[cayugabirds-l] Close Encounters: Hairy Woodpecker Behavior in Fall Creek

[Sandy Wold]

Last week, on June 11th, I found the nest hole of a pair of Hairy
Woodpeckers in a mature 100+ year old Sugar Maple which hangs over into my
yard. According to allaboutbirds.org, it will be another two weeks from now
before they fledge.  The perfectly round hole is about 30 feet up on a
dying limb of the tree.  Today, before I took off on my bike, I heard a
Pileated(?) woodpecker calling in the tree of the nest.  It called for
about a minute, then flew off, and has not been calling from here for
months. I couldn't help but think the bird was coming by to visit (like an
auntie) to check on the babies!  I could not make out the bird, but it was
large, mostly black and surprisingly close to the nest cavity (about five
feet, maybe less).  I do not think this was an accident as I have not heard
the Pileated or the Red-bellied for several months.  I later read that
Hairy woodpeckers sometimes follow Pileated woodpeckers to eat the bugs
they miss, but no mention was made of the other way around.

Shortly thereafter, four blocks from my house near the corner of Yates and
Cayuga, while I was on my bike, a black and white bird undulated in front
of me and landed in a small tree near me.  I stopped to watch and saw it
was a Hairy.  Since it was so close to my house, I suspect it was likely
the female I have been watching all week, and that she was foraging for
insects for her babies.  It then went from its perch to the rooftops and
looked in gutters and peaked in several holes of uncaulked crevices of
houses.  The male called from down the street, and the female responded.
It looked like she had a "routine" path, as if she knew where the insect
"hiding hotspots" were.  Why do I say this?  Because it would fly directly
to a gutter corner, then zig zag backwards to a crevice, then up to a roof,
look under a loose shingle, then without hesitation bolt between two houses
to the tree behind.  The bird appeared to "know" where she was going as she
promptly left for the next spot if no bug or spider was found.  Very cool!
Kind of like how squirrels "remember" where they hide their nuts (and my
stolen unripe peaches)?

So I am left wondering does anyone else have these kinds of
close-encounters? I was on my way to the library, minding my own business,
when the Hairy flew a few feet in front of me, at eye level, and landed in
a young tree.  What kind of coincidence is this? What are the chances that
a Hairy would pass me as I was biking???  That's almost as crazy as the
time I felt the tail wind of a Sharp-shinned Hawk swoop up and over my
helmet as I was on my bike at Newman Golf Course and it was hunting a flock
of Mourning Doves (or were they sparrows?).  It came out of no where and
suddenly swooped up behind, over, and in front of me while I was peddling
hard.  Both of these incidents were so close I could have easily collided
into these bird(s) with only a mili-second in time difference.
Coincidence???  Clearly, they are agile and highly skilled flyers who know
their abilities and can out-maneuver me; but why did they choose to go in
front of me instead of wait until I passed by?  I have my theories,
wondering what others think or have experienced.

Regardless, the entire experience helped me better understand why the
parents can be gone for 15-20 minutes at a time before returning to the
nest to feed the noisy nestlings!  Also, I have even greater appreciation
for birds, especially those who reduce the number of spiders and bugs on
our houses!

*"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come ALIVE, for what
the world needs is people who have come ALIVE."  - Dr. Howard Thurman,
American Theologian, Clergyman and Activist (1900-1981) *

Sandra (Sandy) Wold
Author/Originator/Designer/Publisher of Cayuga Basin Bioregion Map,
www.sites.google.com/site/cayugabioregionmap

Educator, www.linkedin.com/pub/sandra-sandy-wold/a7/114/877
Artist, www.Sandy-Wold.com 

*To be astonished is one of the surest ways not to be old too quickly.* -
Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette

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[cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Lake birding trail

[Liisa S. Mobley]

Hi Dave-
Sounds like an interesting project!
You mentioned that you were looking for opinions about what a birding trail 
would include - after a quick search, I found a list of US birding trails on 
the ABA site:
http://aba.org/resources/birdingtrails.html
The descriptions of each are helpful, and it seems as though there's some 
variety in what a trail includes. Contacts are listed for the bird trails, too, 
so you might be able to get advice from other folks.
-Liisa


Liisa Mobley


On Jun 17, 2017, at 12:03 AM, Upstate NY Birding digest 
> wrote:

CAYUGABIRDS-L Digest for Saturday, June 17, 2017.

1. Re: Cayuga Lake Birding Trail
2. Tree swallow

--

Subject: Re: Cayuga Lake Birding Trail
From: Jody Enck >
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2017 06:46:50 -0400
X-Message-Number: 1

Hello Dave,

I think it would be a wonderful idea to work toward a Cayuga Lake Birding
Trail!
Given the foundation that already exists through the great book about where
to bird in the Cayuga Lake Basin that involved a number of members from the
Cayuga Bird Club, I think it is a logical next step to work towards the
goal of having a recognized birding trail.  I definitely am willing to help
out.  I encourage others to join in, too.

Thanks
Jody

On Thu, Jun 15, 2017 at 11:14 PM, Dave Nutter 
> wrote:

As you have gone birding around the lake, you may have noticed an
occasional sign, "Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway," along the loop which includes
NYS-34B, NYS-90, NYS-5/US-20, & NYS-89. Like me, you may have said, "Yep,
it's scenic, glad someone noticed." And, like me, you may not have realized
that this Scenic Byway is not simply a recognition by NYSDOT, it is also
managed by a non-profit whose board consists of government & business folks
from Cayuga, Seneca, & Tompkins Counties. Given that knowledge, however, I
was not surprised that one of their goals is to promote tourism.

