[cayugabirds-l] Red throated loon continuing and osprey at Allen treman marina. 3:40pm
-- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Union Springs ... 1st osprey 4/2/15
Becky was leaving for home at 3:15 p.m. when she came running back to say an osprey was atop a pole light just below the house. Yaaa Ho YES!!! It was eating a large fish. I didn't see our osprey across the field on the platform yet today but now will watch. Also will soon check the other 10+ nests in our area. Fritzie -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Knox-Marcellus Marsh
Took my first trip ever to Knox-Marcellus Marsh today. It definitely won't be my last. We also stopped at the Mucklands where we saw thousands of snow geese along with a few tundra swans. Below is the list for the marsh. Canada Goose X Tundra Swan X Wood Duck X American Wigeon X Mallard X Northern Shoveler X Northern Pintail X Green-winged Teal X Redhead X Bufflehead X Common Merganser X Great Blue Heron X Osprey X Sandhill Crane X gull sp. X Tree Swallow X Barn Swallow X Sent from my iPad -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] A few items from today (SSW item for Linda)
I headed out for the Loon and stopped at Cass Park for the GREAT-HORNED OWL.. I parked in the first lost, and ended up walking about halfway up the walk scanning the tall trees at Newman (cause I forgot the excellent directions someone else provided). When I spotted it, it was really obvious, big nest, high in a tall tree, and I was almost at right angle looking across the Inlet. Good viewing in mid-morning sun. Two pretty big white fluffy owlets were bobbing their heads from under mom who watched over them. (Not sure if there were any more.) Don Timmons and I met up at Treman Marina for the RED-THROATED LOON which was in the Inlet by the boat canal at first but during dives made its way further away from us, so we both drove to the dog park and walked in. Along the way, Dave Nutter chatted with us, pointing out 3 OSPREY on the wing and 1 PEREGRINE FALCON higher still. Don and I refound the Loon at close and excellent viewing distance. While the crews were passing it and over it (during dives), the Loon seemed unperturbed by the boats, but some of its dives were 50’ long, so it was fun to try to keep up with it. We walked to Hog Hole, spotted a few more things along the way, Song Sparrows, Redheads, Common and Hooded Mergansers, I had a Greater Scaup M and ‘harem’ but it disappeared before I could show Don, several AMERICAN BLACK DUCKs that Dave had mentioned as well. One of the OSPREY spent time on the nest as well. We also chased down the source of a weird sound that we both thought at first sounded amphibian-like, then too random, but still loud enough to get one’s attention. I finally localized it to two of the tall grass (phragmite?) stems rubbing on each other like a cricket leg on abdomen or a fraying bow on a big string. We parted and I had no special luck at Stevenson Road or Mt Pleasant nor did I relocate Meena’s Shrike though I did have a good look at both a RED-TAILED HAWK and AMERICAN KESTREL on the airport fence (some distance from each other), and at least 2 more Red-tails soaring over Freese Rd. but no interesting sparrows at the gardens. I did a turn around Severinghaus Trail at Sapsucker Woods. First: the trail is in rough condition: icy and hard to negotiate even with a trekking pole, plus 2 trees down across the trail, plus Dayhoff Boardwalk is almost as bad this year (falling into a weird fun-house curve) as Woodleton was before the Boy Scouts fixed it last year. I will let Jeff, the building manager, know all this tomorrow. BUT, it was worth the trip as I startled a WINTER WREN who flew to a fallen log about 30’ away and did rhythmic squat thrusts while making alarm calls at me for a couple of minutes, moving to other locations in a partial circle while I stood still. This looked a lot like territorial defense, so when the trail gets more navigable this might be a good spot to visit for a WIWR nest site or possible song. This was near the SW end of Dayhoff near the West Trail fork. When I got home, my first of yard-year GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET showed up. Cheers, ChrisP __ Chris Pelkie Information/Data Manager; IT Support Bioacoustics Research Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Fox Sparrows
