[cayugabirds-l] Montezuma roads
I should have mentioned last week but the crew at MNWR has done a great job of smoothing out Towpath and several other dirt roads! First time we could drive and look without falling into a bomb crater! J -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ Conserve and Create Habitat -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Montezuma roads
GOOD to KNOW :-) Nancy - Original Message - From: John and Sue Gregoire k...@empacc.net To: cayugabirds-l cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu Cc: KHAMOLISTSERV khamolists...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2012 8:07 AM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Montezuma roads I should have mentioned last week but the crew at MNWR has done a great job of smoothing out Towpath and several other dirt roads! First time we could drive and look without falling into a bomb crater! J -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ Conserve and Create Habitat -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 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 http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Brown Thrasher
New at my place this morning: Brown Thrasher, Blue-headed Vireo, multiple Towhees. Geo Kloppel Bowmaker Restorer 227 Tupper Rd Spencer NY 14883 607 564 7026 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Turkey Vulture roost threat
Many of the Turkey Vultures here in the northern part of the Basin actually roost in Auburn, in and near Fort Hill Cemetery. Last week when I arrived at the parking lot of Auburn United Methodist Church on Fitch, I stood to watch the birds circling in and landing in the Norway Spruces that line the western edge of the lot. Suddenly a shot rang out and about 50 vultures were startled out of the trees. While I doubt they were in physical danger, evidently someone in the neighborhood is either thinking the birds pose a problem in the area, or is just thinking it's fun to harass them. Either way, it's wrong. I had to get inside for choir rehearsal or I would have at least walked down the street a ways to see if I could locate the source of the shot. Any ideas on how to deal with this? Kathy Strickland, Union Springs -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Golden Eagle and more
Our Spring Field Ornithology group went to Shindagin Hollow in Caroline this morning (just out of the Cayuga Lake Basin) and we were all thrilled to have a great look at an immature Golden Eagle over the beaver pond/Balsam Fir Swamp area. We were also treated to very good views of Brown Creepers, Winter Wren (poking around in the stream at the junction of Shindagin Hollow and Gulf Creek Roads), at least 4 Hermit Thrushes, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. We heard a number of songs from a Louisiana Waterthrush (probably the same one Matt Medler heard) and one or two Blue-headed Vireos. At Goetchius Preserve on Flat Iron Road we watched a Red-shouldered Hawk, among other things. A beautiful morning to be out. Sandy Podulka -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] shorebirds at Bennington
A mere 50 plus Wilson's Snipe at Bennings marsh today (1430 h). Also continuing Pectoral, Dunlin, both Yellowlegs. Stuart -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mark Chao: AMER BITTERN, Lab
Mark Chao: AMER BITTERN, Lab of O pkg lot, round wooded pool by SSW Rd, right of visitor entrance drive by sapsucker sign. -D Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Sapsucker Woods, Sat 4/14
The AMERICAN BITTERN was still in the swampy patch of trees and brush among the three parking lots at the Lab of Ornithology at 5:45 on Saturday afternoon. I first saw this bird out in the open by the round pool right by the large sign marking the entrance to the visitor lot. A group of young women visiting from the University of Vermont came over and joined me in watching the bird. Then, as I borrowed one student's phone and called Dave Nutter, the bird disappeared. I slowly walked around the island of vegetation twice to no avail, but finally I saw it again very close to its original spot. Again it was out in the open, this time showing an exquisite gradient of contrast from the black malar stripe to yellow cheeks. When the bird turned, I also saw, for the first time on any bittern, a very blond head contrasting with the subtle and wonderfully complex brown feathers of the mantle and wings. It was amazing - for a few minutes, the head was against a background of dried yellow grasses, and the body against brown earth. The bird was quite invisible to the unaided human eye. Eventually, about a dozen other birders, including Dave, Jay McGowan, Livia Santana, Tom Schulenberg, and Raghu Ramanujan, came and saw the bittern. Some got fine photos. A few times, the bittern ran like a rail through the narrow channels to different parts of the island, but collectively we didn't ever lose sight the bird for too long. Seeing a bittern run was also a first for me today. Many thanks to Dave for getting the word out! Best wishes to those who look for the bittern tomorrow. Mark Chao -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] migration: Caspian Tern, Broad-winged Hawks
