Re:[cayugabirds-l] [Cny-naturalhistory] Summer Tanager in Cortland - Yes
Hi all, I had a brief view of the Summer Tanager, in a bare deciduous tree, behind Bill's neighbors house at 4:15 pm today. From the corner of Highland and Gothic the tree was 3 houses down Gothic St on the same side as Bill's house. She briefly hawked for some unseen insects ? I first saw her fly in from somewhere back toward Highland St. to this tree. Bill's many feeders were being visited by Chickadees, House Finches, Cardinals, Mourning Doves and Downy Woodpeckers, but no Tanager. All feeding activity quit promptly at 4:45. Thanks to Matt for posting and Bill for sharing his fantastic backyard ! Great feeders too. Gary On Nov 9, 2010, at 1:31 PM, grosb...@clarityconnect.com wrote: Hello all, Over the last two days I've had many back and forth emails with Bill Toner of McGraw (4-5 minutes other side of city of Cortland) over an odd bird he has coming to his suet feeder. The long and short of it is he has a FEMALE SUMMER TANAGER coming in. Bill has nicely offered for people to come by and view the bird. Bill lives on the corner of Highland Ave. and Gothic St. If no one is home, the yard/feeders border on Gothic so anyone could park on Highland and walk 50' or so down Gothic and view the hanging basket suet feeders. He last saw the bird about 10am this morning. While not a mega-rarity, Summer Tanager in upstate NY in November is very, very rare (NYSARC bird for upstate?) --it's a bird that breeds rarely on Long Island, and is for the most part a more southern bird that should be in Central America right now. Bill was a bird-bander for many years and has participated in the Cortland CBC since the 60's I believe. Kudos and thanks to Bill Toner! cheers and good luck to anyone that might chase it, Matt Young myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting ___ CNY-Naturalhistory mailing list cny-naturalhist...@darkstar.cortland.edu http://darkstar.cortland.edu/mailman/listinfo/cny-naturalhistory -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Pacific Loon at Sheldrake Pt. Sunday
I birded along Sheldrake in hopes of finding the Pacific Loon this afternoon. The water was calm and beautiful for long distance scanning. There were few, wildly scattered birds until I got to Sheldrake Park. By the red lighted buoy was a line of feeding Loons and Gulls with a couple Cormorants mixed in. The close in feeding frenzy was fun to watch. I scanned back and forth over 70, densely packed, Common Loons hoping the Pacific was underwater. After about 45 mins. of this the Pacific popped up in my scope view. The Pacific seemed to dive longer than the Commons, It might have been only my anxiousness to see him pop up that made it seem longer; I didn't time the dives. I tried to keep him in view until Dave and Ann could get there, but arriving were several boats of hunters and fisherman that made it less appealing near to shore. the whole loon group eventually moved all the way to the far side of the lake. I could still make him out through the heat shimmer, but couldn't have ID'd him if that had been my only view. My eyes finally gave out. When Dave and Ann got there we tried conger an image in the distance to no avail. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Plantations Phoebe
On my walk around the Plantations Arboretum late yesterday afternoon. I had one very clean looking E. Phoebe. It seems like it's getting late for them. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Cattle Egret, Stewart Park and Treman
While at Stewart Park, around 4:30, a Cattle Egret flew down the shore, from the east, circled Treman Marina a few times before landing. I drove over to the marina and found him perched on the docks just north of the restroom building. Stuart Krasnoff joined me and took some pictures. The Egret looked to be settling in for the night right in the center of a flock of Ring-billed Gulls. If anyone was there before dawn they could probably catch him still roosting. I'm curious if all seventeen Egrets Tim and Chris saw are still around Ithaca or just one. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Stewart Park Mallards
There are a goodly number of Mallards lately at Stewart Park. The strong north winds keep them close to shore. I would think someone good with hybrids could find at least one Mallard/Black Duck hybrid in the group. Location: Stewart Park, Ithaca Observation date: 10/18/10 Notes: 50 deg. cloudy, light-breeze NE. Number of species: 12 Canada Goose 30 American Black Duck 14 Mallard 650 Redhead 3 Lesser Scaup 1 Bufflehead 3 Hooded Merganser 1 Common Merganser 13 Ruddy Duck 5 Double-crested Cormorant 115 American Coot 6 Great Black-backed Gull 12 gull sp. 166 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.orghttp://ebird.org/) -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Sapsucker Woods
