[cayugabirds-l] Lindsay-Parsons and Bock-Harvey, Sun 5/21

[Mark Chao]

On Sunday morning, I visited two of the sites where I’ll lead walks next
weekend for the Finger Lakes Land Trust Spring Bird Quest (SBQ).  Here are
some highlights.



1.  Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve (7:55-9:45 AM):
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37037806



* A subset of the expected breeding warblers of the preserve -- several
PRAIRIE and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS, and a couple each of HOODED,
BLUE-WINGED, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS – plus one WILSON’S WARBLER
(singing and confirmed by sight along western edge of small triangular
meadow) and one BLACKPOLL WARBLER.



* At least 31 WOOD DUCKS, including 30 males (!!) in the southern section
of Coleman Lake, plus a female flying into the deadwood swamp to the
north.  This count elicited the coveted eBird confirm prompt.



* The usual fine views of INDIGO BUNTINGS, FIELD SPARROWS, and EASTERN
KINGBIRDS in the first meadow, plus a surprising PILEATED WOODPECKER flying
across.



(I looked and listened for a long time for the Yellow-breasted Chat that
Annie and Tony found the other day.  I heard some random notes from the
southeastern hedgerow along the same small triangular meadow north of
Coleman Lake, but nothing strongly indicative.  To my knowledge, one person
had a similar, maybe more suggestive encounter the other day, but also
didn’t see the bird.  Otherwise, I have no new reports.)



2.  Bock-Harvey Forest Preserve (10:25-11:50 AM):
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37038077



* Dazzling eye-level views of three HOODED WARBLERS – two singing males and
one female.  One male sang a typical song with an emphatic ending.  The
other sang with faster initial syllables than usual, alternating endings
between an explosive squeak and a descending flourish.  I thought at first
that this bird was an anomalous Louisiana Waterthrush because the first
song type ended so high and so explosively.  The female collected moss from
a tree trunk, hovering and fanning her tail, and then descended to the
ground.  Collectively, all this was maybe the most satisfying Hooded
Warbler viewing I’ve ever had (though my amateurish photos don’t really
show it).



* A MOURNING WARBLER singing right by the parking area, along with some
AMERICAN REDSTARTS, a very cooperative CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, and a
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.



* A silent SWAINSON’S THRUSH along the white-blazed trail at the preserve’s
southern border – the only one of the season for me so far.



I hope to see many of you next weekend as I lead SBQ walks at these and
three other Finger Lakes Land Trust preserves.  I can’t promise views of
three Hooded Warblers – but I guarantee that we will give it a really good
try!  And it’s still not too late to pledge a donation to the Land Trust in
association with my weekend bird species tally on Land Trust preserves.
See below for details.  Thank you.



Mark Chao









Finger Lakes Land Trust Spring Bird Quest

Scheduled Walks

2017



Saturday, May 27

Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve

Routes 34 and 96, West Danby

Meet in the main parking lot at 8:00 AM



Sunday, May 28

Bock-Harvey Forest Preserve (owned by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference,
subject a conservation easement held by the Land Trust)

Rockwell Road, Enfield

Meet in the main parking lot at 8:00 AM



Stevenson Forest Preserve

Trumbull Corners Road, Enfield

Meet along the road at the preserve at 10:00 AM



Monday, May 29

Goetchius Wetland Preserve

Flatiron Road, Caroline

Meet in the parking area at 6:30 AM



Roy H. Park Preserve

Irish Settlement Road, Dryden

Meet in the south parking area between Goodband Road and Midline Road (not
the lot north of Goodband) at 8:30 AM



For more information, see http://www.fllt.org/spring-bird-quest/.  All of
the walks are free, but as usual I will count all the bird species that I
find on the preserves throughout the weekend, and will raise money for the
Land Trust from pledges.  Since 2006 I think we have raised at least
$65,000 for the Land Trust in this way.  If you’d like to make a pledge,
please contact me or visit http://www.fllt.org/donate/.  (If you do donate
online, please check the box to mark the gift “in honor of someone” and
type in “Spring Bird Quest.”)

--

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] CBC trip to McIlroy Preserve

[Gladys Birdsall]

