Birds on the Niagara Outdoor Birding and Hiking Tours in the U.S.

Friday 2/11/2022 - REGISTRATION FOR FRIDAY PROGRAMMING HAS ENDED

• U.S.  8:00 AM to 10:00 AM – ArtPark Lower Gorge Trail – with Claudia Rosen of Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper

Moderate 2 Hour Hike, approximately 1 mile. Meet at Lower Trail Parking Lot

The Niagara River and its shorelines provide a haven for an incredible diversity of bird life. In the winter, up to 19 species of gulls and over 30 species of waterfowl can be found utilizing the River. We will hike along the Lower Gorge Trail at Art Park State Park to observe and enjoy the winter abundance birds! We'll talk about the River's significance for birds, and the steps we can all take to be stewards for our waterways in Western New York and beyond. Dress for the weather and potentially uneven terrain along the trail. Beginner birders are welcome! A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow.  

• U.S.  8:30 AM to 10:00 AM – Three Sisters Islands – with Tom Kerr of Buffalo Audubon

Easy 90 minute Hike, approximately 0.25 miles. Meet at Goat Island Lot #3.

The rapids above Niagara Falls that separate the United States and Canada is one of the best places in North America to see Gulls.  Seven gull species can be seen on any given day in the winter, with more rarities possible.  We can see several duck species as well, including locally rare Harlequin Ducks.  Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• CANADA  9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Photography Workshop Walk - with Larry Mathewson

Meet at parking area (cost for parking) just before leaving the Dufferin Islands area. (2 large rocks and bridge). We will review attendee gear and answer any questions.

The group will begin with asking questions to Larry and discussing what participants may hope to get out of the activity. The group will walk through the small Dufferin islands pathways with a view to capturing usable images for the competition.

• U.S.  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Buckhorn Island State Park with Matt Nusstein of New York State Parks

Moderate 2 Hour Hike, approximately 2.5 miles - Meet at the woods creek parking area.

Buckhorn Island State Park is an 895 acre nature preserve, encompassing one of the last major marshlands bordering the Niagara River. The park is also classified as a state Bird Conservation Area. We will be birding along a trail that parallels the Niagara River to enjoy the vast concentration of waterfowl present during the winter.

• U.S.  10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Goat Island – with Angelina Weibel of New York State Parks

Easy 90 minute hike, approximately 1 mile.  Meet at Goat Island Lot #1.

Enjoy the diverse bird life of our region and see the world’s most famous waterfall up close on a guided tour of Niagara Falls with New York State Parks staff.  Tour the Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Falls, and the American Falls in this world famous state park designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted.

• U.S.  1:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Fort Niagara State Park –with Tom Kerr of Buffalo Audubon

Easy 2 hour hike, approximately 1 mile. Meet at Swimming Pool Parking Lot.

Search for diving ducks, Grebes, and Loons from the shores of Lake Ontario.  Fort Niagara is one of the first places nomadic winter finches, Snow Buntings, and other winter rarities enter the United States. Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• SOLD OUT! U.S.  4:00 PM to 5:30 PM – Buffalo Harbor State Park – with Claudia Rosen of Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper

Easy 90 minute walk, approximately .25 miles.  

Traveling from its breeding grounds in the arctic tundra, the Snowy Owl is an occasional visitor to Western New York. If a birder is lucky, they may spot one of these amazing creatures in the winter months along shorelines or in open areas like fields or an airport. Join us for a walk along the promenade at Buffalo Harbor State Park as we enjoy the birds that frequent the Harbor including ducks, gulls, and (hopefully) a Snowy Owl! Dress for the weather and cold and windy conditions. Beginner birders and families are welcome! A limited number of binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to borrow. 

 

Saturday 2/12/2022 - REGISTRATION WILL END AT MIDNIGHT 2/11/22

• U.S.  8:00 AM to 10:00 AM – Devil’s Hole State Park – with Tom Kerr of Buffalo Audubon

Moderately difficult 2 hour hike with close to 400 stairs, approximately 1 mile. Meet at the Parking lot off of the Niagara Scenic Parkway.  

Descend the 380 stairs into Devil’s Hole for your reward of close up views of all three subspecies of Iceland Gulls and more on the roosting rocks upstream from the Robert Moses Power Plant.  Singing Carolina Wrens will cheer you on as you search the flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls for Kittiwakes and other rarities.  Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• U.S.  8:30 AM to 10:00 AM – Three Sisters Islands – With Mike Morgante of Buffalo Ornithological Society

Easy 90 minute Hike, approximately 0.25 miles. Meet at Goat Island Lot #3.

The rapids above Niagara Falls that separate the United States and Canada is one of the best places in North America to see Gulls.  Seven gull species can be seen on any given day in the winter, with more rarities possible.  We can see several duck species as well, including locally rare Harlequin Ducks.  Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• CANADA  9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Photography Workshop Walk - with Larry Mathewson

Meet at parking area (cost for parking) just before leaving the Dufferin Islands area. (2 large rocks and bridge). We will review attendee gear and answer any questions.

The group will begin with asking questions to Larry and discussing what participants may hope to get out of the activity. The group will walk through the small Dufferin islands pathways with a view to capturing usable images for the competition.

