Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] "European Redwing"
A caveat to this as far as I know. DO NOT just show up there. Call and set up an appointment before heading there. Please respect their privacy. Make a good impression, NOT a bad one of birders, please. Dan Furbish. peterbilt.bir...@yahoo.com Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Jim Osterlund Sender: bounce-7646143-14257...@list.cornell.edu Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:02:13 To: Reply-To: Jim Osterlund Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] "European Redwing" The stables cited; 42.422411,-73.348814 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] "European Redwing"
The stables cited; 42.422411,-73.348814 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barnacle goose
This morning I was told by Willy Becker of a Barnacle goose that he saw at St Charles cemetery yesterday. It was easily found just south of the main gate,on the west side of Wellwood ave in a large flock of Canada Geese. Thanks Willy Mike TroyanWantagh, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] "European Redwing"
I am familiar with the Berkshire, MA birding community and subscribe to the local bird club (Hoffmann Bird Club) hotline. Though I initially heard first hand from the birders who looked unsuccessfully for the bird, this is the detailed portion of the hotline about the Redwing sighting: > Hoffmann Bird Club Hotline > Bird Sightings: > > *Unusual Bird Sighting* > Kate is asking permission of the stables for people to come and try to find > this bird. Please try to get a photo of it, if it is sighted and send to > Seth Kellogg. More info will be sent out as obtained - Audrey W. > From Scott Jervas, Berkshire Museum > > My girlfriend Kate Edwards made a special sighting yesterday [12/29/10], a > Redwing - not a red wing black bird, a European Redwing. If it was anyone > else I wouldn’t believe them, but this is the person who, when last > questioned in the field, her professor was wrong and she had discovered a new > species. She saw it at Sebring Stables in Richmond, through a window, from > perhaps 15-20 feet away for some time. She recognized it immediately as a > thrush from how it moved, but also knew immediately that she was not familiar > with it – so she studied it carefully. When she got home she looked up > thrushes and found it fairly quickly. She also watched Youtube videos like > this one: > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYpGFEUtLs=related > > She is certain of it; she watched that video and said “That’s the bird I > saw.” As you can see from what she wrote below she tried to get a photo of > it today but couldn’t find it, but she would like to report the sighting even > though it’s not verified. If you’d like to call her her number is (413) > 446-3108. In the “Cc” line her address is the “daintyhyena” one, my non-work > address is the “strangepilgrims” one. I already told Norma Purdy about it > today. From her email: > > > > Make sure the bird club people know that the stables are a private property > > and they need to ask for permission if they want to walk around, > > > So I searched for, and did not find the redwing today at Sebring stables, so > no photographs. It was a quiet day for birds at the farm today, and I'm not > surprised since the far flung vagrants rarely stick around for any length of > time. > > > So I decided that I do in fact wish to report this sighting without a > photograph, despite the likelihood of widespread disbelief. If Berkshire > county birders familiarize themselves with the species, it is possible it > could be seen again and even photographed. Because I immediately identified > it as an exotic thrush worth carefully observing, I was able to very clearly > memorize its appearance, and there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever of its > positive ID as a redwing. I was very lucky to observe the bird at length, in > close proximity, with the knowledge that I was seeing something unusual that > needed to be painstakingly memorized. I know I am absolutely the worst when > it comes to incredulity in regards to other people IDing birds and reptiles, > so I do not expect this exceptionally rare sighting to be widely appreciated > without some proof. However, I do want to make sure that the right people > hear about it in case someone else is able to spot it, or another individual > of the same species if this is a good year for them. > > > > Scott Jervas > Aquarium Manager > Berkshire Museum > 39 South St. > Pittsfield, MA 01201 > 413-443-7171 x 39 > 413-443-2135 fax > sjer...