Although I hadn't planned on it initially, I ended up taking the day off and driving around the lake - out ahead of the coming rain but in the teeth of a strong wind.
Walking the east trail at South Monkey Run, I ran across several Fox Sparrows in a large flock of Juncos near the parking lot, at least two Pine Warblers singing high up in the pines (both White and Red Pine), two Ruby-crowned and several more Golden-crowned Kinglets and a drumming Ruffed Grouse. I hadn't been to the Edwards Cliff Preserve this spring, and yet I know that it is always good for a surprise or two. After the Mockingbird singing as I parked, I soon ran into several Field Sparrows, an Eastern Towhee, and heard from the edge of the gorge, my first Louisiana Waterthrush of the year. Further down the trail I flushed a Woodcock that had been foraging in a wet section and then another Ruffed Grouse. Coming back into town, I joined the small crowd at the swan pen for great looks at the visiting Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler (thanks to Jay's post and Dave's phone call). At that point I figured that I was on a roll and headed directly for the Lott Farm just south of Seneca Falls. I checked in at the office and then spent a good half hour driving up and down the paths looking for Upland Sandpiper. They finally appeared at the far north end of the property, just as I was leaving; what appeared to be a mated pair, easy to spot in the very short grass. Purple Martins were flying around the nest condo at the MAC. Several dozen Yellowlegs (both species) were foraging in the flooded field along Carcross Road. A family of Trumpeter Swans continued at Railroad Road. And two Wilson's Snipe were at Bennings Marsh. Otherwise, the water levels were high in the traditional shorebird spots and most of the ducks had moved on (leaving small numbers of Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, and both Teal). I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but Pete's Treats is open for the season. Their milk shakes are just as good as ever. But they don't seem to have any Snappys. Bob McGuire -- 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/ --
