Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal
Leaders: Bob Highcock, Jean Hampson.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50
Niagara Gull Weekend: Explore Welland Canal
9:30am - 12:00pm
Explore one of Niagara's premier local hotspots with leaders from the Peninsula Field Naturalists. Good chances for late-migrant passerines and winter residents, gulls, and water birds.
Meeting Time and Location: Meet at 9:30am at the yellow gate at the end of Seaway Haulage Rd., Port Weller East, St. Catharines, Ontario. From Lakeshore Road, turn north onto Seaway Haulage Road. At Broadway, Seaway Haulage Road veers left and continues north to the yellow gate.
Public Transport: St. Catherine's public transport services the general area. However, transport via car is recommended for the Gull Weekend. Please, register for the OFO Discord Server if you would like to car pool, or contact fieldtrips@ofo.ca.
Contact: Call Bob Highcock at 905-327-5457 for more information.
Who can come: Trip is for OFO members. One birding guest is allowed where required. Maximum 50 participants.
What to bring: Winter clothing (it can be cold on the canal), water, sunscreen, and snacks. Please contact trip leader in advance if you require loaner binoculars or accommodations by sending email to: fieldtrips@ofo.ca.
Terrain and Pace: Flat terrain with wide, mostly level gravel path. Slow pace
Facilities: Restrooms not available on site. Please plan accordingly.
Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum agreement.
Parking: Parking is available in the parking lot
3:30 - 5:00pm - Experience the legendary fly-by
From 3.30 -5.00 pm several expert birders will be on-hand for the gull fly-by at the docks at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Expect to see thousands of gulls as they fly past the docks at Niagara-on-the-Lake to their evening roosts on Lake Erie. Good chance for rarities, including Little Gull.
December 7, 2025 (Sunday) Session 1 - Full
December 7, 2025 (Sunday): Niagara River Gull Watch (Session 2) - please Events listing for registration
Leaders: Gis Segler, William Konze.
Meet 9:00 a.m. at Dufferin Island (first parking lot on one way road)
Google pin for meeting location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/43%C2%B004'06.7%22N+79%C2%B004'24.0%22W/@43.0710582,-79.0763044,15.5z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x19f6844120d77fdb!7e2!8m2!3d43.0685148!4d-79.0733346
Search for birds above the falls before driving North along the Niagara River as far as Niagara-on-the -Lake.
Terrain: Flat.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, optional packed lunch, snacks, warm clothing, rain gear.
Facilities: Washrooms available en route.
Contact: Please contact trip leader by phone for questions about meeting location, or if you're late: Gis, 416.578.8321. If you require accommodations, loaner binoculars please send email to: fieldtrips@ofo.ca.
Transportation: Car transport is required for the weekend. Car pooling is strongly encouraged to reduce the number of cars and to allow those who do not have a car to attend. Please, register for the OFO Discord Server and post your car pooling request.
Niagara Parks Parking Pass: A Niagara Parks parking pass of $40 is strongly recommended for the weekend to avoid paying parking fees at each stopping place. The pass is good for one year from the date of purchase and can be purchased at https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/plan-your-visit/parking-pass/. It's best to purchase this in advance and ask for it to be mailed to your home.