@berkshiremuseum.org > > Best, Jacob Drucker Manhattan/Ashley Falls, MA On Jan 7, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Tom Fiore wrote: > Western Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert for Jan. 3, 2011 is archived at: > http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/MAWE110103.html > > To my knowledge the only publicly-accesible information of this report > is from the Western Massachusetts RBA. If a Redwing was actually in > the area it could easily still be around or be with a widely-moving flock. > - - - > -- > More from Manhattan, N.Y. City, a little later: Varied Thrush continues, > Red-headed Woodpecker continues - both still in Central Park there... > > Tom Fiore, > Manhattan > - - - - - - > -- > On Jan 7, 2011, at 9:04 AM, John Askildsen wrote: > > According to the Massachusetts e-list, there is a second-hand report from a > western Mass RBA of a European Redwing from December 30 at "Sebring Horse > Stables" in Richmond, MA. This location is just minutes from the Chatham, > Columbia County, NY line near the Rte. 22 corridor. > > The bird was apparently searched for by birders on December 31 with no > success. Published details were scant and in reading the e-buzz, Mass birders > seemed a bit puzzled over the report. > > JPA > > John Askildsen > Millbrook, New York > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME >
[nysbirds-l] Four Sparrow Marsh preserve under habitat loss threat (Kings County) < Brooklyn
_http://tinyurl.com/34lea83_ (http://tinyurl.com/34lea83) The above link is a local news item reporting on the Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) intent to build a mall or allow expansion of the current Toy R Us retail just south of Kings Plaza, which will impact the Four Sparrow Marsh preserve which the NYC Parks department designated as a "Forever Wild" site ( north border of Floyd Bennett watershed) . It appears nothing of the sort-- undisturbed green sites even if weedy --is sacrosanct. Four Sparrow Marsh is well known to informed city birders for special birds such as Wilson's Snipe, Sharp-tailed sparrows, Seaside , Swamp among one time or present breeders , breeding Willets and 90+ other species that visited the small 65+ acre preserve. (see Cornell Ebirds for the history "Explore Data" ). Apparently given the city's budget woes or whatever reasons, it needs more retail malls and economic development on greenspaces instead of already developed property? Kings Plaza is among the largest malls in the city. There is a public hearing this coming Tuesday Jan 11th at 7 pm in the Kings Plaza Community Meeting Room which is on the ground floor at the mall's car parking building main entrance on Flatbush Avenue side. for more see my conservation blog on EDC's web page (Note the previous EDC memo had the wrong date 1/1 instead of 1/11) _http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2010/12/again-four-sparrow-marsh-under.htm l_ (http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2010/12/again-f our-sparrow-marsh-under.html) Peter Dorosh Pres, Brooklyn Bird Club -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] V. Thrush, Central Park, NYC 1/7
Friday, 7 January 2011 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City The VARIED THRUSH continues, seen at 7:30 - 7:45 a.m. this morning and also very briefly in mid-afternoon as the snow seemed to be ending. The location in both cases was the "usual" area, that is just east of the men's bathroom & maintenance building, located immediately on the south side of the E. 79 Street crosstown Transverse Road that bisects the park (this road is below the grade level of the park itself, and at Central Park West it emerges at West 81 Street, however the E. 79 Street "designation" is slightly more appropriate as that is the junction that is closer to just where the area noted for the thrush is...), and in the morning the thrush was very near the transverse road's upper lip or edge, that is to say it was visible from the park path without having to close in and "push" the thrush as occasionally has happened with eager 'seekers'. I have a few times come upon the thrush with little effort but just as often require an hour or two before it is noticed, and I have missed it especially on days when less than 1/2-hour of effort was given to the bird. It was