[cayugabirds-l] Merlin phone message - bad

[Karen]

With the extensive help of Geo, we are up to 8 known or highly likely areas for 
nests. Plus, 6 general areas. Better than for other years at ths time.
Someone left a phone mesage about a nest. My recording is garbled. All I heard 
was "Spring St" and I thought "Dryden". Could this person email me, please.
Any help with nest locations greatly aids the county-wide survey of nests and 
number fledged per nest.  Thanks.
John Confer
 
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin(s) @ Commonland

[Suan Hsi Yong]

This evening at 5:30 I heard and saw a Merlin here at Commonland,
directly behind and above my unit. One bird was circling lazily with
occasional flutters, while I heard calling from I think a different
bird perched somewhere nearby unseen. When I walked to where I thought
that call was coming from, the calling stopped, but the first bird
continued circling overhead.

I briefly heard a Merlin call here a few days ago, but didn't have
time to track it down.

John, I can let you know if this persists and if I can locate a nest.

Suan

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin help

[Karen]

Help monitoring Merlin nesting in Tompkins County, please.
For a decade I have tried to find all Merlin nests in Tompkins County. I am 
trying to write a paper on our population: where it nests and how many there 
are. This is an impossible task without support from people who contribute to 
CayugaBirds-L and/or to eBird and/or let me know personally about sightings. 
Merlin have increased in abundance from 2005. Last year I found 9 nests, of 
which 8 fledged young. There were reports of an additional 5 territorial pairs, 
whose nests I never found. Perhaps they didn't stay or actually form a pair. 
Perhaps my poorer hearing and eyesight failed to detect them. Perhaps there 
were just too many for me to spend the necessary time to find the nest. 
I spend one or two hours on three mornings at every location for which there 
are two or more reports of a Merlin. With potentially 14 pair in the county 
that is a lot of time. I love doing it, but can't do a thorough job at it. 
If anyone would like to help with this survey from now until the end of July, 
please let me know: confergoldw...@aol.com, 607-539-6308.
John Confer


|  |  
Observed, Incubated Nests    
  |  
Fledged broods, Known Nest
  |  
Nest Success Rate1
  |  
Fledglings, No Known Nest
  |  
Territorial Pairs.  No Known Nest or Fledglings2
  |  
Sum of Pairs3
  |
|  


 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  
2023
  |  
9
  |  
8
  |  
89% (8 of 9)
  |  
0
  |  
5
  |  
14
  |



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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin in Freeville

[Tim Gallagher]

I just saw an adult male Merlin a few minutes ago in Freeville,  vocalizing 
loudly and doing a flutter flight high above me.

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin: Route 366 near Game Farm Road

[Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes]

Also, while continuing on my way into work, I spun around after I spotted a 
MERLIN tearing into a fresh bird kill atop a telephone pole next to the Cornell 
research barn, just west of the intersection of Route 366 and Game Farm Road.

This individual looked to be either a female or 1st-year bird.

Some backlit pictures here:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S160409733

Sincerely,
Chris T-H


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K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
Work: +1 607-254-2418  Mobile: +1 607-351-5740  FAX: +1 607-254-1132
https://bioacoustics.cornell.edu




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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting 2023 vs 2022

[Karen]

Merlin Nesting Tabulation for 2023 vs. 2022 for Tompkins County


In 2022 the total was 15 pair vs.15 this year    Successful:  11 vs. 8 this 
year (counting one nest with downy young before it fledges)    Failed:  3 vs. 1 
this year  Known pair but no known nest: 1 vs. 6 this year


1035 Highland Rd. Nest abandoned.   But, a very late pair, called, mated, and 
established a nest about 900 m distant. I am tabulating these sites as the same 
pair. Beth and Geoff reported a few minutes ago that a downynestling was fed on 
23 July. This nest is by far the latest ever.
Brandywineand Simsbury Drives. No known nest. Pair seen frequentlyearly in 
season near potential nest. Disappeared.
 

Monroe St. and vicinity, Dryden. No known nest. Pairseen early in season. 
Disappeared.

 

Jenning’s Pond. No known nest. Pair seen mating,chasing crows early in season. 
Occasional report around Jennings Pond through20 June.

 

Myer’s Park. No known nest. Pairseen around a nest at park entrance early in 
season, and occasionally throughJune and July.

 

South Hill. No known nest. Pairseen calling, mating early in season.

 

Craft Way, Brook Way, Brook Dr.  No known nest. Pair mating, calling.

 
___
Fairmount/ElmwoodAves. Fledged, three young.
Freeville.Two young on nest as of 25 June. Two fledglings by 14 July.
Hanshawand Klinewood Rds. 25 June, Still incubating. 23 July, feeding at least 
onechick with downy head.
 

McLallaen and Washington Sts., Trumansburg.   Fledged, three young.

 

Sycamore Dr. x Pinewood Pl. Fledged at least two young.

 

The Parkway near elementary school. Fledged at least twoyoung, probably three.

 

Top Forty Rd.  Threeolder nestlings as of 25 June. Fledged by mid-July

 

Valley View Rd. Three nestlings as of 25 June.



 
Gimme Coffee. Nest failed.
With hundreds of Merlin reports to eBird, and thousands of reports that did not 
detect Merlin, I think our survey in Tompkins County is fairly complete.

Thanks ever so much for the continued help of so many in documenting the Merlin 
population of Tompkins County.
Jeff, please forward to your friends, thanks.




