RE: [cayugabirds-l] Red Knot and Ruff Sighting Info
Hi folks, Any chance that an effort could be made to have some folks with higher-power optics and knowledge of shorebird ID meet us less-fortunate folks up at Towpath sometime soon to try to view these special birds. I've used my 45-power Vortex from both East Rd and Towpath, and it's a challenge to ID much beyond the closest parts of the mudflats. Just a thought. Thanks. Jody Enck __ Jody W. Enck, PhD Human Dimensions Research Unit Department of Natural Resources 119 Fernow Hall, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-8192 www.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/ -Original Message- From: bounce-6287225-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-6287225-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew Medler Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 11:49 AM To: Cayugabirds-L Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Red Knot and Ruff Sighting Info For those still interested in trying to see the Red Knot and Ruff at Montezuma, I thought I'd share a few details of the sightings that Shawn Billerman, Andy Johnson, Jay McGowan and I had yesterday (11 September 2010). We spent from roughly 3 pm to 6 pm scanning the shorebirds from Towpath Road. During that time, we had a very distant views of the RED KNOT in Knox-Marsellus Marsh (the wetland area on the left/west side of the dike). By very distant views, I mean very distant views with Swarovski spotting scopes at 60X. It would have been impossible to identify the knot (or any other shorebirds) with just binoculars or perhaps even with a low-powered scope. As we were about to depart the Towpath Road area, we traveled a bit further down the road (to the east) to view shorebirds in what is apparently called Puddlers Marsh (the wetland area on the right/east side of the dike, as viewed from Towpath Road). During the brief time we were there, a group of shorebirds (mostly Semipalmated Plovers) occasionally landed close enough to us so that we could not only see and identify them, but actually enjoy the beauty of their intricate plumages. However, this group was very flighty and kept flying around the area. During one of their brief touchdowns, though, the Red Knot was in their midst, offering nice (but brief) views. We then heard from Kevin McGowan that the Ruff was present in Knox-Marsellus Marsh as viewed from East Road. So, we headed up there, and Jay quickly relocated the Ruff. Again, this bird was extremely distant, and it required high-powered scopes just to see it and identify it. It was much too distant to really enjoy or appreciate any of the subtle details of its appearance. While we were watching it, the Ruff was in the vicinity of some of the many Lesser Yellowlegs present. To my eye, the body of the Ruff was about the same size as the Lesser Yellowlegs. However, its legs were much shorter, giving a more compact look overall (compared to the yellowlegs). For those who haven't seen the Ruff, it is a juvenile bird, meaning that it does not have any of the flashy ruffs that make adult males so flashy. Instead, the most striking thing about the bird is the buffy coloration on the head and breast. The general pattern of the bird is somewhat similar to Pectoral Sandpiper (and there are many Pectorals present), but the Ruff is buffier, and, importantly, much larger. I hope this is helpful for those still hoping to see one or both of these birds. It is quite challenging (and frustrating) to find and identify these birds (and all of the shorebirds present at Knox-Marsellus), but with a good scope and maybe a little luck, it can be done. Good birding, Matt Medler Ithaca -- 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, Mon 9/13
I didn't detect appreciably greater numbers or diversity than on other recent visits, but somehow I found that birding in Sapsucker Woods on Monday morning (10:30-11:20 AM) felt unusually satisfying. On the Wilson Trail North, I saw MAGNOLIA, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, and WILSON'S WARBLER, plus ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, WOOD THRUSH, and a BROAD-WINGED HAWK migrating high above. Many views were unusually long and close, in ideal light. Particularly special was my time with the Bay-breasted Warbler, which showed a striking yellow-green head, sharp black-and-white wings, a neatly streaked back, and sides suffused subtly with pink. I think that this could have been an adult male, which I've seen before in fall but have always identified based on stronger reddish color on the sides. Conveniently, this bird and one Blackpoll Warbler were right near each other for a couple of minutes. From under the power lines on the Dryden side, I saw another Broad-winged Hawk, much lower. In the broadest patch of goldenrod south of the trail and west of the little pond, I tracked an apparent bird as it moved silently through the goldenrod. This location and behavior are consistent with Connecticut Warbler, I'm told, but I didn't see any more. (Of course one can expect Song Sparrows, catbirds, yellowthroats, House Wrens, and other species here too.) Unexpectedly, it is also a very good day for showy butterflies. I saw a Monarch, Viceroy, Question Mark, and two Red Admirals, as well as a Pearl Crescent, Cabbage White, and many other smaller butterflies that I didn't identify. Mark Chao -- 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] Beebe Lake, etc: Bay-breasted and other warblers
