home. I was confident that I would spot an "OK" bird while walking through the residential neighbourhood east of Twelve Mile Creek. Before crossing the creek I thought I may find something better than "OK", walking along a short section of the Merritt Trail. An earlier tick on the list (Pine Siskin) was observed further down stream while on the trail.

As the sunlight faded, I observed Mallards, American Black Duck and a Mute Swan. It was looking like this day would be the swan but as I started heading back to the less travelled bridge on Welland Vale Road, I heard the cry of a Belted Kingfisher. Though I could not see the bird, I clearly heard it's loud rattling call. It's still an allowable tick if a bird is heard but not seen. Crossing the Welland Vale Road bridge flushed the kingfisher and I was able to observe the bird with my binoculars as it sat on a branch on the west side of the creek. I was glad I opted to cross Twelve Mile Creek using the Welland Vale bridge rather than the very busy Fourth Avenue bridge.

The next morning, I spotted a flock of American Robins flying over our yard. Although they can be found in rural areas at this time of year, robins are rarely seen in the neighbourhood until the spring.

After a frustrating change to our schedule on Thursday, Jean and I visited Short Hills Provincial Park on the Friday.

Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-bellied Woodpecker were soon found near the Roland Road entrance to the provincial park and a Hairy Woodpecker was spotted near Swayze Falls but I decided to use a member of the Emberizid family for the challenge. A White-throated Sparrow.

Another weekend allowed for a diligent effort for the next two ticks. Both were found on the Niagara River.

On Saturday January 29, Jean and I explored the lower Niagara. Our first stop was at Queens Royal Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

A few waterfowl to choose from but the best find in NOTL was a mammal.

I was hoping to find the Glaucous Gull we observed during the Duck Count but Jean spotted a beaver feeding on branches underneath a walkway of the NOTL Yacht Club.

A few more Common Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Merganser at a spot with access to the river.

Travelling further up river, we ended our day at Adam Beck and the Whirlpool. Jean spotted the bird I was looking for earlier in the day. It was a first-winter Glaucous Gull flying over the fast flowing water at Adam Beck. Though it was all buffy-white, the lack of other gulls made it easier for me to pick out the large Glaucous after Jean called it.

On Sunday, we birded the upper Niagara from Fort Erie to Chippawa. Hundreds and hundreds of Greater Scaup and Bufflehead were observed south of the Peace Bridge. Dozens of Redhead and Common Goldeneye were also seen.

Near the International Railway Bridge, we had our first observation of what I thought would be the bird of the day, Tundra Swan (30+). We had some excitement as we were about to leave for our next stop along the Niagara. As we approached our car, Jean observed a Mallard land in a yard on the other side of the Niagara Parkway. This was odd. Not too long after that, the female Mallard was flying back, calling loudly with a Red-tailed Hawk in hot pursuit of its prey. The two birds were oblivious to our presence and flew directly behind our car as we stood and watched the spectacle. Luckily for the Mallard, it reached the river and the Red-tailed Hawk abruptly ended its chase only to be mobbed by 3 American Crows as the frightened Mallard continued its flight across the river.

Continuing our Sunday drive along the Niagara Parkway, we observed a variety of waterfowl and a sight that sent shivers down my spine.

The large number of Tundra Swans, usually found at Miller's Marina, were absent. The winter ice extended further out into the river, preventing the swans from feeding in the sheltered shallows of the river bend. On the north side of the marina, once again Jean spotted my bird of the day. Three Ring-necked Ducks were huddled amongst the many Canada Geese and Common Mergansers.

A couple more stops before we reached Chippawa but there was nothing as good as the Ring-necked Ducks. The Tundra Swan can wait for a future weekend tick as long as I survive another work week.

Red Morph Surprise

On Sunday November 28, Jean and I were present for the annual Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) Niagara River Gull Watch, a trip we have attended since 2007. During previous OFO gull watches we have walked through knee deep snow, endured bone chilling winds and enjoyed the warmth of a late November sun. This year there were no worries of snow plows delaying Jean and I as we drove along the 405 and though the temperature was cooler than last year, standing at the Adam Beck overlook was bearable. Our only setback, no digital camera to capture images every time we added a species to the year list. I'm not the first blogger to forget a camera and I will not be the last so you will have to take my word for it when I tell of the surprise bird found at the Whirlpool. An even bigger surprise, it was not a gull.




Jean and I arrived at Adam Beck shortly after 8:00 AM. It is best to arrive early to obtain a prime viewing spot at the overlook. Arriving closer to the start time of 9:00 AM will limit your choices for the best gull viewing.

Trip leaders this year included Algonquin birder Ron Tozer and New York State birders, Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter. Jean Iron was leading a tour in French Polynesia so Willie and Betsy willingly accepted to co-lead this year's trip with Ron. Ron was his usual witty self, jesting that he was there for the logistics of the trip. Willie and Betsy would identify the gulls.

View of the Niagara River and the Robert Moses hydroelectric generating station from the Adam Beck overlook, November 29, 2009.

As usual at this time of year, hundreds of Herring Gulls were flying above the Niagara River. Finding another species with similar field markings would not be easy. It was still early and there was plenty of elbow room. Jean and I observed the smaller Bonaparte's Gulls flying up river. Some heading for the Whirlpool while others would continue on to the rapids above the Falls. A lone adult Great Black-backed Gull stood on the concrete wall. A perch he would return to a number of times during the two hours we stood at the overlook. Jean started looking for gulls lacking black wing tips. Patience paid off and she found an Iceland Gull standing with the Herring Gulls by the edge of the river.

