Re: [cayugabirds-l] Muckrace 2021 & early deer season

[John VanNiel]

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html#deer

Forgot the link, sorry

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-125889971-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of John VanNiel 

Sent: Sunday, September 5, 2021 5:02 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Muckrace 2021 & early deer season

CAUTION: This message originated outside the FLCC employee email system. Do not 
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the 
content is safe.


Just for clarification, this change is being implemented over 13 Wildlife 
Management Units (WMUs) not just on Howland's Island and the Refuge. WMUs do 
not follow political boundaries so it is difficult to just explain exactly 
where this hunting can now take place but it impacts the Muckrace because most 
of Wayne County, Seneca County and some surrounding area are included.  This 
isn't a local issue as far as the NYS DEC goes.

​

Here is a link to the DEC website if you are interested in knowing where else 
you may find deer hunters from 9/11-9/19.


Birders may also be interested to know that big game hunters (deer and bear) 
can now legally hunt from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. 
That is the same start time as waterfowl and spring Wild Turkey.


Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-125889910-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Asher Hockett 

Sent: Sunday, September 5, 2021 3:54 PM
To: Gary Kohlenberg
Cc: Dave Nutter; gag...@twc.com; Steve Benedict; CAYUGABIRDS-L; Andrea 
VanBeusichem b
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Muckrace 2021 & early deer season

CAUTION: This message originated outside the FLCC employee email system. Do not 
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the 
content is safe.

The DEC is flat wrong to have tossed this on the schedule with the Muckrace 
already planned. I sincerely hope they can be convinced it is a grave error to 
proceed with the additional hunt. Were I planning to participate in the 
Muckrace I would change that plan if the DEC doesn't yield on this.
I know, OOB opinion.

On Sun, Sep 5, 2021, 12:30 PM Gary Kohlenberg 
mailto:jg...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
I agree with this opinion and would add that rifles are now allowed for deer in 
almost all counties in New York.

An argument could be made that this will increase or decrease safety for 
others, but it certainly changes the lethal range for misses to 1000+ yards.

Gary

On Sep 5, 2021, at 11:57 AM, Dave Nutter 
mailto:nutter.d...@me.com>> wrote:


Hi Kyle & Steve, (& all)

Thanks for letting us know about the unprecedented early gun season on deer 
which is planned to start during the Montezuma Muckrace in some of the best 
birding areas. I have never heard of this conflict before, so it seems like 
something new promoted by DEC. In my opinion it is a very bad idea.

I avoid being on public lands where deer hunting is permitted on opening day of 
gun season. The number of people with guns is not limited. They may be 
unfamiliar with the area. They may be inexperienced. Their enthusiasm may 
overwhelm their judgement. Deer will be particularly numerous, spooked, and 
running that day, which may provoke more shots and less care. Slugs for killing 
deer are also lethal to people, and unlike the less harmful fine shot used to 
shoot ducks and geese, those slugs can travel travel hundreds of yards. On 
public lands the shots are less likely to be from deer stands aimed downward a 
short distance and more likely to be from people on foot aimed more-or-less 
level and therefore traveling much farther.

Howland Island seems like a particularly dangerous place. Sightlines along 
winding trails are poor. The trail system is complex, and it’s hard to know how 
far away the closest trail is in any direction. The terrain is rolling, so 
shots fired somewhat upward are more likely, which would send slugs farther. On 
Howland Island people are allowed to walk or bike the trails any day. During 
the Muckrace there are typically dozens of additional people birding on Howland 
Island, and driving is also allowed. Birders trying to hear owls or night 
migrants are there during the night. Birders may be there all night, or may 
arrive well before dawn and stay through the early morning when many birds are 
most active. There will likely be plenty of birders on the island and active at 
first light when eager hunters first open fire. These birders’ presence may 
additionally make deer nervous and apt to move. There will likely be plenty of 
birders on the island and active at first light when eager hunters first open 
fire.

The timing of this “special season” - in the first half of September rather 
than the second half of

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Muckrace 2021 & early deer season

[John VanNiel]

Just for clarification, this change is being implemented over 13 Wildlife 
Management Units (WMUs) not just on Howland's Island and the Refuge. WMUs do 
not follow political boundaries so it is difficult to just explain exactly 
where this hunting can now take place but it impacts the Muckrace because most 
of Wayne County, Seneca County and some surrounding area are included.  This 
isn't a local issue as far as the NYS DEC goes.

​

Here is a link to the DEC website if you are interested in knowing where else 
you may find deer hunters from 9/11-9/19.


Birders may also be interested to know that big game hunters (deer and bear) 
can now legally hunt from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. 
That is the same start time as waterfowl and spring Wild Turkey.


Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-125889910-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Asher Hockett 

Sent: Sunday, September 5, 2021 3:54 PM
To: Gary Kohlenberg
Cc: Dave Nutter; gag...@twc.com; Steve Benedict; CAYUGABIRDS-L; Andrea 
VanBeusichem b
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Muckrace 2021 & early deer season

CAUTION: This message originated outside the FLCC employee email system. Do not 
click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the 
content is safe.