feeding each time I saw it today. Two male Eastern Towhees also were nearby & there were a lot of White-throated, & at least one "red" Fox Sparrow [s] nearby also. Various other typical winter birds were found in multiple areas. The Red-headed Woodpecker (first-winter, with little or no red on it's head yet) is continuing in the area of the south side path along Sheep Meadow which also is immediately north of and parallel with the 66 Street Transverse Road of the park. I have seen it range up to several hundred yards (up to 1/4-mile, give or take a few yards) from its favored area, but it does seem loyal to the trees & suuroundings of that path. The area is not quite as far east as the southeast "corner" of Sheep Meadow, & can be in trees near a low area of the path or also farther east, or occasionally farther off. A reasonably patient look will reward, probably more regularly than the more sometimes-elusive varied thrush. The woodpecker is occasionally harassed by European Starlings which is a common situation for various birds, particularly in Central Park. It often 'gives as good as it gets', and that is against more than a few starlings. The feeders in the Ramble (about 100+ yards or more south of where the thrush may be) have been active & are worth a look anytime when birding the area in winter. This day i did not put in a long vigil there and did not see much that would not be expected other than a single swamp sparrow among the many white-throated sparrows. At the reservoir (north of the 86 Street Transverse and all the way up to nearly E. 96 St.) were many gulls and Canada Geese as well as a modest variety of typical wintering ducks, some American Coots and lingering Pied-billed Grebe. The gulls here could be worth checking carefully, as 9 or more species of gulls have been seen at the reservoir over the past 15 years, although only the "usual" three species are at all common & regular in any season. There was a time when such goodies as Tufted Duck showed up amongst huge rafts of scaup as well as canvasbacks, but those birds have not graced Central in such huge numbers in about 2 decades. A fair number of Iceland Gull sightings also once came from that reservoir but they've been much more scarce there since about the same time. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hi Common Raven Pair Rocky Pt
In a message dated 1/6/2011 7:47:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, bootyrules...@aol.com writes: I do more reading than posting here,because I am not quite as experienced as most of you so sometimes I feel a bit intimidated.Anyway I really wanted to comment on the Ravens.I live in Wappingers Falls,NY and I have a nice variety of birds during all 4 seasons although I see a bit of a decline this fall and winter so far.Anyway I have 6 resident Ravens and 2 days ago I heard a lot of yelling/screeching.I knew it was not the blue jays sounding the alarm.When I looked out of my sun-room windows I saw one of my Ravens chasing a Red Railed Hawk around and around my property.On that day the Raven won.It was pretty amazing.I do have several Red Tail Hawk's here and a Cooper's Hawk (probably more than one?) and that is NOT good for all of my little birds or squirrels or rabbits.My sparrow's,blue jay's cardinals,tufted titmouse,finches.mourning doves,woodpeckers and so on are hanging in there and that makes me happy.I feed them everday and I have two heated bird bath's for them.Does anyone know what really happened to the black birds grackle/starlings that just died and fell out of the sky?? Sigh!!! Diane Wappingers Falls,New York In a message dated 1/6/2011 3:39:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jlhor...@optonline.net writes: Late this morning a pair of Common Ravens were seen flying across Whiskey Rd., Middle Island at the southern end of the Rocky Pt Preserve. They landed on a telephone pole where they interacted by mutual grooming, perhaps a sign of potential breeding. Joel Horman, Ridge, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ - Begin Message --- I do more reading than posting here,because I am not quite as experienced as most of you so sometimes I feel a bit intimidated.Anyway I really wanted to comment on the Ravens.I live in Wappingers Falls,NY and I have a nice variety of birds during all 4 seasons although I see a bit of a decline this fall and winter so far.Anyway I have 6 resident Ravens and 2 days ago I heard a lot of yelling/screeching.I knew it was not the