Winter Wings Over Niagara offering accessible motor coach field trip Saturday
There is a little known fact by most of the population in Niagara, that is known by birders and naturalists all over the world.
On Dec. 11, 1996, the Niagara River became the first site on the planet to be designated a binational important bird area — for Canada and for the United States.
From November through January birders flock to the river’s edge from Niagara- on- the- Lake and 36 miles south to Fort Erie as waterbirds congregate in the open river water to overwinter or to rest and feed before continuing south. Along the river they are not subjected to the winter storms that sweep across the Great Lakes. This time of year there is an abundance of small fish species such as shiners, smelt, gizzard shad and alewives, many stunned from the falls, whirlpool and rapids so are easy prey.
The icing on the cake for some species are the pieces of large fish that have been blended and chopped in the Sir Adam Beck and the Robert Moses power plant turbines on both sides of the river, increasing their food supply even more.
To learn more and to see some of the stunning water birds, eagles and owls that can be seen in hotspots along the river, Carla Carlson, owner of Niagara Nature Tours, offers bus seats available for their accessible waterbird tour with a warm motor coach and a restaurant luncheon.
Jean Hampson and husband Bob Highcock, a dedicated birding duo, will be leading this annual tour.
“Of the 19 species recorded, the number of Bonaparte’s Gulls and Herring Gulls is considered globally significant,” Hampson said. “At the mouth of the river in Niagara- ontheLake, large floats of ducks can be observed and in the late afternoon, the number of Bonaparte’s Gulls flying by to rest on Lake Ontario for the evening is stunning. In the Fort Erie area, large floats of ducks can be found at hot spots we know of. Canvasbacks and Greater Scaup are numerous in this section of the Niagara River. In the Niagara Falls area, many gull species in great numbers can be observed between the Upper Falls and the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station.”
Carlson will be giving each person on the tour a copy of The Niagara River, An Important Bird Area book along with a pamphlet that explains where all the hotspots are along with information.
To book a seat for the Dec, 9 tour, call 905- 562- 3746 or 1- 888- 8898296 or info@ niagaranaturetours.ca www.niagaranaturetours.ca. Expert and novice are welcome and ages 12 to 20 years old will receive a discounted price. Call for accessibility information.