On Saturday morning, I led two group walks to kick off this year’s Finger Lakes Land Trust Spring Bird Quest (SBQ). We had many birders and many highlights!
Goetchius Wetland Preserve Flatiron Road Caroline 6:30 – 8:10 AM 40+ species of birds seen and/or heard 10 participants plus me * An AMERICAN BITTERN pumping in the large cattail patch near the parking area, heard by most in the group but not by me * At least two WILSON’S SNIPE flushing up from the grass upon our approach, issuing soft vocalizations that were unfamiliar to me. I think these were the first snipe I’ve ever found in 14 years of the SBQ. * One or more BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS calling throughout the morning, including one that Tom Hoebbel and I saw flying out of a tree at 6:10 AM, wheeling over an open field, and finally taking cover in the shadowy crown of a distant sapling * The expected trifecta of grassland birds – BOBOLINKS, SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and EASTERN MEADOWLARK. One meadowlark perched up and sang for a long time in the sunshine. * Multiple WILLOW and ALDER FLYCATCHERS and one LEAST FLYCATCHER singing * A female BALTIMORE ORIOLE deliberately picking at some buds on a tree (not sure if she was collecting nest material or foraging) * A female-type PURPLE FINCH repeatedly singing a short song and perching up for some open viewing * Many TREE SWALLOWS offering very fine views, including a pair engaged in maybe 8 copulation attempts in about 30 seconds atop a nest box * A male EASTERN BLUEBIRD also coming close for great views, plus a female seen later flying with food in her bill * A NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH singing out in the middle of the dense wetland vegetation * Two male BLACKPOLL WARBLERS all lit up in the branches of roadside willows, offering outstanding views for all, plus some very good photo ops for Tom Roy H. Park Preserve (southern portion, aka the Baldwin Tract) Irish Settlement Road Dryden 8:30-11:05 AM 45+ species of birds seen and/or heard 30 participants plus me * 12 singing warbler species, including PRAIRIE, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, MAGNOLIA, YELLOW-RUMPED, TENNESSEE, BLUE-WINGED, CANADA, AMERICAN REDSTART, and OVENBIRD. A subset of us got at least brief views of Prairie, Magnolia, Blue-winged, and Common Yellowthroat at close range. * A FIELD SPARROW that sang and sang its typical rising song within earshot of practically the whole initial straightaway and across the spruce plantation to the orange-blazed trail * A second Field Sparrow that twice sang an unusual two-part song whose trill was lower in pitch than the initial notes. This song seemed exquisitely sad and contemplative to my ears, though I am sure it is quite rousing for other Field Sparrows. * A male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD perched up on a bare branch, presumably digesting a recent guzzle of nectar * A presumed RED-SHOULDERED HAWK calling in the woods near the shelter * A male YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER at a nest, seen by many in the group but alas, not by me and others at the front of our long file plus an Eastern Pine Elfin– a very beautiful butterfly and a life sighting for me, and indeed a species I’d never previously noticed even in books. Many thanks to all participants for a very fun morning! I truly appreciate everyone’s good spirits, patience, and mutual support, which were essential for making the walk work with such a large group. I especially thank Diane Morton and Ken Kemphues for their help in guiding the group and sharing their scope. I hope to see many of you at tomorrow’s walk at the Bock-Harvey Forest Preserve (8 AM start, Rockwell Road in Enfield). 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/ --