blue jays sounding the alarm.When I looked out of my sun-room windows I saw one of my Ravens chasing a Red Railed Hawk around and around my property.On that day the Raven won.It was pretty amazing.I do have several Red Tail Hawk's here and a Cooper's Hawk (probably more than one?) and that is NOT good for all of my little birds or squirrels or rabbits.My sparrow's,blue jay's cardinals,tufted titmouse,finches.mourning doves,woodpeckers and so on are hanging in there and that makes me happy.I feed them everday and I have two heated bird bath's for them.Does anyone know what really happened to the black birds grackle/starlings that just died and fell out of the sky?? Sigh!!! Diane Wappingers Falls,New York In a message dated 1/6/2011 3:39:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jlhor...@optonline.net writes: Late this morning a pair of Common Ravens were seen flying across Whiskey Rd., Middle Island at the southern end of the Rocky Pt Preserve. They landed on a telephone pole where they interacted by mutual grooming, perhaps a sign of potential breeding. Joel Horman, Ridge, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- --- End Message ---
[nysbirds-l] Cold Spring Harbor Tufted Duck - Yes
Alan Goodman, Danny Melore, and I observed the previously reported Tufted Duck today at about 10 AM. It started way over on the east side of the harbor and then, after we went for a quick look at Saint John's Pond, it was up against the ice near the state park's boat launch, which allowed for much better viewing. I hope it sticks through the snow, which was falling heavily when we left... Good Birding, Corey Finger http://1birds.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hudson-Mohawk Birdline
This is a summary of the Hudson-Mohawk Birdline reports for the week ending January 5, 2011. Report your sightings in New York's Hudson-Mohawk Region to birdl...@hmbc.net Eighty species were reported this week. Most-reported species included Common Redpoll (11 reports), Eastern Bluebird (8), Northern Mockingbird (7), Bald Eagle (7), Northern Flicker (6) and Carolina Wren (6). Best birds of the week: REDHEAD: Troy CBC. BARROW'S GOLDENEYE: Fort Edward 1/1. BLACK VULTURE: Albany 1/1 (2). NORTHERN GOSHAWK: Troy CBC. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK: Rensselaerville 1/1; Troy CBC.; Coxsackie Grasslands 1/3 (3); Coxsackie 1/5. MERLIN: Southern Rensselaer CBC (2); Saratoga 1/1;Troy CBC (2). ICELAND GULL: Coxsackie Boat Launch 1/3, 1/5. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: Coxsackie Boat Launch 1/2, 1/3, 1/5. NORTHERN SHRIKE: Berne 1/1. HERMIT THRUSH: Southern Rensselaer CBC (2); Coeymans Hollow 12/31; Five Rivers 1/1. SNOW BUNTING: Chatham 1/1 (25). EASTERN MEADOWLARK: Coxsackie 1/2 (2). BALTIMORE ORIOLE: 4-mile Point/Vosburgh Marsh 12/31. HOARY REDPOLL: Berne 1/1. Other notable reports: Snow Goose: Southern Rensselaer CBC; Troy CBC (3). Mute Swan: Nassau 1/4. Ruffed Grouse: Southern Rensselaer CBC; Troy CBC (2). Great Blue Heron: Niskayuna 1/1; Dunn Bridge 1/1; Catskill 1/1. Northern Harrier: Coxsackie Grasslands 1/3. American Kestrel: Five Rivers 1/1; Delmar 1/1; Coxsackie 1/5. Peregrine Falcon: Southern Rensselaer CBC (3); Rip Van Winkle Bridge 1/1 (2); Troy CBC (2). Eastern Schreech-Owl: Troy CBC. Great Horned Owl: Troy CBC (2). Fish Crow: Southern Rensselaer CBC (6); Albany 1/4 (8); Troy CBC (10). Common Raven: Chatham 1/1 (2); Troy CBC (3). Horned Lark: Troy CBC (29). Brown Creeper: Southern Rensselaer CBC; Five Rivers 1/1; Troy CBC (4). Golden-crowned Kinglet: Southern Rensselaer CBC (2); Troy CBC(6). Gray Catbird: Troy CBC (2). Field Sparrow: Five Rivers 1/1; Troy CBC (2). Savannah Sparrow: Southern Rensselaer CBC (4); Troy CBC. Fox Sparrow: Rensselaerville 1/1. Swamp Sparrow: Southern Rensselaer CBC. Purple Finch: Athens 1/3. Thanks to Phil Whitney (compiler), Steve Abrahamsen (Fort Edward, Albany 1/2), Larry Alden (Troy CBC), Gerry Colborn (Albany, Rensselaerville, Berne), Mark Fitzsimmons (Delmar, Glenmont), Pat Gosda (Niskayuna), Elisabeth Grace (Dunn Bridge, Nassau), Bernie Grossman (Rexford), Rich Guthrie (Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill, Coxsackie Boat Launch 1/3,1/5, Coxsackie 1/3,1/5, 4-mile Point/Vosburgh Marsh , Athens, Albany), Ken Harper (Partridge Run), Peg Hasslewander (Albany), Nancy Kern (Chatham), Heidi Klinowski (Troy), Naomi Lloyd (West Sand Lake), Jim deWaal Malefyt (Poestenkill), Steve Mesick (Coxsackie), Jeff Nadler (Montgomery County), Will Raup (Coeymans Hollow, Coxsackie Boar Launch 1/2, Coxsackie 1/2, New Baltimore, Albany), Jim Ries (Albany 1/1, Rensselaer), Elayne Ryba (Niskayuna), Jean Walters (Ballston Lake), T. Lloyd Williams (Berne, Rensselaerville) and Chad Witko (Coxsackie Boat Launch 1/3, Coxsackie Grasslands). Five Rivers reports are from the count led by Craig Thompson and Scott Stoner. The Southern Rensselaer CBC results are for 12/30 (postponed from 12/27 due to snow); Troy CBC results are for 1/2. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] "European Redwing"
