[cayugabirds-l] Lindsay-Parsons: Drained lake, mud, and a jungle-gym of stumps snags
Alexa and I stopped by Lindsay-Parsons today midday to investigate the wetlands. We were curious to see if the drained beaver pond held shorebirds, and if water levels had dropped in the larger lake (Coleman Lake). We were successful on both counts -- a group of Killdeer Least Sandpipers were on the drained beaver pond, while Coleman Lake was drastically lower, nearly completely drained itself. The receding water has uncovered a jungle-gym of stumps and snags and left large expanses of mud around the edges. Solitary Sandpipers were numerous active, and we scoped a single snipe foraged. Perhaps the most interesting bird phenomenon was the collection of fish frog eaters that were actively working the shallow waters -- Green Herons Great Blue Herons dotted the exposed lake, and I've never seen so many kingfishers in such a small area. Fun spot! The cause of the mud is that multiple beaver dams by the railroad tracks have failed; without these dams, the (unnamed?) pond Coleman Lake are no longer impounded. We didn't walk into the woods, but did run into a few migrants near the parking area as well. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24719489 Best, Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] new shorebird habitat in Tompkins County
mudflats near Ithaca are few and far between, so Alexa and I were pleasantly surprised this morning to find a decent expanse of mud where a pond ought to be. This was at Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve -- the pond north of Coleman Lake (north of the grass trail on the small dike) is mostly drained and there were several shorebirds poking around the mud -- we found 6 Solitary Sandpipers, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs and a Spotted Sandpiper, along with plentiful Green Herons. Presumably the beaver dam at the N edge of the drained lake has failed. Water was flowing into this drained pond from a pipe that pulls water from Coleman Lake, so it is unclear if this habitat will last. But if it does, it should be worth checking for shorebirds in the coming weeks.. Ben Alexa also several young Great Blue Herons at the West Danby Fire Station. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Worm-eating Warbler at Sapsucker Woods
Nick Mason found a nice Worm-eating Warbler at Sapsucker Woods this morning -- it was foraging low near the Sherwood Platform on Wilson Trail North. I wonder how often rare warblers (Yellow-throated, Worm-eating etc) end up in the Finger Lakes this time of year... -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Lindsay-Parsons this morning: birds on territory + 2 Lawrence's Warblers
Went for a nice walk around Lindsay-Parsons this morning. Not many birds that appeared to be migrating, but many recent arrivals were on territory, with Ovenbirds, Yellow, Chestnut-sided, Prairie, Blue-winged and Black-and-white Warblers all numerous, along with a couple Hooded Warblers in the woods. Noteworthy were two Lawrence-type warblers. One was building a nest and paired to a singing Blue-winged in the scrubby area just before trail goes into woods and then crosses the railroad tracks. The second was near the parking lot. Both birds were very similar -- they essentially looked like Blue-wingeds but with obvious dusky throat and eye/cheek patches. Both were studied in good light at close range, and the dusky patches were more fairly faint. Two wing bars present that appeared to be white. Lawrence-type birds have now been reported at LP for the past several years... -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] probable Black Scoter Red-necked Grebe at Salt Point
Just back from a quick walk around Salt Point with Lynn Leopold. An Osprey was present on the nest platform- the female on the nest perked up a bit when her mate flew over and also when a grackle tried to take a stick from just underneath her beak. Also present was a Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Kingbirds, Gnatcatchers and singing Yellow Warblers. On the lake off the N end of Salt Point were several loons and one distant Red-necked Grebe. A bit to the south was a single male scoter. It had noticeable orange on the bill, and we did not see any white on it. This probable Black Scoter is likely also visible from Myers Point. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Crows chasing ravens
Hello, I went for a nice walk this morning at Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve. Phoebes are back, Great Blue Herons are standing on nests near the fire station (looked like seven occupied nests), fox sparrows and golden-crowned kinglets were around, and a smattering of migrants passed overhead (common loon, rough-legged hawk, and many turkey vultures). One interesting observation I wanted to share: I was watching a raven fly across the valley when a bird came out of nowhere to chase and harass the raven. It was a crow, and the crow followed the raven until I lost sight of the two corvids. I've seen small groups of crows harass solitary ravens many times, but don't think I've previously seen a single crow harass a single raven with such vigor. Best, Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Aythya winter diet in Cayuga - what are they eating?