On Saturday, May 20th, I was joined by seven others for a fine outing (weather 
and bird wise) of birding at the Dorothy McIlroy Preserve and Summerhill area.  
 Susan Soberoff, Jae Sullivan, Diane Traina,  Judith Saul and I first stopped 
at the pull off on Lake Como Rd.   Here we saw two Cedar Waxwings, and listened 
to a Green Heron vocalizing in the wetland right in front of us.  We never did 
see it, and it continued to vocalize almost the whole time we were there.  
There was a singing Warbling Vireo,  Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Yellow 
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Swamp Sparrow, Goldfinch, Chickadee, and Crows 
calling from a distance.  A Willow Flycatcher called from a field across the 
road.
 Continuing to the Preserve further down the road to Fire Lane A, we met up 
with Donna Scott, Bob Horn and Ann Mitchell at the parking lot.  Before 
entering the forest, birds seen or heard right from the parking lot included 
two Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Song and Chipping Sparrows, Tree Swallows, 
Canada Goose, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Ovenbird, and Ann had heard 
a Yellow-throated Vireo singing before we arrived.   The Hemlock-hardwood 
forest seemed pretty quiet when we first started out, but we eventually had a 
lot of good birds throughout.  It was also much cooler than the previous couple 
days.  We heard numerous Northern Waterthrush all along our walk and just 
before we reached the overlook one was spotted on some dead trees out on the 
shrub swamp, and we all got good looks.  An exciting find was a Winter Wren 
that suddenly started singing and continued for quite some time.  We never did 
see it, as it stayed well hidden, but we all enjoyed the beautiful song, a real 
treat.   We also enjoyed the Hermit Thrush song.   Other birds we  heard were 
Black-throated Green Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker,  Blue-headed Vireo, Veery,  
Swamp Sparrow, Alder Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager, numerous. Ovenbirds,  and 
Great-creasted Flycatcher.  A couple times we spotted Veeries as they flew 
around low, landing on lower branches where we could observe them.  We had nice 
looks at a Broad-winged Hawk that circled overhead, and as we were walking 
along a Coopers Hawk flew from a tree just ahead of us.  Towards the end of the 
loop we saw a Great Blue Heron, out over the water, and watched a female 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a dead stump.  A female Purple Finch was vocalizing 
from the top of a tree.   A mystery song we heard while we were on the overlook 
was recorded by Ann Mitchell.   After she later checked with Jay McGowan, it 
was thought to be a possible House or Purple Finch.  It certainly was a 
different call we couldn't place.   It was a very pleasant walk for everyone.  
Before moving on two Turkey Vultures were spotted soaring near the parking lot.
 We continued on and drove down Sprouls Road where a short stop yielded a 
Savannah Sparrow and a field with several Bobolinks.
Driving along Creel Road we stopped at the bottom of a hill where there was a 
small stream and  a swampy-brushy area on both sides of the road.  Here we 
observed two Kingbirds, Robins, Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat and 
Chickadees and heard or saw Alder Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo,  Song Sparrow and 
Catbirds.  From nearby fields we heard and saw more Bobolinks, Red-winged 
Blackbirds,  Tree Swallows and another Savannah Sparrow.
 We stopped on Dresser Road and walked down a side road to a swampy area in 
hopes of finding an Olive-sided Flycatcher, but were disappointed.  We did see 
a Broad-winged Hawk, soaring and carrying something in its talons.  We also 
saw/heard many repeat species that we encountered at the other stops.
 It was well past noon but several of us quickly went to Hoag road in hopes 
of finding some more Warblers.  It was now the quiet time of the day but at one 
stop we saw two wonderful birds.  Diane Traina got nice looks at a Magnolia 
Warbler but it quickly flew across the road and disappeared.  About a minute 
later a gorgeous Canada Warbler popped up and sat in a small tree for us all to 
see.
 Heading  down Lick Street we made a quick stop where we added two more 
species - two Field Sparrows were singing in a brushy pasture area and a Wood 
Thrush sang from a nearby woodlot.   It was a beautiful day to be out with 
others enjoying the birds.  Thanks to everyone who joined me!

--

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] Yellow-billed Cuckoo Questions

[Laurie Rubin]

A male yellow-billed cuckoo flew into the young trees near our veggie
garden yesterday. We watched for two solid minutes, just 15 feet away,
close enough to see it catch and eat two hairy caterpillars and then puff
out its throat while singing. When it flew to the other side of the garden,
we spotted the female, and then watched spellbound when the male flew over
to her perch and mated. No sign of them yet today.

Given that yellow-billed cuckoos are shy, was the male seemingly
disinterested in us being so close because he was concentrated on mating?
And is it likely they'll stay here and breed or take off again?

We had one cuckoo several years ago that stayed for only ten seconds!

Happy in Lodi (Parmenter Road), Laurie

--

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] Pine Warbler

[Suan Yong]

Yesterday our SFO group had a pine warbler at Greensprings Cemetery (in 
Newfield) singing from one of the scattered smallish pines (~20 feet tall) in 
the mostly open fields. Great eye-level looks for this species, from a tree 
that looked (to me) too small and isolated to be good habitat. And it was 
fighting with a chipping sparrow for that territory, both in song and in being 
chased. Of course it's unclear whether it'll breed there or is just passing 
through, but it seemed to be at least considering that option.

(And of course, when I first heard its song, my expectation was junco.)

Suan
--

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] Pine Warbler

[Dave Nutter]

On yesterday's walk around Sapsucker Woods with SFO, we heard the trill of what 
turned out to be a Pine Warbler singing near the south end of the Woodleton 
Boardwalk. I had expected Dark-eyed Junco because I had scoped one nearby on a 
walk earlier this year, and two of the largest White Pines in the area were cut 
down recently. There is one large mature White Pine near where we first heard 
the bird, and where two of us finally saw it, but other pines are a bit 
scattered, and therefore not what I would have guessed was good habitat. Maybe 
this bird is a holdover from when there were more large pines closer together, 
but certainly I'm a worse judge of Pine Warbler habitat than the bird is. 
Regardless, I should have noticed the clue that the bird was moving frequently 
between songs, which is typical of Pine Warbler, and which I have not noticed 
among juncos. 
--Dave Nutter

> On May 20, 2017, at 7:38 AM, Gary Kohlenberg  wrote:
> 
> I heard one leaving MVR on my way to the Knoll yesterday, Friday, but was in 
> the car and didn't stop to locate it. They seem to circulate around the knoll 
> for some distance and this wasn't far at all. 
> Gary 
> 
> On May 19, 2017, at 10:58 PM, W. Larry Hymes  wrote:
> 
> Early afternoon today I'm very confident that I heard a trilling PINE WARBLER 
> on Comstock Knoll at the Cornell Botanical Garden.  The bird kept repeating 
> the same relatively short pattern over and over.  Could not find it with 
> naked eye.  When I did playback, it would stop trilling momentarily.   
> Definitely not chipping sparrow!  Has anyone else seen pine warbler at the 
> knoll recently?
> 
> Larry
> 
> -- 
> 
> 
> W. Larry Hymes
> 120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
> (H) 607-277-0759, w...@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 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/

--