Western Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert for Jan. 3, 2011 is archived at: http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/MAWE110103.html To my knowledge the only publicly-accesible information of this report is from the Western Massachusetts RBA. If a Redwing was actually in the area it could easily still be around or be with a widely-moving flock. - - - -- More from Manhattan, N.Y. City, a little later: Varied Thrush continues, Red-headed Woodpecker continues - both still in Central Park there... Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - - -- On Jan 7, 2011, at 9:04 AM, John Askildsen wrote: According to the Massachusetts e-list, there is a second-hand report from a western Mass RBA of a European Redwing from December 30 at "Sebring Horse Stables" in Richmond, MA. This location is just minutes from the Chatham, Columbia County, NY line near the Rte. 22 corridor. The bird was apparently searched for by birders on December 31 with no success. Published details were scant and in reading the e-buzz, Mass birders seemed a bit puzzled over the report. JPA John Askildsen Millbrook, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] W. Mass European Redwing
According to the Massachusetts e-list, there is a second-hand report from a western Mass RBA of a European Redwing from December 30 at "Sebring Horse Stables" in Richmond, MA. This location is just minutes from the Chatham, Columbia County, NY line near the Rte. 22 corridor. The bird was apparently searched for by birders on December 31 with no success. Published details were scant and in reading the e-buzz, Mass birders seemed a bit puzzled over the report. JPA John AskildsenMillbrook, New York
[nysbirds-l] Tufted Duck- Yes: Having Dessert before Dinner
Yesterday, Jan. 6, We were invited to a 1 PM dinner at our best friend's home in Huntington Station, Suffolk Co. With the blessing of my wife, Ruth Ann, I dropped her off at 12:10 PM, after "swearing" I would return by the afore mentioned 1 PM ( 5 other guests were expected, and my wife did not want to be embarrassed ) As John Mortimer's Horace Rumpole ( of "Rumpole of the Bailey" fame ) was heard on occasion to "think/say", "you musn't embarrass she who must be obeyed" ! I made it to Cold Spring Harbor in 15 minutes, and found a local birder, Dick Furman, looking for the duck. After a few minutes, while checking a mixed flock of ducks ( scaup & longtail) that had just flown in, we spotted the Tufted Duck- a real neat bird ! Coming up after one of it's many dives, the bird's trailing head feathers were splayed, giving it an "afro" affect ! Since 2/17/92, I have seen this specie 7 x on L.I. Only once, on 1/25/93 at Mackay's Pond ( Grumman Property ), did I see both male & female together.On that occasion, and on one other, my notes indicate that the Tufteds seem to dive more than the other species they were with, scaup, long tail, ring-neck, etc. Although I was only there a short while, thinking back on it, I think that was the case yesterday, as well. If anyone else had the same impression, I would welcome hearing about it. I arrived back at the Brogan residence a tad late, at 1:03 PM, but with only one of the guests being on time, "she who must be obeyed" gave me a "pass" ! The dinner ( including my 2nd dessert of the day ) and the company were great, Everyone enjoyed hearing about my earlier outing, seeing what the bird looked like, and checking the "range map" to find out where it came from. Cheers,Bob...P.S. Dick, I didn't get to see the '89 bird. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Tufted Duck- Yes: Having Dessert before Dinner