Hello all, Alexa and I had the good fortune to watch the Tufted Duck for an hour or so on Saturday morning. It was diving actively the entire time, which made it tough to find (and difficult to show to others in the scope). Which got me thinking: What are the various Aythya eating? The Tufted Duck was clearly associating with scaup on Saturday that were actively feeding. Also present were several big flocks of Redhead (all loafing around), and a decently big group of Canvasback (also loafing). A quick search informs me that Aythya eat gastropods, mussels and aquatic vegetation among other things, and that the relative proportion of animal food in their diet varies seasonally. Does anyone know what they are eating in Cayuga in winter? Must be a fair bit of food to support so many birds for several months... Do different species of Aythya eat different things? Can you tell when Aythya are eating gastropods/molluscs/animal food vs plants based on their diving behavior? Looking forward to learning what these ducks are up to, Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Hog Hole = nice ducks
Lots of redheads + company feeding actively at Hog Hole this morning. Great fun to watch them all diving and flying around. -One Redhead had a white crown stripe along the crown and back of its head, like that of an American Wigeon. -I found a female-plumaged Black Scoter foraging alone close to the edge of the ice, but lost her once she joined the masses of Redhead -A male Greater Scaup that initially upped my heartrate -- it had a nice long tuft. But a vigorous head shake resettled its plumage. At any rate, it was clearly a scaup. Great duck watching, and the ice formations were also quite beautiful. Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Marsh Wren at Lindsay-Parsons
Around noon, Alexa and I found a crisp-looking Marsh Wren at Lindsay Parsons. Great looks at this little wren, which was hanging out in the thin strip of cattails where the grassy path goes between the two main lakes. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] plenty of migrants at Lindsay-Parsons today
Alexa and I just got back from a lengthy afternoon hike around Lindsay-Parsons. The highlights were mainly in a large mixed-species flock in the closed canopy forest E of the railroad tracks, where we saw six species of warblers including single Orange-crowneds and Parulas, a late Scarlet Tanager, and two Eastern Wood-Peewees (seems late for them too -- they were actively foraging and vocalizing). Also nice were: a Merlin, drumming Ruffed Grouse and three Lincoln's Sparrows in the various hedgerows. The beaver landscaping that has gone on this summer is even more impressive with the leaves dropping and some of the fields mowed -- the Wood Ducks for one seem to appreciate the renovations. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Lindsay-Parsons this morning: big flocks of Eastern Kingbirds
Not much sign of fall migration at Lindsay Parsons this morning, with the notable exception of Eastern Kingbirds. Around 60 were in a loose flock feeding on fruit (mostly dogwood berries) in the NW section of the preserve. Very cool to see these birds making the transition from asocial insectivores (breeding) to social frugivores (fall migration and winter). -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Worm-eating Warbler at Lindsay-Parsons (lower section)
Alexa and I went for a pleasant late morning walk today at Lindsay-Parsons. The heat kept bird activity down, but it may have led to a serendipitous encounter with a Worm-eating Warbler -- the worm-eater, along with several Red-eyed Vireos, and a stunning pair of Scarlet Tanagers, was drinking from a small stream along the Red Trail at the base of the hill that leads up to Thatchers Pinnacles. The birds were directly where the Red trail crosses this stream, so a potential place to encounter worm-eaters without navigating the steep slopes above. We watched this zippy little bird for nearly a minute before it flew off upslope. It did not vocalize. Plenty of garter and water snakes out and about today, as well as beavers in multiple locations. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Clay-colored sparrow copulation with chipping
To add to Matt's list, the Clay-colored Sparrow that hung around Lindsay-Parsons last summer was paired with a Field Sparrow. So Clay-coloreds that end up around here seem to take a liking to Chipping and Field Sparrows... On Thu, May 15, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Matthew Medler m...@cornell.edu wrote: Although Clay-colored Sparrow is rare here in the Cayuga Lake Basin, there is a history of this species breeding with Chipping Sparrow in our area. From a 1960 issue of The Kingbird: The lthaca Clay-colored Sparrow (see July, 1960, Kingbird, p. 651) mated with a female Chipping Sparrow, fed her on the nest, and assisted in feeding the young. There were three eggs on Jun 13. Young and both parents were photographod on Jun. 22. On Jun 24 the young were taken by an unknown predator, probably a Blue Jay, during a short period when the nest was not under observation. This nesting record will be written up in detail and published later. http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y1960v10n3/y1960v10n3rgn3.pdf#search=%22summer%201960%22 And, also of interest is this recording from Sapsucker Woods from 1959: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/15418 Matt Medler Ithaca -- *From:* France bird...