 





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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Muhammad Arif]

I saw and heard the merlin near east end of Sycamore on 3/17 (I entered it in 
eBird) and also on 4/16 when I visited a friend near there. He said he had seen 
the merlin last year too.

--
muhammad arif
https://www.instagram.com/arif.photos/

“You will observe with concern how long a useful truth may be known,
and exist, before it is generally received and practiced on.” — Benjamin 
Franklin

From: Kenneth V. Rosenberg<mailto:k...@cornell.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 12:20 PM
To: Karen<mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L<mailto:cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

Hi John,

There is a calling bird (pair?) at Myers Point Park in Lansing as well— I think 
they were there last year.

The “Tareyton “ bird may be nesting again near the east end of Sycamore— a 
female perched in a tree there giving some softer, different calls.

Ken
Sent from my iPhone


On Apr 25, 2023, at 11:28 AM, Karen  wrote:

Thanks to reports of many on this list serve,  I have located 11 Merlin 
territories this year for Tompkins County, but so far no known nests.

South Hill near Oak Manor, Fairmount Ave. near Elmwood, Gimme Coffee, Tareyton 
Rd/Murial area, Dryden west of Agway, Freeville, just west of Yellow Barn Rd. 
near Rt. 38, The Parkway near school, Trumansburg, Jennings Pond, and a 
possible pair near Christopher Lane and Brandywine. That is 11 pair, but I 
haven't found any nests yet. The females should be incubating now and the pair 
is less vocal. With noisy time in the last two weeks of nestlings and shortly 
after fledging in about 6-8 weeks, we may well match last year's county high of 
12 pairs.

Any information appreciated.

Thanks, John


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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Donna Lee Scott]

The Brandywine birds are where Simsbury drive ends at Brandywine.
I often see one perched in a deciduous tree back of a Y shaped, trimmed  white 
pine just east of Brandywine rd.

Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 25, 2023, at 12:34 PM, Scott Haber  wrote:


There has also been a calling pair off and on since the beginning of April in 
the vicinity of Craft Road and Brook Way in the Village of Lansing. On a few 
occasions in recent weeks they were frequenting a grove of Norway Spruces on 
Brook Way as well as a dense stand of White Pines near the dermatology practice 
on Craft, but they don't seem to be consistently faithful to either location. 
There has been a successful breeding pair of Cooper's Hawks (using old crow 
nests) near these locations in recent years, so I'm wondering if the Merlins 
were checking out some of the old Cooper's/crow nest sites.

-Scott

On Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 11:28 AM Karen 
mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>> wrote:
Thanks to reports of many on this list serve,  I have located 11 Merlin 
territories this year for Tompkins County, but so far no known nests.

South Hill near Oak Manor, Fairmount Ave. near Elmwood, Gimme Coffee, Tareyton 
Rd/Murial area, Dryden west of Agway, Freeville, just west of Yellow Barn Rd. 
near Rt. 38, The Parkway near school, Trumansburg, Jennings Pond, and a 
possible pair near Christopher Lane and Brandywine. That is 11 pair, but I 
haven't found any nests yet. The females should be incubating now and the pair 
is less vocal. With noisy time in the last two weeks of nestlings and shortly 
after fledging in about 6-8 weeks, we may well match last year's county high of 
12 pairs.

Any information appreciated.

Thanks, John


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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Scott Haber]

There has also been a calling pair off and on since the beginning of April
in the vicinity of Craft Road and Brook Way in the Village of Lansing. On a
few occasions in recent weeks they were frequenting a grove of Norway
Spruces on Brook Way as well as a dense stand of White Pines near the
dermatology practice on Craft, but they don't seem to be
consistently faithful to either location. There has been a successful
breeding pair of Cooper's Hawks (using old crow nests) near these locations
in recent years, so I'm wondering if the Merlins were checking out some of
the old Cooper's/crow nest sites.

-Scott

On Tue, Apr 25, 2023 at 11:28 AM Karen  wrote:

> Thanks to reports of many on this list serve,  I have located 11 Merlin
> territories this year for Tompkins County, but so far no known nests.
>
> South Hill near Oak Manor, Fairmount Ave. near Elmwood, Gimme Coffee,
> Tareyton Rd/Murial area, Dryden west of Agway, Freeville, just west of
> Yellow Barn Rd. near Rt. 38, The Parkway near school, Trumansburg, Jennings
> Pond, and a possible pair near Christopher Lane and Brandywine. That is 11
> pair, but I haven't found any nests yet. The females should be incubating
> now and the pair is less vocal. With noisy time in the last two weeks of
> nestlings and shortly after fledging in about 6-8 weeks, we may well match
> last year's county high of 12 pairs.
>
> Any information appreciated.
>
> Thanks, John
>
>
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Kenneth V. Rosenberg]

Hi John,

There is a calling bird (pair?) at Myers Point Park in Lansing as well— I think 
they were there last year.

The “Tareyton “ bird may be nesting again near the east end of Sycamore— a 
female perched in a tree there giving some softer, different calls.

Ken

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 25, 2023, at 11:28 AM, Karen  wrote:


Thanks to reports of many on this list serve,  I have located 11 Merlin 
territories this year for Tompkins County, but so far no known nests.

