[cayugabirds-l] Deer/redwing
Curious activity this a.m. in our field on 89 near Boy Scout Camp, T-burg. A deer was in field when I spotted it but it looked strange. Something on head, antlers? No. Binox showed a Red Wing Black Bird on its head carefully picking something off deer's head, like the oxpeckers we saw in Africa. The deer totally accepted this activity and would move its head from side to side slowly during the picking. This went on for 5 min or more in a very calm way. Has anyone seen this behavior? Shirley McAneny -- 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] waxwings and tulip trees
We have one tulip tree on our property, planted by a former resident perhaps 30 years ago. When we have Cedar Waxwings in the neighborhood, we often see them in this tree. The birds also frequent a Bradford pear that is within 50 feet of the tulip. Also a white ash that is another 50 feet from the tulip. Also a crabapple that is yet another 50 feet along. The tulip tree also is a preferred spot for goldfinches. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] oranges
The first year we tried oranges, nobody noticed even though there were orioles in the neighborhood. Since then, we put the orange eighths on a platform usually reserved for mixed seeds. The orioles now feed on the oranges several times a day. Sometimes other species visit but they seem to be looking for the seeds, which are no longer there. Orioles dominate the platform, so we have not seen any other species at the oranges. One orange lasts about two days. We have at least two orioles that we can distinguish by plumage, but there may be one or two more. We have not tried grape jelly yet, but I think that should work when we run out of oranges. In other news, we had a BROWN THRASHER in the yard this afternoon. In past years, they have been in the neighborhood but in the wooded areas. They have been seen mostly as they fly across the road. Bill and Shirley McAneny, TBurg -- 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] Blue Grosbeak
We have a male BLUE GROSBEAK in our back yard, foraging among the sparrrows and finches for what appears to be dandelion seeds. This morning, Shirley saw two blue colored birds in the front yard but could not ID them. Possibly the same as the Blue Grosbeak. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] Blue Grosbeak Not
My apologies. Jay, Jeff, Tim, and others came by to look for the grosbeak and found an Indigo Bunting. My ID was a bit hopeful I guess. Jay kindly said he would rather find a more common bird than miss a rare bird that went unreported.. Nonetheless, you all can now go back to counting warblers in the hawthorns. Good birding, Bill McAneny -- 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] Us too!!
First hummingbird about 7:30 pm to H.B. feeder. Shirley McAneny -- 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] tree swallow
This morning, our first-of-yearTree Swallow was inspecting one of our bluebird boxes. Unfortunately, it is the same box that the bluebirds have chosen for their nest. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. There are over a dozen boxes to choose from, and Tree Swallows have chosen other boxes in past years. My bet is on the bluebirds to stay put. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] female redwing
A female Redwing Blackbird joined 3 males at our feeder this am about 9am. I don't recall seeing anything on the listserv about the arrival of the females. If I were as dedicated as Dave Nutter, I would go to eBird to get a definitive answer. But it is Sunday morning, I am lazy and my back hurts. I was once at Loxahatchee refuge in Fla and saw 50-60 birds in a small shrub. Close inspection revealed that they were all female redwings. I have a soft spot in my heart for them. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] E. Meadowlark
Those of you who are familiar with the tall perch erected in our meadow may be interested that an E. MEADOWLARK sat there for several minutes about 9:45 this a.m. This is a YFE (yard first ever) for us. Today is very birdy here, with lots of birds pairing up, chasing brides, and looking at nest sites. Caro. Wrens building in the garage portico. Bluebirds have selected their box. Yesterday, Shirley saw a small flock of C. Waxwings, but no Bohemians. We have had no Siskins or Redpolls this winter, but a small number of Goldfinches have been here regularly. Bill and Shirley McAneny, TBurg -- 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] snowbirds
Nancy's observation is timely. The same happened here today, but our number was smaller, only 10 juncos. Still, that's double our usual number. Bill McAnenyT'Burg - Original Message - From: Nancy W Dickinson To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 4:10 PM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] snowbirds This afternoon my yard holds by far the biggest flock of juncos I've seen this year-- at least 20-- and I wonder if winter weather might finally be on the way. Nancy Dickinson Mecklenburg -- 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: 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] horned larks