As we continued to scan the Herring Gulls for our target species, more birders arrived. To my right, a fellow that drove to Kincardine to observe a recently reported Painted Bunting and next to him Willie D'Anna.

At the official start of the trip, Ron announced the day's itinerary and then introduced John Black and Kayo Roy. The co-editors of Niagara Birds were selling copies of their book. Is there anyone that does not have a copy of this fabulous text yet?

Betsy spotted an adult California Gull in the air and then described its flight path so all could find the bird as it flew around the area in front of the Robert Moses hydroelectric generating station. Last year, we observed a juvenile California Gull (lifer #290) The adult California Gull was #202 for the year list. Our next target species was also found flying above the Niagara River. This time, Willie described the flight path of #203 for the year, a juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Our last gull species observed at the overlook was a Thayer's Gull (1 juvenile and 1 adult). Jean and I ticked this species earlier this year during the Duck Count.

My wife and I left the overlook for a Tim Horton's run and managed to reach the next stop before the majority of the group despite being delayed by a slow moving vehicle. Unlike the two cars in front, I chose not to pass on a double yellow line. Sitting directly behind the vehicle I could see that it was a brand new Hyundai. In the rear window, printed in scrawl on a piece of paper, "NEW". Was it referring to the driving skills of the driver or the car? Based on what Jean and I observed, I would say it was both. Luckily, I did not have to follow the car to my destination.

Returning to the Niagara Parkway, we entered the parking area for the Spanish Aero Car at the Whirlpool, unaware we passed the surprise bird of the day.

As we waited for the OFO group to arrive, we observed a Common Loon in the Whirlpool. As a group, we scanned the Bonaparte's Gulls for Little Gull. Searching for the distinguishing black underneath of the wings can take a fair amount of time. While there are hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls at this section of the Niagara River, there are usually only 1 to 2 Little Gulls. On this trip, there were 2. Though Betsy was to my right and calling out the gull's flight path, I could not get on it. Jean spotted a Little Gull for a short period of time but I still could not get one in my field of view. No worries. We both observed 3 during a fly by on the BOS April count.

Our next stop was the feeders in Chippawa. Some of the group chose to bird the river above the Falls with Willie and Betsy while the rest followed Ron to Chippawa. Jean and I arrived at the feeders early. The rest of the group were having lunch at, you guessed it, Tim Horton's. With two other OFO members we spotted a Pine Siskin at one of the feeders. This species would not be seen again when Ron and those interested in viewing Tufted Titmouse arrived. Other birds observed here included Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, House Finch, White-breasted Nuthatch and of course the star of Chippawa, Tufted Titmouse (2).

It was not until later that evening that I realized we had a second surprise of the day. Don't worry, the first will soon be revealed. I thought that Pine Siskin was ticked earlier in the year but upon completing my entries on eBird Canada, I discovered it was #204 for 2010.

#205 was the surprise at the Whirlpool. At the feeders, Ron announced that Betsy had discovered a red morph Eastern Screech Owl in a tree back at the Whirlpool. A number of birders left before she spied the owl sitting in a Red Cedar near the parking area for the Spanish Aerocar. Screech Owl! A few of us returned to the Whirlpool to view the elusive species. Returning to the Whirlpool, time seemed to stand still. I am so glad there were no vehicles with "NEW" stuck to the rear window blocking our way this time.

Even though Ron described the tree that the owl was roosting in, it was not easy to spot the bird. That was some damn good spotting by Betsy. Jean was first to pick out the owl sitting on a branch at eye level. It was snuggled up against the trunk of the cedar but we still had a full view of the owl as it stared back at us with one eye opened. Our lifer (#251), a gray morph, was tucked into a knot hole of a tree. From the comments that were made, including Ron's and Kayo's, the red morph was a treat. "I can't remember the last time I saw one." I haven't seen one of those in years." A rare treat indeed.

Exhibit A. We returned Monday with a glimmer of hope for a screech owl photo op. The tourists must have thought us mad when we were searching the trees for the red morph.

After lunch, Jean and I rejoined the OFO group near the engineerium above the Horseshoe Falls. No new gull species. With the trip concluded and my target gulls added to the year list, Jean and I travelled to Fort Erie to search for a reported Cackling Goose.

At Baker's Creek, we observed 75 Tundra Swan. Come winter, many waterfowl can be found on the Niagara River.

Reaching Fort Erie, we scanned a few groups of Canada Geese for the smaller Branta hutchinsii. We found the Cackling Goose, #206 for the year, near the Peace Bridge. Though it resembles a Canada Goose, this species is smaller with a rounder head and stubbier bill. Easy to pick out of a flock of Canada Geese as long as it is not blocked from view by one or more of the larger Branta canadensis. I missed the Cackling Goose the first time we slowly drove by the flock.

I could not have asked for a better day of birding. Thayer's and California Gull observed as well as a successful search for the reported Cackling Goose. Adding Pine Siskin and the bird of the day, the Eastern Screech Owl, to the year list was fulfilling. If the year was to end now, I would be happy with 206 species for 2010 but I certainly would not mind adding a Brant or Red-throated Loon before year end. 210 in 2010 has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?