I spent an enjoyable half day on the trails, mostly the Dryden side, at the Lab today. Some of my best views and most exciting birds were: Gray-cheeked Thrush, East trail toward barn. Wood Thrush Rusty Blackbirds, Timmy's walk and feeder garden Ruby-crowned Kinglets, many Golden-crowned Kinglets, many-many White-crowned Sparrows White-throated Sparrow - everywhere and singing ! I've never seen so many. Nashville Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Yellow-rumped Warblers, many Merlin Red-tailed Hawks, 5 T.V.s , lots cruising over Purple Finches Red-breasted Nuthatch -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Freeze Rd. Gardens Sunday
I was in the gardens for a few hours Sunday in the late morning. The diversity of birds is fun and interesting. I was able to see: Song Savanna Chipping House Field LINCOLN'S White-throated Sparrows Indigo Bunting House Wren Ruby-throated Hummingbird Common Yellowthroat Ravens Red-tailed Hawks Turkey Vultures A. Kestrel The Kestrel was an obvious migrant, bombing in over the ravine, strafing a couple songbirds without much course correction then full speed south and out of sight. Paul and I birded together for a time and he had a Palm Warbler. I wasn't able to see it again. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Red-tailed Hawk behavior on EHRW trail
Hi all, I birded the East Hill Rec. trail this morning. It was very birdie, but there were no large flocks of migrants. I did see my first RUBY CROWNED KINGLETS of the fall with a few MAGNOLIA WARBLERS, CHESTNUT-SIDED, C. YELLOWTHROAT, PHILADELPHIA and WARBLING VIREOS, BROWN THRASHER and several ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS. The other expected local birds were in large number and a very cooperative COOPERS HAWK was sitting by the side of the trail. At the Nut Grove there was a RED-TAILED HAWK sitting on an exposed branch trying his best to nail a grey squirrel that was chattering nearby. After two passes at the squirrel he returned to the branch and focused on something farther away in the trees. He pushed off and glided to something on the ground that I couldn't see. Returning to the perch with something long I assumed was a snake he spent some time getting it oriented under his feet along the branch. When he started plucking it white stuff flew off with each bite. As I watched it became obvious that it wasn't white feathers or flesh from a snake, but wood. He had a dried and rotting branch about an inch + in diameter and seven or eight inches long. I'm not sure what benefit he derived from pulling apart a branch, bite by bite. There could have been insects inside I suppose, but this still doesn't seem like a good explanation because he didn't seem to swallow anything. Maybe it's a bill maintenance procedure ? It was interesting to see. Maybe he was raised by woodpeckers. Has anyone seen something similar with raptors ? enjoy the fall weather, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Franklin's Gull, Montezuma, Yes
Ann Mitchell and I watched the Franklin's Gull in the same area until dusk. We couldn't verify the Ruff or Knot because of distance and low light. We couldn't find the Little Blue Heron at May's Point. We checked other likely spots with no luck. It could easily still be there just behind the reeds. Duck numbers and variety seemed to have increased at May's. Gary On Sep 8, 2010, at 8:25 AM, Jay McGowan wrote: Tim Lenz just called to say he is with Marshall Iliff, who just spotted an immature FRANKLIN'S GULL in Puddlers Marsh on Towpath, Montezuma. The Ruff and Red Knot are also still around. Jay McGowan Ithaca, NY -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black-bellied Plovers
I was able to find 4 Black-bellied Plover on Towpath this afternoon. Thanks to Joe for posting , because I was able to hear one giving its whistling call as it flew by. I'm not sure if it was an additional one or of the original group. There was also a group of five Sandhill Cranes. Four were very rusty colored and one grey with small rusty patches. Gary On Aug 6, 2010, at 12:55 PM, Joseph Brin wrote: This morning from Towpath Road at the Montezuma Complex I found 3 adult Black-bellied Plovers, 2 in mostly full breeding plumage while 1 was starting to lose color. Otherwise the shorebirds were distant and difficult to ID in the bright sun. Joseph Brin brinjos...@yahoo.commailto:brinjos...@yahoo.com Baldwinsville, N.Y. -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Hudsonian Godwit still at Montezuma, Sunday