Even though SFO was supposed to go to "uplands" today, I took my group first to Myers Point because the south winds might bring migrants such as terns up the lake. I was very gratified to see my first-of-year CASPIAN TERN cruise over the lighthouse, pass right in front of us, and alight among a small group of RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS on a gravel bar at the mouth of Salmon Creek. This tern had the reddest bill I can recall on this species, perhaps because I don't generally see them so well on their brief spring migration. My SFO group thought I faked the whole event.Also flying past were a COMMON LOON and a very distant and unsatisfying BONAPARTE'S GULL.Other aerial birds included several TURKEY VULTURES, BARN SWALLOWS, a probable NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, and a BELTED KINGFISHER.Water birds included a COMMON LOON, several AMERICAN COOTS, 4 COMMON MERGANSERS (the males also with bright red bills), and several BUFFLEHEAD.We walked around Salt Point and saw a perched immature BALD EAGLE which flew out toward the lake, scattering the gulls, 3 FIELD SPARROWS together along the gravel road (another sang elsewhere), and 3 SAVANNAH SPARROWS on a mud bar in the creek, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, and a KILLDEER, among others.We checked Sweazey Rd for the Eastern Screech-Owl, but had no luck in that department. However some of us did see an EASTERN PHOEBE, plus close looks at EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at a nest box.Finally we went to the farthest up uplands we could find, Mount Pleasant, where we saw on the wires the AMERICAN KESTRELS and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS others mentioned, plus TREE SWALLOWS. We saw some more migration: a trio of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and a trio of GREAT BLUE HERONS. We then searched unsuccessfully for Vesper Sparrow but instead enjoyed the challenge of finding well-hidden SAVANNAH SPARROWS and male and female HORNED LARKS in the dead grass. Our final bird of the day as we tallied our list next to the observatory was the drumming of a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER from the woods across a field.--Dave Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[cayugabirds-l] Birding the Basin
Meg and I took a trip up the east side of the lake to MNWR, Railroad Road, Martin;s Track then down the west side to Sheldrake for a good day of birding. Nothing much going up to MNWR, but the main pool was resplendent with Green and Blue-wing Teal, Pie-billed Grebes, Gadwall, Northern Pintail and American Widgeon. We also had very nice views of a Greater and Lesser Yellow legs. The Purple Martins by the visitor center were very active. Going along the loop provided more Pied-billed Grebes and Coots. Swamp and Savannah Sparrows were in abundance and one particular Swamp Sparrow was very co-operative in posing for a photo. A Northern Harrier gave us a farewell fly-by as we headed to Railroad Road. Along the way we were treated to two Bald Eagles circling lazily overhead. There were a few ducks at the pond on Railroad Road, mostly Northern Shoveler, but the real treat for me was the dozen or so Wilson's Snipe I flushed as I walked around the pond. Martin's Track provided more Pie-billed Grebes, a calling Moorhen and many Tree Swallows and Meg heard a Ruffed Grouse thumping in the nearby woods. Along the road at Sheldrake we saw many Buffleheads, Common Mergansers and several Common Loons. Total species seen ( or heard ) today, 43 Canada Goose Gadwall American Wigeon Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Common Merganser Ruffed Grouse - heard Wild Turkey Common Loon Pied-billed Grebe Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Common Moorhen - heard American Coot Killdeer Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Wilson's Snipe Rock Dove Mourning Dove Northern Flicker American Crow Purple Martin Tree Swallow Black-capped Chickadee American Robin European Starling Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow. Carl Steckler -- For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] migration: Caspian Tern, Broad-winged Hawks