It turns out that this board wants to develop a "Cayuga Lake Birding
Trail," and that a member of that board has asked me to help. That person
is Andrea Van Beusichem, who has previously asked me to lead late-summer
shorebird field trips into otherwise off-limits parts of Montezuma NWR.
Given that the commitment is only one meeting every other month, I said,
"Sure!," even though I'm not fond of commitments to be indoors, nor am I
sure exactly what they have in mind as an end product, nor do I bring all
the necessary skills to the group.

I figure birding and birders will benefit if we do a decent job. Birders,
particularly from out of the area, may have an easier time knowing where to
go, when to go there, and what to look for. People who are not (yet)
birders, may get some interest, or at least some respect for the activity.
Families vacationing in the area can split their time if some members are
more outdoorsy than others. Landowners may be more willing to permit
birders access to lakeshore viewing points and even take pride in unusual
birds found there. Businesses may take an interest in selling the things
that we seek, such as gasoline, coffee and donuts, sandwiches, or ice cream
as the price for access to a bathroom, or full sit-down meals, or hotels
rooms for out of town folks, or outdoor gear, or optics, particularly if we
highlight their business and send patrons their way. Governments may
recognize that birders, along with birds and their habitats, are a
constituency worth maintaining.

I'm looking for additional people who may be interested (Jody or another
Cayuga Bird Club representative &/or someone from the Campus Bird Study
Group?).

I'm looking for opinions as to what a "birding trail" should entail. I
figure at a minimum there should be some on-line information, signage at
important sites, enthusiastic promotion of _The Cayuga Bird Club guide to
Birding the Cayuga Lake Basin Edited by Bob McGuire_, an invitation to
subscribe to CayugaBirds-L, and basic instruction on the use and usefulness
of eBird.

Are there potentially great birding sites around the lake that could use
more definite permission to access, or clearer terms? I'm hoping that we
can scan the lake from some of the places which the Cayuga Lake Blueways
Trail is using for lake access for people using canoes, kayaks, &
paddleboards.

I also want to encourage people using bikes to bring binoculars, go slow,
listen and look for birds, stop frequently, enjoy birding, gorges, trees,
and vistas at rest stops, and generally cultivate the opinion that these
values can outweigh the distance, speed, or exercise tallied on a ride.

In addition to the birds that particularly thrill us as unusual, what
species are people not from here most likely to be impressed by even though
they are not hard for us to find?

If we want to negotiate access to more sites, I want help from a more

[cayugabirds-l] Migration, migrants, hummingbirds

[Dave Nutter]

I haven't been doing as much birding or traveling for birding this spring as in 
previous years, so my sampling is sparse, but here goes: 
I heard Blackpoll Warblers from plenty of random places over a goodly span of 
time, so they did not strike me as missing, nor late, nor rare. 
I only went to the Hawthorns a couple times and found it to be on the quiet 
side, but I chalked that up to my own poor timing (and hearing and technique). 
I agree the cold air that sat on us for such a long time likely caused migrants 
to wait south of us then jump past us. I can't explain why there are still odd 
shorebirds, gulls, and terns showing up, so there may be some general mix-up, 
which again may be weather-related. 
I also agree that some species are likely just being knocked out by loss of 
habitat. 
As for hummingbirds, sample size 2, we still have a female attending our 
feeder, and the nest-start which I discovered on the 6th appeared complete by 
the 12th, with incubation starting by the 13th, still underway today (17th), 
and with luck to continue for some time. 
It's certainly possible there's been a huge knock-back in populations, but I 
haven't been out enough to see it.  
--Dave Nutter
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RE: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] ...bird news from Newfoundland...

[Marie P. Read]

Hi all,

Greeting from Newfoundland where we've been since late May.
This post probably won't allay too many peoples' concerns in Ithaca, but there 
ARE some neotropical migrants up here, so maybe a lot of them just skipped the 
Cayuga Basin en route northward...

The predominate species anywhere we walk in the spruce/fir forest or any wet 
areas is Northern Waterthrush...they are singing everywhere up here. On the 
western coast of NFL a couple of weeks ago there were Ruby-crowned Kinglets all 
over the place. We've also seen/heard good numbers of Black-and-white Warbler, 
Magnolia Warbler, plus scattered Black-throated Greens, Yellow-rumped, Wilson's 
and a few Yellow. Hermit Thrush too. And I had my lifer Blackpoll Warbler a 
couple of days ago, and now recognize the call various from other sprucey 
places we've walked today and yesterday.

That said, there is a depressingly HUGE amount of deforestation going on here, 
especially where we are right now an hour or so south of St. Johns...people are 
maniacally cutting trees, importing lawns and building houses. YUCKO!!!

Certainly our birds face a huge threat in this human-dominated world...not 
intending to minimize that...