Yesterday, Jan. 6, We were invited to a 1 PM dinner at our best friend's home in Huntington Station, Suffolk Co. With the blessing of my wife, Ruth Ann, I dropped her off at 12:10 PM, after swearing I would return by the afore mentioned 1 PM ( 5 other guests were expected, and my wife did not want to be embarrassed ) As John Mortimer's Horace Rumpole ( of Rumpole of the Bailey fame ) was heard on occasion to think/say, you musn't embarrass she who must be obeyed ! I made it to Cold Spring Harbor in 15 minutes, and found a local birder, Dick Furman, looking for the duck. After a few minutes, while checking a mixed flock of ducks ( scaup longtail) that had just flown in, we spotted the Tufted Duck- a real neat bird ! Coming up after one of it's many dives, the bird's trailing head feathers were splayed, giving it an afro affect ! Since 2/17/92, I have seen this specie 7 x on L.I. Only once, on 1/25/93 at Mackay's Pond ( Grumman Property ), did I see both male female together.On that occasion, and on one other, my notes indicate that the Tufteds seem to dive more than the other species they were with, scaup, long tail, ring-neck, etc. Although I was only there a short while, thinking back on it, I think that was the case yesterday, as well. If anyone else had the same impression, I would welcome hearing about it. I arrived back at the Brogan residence a tad late, at 1:03 PM, but with only one of the guests being on time, she who must be obeyed gave me a pass ! The dinner ( including my 2nd dessert of the day ) and the company were great, Everyone enjoyed hearing about my earlier outing, seeing what the bird looked like, and checking the range map to find out where it came from. Cheers,Bob...P.S. Dick, I didn't get to see the '89 bird. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] European Redwing
Western Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert for Jan. 3, 2011 is archived at: http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/MAWE110103.html To my knowledge the only publicly-accesible information of this report is from the Western Massachusetts RBA. If a Redwing was actually in the area it could easily still be around or be with a widely-moving flock. - - - -- More from Manhattan, N.Y. City, a little later: Varied Thrush continues, Red-headed Woodpecker continues - both still in Central Park there... Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - - -- On Jan 7, 2011, at 9:04 AM, John Askildsen wrote: According to the Massachusetts e-list, there is a second-hand report from a western Mass RBA of a European Redwing from December 30 at Sebring Horse Stables in Richmond, MA. This location is just minutes from the Chatham, Columbia County, NY line near the Rte. 22 corridor. The bird was apparently searched for by birders on December 31 with no success. Published details were scant and in reading the e-buzz, Mass birders seemed a bit puzzled over the report. JPA John Askildsen Millbrook, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Cold Spring Harbor Tufted Duck - Yes
Alan Goodman, Danny Melore, and I observed the previously reported Tufted Duck today at about 10 AM. It started way over on the east side of the harbor and then, after we went for a quick look at Saint John's Pond, it was up against the ice near the state park's boat launch, which allowed for much better viewing. I hope it sticks through the snow, which was falling heavily when we left... Good Birding, Corey Finger http://1birds.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hi Common Raven Pair Rocky Pt
In a message dated 1/6/2011 7:47:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, bootyrules...@aol.com writes: I do more reading than posting here,because I am not quite as experienced as most of you so sometimes I feel a bit intimidated.Anyway I really wanted to comment on the Ravens.I live in Wappingers Falls,NY and I have a nice variety of birds during all 4 seasons although I see a bit of a decline this fall and winter so far.Anyway I have 6 resident Ravens and 2 days ago I heard a lot of yelling/screeching.I knew it was not the blue jays sounding the alarm.When I looked out of my sun-room windows I saw one of my Ravens chasing a Red Railed Hawk around and around my property.On that day the Raven won.It was pretty amazing.I do have several Red Tail Hawk's here and a Cooper's Hawk (probably more than one?) and that is NOT good for all of my little birds or squirrels or rabbits.My sparrow's,blue jay's cardinals,tufted titmouse,finches.mourning doves,woodpeckers and so on are hanging in there and that makes me happy.I feed them everday and I have two heated bird bath's for them.Does anyone know what really happened to the black birds grackle/starlings that just died and fell out of the sky?? Sigh!!! Diane Wappingers Falls,New York In a message dated 1/6/2011 3:39:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jlhor...