Today we finally lost enough snow up here in the West Danby highlands to expose some habitat for ground foragers, and sure enough, several Fox Sparrows are singing from deep in the thickets. -Geo Kloppel -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Seeking Cooper's Hawk photo
(Below is a re-post from the State College PA listserv; perhaps someone around here could help Alissa out. I didn't include the attached picture. Don T.) Hello everyone, I'm currently assisting the Penn State Arboretum in developing avian education curriculum for children. I'm in the process of creating 12 x 12 placards that feature 20 common Pennsylvania feeder and/or backyard birds. I ve been searching for a Cooper's Hawk photo that fits the parameters of my design for about three weeks, but none are working, and at this point, I'm getting rather desperate! (My telephoto lens is being repaired, so I can't take my own photo either.) If you have a Cooper's Hawk photograph you might consider contributing, please email me at ajp2...@gmail.com It must be 300 DPI, low ISO, and feature the hawk clearly and prominently (I.e. Not at a distance or through a window). The real problem I've been facing is finding an image where hawk is STANDING (not perched) with the tail at a somewhat downward angle (see attached example; not my photo). I can do a bit of photomanipulation if you have something close. The photographer would would retain ALL rights (both digital and nondigital) and would be credited on the reverse of the placard. (I would require the photographer to sign a legal contract confirming that neither I, nor the university, will hold any rights to the image). Have a photo that might work? Please let me know ASAP! (I would be happy to provide an example of another finished placard design so you could see how it would be used.) Thank you! Alissa Pendorf -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] today's migrants
Periodic skywatching from my yard today produced quite a few migrants — highlights included 4 OSPREYS, 1 imm. BALD EAGLE, 1 RED-SHOULDERED and 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 1 COMMON LOON, 1 DC CORMORANT, and 2 TREE SWALLOWS. 3 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were in the yard this morning, and an EASTERN PHOEBE “arrived” in my yard at 6:45 pm, announcing it’s presence loudly. Surprisingly, I did not see a single goose. KEN Kenneth V. Rosenberg Conservation Science Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology Office: 607-254-2412 cell: 607-342-4594 k...@cornell.edumailto:k...@cornell.edu -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mt Pleasant pm birds
A walk up Mt Pleasant Road (east) this afternoon netted the following: Horned Larks singing! Eastern Bluebird heard singing from the woods along the road...seems like an odd place for that to happen Eastern Phoebe (first I've seen this year) American Robins It was nice to be WARM! Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com Author of Sierra Wings: Birds of the Mono Lake BasinAvailable here: http://marieread.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sierra-Wings-Birds-of-the-Mono-Lake-Basin/GNlCxX37uTzE/CBPFGij6nLfE -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] OT: lake water levels
Hi Carol others Every fall the Canal Corporation of the NYS Thruway Authority lowers Cayuga Lake 3 feet or so. This is to help control flooding in spring, ice damage to shore structures etc in winter (didn't work too well this winter tho, at least w some docks hoists!) Each year spring melt water fills Cayuga Lake back up to summer level, 383.5' above sea level. Keuka lake flows into Seneca L. Which flows into Cayuga L. So Cayuga Lake gets a lot of water. Seneca L is lowered much less in winter, but is controlled by the small hydroelectric plant in Waterloo, not the Canal Corp. Another group controls Keuka Lake water levels. Not a good situation sometimes. Graphs of Cayuga Seneca L levels thru the year can be seen at the NYS Canal Corp website. Sorry I don't have link handy. Donna Sent from my iPhone Donna Scott On Apr 1, 2015, at 5:23 PM, Carol Keeler carolk...@adelphia.net wrote: I began quite early at Montezuma. I saw Red Wings, C Geese, an immature Bald Eagle, a couple of Great Blue Herons, and a few muskrats. I spotted a few very distant swans. From there I went to Union Springs. Just a few ducks on Mill Pond- Buffleheads and Redheads. I did not find the Grebes. To make a long story short, I found very little anywhere I went. The water was very low at Myers and Stewart Park. Is it usually like that? The lake was still frozen, but not the creek. I went to Alan Tremain Park to see the Red Throated Loon. Success! It was in the marina like it was reported yesterday. It's a life bird for me. I swung by Farron Rd. to look for Snowy Owls. I spotted two, way out in the field as described yesterday. The loon made my day! Sent from my iPad -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Osprey