This morning, 7:15, Ann Mitchell and I were at Montezuma to finally find the Hudsonian Godwit in the same area as has been reported. Unfortunately for Dave and Susan it also was able to pull the disappearing act that frustrated Susan and I twice yesterday. The torrential rain made for damp viewing but we were rewarded with stellar views eventually. We also saw two Terns flying resolutely north from Frontenac Park in Union Springs. The great distance, western shore, made it to difficult to call as to what species. I thought Common Tern and when Chris Wood and Jessie Berry said they just observed two Commons at Miliken Station it seemed to fit the bill. Stay dry, Gary From: bounce-6004159-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-6004159-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Jay McGowan Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 9:39 PM To: Cayugabirds-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Hudsonian Godwit still at Montezuma Tom Johnson, Matt Medler, and I ran up to Montezuma this evening to take a look at the godwit. One bright male HUDSONIAN GODWIT was foraging in one of the open spots in the pool not far to the northeast off the visitor center deck. We watched it until nearly dusk. Two Sandhill Cranes called toward the Main Pool as well. Jay McGowan Dryden, NY -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Lindsay-Parsons (FLLT SBQ), Sun 5/30
After a very nice walk with Mark's large birding group at Lindsay Parsons I decided to climb the ridge in Danby State Forest. Following in the footsteps of Dave, Susan and Ann I had hopes of hearing or seeing Worm-eating Warblers. I wasn't disappointed. Sitting, ( or more accurately bracing myself ), on the 75 degree ridge enjoying the view I had two Worm-eating Warblers feeding around me at very close distance. I had exceptional views as they caught spiders, caterpillars and other morsels. By far my best encounter for this species. I was able to hear their trilling song and call/chip notes. It's always fun to join Mark's FLLT bird walks as the birding is good, but more for the great diversity of birders. I'd like to second Mark's kind remarks about Courtney. This was my second time birding with Courtney and, as the first, it was delightful. In the future when I blame my lack of a correct ID on poor binocular views I will feel a twinge of consciousness. Happy Memorial Day, Gary From: bounce-5965928-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5965928-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Chao Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 4:03 PM To: Cayugabirds-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Lindsay-Parsons (FLLT SBQ), Sun 5/30 I spent all of Sunday morning looking for birds at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in West Danby. I spent the first couple of hours with Bob McGuire, Tom Hoebbel, and Sydney Penner, trying to find species and boost my weekend total for the Finger Lakes Land Trust Spring Bird Quest (SBQ). Then, starting at 8 AM, Bob and I led a group of at least 25 birders (!) around the preserve. By my count, including various parties separate from ours, people have collectively found at least 79 bird species in Lindsay-Parsons today. My own total was about 70, leaving me with a running weekend tally of 85 species found on Land Trust properties. This number is modest compared with previous second-day totals, but I don't feel even the slightest disappointment. The birding and the company have been as good as ever all weekend. See below for details. Mark Chao __ Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve Routes 34/96, West Danby 6:00-11:00 AM 70+ species, including GREEN HERON, HOODED MERGANSER, COOPER'S HAWK, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, WINTER WREN, BROWN THRASHER, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, HOODED WARBLER, and BOBOLINK Bob, Tom, Sydney, and I started by standing on the gravel piles by the West Danby Fire Station and scanning the swampy pond. We found the weekend's first Hooded Merganser (a female perched for a long time on a nest box), and uncannily, within a second or two of Bob's first mentioning the possibility, a Pileated Woodpecker calling from the slope. Then from the old railroad bed on the east side, we found Hooded, Mourning, and Magnolia Warbler, plus our first SBQ Blue-headed Vireo this year. Then we searched the hemlock woods along Station Road, a tract that the Land Trust acquired just a few years ago. Here, we found a couple of countersinging Acadian Flycatchers at their customary location along the stream (salutations to Ryan Douglas from afar), and a couple of Blackburnian Warblers that sang obscured in the treetops and eventually chased each other right along the road. On our group outing, we had almost too many highlights to count. We had glimpses of Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Brown Thrasher; scope views of Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, Chestnut-sided Warbler, and Alder Flycatcher; repeated instructive looks at a circling Cooper's Hawk; a long encounter with a male Black-throated Green Warbler that sang on a low branch right over the trail, then flew off with food in his bill; and even apart from birding, sightings of two very obliging White Admirals, many Northern Bluets, and a Black Rat Snake in