South Hill near Oak Manor, Fairmount Ave. near Elmwood, Gimme Coffee, Tareyton 
Rd/Murial area, Dryden west of Agway, Freeville, just west of Yellow Barn Rd. 
near Rt. 38, The Parkway near school, Trumansburg, Jennings Pond, and a 
possible pair near Christopher Lane and Brandywine. That is 11 pair, but I 
haven't found any nests yet. The females should be incubating now and the pair 
is less vocal. With noisy time in the last two weeks of nestlings and shortly 
after fledging in about 6-8 weeks, we may well match last year's county high of 
12 pairs.

Any information appreciated.

Thanks, John


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Karen]

Thanks to reports of many on this list serve,  I have located 11 Merlin 
territories this year for Tompkins County, but so far no known nests.
South Hill near Oak Manor, Fairmount Ave. near Elmwood, Gimme Coffee, Tareyton 
Rd/Murial area, Dryden west of Agway, Freeville, just west of Yellow Barn Rd. 
near Rt. 38, The Parkway near school, Trumansburg, Jennings Pond, and a 
possible pair near Christopher Lane and Brandywine. That is 11 pair, but I 
haven't found any nests yet. The females should be incubating now and the pair 
is less vocal. With noisy time in the last two weeks of nestlings and shortly 
after fledging in about 6-8 weeks, we may well match last year's county high of 
12 pairs.
Any information appreciated.
Thanks, John


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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Deb Grantham]

Merlin identified vacalizing (but not outright braying) by one of my donkeys as 
a Mallard!!!

Deb



On Apr 13, 2023 11:50 AM, Mary Jane Thomas  wrote:
I would like to talk with someone off-list about Merlin.  It has given me some 
really weird results - birds not found in this area.

Thanks.

Mary Jane Thomas




Sent from my iPad
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Mary Jane Thomas]

I would like to talk with someone off-list about Merlin.  It has given me some 
really weird results - birds not found in this area.  

Thanks.

Mary Jane Thomas




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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Andrew David Miller]

We had a Merlin at our house this afternoon (full credit to my kids who saw it 
perched in a tree and knew it wasn't a bird they were familiar with).  It 
stayed around for about 15 minutes before heading East towards Yellow Barn Rd.  
Fox sparrows have returned (3 yesterday) along with song sparrows. Our resident 
Barred Owl has been calling more regularly over the last few days.

-Andrew Miller
Ringwood Rd. Freeville


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin for the kids

[Margaret Hurley]

 FOS purple finch at my feeder today!  And at Nichol's Lake in Spencer had
a group of 3rd graders out for a bird walk and we saw and heard a Merlin.
He stayed in the same treetop for a good 30 minutes so we had lots of time
to get a really good look. He showed up at just the perfect time as I was
teaching them about the Merlin app.

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[cayugabirds-l] Merlin summary

[Karen]

SUMMARY  
Merlin known nesting results for Tompkins County
In 2020 there were 7 known, incubated nests with 4 fledged broods, plus two 
sets of fledglings with no known nest, plus 2 pair with no known nest, for a 
total of 11 Merlin pairs.
In 2021 there were 6 known, incubated nests with 4 fledged broods, plus 2 sets 
of fledglings with no known nest, plus 3 pair with no known nest, for a total 
of 11 pairs.
This year, 2022, there were 7 known, incubated nest sites with 4 fledged 
broods, plus 1 set of  fledglings with no known nest, and two pairs with no 
known nest, for a total of 10 pairs.
Again, the tabulation for our county depends greatly on reports from many 
birders. Thanks to so many, especially eBird reporters. I'm sorry if I've 
forgotten some contributors in the tally below. 
DETAILS
Merlin Summary, 2022

109 Sycamore.  Thanks to Ken, Olivia,Anne, and Sheila

Successful   Two fledged youngobserved on 14 July


 
Yellow Barn Rd.    Thanksto Lee Ann, Jay, and Charleen

Successful       Threeor four fledglings. 


 
Madison, Hancock, 3rdSt. Thanks to Paul 

Unknown.    Pair. But no nesting known.


 
Jennings Pond.  Thanks to John, Bill, andGerard 

Successful       Foundas fledgling begged for food. At 
least 1 fledgling. 

 Crescent Place, Hawthorn,Pearsall. Thanks to Carol, Diane, Stephanie, and John

Failed.  Female seen onnest on two occasions. 
Nest failed. Landowner hates hawks.

. 

Forest Home Dr. bridge.    Thanksto Anonymous, and Peter

Failed.  Female seenincubating on two 
occasions, but nest failed. 


 
Marina, boat ramp.             Thanks to Laura, Ton, David,Peter, Sandy

Failed.      Pairseen carrying food to nest, yet 
nest failed. 


 
Oak Ave.  Thanks to Lynn,Keigan, Zack

Successful.  Veryearly pair. Fledged 2 and probably 3 
young in late June 

    

Trumansburg (Grove Cemetery).  Thanksto John (same as Jennings Pond), and 
anonymous

Successful.  At least one fledgling

 The Parkway. Thanks to Gwen

Unknown                             Known pair, but no known nest


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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Tony carapella]

I was out in Arizona and without merlin I would have been lost….I did confirm 
all sound ID with photos for life list birds or at least visually confirmed 
them.
Again what an amazing app!! Fast and accurate.

