Well, one could say we had a field day at this morning's Thursday Birding Meetup at South Hill Cider. We literally hung out mostly on the edges of fields in their high summer finery brimming with flowers and grasses--and the birds who love those places: goldfinches galore, field sparrows, a few bobolinks, song sparrows, a savannah sparrow, an indigo bunting, and even an eastern meadowlark. A bit of drama arose when noticed a small hawk up in a tree accompanied by some crows. The hawk flew off awkwardly and was unsuccessful in its half-hearted hunt attempt. While in the field, we were having the classic Cooper's/Sharpie debate but William Seigart <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/508602390/?__cft__[0]=AZaF_5ELWA_7MSGj5CLKiAgeUOjApmiW2xes7RofRDKRhrp2BwHkbwH90pWcVRstAuGlVW_Btjvd79Fqo0VNQjvP_bHoslQfkaGjCUB1QPDtq_sl38hgBlFS2gbpWipXS1vXy2cxGRY7zOlnAzVG75hN&__cft__[1]=AZZi5ABDQmrdWWNmF7W5XNc-KqAsfaZAUAwoC19H9qexlbiQgpuAiyxtCWeaYsTDJEkLMNO-l0EYXn5eoTse6OHLPpzDASzNimLl0GVO6vXiuULHYlDjiyCBRbZ5aG9yD0AUYTPQeV3iURz8Mw7tFcYE&__tn__=-]K-R> captured a photo of our little hawk and closer examination pegs it as a juvenile Cooper's (thank you, Sibley!). We also observed red winged blackbirds flocking up--oh my, the summer is already on the downswing. Our morning yielded only 16 species but, as usual, it is simply the experience of seeing what is out there and appreciating every moment of wonder for creatures great and small along the way. The chefs at South Hill Cider made us a scrumptious breakfast and it was fun to feel like we had a private little breakfast party in a beautiful place. Want to join us next week on August 6? We'll gather at 7:00 am at Myer's Point Park in Lansing in hopes of seeing early shorebird migrants and possibly Caspian Terns with their young. All birders are warmly welcome to join us. Bird with us before work or other activities, or linger with us over breakfast after our birding adventure. Directions from Ithaca: Take Route 34 north and turn left on Route 34B. Proceed 2 miles. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Myers Road. Cross the tracks and turn right into the town park.
See our photos from today's meetup at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cayugabirdclub/posts/27828296323448152/ Shelley Page *she/they/ki* 313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850 https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: [email protected] Archives: The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
