During our guided shorebird walk this morning, which was attended by 60-70 people, we had a large number of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS flyover with some landing. There were a few smaller flocks but I and others got on a larger flock of medium sized shorebirds moderately high up. I was able to get my scope on this flock and zoom to 70X and confirm AGPL. The white patterning on the top of the head down the neck was apparent and various molting stages of black in the underbelly were apparent with light anxillaries. I counted only 27 but I was so focused on keeping the birds in my scope on high power that I underestimated my count. I found out later than someone got a photo of this same flock and counted 40 at least! There were other occasions where Jay McGowan, I and others heard AGPLs overhead but couldn't locate them. We did see a flock of 6 land and another 2. Sum total of the entire group was about 58. This is an ebird record for Seneca County. Of course we also had many other great birds including a flyover DICKCISSEL early calling, and many got on this bird, the continuing first Cayuga Basin record immature WHITE IBIS, immature LAUGHING GULL and AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. I saw some lists with 92 species! Water levels are down so mudflats and shorebird numbers were up. Big thanks to Josh Snodgrass for leading today's walk and to all those who helped others get on and ID birds. Also thanks to Linda Ziemba for doing such a great job with the water levels at KM marsh which is attracting a lot of shorebirds.
Next Sunday September 8th 7 am is the last of these guided shorebird walks on the dike at Knox Marsellus marsh for 2019. This year, by far, has had the most attendance and we have see so many awesome birds. Thanks to the folks at Montezuma who allow access to this birding gem. We had a large diverse group of birders from professional down to folks who just appreciate birds and nature. Everyone helped each other get on birds and enjoyed the walk. Again, a great success that seems to be building more and more each year! Details for next week...meet at Montezuma Visitor's Center Sun Sept 8 7 am (or at East Rd Overlook at 715 am). Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and your energy as we spend 4 to 6 hours on the dike. I will send another reminder email out next week. My list is here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S59405265 I imagine others will chime in as I really only touched upon the great birds we had today. Best Dave Nicosia -- 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/ --