Marie




Marie Read Wildlife Photography
452 Ringwood Road
Freeville NY  13068 USA

Phone  607-539-6608
e-mail   m...@cornell.edu

Website: http://www.marieread.com
Follow me on Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography-104356136271727/

From: bounce-121606671-5851...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-121606671-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Christopher T. 
Tessaglia-Hymes [c...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2017 9:52 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Cc: John and Sue Gregoire; Glenn Wilson; JOHN BLIZZARD; Michele Emerick Brown
Subject: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

Everyone,

Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, WAY down. John, if you have full 
capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are prime 
and being filled to capacity because they are the best locations. It sounds to 
me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.
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Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Jody Enck]

Hi All,

My perception of spring migration is about the same as Chris' description.
Migration of neotropical migrants almost never happened.  Because of
helping out with the Sapsucker Woods Acoustic Monitoring Project (SWAMP)
this spring, I have spent a lot of time in Sapsucker Woods this spring.
Between the beginning of April and mid June, I've submitted more than 900
ebird lists from 10 points there.  Both diversity and abundance of present
species is way, way down from what I have experienced in previous years.  I
too hope that the change can be explained away by weather.  But, I fear
that it could be something much more serious that is at play.

Jody

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 9:52 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <
c...@cornell.edu> wrote:

> Everyone,
>
> Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area
> of Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, *WAY* down. John, if you
> have full capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you
> host are prime and being filled to capacity because they *are* the best
> locations. It sounds to me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.
>
> Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are
> lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet
> there was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers
> of expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee
> Warblers and Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three
> Tennessee Warblers at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they
> were just done. Blackpoll Warblers…you were lucky to see or hear a single
> bird this spring. Blackpoll Warblers used to come through here in droves –
> just driving around, you would pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after
> Blackpoll Warbler, during their peak migration through this area. Remember?
> When all of those Blackpoll Warblers came through, that marked the “end” of
> that spring migration – the cleanup species – this simply didn’t happen.
>
> In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, and
> which normally fills in because the best habitats are already taken by
> other birds, the birds simply are not there.
>
> Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope.
> Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope.
> Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope.
> Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope.
> Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope.
> Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope.
>
> I’m just talking about the regular comings and goings of my own personal
> activities of driving around, walking in and out of buildings, coming and
> going from home, work, shopping, etc. I’m just not seeing or hearing the
> abundance of birds that I’m used to seeing or hearing. It just seems deadly
> quiet this year, if you look at the whole picture – the gestalt of bird
> abundance this year.
>
> Sure, prime habitats may seem to have the “regular” volumes of birds, but
> the sub-par habitats are seemingly empty.
>
> If there is not a rock solid explanation for this, then this is a red flag
> in my opinion.
>
> Perhaps the most logical cause is weather-related.
>
> If this is not the case, then we’ve got something far more detrimental
> going on, at least in the Northeast.
>
> Hope I’m wrong.
>
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H
>
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 9:00 AM, k...@empacc.net wrote:
>
> We have 17 boxes active, one with bluebirds, two with House Wren, a one
> with chickadees and the remainder with Tree Swallows. Probably another good
> year after a 100% occupancy/success rate last year. We believe this is due
> to effective placement and predator guards that function well. john
>
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> Field Ornithologists
> Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818
> 42.443508000, -76.758202000
>
> On 2017-06-17 12:40, Glenn Wilson wrote:
>
> We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I
> haven't seen a single one since early swallow migration.
>
> Glenn Wilson
> Endicott, NY
> www.WilsonsWarbler.com 
>
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard <
> job121...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days.
> Usually have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this yr..
> Same with barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more than a doz.
> of either lining up on our power line in late summer before migration. Used
> to be many, many dozens. :'(
>
> The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same
> when the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were
> swooping overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see those
> many insects.
>
> Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.
>
> Fritzie Blizzard
>
> Union Springs
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
> 

Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Regi Teasley]

I have always felt that birders, from casual to die-hard, number in the 
millions and comprise a  group of potentially influential activists. 
 I would love to see an organization, or even discussion thread dedicated to 
furthering the convergence of birding and environmental activism.  While I know 
many birders are environmentalists, the groups have been relatively separate.  
Linking these would be powerful and creative!

IMHO We are all in a heap of trouble and we are running out of time to save our 
biosphere.

Meanwhile, hats off to those who are engaged in restoration and/or creating 
birding habitat.

BTW I study people, not birds.  ‍‍
Regi

"Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, 
you will perceive the divine mystery in things."  Dostoyevsky.


> On Jun 17, 2017, at 11:20 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
>  wrote:
> 
> Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used 
> to have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
> species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
> sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
> these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to hover 
> from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from spider 
> webs from under the eaves of our house.
> 
> I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
> beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental 
> catastrophe since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely 
> caused by human activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the coal 
> mine? Is this finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the food 
> chain? I haven’t seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or heard any 
> chittery territorial calls from them this season.
> 
> Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer 
> road trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My 
> windshield would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any 
> more.
> 
> I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
> accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red flag, 
> and something should be done about it – the question is: what?
> 
> Party-pooper,
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 10:54 AM, Alicia Plotkin  wrote:
> 
> Thank you for sending this - it is exactly my experience & my concern.  I 
> don't worry quite so much about migration, which can skip over us easily due 
> to weather patterns.  In fact there was an odd weather pattern in late April 
> that seemed to sling a lot of 'my' warblers up to the coast of Maine where 
> the fallout was welcomed with delight and surprise. 
> 
> However the lack of nesters anywhere but prime habitat is far more worrisome, 
> especially without any readily identifiable weather event to explain it.  
> It's deeply concerning and I have wondered why no one is talking about it.  
> Thank you for bringing it up!
> 
> Alicia
> 
> P.S.  You left off hummingbirds, which are non-existent or in very low 
> numbers for everyone I know, both folks with feeders and people like me whose 
> plantings are tailored to their tastes.  I have not seen a single one in my 
> yard yet.  This is hard to believe, our habitat is pretty prime: we live in a 
> large clearing in the woods that is filled with wildflowers, additional 
> hummingbird-favored plants we have added, plenty of water, trees with perfect 
> forks for their nests (based on their past preference), and a neighbor who 
> puts fresh nectar in her feeder every day.
> 
>> On 6/17/2017 9:52 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes wrote:
>> Everyone, 
>> 
>> Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
>> Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, WAY down. John, if you have full 
>> capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are 
>> prime and being filled to capacity because they are the best locations. It 
>> sounds to me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.
>> 
>> Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are 
>> lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet there 
>> was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers of 
>> expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee Warblers 
>> and Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three Tennessee 
>> Warblers at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just 
>> done. Blackpoll Warblers…you were lucky to see or hear a single bird this 
>> spring. Blackpoll Warblers used to come through here in droves – just 
>> driving around, you would pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll 
>> Warbler, during their peak migration through this area. 

Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Nancy Cusumano]

We are kayaker, and there are plenty of birds along the rivers. Yellow 
warblers, Baltimore orioles and especially cedar waxwings.
Around our house, same as others are reporting.

Nancy Cusumano

Cayuga Dog Rescue has saved more than 525! dogs since 2005!
Learn more at cayugadogrescue.org


Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 17, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Terry P. Mingle  wrote:
> 
> We have a TON of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at camp (Forest Lake Campground, 
> in Truxton).  Not so many in Cortland (where we live).
> 
> Also I've seen almost all the usual suspects in Cortland this year (sans the 
> hummingbirds).
> 
> At camp, plenty of assorted swallows (Tree and Barn) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 
> Scarlet Tanagers, and assorted warblers, along with our resident Barred Owl, 
> hawks, etc.
> 
> Oh, and insects, too.  (Which I guess, is good AND bad…. could sure do 
> without the flies and mosquitoes!)
> 
> Hoping to re-energize the "party"….   :-D
> 
> --Terry
> 
> =
> 
>> On Jun 17, 2017 , at 11:20 AM, "Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes" 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used 
>> to have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
>> species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
>> sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
>> these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to 
>> hover from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from 
>> spider webs from under the eaves of our house.
>> 
>> I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
>> beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental 
>> catastrophe since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely 
>> caused by human activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the 
>> coal mine? Is this finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the 
>> food chain? I haven’t seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or 
>> heard any chittery territorial calls from them this season.
>> 
>> Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer 
>> road trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My 
>> windshield would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any 
>> more.
>> 
>> I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
>> accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red 
>> flag, and something should be done about it – the question is: what?
>> 
>> Party-pooper,
>> Chris
> 
> --
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Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

Exactly, Terry. The issue is that the birds are in the prime habitat (such as 
at your campsite) but they are not as prevalent in the sub-prime habitat or 
traditional backyard habitat…

Thanks for trying… :-)

Sincerely,
Chris



On Jun 17, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Terry P. Mingle 
> wrote:

We have a TON of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at camp (Forest Lake Campground, in 
Truxton).  Not so many in Cortland (where we 
live).

Also I've seen almost all the usual suspects in Cortland this year (sans the 
hummingbirds).

At camp, plenty of assorted swallows (Tree and Barn) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 
Scarlet Tanagers, and assorted warblers, along with our resident Barred Owl, 
hawks, etc.

Oh, and insects, too.  (Which I guess, is good AND bad…. could sure do without 
the flies and mosquitoes!)

Hoping to re-energize the "party"….   :-D

--Terry

=

On Jun 17, 2017 , at 11:20 AM, "Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes" 
> wrote:

Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used to 
have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to hover 
from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from spider 
webs from under the eaves of our house.

I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental catastrophe 
since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely caused by human 
activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the coal mine? Is this 
finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the food chain? I haven’t 
seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or heard any chittery 
territorial calls from them this season.

Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer road 
trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My windshield 
would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any more.

I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red flag, 
and something should be done about it – the question is: what?

Party-pooper,
Chris

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Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes
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159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
W: 607-254-2418   M: 607-351-5740   F: 
607-254-1132
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Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Carol Schmitt]

 These reports are very worrisome. Fortunately, this year we have a fairly 
usual supply of Hummers, Tree Swallows and other named species at our cottage 
(near Long Point).
But -- remember at night when moths used to flutter at windows in great 
numbers?  When did you last see that?
At least the lightning bugs are are still creating a fairyland at night.
Carol S.

 -Original Message-
From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes 
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Cc: Alicia Plotkin 
Sent: Sat, Jun 17, 2017 11:20 am
Subject: Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow


Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used to 
have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to hover 
from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from spider 
webs from under the eaves of our house.


I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental catastrophe 
since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely caused by human 
activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the coal mine? Is this 
finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the food chain? I haven’t 
seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or heard any chittery 
territorial calls from them this season.


Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer road 
trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My windshield 
would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any more.



I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red flag, 
and something should be done about it – the question is: what?


Party-pooper,
Chris






On Jun 17, 2017, at 10:54 AM, Alicia Plotkin  wrote:


Thank you for sending this - it is exactly my experience & my concern.  I don't 
worry quite so much about migration, which can skip over us easily due to 
weather patterns.  In fact there was an odd weather pattern in late April that 
seemed to sling a lot of 'my' warblers up to the coast of Maine where the 
fallout was welcomed with delight and surprise.