repose under a hot tin roof in an old shed. Maybe the most heartening and amazing thing part of our walk was the opportunity to witness the field skills of an eleven-year-old girl named Courtney, who was visiting from out of town. Throughout the morning, she was a step or two ahead of all of us in finding and identifying birds by sound and sight. She birded with no optics except a camera with a long lens, with which she snapped off photos of many birds, including the cuckoo. Apparently Courtney has photographed many cuckoos before, including FIVE IN ONE TREE TOGETHER (both species) in Sapsucker Woods a couple of weeks ago. Later she showed us more of her bird photos, which were beautiful and action-packed and sharp, despite the lack of an image stabilizer on her camera. In our community we are perennially blessed to have many young people with prodigious skill and great passion for
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Canada Warbler low on Hammond Hill; winged warbler singing like Golden-winged at Park Preserve
Hi Stuart, On Saturday, I also heard and saw the Blue-winged Warbler singing the Golden-winged Warbler song. I have to admit to a couple of minutes of elevated pulse rate until the singer was revealed. Gary -Original Message- From: bounce-5880053-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5880053-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Stuart Krasnoff Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 4:12 PM To: CayugaBirds Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Canada Warbler low on Hammond Hill; winged warbler singing like Golden-winged at Park Preserve Sorry for the late and lengthy post. The gist of it is there's a Canada Warbler singing very close to Hammond Hill Rd. near Irish Settlement and a winged warbler of indeterminate parentage in the Park Preserve not-seen but-heard singing alot like a Golden-winged. Details and other highlights are as follows: After a visit to Salt Pt., which was alive with Orchard Orioles, Willow Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos and Yellow Warblers early yesterday (Sunday) morning, I headed up to Hammond Hill and ran into Sandy, Bill, and Lisa Podulka who, along with Lynn Leopold, directed me to a Canada Warbler singing on the brushy slope above the road near the intersection with Irish Settlement Rd. I headed back down to the spot, quickly located the bird by ear, and then persisted for 15 minutes before getting a glimpse of it. A little later I got better views of either the same bird and or a second one ca. 100 yards up the road on the same side. This time the song lacked the distinct chip note before the burst that I'd heard in the earlier bout of singing leading me to think it might be a second bird. I then went to the Park Preserve where I walked down the Blue Trail past a singing a Blue-winged Warbler, an Alder Flycatcher along the creek, and other expected residents. Near the beginning of the Red Trail I heard a singing Magnolia Warbler in the spruces and while trying to get a look at it, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo with nesting material in its bill popped out of a nearby spruce 20 feet away at eye-level and retreated just as I got it focussed in my scope for a digishot that never happened. As I continued to look for the Magnolia the cuckoo popped out twice, each time retreating before I could get off a shot. Just past where the Red Trail meets the Orange Trail a Prairie Warbler was singing persistently in a clearing (with several 20-foot white pines that have had their lower branches neatly trimmed) and while I was maneuvering to locate him I heard a winged warbler singing a 5-syllable song that sounds like the first sample of Golden-winged Warbler on the Stokes Guide CD. I did not see the bird, but I recorded the song and got opinions from knowledgeable birders that range from possible Golden-winged, through probable hybrid, to possible Blue-winged singing Golden-winged. I will try to post an mp3 to the web, but in the meantime if anyone is interested please contact me off-list and I will send the sound file by email. Today, a little past noon, I went back and after several circumambulations I located what I think is the same bird, singing the same song-variant that I recorded yesterday. I recorded it again today. I found this bird on the blue trail just past (if you're headed in) where the red trail branches off to the right. It was in or near some white pines that sit above the end of the narrow goldenrod meadow that runs along the creek. Once again I did not see the bird but heard it close to the trail and then down in the thick brush at the end of the meadow, so it was 150 to 200 yards away from where I heard it yesterday and moving yet further away when I left. On the way out today on the Blue trail pretty close to the lean-to I heard and saw what I believe is the same Blue Winged Warbler I digiscoped yesterday and then I am pretty sure I heard yet another Blue-winged singing bee-bizz while the first one foraged. One more thing...on the way into the Park Preserve today I heard a Raven croaking and looked up to see a Turkey Vulture, a Red-tailed Hawk, 6-8 crows, and the noisy Raven gyring about and mixing it up. Best...Stuart -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Orchard Orioles