The DEC is flat wrong to have tossed this on the schedule with the Muckrace 
already planned. I sincerely hope they can be convinced it is a grave error to 
proceed with the additional hunt. Were I planning to participate in the 
Muckrace I would change that plan if the DEC doesn't yield on this.
I know, OOB opinion.

On Sun, Sep 5, 2021, 12:30 PM Gary Kohlenberg 
mailto:jg...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
I agree with this opinion and would add that rifles are now allowed for deer in 
almost all counties in New York.

An argument could be made that this will increase or decrease safety for 
others, but it certainly changes the lethal range for misses to 1000+ yards.

Gary

On Sep 5, 2021, at 11:57 AM, Dave Nutter 
mailto:nutter.d...@me.com>> wrote:


Hi Kyle & Steve, (& all)

Thanks for letting us know about the unprecedented early gun season on deer 
which is planned to start during the Montezuma Muckrace in some of the best 
birding areas. I have never heard of this conflict before, so it seems like 
something new promoted by DEC. In my opinion it is a very bad idea.

I avoid being on public lands where deer hunting is permitted on opening day of 
gun season. The number of people with guns is not limited. They may be 
unfamiliar with the area. They may be inexperienced. Their enthusiasm may 
overwhelm their judgement. Deer will be particularly numerous, spooked, and 
running that day, which may provoke more shots and less care. Slugs for killing 
deer are also lethal to people, and unlike the less harmful fine shot used to 
shoot ducks and geese, those slugs can travel travel hundreds of yards. On 
public lands the shots are less likely to be from deer stands aimed downward a 
short distance and more likely to be from people on foot aimed more-or-less 
level and therefore traveling much farther.

Howland Island seems like a particularly dangerous place. Sightlines along 
winding trails are poor. The trail system is complex, and it’s hard to know how 
far away the closest trail is in any direction. The terrain is rolling, so 
shots fired somewhat upward are more likely, which would send slugs farther. On 
Howland Island people are allowed to walk or bike the trails any day. During 
the Muckrace there are typically dozens of additional people birding on Howland 
Island, and driving is also allowed. Birders trying to hear owls or night 
migrants are there during the night. Birders may be there all night, or may 
arrive well before dawn and stay through the early morning when many birds are 
most active. There will likely be plenty of birders on the island and active at 
first light when eager hunters first open fire. These birders’ presence may 
additionally make deer nervous and apt to move. There will likely be plenty of 
birders on the island and active at first light when eager hunters first open 
fire.

The timing of this “special season” - in the first half of September rather 
than the second half of November - means that trees will be fully leafed out, 
making visibility minimal, such that people who are quietly moving within gun 
range will not be able to see each other.

In my opinion it was a dangerous decision by DEC to open a special early gun 
season for deer on Howland Island when the trees are leafed out and at a time 
when the public traditionally has been able to go out without fear of lethal 
gunfire. It was particularly dangerous to promote this activity when the DEC 
already knew that the Muckrace would be ongoing there when the shooting started.

Since this promotion of premature shooting seems to be a DEC project, 

[cayugabirds-l] American Bittern Wildlife Drive Sunday morning

[John VanNiel]

American Bittern at the last bit of water before exiting the MNWR Wildlife 
Drive just now.

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College 
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[cayugabirds-l] Common Nighthawk @ MNWR

[John VanNiel]

Saw a Common Nighthawk from Esker Brook Trail tonight. 
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RE:[cayugabirds-l] American avocet at benning marsh now

[John VanNiel]

Bird just flew low to the south so perhaps is still along the wildlife drive 
someplace. Good luck if chasing. 

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-122576542-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-122576542-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of John VanNiel 
[john.vann...@flcc.edu]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2018 7:36 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] American avocet at benning marsh now

Watching an American avocet at benning marsh. Also Dunlins and least sandpaper. 
Had common loon flyover, a wildlife drive first for me. 730 am

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-122575830-68200...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-122575830-68200...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Marie P. Read 
[m...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 8:37 PM
To: Asher Hockett
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] oriole

Both male and female Baltimore Orioles can be pretty variable in coloration. 
I've watched many orioles, and I've seen yellow-looking males, and at the other 
extreme, I've seen quite male-like females. There is currently a pair nesting 
in the Newman Arboretum of which the female is very orange, dark-headed and 
confusingly male-like (yes, I've seen the male of the pair and he is even 
brighter!). In my experience the comparative blackness of the head (male) and 
presence of brownish coloration on the head and back (female) are good ways to 
tell them apart conclusively.

Enjoy these gorgeous birds!

