[cayugabirds-l] Attracting Birds to Your Garden

2011-04-16 Thread Eric Banford
Passing on an invitation from Greensprings Natural Cemetery who are sponsoring 
this event:

Friends,
We’d love to see you at this birding event: 
Attracting Birds to Your Garden:free presentation and slide show with Steve 
Kress, Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m. at the Sciencenter, 601 First Street (right 
off Route 13). 

Birding With Lynn:Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. at Greensprings Natural Cemetery 
Preserve, 293 Irish Hill Road, Newfield. More info follows.
Attracting Birds to Your Garden: 
Which plants do best by birds—offering abundant food, shelter, and nesting 
sites?
Stephen Kress, author of The Audubon Guide to Attracting Birds, shows how your 
yard can mimic natural habitats and attract birds year-round. His free 
presentation and slide show, “Attracting Birds to Properties Large and Small,” 
will be held at the Sciencenter at 601 First Street, right off Route 13, on 
Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m.
Planting the right mix of native fruiting and flowering trees, shrubs, and 
vines 
helps keep birds in your neighborhood all season long. Kress describes which 
plants attract birds with sweet fruits in the summer, fatty foods just in time 
for migration, and fruits high in carbohydrates for winter survival. He tests 
these techniques for improving landscapes and gardens on his own property.
Kress will make recommendations for which plants do best in the Northeast, 
showing how to arrange them on your property for maximum benefit to birds. 
Kress 
also tells how to create backyard water baths and pools and how to encourage 
cavity-nesting birds. And he suggests how to create a hummingbird garden.
Kress will even provide ideas on how you might, someday, place bird-friendly 
plants on a gravesite at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve. This event is 
made possible by Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in honor of Earth Day 
and its 5th anniversary year.
Kress is the author of TheAudubon Society Guide To Attracting Birds, The Bird 
Garden, The Audubon Society Birder’s Handbook, Project Puffin, Saving Birds and 
the Golden Guide Birdlife. He will sell and sign books at the even.
To learn more about Greensprings, go to naturalburial.org.
The Sciencenter is a hands-on museum that inspires excitement for science 
through interactive exhibits and programs that engage, educate and empower. For 
more information about the Sciencenter, visit www.sciencenter.org.

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

2011-04-16 Thread Glen
My sister just called to say that Victoria Campbell called and said the loon 
stranded on the east side of Flat Iron Rd. will be rescued at 10 am tomorrow 
(Sunday). Thanks to everyone for their efforts on this beautiful bird's behalf; 
here's hoping the efforts are successful to get it back on its way.
-Kristie (Glen's wife)


