Hi all, I was planning to go kayaking on Tioughnioga River, but unfortunately as I reached Etna, my car tire started loosing air and finally ended up paying $ 300 for a new tire and alignment. I was told it would take about an hour to do changes. So I walked to Larch Meadows while car was being fixed.
A very vocal Carolina was singing at the beginning of the trail. I found usual Baltimore Oriole, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red and warbling Vireos, Indigo Bunting, Rose Breasted Bgrosbeak Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided, and Yellow warblers and other usual stuff. But the best thing was a Female Hooded Merganser with three babies in the inlet. I was wearing a camouflaged clothing, but somehow she recognize me from a distance of 30 feet. She kept hiding behind the bushes going back and forth. I was trying to move back and forth to get a better look. Finally I decided I will just wait in one spot. This built her courage then she spend some time looking for things to eat, but still alert. One of the babies was always too busy trying to find something to eat and did not joining the group. She often had to wait for that one to catch up. When the baby realized it is far away from others would run with full speed and catch up with mom. Finally they went underneath Rt 13 and into inlet behind a curve. But it was fun to watch. Then I went back to Goodyears, still working on the car. Then he came up with several more problems. I ended up in Tim Horton's. Sat outside watching some Chimney Swifts. Still not complete. Started reading Aesop's tales. Almost after three hours I was ready to head back into the woods. First thought of going to Conn Hills, but had to run an errand at home so headed back home and from there went to Finger Lakes National Forest. For those Basin only birders, Best part of FLNF is part Cayuga lake Basin! Here is the map below. http://www.cayugabirdclub.org/where-to-bird I mostly spent my time on Potomac Road and their ponds. Yellow warblers - many Common Yellowthroat - many Chestnut-sided -many Ovenbirds - many Veery many heard only Wood Thrush Saw two of them taking bath on the roadside puddle Black-billed Cuckoo (at least four and I got a nice video of one) Yellow-billed Cuckoo one heard only Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (many) Indigo Buntings (2) Bobolinks (at least 10 including two females) Eastern Meadowlarks (three at least). One Meadowlark went across the pond to chase the neighboring Meadowlark with loud chatter Scarlet Tanagers Red-eyed, Blue-headed, Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos There were so many Robins singing at one at Potomac Campground ponds and their phrases were so varied, they sounded like both Scarlet tanagers and Orioles. They were amazingly loud. At the campground sign kiosk both American Robin and Eastern Phoebe are nesting and they are just less than two feet away from each other. When I looked at them both nests had one bird sitting on the nest. As soon as they saw me both flew away in different directions. I was sitting in my car and having drink and waiting to see when they would return. Both returned at the same time. It looks like they both are helping each other by keeping an eye (rather two eyes) on predators. I hope to go back and record these Robins to see what they are actually doing. Multiple Kingbirds, Eastern Phoebes, Great Crested Flycatchers and a single Wood Peewee and a Least Flycatcher were heard or seen. Also at the Ballard Pond, there was a Savannah Sparrow and from a distance I heard what I think is a Grasshopper Sparrow. In spite, of hot weather it was very pleasant with nice cool breeze. I wanted to spend the time till sunset, but was feeling hungry, so decided to head home. Cheers Meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ -- 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/ --