• CANADA  9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Walk with Marcie Jacklin and Lynne Freeman at Nelson’s Park 

1 Nelson Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake 

We will be exploring the north end of the river. We should be able to see Long-tailed Ducks, White-winged Scoters and several species of gulls. Please dress warmly and bring binoculars.

• U.S.  10:30 AM to 12:00 PM – Goat Island – with Joel Strong of Buffalo Ornithological Society

Easy 90 minute hike, approximately 1 mile.  Meet at Goat Island Lot #1.

Tour Goat Island in search of Ducks, Gulls, and songbirds that call Niagara Falls their winter home. Tour the Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Falls, and the American Falls in this world famous state park designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted.  Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• CANADA - 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Walk with Marcie Jacklin and Lynne Freeman at the Upper Falls

Meet at Kingsbridge Park, 7870 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls. Most likely, you will have to pay for parking.

We will be exploring the Niagara River to the south of Niagara Falls. Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, several species of mergansers and with luck some surprises. Please dress warmly and bring binoculars. There are no facilities along this route so be prepared! 

• U.S.  1:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Let’s Go Birding Together! – with Joe Fell of Buffalo Ornithological Society

Moderately Easy 2 hour hike in the Village of Lewiston.  Meet at Lewiston Landing Park

Join us for an inclusive birding tour in search of Little Gulls and Black Vultures in the Village of Lewiston.  A small population of Black Vultures has taken up residence in Niagara County alongside their more common Turkey Vulture cousins.  We’ll also look for one of the Niagara River’s most special birds, the aptly named Little Gull. – Let’s Go Birding Together walks are for everyone who loves birds and the outdoors. We welcome those who identify as LGBTQIA++, allies, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy an outdoor experience that is inclusive.

• U.S.  2:00 PM to 3:30 PM – Stone Chimney and Upper Rapids – with Marcus Rosten of the Aquarium of Niagara

 Easy 90 minute hike, approximately 1 mile.  Meet at Stone Chimney Parking Lot

Hike along the upper rapids of Niagara Falls and enjoy the Ducks and Gulls looking for protected water near the Stone Chimney historical site.  Snowy Owls can be seen occasionally on the Control Gate Island on the Canadian Side.  Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow.

• SOLD OUT! U.S.  4:00 PM to 5:30 PM – Buffalo Harbor State Park – with the Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo

Easy 90 minute hike, approximately 0.25 miles.  

Join us for an inclusive sunset walk along the Buffalo Outer Harbor in search of Snowy Owls that spend their winter along the frozen shores of Lake Erie.  Lear about why these owls travel here in the winter and the challenges they face before they head back home to the Arctic Circle in the spring. Beginners are welcome, a spotting scope will be provided as well as binoculars to borrow. Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo leads fun no-pressure bird-watching walks for all gender identities and skill levels. 

• SOLD OUT! U.S.  6:00 PM to 7:30 PM – Buckhorn Island State Park – with Tom Kerr of Buffalo Audubon

Moderately Easy 90 minute hike, approximately 0.5 miles.  

Join us for a nocturnal owl prowl hike in search of Eastern Screech-owls and Great Horned Owls that live in one of the biggest forested areas on the Niagara River.  Owls, especially Screech-owls, can be very difficult to find during the day, but are easily found at night with a few tricks.  Beginners are welcome.  Ages 8 and up.  

Sunday 2/13/2022 - REGISTRATION WILL END AT MIDNIGHT 2/12/22

• CANADA  9:30 AM to 11:00 AM - Walk with Bob and Jean at Brown's Point

This walk will be a 1.5km loop with views of the Niagara River and a walk through the woods. Parking lot on river side between 15248 Niagara Parkway and Tregunno Fruit Farms (Not the small Brown's Point parking lot).

Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson are on the Executive of the Peninsula Field Naturalists, a nature club based in St. Catharines. Bob and Jean are also Caretakers of the Niagara River Corridor Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. They have been birding in the Niagara area for over 15 years.

• CANADA  1:00 PM to 2:30 PM - Walk with Matt Iles at various Queenston locations

A short, snowy walk at Locust Grove Park, with overlooks of the river, gulls and raptors.  Following this we will convoy to the Queenston Docks to get a closer look at wintering ducks and gulls, in one of the richest areas for gull activity on the whole river. Notes: If you have a scope it might be useful. There is also so much snow at Locust Grove right now, that it would not be ridiculous to bring snow-shoes! 

Meeting point/Parking: we will meet at the Locust Grove picnic area:[43.157790,-79.049130]
(https://maps.app.goo.gl/tkbbPjUaJUmQGxmz6).  The entrance might be snowy, and is close to a busy roundabout, so exercise caution making your turn. 

Matthew has been working as a biologist for over 14 years, and for the last 10 has been birding and working in ornithology in southern Ontario.  Having worked at several bird observatories in the province, including over three years at the Long Point Bird Observatory, Matthew now resides in Guelph where he mentors kids at an outdoor school, leads birding workshops in the community, and runs an ornithological consulting side-hustle.  He has led walks, expeditions and workshops for everyone from beginner to advanced birders, and is working hard to help make birding accessible and inviting to everyone.