--

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] SFO: Derby Hill, sort of

2011-04-16 Thread Dave Nutter
The forecast had been exciting for today for Derby Hill - strong southeast winds to blow lots of migrating raptors close to the shore after a couple of days of being stalled by north winds. It was potentially the best forecast a scheduled SFO trip had in a long time. There was just one nagging problem: rain was going to move in at some point, and most raptors don't like to migrate in the rain. More to the point most birders don't much care to stand for a prolonged period in an exposed place in chilly temperatures, fierce wind, and heavy rain in order to see very few raptors through wet, foggy optics. Well, we lost the bet today. I had hoped for an hour or two of fantastic migration before the precipitation, but instead the rain began shortly before we arrived. We did see one close beautiful migrating male NORTHERN HARRIER come low over the north lookout, and we did see one OSPREY hunting along the shore and in Sage Creek Marsh after which it may have migrated (we couldn't see from our lakeshore vantage), but otherwise we were skunked in the raptor migration. We did see multiple LONG-TAILED DUCKS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a few CASPIAN TERNS, and hundreds of TREE SWALLOWS over Lake Ontario, and around the north lookout we had close looks at 2 male PURPLE MARTINS at a box, and a small flock of NORTHERN FLICKERS paused in migration to feed on a grassy area. It was a joy to have been joined by SFO
 alumna Sylvia from Albany and Painted Post, who declared of the 
harrier, "That makes it worthwhile." Truly it was a gorgeous bird Yet we were risking hypothermia, so we didn't stay long enough to see any more raptors at Derby Hill. We had already stopped briefly and successfully at my favorite site for multiple WILSON'S SNIPE at the corner of NYS-3 and NYS-104B north of the Village of Mexico, and just east of Sage Creek Road (the road to the Derby Hill Bird Observatory). We wanted a litte time for the cars to warm us up, so we aimed for the Montezuma area via NYS-3, NYS-104, and NYS-89. Happily we found that the rain paused for awhile as we entered the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Our first stop was the relatively new impoundment on the east side of NYS-89 nearly opposite the Montezuma Audubon Center north of the Village of Savannah (I forget the name). There highlights were 5 TRUMPETER SWANS which I suspect were immature, a pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL, and a KILLDEER. Next stop was Martens Tract, where the pond held AMERICAN WIGEONS, GADWALLS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, a single male BUFFLEHEAD, and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. We ate lunch here while scanning the skies, then went to Carncross Road. Between these two sites we tallied a more respectable, if non-migrating, list of raptors: TURKEY VULTURES, OSPREYS, NORTHERN HARRIERS, BALD EAGLES, RED-TAILED HAWKS, and an AMERICAN KESTREL (all Kestrels seen today were male, probably indicating females were on nests). We also found a cryptic pair of NORTHERN PINTAILS; several NORTHERN SHOVELERS (the males especially gorgeous to watch in flight); 14 GREATER YELLOWLEGS; a couple CASPIAN TERNS; 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS pretending to be Rough-legged Hawks by hovering in the wind; a single silent SANDHILL CRANE flying into and later the opposite direction out of a marsh, perhaps a pair trading nest duties and commuting to and from some feeding ground to the west; and an insistently bright blue male EASTERN BLUEBIRD (he couldn't help it, but he did make some of us feel that spring was here). We also stopped at Muckrace Flats, the currently flooded area on Savannah-Spring Lake Rd near Bixby Hill Rd and Morgan Rd. There were compared GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and NORTHERN SHOVELER, and also saw a pair of AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS. After refreshments at Dave's convenience store in Savannah we briefly scanned East Road but were uninspired. Our next three potential stops - May's Point Pool, Tschache Pool, and the Montezuma NWR visitor center - got nixed because the fierce rain had recommenced, but we reached Union Springs during a lull. There at the Mill Pond we found a couple hundred foraging swallows, 99% TREE SWALLOWS, 1% BARN SWALLOWS, and 1% NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS (2 each). A handful of male and female BUFFLEHEADS and 2 female HOODED MERGANSERS also graced this pond, and David Nicosia who had joined us with his SFO group, noticed a gorgeous yet cryptic GREEN HERON (first of the year in the basin, I think) crouched on some roots at the edge of the pond. We checked the box at the Factory Street Pond and found that "Screechie" the Eastern Screech-Owl was not at home. In fact "Screechie" appears to have vacated, perhaps for the season: we watched a male COMMON GRACKLE climb into the box briefly and emerge intact and nonchalant. Other birds at this pond included a surprisingly quiet CAROLINA WREN on the "Poison Ivy" tree, a female (slate-crowned) WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and a fly-by CASPIAN TERN. Without further stops we returned to the Lab, where we were 

Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

2011-04-16 Thread John and Fritzie Blizzard
Hope a lot of people don't converge on the site  traumatize the bird more than 
it probably will be, if it isn't already.
 
Keep us updated . thanks! 

Fritzie
--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

2011-04-16 Thread John and Fritzie Blizzard
I don't doubt her capabilities one bit. Such people are well trained  
compassionate. I meant the activity of people who might flock to see the 
capture would traumatize the bird. 

I am relieved to know the name of a re-habber in the area. We apparently no 
longer have one here in our area. She was harrassed by certain people who 
apparently had the mentality ( good intentions) of many of PETA 
members. Things done to her were destructive, mean, cruel  thoughtless. Our 
daughter was a re-habber in Florida for a number of yrs.. It's often a 
dangerous  thankless job. At one time she had more  larger snakes in her home 
than did the local zoo.

Fritzie
  


  For people who don't know. Victoria Campbell is a thoroughly knowledgeable 
and infinitely compassionate Wildlife Rehabber that we are very lucky to have 
in our area. She runs Wild Things Sanctuary off Snyder Hill Road. You can bet 
the loon is in the most gentle, capable and ethical of hands with her 
involvement 


  Linda Orkin

  Sent from my iPhone

  On Apr 16, 2011, at 8:23 PM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
job121...@verizon.net wrote:


Hope a lot of people don't converge on the site  traumatize the bird more 
than it probably will be, if it isn't already.