Dave's Osprey post reminded me that yesterday I saw my FOS Osprey sitting on a nest on rt. 20 near the Montezuma entrance. Sent from my iPad -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mucklands
Huge numbers of Snow Geese occupied the Montezuma mucklands along both sides of rte 31 yesterday - perhaps 100,000. Mixed in were plenty of Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Widgeon, etcetera. More Tree Swallows too. The lanes out across the muck, being elevated a few inches above the water, offered forage to Horned Larks and American Pipits. Many photographers were clustered around the derelict POTATOES building. At MNWR headquarters the Wildlife Drive was open to 2-way traffic. Among the waterfowl around the visitors' center were a few Green-winged Teal. I looked in vain for Shovelers, Blue-winged Teal or any shorebirds. Saw the two Red-necked Grebes on the Union Springs Mill Pond. -Geo Kloppel -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey (and at Myers/Salt point today)
An Osprey was sitting on the nest perch at Salt Point this morning, and later hovering over the creek looking for fish several times. Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com Author of Sierra Wings: Birds of the Mono Lake BasinAvailable here: http://marieread.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sierra-Wings-Birds-of-the-Mono-Lake-Basin/GNlCxX37uTzE/CBPFGij6nLfE From: bounce-119004290-5851...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-119004290-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Carol Keeler [carolk...@adelphia.net] Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2015 7:42 AM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey Dave's Osprey post reminded me that yesterday I saw my FOS Osprey sitting on a nest on rt. 20 near the Montezuma entrance. Sent from my iPad -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] osprey, Red-thr Loon, Snipe, Woodcock
Yesterday morning, while watching the Red-throated Loon by the white lighthouse, an Osprey flew over and landed by the inlet. On a roll, we continued on and the Snipe was still calmly probing in the wet spot on Stevenson Rd. Last night, precisely at 8:00 pm (Mohawk Rd, airport). a Woodcock flew in and began peenting loudly, then sky-dancing. The moon was bright and Venus was sparkling. Today we could hit 60º? Nice. Carol S. -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] 4 Snowy Owls Seneca Falls this AM
There were 4 Snowy Owls seen from Martin Rd 10AM today. One on Lott farm West of Thorpe Rd and 3 on the Martin/Farron block.. https://www.flickr.com/photos/105424358@N06/16985093816 https://www.flickr.com/photos/105424358@N06/17011104975 https://www.flickr.com/photos/105424358@N06/16823218318 They seem to be perching on the few remaining bits of snowgone tomorrow? -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] two bald eagles
Hi all, Just now two Bald Eagles one in adult plumage the other in third or fourth year plumage flew towards north and Lab of O! Fairly high Dr. Meena Haribal 409, Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) Ithaca NY 14853 USA Email: m...@cornell.edumailto:m...@cornell.edu http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ Ithaca area moths: http://tinyurl.com/kn6q2p4 Dragonfly book sample pages: http://www.haribal.org/140817samplebook.pdf -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Re: [cayugabirds-l] Red throated loon continuing and osprey at Allen treman marina. 3:40pm
