Hey all
"Happy New years"
We just made it home from the Niagara Region. (with a nasty cold brewing)
We started out a bit late on Sunday made a pit stop at the Queenston monument for a quick sandwich.
We then followed the Niagara pwky South. Stopped at the little rest stop Just South of the Power station
and had a look. Only one scope on station at around 1:30 pm (estimate). Showed the kids the Gorge and
the station. Boy! was it windy and Cold. Continued on to the falls to see where the concert was going to
be that night. After the falls I spotted 10 to 15 Scopes on station near the breakwall. I parked and got out
with my bino's. Immediately, I felt intimidated by these massive scopes and people in parkas pouring over
them. I politely introduced myself and asked one of the guys about the gulls, types etc..
A Greater Black Backed Gull was quite evident directly in front of this location frolicking in the channel.
He described the types pointed his scope at the Greater Black backed and said have a look. He also
pointed out a lesser Blackbacked gull for me and allowed me to look. I found out before leaving that his
name was Willie D'anna. He also pointed out a lady name Jean Iron who has many pictures posted on the
OFO site. Very happy, impressed, gracious and freezing I said a quick thank you and drove south to Fort
Erie.
Further on I spotted a Hooded Merganser at the Water inlet to the Welland river, a Belted Kingfisher
and many Buffleheads south towards Fort Erie. I spotted and imaged what I think is a (Great Black Back
Gull 3rd winter) South of Black creek on a rock. please correct me if I'm wrong.
Today in Port Colborne
At Gravelly Bay I spotted
20 plus American Coots (behind the hospital)
10 Common Mergansers (federal grain storage facility)
4 Swans on shore (too far even with binos) behind the hospital
1 Greater black Back Gull at Schoefields marina(old name)
1000's of gulls on the break wall( too far to see and no access without a boat)
many buffleads and Mallards and Canada Geese.
Sunday it was empty.
Napper
)
P.s. Got soaked waiting for fireworks at 9:00 pm at the falls that never happened, too wet, went to
parents house and watched in on TV