Keep us updated . thanks! 

Fritzie


--



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3577 - Release Date: 04/16/11 
02:34:00

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

2011-04-16 Thread Glen
Yes, on second thought I probably should not have posted the time. 'Twas not 
meant as an invitation -- hopefully if anyone gets in the way Victoria will let 
them know! I'll ask my sister to update me and will let the list know how it 
turned out.
-Kristie
  - Original Message - 
  From: John and Fritzie Blizzard 
  To: Linda Orkin 
  Cc: Glen ; cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu 
  Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2011 9:14 PM
  Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.


  I don't doubt her capabilities one bit. Such people are well trained  
compassionate. I meant the activity of people who might flock to see the 
capture would traumatize the bird. 

  I am relieved to know the name of a re-habber in the area. We apparently no 
longer have one here in our area. She was harrassed by certain people who 
apparently had the mentality ( good intentions) of many of PETA 
members. Things done to her were destructive, mean, cruel  thoughtless. Our 
daughter was a re-habber in Florida for a number of yrs.. It's often a 
dangerous  thankless job. At one time she had more  larger snakes in her home 
than did the local zoo.

  Fritzie



For people who don't know. Victoria Campbell is a thoroughly knowledgeable 
and infinitely compassionate Wildlife Rehabber that we are very lucky to have 
in our area. She runs Wild Things Sanctuary off Snyder Hill Road. You can bet 
the loon is in the most gentle, capable and ethical of hands with her 
involvement 


Linda Orkin

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 16, 2011, at 8:23 PM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
job121...@verizon.net wrote:


  Hope a lot of people don't converge on the site  traumatize the bird 
more than it probably will be, if it isn't already.

  Keep us updated . thanks! 

  Fritzie






No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3577 - Release Date: 04/16/11 
02:34:00

--

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] Spring Field Ornithology Saturday Group 2 Derby Hill (and Montezuma)

2011-04-16 Thread david nicosia
Led SFO group 2 to Derby Hill  in the cold, wind
and driving rain. There was even some snow mixed
in at times!!  We continued the SFO tradition of 
stopping by theSNIPE spot at the intersection of 
Route 3 and 104B  and found at least 8 WILSON'S  
SNIPE (there were  probably many more). 

Given the poor conditions, there was no noticeable
hawk movement today. We did have one male NORTHERN
HARRIER fly by very low. That was it for raptors seen by
our group at Derby.

Since the winds were from the south, Lake Ontario 
was not very choppy at all on its south shores so despite 
cold, wind and rain, we did get some great views of the
various  birdlife over the big lake. We saw many 
RED-BREASTED  MERGANSERS. Some were very close
showing off their beauty. We also saw many LONG-TAILED
DUCKS, one PIED-BILLED GREBE, a couple COMMON
LOONS, and one HORNED GREBE.  There were a couple
CASPIAN TERNS flying by fairly low with great looks. We
also saw many many TREE SWALLOWS with a few BARN
SWALLOWS over the big lake feeding and flying around. 
On the grass near the north lookout there were a bunch of 
NORTHERN FLICKERS feeding which was neat. 

After we were almost completely frozen, part of our group
decided to head down to Montezuma as there were a few
breaks in the rain on radar to the south. At the visitor's center,
we enjoyed many GREEN-WINGED, and BLUE-WINGED
TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and a few AMERICAN
WIGEON. There were many TREE SWALLOWS with a few 
BARNS at times. The PURPLE MARTINS were on the martin
houses with a few flying around as well. 

On wildlife drive, we saw more of the same waterfowl with an
exceptional view of a PIED BILLED GREBE  very close to
the road. We watched this bird dive repeatly in the very shallow
water near the edge of the main pool and you could see him
chasing his prey. It was really cool. We also picked up REDHEAD,
RING-NECKED DUCKS, among the other waterfowl species that
we had already seen. Numbers were fairly low.  We also saw both
male and female NORTHERN HARRIERS coarsing low over the
extensive marshes. I believe we had at least 4 or 5 of these guys. 
We also saw 3 BALD EAGLES and 1 SHARP-SHINNED
HAWK. More raptors here than at Derby! 

