[cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Lake birds
Sunday Ann, Susan, Judy I went north up the east side of Cayuga Lake and beyond. Here's a few highlights: From Myers Point we saw 4 grebes fly north in the distance in close formation, which we thought were probably Red-necked Grebes. They alit in the far distance but despite much effort we did not re-find this species. We did find a group of 10 LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a group of 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS off Lansing Station Rd, and at least 8 HORNED GREBES south of Long Point, where we saw 3 male WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS fly north. From the Wells College boathouse we saw 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on the water far to the northwest. From Frontenac Park in Union Springs we picked out a couple of BARN SWALLOWS among TREE SWALLOWS foraging over the lake south of Frontenac Island. By the time we reached Harris Park it was raining, so we took advantage of the eaves of the Village Office building to scan the RING-NECKED DUCKS, LESSER GREATER SCAUP, CANVASBACKS, and BUFFLEHEADS, but we saw no grebes, although shortly after we left Dave Nicosia found a Western Grebe in the distance from there. Other birders pointed out an adult PEREGRINE FALCON with a very buffy breast along EAST ROAD perched along the edge of the woods halfway between Knox-Marsellus overlook and NYS-89 to the north. Along Morgan Rd we saw a FIELD SPARROW which sang a lovely and, for this species, elaborate song.--Dave Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[cayugabirds-l] Sapsucker Woods, Mon 4/2
On Monday morning, I found 3+ FOX SPARROWS behind the hedgerow under the power lines on the Dryden side of Sapsucker Woods, just at the entrance of the forest where the shrubs catch drifts of oak leaves. I saw the three in a single binocular field, including two perched within a body width of each other for a long time, but I feel that there could well have been more. I also found a lot of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and several PURPLE FINCHES throughout the sanctuary. There continues to be regular activity in our screech-owl box in northeast Ithaca, with a pair of birds alternately appearing somewhat often at the hole of the box, looking busy and mighty cute. And I'm very glad to see them, except maybe for one thing. They're not owls. They're White-breasted Nuthatches. After I last saw a pair of owls in the box and posted about them three weeks ago, I continued to see one owl throughout the next week, but almost exclusively at dawn and dusk. This pattern was consistent with documented roosting schedules of screech-owl females at the onset of incubation. On one very hot day, I saw an owl come to the hole of the box in mid-afternoon, with some fluffy contour feathers oddly fanned out behind the owl's head - also consistent with my wishful idea of a female thermoregulating for optimal incubation. Then, two weeks ago, I saw an owl exiting the box at dusk, flying all the way across our yard and off to the east. That was the end. No more owl sightings since. It's disappointing, yes, but I like to think that the pair is somewhere better, maybe not far from here, waiting for their eggs to hatch. And I'll be watching the nuthatches with interest. Mark Chao -- 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] Syracuse RBA
RBA * New York * Syracuse * April 026, 2012 * NYSY 04.02.12 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): March 26, 2012 - April 02, 2012 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison Cortland compiled:April 02 AT 6:30 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #299 -Monday April 02, 2012 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of March 26 , 2012 Highlights: --- RED-NECKED GREBE WESTERN GREBE (Extralimital) EURASIAN WIGEON BLACK VULTURE SANDHILL CRANE VIRGINIA RAIL CASPIAN TERN SNOWY OWL SAW-WHET OWL NORTHERN SHRIKE FISH CROW BOHEMIAN WAXWING RUSTY BLACKBIRD Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) 3/27: 2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from Towpath Road. 3/28: A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted at the headquarters pool at Howland Island. Derby Hill Observatory 5,570 raptors counted this week. The best day was 3/28 with 3,027 birds and a new count day record of 2731 TURKEY VULTURES. 3/26 had calling SAW-WHET OWL and FISH CROW. 3/30 had a SANDHILL CRANE. 3/31 had SAW-WHET OWL again and a NORTHERN SHRIKE. This just in! 2 BLACK VULTURES were seen today (4/2). Onondaga County 3/25: 1 SNOWY OWL was seen at Hancock airport. On 4/1 2 were seen. 3/29: 11 COMMON LOONS were seen flying at Skaneateles Lake. 3/31: A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen on Onondaga Lake. 4/1: 42 RED-NECKED GREBES were seen from the Marina in Liverpool on Onondaga Lake. In addition 8 species of waterfowl and 2 FISH CROWS were seen. 4/2 : 25 avian species were found at Three Rivers WMA including 79 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Oswego County 3/29: 6 species of migrants were seen at Phillips Point on Oneida Lake including RED-NECKED GREBE and BONAPARTE’S GULL. 3/30: 16 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen at the old railroad trail in West Monroe. 