However the lack of nesters anywhere but prime habitat is far more worrisome, 
especially without any readily identifiable weather event to explain it.  It's 
deeply concerning and I have wondered why no one is talking about it.  Thank 
you for bringing it up!

Alicia

P.S.  You left off hummingbirds, which are non-existent or in very low numbers 
for everyone I know, both folks with feeders and people like me whose plantings 
are tailored to their tastes. I have not seen a single one in my yard yet.  
This is hard to believe, our habitat is pretty prime: we live in a large 
clearing in the woods that is filled with wildflowers, additional 
hummingbird-favored plants we have added, plenty of water, trees with perfect 
forks for their nests (based on their past preference), and a neighbor who puts 
fresh nectar in her feeder every day.


On 6/17/2017 9:52 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes wrote:

Everyone, 


Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean,WAY down. John, if you have full 
capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are prime 
and being filled to capacity because theyare the best locations. It sounds to 
me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.


Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are 
lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet there 
was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers of 
expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee Warblers and 
Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three Tennessee Warblers 
at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just done. Blackpoll 
Warblers…you were lucky to see or hear a single bird this spring. Blackpoll 
Warblers used to come through here in droves – just driving around, you would 
pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll Warbler, during their peak 
migration through this area. Remember? When all of those Blackpoll Warblers 
came through, that marked the “end” of that spring migration – the cleanup 
species – this simply didn’t happen.


In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, and which 
normally fills in because the best habitats are already taken by other birds, 
the birds simply are not there.


Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope.

Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Terry P. Mingle]

We have a TON of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at camp (Forest Lake Campground, in 
Truxton).  Not so many in Cortland (where we live).

Also I've seen almost all the usual suspects in Cortland this year (sans the 
hummingbirds).

At camp, plenty of assorted swallows (Tree and Barn) Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 
Scarlet Tanagers, and assorted warblers, along with our resident Barred Owl, 
hawks, etc.

Oh, and insects, too.  (Which I guess, is good AND bad…. could sure do without 
the flies and mosquitoes!)

Hoping to re-energize the "party"….   :-D

--Terry

=

On Jun 17, 2017 , at 11:20 AM, "Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes" 
 wrote:

> Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used 
> to have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
> species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
> sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
> these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to hover 
> from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from spider 
> webs from under the eaves of our house.
> 
> I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
> beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental 
> catastrophe since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely 
> caused by human activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the coal 
> mine? Is this finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the food 
> chain? I haven’t seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or heard any 
> chittery territorial calls from them this season.
> 
> Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer 
> road trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My 
> windshield would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any 
> more.
> 
> I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
> accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red flag, 
> and something should be done about it – the question is: what?
> 
> Party-pooper,
> Chris


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Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

Oh, yeah. I forgot about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I remember when we used to 
have them in the Northeast. They used to be a really common and cheerful 
species of the summer. People used to put out these feeders filled with 
sugar-water to attract them to their house for viewing pleasure. They were 
these super tiny birds, about the size of a very large bee, and used to hover 
from flower to flower feeding on nectar, and would glean insects from spider 
webs from under the eaves of our house.

I’m obviously being facetious, but I’m greatly concerned that we are now 
beginning to visibly see the effects of the greatest environmental catastrophe 
since the fifth mass extinction – and this one being entirely caused by human 
activity. Are we seeing the death of the canaries in the coal mine? Is this 
finally becoming more visible and working it’s way up the food chain? I haven’t 
seen a single fly-by Ruby-throated Hummingbird or heard any chittery 
territorial calls from them this season.

Past few summers, insect numbers have been WAY down. Remember those longer road 
trips across country, or just after a road trip for a few hours? My windshield 
would get smattered solid with insect splatter – not so much any more.

I’m concerned that we are all becoming complacent with these changes, and 
accepting them as the “new norm”. This isn’t normal, this is a huge red flag, 
and something should be done about it – the question is: what?

Party-pooper,
Chris



On Jun 17, 2017, at 10:54 AM, Alicia Plotkin 
> wrote:

Thank you for sending this - it is exactly my experience & my concern.  I don't 
worry quite so much about migration, which can skip over us easily due to 
weather patterns.  In fact there was an odd weather pattern in late April that 
seemed to sling a lot of 'my' warblers up to the coast of Maine where the 
fallout was welcomed with delight and surprise.

However the lack of nesters anywhere but prime habitat is far more worrisome, 
especially without any readily identifiable weather event to explain it.  It's 
deeply concerning and I have wondered why no one is talking about it.  Thank 
you for bringing it up!

Alicia

P.S.  You left off hummingbirds, which are non-existent or in very low numbers 
for everyone I know, both folks with feeders and people like me whose plantings 
are tailored to their tastes.  I have not seen a single one in my yard yet.  
This is hard to believe, our habitat is pretty prime: we live in a large 
clearing in the woods that is filled with wildflowers, additional 
hummingbird-favored plants we have added, plenty of water, trees with perfect 
forks for their nests (based on their past preference), and a neighbor who puts 
fresh nectar in her feeder every day.

On 6/17/2017 9:52 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes wrote:
Everyone,

Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, WAY down. John, if you have full 
capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are prime 
and being filled to capacity because they are the best locations. It sounds to 
me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.

Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are 
lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet there 
was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers of 
expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee Warblers and 
Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three Tennessee Warblers 
at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just done. Blackpoll 
Warblers…you were lucky to see or hear a single bird this spring. Blackpoll 
Warblers used to come through here in droves – just driving around, you would 
pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll Warbler, during their peak 
migration through this area. Remember? When all of those Blackpoll Warblers 
came through, that marked the “end” of that spring migration – the cleanup 
species – this simply didn’t happen.

In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, and which 
normally fills in because the best habitats are already taken by other birds, 
the birds simply are not there.

Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope.
Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope.
Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope.
Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope.
Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope.

I’m just talking about the regular comings and goings of my own personal 
activities of driving around, walking in and out of buildings, coming and going 
from home, work, shopping, etc. I’m just not seeing or hearing the abundance of 
birds that I’m used to seeing or hearing. It just seems deadly quiet this year, 
if you look at the whole picture – the gestalt of bird abundance this year.

Sure, prime habitats may seem to have the “regular” volumes of birds, but the 

Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Alicia Plotkin]

Thank you for sending this - it is exactly my experience & my concern.  
I don't worry quite so much about migration, which can skip over us 
easily due to weather patterns.  In fact there was an odd weather 
pattern in late April that seemed to sling a lot of 'my' warblers up to 
the coast of Maine where the fallout was welcomed with delight and 
surprise.

However the lack of nesters anywhere but prime habitat is far more 
worrisome, especially without any readily identifiable weather event to 
explain it.  It's deeply concerning and I have wondered why no one is 
talking about it.  Thank you for bringing it up!

Alicia

P.S.  You left off hummingbirds, which are non-existent or in very low 
numbers for everyone I know, both folks with feeders and people like me 
whose plantings are tailored to their tastes. /I have not seen a single 
one in my yard yet. /This is hard to believe, our habitat is pretty 
prime: we live in a large clearing in the woods that is filled with 
wildflowers, additional hummingbird-favored plants we have added, plenty 
of water, trees with perfect forks for their nests (based on their past 
preference), and a neighbor who puts fresh nectar in her feeder every day.

On 6/17/2017 9:52 AM, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes wrote:
> Everyone,
>
> Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate 
> area of Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, /WAY/ down. John, 
> if you have full capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the 
> sites you host are prime and being filled to capacity because they 
> /are/ the best locations. It sounds to me like the sub-par sites are 
> not being filled.
>
> Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds 
> are lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, 
> yet there was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular 
> numbers of expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the 
> Tennessee Warblers and Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded 
> something like three Tennessee Warblers at most on one day at the 
> Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just done. Blackpoll Warblers…you 
> were lucky to see or hear a single bird this spring. Blackpoll 
> Warblers used to come through here in droves – just driving around, 
> you would pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll Warbler, 
> during their peak migration through this area. Remember? When all of 
> those Blackpoll Warblers came through, that marked the “end” of that 
> spring migration – the cleanup species – this simply didn’t happen.
>
> In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, 
> and which normally fills in because the best habitats are already 
> taken by other birds, the birds simply are not there.
>
> Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope.
> Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope.
> Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope.
> Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope.
> Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope.
> Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope.
>
> I’m just talking about the regular comings and goings of my own 
> personal activities of driving around, walking in and out of 
> buildings, coming and going from home, work, shopping, etc. I’m just 
> not seeing or hearing the abundance of birds that I’m used to seeing 
> or hearing. It just seems deadly quiet this year, if you look at the 
> whole picture – the gestalt of bird abundance this year.
>
> Sure, prime habitats may seem to have the “regular” volumes of birds, 
> but the sub-par habitats are seemingly empty.
>
> If there is not a rock solid explanation for this, then this is a red 
> flag in my opinion.
>
> Perhaps the most logical cause is weather-related.
>
> If this is not the case, then we’ve got something far more detrimental 
> going on, at least in the Northeast.
>
> Hope I’m wrong.
>
> Sincerely,
> Chris T-H
>
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 9:00 AM, k...@empacc.net  
> wrote:
>
> We have 17 boxes active, one with bluebirds, two with House Wren, a 
> one with chickadees and the remainder with Tree Swallows. Probably 
> another good year after a 100% occupancy/success rate last year. We 
> believe this is due to effective placement and predator guards that 
> function well. john
>
>
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> Field Ornithologists
> Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818
> 42.443508000, -76.758202000
>
> On 2017-06-17 12:40, Glenn Wilson wrote:
>
>> We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I 
>> haven't seen a single one since early swallow migration.
>>
>> Glenn Wilson
>> Endicott, NY
>> www.WilsonsWarbler.com 
>>
>> On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
>> > wrote:
>>
>> We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days. 
>> Usually have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so 
>> this yr.. Same with 

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Tobias Dean]

we usually have at least 2 nesting pairs of tree swallows in boxes furthest
from house. I haven't seen any in our boxes this year. barn swallows made
it however.