I would like to expand on Josh's observations. This morning I biked to Treman. On the way I stopped to scope the GREAT HORNED OWL on its nest in Newman Golf Course. The babies remained hidden from me. Meanwhile an OSPREY hunted over Cayuga Inlet overhead and I saw a second Osprey in the background of my scope view, hovering over Fall Creek on the opposite side of the golf course. I did not notice any activity at the platform in Union Field at Cass Park or the one at the NW corner of the golf course along the Inlet near Jetty Woods, but when I got past Treman Marina I saw an Osprey alight on the platform in the field NW of Treman Marina while a second Osprey circled nearby carrying a fish. Later, while the platform remained occupied by that same bird, 2 more Ospreys hunted over the limited amount of open water along the lakeshore near the lighthouses jetties. So there were at least 3 Ospreys present, possibly 4, 5 or 6, and at least one of the platforms has been reclaimed. High above the occupied platform I saw what I at first thought was a swallow. I was wrong. It was a lot higher. It was a PEREGRINE FALCON that then stooped toward that same limited amount of open water which had held 13 species of ducks a short time earlier. I was no longer by the shore, so my view was then obstructed, but when I made my way back I saw the Peregrine standing on the vast expanse of ice beyond the open water, plucking then eating a substantial unidentified bird. I also noticed, much farther away on the ice, an adult BALD EAGLE, also feeding. As I was leaving Treman I met Chris Pelkie and a friend arriving, and Chris and I saw a/the Peregrine again in high flight. While following an Osprey in flight I also noticed a raptor in the distant background over Cayuga Heights: a migrating NORTHERN HARRIER. This is a tough species for me to add to my Luddite List or my Ithaca list, although I did see one as an office bird from the taxi on Sandbank Road (barely in Ithaca) on 30 March. I am enjoying migration, using my repaired scope, and the fact the we live in a prettty cool place! Other fun for me included: While locking my bike by the marina I heard an Eastern Meadowlark song. Of course my first thought was, Is that a European Starling? Second thought: Will it make a fool of me by making me drop everything to find it? Third thought, If it is real, will it stick around and be visible for a confirmation? Turns out it was an actual EASTERN MEADOWLARK, my first of the year, singing atop a tree at the western corner of the marina, and I got a brilliant yellow scope view through the branches. As I walked on the path around the field I encountered a silent EASTERN PHOEBE foraging low in vegetation, both weeds and tree branches at the edge and interior of the wet woods. This is just one of a rash of new phoebe reports this morning. This is the first real wave, although the first record, so far as I know, was on 22 March in Waterburg near Trumansburg, observed by Scott Sutcliffe. Finally, when I got home I had another treat. Some of you may know that most feeder birds I add to my yard list are actually poached from my much more successful next-door neighbors' feeders, which require contortions for me to view from my own windows or even my own property. This past Christmas Laurie said she wanted bird feeders, so we mounted a challenge. I bought a squirrel-proof tube for sunflower seeds. It has mainly hosted a White-breasted Nuthatch, which gets its jollies by chucking the seeds out onto the porch roof where Dark-eyed Juncos and Northern Cardinals enjoy them out of our view. We also got a small suet cage, which a couple of Downy Woodpeckers only started using in the coldest part of February. A screen tube containing nyger seeds hung untouched for over 3 months, but yesterday an American Goldfinch began using it. Perhaps this is part of a finch influx? Another American Goldfinch began using the sunflower tube. Then there was a House Finch on the sunflower tube, then two! Many of you may be thinking, so what? but this is a big deal for us, and in fact both were yard birds for the year. While I was inputting my eBird report from this morning I glanced up and noticed a bulkier, more notch-tailed silhouette on the sunflower tube: It was a male PURPLE FINCH. This is a first-ever yard bird, I think, as well as a year bird for me. And it was just within the minimum focal distance for my binoculars if I sat up straight. Gorgeous pink bird. Whoever is in charge of birds, thank-you. --Dave Nutter PS - To those of you who read the Cayuga Bird Club newsletter: The editors included a summary of species which arrived in the basin in March, but it was incomplete because I was delinquent and had not yet added to that list Eurasian Wigeon, of which 3 were found on the 29th. I still don't have all the info on those events. I understand that Kenneth Kemphues was first to spot the one from
