Here, at one of the natural wonders of the world, late fall is prime time for thousands of gulls to whirl and twirl amidst the open white-waters of the Niagara River Gorge. Iceland, Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed, and Little Gulls are sprinkled into the hordes of Ring-billed, Bonaparte’s, and Herring Gulls in a spectacle worthy of its own tour. Among rafts of Long-tailed Ducks, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Canvasbacks, and mergansers, we’ll scan for treats like King Eider, Harlequin Duck, and Barrow’s Goldeneye.

Day 1: Buffalo to Niagara Falls. After arrival in Buffalo we’ll take a short drive to Niagara Falls, our base for the next 5 nights. 

Day 2: Horseshoe Falls. The Overflow Control Gates provide our first chance to pick out Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous, and Iceland Gulls of all ages, and we’ll hope to score a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks. Horseshoe Falls, a giant among geographical features, provides an awesome backdrop for “gulling”. Later, we’ll venture to Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens where we might have a look at Northern Saw-whet Owl or Sharp-shinned Hawk hanging out in the cedars.

Day 3: Adam Beck. Today we’ll head north along the parkway to the Whirlpool rapids, and then set up shop at the Adam Beck overlook at the hydroelectric power plant. From this outstanding perch above the gorge, picking white-winged gulls out of the mix is often effortless. For the past ten years, at least one California Gull has frequented this locale, and we’ll be on the lookout for this rarity.

Day 4: Niagara-on-the-Lake. Another full day of gulls awaits us at the Lewiston-Queenston docks, where we hope to pick up Little Gull, and perhaps a Black-headed Gull. This is a prime spot for Long-tailed Duck, and the river’s wooded edges could reveal a Merlin teed up high on the bank. We’ll turn our sights north to Niagara-on-the-Lake to seek out scoters, goldeneye, Horned Grebes, and Red-throated Loons, and wait for the evening flyby of Bonaparte’s Gulls at the river mouth.

Day 5: Hamilton area. St. Catharine’s and Jordan Harbor Marina are hot locations for drifting rafts of scoters, scaup, and other divers. The stunning Harlequin Duck and King Eider are possible here, as is Barrow’s Goldeneye. A jump over to Brantford Airport should reveal Gray Partridge, and will also provide landbirding opportunities for countryside viewing of Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and Northern Shrike. With time, we may make a stop for owling.

Day 6: Wildcard Day. We’ll have the majority of the day available to return to a favored locale for gull or waterfowl study, or perhaps an opportunity to go after a rarity (you never know what might turn up). Ultimately, we’ll plan to work our way south along the Niagara Parkway toward Buffalo.

Day 7: Buffalo. The tour ends this morning after a farewell breakfast.