Marie






Marie Read Wildlife Photography
452 Ringwood Road
Freeville NY  13068 USA

Phone  607-539-6608
e-mail   m...@cornell.edu

Website: http://www.marieread.com
Follow me on Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography-104356136271727/

From: bounce-122575376-5851...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-122575376-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Asher Hockett 
[veery...@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 4:05 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] oriole

We have our first oriole, a very pale, almost yellow male - it has a black hood 
but otherwise looks more like a female. I haven't seen this pale color in an 
oriole before.

--
asher

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[cayugabirds-l] American avocet at benning marsh now

[John VanNiel]

Watching an American avocet at benning marsh. Also Dunlins and least sandpaper. 
Had common loon flyover, a wildlife drive first for me. 730 am

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-122575830-68200...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-122575830-68200...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Marie P. Read 
[m...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 8:37 PM
To: Asher Hockett
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] oriole

Both male and female Baltimore Orioles can be pretty variable in coloration. 
I've watched many orioles, and I've seen yellow-looking males, and at the other 
extreme, I've seen quite male-like females. There is currently a pair nesting 
in the Newman Arboretum of which the female is very orange, dark-headed and 
confusingly male-like (yes, I've seen the male of the pair and he is even 
brighter!). In my experience the comparative blackness of the head (male) and 
presence of brownish coloration on the head and back (female) are good ways to 
tell them apart conclusively.

Enjoy these gorgeous birds!

Marie






Marie Read Wildlife Photography
452 Ringwood Road
Freeville NY  13068 USA

Phone  607-539-6608
e-mail   m...@cornell.edu

Website: http://www.marieread.com
Follow me on Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/Marie-Read-Wildlife-Photography-104356136271727/

From: bounce-122575376-5851...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-122575376-5851...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Asher Hockett 
[veery...@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 4:05 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] oriole

We have our first oriole, a very pale, almost yellow male - it has a black hood 
but otherwise looks more like a female. I haven't seen this pale color in an 
oriole before.

--
asher

--
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[cayugabirds-l] Ibis sp. at MNWR

[John VanNiel]

While conducting a Marsh Bird Survey on the Main Pool this evening, we had a 
fly over of a dark ibis. It was vocalizing, but that didn't seem to help narrow 
it down. I presume Glossy, but did not get a close look to confirm. JVN

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

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[cayugabirds-l] Snow Bunting @ MNWR

[John VanNiel]

Single snow Bunting on the wildlife drive just past LaRue's Lagoon now

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: bounce-121952189-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-121952189-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of k...@empacc.net 
[k...@empacc.net]
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2017 5:07 PM
To: cayugabirds-l
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Snows and Brant

Mid afternoon here and we had two high Vs of Snow Geese going south and one low 
altitude line of Brant heading East to West (Cayuga to Seneca?). Have seen 
southbound loons follow that profile at times.

Hoping the front induced owls to move tonight. Out 15th year of saw-whets and 
it has been the latest and slowest!

--
John and Sue Gregoire
Field Ornithologists
Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
5373 Fitzgerald Rd
Burdett, NY 14818
42.443508000, -76.758202000
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[cayugabirds-l] Ravens in Savannah

[John VanNiel]

?Sorry for the late post but I had two Common Ravens in flight on Saturday just 
west of the village

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Seneca Falls

[John VanNiel]

Had a Merlin earlier today North of 318 on Gravel Road in Seneca Falls. Was not 
there when I returned but worth looking for. I would call it an adult female. 

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College


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RE: [cayugabirds-l] DEC Mixed messages?

[John VanNiel]

Yes, I believe that is exactly what it means. For example, hunting can involve 
other implements besides guns. So a no firearms ban is not the same as a no 
hunting ban.

From: bounce-119905244-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-119905244-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Gary Kohlenberg
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 10:26 AM
To: geoklop...@gmail.com; CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] DEC Mixed messages?

As I pointed out, in the email I bounced to the list, the 2005 city court 
challenge upheld the right of NYS to regulate lakeshore activity irrespective 
of any local ordinance. It concerned dog walkers, but presumably would apply 
equally to anyone ticketed for hunting.
I appreciate the clarity of purpose Jamie’s email from the city provides to our 
civil servants, I just want people not to automatically assume this is a 
settled issue. Of course if no hunter complains and the IPD runs people off the 
south end of the lake then it may be a done deal.

Gary

From: 
bounce-119905115-3493...@list.cornell.edu
 [mailto:bounce-119905115-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Geo Kloppel
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 10:04 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] DEC Mixed messages?

I was curious to know if DEC had made revisions to hunting regulations with 
respect to jurisdictional conflicts about waterfowl hunting. But DEC websites 
still seem to be giving waterfowl hunters mixed messages about the validity of 
local "no hunting" ordinances. For example, on this DEC web page it explicitly 
says that such ordinances are not valid:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/40550.html

"The State holds the authority to regulate hunting, and no lesser government 
can usurp that authority. Although "No Hunting" laws are not valid, they may 
nonetheless be on the books in some municipalities."