I forgot to mention at Salt Point: a CHIPPING SPARROW plus lots of SONG SPARROWS for more sparrow comparisons, an OSPREY (probably local), and several DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS - one northbound and a small flock southbound.--Dave NutterOn Apr 14, 2012, at 08:31 PM, Dave Nutter nutter.d...@me.com wrote:Even though SFO was supposed to go to "uplands" today, I took my group first to Myers Point because the south winds might bring migrants such as terns up the lake. I was very gratified to see my first-of-year CASPIAN TERN cruise over the lighthouse, pass right in front of us, and alight among a small group of RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS on a gravel bar at the mouth of Salmon Creek. This tern had the reddest bill I can recall on this species, perhaps because I don't generally see them so well on their brief spring migration. My SFO group thought I faked the whole event.Also flying past were a COMMON LOON and a very distant and unsatisfying BONAPARTE'S GULL.Other aerial birds included several TURKEY VULTURES, BARN SWALLOWS, a probable NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, and a BELTED KINGFISHER.Water birds included a COMMON LOON, several AMERICAN COOTS, 4 COMMON MERGANSERS (the males also with bright red bills), and several BUFFLEHEAD.We walked around Salt Point and saw a perched immature BALD EAGLE which flew out toward the lake, scattering the gulls, 3 FIELD SPARROWS together along the gravel road (another sang elsewhere), and 3 SAVANNAH SPARROWS on a mud bar in the creek, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, and a KILLDEER, among others.We checked Sweazey Rd for the Eastern Screech-Owl, but had no luck in that department. However some of us did see an EASTERN PHOEBE, plus close looks at EASTERN BLUEBIRDS at a nest box.Finally we went to the farthest up uplands we could find, Mount Pleasant, where we saw on the wires the AMERICAN KESTRELS and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS others mentioned, plus TREE SWALLOWS. We saw some more migration: a trio of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and a trio of GREAT BLUE HERONS We then searched unsuccessfully for Vesper Sparrow but instead enjoyed the challenge of finding well-hidden SAVANNAH SPARROWS and male and female HORNED LARKS in the dead grass. Our final bird of the day as we tallied our list next to the observatory was the drumming of a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER from the woods across a field.--Dave Nutter -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[cayugabirds-l] Bird Art at Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown
Hi everyone, slightly off topic, but I wanted to invite everyone to a bird art show at Roger Tory Peterson Art Institute. Melissa Mance-Coniglio has over 50 works of art various local and other birds. Come to the show reception Saturday April 21 from 4-6pm! The show will be up until June 24. http://www.rpti.org Thanks! Greg Coniglio -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] FW: Bird Art at Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown
Sorry for the follow-up post but the link should be http://www.rtpi.org Thanks! J Greg From: Greg Coniglio [mailto:gconi...@rochester.rr.com] Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2012 9:39 PM To: 'cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu' Subject: Bird Art at Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown Hi everyone, slightly off topic, but I wanted to invite everyone to a bird art show at Roger Tory Peterson Art Institute. Melissa Mance-Coniglio has over 50 works of art various local and other birds. Come to the show reception Saturday April 21 from 4-6pm! The show will be up until June 24. http://www.rpti.org Thanks! Greg Coniglio -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re:[cayugabirds-l] American Bittern (Sapsucker Woods, Sat 4/14)
Mark's comment that "we didn't ever lose sight of the bird for too long" highlights a difference in perspective between someone who unexpectedly saw an unusual bird very well (him) versus someone who heard about the unusual bird but arrived to hear "it just ran away a minute ago" (me). It seemed to me like a long time before Tom Schulenberg re-found it, then a long time before I could see it, then a long time before we were able to show it to Livia and others who had no search image for such a strange life bird. The bittern mostly stood still in head-up, very-effective-camouflage pose, but then would silently walk out of view every few minutes, often just as someone new was searching for it. Eventually I got good enough at seeing it that I was able to be the one to re-find it. I not only had great views but great search practice. Hint: look for the place that doesn't quite focus properly.--Dave NutterPS - Apologies for not posting to CayugaRBA. I didn't have enough space to add "CayugaRBA" but in retrospect probably could've shortened the message enough to sendOn Apr 14, 2012, at 07:00 PM, Mark Chao markc...