A half dozen Horned Larks followed the snow to Cayuga View Rd in TBurg this afternoon. Previously, with zero snow, there had been zero HLarks. The wind blows across the corn fields and leaves little lark tidbits on the shoulders of the road. Bill McAneny, tburg -- 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] broken bill loon
I seem to recall a loon photo a couple of years ago where the bill was visibly fractured and the lower mandible was just hanging down. Does anyone else remember that? Maybe that's just a mis-memory like a lot of my memories these days. The photo emailed today would have predated that one and the bill looks more like it is cleanly broken off about halfway. If so, it is possibly a different bird than the current visitor. Any ideas? Bill McAneny -- 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] Gary K. and R L hawks
Shirley and I were driving N on rte 89 about noon today and passed a Rough-leg perched on a power pole near Interlaken. He said he was waiting for Gary, and did we know what was delaying him? We went on to Montezuma which started out quiet and got quieter as the rain started. Saw nothing unusual. Most ducks were Gadwall. Looked like a few GW teal at a distance. Some Coot up close. One Snow Goose among the Canadas. No small Canadas. More Snows visible from East Rd, incl. two blue phase. Maybe 100 total. Two Sandhill Cranes south of rte 31near the farm bldg. More Canadas and about 200 Tundra Swans. We did not spend much time looking, due to the rain. In summary, it seemed that most of the geese must have been lunching in the local cornfields. Probably morning or late afternoon would be more productive. Steve Fast might be interested to know that we ate at Wolffy's restaurant, on the lake right next to Cayuga Lake S.P. Nice atmosphere and good food. Bill and Shirley McAneny, T'Burg -- 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] rough-legged hawk
Seen about 3pm on the east side of Cayuga View Rd about 100 yds from Rte 89 near Trumansburg. Flew up to a nearby tree branch as my car approached, so I got a good look (no binox) at its dark back and tail and the striking white slash across the base of the primaries. When it flew further away, it launched downward from the tree branch, giving a good look at its underwings. Here the clear white was more extensive and it was the most obvious feature. I did not notice the belly or wrist patches before the bird tipped up again in haste to depart. It was large, about the size of a red-tail. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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/ --
Fw: [cayugabirds-l] Dead Birds - Mulberry Tree
When we lived on Long Island, there was a big mulberry tree in front of our house. When the berries fell to the round and stayed there a while, they would ferment. The mourning doves would then come around and get staggering drunk. However, I don't remember ever seeing a dead bird under the tree. That's not to say the doves didn't die shortly after flying away. It is also an assumption on our part to think the doves were inebriated, rather than poisoned. Good mystery, Bob. Bill McAneny, TBurg - Original Message - From: Meena Haribal m...@cornell.edu To: CAYUGABIRDS-L cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 7:51 PM Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Dead Birds - Mulberry Tree Were the birds really dead or in coma? There is a variety of red geranium when Japanese Beetle feed on them the get intoxicated and fall down to ground. But after few hours they are awake and alive. But then they again go for the same flowers and fall down again. I don't know how long they keep doing this. But I was trying to isolate the active component in collaboration with someone in Kentucky, but we did not get funded. 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+.pdf -Original Message- From: bounce-37737035-3493...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-37737035-3493...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Geo Kloppel Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 7:25 PM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Dead Birds - Mulberry Tree Well, if the deaths continue without explanation, there's always DEC's Wildlife Pathology Unit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/6957.html#port -Geo On Jun 23, 2011, at 6:58 PM, bob mcguire wrote: Nope. No windows within 200 ft. And the dead birds were all UNDER the trees. Bob On Jun 23, 2011, at 6:35 PM, Geo Kloppel wrote: Perhaps the fruiting mulberry trees are only luring birds into the vicinity of something else that's deadly. Windows? -Geo On Jun 23, 2011, at 5:21 PM, bob mcguire wrote: Yes Joe, we've heard that. But death?? On Jun 23, 2011, at 4:37 PM, Geo Kloppel wrote: The unripe fruits and the milky sap of several mulberry species are mildly toxic, and can cause hallucinations and stomach upset. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Morusal.htm -Geo On Jun 23, 2011, at 4:01 PM, bob mcguire wrote: I just had lunch with a friend who has two mulberry trees on his property. This year, shortly after the fruits began to appear (whitish-green when unripe, going to reddish-black when ripe), he began to find dead birds under the trees: 5 Starlings, 2 male Baltimore Orioles, 1 Gray Catbird so far. There is a strong correlation (timewise) between fruiting and the deaths. Is anyone familiar with this phenomenon? Bob McGuire -- 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 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] Field Sparrow in TBurg