But on the following DEC page, it says hunters must obey local "no discharge" 
ordinances:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/94213.html

"It is important that hunters be aware of and obey all State hunting laws, as 
well as any local discharge ordinances. When using public lands and waters, it 
is essential that hunters access these areas legally."

Can it really be DEC's position that "no hunting" ordinances are not valid, but 
"no discharge" ordinances are valid?

-Geo Kloppel

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[cayugabirds-l] Large congregation of Bald Eagles MNWR

[John VanNiel]

The short story: We encountered 27 immature Bald Eagles together at the North 
spillway of Tschache Pool on Sunday. It was the largest convocation of eagles I 
have ever experienced. And I mean 27 all together... that doesn't count the 
birds we were seeing over head or the birds we encountered earlier. I would be 
interested to know if anyone else has encountered this large of a group in the 
area.

The long story: My wife and I are volunteering for a Marsh Bird Monitoring 
Survey again this season and our assigned sites are at the North end of 
Tschache Pool. We used Sunday afternoon's beautiful weather to scout our 
locations and make sure we could manage them all in the allotted time. One of 
the perks of volunteering is that nice feeling you get from doing something to 
help out a place you love but ANOTHER perk is often the chance to get into 
areas of the Refuge that are closed to the public. I was thinking of both of 
those perks as Laura unlocked the gate and we drove my truck and canoe onto the 
dike. We put in at the pumphouse and let the GPS guide us to our locations. 
Three Trumpeter Swans were vocalizing along with American Coots, Common 
Gallinules and American Bitterns. What looked like dozens of floating condoms 
turned out to be swim bladders of carp (thank you Google). As we worked our way 
farther North. we had several sightings of Bald Eagles, both adult and 
immature. 

Our final two survey points are close to the spillway at the end of the dike. 
As we paddled closer, we could make out several eagles in the still-leafless 
trees. Three eagles, I exclaimed. Then I looked at the tree to the right 
and said EIGHT MORE!. With one or two scattered in other trees we were 
already in double digits. But the real show were the eagles that were on the 
ground, invisible to us over the lip of the dike. As the eagles in the trees 
spooked, the ones on the ground lifted off one by one (the one wish I have is 
that I could have gotten a photo of the majority of eagles together. Instead, I 
have many photos of single eagles...). As mentioned above, 27 in all. They were 
all attracted to the carp that are attracted to the flowing water. The trip 
back to the truck yielded a pair of Mute Swans and dozens of Green-winged Teal. 

Can't wait to see what our next visit will hold! The perks of volunteer work :)


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[cayugabirds-l] Gravel Rd Osprey

[John VanNiel]

First saw the Gravel Road Osprey (the one South of 318) on Monday afternoon. JVN

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[cayugabirds-l] American Bittern Seneca Falls today

[John VanNiel]

I had an American Bittern on our wetland today in Seneca Falls. FOY for me at 
least. 

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

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[cayugabirds-l] MNWR Caspian Terns and pedestrians on the Wildlife Drive :(

[John VanNiel]

Many Caspian Terns along the Wildlife Drive at Montezuma this afternoon. I very 
much enjoyed trying to photograph them in flight. (Now the rant..) What I did 
NOT enjoy were all the people out of their vehicles. Every single person in the 
five cars ahead of me were out of the vehicles. A young couple were digiscoping 
with a nice spotting scope on a tripod. Another woman with a large telephoto 
lens was parked in the middle of the drive and was excitedly taking photos. Two 
elderly women were down at the edge of the water snapping pictures of the 
mallows in bloom. I could go on  I moved to Seneca Falls 19 years ago and 
have been a regular visitor since. I cannot recall a year when the foot traffic 
was as bad as I have seen it this year. There are two signs that instruct 
visitors to stay in their vehicles that drivers pass before entering the drive 
and a third reminder after the big left turn before Benning Marsh. However, I 
can understand how visitors would miss seeing them. I think this is a problem 
that needs a solution. I would like to speak to the Refuge staff formally about 
it.  If anyone would like to join me or have me relay his or her thoughts, 
please contact me offline. Thank you for your time. 
Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College


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RE: [cayugabirds-l] MNWR Caspian Terns and pedestrians on the Wildlife Drive :(

[John VanNiel]

Meena, this is exactly the kind f discussion I was hoping to instigate. I am 
not against a change in policy, but I am for enforcement of policies.
Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College

From: Meena Madhav Haribal [m...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2014 5:59 PM
To: John VanNiel
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] MNWR Caspian Terns and pedestrians on the Wildlife 
Drive :(

Hi John and all,
My question to you is were the birds disturbed by so many people being out. I 
have been to MNWR for more than 20 years. When I started birding MNWR there was 
no restriction of being in the car. We could walk around on the drive.
I have been to many NWR refuges, nowhere there was restrictions as to be in 
car. I have seen shorebirds and other birds from as close as few feet from me. 
Birds get used to human beings if we are not shooting them or harassing them. 
So why there is so much fuss about disturbing the non_existing birds on the 
wildlife drive.
I am for the one who believe in opening the drive to foot traffic.
I agree if someone is harassing the birds they should be stopped. If someone is 
digiscoping that means birds were  far anyway, so why complain about them?