Tony carapella
toneloc1...@gmail.com



> On May 25, 2022, at 6:47 PM, James Gaffney  wrote:
> 
> I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to find birds whose 
> songs I’m not familiar with. I was out in Arizona last week and the sound ID 
> helped me find birds I had never seen before. 
> Question to the group.  If Merlin picks up a bird that is a life list bird 
> and you don’t eyeball it can you list it as heard?  I would think not but I’m 
> interested in thoughts from you all 
> Jim Gaffney 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On May 25, 2022, at 12:58 PM, Barbara Hotchkiss  
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Many thanks, as always, for your edifying info! Love this little singer’s 
>> melody, what that little phoebe says?!
>> Warmly,
>> Bar’bara’
>> 
>>> On May 25, 2022, at 12:42 PM, Jay McGowan  wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi Barbara,
>>> That's a Say's Phoebe. And yes, you can import videos into the app as well 
>>> as audio from other apps, although it's easiest to record straight onto 
>>> Merlin.
>>> 
>>> Since we're on the subject, I thought I would put out a quick public 
>>> service reminder regarding Merlin and reporting birds to eBird. Merlin 
>>> Sound ID is an amazing resource to help birders learn bird sounds and pick 
>>> up more on the birds around them. We're also working hard to expand Sound 
>>> ID to other parts of the world (many species in Europe are already 
>>> covered). However, it's important for all of us to remember that the IDs 
>>> Merlin gives are suggestions, or best guesses. We're achieving spectacular 
>>> accuracy thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers who have annotated 
>>> thousands of recordings, but bird sounds are variable, and some are just as 
>>> tricky for Merlin as they are for birders (think Dark-eyed Junco vs. Pine 
>>> Warbler etc.) So please, DO NOT simply take Merlin's word for an ID when it 
>>> comes to adding it to your eBird checklist. Use it as a starting point, and 
>>> try to confirm visually or by comparing the recording to others before 
>>> settling on an ID. If Merlin suggests something uncommon and you think it's 
>>> correct, please upload your recording along with the observation in eBird.
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> Jay McGowan
>>> Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab
>>> 
>>> On Wed, May 25, 2022 at 12:20 PM Barbara Hotchkiss >> > wrote:
>>> Here’s the songbird in question; heard/seen in Boulder CO  
>>> https://share.icloud.com/photos/053Nl_RqRT3l4PlHfyzo0fiKg 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Warm regards,
>>> Bar’bara’
>>> 
 On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby >>> > wrote:
 
 Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
 
 Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very 
 much to its developers.
 
 Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. 
 My husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
 binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
 because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He 
 stood there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and 
 listening, and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my 
 phone again walking along the East Hill trail…..
 
 Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
 
 Nita Irby
 Dryden
 
 
 
 --
 
 Cayugabirds-L List Info:
 http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME 
 
 http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES 
 
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 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:
>>> Welcome and Basics 
>>> Rules and Information 
>>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave 
>>> 

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Dave Nutter]

About Life Lists, I’m sure organizations have rules, but unless you are trying 
to make the list for the organization, it’s your life and your list, so you can 
make your own criteria. 

For myself, a new species which I encounter will necessarily be unfamiliar and 
may be confusing, so I may be uncertain at first. Also, birds which are not new 
species to me may appear different enough to be suspected to be new. I’m not 
the best at studying and memorizing the field marks of unexpected species 
beforehand, so these are learning experiences as I try to figure out what I 
found. But over the course of many such situations (including months in Costa 
Rica, which hosts as many bird species as the US & Canada within and area the 
size of West Virginia, before Costa Rica had a convenient field guide) I have 
tried to develop the habit of noticing everything I can about an odd bird, so I 
can write my observations in a notebook or an eBird report. 

So, what “counts” for my lists? I don’t need to have known what species the 
bird was at the exact time of the encounter (which may be brief), nor do I need 
to be the person who first made the ID, but I want to have seen or heard enough 
features to distinguish that bird as that species. For me, seeing a new or rare 
bird, and only saying that some other authoritative person identified it, while 
I can’t say why or I didn’t see the field marks or hear the sound well enough, 
well that doesn’t cut it. It’s frustrating, but there are times when I just 
have to say that the bird may well be what they said, but I didn’t see or hear 
it well enough, and it does not go on my list.

If you are with someone who confidently IDs a bird about which you are not 
confident, I think it’s okay to ask how they made the ID. They may not be good 
at explaining, because many birders are not practiced at organizing and 
communicating their observations, but it’s worth asking, and good birders 
should be willing to share their knowledge. 

When I was a field trip leader for Spring Field Ornithology, we took a 
chartered bus on a weekend trip to southern New Jersey in early May, where we 
encountered many species which are not typically found in the Cayuga Lake 
Basin. Also, many of the birders were fairly inexperienced, so there were a lot 
of Life Birds for people. We kept track of what species the group encountered, 
and the rule was that an individual bird had to be identified as that species 
by at least 2 members of the group, and at least 1 of those people had to be a 
student, not a leader. That kept leaders focused on sharing birds with 
students. But if the species is novel to the student, how can the student 
attest to it? I would try to call out the field marks I saw when a bird was in 
view and describe what made a song special in between the times a bird sang, 
and I would review the information with students afterward, preferably with an 
open field guide in hand. I maintained that if the student saw the 
distinguishing field marks or heard the distinguishing sounds, and was 
comfortable saying so, even if the learning happened after the few seconds of 
observation, then that should count as an observation of the species. 

