[Ontbirds]OFO Gull Trip - Niagara River

[Jean Iron]

Dear Ontbirders,

The weather was much better and milder than expected for the 40 OFO 
members and friends who met this morning for the annual Niagara Gull 
trip. Viewing conditions were excellent. We saw 8 species of gulls: 
Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring, Thayer's, Iceland, Lesser 
Black-backed, Glaucous and Great Black-backed. Highlights were:

Adam Beck
1 adult Thayer's Gull
5 adult and one juvenile "Kumlien's" Iceland Gulls
2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Above the Falls from Toronto Hydro Building to Chippawa.
1 juvenile Glaucous Gull
5 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Feeders at Chippawa
1 Tufted Titmouse. The friendly homeowner on Thomas Street near Peter 
Street has 5 Tufted Titmice coming to his well-stocked feeders.
2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers
1 first winter White-crowned Sparrow.

Numbers of large gulls are high and there are thousands of 
Bonaparte's Gulls on the River. A large feeding frenzy off Chippawa 
suggests that emerald shiners (minnows) are plentiful.

We thank everyone who came from many parts of Ontario, including the 
Bruce Peninsula, Ottawa, London, Algonquin Park and Toronto.

Ron Tozer and Jean Iron
OFO Gull Trip Leaders
Ontario Field Ornithologists
http://www.ofo.ca/