Will wonders never cease. Another migrant gets lost and finds TBurg. Today it was a Field Sparrow on and beneath the feeder. We have not seen this species here in several years. Bill and Shirley McAneny, TBurg -- 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] common migrants
Spring has arrived between the lakes. This a.m. there were at least two White-crowned Sparrows and two female Purple Finches at our feeders. The Siskin is still among the 20 Goldfinches and about 4 pairs of Barn Swallows are making nests in the barn. One Baltimore Oriole (one of the two yesterday?) has been at the feeder with the oranges. No Phoebe yet and no R-B Grosbeaks. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] B. Orioles
Two male BALTIMORE ORIOLES showed up at the feeder this morning, attracted no doubt by the pieces of orange that Shirley had supplied. These were followed by at least a half-dozen CEDAR WAXWINGS in a crabapple tree. No crabapples of course but probably some bugs on the new leaves. It has been a slow spring on the west side of the lake. Migrant species reported on the east side don't show up here for days. Or we could be a little more aggressive in searching them out. Nah. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] female redwing
I don't recall any postings of female REDWINGED BLACKBIRDS but we had our first this season on our feeder this morning. Nice to see her again. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] grackle
We just had our first common grackle of the spring on our feeder. This was right after a male Cardinal in a rush of testosterone flew smack into another Cardinal on the feeder. The other Cardinal is solid wood and painted bright red. He did not move from the spot where he sits day and night, summer and winter. He is one awesome dude. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] a little raft of redheads
A raft of redheads showed up today in a spot I have not seen them before. The raft, about 300 in number, is tucked into the beach on the south side of Taughannock point. They can be seen from Rte 89 as you drive north to the park entrance. A few Canada Geese are nearby, but no other species stood out as I drove by. Tomorrow morning I may have a chance to stop as I go in towards Ithaca. Bill McAneny , T'Burg -- 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] desparate Red Tail
We have had a Cooper's Hawk buzzing the local feeder population for a couple of days, so when the feeder birds scattered about an hour ago, I looked out expecting to see the Coop finally successful. What I saw was a RED TAILED HAWK swooping by the kitchen window and flying away clutching a Mourning Dove in its left talon. It paused about 100 feet away atop a bluebird nest box. The dove struggled unsuccessfully and the RTH flew to the other side of Rte 89 to its favorite picnic spot. The dove population now has something to mourn. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- 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] Eider
About 2:30 this afternoon, I paid a visit to Stewart Park. A fellow from near Canandaigua (Dave Morris?) said he had not seen the eider. I was setting up my scope and he yelled to me from the boat house that the eider was back in the unfrozen part of the creek. We viewed it from the path NW of the boat house for about 5 minutes, when the bird suddenly took flight and headed due north out of the creek and past the red lighthouse. We did not see it after that. Myers is a possibility for tomorrow. Also at Stewart, a Sharpshinned Hawk surveying the newly paved trail. Circling over upper Sandbank Road about 2pm, a Turkey Vulture. Bill McAneny, Trumansburg -- 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] C. Grackle
About 10:20 this a.m. there was a COMMON GRACKLE on our feeder. It picked at a few seeds, then left into the wind. Bill McAneny, Trumansburg -- 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] Downy eating oranges
Laura (and others), We have oranges out for the orioles and we have had a Red-bellied Woodpecker coming in to eat. He then carries off whole piecesof the orange. A piece is one-eighth of an orange the way Shirley cuts one up. The orioles have much better manners and eat only at the feeder. Does your Downy actually take a chunk of orange or is he just filling his bill with pulp? Bill McAneny - Original Message - From: Laura Stenzler To: cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 3:57 PM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Downy eating oranges Hi all, There is a Downy Woodpecker coming to our Oriole feeder and stuffing his bill with pieces of orange before flying off. Does anyone have any information about woodpeckers eating oranges? Here's a photo (by Marjolein Schat): http://picasaweb.google.com/Laura.Stenzler?feat=email Laura Laura Stenzler l...@cornell.edu -- 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] Grassland birds - East Hill Rec. Way/Pine Tree Rd.
