Registration begins at 7:30 p.m. on November 19, 2023, and ends at 1:00 p.m. on November 25, 2023.

The Niagara River area is famous for the variety and number of gulls in winter. Join us on our birding venture along the Niagara River in both the US and Canada (yes, Canada!). We will start at Lake Ontario and work our way south to the Falls. Our focus will be on waterfowl and gulls, including Bonaparte’s Gull and Little Gull, with possible late migrating Common Tern, with additional stops for Red-headed Woodpecker, Black Vulture and late migrating passerines.

This is a joint trip with the Buffalo Ornithological Society.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the large parking lot next to the swimming pool of Fort Niagara State Park Beach, 1 Scott Avenue, Rt 18F, Youngstown, NY.  Bring beverages and lunch for this is an all day trip. We will be crossing into Canada (as of October 1, 2022, all COVID restrictions were dropped). Carpooling would be very helpful.  Participants MUST bring passports or Enhanced Driver’s licenses. Dress warmly and in layers. Spotting scopes and FRS radios would be very helpful.

Leaders:  Tom O’Donnell of the Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS) 716-284-5569 or tmodonnell@roadrunner.com and Neal Reilly 518-256-9147, co-leader Cathy Ballard 585-322-2621

2023 RBA Guidelines for Field Trips

RBA field trips will abide by CDC (or NYS) health guidelines that might be in effect at the time of the field trip.  By registering for a field trip you are agreeing that you will also abide by those guidelines. CDC recommendations related to COVID-19 can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html. NYS recommendations related to COVID-19 can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/isolation

Misc:

• Scope use/sharing is allowed.
• You are encouraged to keep hand sanitizer with you.

Registration:

• The RBA will continue with advance registration through Eventbrite for all field trips.
• Registration opens at 7:30 p.m. seven days before the trip date.
• Registration closes at 1:00 p.m. the day before the trip.
• Capacity limits have been greatly expanded but will be determined on a trip-by-trip basis with input from leaders (or if there are NYS mandates).
• If you are not able to attend, we encourage you to cancel your reservation before 1:00 p.m. the day before the trip to make room for others.

Cancellation:

Canceling is done through your Eventbrite confirmation email.

Waive and Release from Liability: By registering for this field trip you acknowledge that you assume all risks and hazards incidental to the activities of the event, including potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. You further release, absolve, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Rochester Birding Association, Inc. and all individually named organizers, leaders, and participants of the event. In case of injury, you hereby waive all claims against all organizers, leaders, and participants.

Photo/Video Waiver: If you do not consent to have your image used by the RBA in the manner next described, please check the appropriate box on the registration form. Otherwise, by registering for this field trip you hereby grant permission to the Rochester Birding Association to take and publish photos or videos of you in connection with the event listed above, with or without your name and for any lawful purpose including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.