Birdnotes: {BIRD NOTES} ~ Nov. 16, 2013

Bird Notes

Connecticut River at Turner’s Falls

Recent sightings were Northern Shoveller, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, and a Lapland Longspur. A BONAPARTE'S GULL was seen with an ICELAND GULL at Turners Falls, MA.

---Western Mass. RBA

Pine Grosbeaks (11/15)

Arrived today, hanging out at the feeder area. Six of them, all had yellowish
head and nape.
---Martha Pfeiffer, Dorset, VT

ROSS’S GULL

Vic and I saw the Ross's Gull, a life bird for me, in Chambly, Quebec yesterday afternoon. It was initially found on Nov 9 with a flock of Bonaparte's Gulls on the water (Richlieu River) near Fort Chambly, and continued to be seen there either very early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Now it has been found during the day hanging out at the sewage lagoons in Chambly, not far from the fort. It is a beautiful little gull in winter plumage, with a lovely soft pink underside, dark gray under wings, small rounded head and black eyes, with only the slightest hint of the collar. The long wedge-shaped tail can easily be seen when it flies over the pond. At one point it appeared to be walking on the water! It is an easy day's trip from Brattleboro. The best directions in English are on the NARBA website, and don't forget your passport!

--Nori Howe, West Brattleboro, VT

Directions to Ross’s Gull

The best I can do is provide addresses for you folks:
Marina: 1777 Avenue Bourgogne, Chambly, QC J3L 1Y8, Canada Fort Chambly: 1937 Avenue Bourgogne, Chambly, QC J3L, Canada (just a short bit down the road from the Marina) Water purification Works: Follow the left path in the park located near 1756 Avenue de Gentilly, Chambly, QC J3L 6V9, Canada. The water pans are just behind that.
Good luck.
---Dave, Montreal

A Quebec Jewel

A message late yesterday from Rob Stone set in motion some quick planning and my son Curt and I headed off early this morning for Chambly, Quebec in hopes of seeing the #1 bird on my "Want-to-see List" - an adult ROSS'S GULL. On a cold, dreary day, having spent many hours with others scanning through big numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls, we feel bless to have seen the bird riding on the waters of the local lake. The bird was 50-70 yards away in very fading light but what joy it was. I encourage you to head north for this highly sought after gull and "bon chance", as the Quebecois kept repeating.

---Ken McDermott, Newburgh, NY