Eight people joined me for a trip up the lake. The weather started out in the 20's, windy, and sleety (if that is a word). As the day went on, it either became warmer or we became numb to it. It was a super day despite the weather, and we had lots of fun and saw lots of cool birds! We stopped 2 or 3 times for warm drinks and food. I think everyone had great looks at all the bird species we saw.
We started at Stewart Park. We had a total of 15 species including 3 gull species, Common and Hooded Mergansers, five species of ducks, Coots, and most of interest, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk carrying nest material to a tree on the west side of the park. It sat on the nest for awhile, then moved on, probably in search for more building material. Whether it will stay there, who knows. At Myers, we added 3 more duck species - Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, and Lesser Scaup. We stopped at Cayuga Vista in search of the Northern Shrike, and didn't see it. We did add more species - Blue Jay, Turkey Vulture, Northern Cardinal, and Mourning Dove. Next was Long Point where we saw a Horned Grebe in transitional plumage. We all thought it quite beautiful. Aurora Boat House was next. Before seeing any Common Loons, we could hear them calling which is always a treat. Two were easily picked out. Also, there were an additional 6 Horned Grebes. An adult Bald Eagle flew by us which was the first of many spotted. Union Springs and Frontenac Park - we saw Ring-necked Ducks, Blue Birds, and a White-breasted Nuthatch. There were also 6 Bald Eagles. Cayuga, Harris Park, and Cayuga Trailer Park (we asked permission to bird there) We added Greater Scaup, Downy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, Trumpeter and Mute Swans to our list. We headed to Savannah. Our first stop was Van Dyne Spoor Road where we saw 2+ Northern Flickers, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Northern Mockingbird, a male Northern Harrier and a Dark-phased Rough-legged Hawk. It was still a little early to go to Morgan Road, so we stopped by the Audubon Center and the only addition were Tree Sparrows. Morgan Road was the HIGHLIGHT of the day. We arrived there around 4:40 or 4:45. Folks were already there, and introductions went around. At 4:55 P.M. Gary spotted 7 Short-eared Owls fly out of the Cattails to the east of the DEC building. Shortly after that, we saw 3 sitting in a tree. We counted at least 10 Owls, and there easily could have been more. Most of them seemed to be hunting closer to Carncross Road. I don't think the owls care about humans, but at the same time there were 26 people that showed up at Morgan Road. Maybe the owls ate most of the voles around Morgan Road, but who knows. Also, we had great views of a close-up Northern Shrike. Beautiful bird. Both species were seen before dusk and offered great views. The club trip was a success! We had a total of 48 species. Thank you to everyone that came on the trip. It was a real "Hoot". I guess they really bark. Oh, well! Ann Mitchell -- 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/ --