@gmail.com *To:* Graham Montgomery montgomery.gra...@gmail.com *Cc:* cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu *Sent:* Thursday, May 15, 2014 9:16 PM *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] Clay-colored sparrow copulation with chipping If it actually breeds we should name it the Cascazilla Sparrow France On May 15, 2014 9:07 PM, Graham Montgomery montgomery.gra...@gmail.com wrote: Hi all, Brian Magnier and myself went out and watched/photographed the Clay-colored sparrow on Cornell's campus this afternoon. He's still sticking around and singing/calling almost constantly. The most interesting thing we observed was copulation with a chipping sparrow at around 6:00 PM. Photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/72340495@N06/sets/72157644692290725/ Brian also got some excellent photos that hopefully he'll post at some point. Us + Andy Johnson also had a nice Blue-winged warbler in the flowering trees south of Goldwin Smith Hall. Good birding, Graham Montgomery Cornell Entomology | Biology Ithaca, NY -- *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* Welcome and Basics http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME Rules and Information http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm *Archives:* The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirds http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds BirdingOnThe.Net http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html *Please submit your observations to eBird http://ebird.org/content/ebird/!* -- -- *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* Welcome and Basics http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME Rules and Information http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm *Archives:* The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirds http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds BirdingOnThe.Net http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html *Please submit your observations to eBird http://ebird.org/content/ebird/!* -- -- *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* Welcome and Basics http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME Rules and Information http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm *Archives:* The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirds http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds BirdingOnThe.Net http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html *Please submit your observations to eBird http://ebird.org/content/ebird/!* -- -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Confusing vireo song
I just made an observation that recalls Larry's story... I was inside my house when I thought I heard a Cape May Warbler, and naturally went outside to try to find it. Alas, I then only heard a different warbler singing, one that sounded a bit like a Cape May at times but was clearly different. Upon tracking down the source of the song I was a bit disappointed to find a Chestnut-sided Warbler. I too was questioning my auditory abilities, but then saw there was a Cape May Warbler next to the Chestnut-sided; turns out the Chestnut-sided and Cape May were singing simultaneously while foraging in close proximity. I couldn't tell which bird initiated singing but they were clearly synchronized for four or five bouts before the Chestnut-sided took off and the Cape May was left to sing its song in isolation. Alexa and I had a brief but great walk around Lindsay-Parsons this morning. Highlights were 14 species of warblers, including many stunning Prairie Warblers, two distant otters on Coleman Lake, and a family of raccoons clambering around a big old oak full of cavities. Plus a smattering of ticks eager to crawl up our legs. Ben On Sat, May 10, 2014 at 10:42 AM, W. Larry Hymes w...@cornell.edu wrote: The other day when birding around Treman Lake at Upper Buttermilk, I came upon a vireo singing. As I listened, I was fairly confident it was a BLUE-HEADED. A bit later I heard the bird again, but this time I decided I must have been wrong, as it sounded more like a RED-EYED. The only problem was the bird was only singing once in awhile, not continuously as is often the case with the RED-EYED VIREO. I kept hearing the bird sing off and on for some time, and I continued to vacillate between the two species. I decided I had to see the bird to be sure, and eventually found a RED-EYED. With my confidence shaken, I resigned myself to the fact that I must have been mistaken in thinking I had heard a BLUE-HEADED, and was in dire need of more practice. Just about that time I caught sight of another bird within 5-10 feet of the RED-EYED. Lo and behold it was a BLUE-HEADED VIREO! It was then I realized that I had indeed been hearing the two singing near each other, *but only one at a time*. Is it possible that two closely related species might engage in counter singing, or was this just a very unusual coincidence??? Larry -- W. Larry Hymes 120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 (H) 607-277-0759, w...@cornell.edu -- *Cayugabirds-L List Info:* Welcome and Basics http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME Rules and Information http://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm *Archives:* The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirds http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds BirdingOnThe.Net http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html *Please submit your observations to eBird http://ebird.org/content/ebird/!* -- -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Eurasian Widgeon at SW corner of lake
