Spot behind Old Fort part of Family Day weekend bird festival

A parking lot at the rear of Old Fort Erie is a hotspot for bird watchers and has been for many years.

That’s why it is one of several stops in the eighth annual Birds on the Niagara festival, taking place February 15 to 17.

There are several locations along the river where birders will be found with their long lenses hoping to catch a glimpse or image of a unique fowl.

The event is hosted by various nature clubs and organizations, including the Fort Erie-based Bert Miller Nature Club.

The spot along the fort, near the border of Lake Erie and Niagara River is where “most of the winter ducks gather,” said Marcie Jacklin from the Bert Miller Nature Club.

Depending on weather, there can be up to 20,000 there at one moment.

Binoculars and scopes are needed to “see them well,” she said.

There have been sightings of King Eiders, Harlequin Ducks, as well as a Brown Booby, which generated plenty of fanfare with bird watchers from afar more than 10 years ago, resulting in them making the trip to Fort Erie to see the bird typically found in tropical climates.

At 10 a.m. on February 17, there will be a Pride Walk starting at the parking lot behind the fort. People will be looking for swans, ducks and gulls as they travel north along the Niagara River.

The event is described as North America’s only international bird festival.

There are close to 10 events on the festival schedule, including an art battle, a kickoff at Counterpart Brewery in Niagara Falls on February 7.

Birders will also hit popular spots like Dufferin Islands, the Adam Beck Overlook, and the Niagara Glen Nature Centre.

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