I vote for wildlife drive should be open for foot traffic!

Cheers
Meena

John VanNiel john.vann...@flcc.edu wrote:


Many Caspian Terns along the Wildlife Drive at Montezuma this afternoon. I very 
much enjoyed trying to photograph them in flight. (Now the rant..) What I did 
NOT enjoy were all the people out of their vehicles. Every single person in the 
five cars ahead of me were out of the vehicles. A young couple were digiscoping 
with a nice spotting scope on a tripod. Another woman with a large telephoto 
lens was parked in the middle of the drive and was excitedly taking photos. Two 
elderly women were down at the edge of the water snapping pictures of the 
mallows in bloom. I could go on  I moved to Seneca Falls 19 years ago and 
have been a regular visitor since. I cannot recall a year when the foot traffic 
was as bad as I have seen it this year. There are two signs that instruct 
visitors to stay in their vehicles that drivers pass before entering the drive 
and a third reminder after the big left turn before Benning Marsh. However, I 
can understand how visitors would miss seeing them. I think this is a problem 
that needs a solution. I would like to speak to the Refuge staff formally about 
it.  If anyone would like to join me or have me relay his or her thoughts, 
please contact me offline. Thank you for your time.
Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College


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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Monk Parakeets nesting in Hector

[John VanNiel]

snip I assume that as non-native birds they and their nest are not protected. 
snip

--Dave Nutter

There are only four species of unprotected birds in NY and Monk Parakeet are 
indeed one of them. Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow and European Starling round out 
the list. Other non-natives such as Mute Swan and Ring-necked Pheasants have at 
least partial protection under the law. 

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[cayugabirds-l] Speaking of playback tapes

[John VanNiel]

Speaking of playbacks, MNWR is currently conducting a march bird monitoring 
program (I recognize that the OP was referring to recreational use of playback 
tapes and not research usage) . Teams of volunteers have established sites 
throughout the Refuge and the protocol includes a call back session for Least 
Bittern, Sora, Virginia Rail, King Rail and American Bittern. We are also 
listening for (but not broadcasting the songs of) American Coot, Common 
Gallinule and Pied-billed Grebe. My wife and I have the south part of the Main 
Pool and surveyed last night after the wind died down. The only species we dd 
not record were Least Bittern and King Rail (no surprise!). Highlights included 
dueling thunderpumpers, a gazillion muskrats, Bald Eagles perched on muskrat 
lodges, and as we were hauling out the canoe we spotted a short-tailed weasel. 
At first I thought it was a mink (the danger of identifying a species by 
habitat) but he gave us some good looks and there is no doubt as to its 
identity. Laura got out of the canoe as the bow touched land and that is what 
spooked up the weasel. It ran back and forth on the shore a bit and was 
completely focused on me and the canoe, to the extent that it did not even seem 
to see Laura. It eventually ran right past her and ON her paddle. Who says 
volunteers don't get paid?


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[cayugabirds-l] Eastern Kingbird

[John VanNiel]

Saw my FOY Eastern Kingbirds on the Wildlife Drive this evening at Montezuma. 
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[cayugabirds-l] falconry bird at Kershaw Park right now

[John VanNiel]

I have an excited student that just watched a bird of prey with a transmitter 
and jesses tear apart a bird at Kershaw Park. Wanted to report it in case 
anyone has lost such a bird or 

No word on the species.

JVN

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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Question about lower lake road

[John VanNiel]

There was also an ice shelf there to loaf on...

-Original Message-
From: bounce-75479805-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-75479805-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Geo Kloppel
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 8:06 AM
To: cayugabirds-l
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Question about lower lake road

I imagine a number of factors contribute to the attractive power of that area. 
Here's one: the lake is still broad there, but it's very shallow, mostly 5 - 6 
ft. 

-Geo 

On Mar 11, 2013, at 1:29 AM, Barbara B. Eden b...@cornell.edu wrote:

 I am curious why that is the place where the snow geese and tundra swans 
 congregate
 
 Thanks,
 Barbara

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[cayugabirds-l] Red-winged Blackbirds in Seneca Falls

[John VanNiel]

A flock of about a hundred red-winged Blackbirds descended into the backyard 
trees this morning at about 9am. I wonder if they had migrated through the 
night...

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[cayugabirds-l] Snow Buntings and Brant, Montezuma

[John VanNiel]

The Brant continue where Jay reported them at the shorebird flats on the 
WIldlife Drive at MNWR. There were also about 40 snow buntings present.

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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Crow hunting regulations

[John VanNiel]

Before I get any hate mail. please note that I am providing information, not 
supporting an opinion on crow hunting or hunting in general...