Larry (and others), We have a 5-acre grassy field. When we moved here 10 yrs ago, I asked someone at the lab what the minimum size might be to attract nesting grassland species. The answer was about 50 acres. I don't know if there is more recent information on the size, but perhaps this is a starting point for the discussion. I will say that we have never observed any grassland species in our field. We mow it once a year to keep down woody species, usually early in July. Perhaps grassland species prefer an unmown field with some of last year's brush still standing. Bill McAneny, T'Burg - Original Message - From: W. Larry Hymes To: cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2010 2:50 PM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Grassland birds - East Hill Rec. Way/Pine Tree Rd. While birding Hawthorn this morning, I decided to walk over to the grass field just south of the playing fields and between the pig barns on Pine Tree Rd. and the East Hill Rec. Way. I was pleasantly surprised to see and hear 2 BOBOLINK, a MEADOWLARK carrying food to a nest, and a possible? GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. I'm not at all confident as to the latter, but my very inexpert ears thought they were hearing a buzz-like sound. Also, I flushed a small unidentified sparrow while walking through the field. You better birders might want to check it out. The Bobolinks were in the eastern third of this tract, and the Meadowlark nest is on the western side close to the farm road. The sparrow flew up from near the center of the field. THERE IS URGENCY TO THESE SIGHTINGS!!! I talked with Bill Huisinga, the manager of Farm Services, who told me they will be cutting the field perhaps by as early as this weekend (pray for rain!). They sell the hay to other departments at Cornell, and the monies raised go toward the Farm Services' budget. They are required by the university to be totally self-supporting. They usually get two cuttings each year at a value of $3000-4000. He did say that if he were paid that amount, he could delay the cutting until the end of July. The field is approx. 10 acres and has a variety of grass, etc. species in it. My first question is, considering the size, location, and plant makeup, would this be a good field to maintain for grassland species? If there is a consensus that it would be, is it possible that the bird club could (should?) make an emergency allocation to save the field for nesting for this year? Longer-term, seeing as how the Plantations agreed to protect Hawthorn Woods from development, just maybe they might be willing to take responsibility for preserving this adjacent field for nesting grassland species. This sounds real nice, but I fully realize there are a variety of issues that would have to be resolved, not the least of which is the money required to maintain the field. Also, how would the issue of Farm Services losing this (albeit small) source of revenue be addressed. Perhaps even more importantly, Cornell would have to forgo using this area for other purposes (a real biggie?!?!?). This is no doubt only a smattering of the issues that probably would have to be dealt with. Assuming this field would indeed be a good place to preserve for grassland species, are there other sources of funding for this purpose?? In past years it was not uncommon to find Bobolinks and Meadowlarks in this field. I always helplessly stood by and lamented when the field was cut before the birds had a chance to successfully nest. Considering the plight of grassland species, isn't it perhaps time we should be doing something to help? What do the rest of you think? Larry -- W. Larry Hymes 120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 (H) 607-277-0759, w...@cornell.edu -- 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] balt.oriole
