Had a few minutes to spare during my holiday visit, so stopped at Myers Point.
A flock of 8 pippits flew in, each calling as it arrived. I watched them work
the shoreline for a while, well camouflaged among the pebbles.
These were long-sought lifers for me!
Nancy Dickinson
Visiting from Maine
Never more-
As I finished loading the car yesterday and took a last look at my beloved
farm, the Mecklenburg raven circled low over the yard and croaked goodbye. I
don't believe in signs but it seemed significant since the first bird I saw
in our new yard in Maine, on top of a rocky hill, was a
I actually noticed fireflies on the night of June 21! I had just finished
telling our houseguests that it was too bad they weren't here in July when the
fireflies make beautiful circular flights over our fields. It was the night
before the super moon and as we walked out to look at it, the
Imagine my surprise to find a shiny green mini lobster (crayfish) dead but
intact on my garden path. I assume a green heron dropped it en route from
Taughannock Creek to the nest in our spruce trees. Imagine their disappointment!
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This morning the Wood Thrush in our yard started singing before dawn, starting
the chorus that we listen to through the window as we wake, and continuing past
8:00. We've never had a Wood Thrush stay beyond migration before, but this one
has been singing in the same place since May 21. I take
Tracked it down in my hawthorns, chugging out its mechanical song loudly and
endlessly. Not much to look at but a new one to learn.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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Singing nonstop, lit up by rising sun, atop a hickory in our yard at 6 am. Joy!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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Two newly-arrived Blue-winged Warblers are singing on our hillside today.
And a Baltimore Oriole is singing the funniest ditty while snacking on various
trees around the yard-- since 5:30 am it has been whistling yoo-hoo just like
my iPhone does. Over and over and over and over, it makes me
Eight White-crowned Sparrows singing while dining under my feeders this morning!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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I finally heard a Common Yellowthroat in our yard today. It seems late.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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Singing and displaying at mill in Treman Park.
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A singing Nashville Warbler joined the dawn chorus in our yard today.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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A Ruby-corwned Kinglet was singing excitedly in our fir tree this morning!
Happy happy.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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I saw and heard 3 woodcocks last evening. But the first chorus of peepers was
even more exciting!
On Apr 5, 2013, at 9:11 AM, bob mcguire wrote:
Has anyone been hearing/seeing woodcocks in the past few days?
Back at the beginning of March we had several here on Whitted Rd (Snyder Hill).
And
At noon today the first Tree Swallow of the season was perched, sunning and
twittering on a branch near our nest boxes.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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Not sure if one should brag about them, but I recorded a cowbird on my
Feederwatch list on March 16. Also Song Sparrow and Fox Sparrow at my feeders
that day. But numbers of cowbirds are much higher today :(
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
From:
I just watched a large swarm of Snow Geese over my yard, amused by their rude
barking calls, and noted that while they had distinctly black wing tips they
were more gray than white-- I think they may be muddy!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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I had a theory that woodcocks didn't dance when it was too cold or snowy, so
last evening when I took the dog out around 7:40 I was surprised to hear them
as we stepped from the lawn to the edge of a brushy field. There was one
woodcock just landing (and warbling) to my right, and one peenting
New to our yard for the year today are a couple of robins, and also two Turkey
Vultures. And slightly out of basin, I heard a Killdeer through our open
sunroof as we drove back from Two Goats in Hector. A springy day indeed!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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I knew the weather was right, and sure enough I just listened to 3 rounds of a
woodcock's Sky dance over our soggy field. Happy Spring!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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A Brown Creeper has been running up and down my two suet/feeder trees this
weekend. What a treat! I haven't seen it actually eat the suet, but did see
it collect some suet crumbs from the roots of a tree.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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The strange weekend weather blew away all my redpolls (which had varied between
2 and 30) but increased my juncos to a record 28.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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I topped off the gorgeous morning with a visit to Marty's porch, where I sat
from 11:20 to 11:50. To my surprise, the Rufous Hummingbird indeed came in at
15-minute intervals and gave me ample opportunity to study it. A very handsome
life bird, and a beautiful spot-- no wonder he likes it
27, 2012 9:47 AM
To: Nancy W Dickinson
Subject: eBird Report - Wise Acres, Sep 27, 2012
Wise Acres, Schuyler, US-NY
Sep 27, 2012 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Area
16.0 ac
Comments: sunny. 50 degrees
33 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 25
Northern Harrier 1
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied
I see Laura has a hummingbird on her list, but mine seem to be, very suddenly,
gone. All summer there was one at the feeder, or perched on a twig next to it
waiting. Sometimes there were arguments when two tried to visit at once. But
yesterday and today, the feeder and twig are empty. (And I
Sorry Mark-- Our Albert Podell is Cornell '58. I have met him, and that photo
doesn't look anything like him. Don't we have a AAD folks on here?