Mark Miller is correct when he says that these rules are lenient as far as GAME 
SPECIES go, but there are many species in NY that are unprotected by law. These 
include red aquirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, flying squirrels, procupines, 
etc.etc. In all of those cases, you can do all of the things mentioned below in 
regards to crow hunting (using rifle, using electronic calls, no daily or 
seasonal bag limits) and IN ADDITION you can take them over bait, any day of 
the year and any time of day.

As I understand it, crows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty act 
only becuase the Act covers families of birds not individual species. So 
through a technicality, it is a game species, but the states have generally 
taken every legal step to make them as easy to hunt as possible.

**Ever wonder why crows can only be shot from fri-mon? There are only so many 
days of crow hunting that are allowed under the Act and by spreading those days 
over weekends, it maximizes the chances of hunters being off work and able to 
hunt. Otherwise, the season would be continuos like nearly every other season 
in NY and end much sooner.


From: bounce-40021368-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-40021368-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Miller 
[mmiller...@rochester.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:05 PM
To: Cayugabirds Posting
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Crow hunting regulations

In NYS the crow season is Sep 1, 2011 to Mar 31, 2012 (all of upstate and Long 
Island, excluding NYC) but only on Fri, Sat, Sun,  Mondays. There is no daily 
limit or possession limit. They are also exempt for HIP registration and may be 
hunted with rifles and use of electronic calls. (from the NY hunting  trapping 
2011-2012 regulations).

These are about the most lenient rules of any game species, but if you happen 
to be from Geneva or Auburn it's kind of hard to find anyone pro crow due to 
the devastation they cause. The rules are designed to help maintain population 
levels at healthy limits. Just FYI, I had a flock (murder) of about 1000 crows 
flying over me in the town of Waterloo about 7 AM this morning (96A/East Lake 
Rd).

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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Legality of crow shoot?

[John VanNiel]

You are only quoting the section regarding depredation or the control of these 
birds when they are a nuisance. There is a section that relates to sport 
hunting. The crow shoot in question is legally considered a sport hunt. Anyone 
participating must have a NYS hunting license and follow the rules regarding 
sport take that Mark Miller posted in a recent email. 

Please note that this is NOT me claiming that hunting SHOULD be called a sport 
or that shooting crows is fun, etc. etc. I am merely trying to provide accurate 
information for those of you interested in this topic. :)


From: bounce-40021102-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-40021102-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of M Kardon 
[mk2...@pol.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 6:38 PM
To: cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Legality of crow shoot?

I am not clear about the legality of the Schuyler crow shoot.
The American crow is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act of 1918.  However, there is a depredation order for blackbirds,
cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies.  This can be viewed on
the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, link below:

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfrsid=9c040593bbdf74735e0a72d67dcacf29rgn=div8view=textnode=50:8.0.1.1.4.4.1.3idno=50

In the order's language, crows can be killed when they

are committing or about to commit depredations on ornamental or shade trees, 
agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such 
numbers and manner that they are a health hazard or other nuisance.

In addition, non-lethal methods of control of depredation must be tried before
lethal methods may be used.  Non-toxic shot or non-toxic bullets (from a list
of approved shot) must be used if a firearm is used.

I question whether the Schuyler crow shoot is in accordance with federal law 
since the plan
is to shoot crows anywhere in the county, and simply for recreation and to win 
a competition.

Fred Kardon


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RE: [cayugabirds-l] abbreviations

[John VanNiel]

If we run out out Hooded Mergansers, we would be HOMEless ...

-Original Message-
From: bounce-9259790-3493...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of Linda Orkin
Sent: Wed 3/16/2011 1:36 PM
To: Kevin J. McGowan
Cc: Mike Powers; CAYUGABIRDS-L; Jeff Holbrook; John and Fritzie Blizzard; Jay 
William McGowan; Brenda Best
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] abbreviations
 
Imagine if there were NOMO Mockingbirds?? 

Linda 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 16, 2011, at 12:45 PM, Kevin J. McGowan k...@cornell.edu wrote:

 The codes are easy to write but difficult to read.  They are like mysteries, 
 once someone explains them you can follow how they got there, but you are 
 unlikely to figure them out on your own.  Unless you use them every day, it's 
 always a puzzle.  

 I've said this a bunch here, and I'll say it again: 
 
 There are 2 kinds of jargon - the technical kind that increases the precision 
 of communication among specialists (say, the dorsal surface of the 
 distal-most portion of the most proximate bone, or Richardson's Cackling 
 Goose), and the kind that becomes an in-group/out-group code (like newts 
 for neutralization assays, or BTYW).
 
 If clear communication to all on the list (or wherever) is your goal, don't 
 use abbreviations.  If you want to show you belong to an exclusive group and 
 you mean to keep your message cryptic to anyone outside the group, then codes 
 are great.
 