On Sat, Jun 17, 2017 at 9:00 AM  wrote:

> We have 17 boxes active, one with bluebirds, two with House Wren, a one
> with chickadees and the remainder with Tree Swallows. Probably another good
> year after a 100% occupancy/success rate last year. We believe this is due
> to effective placement and predator guards that function well. john
>
>
> ---
> John and Sue Gregoire
> Field Ornithologists
> Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
> 5373 Fitzgerald Rd
> Burdett, NY 14818
> 42.443508000, -76.758202000
>
> On 2017-06-17 12:40, Glenn Wilson wrote:
>
> We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I
> haven't seen a single one since early swallow migration.
>
> Glenn Wilson
> Endicott, NY
> www.WilsonsWarbler.com
>
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard <
> job121...@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days.
> Usually have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this yr..
> Same with barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more than a doz.
> of either lining up on our power line in late summer before migration. Used
> to be many, many dozens. :'(
>
> The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same
> when the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were
> swooping overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see those
> many insects.
>
> Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.
>
> Fritzie Blizzard
>
> Union Springs
>
>
>
>
>
> --
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>
>
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Ithaca NY 14850
t...@tobiasdean.com
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[cayugabirds-l] Stewart Park, Sat 6/17

[Mark Chao]

On Saturday morning, I saw the pair of ORCHARD ORIOLES again in the same
lone creekside willow where I reported them on Thursday, just upstream from
the boathouse in Stewart Park.  Gary Kohlenberg and I saw these orioles in
this very tree also on Friday afternoon.  The subadult male is not too hard
to locate because of his rambling song (faster and longer than a Baltimore
Oriole’s, sometimes but not always with a burry note in the middle or at
the end), but he can be hard to see in the foliage.  The female is even
easier to miss, but I’ve seen her all three days in the branches hanging
right over the creek.  (This is Fall Creek, not Cascadilla Creek as I wrote
on Thursday.  Sorry if I confused anyone.)



So breeding seems quite possible in this tree or the immediate vicinity.
But despite some close attention for half an hour this morning, I didn’t
find a nest, nor see anyone carrying food or nest material.



Here is today’s checklist with some photos.



http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37639107



(There is a half-marathon passing right through Stewart Park, indeed right
by the oriole tree, through 11:30 on Saturday morning.  The race caused me
only very minor inconvenience in terms of driving, and essentially none in
terms of watching birds.)



Mark Chao

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Re: No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[khmo]

Chris et al, 

I appreciate your comments and fully agree. We are blessed that after 31
years the restoration work to the sanctuary here has really come to
fruition. The creation of multiple water features and habitat niches has
proven very successful as has design/placement of nest boxes. The
elimination of people traffic from the sanctuary of a conservation
easement has also been of benefit to the wildlife. 

That said, we have also experienced this crazy spring "pattern". We've
been studying the timing and routing of migration for the three decades
we've worked here and are as flummoxed as everyone else. 

Some considerations. First weather favored a stop south of us and at
times an overflight as shown by the arrival of species in Ontario well
ahead of our area. Early and profuse blooming favored nectaring species
to either stay south or come late. The local landscape view has changed
radically and rapidly with the growth of agribusiness dairies, removal
of hedgerows and even woodlots, that added to all the other man induced
migration hazards of course! That same redo of farming methods has
extirpated many avian species in our area. Several sparrow and warbler
species are simply no longer here or about. 

For comparison: 

> Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope. abundant 
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak -Nope . abundant 
> Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope. several 
> Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope. many heard -even in the dooryard 
> Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope. a few pair but they go very sneaky 
> during nesting so we'll see once young fledge 
> Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope. As above -several missing 
> 
> A final note and observation. Thirty years ago, bird life and song was 
> plentiful as was competition for habitat. I think we all agree that species 
> numbers have plummeted and this is quite observable in the paucity of 
> territorial competition and later song during nesting. Just isn't there these 
> days. 
> Best, 
> John

---
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818
42.443508000, -76.758202000 

On 2017-06-17 13:52, Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes wrote:

> Everyone,  
> 
> Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
> Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, _WAY_ down. John, if you have full 
> capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are 
> prime and being filled to capacity because they _are_ the best locations. It 
> sounds to me like the sub-par sites are not being filled. 
> 
> Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are 
> lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet there 
> was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers of 
> expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee Warblers 
> and Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three Tennessee 
> Warblers at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just 
> done. Blackpoll Warblers...you were lucky to see or hear a single bird this 
> spring. Blackpoll Warblers used to come through here in droves - just driving 
> around, you would pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll Warbler, 
> during their peak migration through this area. Remember? When all of those 
> Blackpoll Warblers came through, that marked the "end" of that spring 
> migration - the cleanup species - this simply didn't happen. 
> 
> In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, and 
> which normally fills in because the best habitats are already taken by other 
> birds, the birds simply are not there. 
> 
> Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope. 
> Rose-breasted Gro 
> Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope. 
> Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope. 
> Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope. 
> Red-eyed sbeaks, everywhere? Nope. 
> Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope. 
> Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope. 
> Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope. 
> Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope. 
> 
> I'm just talking about the regular comings and goings of my own personal 
> activities of driving around, walking in and out of buildings, coming and 
> going from home, work, shopping, etc. I'm just not seeing or hearing the 
> abundance of birds that I'm used to seeing or hearing. It just seems deadly 
> quiet this year, if you look at the whole picture - the gestalt of bird 
> abundance this year. 
> 
> Sure, prime habitats may seem to have the "regular" volumes of birds, but the 
> sub-par habitats are seemingly empty. 
> 
> If there is not a rock solid explanation for this, then this is a red flag in 
> my opinion. 
> 
> Perhaps the most logical cause is weather-related. 
> 
> If this is not the case, then we've got something far more detrimental going 
> on, at least in the Northeast. 
> 
> Hope I'm wrong. 
> 
> Sincerely, 
> Chris T-H 
> 
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 9:00 AM, 

No birds - Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

Everyone,

Just pointing out the obvious here, but bird numbers in my immediate area of 
Upstate NY are way down this year. I mean, WAY down. John, if you have full 
capacity of nesting Tree Swallows, it may be that the sites you host are prime 
and being filled to capacity because they are the best locations. It sounds to 
me like the sub-par sites are not being filled.