@imt.org wrote:The AMERICAN BITTERN was still in the swampy patch of trees and brush among the three parking lots at the Lab of Ornithology at 5:45 on Saturday afternoon. I first saw this bird out in the open by the round pool right by the large sign marking the entrance to the visitor lot. A group of young women visiting from the University of Vermont came over and joined me in watching the bird. Then, as I borrowed one student’s phone and called Dave Nutter, the bird disappeared.I slowly walked around the island of vegetation twice to no avail, but finally I saw it again very close to its original spot. Again it was out in the open, this time showing an exquisite gradient of contrast from the black malar stripe to yellow cheeks. When the bird turned, I also saw, for the first time on any bittern, a very blond head contrasting with the subtle and wonderfully complex brown feathers of the mantle and wings. It was amazing – for a few minutes, the head was against a background of dried yellow grasses, and the body against brown earth. The bird was quite invisible to the unaided human eye. Eventually, about a dozen other birders, including Dave, Jay McGowan, Livia Santana, Tom Schulenberg, and Raghu Ramanujan, came and saw the bittern. Some got fine photos. A few times, the bittern ran like a rail through the narrow channels to different parts of the island, but collectively we didn’t ever lose sight the bird for too long. Seeing a bittern run was also a first for me today.Many thanks to Dave for getting the word out! Best wishes to those who look for the bittern tomorrow.Mark Chao -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[cayugabirds-l] Freese Vesper, Snipe
A vesper sparrow was still across from Freese Road late this morning, flushing up to the lone tree for good looks by SFO groups 1 and 2, rufous shoulder and all. As our group approached the tree, we flushed a snipe from about 10 feet away, who flew a good distance away and melted into the distant pasture. We also heard in the distance the quiet yodeling of what sounded like a loon, but it's hard to convince ourselves that's what it was (then again, Ann had that fly-by calling loon the other morning). Before that we were at Mount Pleasant where a pair of kestrels gave good looks - initially one was hover-hunting, later they sat next to each other on a power line. There were bluebirds and tree swallows and a savannah sparrow, but otherwise the sky was pretty scant. Before that we were at the Park preserve where we had a red-tailed hawk and sharp-shinned hawk soar by close to each other, and in the thick of the evergreens a golden-crowned kinglet's song sounded like it was no more than a few feet away, but the bird eluded view. A field sparrow's song bounced in the distance throughout our stay. Before that we were at Durland Preserve where we were greeted by a cooperative ruby-crowned kinglet showing off its red crown prominently (only the second time I've seen that) and merrily singing its complicated warble. The lookout tower saw much activity from usual birds, with good looks at red-bellied woodpecker, eastern phoebe, eastern bluebird. A pair of wood ducks popped up in the air briefly with a good number of students getting a brief look. A pair of brown creepers announced their presence then flew by for brief looks before disappearing into the woods. A ruffed grouse thumped off and on for much of the time. A beautiful morning of upland birding. Suan -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mt. Pleasant birding
Hi all, I thought today, on Mount Pleasant, would be great for migrating raptors, but it was much slower in reality. The wind was more westerly than the forecast had predicted. When I arrived Hope Batcheller and amigos had already been scanning. They had some BROAD-WINGED HAWKS just before I arrived. Hope was kind enough to get me on two VESPER SPARROWS which I find extremely shy and frustrating to get satisfying views of up here. I spent two hours total joined by Susan Danskin during some of the time. One BROAD-WINGED HAWK, several RED-TAILS and 14 TURKEY VULTURES were the extent of the raptors I could ID. I'm sure more were missed because nothing up on the hill really concentrates migrants so some are just too distant. The pair of local KESTRELS provided entertainment and maybe contributed to the Vesper's low profile, although the Savanna and Song Sparrows don't seem bothered. It is still a very nice day to be outside. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Osprey @ Treman platform
An osprey is perched on the platform at Treman/Hog's Hole right now, preening itself. There are a few twigs on the platform, though I don't know if they were put there by bird or human. Suan PS. Stewart park had a green-winged teal couple and a wood duck couple. -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Arnot forest today
Hi all, I was in Arnot forest most of the day doing a workshop on Mushrooms. While we were working on mushrooms, I saw and/or heard following birds Yellow Bellied Sapsucker Purple Finch Winter Wren Pine Siskins (at least 20, zeeting) Brown Creeper Golden Crowned Kinglet Dark-eyed Junco Chipping Sparrow and other common resident birds Also two Broad-winged hawks, Red-tailed Hwks, Turkey vuktures etc. Lots of wildflowers that includded Spring beauty, Trout lily, Anemones, Blood roots, Red and White trillium etc. Also saw Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Virginia White, Spring Azure, an anglewing sp and a dusky wing sp. I was expecting to hear Lousiana Water Thrush and Hermit Thrush, but did do so. Cheers meena Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 http://haribal.org/ http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Migrants over Ithaca - Raptors, Sandhill Crane, Chimney Swifts, etc.
