I also forgot to mention that we had great view of a VESPER SPARROW right by where the snipe was.
________________________________ From: david nicosia <daven1...@yahoo.com> To: Cayugabirds- L <Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 10:16 PM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] SFO Sunday Derby Hill Group "Z" The weather today was not ideal for a major hawk movement but the winds were light northerly (around 5-10 mph), and with full sun it was not that bad out even with temperatures in the 40s. Since the winds were fairly light northerly, there still was some raptor migration evident as we had several small "kettles" of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS with as many as 4 or 5 birds per kettle. In addition, we had a couple OSPREY, several SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, TVs, and few migrant RED-TAILED HAWKS and a BALD EAGLE. An even more impressive migration that was taking place were the swallows. There were likely thousands of swallows, mostly TREE but a quite few BARN mixed in with a few ROUGH-WINGED. The counter mentioned that he had also seen BANK and CLIFF today as well. Our group didn't. But the swallows were pretty much everywhere in swarms. We also saw many many swallows flying low over the waters of Lake Ontario as we were watching for waterfowl and other waterbirds. We did get on several flocks of LONG-TAILED DUCKS, quite a few different groups of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS (by far the most common duck up there today). There were also DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and at least one BUFFLEHEAD. Strangely, no loons today. The usual CASPIAN TERNS were coursing around back and forth giving all excellent views from the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario. The "snipe" spot near Derby had several snipe but there was one right by the edge of the road giving all of us excellent views. I snapped a few photos... http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/8670277892/in/set-72157633299697236/ We then headed to the northern Montezuma wetlands complex but we did not have much time so we hit Carncross Road only hoping for a few shorebirds in the flooded fields. We did get several GREATER YELLOWLEGS and few LESSER YELLOWLEGS. There were also more WILSON'S SNIPE as well. The lighting was poor from Carncross. We also had 4 CASPIAN TERNS too. In general the water levels are very high around Montezuma. Last stop was the Seneca County Ag. Fairgrounds a.k.a Lott Farm and we hit the jackpot of field birds. We immediately got on 3 UPLAND SANDPIPERS right by the gravel road (thanks to Will's young eyes!). In addition, we had great views of HORNED LARKS (close) and EASTERN MEADOWLARKS also close. The lighting was perfect making these bird's yellow breast glow! We also saw the RED-TAILED HAWK sitting on the nest in a tree at the edge of the field. It was a great day and the best I have had personally at Derby in several years. The weather makes all the difference up there. Thanks to all in my group for a wonderful day of birding and fun. Dave Nicosia -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to 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/ --
