Peace Bridge

Discussion: This can be a particularly good place to stop since the Peace Bridge is near the source of the Niagara River (Lake Erie). Gulls that may otherwise congregate over Lake Erie may gather here. Sometimes strong SW winds blow gulls into this area. Start at the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie, Ontario . If starting in the USA, cross the Peace Bridge into Ontario, paying attention to the warnings mentioned above. After passing the Customs inspection checkpoint booth, turn right immediately (almost a U-turn around the customs building) to drive down Queen Street to get to the Niagara River (less than a 0.5 mile). A small public parking lot exists here. Stop and scan beneath the Peace Bridge. This site is opposite Squaw Island.

There are a few parking/fishing areas just as you drive north along the scenic route (Niagara River Parkway). There are several parking/fishing areas all along the scenic route. One such stop is Nichol's Marina where late terns might be found. The International Railroad Bridge is another location where small gulls gather. Gulls and terns may be seen from any of these spots, but primarily in the one mile stretch between Peace Bridge and the International Railroad Bridge.

Travel north along the Niagara River Parkway (about 15 mi or 25 km) until the first stop sign. Along the way, one can stop to view interesting birds, which may include Tundra Swans in the vicinity of Motor/Strawberry Islands at the southern end of Grand Island, and Bald Eagles at Navy Island at the northern end of Grand Island. At the first stop sign (which is in Chippewa, Ont.), turn right, cross over the bridge over Chippewa Creek and turn right immediately (back onto the Niagara River Parkway) at the stop light.

Flood Control Gates

Discussion: The control gates are the large obvious structure jutting into the river, about a mile or less above the falls. Two parking lots exist above the falls overlooking the flood control gates (one lot is just above and one is just below the control structures). Check the upriver side for waterfowl and downriver side for gulls and waterfowl. From here, one can look at the gulls perched on the concrete structures, or perched mid-river on the rocks, or flying about the rapids above the falls. Be sure to scan the waterfowl for rarities (such as Barrow's Goldeneye), and watch the skies for Peregrine Falcon. Kings Bridge Park is a half mile up river from the control gates.

Ontario Hydro building

Discussion: The rapids at the brink of the falls are prevalent at the barge and many large gulls can seen. The location immediately at the brink of the falls is referred to by many names, as simple as "above the falls" or other names such as the "barge" , the Ontario Hydro building (also known as the "engineerium" ), the greenhouse which is also known as the conservatory . (A note on all the name; decades ago, the barge broke loose from a pier in a storm and became grounded just above the falls where it has stayed ever since.) Be sure to scan the river on both sides of the Ontario Hydro building. Check for Purple Sandpipers (seen in Nov 2001) among the rocks above the barge. Red phalarope has been found just upriver from the building. A Snowy Owl (seen in Nov 2001) might be seen amongst the rocks.
Parking and restrooms: Two lots are here: one without a fee, one with a weekend fee. One small parking lot (no parking fee) is on the east side of the road (northbound lane) just north of the Ontario Hydro building. Another larger parking lot (parking fee only charged on weekends) is across the street from the Ontario Hydro building. Also across the street from the Ontario Hydro building is a greenhouse (also known as the conservatory). Noteworthy here is the restrooms that are available in the greenhouse. The greenhouse offers a break from the weather (which can become brutal in December), plus the bonus of having free-flying tropical birds in the greenhouses. It is like a touch of the tropics.

The "Falls"

Discussion: Downriver from the barge is the world-renowned set of falls (the American Falls and the spectacular Horseshoe Falls). It is hard to get good viewing conditions at the falls itself because the lighting is seldom optimal for viewing gulls and other birds. But, the stop is can be great for gulls and odd waterfowl; and at least, worth a look at the falls itself. This is sometimes called "the gorge". Gulls perch on the rocks and waters near the Maid of the Mist docks near the Canadian shoreline. Be sure to scan the river all the way down to the Rainbow bridge , as Franklin's Gull sometimes lingers down that far. Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, Barrow's Goldeneye, both phalaropes, and Pacific Loon have been seen below the falls.

Falls Parking Situation

After touring the mid-river area, continue traveling north along the Niagara River Parkway. The Rainbow bridge is a seldom-used international crossing that may be devoid of large lines of traffic. However, it is not always manned and open. I am not sure if the 11 Sep 2001 events have changed the availability of this bridge crossing. From the Rainbow bridge, travel 1.75 miles north to the Whirlpool area.