@optonline.net writes: Late this morning a pair of Common Ravens were seen flying across Whiskey Rd., Middle Island at the southern end of the Rocky Pt Preserve. They landed on a telephone pole where they interacted by mutual grooming, perhaps a sign of potential breeding. Joel Horman, Ridge, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -BeginMessage--- I do more reading than posting here,because I am not quite as experienced as most of you so sometimes I feel a bit intimidated.Anyway I really wanted to comment on the Ravens.I live in Wappingers Falls,NY and I have a nice variety of birds during all 4 seasons although I see a bit of a decline this fall and winter so far.Anyway I have 6 resident Ravens and 2 days ago I heard a lot of yelling/screeching.I knew it was not the blue jays sounding the alarm.When I looked out of my sun-room windows I saw one of my Ravens chasing a Red Railed Hawk around and around my property.On that day the Raven won.It was pretty amazing.I do have several Red Tail Hawk's here and a Cooper's Hawk (probably more than one?) and that is NOT good for all of my little birds or squirrels or rabbits.My sparrow's,blue jay's cardinals,tufted titmouse,finches.mourning doves,woodpeckers and so on are hanging in there and that makes me happy.I feed them everday and I have two heated bird bath's for them.Does anyone know what really happened to the black birds grackle/starlings that just died and fell out of the sky?? Sigh!!! Diane Wappingers Falls,New York In a message dated 1/6/2011 3:39:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jlhor...@optonline.net writes: Late this morning a pair of Common Ravens were seen flying across Whiskey Rd., Middle Island at the southern end of the Rocky Pt Preserve. They landed on a telephone pole where they interacted by mutual grooming, perhaps a sign of potential breeding. Joel Horman, Ridge, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- ---End Message---
[nysbirds-l] Four Sparrow Marsh preserve under habitat loss threat (Kings County) Brooklyn
_http://tinyurl.com/34lea83_ (http://tinyurl.com/34lea83) The above link is a local news item reporting on the Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) intent to build a mall or allow expansion of the current Toy R Us retail just south of Kings Plaza, which will impact the Four Sparrow Marsh preserve which the NYC Parks department designated as a Forever Wild site ( north border of Floyd Bennett watershed) . It appears nothing of the sort-- undisturbed green sites even if weedy --is sacrosanct. Four Sparrow Marsh is well known to informed city birders for special birds such as Wilson's Snipe, Sharp-tailed sparrows, Seaside , Swamp among one time or present breeders , breeding Willets and 90+ other species that visited the small 65+ acre preserve. (see Cornell Ebirds for the history Explore Data ). Apparently given the city's budget woes or whatever reasons, it needs more retail malls and economic development on greenspaces instead of already developed property? Kings Plaza is among the largest malls in the city. There is a public hearing this coming Tuesday Jan 11th at 7 pm in the Kings Plaza Community Meeting Room which is on the ground floor at the mall's car parking building main entrance on Flatbush Avenue side. for more see my conservation blog on EDC's web page (Note the previous EDC memo had the wrong date 1/1 instead of 1/11) _http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2010/12/again-four-sparrow-marsh-under.htm l_ (http://bbcnewsboard.blogspot.com/2010/12/again-f our-sparrow-marsh-under.html) Peter Dorosh Pres, Brooklyn Bird Club -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] European Redwing