Hi all, Last Sunday, the 16th, Susan, Ann and I birded up the lake. We didn't post, but people may be interested in our Orchard Oriole sightings. On Myers Point Rd. where it crosses the RR tracks the apartment house on the right hosted two nesting pairs or Orchard Orioles. One pair in the tree in front that I think is a Cottonwood and another in the Spruce tree at the south end of the house. They seemed to be actively constructing and the nest in the spruce tree is almost impossible to see even when you know where to look. At Long Point State Park another male Orchard Oriole was observed by the restroom building. The large tree at the north end of the building had fishing line, with brightly colored float attached, tangled up in the branches. The male Oriole had grabbed the free end of the line and flew around the branch trying to untangle it. As a fisherman myself I know how hard it can be to untangle line so I was quite impressed with his skill in knowing which direction to fly. The only reason he failed was because the line must have been several tens of feet long. A little too much of a good thing perhaps. The colorful float would have been a natty addition to the new house. Happy birding, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Cornell Merlin
While birding Sunday at Comstock Knoll, on the Cornell campus, I heard a Merlin calling loudly very close by. I couldn't see it because of the trees, but maybe it's nesting nearby. Happy birding, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] swallows and terns
I was wondering about the Cliff Swallows. I also noticed they seemed to range farther out over the water and especially much higher up. Sometime very high and then dive down in bigger loops. Gary -Original Message- From: bounce-5657314-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5657314-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Sydney F Penner Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 2:15 PM To: Upstate NY Birding Subject: [cayugabirds-l] swallows and terns Today is a marvellous day for swallow watching. I saw lots of swallows everywhere I went and all of them were flying low and slow in a most cooperative fashion. This morning (7:30-9:15) at Stewart Park I saw (in order of frequency) TREE, BARN, BANK, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED, and PURPLE MARTINS. Early in the afternoon (12:40-1:15) I went to Myers Point and saw all of the above except Purple Martins and added CLIFF SWALLOWS for a sweep. Question about behaviour: at Myers Point I started wondering if swallow species differed in how close to the shore they prefer to remain---is there such a difference? It looked to me like the Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows tended to stay close to the shore with the Tree Swallows a bit farther out on the water and the Cliff Swallows even farther out. The Bank Swallows seemed to roam all over the place. Was this just a fluke or do the species in fact differ in where they prefer to hunt for insects? Stewart Park had quite a few other birds in addition to swallows; of particular interest were the WHITE-WINGED SCOTER flying north and several COMMON TERNS. The terns flew in and out of the fog bank over the water so it was hard to tell exactly how many there were. But there were at least three terns and at least two of them were Common Terns. I believe Dave Nutter suspected that one of them might be a Caspian, but didn't get a good enough look to confirm his suspicion. Sydney Penner 43 N. Landon Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Stewart/Myer's Pt. Swallows
I spent mid-day today watching swallows on the lake and was rewarded with a, very rare for me, swallow sweep. A Purple Martin was at Stewart Park with Tree, Rough-winged and Barn Swallows. Myer's Point held hundreds of swallows including the previously mentioned 2 Cliff Swallows, Bank, Barn, Rough-winged and Tree. They were all close to shore in the heavy rain. As the rain let up the trolling boats moved on and the birds dispersed somewhat. Susan, Dave, Ann, and Bob joined in the fun after SFO. The swallows moved back into the bays again giving us time to test our concentration. We tested our endurance also, because it was way past lunch time. The hot dogs were calling, the cinnamon buns were fresh, just up the road. :) Happy birding, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Northern Waterthrush
