By Christine A. Smyczynski
This article, the 6th in a series of 17 that focus on the 518 mile long Seaway Trail, focuses on the Niagara River Corridor. Since 1996 the Niagara River Corridor from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario has been known as a Globally Significant Important Bird Area.
The reason why it is so important is that it has the largest and most diverse concentration of gulls in the world. Nineteen different species of gulls have been spotted in this region. During November, over 100,000 migrating gulls travel through this region. Since the river doesn’t freeze because of the swift current, courtesy of Niagara Falls, it is an important feeding area for the gulls, who feed on the small fish found in the river.
It has been estimated that 50,000 to 75,000 of the gulls migrating through here are Bonaparte’s Gulls. Other gulls include some rare species like Sabine and Franklin Gulls. Bird watchers will also find geese, ducks, and swans in this area.
Some spots that you might want to check out include Fort Niagara State Park, where the Niagara River and Lake Ontario meet, for both scenic beauty and bird watching. The historic old fort located here is the oldest building in the Great Lakes region.
Several other state parks and attractions in this region include Artpark State Park, which combines nature and the arts, Whirlpool State Park and Goat Island in Niagara Falls, Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island and the waterfront in the City of Buffalo and, of course, the aptly named Bird Island Pier.