Merlin, however, is not a teacher who studied field guides to remember and 
communicate distinguishing field marks. Merlin is an artificial intelligence 
program which is fed lots of images and recorded vocalizations which people 
have previously categorized as being of a given species as well as many more 
which people have categorized as not that species. But the people don’t tell 
the AI why they believe those IDs to be the case. The program compares and 
“learns” to recognize and distinguish that species, but the AI never 
articulates how or why it reaches that conclusion. So, Merlin is a help, but 
it’s not a teacher. 

Merlin is a fun and useful tool, so use it, but I say then reach for the field 
guide which discusses what distinguishes species from each other. Jot down any 
of those field marks or vocal characteristics which you observed, and any which 
did not agree or which you did not see. For me, this studying & note-taking 
during and after an observation makes it something I can build upon, so I get 
to know the species better during subsequent encounters. 

And, yes, there are birds on my lists which were identified by sound and not 
seen, although I still make an effort to see the bird later, because that is 
more satisfying. And all that goes into my notes within the list. The Alder 
Flycatcher I heard yesterday under the powerlines at Sapsucker Woods is in that 
category for my year list. Little blighter kept singing but was invisible. 

- - Dave Nutter

> On May 25, 2022, at 6:47 PM, James Gaffney  wrote:
> 
> I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to find birds whose 
> songs I’m not familiar with. I was out in Arizona last week and the sound ID 
> helped me find birds I had never seen before. 
> Question to the 

Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[James Gaffney]

I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to find birds whose 
songs I’m not familiar with. I was out in Arizona last week and the sound ID 
helped me find birds I had never seen before. 
Question to the group.  If Merlin picks up a bird that is a life list bird and 
you don’t eyeball it can you list it as heard?  I would think not but I’m 
interested in thoughts from you all 
Jim Gaffney 

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 25, 2022, at 12:58 PM, Barbara Hotchkiss  
> wrote:
> 
> Many thanks, as always, for your edifying info! Love this little singer’s 
> melody, what that little phoebe says?!
> Warmly,
> Bar’bara’
> 
>>> On May 25, 2022, at 12:42 PM, Jay McGowan  wrote:
>>> 
>> 
>> Hi Barbara,
>> That's a Say's Phoebe. And yes, you can import videos into the app as well 
>> as audio from other apps, although it's easiest to record straight onto 
>> Merlin.
>> 
>> Since we're on the subject, I thought I would put out a quick public service 
>> reminder regarding Merlin and reporting birds to eBird. Merlin Sound ID is 
>> an amazing resource to help birders learn bird sounds and pick up more on 
>> the birds around them. We're also working hard to expand Sound ID to other 
>> parts of the world (many species in Europe are already covered). However, 
>> it's important for all of us to remember that the IDs Merlin gives are 
>> suggestions, or best guesses. We're achieving spectacular accuracy thanks to 
>> the hard work of staff and volunteers who have annotated thousands of 
>> recordings, but bird sounds are variable, and some are just as tricky for 
>> Merlin as they are for birders (think Dark-eyed Junco vs. Pine Warbler etc.) 
>> So please, DO NOT simply take Merlin's word for an ID when it comes to 
>> adding it to your eBird checklist. Use it as a starting point, and try to 
>> confirm visually or by comparing the recording to others before settling on 
>> an ID. If Merlin suggests something uncommon and you think it's correct, 
>> please upload your recording along with the observation in eBird.
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> Jay McGowan
>> Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab
>> 
>>> On Wed, May 25, 2022 at 12:20 PM Barbara Hotchkiss 
>>>  wrote:
>>> Here’s the songbird in question; heard/seen in Boulder CO  
>>> https://share.icloud.com/photos/053Nl_RqRT3l4PlHfyzo0fiKg
>>> 
>>> Warm regards,
>>> Bar’bara’
>>> 
> On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby  wrote:
> 
 Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
 
 Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very 
 much to its developers.
 
 Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. 
 My husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
 binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
 because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He 
 stood there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and 
 listening, and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my 
 phone again walking along the East Hill trail…..
 
 Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
 
 Nita Irby
 Dryden
 
 
 
 --
 
 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:
>>> Welcome and Basics
>>> Rules and Information
>>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
>>> Archives:
>>> The Mail Archive
>>> Surfbirds
>>> BirdingOnThe.Net
>>> Please submit your observations to eBird!
>>> --
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Jay McGowan
>> Macaulay Library
>> Cornell Lab of Ornithology
>> jw...@cornell.edu
> --
> 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!
> --

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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] Merlin the App

[Barbara Hotchkiss]

Many thanks, as always, for your edifying info! Love this little singer’s 
melody, what that little phoebe says?!
Warmly,
Bar’bara’

> On May 25, 2022, at 12:42 PM, Jay McGowan  wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Barbara,
> That's a Say's Phoebe. And yes, you can import videos into the app as well as 
> audio from other apps, although it's easiest to record straight onto Merlin.
> 
> Since we're on the subject, I thought I would put out a quick public service 
> reminder regarding Merlin and reporting birds to eBird. Merlin Sound ID is an 
> amazing resource to help birders learn bird sounds and pick up more on the 
> birds around them. We're also working hard to expand Sound ID to other parts 
> of the world (many species in Europe are already covered). However, it's 
> important for all of us to remember that the IDs Merlin gives are 
> suggestions, or best guesses. We're achieving spectacular accuracy thanks to 
> the hard work of staff and volunteers who have annotated thousands of 
> recordings, but bird sounds are variable, and some are just as tricky for 
> Merlin as they are for birders (think Dark-eyed Junco vs. Pine Warbler etc.) 
> So please, DO NOT simply take Merlin's word for an ID when it comes to adding 
> it to your eBird checklist. Use it as a starting point, and try to confirm 
> visually or by comparing the recording to others before settling on an ID. If 
> Merlin suggests something uncommon and you think it's correct, please upload 
> your recording along with the observation in eBird.
> 
> Thanks!
> Jay McGowan
> Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab
> 
>> On Wed, May 25, 2022 at 12:20 PM Barbara Hotchkiss  
>> wrote:
>> Here’s the songbird in question; heard/seen in Boulder CO  
>> https://share.icloud.com/photos/053Nl_RqRT3l4PlHfyzo0fiKg
>> 
>> Warm regards,
>> Bar’bara’
>> 
 On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby  wrote:
 