This mornings yard birds: highlights are a male B. ORIOLE inspecting branch tips for a suitable spot to hang a nest. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW on the lawn. Sharply marked White-Throated Sparrow near the feeders. Yesterdays arrivals: four BARN SWALLOWS in and out of one of the barns. Upset with my lawn mowing. But then, so am I. Obvious nest builders: numerous Robins ; a Phoebe constantly bringing nest materials to a ledge over our front door; amorous Cardinals allo-preening and picking up (and dropping) nest mat'ls. Nest boxes occupied or under inspection by E. Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, House Sparrows. Lots of other birds in the yard but we are not aware of other new arrivals. We are both mostly deaf, so our birding has to be visual. Bill and Shirley McAneny, T'Burg -- 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] chippie
A very sharp CHIPPING SPARROW arrived at our feeders about 1:30 today. It amazes me to realize my chippie and my sapsucker arrived on the same day as Laura's. Usually several days seem to elapse before new arrivals work their way north in Seneca Co. I am elated. Bill McAneny T'Burg -- 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] House sparrow @ nesting box
We have about 18 boxes up around our field. We have had no predation so I just let the house sparrows have a box or two. If I find the sparrows to be too aggressive I may empty their nest box and force them to start over. All our boxes are erected in pairs so the bluebirds can choose an empty box next to tree swallows or others. Despite all this, we have not had more than two pairs of bluebirds in any season. Yesterday a male bluebird was inspecting one of the boxes near the house. Interestingly, the box it was paired with held house sparrows last year. We'll see what happens this year. Good luck with your birds. Bill McAneny - Original Message - From: Eben McLane ebenmcl...@clarityconnect.com To: Cayuga Birds List cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 9:52 AM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] House sparrow @ nesting box I'm curious as to how some of you handle House Sparrows at Bluebird and Tree Swallow nesting boxes. I don't get many HS where I live, but I have on occasion seen Bluebirds and Tree Swallows killed in the boxes (not a pretty sight). The few times I've dealt with this problem in the past, I simply removed the boxes until the HS went away, then replaced the boxes and found Bluebirds and swallows coming back to them later on. Any new insights? Eben McLane -- 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] raven, others
Yesterday in the early afternoon I saw a RAVEN in our field poking through the long grass looking for a meal. IT reminded me that last Friday I heard a RAVEN call. I looked out towards the lake in hopes of seeing a raven fly-by, which happens occasionally. Our place is about halfway between the gorges of Taughhannock Creek and Trumansburg Creek and ravens seem to like the steep terrain. I saw nothing on the horizon but then realized the bird was only 40 feet from the house in the nearest big tree. Shirley had thrown out some stale bread and the raven was scavenging. On the west coast, ravens can be pretty bold, but this is the first time I have seen one so close to our house. Within minutes, a Turkey Vulture swooped low over the same tree, and I began to think there was something dead nearby. I have not yet discovered any remains, but such a meal might attract a Raven too. Saw 3 Grackles this a.m. in the same tree. They are the first of the year here. Bill McAneny, Trumansburg -- 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] Coopers
Sunday a little after 4pm, I was on Seneca St. at Rte 13 waitng for the red light to change. On the NE corner there is a house with some large yew bushes (or other evergreens). On top of one of the yews there was a COOPERS HAWK trying to get at something inside the bush. The light changed so I don't know the ending, but it was interesting to see the hawk hard at work right next to all that traffic. Bill McAneny, T'Burg -- 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 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Holiday robins
Christmas morning gifts---About three to four dozen ROBINS blanketing our yard. Hard to count because they are everywhere and moving around constantly. At least one E. BLUEBIRD in with them, looking overwhelmed. Our best wishes to all of you. Bill and Shirley McAneny, T'Burg -- 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 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