The drake Eurasian Widgeon was with a group of ducks (mostly Redheads and Canvasbacks) at the SW corner of the lake as of 3:10. It was swimming actively and occasionally hopping up onto the ice. It was not associating with nearby American Widgeons. Also three juvenile Bald Eagles on the ice and/or flying around. -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Cattle Egret at Treman Marina
Thanks to Jay for getting the word out. Alexa and I first saw it while headed to the car after a chilly walk around Hog Hole (not too much on the lake that we could see). The egret was sitting on the marina docks with a group of gulls, often looking cold but also flying in short circles around central portion of marina on two occasions. Hopefully the bird sticks around. checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15554034 Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] 2 Connecticut Warblers at Lindsay-Parsons
Just got back from a nice walk at LP. Found a large flock of Nashville Tennessee Warblers, plus a smattering of other migrants here and there. Best were two extremely cooperative Connecticut Warblers along the trail near the main trail/short trail down to Coleman Lake junction, a late Scarlet Tanager in a chickadee flock, and a fearless Rusty Blackbird foraging in dry leaf litter inside a forest patch, flicking leaves with its bill a la a Neotropical leaftosser. Great day to be outside! Full checklist here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15266768 -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Many warblers at Park Preserve
No Golden-winged Warblers, but Alexa and I found some exciting fall warblers this morning at the Finger Lakes Land Trust's Park Preserve (Baldwin Tract). It was very chilly at dawn, but we came across a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher amid the more common species. Searching for a bit of sun to warm ourselves in, we hit the jackpot: a large mixed-species flock we watched for over an hour. Among the chickadees were a concentration of Red-eyed Vireos (at least 12 foraging very actively) and good numbers of ten warbler species, including a Northern Parula and Bay-breasted Warbler. This flock was located along the forest edge where the principal trail enters closed woods and eventually descends to the creek, though I'm sure the birds are moving widely around the area. I wonder what else arrived overnight? http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15001566 -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA benjamingfreeman.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] Sparrows -- Clay-colored (breeding?) and Grasshopper
Hello, Alexa and I had the chance to go see the Clay-colored Sparrow at Lindsay-Parsons last week. Upon arrival (in the heat of the mid-afternoon), it was singing away from its reported location. The curious thing was how we first saw the bird - it was foraging on the mowed grass path next to a Field Sparrow, about fifty meters from the fields' edge. After watching it for a minute or two we noticed it had picked up a whitish moth in its bill, and was acting suspicious. Another minute or two and it disappeared into the grass west of the path, re-appearing when it flew to some low shrubs. We searched briefly for the possible nest, but backed off quickly for fear of trampling the area. We then watched a (the same?) Clay-colored singing for another five minutes. Upon leaving Lindsay-Parsons an hour later, a Clay-colored was singing and chasing a Field Sparrow in the same area. I'm sure we saw a Clay-colored provisioning a nest. What I am less sure is if the provisioning bird was the same bird initially heard singing and later heard singing. If not, there's a pair of Clay-coloreds with an active nest. An alternative possibility is that there is a male Clay-colored paired to a Field Sparrow -- apparently several examples of Clay-colored X Field hybrids exist from the midwest/northeast. Cool either way, and future Clay-colored searchers should be alert to the probable nest and possible upcoming fledglings. Secondly, we heard and briefly saw a Grasshopper Sparrow at the airport on Saturday. Again, we paid a quick visit in the mid-day heat and the bird was singing vigorously. This was along Snyder Road near the pull-off with a couple junked cars; the sparrow sounded very near but was deceptively far away, well inside the airport fencing. -Ben -- Benjamin Freeman Ph.D. candidate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA -- 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/ --