>>> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
>>> 
>>> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very 
>>> much to its developers.
>>> 
>>> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
>>> husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
>>> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
>>> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
>>> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, 
>>> and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again 
>>> walking along the East Hill trail…..
>>> 
>>> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
>>> 
>>> Nita Irby
>>> Dryden
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> 
>>> 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:
>> Welcome and Basics
>> Rules and Information
>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive
>> Surfbirds
>> BirdingOnThe.Net
>> Please submit your observations to eBird!
>> --
> 
> 
> -- 
> Jay McGowan
> Macaulay Library
> Cornell Lab of Ornithology
> jw...@cornell.edu

--

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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] Merlin the App

[Jay McGowan]

Hi Barbara,
That's a Say's Phoebe. And yes, you can import videos into the app as well
as audio from other apps, although it's easiest to record straight onto
Merlin.

Since we're on the subject, I thought I would put out a quick public
service reminder regarding Merlin and reporting birds to eBird. Merlin
Sound ID is an amazing resource to help birders learn bird sounds and pick
up more on the birds around them. We're also working hard to expand Sound
ID to other parts of the world (many species in Europe are already
covered). However, it's important for all of us to remember that the IDs
Merlin gives are suggestions, or best guesses. We're achieving spectacular
accuracy thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers who have annotated
thousands of recordings, but bird sounds are variable, and some are just as
tricky for Merlin as they are for birders (think Dark-eyed Junco vs. Pine
Warbler etc.) So please, DO NOT simply take Merlin's word for an ID when it
comes to adding it to your eBird checklist. Use it as a starting point, and
try to confirm visually or by comparing the recording to others before
settling on an ID. If Merlin suggests something uncommon and you think it's
correct, please upload your recording along with the observation in eBird.

Thanks!
Jay McGowan
Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab

On Wed, May 25, 2022 at 12:20 PM Barbara Hotchkiss 
wrote:

> Here’s the songbird in question; heard/seen in Boulder CO
> https://share.icloud.com/photos/053Nl_RqRT3l4PlHfyzo0fiKg
>
> Warm regards,
> Bar’bara’
>
> On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby  wrote:
>
> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
>
> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very
> much to its developers.
>
> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before.
> My husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of
> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!”
> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood
> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening,
> and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again
> walking along the East Hill trail…..
>
> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
>
> Nita Irby
> Dryden
>
>
>
> --
>
> 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:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> 
> *Archives:*
> The Mail Archive
> 
> Surfbirds 
> BirdingOnThe.Net 
> *Please submit your observations to eBird
> !*
> --
>


-- 
Jay McGowan
Macaulay Library
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
jw...@cornell.edu

--

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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] Merlin the App

[Barbara Hotchkiss]

Here’s the songbird in question; heard/seen in Boulder CO  
https://share.icloud.com/photos/053Nl_RqRT3l4PlHfyzo0fiKg

Warm regards,
Bar’bara’

> On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby  wrote:
> 
> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
> 
> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very much 
> to its developers.
> 
> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
> husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, and 
> the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again 
> walking along the East Hill trail…..
> 
> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
> 
> Nita Irby
> Dryden
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
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> 
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> 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/
> 
> --

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Barbara Hotchkiss]

On this beautiful note, any idea what this sweet singer is? (And... is there a 
way to plug in a sound video like this for ID...or does one have to catch the 
song/call ‘live’?)
Warm regards,
Bar’bara’


Warm regards,
Bar’bara’

> On May 25, 2022, at 10:41 AM, Nita L. Irby  wrote:
> 
> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
> 
> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very much 
> to its developers.
> 
> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
> husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, and 
> the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again 
> walking along the East Hill trail…..
> 
> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
> 
> Nita Irby
> Dryden
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
> 
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> 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/
> 
> --

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Richard Guthrie]

I agree. With my hearing loss, I’ve lost track of many of the once familiar 
bird songs and calls in my world. Now, with Merlin, I get to know what might be 
out there and know to look around for old friends. 

