As the temperatures, locally reached between 50 and 60 degrees, it is as if a silent, beacon alarm, was tripped and signaled for migratory birds that it is time to head back North.

More than 1,000 birds were spotted in front of the Harbor Hotel and Celeron boat launch Tuesday.

Twan Leenders, the director of conservation for the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, in an email to The Post-Journal said, there appeared to be thousands of swans and other waterfowl that are currently present in front of the Harbor Hotel and boat launch.

Leenders continued, “The lake’s ecology supports these sensitive birds. There was even a white pelican in the mix (this week).”

More than 1,000 birds were spotted in front of the Harbor Hotel and Celeron boat launch, and at other locations around the Chautauqua Lake on Tuesday evening. Photo by Twan Leenders

According to chautauquawatershed.org, Chautauqua Lake is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society, an extremely important part of the local ecosystem and is used by migrating and wintering waterfowl including loons, grebes and terns.

Also found around the lake are bald eagles, osprey, northern harrier and typical forest and suburban species. The sedge wren, pied-billed grebe, least bittern, common loon, ruddy duck, Henslow’s sparrow, clay colored sparrow and great blue heron are a few of the vulnerable bird species found at sites in the watershed.

However, according to ebird.org, a website dedicated to tracking, sharing, and powering new data-driven approaches to science, conservation and education, more than 125 diverse types of birds have been identified as using the lake as a habitat. Included in the data is a rarely seen hybrid type of bird.

The website reports that a Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid), was spotted by Nathan Stimson, a teacher with Cassadaga Valley Central Schools on March 2. Stimson, an avid photographer, also managed to nab a shot of an American Bald Eagle, in flight, also on Sunday.