 IMHO
 
 Kevin
 -Original Message-
 From: bounce-9258656-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 [mailto:bounce-9258656-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Mike Powers
 Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 9:44 AM
 To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
 Cc: Jeff Holbrook; John and Fritzie Blizzard; Jay William McGowan; Brenda Best
 Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] abbreviations
 
 Hi all,
 
 Here is a nice write-up demystifying birder shorthand for those that
 are interested in learning more:
 
 http://www.nabirding.com/2011/03/11/birder-shorthand-demystifying-the-code-of-banders/
 
 Cheers,
 Mike
 
 --
 Mike Powers
 Horseheads, NY
 
 
 
 On Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 2:52 AM, Brenda Best bestb...@me.com wrote:
 At the opposite end of the spectrum, lots of people, especially beginners,
 may not know what a Gaviforme is without looking it up.
 
 Brenda
 --
 Brenda Best
 Durhamville, NY
 bestb...@me.com
 
 Sent from my iPad
 On Mar 15, 2011, at 7:36 PM, Jeff Holbrook mycte...@stny.rr.com wrote:
 
 To Those Who Maybe Interested,
 
 
 
 Just as an FYI, a great new resource for those who want to learn the four
 letter alpha codes or at least have a reference for those times when folks
 forget the cayugabirds-l and other list's guidelines, the Crossley ID Guide
 to Eastern Birds is awesome. It is the first guide that I have seen that
 includes the alpha codes. Even the USGS web pages that list the codes are
 not as a good reference as this guide due to the splits and omissions.  For
 example, Gaviformes are typically not included as they don't  typically
 migrate. Regardless, this is a great reference, but not so much a field
 guide, as reported by others on this list previously. With texting and space
 constrained social networks, i.e. Twitter, etc., four letter alpha codes are
 seeing increased usage by birders across the US.
 
 
 
 Just my two cents. I have no financial ties to anything relating to this
 post. I just thought some folks might like to know or be reminded of this.
 
 
 
 Kind Regards,
 
 Jeff Holbrook,
 
 Corning, NY
 
 
 
 
 
 From: bounce-9256884-3493...@list.cornell.edu
 [mailto:bounce-9256884-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of John and
 Fritzie Blizzard
 Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 17:56
 To: Jay McGowan; CAYUGABIRDS-L
 Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] abbreviations
 
 
 
 THANKS, JAY. I'm sure many folks on the listserv, especially, new
 birders, aren't happy with the shorthand/texting.
 
 
 
 Fritzie
 
 
 
 ***
 
 Jay wrote:
 
 
 
 While very useful as shorthand for both bird banders and general birders, we
 to avoid these abbreviations on the listserv, since not everyone knows them
 and they can get confusing when people try to use them without knowing the
 exceptions to the rules.
 
 Cheers.
 -
 
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 http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
 
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 Please submit your observations to 

[cayugabirds-l] Gray Kingbird not found Monday @ 10am

[John VanNiel]

I am only a few minutes from this spot so I shot over this morning and found no 
Gray Kingbird or anything else on the wires for that matter. This was at about 
10AM and the rain was just starting and has gotten heavier since. 
JVN



From: bounce-6363107-3493...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of Matthew Medler
Sent: Mon 9/27/2010 9:06 AM
To: cayugabirds
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Gray Kingbird reported at Montezuma



Hi All,

Here is an e-mail from Jeff Doyle, who asked that I share this with the
group.

Matt


 From Jeff:

No, I had no camera with me, so no photograph.

My wife and I hadn't been to Montezuma in a year or more. We had stopped at
the visitor's center and learned that the best birding was May's Point and
further north. We'd stopped at the observation tower opposite Tsache Pool,
then spent some time at the May's Point Pool before heading further north.
We'd never been to the Monument area before, and missed our turn the first
time before coming back and turning onto North May's Point Road. We stopped
at the intersection with East Road around 3:30, and I spotted a bird perched
on the telephone wire a few poles up East Road from the intersection.

My first thought was kingfisher--it seemed to have a disproportionately
large beak and head. But even a quick glance through binoculars dispelled
that thought, as it didn't have a crest. Next thought we had was kingbird,
because the overall aspect was reminiscent--flycatcher posture, for example.
But no Eastern kingbird fieldmarks--uniform gray, no band on tail (though at
first I didn't get a good look at the tail, particularly), and, I thought,
larger size--more the size of a Great Crested, but not the coloration. We
drove up the road slowly, stopped and looked, but didn't get out, not
knowing the road and there not being an obvious place to pull off and park.
The bird stayed on the wire and we got good looks with our binoculars. My
next passing thought was shrike--overall gray, and perhaps I saw the dark
streak through the eye (though I don't remember noting it at the time), but
the overall shape was wrong and there wasn't the contrasting coloration of a
shrike or mockingbird. We drove a little closer and the bird was disturbed,
flew up (flycatcher like), and lighted again. At that time I distinctly
noticed the deeply notched tail, which was quite distinctive.

We hadn't brought our field guide, so I couldn't look it up there. We'd seen
what we could see of the bird, so we continued on to the Monument, and soon
headed back south, as we hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. The
bird wasn't on the wire when we got back to the intersection.