From: bounce-64005137-3493...@list.cornell.edu
[bounce-64005137-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Mark Chao
A walk up our hill at dusk this evening yielded a bird I hadn't heard here in
many years-- a Veery, repeating its name, vee-ur, a dozen times. What a treat!
Last weekend we were camping at Lake Durant in the Adirondacks, and a Hermit
Thrush ran around our campsite much of the time, giving me
An exciting time of year! In the past two days I have observed the begging
fledglings of Phoebes, Grackles, Cardinals, Chickadees, and the defensive
parenting of Common Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows, Hairy Woodpeckers, Field
Sparrows, Towhees, and House Wrens. Still singing are Brown Thrashers,
Took the dog for a walk at dusk last night and was surprised to hear a Woodcock
performing its dance, which I hadn't heard since mid-March! Might they be
nesting a second time?
Also, later, the yard was a-twinkle with FIREFLIES! Thought I was seeing
things at first...seems way too early.
, 2012 11:55 AM
To: Nancy W Dickinson
Subject: eBird Report - Cayuga Nature Center, May 13, 2012
Cayuga Nature Center, Tompkins, US-NY
May 13, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Comments: warm, sunny
40 species
Turkey Vulture 2
Killdeer 1
Chimney Swift 1
Red-bellied
In my hawthorns this morning, in the mist, were my first-of-year Blue-winged,
Chestnut-sided, and Yellow Warblers. Also yard FOY White-crowned Sparrow, Barn
Swallow, Wood Duck and Blue-headed Vireo (kindly singing in a bare tree where I
could actually study him closely.) Heard Brown Thrasher
Also heard a lot of turkey hunters celebrating May Day loudly. I prefer to
celebrate with flowers.
From: bounce-53933389-3493...@list.cornell.edu
[bounce-53933389-3493...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Nancy W Dickinson
[n...@cornell.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, May 01
At noon on our hill I found a gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole singing in an
apple tree, and while thrilling to that I was stunned to hear right behind me
(in the spruce grove) the prolonged scolding of a Wood Thrush. (Confirmed this
with BirdTunes when I came in-- they call it pit volleys!)
, in a small group with an
experienced guide with scope. Great fun! New birds arriving soon. Sunday
mornings through mid-May, 7:30 to 9:30.
Nancy Dickinson
From: do-not-re...@ebird.org [do-not-re...@ebird.org]
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2012 10:59 AM
To: Nancy W
; M Kardon
Cc: Nancy W Dickinson; CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] forsythia for birds
Hi all,
I am a little bit concerned about promoting Forsythia for birds. They are just
good for landing and hiding for birds near bird feeders. But they really are
not such healthy food for birds
, Nancy W Dickinson
n...@cornell.edumailto:n...@cornell.edu wrote:
I will try to remember who I'm talking to next time I post anything! ;) I am
all for natural native plants, and have 19 acres of them, and a shelf full of
books about them. But I do love my garden and the birds really love my
Since this has been such a spectacular season for forsythia, I thought I'd
mention that my bird feeding area is flanked on both sides by large forsythia
bushes. In every season, the feeder birds find shelter there between feedings,
and when danger threatens. Right now the bushes are beautiful
A Field Sparrow joined the morning chorus here today. It sang, Happy Spring
(not Summer?)!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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At last it is really woodcock season in Mecklenburg. At least 4 individuals
were peenting and skydancing when I went out at 6 am, audible from every side
of our house. I heard them last evening in the rainy dusk, and they may have
continued all night under the bright moon. Anyone who lives
Hooray!!! I've just been out in this tumultuous weather listening to repeated
skydance music from a woodcock in the field north of our house. The wind is so
strong (and cold) I could hear it do the twittering ascent to circle overhead,
and then the chirping descent, for 7 cycles, but couldn't
In spite of the gloomy weather, a male bluebird is singing brightly in our
yard, trying out his song from every treetop.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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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
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I spent 45 minutes this morning looking for the snowy owl in Ovid. No luck.
Darn.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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In spite of the extreme cold, our dozen continuing robins greeted this
morning's sun with their usual outburst of clucking and singing. And the
hoarfrost was dazzling.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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it sounded,
very odd.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Nancy W Dickinson n...@cornell.edumailto:n...@cornell.edu
Date: November 14, 2011 8:47:33 AM EST
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
cayugabird...@list.cornell.edumailto:cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] shrike
Reply-To: Nancy W Dickinson
Very cool to see a Northern Shrike surveying our yard from atop a smallish
tree, early this morning. Had a good long look at it. A yard first!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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Of all the birds seen today while walking the dog around our place, the most
surprising were 3 Tree Sparrows. Is it really that late in the season? A
Towhee is still calling in our woods, and still some White-crowns are hanging
out.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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cherry in her
mouth. Maybe she meant to feed it to some young?
