[cayugabirds-l] Snow Geese and other high lights from West Side of Lake
Yesterday, I took a friend up the west side of the lake and had the following highlights. At Newman Golf Course --in the Inlet: about 6 Pintails --Redwing Blackbirds in the shrubs on the shore --6 GW Teal in the middle of the Golf Course among cattail/puddle (5 male, one femal) --Great-horned owl sitting in her nest with a moving white fluffy round object poking out (I think she is the one who hunts the sewer rats near my house in Fall Creek. Yes, Fall Creek has rats. Also, I found a wing and duck torso skeleton nearby and wonder who at it. I will post the picture on Facebook CBC.) Driving down the hill from Upper Taughannok, we saw a tremendous huge raft of bobbing balls of white, which I guessed was Snow Geese, perhaps hundreds of thousands of them spanning from somewhere between the salt mine to Sheldrake Point. So we estimated the line formation which was changing from blob to line formation extending about 2/3 of the distance from the west side to the east side of the lake. We tried to get closer at Barton Camp but still could not identify them. By the time we got to Sheldrake, the mass was gone. However, there was a smaller flotilla of about several thousand down one of the beach roads (right after a red barn when heading north). We got to within 25 yards and could see about 10 Blue Geese (my first!). After about fifteen minutes and a few outbursts of gaggling, they all stated to drift out to the middle of the lake, then they started to all face north EVERY ONE OF THEM, then they formed a line and pushed into one another while all reorienting themselves east, EVERY ONE of them facing east. this orienting took about four minutes and all of this was video taped. Then it was as if someone shot the start gun, and one by one in a flash, they all took flight in the most orderly manner. I was in awe and yelling out what I was watching. I could not believe it. Has anyone ever seen this behavior before? Perhaps this is common, but I had no idea that there was this kind of communication going on in the water. I know they take turns in the air with taking the lead, but this was remarkable. THEN, I noticed about 100 yards south, where an equally large flotilla of CANADIAN GEESE -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Red-throated loon earlier today
...and which rewarded my efforts at the Island Fitness rowing machine on Friday morning. Leisurely paddling and diving for breakfast as it headed North. On Mar 29, 2015, at 11:11 PM, Liisa S. Mobley wrote: After dinner, went for a walk by the Treman Marina. We didn't have binoculars, but I didn't need them as the red-throated loon was swimming in the channel of the marina very close and was quite easy to see. Must be the same one reported this morning and last week by the Farmer's Market. -liisa -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Interesting Snow Geese Behavior Observed
Yesterday, I took a friend birding and saw/video taped the most amazing behavior I have ever seen. This is probably common (evolved over tens of thousands of years), but I was in awe to watch it and have only heard about the communication which takes place in flight with geese flying in V-formation. But what about the communication that takes place upon liftoff??? This is what we observed: Huge flotilla in blob formation seen from Upper Taughannok on the way down the hill. I estimate hundreds of thousands of white bobbing floating objects around 3:00 pm yesterday, Sunday. From the Taughannok marina, we still could not make out if they were Snow Geese, but we did notice that they went from being a blob to a straight line and tried to estimate the length of the line and maybe count them. The line was about 2/3 the width of the lake from west to east shore. We tried to get closer and even at Barton Camp still could not tell if they were geese or not with binoculars. When we went down a beach road (forgot to note the name, the one after the red barn), the raft was gone. However, there was a smaller raft of about ten thousand SNOW GEESE about 15 yards from the shore. There I got to see my first BLUE GEESE, about 10-20 in the mix. During this time there were a few moments when there was a very loud outburst of cackling and then they all started to cackle/honk. It seemed like a unique bark, and this happened twice within about five minutes. Now that I think back, I think they were being signaled to do the next thing: They started to drift out to the middle of the lake. I thought we might have scared them, but a dozen others stayed behind and close to the shore. As the larger mass drifted, and they were probably paddling as there was little wind, the blob became smaller in circumference and more dense, then it became almost linear, then I noticed all of the geese began to face north, every one of them! Then they all turned and faced east, every one of them!!! The line becoming straighter and straighter in the course of about 30 minutes. Then there was almost a hush, and suddenly I heard one take off as if it was there was a start gun. Then the next one and the next one. It was all instantaneous that they took off eastward together, then correcting for north, but it was truly a domino effect where they were so interconnected, they could sense each other and the nanosecond between each one. The orderliness of this massive take off was most awesome and magical. I couldn't help myself, I was screaming with awe and jumping up and down. I don't know if Youtube would allow me to post that video as there are a lot of expletives in there! As if that wasn't enough, the almost exact same sequence of events happened about 100 yards south as the CANADIAN GEESE had landed in a blob but then started to line up, everyone of them faced north, and I predicted that they were getting ready to take off as well. Then sure enough, they did! Flying north. And if THAT wasn't enough, we then saw an even bigger swarm of SNOW GEESE fly in about ten miles south, possibly around Taughannok Park between 4:30 and 5:00 pm. Looking south, it looked like it was snowing over Stewart Park as they came in to land. They landed like a huge flotilla, floated for about ten minutes, then lined up from west to east, in what appeared to be a perfectly straight line with heads all facing north. I predicted again they were about to take off and fly north, and then they did. It was spectacular to watch from a distance and then overhead as they passed!!! Has anyone else seen this behavior before? -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Birding Courtesy Request by Homeowner on beach road at Sheldrake