At the new shorebird area on wildlife drive near the first big turn, 
we counted 14 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. All were fairly
close so we got excellent views of this long distant migrant. 
We also had a couple KILLDEER here with no other shorebird
species seen by our group at Montezuma.  

At Benning marsh there were more of the same waterfowl species
that we had seen earlier. 

We tried to stop at May's Point but the wind almost literally
blew us out of there. We did pick up some BUFFLEHEAD
here along with an AMERICAN COOT and more REDHEADs,
and RING-NECKED DUCKS.  

We decided against climbing the tower at Tschache Pool
so we viewed several gulls from the car seeing the usual
RING-BILLED and  HERRING GULLs with one
GREATER BLACK BACKED GULL. There
was also one CASPIAN TERN here. 

On the way back we stopped at the North Mill 
Pond in Union Springs and ran into Dave Nutter's group. 
We saw much of the same as his group including
a beautiful GREEN HERON that he mentioned
in his post. 

All in all, despite the weather, we had an
excellent day with many great views
of various species. Thanks to everyone for
a fun and enjoyable day. 

Dave Nicosia
Johnson City, NY 

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

2011-04-16 Thread Asher Hockett
I am going to write here what I feel needs to be. Birders! Please resist the
urge to witness the rescue, and potentially compromise the rescue effort. .
Stay away and let the rehab person do her job. Read about it here - LATER!
Please!!

On Sat, Apr 16, 2011 at 9:21 PM, Glen glen...@frontiernet.net wrote:

  Yes, on second thought I probably should not have posted the time. 'Twas
 not meant as an invitation -- hopefully if anyone gets in the way Victoria
 will let them know! I'll ask my sister to update me and will let the list
 know how it turned out.
 -Kristie

 - Original Message -
 *From:* John and Fritzie Blizzard job121...@verizon.net
 *To:* Linda Orkin wingmagi...@gmail.com
 *Cc:* Glen glen...@frontiernet.net ; cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu
 *Sent:* Saturday, April 16, 2011 9:14 PM
 *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] stranded common loon to be rescued Sun.

 I don't doubt her capabilities one bit. Such people are well trained 
 compassionate. I meant the activity of people who might flock to see the
 capture would traumatize the bird.

 I am relieved to know the name of a re-habber in the area. We apparently no
 longer have one here in our area. She was harrassed by certain people
 who apparently had the mentality ( good intentions) of many of
 PETA members. Things done to her were destructive, mean, cruel 
 thoughtless. Our daughter was a re-habber in Florida for a number of yrs..
 It's often a dangerous  thankless job. At one time she had more  larger
 snakes in her home than did the local zoo.

 Fritzie


 
 For people who don't know. Victoria Campbell is a thoroughly knowledgeable
 and infinitely compassionate Wildlife Rehabber that we are very lucky to
 have in our area. She runs Wild Things Sanctuary off Snyder Hill Road. You
 can bet the loon is in the most gentle, capable and ethical of hands with
 her involvement

 Linda Orkin

 Sent from my iPhone

 On Apr 16, 2011, at 8:23 PM, John and Fritzie Blizzard 
 job121...@verizon.net wrote:

   Hope a lot of people don't converge on the site  traumatize the bird
 more than it probably will be, if it isn't already.

 Keep us updated . thanks!

 Fritzie

  --


 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 9.0.894 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3577 - Release Date: 04/16/11
 02:34:00




-- 
asher

--

Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

RE: [cayugabirds-l] Stranded Common Loon

2011-04-16 Thread Mary E. Winston
Hi, I use Victoria Campbell  - she is very good - her number is 607-200-4100.  
Please let me know how you make out.

Mary E. Winston
Public Outreach Assistant
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
(607)-254-2473

Travel is fatal to prejuidice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our 
people need it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of 
men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the 
earth all one's lifetime
-Mark Twain-

From: bounce-18460423-12723...@list.cornell.edu 
[mailto:bounce-18460423-12723...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Glen
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 9:03 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Stranded Common Loon

My sister-in-law lives on Flat Iron Road across from the Goetchius Preserve.  
She noticed that a Common Loon must have gotten sucked through a culvert from 
the large pond on the other side of the road and is now stuck in a small stream 
with only around 100 ft running upsteam in which to take off.  I know Loons 
need a large body of water for take off.  Is there anyone who would know what 
to do in this situation?

Thanks for any advice or assistance,
Glen

--

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/

--