Nancy W. Dickinson
Director's Administrative Assistant
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 254-4597
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http
I have had in my field for many, many summers a bird that I'm pretty sure is a
Willow Flycatcher. I haven't seen breeding activity, but doubt that it would
come back like clockwork every year if things weren't going well. It perches
here and there and makes a call like a boingy spring, or
...@ebird.org]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 11:05 AM
To: Nancy W Dickinson
Subject: eBird Report - Cayuga Nature Center , 5/8/11
Location: Cayuga Nature Center
Observation date: 5/8/11
Number of species: 42
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy
Came home to the song of a Towhee drinking his tea (with ice cubes, I hope).
Nearby was a rollicking Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and at the feeder were both early
Chipping Sparrow and late Tree Sparrow.
Happiness!
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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Three Redpolls, who arrived Sunday, continue at our feeders this morning.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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The White-crowned Sparrow continues to visit my feeder, with two White-throats.
Seems healthy.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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As I stood in the driveway at the conclusion of my own New Year's bird count, a
flock of 20 Redpolls bounced into the yard and went to the feeders, where I
could watch them for a few minutes. Great way to start the year! Earlier, I
witnessed singing Tree Sparrows, White-throats and our
Today's unusual weather brought a White-Crowned Sparrow to our feeders, along
with a late Song Sparrow.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
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Our place was more interesting today than expected, given the dull weather. I
spent an hour circling our hillside and saw, among the usual suspects:
thousands of blackbirds overhead, looking and sounding like redwings and
grackles with who-knows-what mixed in, heading south. Distant Canada
This morning amid the huge number of singing White-throated Sparrows, accented
with songs of several White-crowns and the chwinking of a couple of lingering
towhees, I heard repeatedly the brilliant song of a Fox Sparrow. Also, didn't
hear but saw a handful of newly-arrived Tree Sparrows.
We are greatly enjoying our newly opened-up fields which will hopefully attract
woodcocks and other field birds in the coming years. I found a guy with a
mower that can remove giant multifora rosebushes, bush honeysuckle, and most
small trees, creating a beautiful open grassland where there
Such a beautiful weekend, and so much confusion.
Keep seeing little flocks of warblers, and seriously cannot identify them, even
when studying my various field guides. They are warblers, but... Sigh!
Our many fruiting trees and vines are attracting all kinds of birds. This
morning these
This evening, walking our puppy at about 7:30 in hazy dusk, I saw a bird that
I believe was an Olive-sided Flycatcher. Dark, not small, short-necked, medium
unmoving tail, large white wing-patch the only distinguishing mark, sitting
very still (100 feet away? with binocs) on a roadside snag
Last evening the peaceful singing of grosbeak, oriole, and tanager was
interrupted by the piercing shrieks of a green heron and angry caws of a crow,
both of whom claim a nesting spot in our little (1/2 acre?) spruce grove. They
went on and on, back and forth, and there was a lot of flapping
This morning there were so many warblers singing in our yard, I couldn't decide
which ones to chase first. Did have good looks at Cape May, Prairie,
Blackpoll, and Chestnut-sided. Many more heard but not confirmed by sight. So
many Yellows and C Yellowthroats fighting over territories it's
Unbelievably, I was awakened at midnight by the calling of a Saw-whet Owl right
outside the open bedroom window. It went on about 20 times, in slowly measured
toots of equal length and spacing, then took a break and tooted some more. The
sound was so close that I sensed the breathiness, very
Attached is my eBird list from this morning's good walk at CNC. Most notable
were the (heard only) Hooded Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush, both on
territories they have held for several years. We did have a look at singing
Wood Thrush, B Oriole and Towhee, among others. Guided walks will
Our first House Wren arrived to sing brightly this morning.
Nancy Dickinson
Mecklenburg
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
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This evening at 7:35 I went out for a nice sunset walk, and heard
spine-chilling, awful, distressed cries from my nesting crows-- and assumed
there was a hawk or owl roosting in the same spruce grove who was upsetting
them. But then, against the sunset sky, I watched as one after another, up
Two Field Sparrows are visiting my feeder area this evening-- the first I've
seen this season. Nice to see them up close, in bright plumage (reddish caps,
white eye-rings, gray face, pink bill (giving them the most wide-eyed cute
look of our sparrows, I think). They join the YB Sapsucker
Our phoebe greeted me on my return from SFO this afternoon with a bright
chip and a busy swooping about to pick up cluster flies. I'm sure that of
all the birds nesting and being raised in our bank barn, some return to the
very same place each spring. But never more than a few, and then they
I was pleased (and puzzled, since it's warmer) to finally get a nice flock
of 12 Tree Sparrows at the feeders today, along with the two remaining
White-throats (remember when they used to be springtime migrants?) The
Tree Sparrows were singing so happily that I could hear them through the
window.
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