Quidi Vidi Lake - 2017-01-12 - Grebe, Coot, Wigeons, Tufted, Scaup, gulls

[Frank KING]

The lake was sunny in the morning and into the early afternoon. Most of the lake was covered in ice which made the photographing and observing of birds near ideal as the birds were close to shore.

The Kelp Gull looks like it must have gone elsewhere. It was last seen on Dec 25th ( Dan Cutler's photo on the 27th turned out to be a Great Black-backed Gull) and it is now more than 2 weeks later. There have been many thousands of gulls at the lake and a very large number of observers looking for that elusive gull. There has been a lot of learning about gulls on my part, thanks to the enthusiastic birders who have taken the time to share their expertise.

Highlights at the lake that have continued for several weeks include:
Tufted Duck Greater Scaup
American Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon
Pied-billed Grebe American Coot
Northern Pintail Bald Eagle
Lesser Black-backed Gull Ring-billed Gull

Intermittent sightings
Peregrine Falcon Northern Goshawk
Mew Gull Kelp Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Northern Shoveler Wood Duck
Ring-necked Duck Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaup Hybrid (reported today by Alvan)

Who knows what other sightings there will be. The winter has just begun.

Here are a few photos on Flickr for your enjoyment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126304632@N05/sets/72157677375305321/with/32155166781/

[Geoff Smith]

Hi, Frank...

Just wondering where, specifically, you may have been seeing the peregrine falcon, of late. I was looking for it at QVL several times, this week, with no luck.

Thanks in advance.

[thefunkys...@gmail.com]

Mostly the clue to finding the Peregrine is just patience,the first prey he is going to take off after is the pigeons.When they take to the skies in huge numbers this is a sign,if you see them accelerate to a high speed of flight usually just above them or coming in from a distance is the killer Peregrine.He only has a small period of time to capture so the occurrence may be very quick because he has speed and power but what he lacks which pigeons do not is endurance.Usually if this bird fails to capture a pigeon he'll boogie off to the dump and pick off a starling easily!

[Geoff Smith]

Thanks, Funky...

I guess we were really spoiled by the one that used to perch on the same branch across from the CNIB, every morning, a few winters ago.

[Frank KING]

Geoff,

The Peregrine was seen a few weeks ago at the west end of Quidi Vidi Lake. As the previous post suggests, watch for the pigeons when they flush. Look closely for the Peregrine chasing the pigeons. It moves very fast and easy to miss it.

[Frank KING]

Lots of gulls on the lake this afternoon. The usual finds.

The female Ring-necked Duck was there for the second day in a row, along with the male Ring-necked Duck x Lesser Scaup Hybrid. They were swimming and resting near each other and hanging out in the large flock of Tufted Ducks. Good views from just in front of the boat house.

The Wigeon numbers increased over yesterday and now total 16. There were 4 Eurasian and 12 American.

Numbers and photos on eBird
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist/S33641925