I am familiar with the Berkshire, MA birding community and subscribe to the local bird club (Hoffmann Bird Club) hotline. Though I initially heard first hand from the birders who looked unsuccessfully for the bird, this is the detailed portion of the hotline about the Redwing sighting: Hoffmann Bird Club Hotline Bird Sightings: *Unusual Bird Sighting* Kate is asking permission of the stables for people to come and try to find this bird. Please try to get a photo of it, if it is sighted and send to Seth Kellogg. More info will be sent out as obtained - Audrey W. From Scott Jervas, Berkshire Museum My girlfriend Kate Edwards made a special sighting yesterday [12/29/10], a Redwing - not a red wing black bird, a European Redwing. If it was anyone else I wouldn’t believe them, but this is the person who, when last questioned in the field, her professor was wrong and she had discovered a new species. She saw it at Sebring Stables in Richmond, through a window, from perhaps 15-20 feet away for some time. She recognized it immediately as a thrush from how it moved, but also knew immediately that she was not familiar with it – so she studied it carefully. When she got home she looked up thrushes and found it fairly quickly. She also watched Youtube videos like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYpGFEUtLsfeature=related She is certain of it; she watched that video and said “That’s the bird I saw.” As you can see from what she wrote below she tried to get a photo of it today but couldn’t find it, but she would like to report the sighting even though it’s not verified. If you’d like to call her her number is (413) 446-3108. In the “Cc” line her address is the “daintyhyena” one, my non-work address is the “strangepilgrims” one. I already told Norma Purdy about it today. From her email: Make sure the bird club people know that the stables are a private property and they need to ask for permission if they want to walk around, So I searched for, and did not find the redwing today at Sebring stables, so no photographs. It was a quiet day for birds at the farm today, and I'm not surprised since the far flung vagrants rarely stick around for any length of time. So I decided that I do in fact wish to report this sighting without a photograph, despite the likelihood of widespread disbelief. If Berkshire county birders familiarize themselves with the species, it is possible it could be seen again and even photographed. Because I immediately identified it as an exotic thrush worth carefully observing, I was able to very clearly memorize its appearance, and there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever of its positive ID as a redwing. I was very lucky to observe the bird at length, in close proximity, with the knowledge that I was seeing something unusual that needed to be painstakingly memorized. I know I am absolutely the worst when it comes to incredulity in regards to other people IDing birds and reptiles, so I do not expect this exceptionally rare sighting to be widely appreciated without some proof. However, I do want to make sure that the right people hear about it in case someone else is able to spot it, or another individual of the same species if this is a good year for them. Scott Jervas Aquarium Manager Berkshire Museum 39 South St. Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-443-7171 x 39 413-443-2135 fax sjer...@berkshiremuseum.org Best, Jacob Drucker Manhattan/Ashley Falls, MA On Jan 7, 2011, at 10:10 AM, Tom Fiore wrote: Western Massachusetts Rare Bird Alert for Jan. 3, 2011 is archived at: http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/realbirds/rbas/MAWE110103.html To my knowledge the only publicly-accesible information of this report is from the Western Massachusetts RBA. If a Redwing was actually in the area it could easily still be around or be with a widely-moving flock. - - - -- More from Manhattan, N.Y. City, a little later: Varied Thrush continues, Red-headed Woodpecker continues - both still in Central Park there... Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - - -- On Jan 7, 2011, at 9:04 AM, John Askildsen wrote: According to the Massachusetts e-list, there is a second-hand report from a western Mass RBA of a European Redwing from December 30 at Sebring Horse Stables in Richmond, MA. This location is just minutes from the Chatham, Columbia County, NY line near the Rte. 22 corridor. The bird was apparently searched for by birders on December 31 with no success. Published details were scant and in reading the e-buzz, Mass birders seemed a bit puzzled over the report. JPA John Askildsen Millbrook, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2)
[nysbirds-l] Barnacle goose
This morning I was told by Willy Becker of a Barnacle goose that he saw at St Charles cemetery yesterday. It was easily found just south of the main gate,on the west side of Wellwood ave in a large flock of Canada Geese. Thanks Willy Mike TroyanWantagh, New York -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] REPORT! of: [W. Mass.] European Redwing
The stables cited; 42.422411,-73.348814 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
