[Ontbirds]Franklin's or Laughing Gull - Port Dover Harbour

[Doug Timpf]

Hi Birders,

This evening right before dusk I had either a Franklin's or Laughing Gull at the Port Dover Harbour. Unfortunately, a very heavy snow squall made viewing conditions too difficult to positively ID this bird before I ran out of daylight. The bird was actively flying and feeding around the Tug Boats and up the river towards the lift bridge. There were several hundred other gulls present, including a few hundred Bonaparte's and several Ring-bill and Herring's.

Besides the gulls, several hundred common duck species were also taking shelter near the shore. There were 2 Double-crested Cormorants feeding in between the piers.

With the poor weather conditions, it is likely the bird will be around tomorrow if anyone is interested in hunting it down.

Port Dover can be reached by following Highway 6 south (going through Hagersville & Jarvis), or from Brantford via Highway 24 south, turning left onto Highway 6 south of Simcoe.

Good birding,

Matt Timpf
Port Dover, Ontario