3/31: The seasons first CASPIAN TERNS were seen at Sandy Pond. 4/1: 9 species of migrants were seen at Phillips Point including 23 RED-NECKED GREBES and 265 LONG-TAILED DUCKS. Madison County 3/30: The season’s first VIRGINIA RAIN was found at Marsh Mill Road in the Town of Sullivan. Jefferson County 4/1: At least 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are still lingering with the Ceders at Stony Point in the Town of Henderson near Lake Ontario. Extralimital After no reports last week the two WESTERN GREBES on Cayuga Lake were seen again. On 3/31 and 4/1 the pair was observed from Lake Road in Harris Park. New migrants reported this week 3/27: FIELD SPARROW - Town of Van Buren 3/30: VIRGINIA RAIL - Town of Sullivan 3/31: CASPIAN TERN - Sandy Pond End Transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. -- 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] Great Egret
This afternoon, a GREAT EGRET was spotted on River Road in Endwell, New York. - Bob Grosek Binghamton, New York In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir -- 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] forsythia for birds
I will try to remember who I'm talking to next time I post anything! ;) I am all for natural native plants, and have 19 acres of them, and a shelf full of books about them. But I do love my garden and the birds really love my forsythia (and the deer do not). Happy Spring! Nancy On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:19 PM, Linda Orkin wrote: How about Native Plants for Native Birds put out by the Cayuga Bird Club? For two years I have been planting Spicebush as a native alternative to forsythia. Little yellow flowers. Not that showy but great for habitat. Especially when they get their lovely ovoid red shiny fruits. Linda. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:12 PM, Terry P. Mingle tmin...@twcny.rr.commailto:tmin...@twcny.rr.com wrote: Two great book titles for bird gardeners: http://www.amazon.com/Audubon-Society-Guide-Attracting-Birds/dp/0801488648/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2 and http://www.amazon.com/The-Bird-Garden-Stephen-Kress/dp/0789401398/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3 --Terry On Apr 1, 2012 , at 9:12 PM, Marie P Read wrote: I heartily second Meena's encouragement to plant native plants—especially those that provide food in the form of fruit, seeds, or insects— and create native habitats for birds! Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edumailto:m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com Now on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography/104356136271727 From: bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edumailto:bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Meena Haribal [m...@cornell.edu] Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 9:05 PM To: Ann Mitchell; M Kardon Cc: Nancy W Dickinson; CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds Hi all, I am a little bit concerned about promoting Forsythia for birds. They are just good for landing and hiding for birds near bird feeders. But they really are not such healthy food for birds. http://www.ehow.com/list_6019009_pests-forsythia-bush.html Forsythia is promoted as the plant with no pests at all. If you want birds and habitats for them why not plant some native plants. There is Native plants for native birds published by our on bird club for guidance. You should look up some local plants that are good for birds and their food - insects that feed on them. For example all kinds of dogwoods - Red Dozier, and Gray Dogwood are excellent plants, they produce fruits which are eaten by birds during fall migration, that is when the fruits are ready. But they host at least some known thirty species of moths and these moths as adults and as larvae are excellent food for birds and their young. Some of these moths include beautiful Polyphemus moth, Dogwood Thyatirid, Prominents, many geometrids, which are found in spring and summer. Of course some of these moths/larvae may not be directly useful to all birds but are of indirect use. Their caterpillars are beautiful with variety of shapes and structures and some of the adults are just awesome if you are looking for beauty. I feel pained that native habitats are being destroyed and artificial habitats are being created. So why not create real habitat, I know it is very hard to create and maintain, but at least one can give a try. Meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://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 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)
Re: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds
Hello Nancy, Not to put words in Meena and Marie's mouths, but I think their comments were more directed to people who may be considering planting new shrubs and in that context, a gentle reminder that there may be better choices for birds. Some people on the list may not alradhy know about the resources they referenced. You know, and so do we all, that your forsythia are doing a valuable service for your birds. We need to stop and think before we plant something but also before we remove something. The very old and healthy apple tree my neighbors just cut down is obviously not native but the craggy bark provided much good foraging for woodpeckers, the blooms provided food for pollinators and nectar feeders but most importantly, it was a safe staging area for birds coming to my feeder. They also tore out a whole row of hedge which had grown up like crazy over many years,mostly privet and there was barberry in it, but it was also a protective nursery for a black cherry, a crabapple and a red oak, all of who grew to a deer safe size within this tangle. I managed to save the cherry and the crabapple but got home just as they were tearing out the oak. The birds loved this whole hedge right along the edge of my yard. It was torn out and nothing was put there to replace it. i planted a gray dogwood, a black birch and those spicebush I mentioned, but how long will it be before they provide any habitat at all for safety? So enjoy your forsythia and your birds and your wonderful other 19 acres. I am envious. Best Linda Orkin Muriel Street, Ithaca, NY On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 8:27 AM, Nancy W Dickinson n...@cornell.edu wrote: I will try to remember who I'm talking to next time I post anything! ;) I am all for natural native plants, and have 19 acres of them, and a shelf full of books about them. But I do love my garden and the birds really love my forsythia (and the deer do not). Happy Spring! Nancy On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:19 PM, Linda Orkin wrote: How about Native Plants for Native Birds put out by the Cayuga Bird Club? For two years I have been planting Spicebush as a native alternative to forsythia. Little yellow flowers. Not that showy but great for habitat. Especially when they get their lovely ovoid red shiny fruits. Linda. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:12 PM, Terry P. Mingle tmin...@twcny.rr.com wrote: Two great book titles for bird gardeners: http://www.amazon.com/Audubon-Society-Guide-Attracting-Birds/dp/0801488648/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2 and http://www.amazon.com/The-Bird-Garden-Stephen-Kress/dp/0789401398/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3 --Terry On Apr 1, 2012 , at 9:12 PM, Marie P Read wrote: I heartily second Meena's encouragement to plant native plants—especially those that provide food in the form of fruit, seeds, or insects— and create native habitats for birds! 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 Now on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography/104356136271727 From: bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu [ bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Meena Haribal [ m...@cornell.edu] Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 9:05 PM To: Ann Mitchell; M Kardon Cc: Nancy W Dickinson; CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds Hi all, I am a little bit concerned about promoting Forsythia for birds. They are just good for landing and hiding for birds near bird feeders. But they really are not such healthy food for birds. http://www.ehow.com/list_6019009_pests-forsythia-bush.html Forsythia is promoted as the plant with no pests at all. If you want birds and habitats for them why not plant some native plants. There is Native plants for native birds published by our on bird club for guidance. You should look up some local plants that are good for birds and their food - insects that feed on them. For example all kinds of dogwoods - Red Dozier, and Gray Dogwood are excellent plants, they produce fruits which are eaten by birds during fall migration, that is when the fruits are ready. But they host at least some known thirty species of moths and these moths as adults and as larvae are excellent food for birds and their young. Some of these moths include beautiful Polyphemus moth, Dogwood Thyatirid, Prominents, many geometrids, which are found in spring and summer. Of course some of these moths/larvae may not be directly useful to all birds but are of indirect use. Their caterpillars are beautiful with variety of shapes and structures and some of the adults are just awesome if you are looking for beauty. I feel pained that native habitats are being destroyed and artificial habitats are being created. So why not
[cayugabirds-l] Bonaparte's Gull at Stewart Park
A Bonaparte's Gull was fishing just offshore on the eastern side of Stewart Park this morning at 7:20. Stuart -- 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] Bonaparte's Gull at Stewart Park
Hi all, Tim Lenz and I found at least 7 BONAPARTE'S GULLS at Stewart Park near the Swan Pen at about 8:30 this morning. Jay McGowan later reported that one of these birds was captured by a PEREGRINE FALCON. - Brad Walker On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 8:59 AM, Stuart Krasnoff s...@cornell.edu wrote: A Bonaparte's Gull was fishing just offshore on the eastern side of Stewart Park this morning at 7:20. Stuart -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds
Of course, it's very important WHERE non-natives are planted. My fields are absolutely overrun by bush honeysuckle that was once considered a good plant for birds, but is totally invasive, as are multiflora rose and Russian olive. They don't know how to behave when given room to spread. Even staghorn sumac, which the birds rely on, spreads annoyingly. In my garden I try to keep things under control. Nancy On Apr 2, 2012, at 8:55 AM, Linda Orkin wrote: Hello Nancy, Not to put words in Meena and Marie's mouths, but I think their comments were more directed to people who may be considering planting new shrubs and in that context, a gentle reminder that there may be better choices for birds. Some people on the list may not alradhy know about the resources they referenced. You know, and so do we all, that your forsythia are doing a valuable service for your birds. We need to stop and think before we plant something but also before we remove something. The very old and healthy apple tree my neighbors just cut down is obviously not native but the craggy bark provided much good foraging for woodpeckers, the blooms provided food for pollinators and nectar feeders but most importantly, it was a safe staging area for birds coming to my feeder. They also tore out a whole row of hedge which had grown up like crazy over many years,mostly privet and there was barberry in it, but it was also a protective nursery for a black cherry, a crabapple and a red oak, all of who grew to a deer safe size within this tangle. I managed to save the cherry and the crabapple but got home just as they were tearing out the oak. The birds loved this whole hedge right along the edge of my yard. It was torn out and nothing was put there to replace it. i planted a gray dogwood, a black birch and those spicebush I mentioned, but how long will it be before they provide any habitat at all for safety? So enjoy your forsythia and your birds and your wonderful other 19 acres. I am envious. Best Linda Orkin Muriel Street, Ithaca, NY On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 8:27 AM, Nancy W Dickinson n...@cornell.edumailto:n...@cornell.edu wrote: I will try to remember who I'm talking to next time I post anything! ;) I am all for natural native plants, and have 19 acres of them, and a shelf full of books about them. But I do love my garden and the birds really love my forsythia (and the deer do not). Happy Spring! Nancy On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:19 PM, Linda Orkin wrote: How about Native Plants for Native Birds put out by the Cayuga Bird Club? For two years I have been planting Spicebush as a native alternative to forsythia. Little yellow flowers. Not that showy but great for habitat. Especially when they get their lovely ovoid red shiny fruits. Linda. Sent from my iPhone On Apr 1, 2012, at 10:12 PM, Terry P. Mingle tmin...@twcny.rr.commailto:tmin...@twcny.rr.com wrote: Two great book titles for bird gardeners: http://www.amazon.com/Audubon-Society-Guide-Attracting-Birds/dp/0801488648/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2 and http://www.amazon.com/The-Bird-Garden-Stephen-Kress/dp/0789401398/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3 --Terry On Apr 1, 2012 , at 9:12 PM, Marie P Read wrote: I heartily second Meena's encouragement to plant native plants—especially those that provide food in the form of fruit, seeds, or insects— and create native habitats for birds! Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608tel:607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edumailto:m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.comhttp://www.marieread.com/ Now on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography/104356136271727 From: bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edumailto:bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edumailto:bounce-44814036-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Meena Haribal [m...@cornell.edumailto:m...@cornell.edu] Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 9:05 PM To: Ann Mitchell; M Kardon Cc: Nancy W Dickinson; CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds Hi all, I am a little bit concerned about promoting Forsythia for birds. They are just good for landing and hiding for birds near bird feeders. But they really are not such healthy food for birds. http://www.ehow.com/list_6019009_pests-forsythia-bush.html Forsythia is promoted as the plant with no pests at all. If you want birds and habitats for them why not plant some native plants. There is Native plants for native birds published by our on bird club for guidance. You should look up some local plants that are good for birds and their food - insects that feed on them. For example all kinds of dogwoods - Red Dozier, and Gray Dogwood are excellent plants, they produce fruits which are eaten by birds during fall migration, that is when the fruits are ready. But they host at least some known thirty