Rich Guthrie 

> On May 25, 2022, at 11:17 AM, Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> This morning, my usually 5 minute walk to the mailbox took 25 minutes so... 
> blessing and a curse 藍
> 
>> On Wed, May 25, 2022, 11:02 AM Kathleen P Kramer  wrote:
>> I agree! My son, who is going through a rough patch in his life, takes long 
>> hikes to restore his spirit. When I told him about Merlin, he was so pleased 
>> with what it adds to his solitary hikes and the way it’s enhanced his 
>> knowledge of birds. Thank you, Lab of O and all who have made this wonderful 
>> tool available. 
>> 
>> Kathy Kramer 
>> From: bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
>>  on behalf of Nita L. Irby 
>> 
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 10:40:46 AM
>> To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
>> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App
>>  
>> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
>> 
>> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very 
>> much to its developers.
>> 
>> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
>> husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
>> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
>> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
>> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, 
>> and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again 
>> walking along the East Hill trail…..
>> 
>> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
>> 
>> Nita Irby
>> Dryden
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> 
>> 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:
>> 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!
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm]

This morning, my usually 5 minute walk to the mailbox took 25 minutes so...
blessing and a curse 藍

On Wed, May 25, 2022, 11:02 AM Kathleen P Kramer  wrote:

> I agree! My son, who is going through a rough patch in his life, takes
> long hikes to restore his spirit. When I told him about Merlin, he was so
> pleased with what it adds to his solitary hikes and the way it’s enhanced
> his knowledge of birds. Thank you, Lab of O and all who have made this
> wonderful tool available.
>
> Kathy Kramer
> --
> *From:* bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Nita L. Irby <
> n...@cornell.edu>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 25, 2022 10:40:46 AM
> *To:* CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> *Subject:* [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App
>
> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
>
> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very
> much to its developers.
>
> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before.
> My husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of
> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!”
> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood
> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening,
> and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again
> walking along the East Hill trail…..
>
> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
>
> Nita Irby
> Dryden
>
>
>
> --
>
> 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:*
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> <http://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/>!*
> --
>

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[marsha kardon]

I agree! Thank you Lab of O. Every time I walk and birdwatch I learn a
little bit more.  So much fun and so useful.   Marsha Kardon

On Wed, May 25, 2022 at 11:03 AM Kathleen P Kramer  wrote:

> I agree! My son, who is going through a rough patch in his life, takes
> long hikes to restore his spirit. When I told him about Merlin, he was so
> pleased with what it adds to his solitary hikes and the way it’s enhanced
> his knowledge of birds. Thank you, Lab of O and all who have made this
> wonderful tool available.
>
> Kathy Kramer
> --
> *From:* bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu> on behalf of Nita L. Irby <
> n...@cornell.edu>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 25, 2022 10:40:46 AM
> *To:* CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> *Subject:* [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App
>
> Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:
>
> Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very
> much to its developers.
>
> Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before.
> My husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of
> binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!”
> because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood
> there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening,
> and the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again
> walking along the East Hill trail…..
>
> Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.
>
> Nita Irby
> Dryden
>
>
>
> --
>
> 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:*
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> <http://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/>!*
> --
>

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Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Kathleen P Kramer]

I agree! My son, who is going through a rough patch in his life, takes long 
hikes to restore his spirit. When I told him about Merlin, he was so pleased 
with what it adds to his solitary hikes and the way it’s enhanced his knowledge 
of birds. Thank you, Lab of O and all who have made this wonderful tool 
available.

Kathy Kramer

From: bounce-126576613-3493...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Nita L. Irby 

Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 10:40:46 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:

Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very much 
to its developers.

Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, and 
the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again walking 
along the East Hill trail…..

Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.

Nita Irby
Dryden



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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin the App

[Nita L. Irby]

Sorry to clutter the list but I have to get this off my chest:

Merlin’s sound ID function is the absolute bees knees! Thank you so very much 
to its developers.

Merlin has engaged my friends and family in ways I have not seen before. My 
husband, for example, “likes“ birds but won’t even pick up a pair of 
binoculars. Last night he said “get your phone and come out front quick!” 
because, he said, the bird sounds were astounding (and they were). He stood 
there with Merlin for the longest time, turning, recording and listening, and 
the look on his face was great. This morning he grabbed my phone again walking 
along the East Hill trail…..

Thank you, Merlin people! Thank you sound library people! So amazing.

Nita Irby
Dryden



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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin help

[Karen]

Merlin help, please. I can't compete with Worm-eating Warbler or Curlew 
Sandpiper, but, 

In past years the census of Merlin nesting pairs in ToCobenefited immensely by 
the work of grad. students studying crows. Thesestudents have finished their 
field work. It is impossible for me to do asthorough job working alone, and I 
think this will be the last year to attemptthis. I am going out 4-5 times a 
week, but can’t match the previous effort. Thisyear, thanks to reports of many, 
I have found nesting pairs in T’burg, South Hillnear Oak Hill Manner, near 
Forest Home Drive bridge, the Marina, and west ofWarren Rd: a sum of 5 nesting 
pairs compared to 11 the last two years.

Most pairs started incubating last week after which they gosilent until feeding 
older nestlings. Any help surveying the muted population of ToCoMerlin would be 
appreciated.

confergoldw...@aol.com


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Oak Ave. help

[Karen]

Hi
Lynn Leopold reported a pair of Merlin near 120 Oak Ave (Near Lutheran church) 
about 10 days ago. They have been there on 4 of 4 visits by me and seen by 
another. They were calling and mated today about 150 m uphill from 120 Oak Ave. 
Birds acclimated to lots of human and car traffic. I can't find any potential 
leftover crow nest. If anyone finds a nest, please let me know at 
confergldw...@aol.com
good birding
John
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin - marina

[Karen]

Male Merlin continues around boat ramp close to last year's Fish Crow nest.
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin - help

[Karen]