While birding on the beach roads before and up to Sheldrake Point, a very angry homeowner came out, stood in the middle of the road to get our attention, and reprimanded us for pulling over on the shoulder. He asked where we were from, then proceeded to lecture us about lawn care and how he considers the shoulder of the road as his lawn and his brother's lawn, who lives next door. He has small cube-shaped granite blocks out to deter pulling over. But apparently, my friend who was driving, was able to drive right over them. So, if you want to make this homeowner not hate those Ithaca birders, you might want to consider staying in the road with flashers on and be observant of the two houses with granite cubes placed in the shoulders of the road as you approach Sheldrake vineyard from the south. The cubes are on both sides of the road. Sorry, I did not get the house number. And by the way, sorry to post my Snow Geese post twice. I inadvertently sent it out before it was done. And lastly, there were at least 10 GRACKLE absolutely gorgeous in the full sun and located at the feeder on Deerlick Springs Road on the way down to Sheldrake Point. On the shore of Sheldrake, we saw 10+ RINGED-NECK DUCKS, COMMON GOLDEN EYE, 6 LESSER SCAUP, 1 CANVAS BACK, 2 BLACK DUCKS, 2 EARED GREBES. * * * * * * * * * *Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come ALIVE, for what the world needs is people who have come ALIVE. - Dr. Howard Thurman, American Theologian, Clergyman and Activist (1900-1981) * Sandra (Sandy) Wold NYS Certified Math/Science Teacher and Tutor *www.sites.google.com/site/fallcreektutoringservices/home http://www.sites.google.com/site/fallcreektutoringservices/home* Interdisciplinary Visionary Artist https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sandra-sandy-wold/a7/114/877 Cayuga Basin Bioregion Map, Author, Originator, and Publisher www.sites.google.com/site/cayugabioregionmap/ https://sites.google.com/site/cayugabioregionmap/ -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] CORRECTION: Horned Grebes not Eared Grebes at Sheldrake Point
Correction, I meant to type HORNED GREBE not Eared Grebe. My first thought yesterday was Eared Grebe because there appeared to be a bump on the forehead, but then I had to correct for location as Eared Grebes live on the West coast. It had a white breast and neck and grey back (still in winter plumage), grebe-shape, diving like a grebe, smaller than a nearby Hooded Merganser and close in size to a nearby Bufflehead, dark bill, definitely did not have the thicker bill of a Pied-billed Grebe. The sun was setting, and it was getting harder to see. We went around the point quickly thereafter, and there seemed to be many more grebe-sized birds around the northernside of the point, many smaller birds there, maybe bufflehead too...such a contrast to the large Tundra Swan seen there a few weeks ago. -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Syracuse RBA
RBA * New York* Syracuse* March 30, 2015* NYSY 03. 30. 15 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird AlertDates(s):March 23, 2015 - March 30, 2015to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.comcovering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refugeand Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison Cortlandcompiled: March 30 AT 3:00 p.m. (DST)compiler: Joseph BrinOnondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #436 Monday March 30, 2015 Greetings. This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of March 23, 2014 Highlights:--- RED-NECKED GREBENORTHERN GOSHAWKSANDHILL CRANE ICELAND GULLGLAUCOUS GULLLESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLSNOWY OWLNORTHERN SHRIKEEVENING GROSBEAK Montezuma National Wildlife Complex (MNWC) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) 3/24: 2 SANDHILL CRANES were spotted in a corn field on Rt.89 south of Armitage Road. 3.25: A SANDHILL CRANE was seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. 3/30: 2 TRUMPETER SWANS were seen at the Visitor’s Center. Derby Hill A definite upswing in numbers at Derby this week with 5,223 birds counted. A majority were TURKEY VULTURES but good numbers of other hawks were seen too including the seasons first OSPREY on the 27th. The first TREE SWALLOWS were seen on the 25th. Madison County 3/24: EVENING GROSBEAKS continue at the feeder on Carpenter road near Sheds. 3/28: An ICELAND GULL, a GLAUCOUS GULL and a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL were all seen on Ditchbank Road. Onondaga County 3/24: Large numbers of waterfowl continue to be seen on the Oswego River from River Road above Rt. 31. Up to 16 species have been seen during the week. 3 RED-NECKED GREBES were seen also. 3/25: An ICELAND GULL was seen at the Inner Harbor near Carousel Mall. 3/29: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Indian Hill Road near Manlius. Oneida County 3/26: 5 EVENING GROSBEAKS and a NORTHERN SHRIKE were reported from the same area near Camden. Jefferson County 3/28: A SNOWY OWL was seen near Rt. 11 north of Evans Mills. -- end report Joseph BrinRegion 5Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Wood Ducks
WOOD DUCKS 3 males, 2 females on small pond south side Buck Rd, Lansing, ~1/2 mile east of Van Ostrand rd., just past half-torn-down barn. Sent from my iPhone Donna Scott -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Red-throated Loon continued Treman Marina
Swimming in the small area of open water of the marina itself where it connects to the inlet. Lee Ann van Leer la...@cornell.edu Be a Better Birder Webinars Tutorials Cornell Lab of Ornithology for more information on our webinars: http://birds.cornell.edu/courses/home/webinars Sent from my iPhone -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Pied-bill Grebe
PIED-BILL GREBE in Town of Lansing marina, right now near SE side. Sent from my iPhone Donna Scott -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] PB.Grebe Myers
I meant to add Myers Park to post about Pied-bill Grebe. Sent from my iPhone Donna Scott -- 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/ --