When we got home, I looked it up in my Peterson's, and there just isn't
anything else that it could be, though of course I'm highly skeptical of
having seen a S. Florida/W. Indies species that is at best casual to Long
Island and Nova Scotia and is coastal even in Florida on a wire in upstate
NY!

We have no internet at home, and I couldn't find Mena Haribel (sp.?) in the
phone book, so the best I could do was walk over to Sapsucker yesterday
morning.

That's what I know!

--Jeff


On 9/26/10 2:20 PM, charles eldermire wrote:
 Hello- Jeff Doyle stopped by the Lab to report a Gray King bird he
 saw on Saturday at 330pm at the junction of East Rd and Mays Point rd
 on a telephone wire. If you have questions contact Jeff at
 j...@cornell.edu

 charles. --

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[cayugabirds-l] Gravel Road sandhills

[John VanNiel]

Speaking of Gravel Road, I saw a pair of SANDHILL CRANES in the field north of 
where Lay Road meets Gravel. You are familiar with Lay Road if you have ever 
gone to Esker Brook Trail via Route 89. Both cranes were very rusty and were 
first spotted at 310 and were still there at 400 on my return. 
 
Although this was the first time I personally observed these birds, a pair in 
that location was reported to me by someone in a house that faces that field 
two years ago. Fritzie wants to know how many osprey nests there are and I want 
to know how many sandhills we have! :)
 
JVN



From: bounce-6078429-3493...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of John and Fritzie 
Blizzard
Sent: Thu 7/1/2010 10:54 PM
To: cayugabird...@cornell.e
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Gravel Road/Seneca Falls


Two or three mos. ago, John Van Niel wrote about spotting a new Osprey nest 
on a power pole on the left side of Gravel Rd., heading towards Seneca Falls, 
about one tenth of a mile off Rte. 318.
 
Today I was on my way to Seneca Falls to Sauder's Mennonite store from the 
Glenwood Mennonite store on 318  decided to go a bit farther (maybe a mi. to 
turn left onto Gravel Rd.) to check out the nest. I was able to see 2 heads 
sticking up from the nest :)  . Also saw heads on 3 of the Rte. 5  20 
nests.
 
Soo, another active Osprey nest. Wonder how many are in the area around the 
refuge  around Cayuga Lake basin. I know of 12. Guess I'll have to be more 
watchful!
 
The number of Chimney Swifts have increased in the last few wks. so I'm 
wondering if I'm seeing youngsters or if more were actually around than I had 
time to watch for. Certainly more are up here over our house instead of most 
staying down over the village. I miss the Tree Swallows. Lots of Barn Swallows 
but not as many as I usually see. Starlings Oh my Far too many. They 
sure love the mulberries  make bombing runs on the cars  siding.
 
Hordes of Jap beetles made their unwelcome appearance last wk.  are quickly 
decimating leaves  flowers. Can't remember which birds supposedly eat them .. 
maybe Redwings  Robins. I hope.
 
Hope lots of you enjoyed the fireworks in Dryden. If we still lived in Dryden 
we would have had a full view from our Lee Rd. house.
 
Fritzie 

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RE: [cayugabirds-l] 1st Chipper

[John VanNiel]

Maybe it is a bit early to call it a nest, as they were just putting the
first sticks down BUT! I am optimistic J

 

Hey, John VN . great sighting of the BC Night Herons! And I didn't
know about an osprey nest on the south side of 318 on Gravel Rd. but did
see one a couple yrs. ago on the north side.

 

 


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RE: [cayugabirds-l] snow geese

[John VanNiel]

I was at the Mucklands @ 715 this morning and saw tens of thousands of snows, 
on the muck there as well as flying over from what I presumed was the Lake or 
the Refuge. The ones on the muck lifted off at 724 and headed north. 



From: bounce-5424357-3493...@list.cornell.edu on behalf of Susan Fast
Sent: Fri 3/12/2010 3:35 PM
To: 'CayugaBirds'
Subject: Re:[cayugabirds-l] snow geese



I drove up the east side of Cayuga Lake early this morning, expecting to come 
upon hordes of snow geese at some point.  There were none at the north end of 
the lake, and I made it to East Rd. before I had 2 SNOW GEESE fly over.  
Nothing in the Mucklands, but at Carncross Rd., I was just in time to see the 
hinder parts of a flock of about 150 SNOW GEESE heading north.  I spent several 
hours in the North Montezuma WMA and finally a mess of snows came in from the 
NNW.  I estimated about 2000-2500.  Returning to the Potato Bldg., I found to 
the south, and partially hidden by Phragmites, about the same number of snows 
in a dense mass, mostly sleeping.

With favorable winds, I guess the hordes couldn't wait.  Almost nothing on the 
Lake, but thousands of PINTAILS and hundreds of AMER. WIGEON in the wet fields 
in the Mucklands.

 

Steve Fast

Brooktondale


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