Acoustically, birds are seriously lacking this year. Visually, birds are 
lacking this year. Birding at the Hawthorn Orchard was a disaster, yet there 
was food and everything was primed to receive birds. Regular numbers of 
expected birds were hugely lacking. What happened to the Tennessee Warblers and 
Blackpoll Warblers? I think I recorded something like three Tennessee Warblers 
at most on one day at the Hawthorn Orchard, then they were just done. Blackpoll 
Warblers…you were lucky to see or hear a single bird this spring. Blackpoll 
Warblers used to come through here in droves – just driving around, you would 
pass singing Blackpoll Warbler after Blackpoll Warbler, during their peak 
migration through this area. Remember? When all of those Blackpoll Warblers 
came through, that marked the “end” of that spring migration – the cleanup 
species – this simply didn’t happen.

In overflow areas, where habitat may not be the best, or is sub-par, and which 
normally fills in because the best habitats are already taken by other birds, 
the birds simply are not there.

Yellow Warblers, everywhere? Nope.
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, everywhere? Nope.
Baltimore Orioles, everywhere? Nope.
Red-eyed Vireos, everywhere? Nope.
Chipping Sparrows, everywhere? Nope.
Common birds absolutely everywhere? Nope.

I’m just talking about the regular comings and goings of my own personal 
activities of driving around, walking in and out of buildings, coming and going 
from home, work, shopping, etc. I’m just not seeing or hearing the abundance of 
birds that I’m used to seeing or hearing. It just seems deadly quiet this year, 
if you look at the whole picture – the gestalt of bird abundance this year.

Sure, prime habitats may seem to have the “regular” volumes of birds, but the 
sub-par habitats are seemingly empty.

If there is not a rock solid explanation for this, then this is a red flag in 
my opinion.

Perhaps the most logical cause is weather-related.

If this is not the case, then we’ve got something far more detrimental going 
on, at least in the Northeast.

Hope I’m wrong.

Sincerely,
Chris T-H

On Jun 17, 2017, at 9:00 AM, k...@empacc.net wrote:


We have 17 boxes active, one with bluebirds, two with House Wren, a one with 
chickadees and the remainder with Tree Swallows. Probably another good year 
after a 100% occupancy/success rate last year. We believe this is due to 
effective placement and predator guards that function well. john


---
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818
42.443508000, -76.758202000

On 2017-06-17 12:40, Glenn Wilson wrote:

We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I haven't 
seen a single one since early swallow migration.

Glenn Wilson
Endicott, NY
www.WilsonsWarbler.com

On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
> wrote:

We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days. Usually 
have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this yr.. Same with 
barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more than a doz. of either 
lining up on our power line in late summer before migration. Used to be many, 
many dozens. :'(

The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same when 
the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were swooping 
overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see those many insects.

Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.

Fritzie Blizzard

Union Springs





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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[khmo]

We have 17 boxes active, one with bluebirds, two with House Wren, a one
with chickadees and the remainder with Tree Swallows. Probably another
good year after a 100% occupancy/success rate last year. We believe this
is due to effective placement and predator guards that function well.
john 

---
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818
42.443508000, -76.758202000 

On 2017-06-17 12:40, Glenn Wilson wrote:

> We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I haven't 
> seen a single one since early swallow migration. 
> 
> Glenn Wilson
> Endicott, NY
> www.WilsonsWarbler.com [1]
> 
> On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
>  wrote:
> 
> We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days. Usually 
> have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this yr.. Same with 
> barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more than a doz. of either 
> lining up on our power line in late summer before migration. Used to be many, 
> many dozens. :'(
> 
> The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same when 
> the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were swooping 
> overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see those many insects.
> 
> Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.
> 
> Fritzie Blizzard
> 
> Union Springs
> 
> --
> 
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
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> 
> 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/
> 
> --
> 
> --
> 
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> 
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[Glenn Wilson]

We usually have a dozen or so flying and nesting until mid summer. I haven't 
seen a single one since early swallow migration. 

Glenn Wilson
Endicott, NY
www.WilsonsWarbler.com

On Jun 17, 2017, at 8:34 AM, John and Fritzie Blizzard  
wrote:

We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days. Usually 
have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this yr.. Same with 
barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more than a doz. of either 
lining up on our power line in late summer before migration. Used to be many, 
many dozens. :'(

The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same when 
the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were swooping 
overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see those many insects.

Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.

Fritzie Blizzard

Union Springs





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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Tree swallow

[John and Fritzie Blizzard]

We've had one nesting pr. with 5 young expected to fledge in 11 days. 
Usually have at least 3 pr. with many others flying about. Not so this 
yr.. Same with barn swallows. For the last 2 yrs. we've not had more 
than a doz. of either lining up on our power line in late summer before 
migration. Used to be many, many dozens. :'(


The 100 acres behind us were mowed on Wed.. I didn't see a swallow. Same 
when the school lawns are being mowed. Always before the birds were 
swooping overhead in great numbers to get insects. We no longer see 
those many insects.


Rachel Carson ... we need you again to lead a new fight.

Fritzie Blizzard

Union Springs





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