I heard my first Yellow-rumped Warbler singing yesterday in Shindagen Hollow. He had nice bright plumage, very handsome. Gary -Original Message- From: bounce-5620813-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5620813-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of bob mcguire Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 9:33 AM To: cayugabirdlist Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Northern Waterthrush There is a singing NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH on the east side of the road at the Ringwood Preserve this morning. Along with a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. It is the first time I have heard YERUWA singing this year. In Shindagan Hollow this morning there were several HERMIT THRUSHES (at least 6), though I didn't linger to count them carefully. Also, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH is back on territory along the creek (Gulf Creek) where Gulf Creek Rd hits the Hollow road. Bob McGuire -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Hollow BW Warbler
It's like fishing. When you anchor your boat everybody motors on over to see what you're catching. I'm enjoying learning more about Steve Fast's backyard. :) Gary -Original Message- From: bounce-5621828-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5621828-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Meena Haribal Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:02 PM To: Cayugabirds-L Subject: RE:[cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Hollow BW Warbler Interesting, I observed that it seems suddenly for every Shindagin Hollow has become THE place to go to bird :-) It was always good for birds and also for rare butterflies! Meena -Original Message- From: bounce-5621798-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-5621798-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Marie P Read Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 11:56 AM To: Cayugabirds-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Hollow BW Warbler New (for me anyway) on Shindagin Hollow Road this morning was a Black-and-White Warbler. Marie Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com http://www.agpix.com/mari -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Sapsucker Woods Thrushapalooza
I stopped by the Lab, after work today, hoping to catch the last of Mark's morning Thrushapalooza on the East trail. I was able to see two very shy HERMIT THRUSHES , my first of the year. By the power line there were many WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS scratching in the leaves. One whistle sounded like a TOWHEE so I gave my best imitation back. A towhee immediately popped up right in front of me in the brush and began a auditory assault of real whistles that sent me fleeing for the quiet of the woods. On the walk back, by road, I heard what sounded like a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH near the Woodleton Boardwalk. Because of the traffic noise and my daydreaming I can't be sure it was one. Give a listen tomorrow if your nearby. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] FW: [hawkcast] Golden Eagle efforts
I didn't know if this would reach CayugaBirds. I thought it would be of interest to many. Gary From: hawkc...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:hawkc...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom Salo Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 10:33 AM To: hawkc...@yahoogroups.com Subject: [hawkcast] Golden Eagle efforts In my last message to this list, I mentioned two Golden Eagle research efforts organized and staffed by DOAS members and volunteers from Franklin Mountain: the camera traps, and the spring eagle counts east of Otsego Lake. After taking thousands of photos, the camera traps have been pulled for the season. We recorded at least 3 Golden and 4 Bald Eagles. Many other scavengers visited the sites including multiple Common Ravens, as many as 50 ravens at 1 site, multiple Red-tailed Hawks at every site, Rough-legged Hawks, American Crows, coyotes and foxes. We plan to repeat this effort next winter and will present a slide show of the best photos at a DOAS program. To see some sample photos from the camera traps go to: http://www.doas.us/ge_study_site_photos.html The week of counting eagles and other raptors in eastern Otsego County concluded on March 13. 46 Golden Eagles were recorded in the 10 mile wide transect along with 22 Bald Eagles. 73 eagles were seen moving north during the 7 day organized count. Several were unidentified eagles. Volunteers have continued to count at Davis State Park where the GE number has reached 54 and BEs total 27. We will be releasing a report on this effort after all counting concludes at Davis State Park for the season. To find data for the individual sites go to: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=698 http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=697 http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=696 Tom Salo __._,_.___ Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional Change settings via the Webhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawkcast/join;_ylc=X3oDMTJnOTljcG02BF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzEzMzczNjM2BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA4Mjk4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNzdG5ncwRzdGltZQMxMjY5ODczMTk3 (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digestmailto:hawkcast-dig...@yahoogroups.com?subject=email%20delivery:%20Digest | Switch to Fully Featuredmailto:hawkcast-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com?subject=change%20delivery%20format:%20Fully%20Featured Visit Your Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawkcast;_ylc=X3oDMTJla2VsaWRyBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzEzMzczNjM2BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA4Mjk4OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNocGYEc3RpbWUDMTI2OTg3MzE5Nw-- | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ | Unsubscribe mailto:hawkcast-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com?subject=unsubscribe __,_._,___ -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Armitage Rd. Pectoral Sandpipers and a possible Baird's
Ann and I found 21 Pectoral Sandpipers on Armitage Rd. I think Bob first reported some there on Friday. One Sandpiper was clearly different. The only candidate that seemed to fit is a Baird's Sandpiper. Unfortunately when we relocated to get a better look they picked up and moved farther out. They seem to be staying put and it would be great if someone else could check out this flock and post their thoughts. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Sapsucker Woods Rusty Blackbird
I saw one Rusty Blackbird on the Wilson trail yesterday afternoon. I think this was been previously reported, but he's still hanging around by the footbridge at the intersection. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Western Grebe at Chimney Bluffs, 4PM Wends.
With beautiful calm, sunny weather I was able to find the Western Grebe this afternoon, Wednesday, at 4 PM. It was straight out from the parking area, swimming, snoozing and preening. Over about an hour it swam leisurely west until it was behind the bluff. I was able to pick it up again by scanning from the State Park shore. I noticed a couple things; it doesn't associate with the Red-necked Grebes at all. Once when crossing paths with another Grebe it dove and swam underneath to avoid a close encounter. Many times it looked like it had something trailing behind like a tail extension, but was only dragging a leg. I've seen other birds stretch their legs, but this guy seemed to do in constantly mostly the right leg. Sometimes he would windmill his leg around the side of his body. I don't think anything was wrong, maybe it just felt good. When past the bluff toward the State Park he resumed actively feeding, diving about every 30 seconds and staying down about 20 seconds each time. He came up with a fish on very many of those dives. This lasted about 1/2 hour. He then resumed swimming out to the northwest in a straight line, but not diving anymore. He must have been full. When I left at 6 PM he was still visible in the scope. Gary Kohlenberg -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mucklands Snow Geese
This afternoon I was finally able to find a large flock of SNOW GEESE at the south end of the mucklands. Over the 2 hours I watched this flock it grew to 45,000 birds as more came in from the north. The flock periodically rose to circle as BALD EAGLES flew over. I was able to find one ROSS'S GOOSE before eye-strain set in. On Rt-89 between East Rd. and the mucklands I stopped to enjoy hundreds of thousands of BLACKBIRDS streaming north over the road from the nearby trees. The main pool at Montezuma held 1100, most if not all, TUNDRA SWANS. There was a large flock of AYTHYA, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, A.WIGEON, GADWALL, BLACK DUCK, MALLARD, RUDDY DUCK. Stewart Park still has a terrific variety of waterfowl, including RUDDY DUCK, WOOD DUCK, RED-BREASTED/HOODED/COMMON MERGANSERS, A.WIGEON, C.GOLDENEYE, BUFFLEHEAD, SCAUP, RING-NECKED, MALLARDS. There was also a leucistic Mallard that I haven't seen before. The east side of Cayuga lake, between the ends, was pretty empty. The west side south of Cayuga Lake State Park had some large mixed flocks of waterfowl, but I didn't have time to scan them. Happy birding, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Stewart Park Gulls
I made a brief stop at Stewart Park around 4:30. With all the Ring-billed, Herring and Great Blacked-backed Gulls there was one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and one juvenile Iceland Gull at a nice not-to-far distance. Happy getting close to spring birding, Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