Today, I could not resist the temptation to be lazy, watch for migrating raptors, test out my new camera, and visit with my parents. I stopped by their place at Vine Street in the City of Ithaca on East Hill and started watching skyward for migrating birds, sometime around 10:45am. I continued a stationary count for five hours, with my parents joining me in between their yard work, until about 3:45pm. Most of the migrants were extremely, extremely high up. The Loons, as usual, were scraping the cloud bottoms. Having my Maui Jim polarized sunglasses helped tremendously in spotting the birds first naked eye. Then I could holler bird! to my parents, get on it with my binoculars for a quick ID, and finally attempt to capture a picture if possible. I posted the better of my blurry pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/112522159565855378380/2012VineStreetMigrants Highlights included the following: 1 distant silently migrating SANDHILL CRANE (from about 12:17 to 12:21pm, visible over the Hawthorn Orchard and then slowly migrating toward East Hill Plaza and then probably in the direction of the Cornell Orchards on Route 366). 2 relatively high migrating CHIMNE SWIFTS (not vocalizing) 19 migrant COMMON LOONS (in ones and twos throughout the observation time) 89 migrant DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (in small to large flocks, all migrating in a SE to NW direction) Below is the complete tally of notable birds seen in migration and around the yard, in no particular order: TURKEY VULTURE - 4 RED-TAILED HAWK - 9 BROAD-WINGED HAWK - 11 NORTHERN HARRIER - 2 OSPREY - 1 COMMON LOON - 19 COOPER'S HAWK - 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWK - 1 AMERICAN KESTREL - 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - 89 (59+6+5+16+3) SANDHILL CRANE - 1 Unidentified Raptor - 3 Gull Sp. (Probably Ring-billed Gulls, very high) - 5 CHIMNEY SWIFT - 2 BARN SWALLOW - 1 TREE SWALLOW - 2 NORTHERN FLICKER - 4 Around the yard highlights: FIELD SPARROW - 1 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET - 1 YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER - 1 It was fun trying out the new camera and just doing some good old-fashioned unofficial hawk watching. Good birding!! Sincerely, Chris T-H -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes TARU Product Line Manager and Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] 50 snipe at Bennington? Really?
I was not on a college tour in Vermont today. Siri made Bennington out 'Benning'. and I didn't catch it. Sorry about that. I'll spare you how she voice-recognized Two Fox Sparrows in tree in Earhardt's yard. A few highlights from a full day of birding locally and around the lake: I tried unsuccessfully for Vesper Sparrow by the lone tree west of Liddell lab this morning before 7 AM. I did see a Coyote in the field to the southeast of the grass track and then another one to the south, each at about 300 yards. They briefly checked me out before slipping into the woods. One them had a yellowish pelt . They me the primal willies (they make me feel like food). At 0735 I found a very cooperative Vesper Sparrow singing persistently on the northwest corner of Cherry Rd. and Warren Dr. near Ithaca Airport. Around noon at Aurora Boathouse I saw a flock of 8 Long-tailed Ducks about 500 yards out and another pair flying up the east shore of the lake. I saw Northern Harriers today in the Rafferty Rd. area, Lake Rd., and Montezuma. Just before stopping at Benning a male Harrier was doing courtship loops and stoops over the marsh to the south. Benning (really) was crawling with shorebirds as reported by others and most were in great light and fairly close to the wildlife drive. I counted 55 Wilson's Snipe and probably missed a few. The Pectorals and Dunlin were also putting on a show. I struck out on BC Night Heron at Towpath but I did see a cooperative Ruby Crowned Kinglet on the way out to Puddlers where there were 9 Caspian Terns fishing and loafing with Herring and Ring-billed gulls. I also saw a lone Great Egret, presumably the same one reported yesterday. Good birding tomorrow. Stuart -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
