I have been out to the Niagara River twice in the past month for some birding. During these trips I saw many of the usual gull targets and a few rarities!
During my first trip in early December I had the pleasure of seeing two Razorbill at Niagara-on-the-Lake, unfortunately they were very far out, closer to the US side. This is an ocean going species that rarely shows up on the Great Lakes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXBQoSznWOEqtpNeYlgbV9HpwAf78TtbVh03jEeqUO7rnaRlpzTM65I4DRy1MkIkFmr9hNFxF1S-oaTG3eA-hVPMFdoxk5BVI9mEQUSMYBODrsvoteCQHpyVpewY7j007e4Rmc3mKmnWj6H4wAbW8uvNFDAFhSLxkkiusOtl5KIZnm-m0m86S4l07Htw=w640-h426) |
Razorbill! |
At the Queenston Boat docks Josh P and I had Little Gulls and great looks at Black Vultures!
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Little Gull (black underwings), Bonaparte's Gulls, and American fishers. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9OETJyNcg0sDVs4UBGYe4DaKgbATGLf4Iob2Z2P1aCRtJZ-VyJgq4DUZi4dC0ie2AzcGH7lDb-uribva5V5JlgoNJq9fv3U-IHgetM1tBuSweOOwmlNSqLMMpcbtohh5CsllY_UMWt6N3OQ1SiDGi5dd3A-4N5NF5a67-JAL3WGjRnZoAj84NiONp8A=w640-h426) |
Black Vulture |
I was down in the area for Christmas and went out on boxing day for some birding! I was excited to test out a new lens - the Fuji 70-300mm. It is a heck of a lot smaller and lighter than the 400mm and definitely holds its own. I think it is faster focusing and maybe a hair sharper.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI-iBBIBT9coqJE3qOpPlLagOPTyCZsSPiE8VmZq1nUnDHODYhSphD_zFW7GX41JY_IR9h6phv10xYpoDeVHMK-FncChYQSyL23xZHCDSNJgdBjPq25aO1ZMrQMd9F56gQuFuUtgEm3kSCcc6pVfrIB3ctm28LFkNSjl7rsSYMgmG-CCNEEXq_w-X0sg=w640-h426) |
Ring-billed Gull above the falls |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3sXHkf9zrteMgLAw-M4Rr2-DcY9A7D96i-le1J0C2c0wip00C1yZqHsAlIXgi8FntdfVXA6axMYTgpeAAFYoYjyTu6XnYFx6v_e7QPZYKZzXGMlqpSlTNQpo4OEiVz3z1ITU7oUOAIa4-oMvfbQuIU5VBhN7k_VMgxJ3SEpUusudSABC2C73CzymjSg=w640-h426) |
Iceland Gull at Adam Beck |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbdtq2kzDlPHt8UIuEghLAo4O1yo4Pmdl50SR7xs7OVLisJ-GV8Q2pc1oNM3HJZUL14AuUDV9sCgQscpkpfMvJp_BgAQr8LLdONgEOC8-GV1rwXwG21SavJub-nTJLp_Tm1zFoKjixbt7qux3Ai2QR4rkMM0W4-3RuwAETkce5jhFPog3UVdWG9wcbog=w640-h426) |
Lightly marked gull that I took for a Thayer's at first, but seems like it is just an odd Herring.
The highlight of this trip was definitely a near adult male King Eider (also at Niagara-on-the-Lake)! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpjJsrSdZ_7mF4XY6lw41BnTvv4-_LWgzv9CkdTGsXt6Vl7PGBrRT0Wb1y3KlRNjEgVpgFNoZm7DcrK1qQ5iMwDZ_st3GcezPo45Kly2pIaZmAi_tgvWjEEr3nSycRcsEZk-JqAABgQ7uz4thvdIS_xDPUp2bMw821pwx6gjWIZ-FThpIXvQnO0z5tlQ=w640-h426) |
King Eider (taken w 400mm) |
A Red-throated Loon was hanging out with this bird, and I was able to get both in a single shot!
A couple bonus shots from out and about the last little while around Fergus:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcnxLi4mSLK-MfsVhdZivsHVUKrnO_bzCZgPBpj5xUbetrUFooJpfFnUPuWWnUcOrf_jW6jhkq12ozdnqPUc-zFtKEol9eB-2DX3-hO6w79lPyrrHfRBhiPw1Xv1MRX_US40mdGYN0GBLVYJFrD_gtrdr-Oa5xAtxUHxvKFvt4GC6C4Ert1Lk_Ydv09g=w640-h426) |
Mallard drakes |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBEUmZ-rSPc7JfyCv0xKT91oiZJXgVSQ0he0yCGs5QrqpknE_Box_MztIXsXp737wVX09oLAMVvdgNFeCRsQIll0Ux6fyHkAwGDIQLgut3zuNLWKYlWSqCCAwXq619g8-vKZvWCiieUXxOZU4n1jgs2O4JbR3Cmu6r8ogXshftSnDGRjdhpWojq_DBwA=w640-h426) |
Golden-crowned Kinglet |