Hi all, I birded along the south edge of Beebe Lake and the Mundy Wildflower Gardens today. The highlight was a mixed warbler flock near Beebe Lake, including Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, Parula, BT Green and BT Blue. The wildflower gardens were fairly quiet, except for a smallish mixed flock containing almost exclusively Red-eyed Vireos and Chestnut-sided Warblers. The full list follows: Observation date: 9/13/10 Number of species: 32 Canada Goose 1 Common Merganser 6 Beebe Lake. Ring-billed Gull 13 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 5 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 8 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse 5 White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) 4 Carolina Wren 3 American Robin 3 Gray Catbird 2 Cedar Waxwing 3 Northern Parula 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 4 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Bay-breasted Warbler 1 Wooded slope on south side of Beebe Lake. Blackpoll Warbler 3 American Redstart 2 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 3 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 2 Northern Cardinal 4 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4 Small flock flew up from near ground at the Mundy Wildflower Gardens...nice views. Common Grackle 30 All foraging on ground at wooded slope above Mundy. House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 10 Good birding! --Hope Batcheller Petersburgh/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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Beam Hill 13Sep10
I walked up to the fields above our house on Beam Hill this morning. Birds weren't too active, but I found a few warblers here and there, including Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Ovenbird, and many yellowthroats, as well as a large number of Field Sparrows (at least 10) and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Along Chaffee Road near Dryden Lake I saw three Wilson's Warblers but little else. 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Raptors and Odonates
Hi all, I saw some black dots in the sky, so looked at them in the binoculars, an Osprey, a couple may be TVS and one hawk, but the most surprising thing was there were hundreds of Darners heading north. Even now they are going! At least three or four in the binocular view any given time! That would mean 10 or so per sec in the limited location I am watching. They are about 300 to 500 meter from the ground level. Because I used 7X25 I could see the darners if I had used 10x45 to focus on birds I would have missed darners! Several Pantala flavescens are hanging outside my window. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdfhttp://www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/http:/www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/mothsofithaca.htmlhttp:/haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -- 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] Nashville Warbler above Plantation Rd. by Vet School
I can add a bright Nashville Warbler male and a Scarlet Tanager to Hope's list of CU campus birds along the southern slope of Fall Creek. There are some feeders behind Schurman Hall and there was a flurry of vociferous Chickadees, Titmice, and House Finches visiting them this morning around 9 AM. The Nashville popped out of the brush on the slope above Plantation Rd. for a few seconds as if to see what going on. 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] Muckrace Results?
Does anybody have results from this year's Muckrace? It would be great to read details... -- 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] correction: RE: Raptors and Odonates
Well, darners were not heading north but south. My brain is still confused in spite of 17 years in US. At the beginning of my arrival in US, I always felt north was south and south was north! Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdfhttp://www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/http:/www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/mothsofithaca.htmlhttp:/haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf From: bounce-6292472-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-6292472-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Meena Haribal Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 1:14 PM To: cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu; neo...@yahoogroups.com Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Raptors and Odonates Hi all, I saw some black dots in the sky, so looked at them in the binoculars, an Osprey, a couple may be TVS and one hawk, but the most surprising thing was there were hundreds of Darners heading north. Even now they are going! At least three or four in the binocular view any given time! That would mean 10 or so per sec in the limited location I am watching. They are about 300 to 500 meter from the ground level. Because I used 7X25 I could see the darners if I had used 10x45 to focus on birds I would have missed darners! Several Pantala flavescens are hanging outside my window. Meena Meena Haribal Boyce Thompson Institute Ithaca NY 14850 Phone 607-254-1258 http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.org/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdfhttp://www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/http:/www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/mothsofithaca.htmlhttp:/haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf -- 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/ --