Whirlpool

Discussion: The Whirlpool can be viewed from the south and/or the north sides, and the better side is dependent upon the lighting (sun direction) and presence of gulls. (Often times, both sites are worth checking). Best viewing is from the overlook platforms of the cable car. A cable car (Spanish Aero Car) runs from one parking area on the south side over the whirlpool to the north side. Tickets for tourists (the cable car does not yield better birding views) can only be purchased at the south side. In recent years, Ross's, Black-legged Kittiwake (1999, 2000), Laughing Gull (1999), Black-headed (2001) have been found. Bonaparte's Gulls are prevalent here.

After viewing the Whirlpool area, continue traveling north along the Niagara River Parkway.

Ontario Hydro Access Road

Discussion: Despite the signs, birders have been told by Ontario Hydro that they are allowed to go down this road (as of 1999; not sure about subsequent years). This is just upriver from the power plants. The rocks are along the NY shore and always have gulls on them unless fishermen or hikers have scared them off. Nearly every year, California Gull is seen roosting on the rocks. These rocks are often in NY waters. These rocks might (?) be viewed from the parking area by the butterfly conservatory just north of the Ontario Hydro Access Road.
Directions: The Ontario Hydro Access Road is just north of the "Feather in the Glen" gift shop and across from the golf course, which is about one mile south of the Adam Beck overlook. Simply take the Ontario Hydro access road (dirt/gravel) down into the gorge to the small gravel parking area on your left. Look across the river onto the rocks from there.

Sir Adam Beck

Discussion: Sir Adam Beck (or "Beck" ) is the hydro station between the falls and Queenston. This is often the premier spot to be situated late in the day (due to lighting and due to the fact that the large gulls can easily be studied in flight). It has also been deemed the best place to look for California Gull , which likes to perch atop the Moses power plant across the river. Beck is a much easier location to get the white-wings (Thayer's, Iceland and Glaucous) than the falls. When you are at Beck, you actually look across the river at the American side at the Robert Moses Power Plant . There is a parking lot (the Adam Beck overlook) adjacent to the Sir Adam Beck on the south side of the Sir Adam Beck hydro station. If it is peak season, you will likely see other birders here.

Queenston, Ontario

Discussion: After viewing the Beck area, continue traveling north along the Niagara River Parkway. You will pass under the Lewiston/Queenston bridge (the sign reads "Bridge to USA"). After passing the big bend at the floral clock, you will see the Brock Monument (a granite figure on a very tall pillar). You will be driving straight towards it. At the intersection, turn right, keeping the river on your right. Continue north descend downhill. Near the bottom, you will pass an intersection. The road flattens out (you are now in Queenston). Pass Kent and Partition streets, but turn right on Dumfries Street. Take Dumfries to the end, which is Front St. Straight ahead is the dirt path (veering right/south) leading to the Queenston Boat Ramp. Take this road to the parking area at the end. Park and walk along the edge of the river up towards the hydro stations. Trees often obscure the view but viewing spots exist. Be careful of your footing if you choose to walk this route. You can not reach the hydro stations, but can get quite close. The round trip walk from the parking lot up and back is nearly a mile. You will be nearly at eye-level with many of the flying gulls. This is opposite the Artpark area near Lewiston.

Returning towards Front/Dumfries St, the road Y's, and a bumpy drive (a sign reads "Drive at your own risk") along the river provides a stopping point midway at a place called the "sandpile" or the sand docks . Further up is a vantage point looking right across at Lewiston, NY . One can look from the overlooks by the road adjacent to Brocks Monument. The river can also be viewed from docks in Lewiston. A recent quote by a birder, "this is the absolute best spot along the river to see Little Gulls." Black-legged Kittiwake (2001), Black-headed (2001), or Sabine's Gulls (2001) are the more regularly reported gulls.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Discussion: Just before dusk, one may head to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. (or Fort Niagara State Park in NY) to look at some of the outbound gulls and search for ducks (lots of Oldsquaw) at the mouth of the river. Western Grebe, jaegers, eiders, and alcids have been reported here over the years. From the Canadian side check the Fort Niagara for the possibility of Snowy Owl near the waterline.

Directions