Three of us took the day to travel around Cayuga Lake today. The GREAT HORNED OWL chicks cooperated for good views for starters. We saw COMMON LOONS and HORNED GREBES at Meyers. There were numerous ducks at many of the stopping points along the east side of the lake. There were EAGLES on nests in Aurora, Mud Lock and Armitage Road. I lost count of the OSPREY on nests at many familiar spots. There is now a lot more open water in Montezuma. Eagles and geese were using the huts of Muskrat Town for perches; gulls were scrapping with each other for food. There were plenty of GREAT BLUE HERONS too. The most common ducks to be found included RING NECK, PINTAIL, NORTHERN SHOVELER. BUFFLEHEAD. We saw all the mergansers with the RED BREASTED MERGANSER at Long Point SP.
The last of our stops above Montezuma was at the Martens Tract. All seemed quiet and we were getting ready to leave when we heard the squawk of the SANDHILL CRANES. They first appeared in clear view walking along the open roadway next to the pond. Soon, they were airborne and circled around low overhead as we stood in the parking area - four of them. Such a treat to hear and see. We made it to the creamery before they closed for a sandwich and ice cream. Good day. Lois Chaplin Beam Hill -- 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/ --
