Hi all, As you have probably guessed, the long delay in updates have been due to minimal loon movement. Here's a breakdown for the last week:
Nov 25th - A frustrating day to say at least. Bill Evans joined today and we counted 219 (south), but for some reason the majority (159) returned north. After the count was over, we headed into town and while having coffee at the Ithaca Bakery, Bill glanced out the window and noticed 16 heading south. Walking back to his office yielded another 20 or so. I can't really say what was up that day. Also of note for the count, a single Bonaparte's Gull - the first one I had during the loon counts. Nov 26th - A little more satisfying with 208 (south) and 11 (north). Other birds of interest include singles of Red-throated Loon and Long-tailed Duck. Nov 27th - One loon and it was sitting on the water. Other birds of note include a flyover Common Redpoll and my first Horned Grebe for the count. Nov 28th - 149 (south) and 4 (north). Also five Snow Buntings heading north. Nov 29th - Another slow day with 5 (south) and an additional six on the water. Nov 30th - Bill and I expected a decent push today with the strong northerly winds so he joined me again this morning. To our surprise, we only had 23 (south) and 12 (north). Dec 1st - 6 (south). Also two Merlins and an American Pipit that came in and foraged nearby. Dec 2nd - 1 (south) Over the past few days waterfowl have started congregating northwest of Taughannock Point including a couple thousand Canada Geese, several hundred scaup and lesser numbers of American Wigeon, Ring-necked Ducks, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common & Hooded Mergansers, Mallards and American Black Ducks. The predicted NW winds on Wednesday could produce the next and possibly final push of Common Loons over Cayuga Lake. Friday is the last day of the count so if you haven't made it out yet, feel free to join us this week! Also, with the recent talk on Hooded Merganser numbers up at the north end of the lake, while walking out to the white lighthouse a few days ago, there were close to 100 in the inlet. Ethan -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