Thanks and help again,
I have tabulated the number of pairs and known nests by Merlin in Tompkins 
County for 8 years and hope to continue this year. This time spans shortly 
after the arrival of Merlin to the fairly well established population we now 
have. I have been able to publish some of the info on our Merlin, and hope to 
be able to publish a full compilation. 
Many Merlin are back now. Pairs often establish a general area as their 
territory, and seem to select one nest site, and then move to another nest 
site. Generally, eggs are laid in late April and begin incubation around 1 May.
I can't possible find most of the nests from Trumansburg to Lansing to Etna, 
Freeville and Dryden and, of course, Ithaca without much help. Any information 
anyone has about Merlin, I would appreciate very much if you would send it to 
me. I do check all reports to eBird and to the listserve.
Previous information known to me.             # Pairs
2014    22015    6 (The jump probably represents more intense coverage and 
extensive help from others)2016    72017    52018    62019    72020    11 
(Probably about the same survey effort, and a real increase)2021    11
Please contact off the list serve at confergoldw...@aol.com, or 607-539-6308
Isn't it nice to have Merlin and Peregrines nesting in our county.
Thank you  John Confer
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin on East Hill Way

[Sandra Lynn Babcock]

I saw what appeared to be a juvenile or female merlin late this afternoon 
around 4:20 p.m. on East Hill Way, hunting in the open woods on the side of the 
trail, east of the bridge that crosses Pine Tree Road.  It perched right next 
to the trail so I could see it without binoculars, and it didn't have the tail 
or the facial markings of a kestrel.

Sandra Babcock
slb...@cornell.edu

Sent from my Ipad

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[John Gregoire]

We just had a handsome Blue Jack at the intersection of Fitzgerald Rd and
Newtown Rd which is a mile south of Rte 79W and just within the CLB. If
memory serves we had a wintering MERL here last year. The hunting
territory co-exists with that of a wintering Kestrel.
John and Sue.

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin over Emerson

[anneb . clark]

And I had a great Merlin-crow interaction near Hile School rd and Ed Hill
Rd intersection on Tuesday.  A youngish crow may have begun it because I first 
saw it harrying and giving low vocalizations toward the merlin, but the merlin, 
a male by back plumage, turned the tables and became the swooping diving 
aggressor. It left after several minutes then returned to go straight after a 
(the?) crow again. I have never seen such protracted interactions that were not 
around an active crow nest. Merlin would fly high above and dive then chase the 
crow down toward the ground until the crow would ramp up its flight effort to 
make it up among field edge tree branches.  

I wonder if merlins are scoping the nesting options for next 
spring—-“prospecting” as it is genetically called. 

Anne

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2021, at 7:56 AM, Susan Stevens Suarez  wrote:
> 
>  For what it’s worth, the Merlin Sound ID on my iPhone picked up a Merlin 
> downhill from the factory 2.5 weeks ago.
> Susan Suarez
> 
>> On Aug 25, 2021, at 7:10 AM, Stanley Scharf  wrote:
>> 
>> For the past two plus weeks  what appears to be a  Merlin has been screaming 
>> its raucous call  in the area of the Emerson factory on South Hill in 
>> Ithaca. I don't know if it's a male or female.. I think I hear it calling 
>> now.
>> 
>> I once got a good view of its strong flight over Emerson..
>> S.
>> 
>> 
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> --
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin over Emerson

[Susan Stevens Suarez]

For what it’s worth, the Merlin Sound ID on my iPhone picked up a Merlin 
downhill from the factory 2.5 weeks ago.
Susan Suarez

On Aug 25, 2021, at 7:10 AM, Stanley Scharf 
mailto:stanley.sch...@gmail.com>> wrote:

For the past two plus weeks  what appears to be a  Merlin has been screaming 
its raucous call  in the area of the Emerson factory on South Hill in Ithaca. I 
don't know if it's a male or female.. I think I hear it calling now.

I once got a good view of its strong flight over Emerson..
S.


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin over Emerson

[Stanley Scharf]

 For the past two plus weeks  what appears to be a  Merlin has been
screaming its raucous call  in the area of the Emerson factory on South
Hill in Ithaca. I don't know if it's a male or female.. I think I hear it
calling now.

I once got a good view of its strong flight over Emerson..
S.

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting

[Karen]

2021 Provisional tabulation ofnesting Merlin

Information obtained by the birding community in TompkinsCounty provides a 
unique opportunity to survey local bird populations. Reportson eBird and the 
cayugabirds-L have enabled me to document the expandingpopulation of nesting 
Merlin with a thoroughness probably unmatched anywhereelse. I have had one 
publication and one ms. under review thanks to the effort oflocal birders. I am 
so grateful to so many participants.

For Tompkins County 2021

    11known pairs: 7 known nests, of which 5 succeeded and two 
failed.

    Thetotal number of pairs equals the high total of last year. 
But the number ofnests discovered is well short of the 9 nests found last year. 

The following tabulates the number ofMerlin pairs found by year since 2014: 

2 (2014), 6 (2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017),6 (2018), 7 (2019), 11 (2020) and 11 
(2021).

I am glad to provide further details ifyou contact confergoldw...@aol.com.

 Good birding, 

John Confer


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Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Asher Hockett]

The CLO had brought us from early recordings of birds, through  autonomous
recording devices of overflying chips and peeps to owling while sleeping.
Truly it's a brave new world.

On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 3:48 PM Gary Kohlenberg  wrote:

> Some are finding the new Merlin sound ID app has some deficiencies with
> difficult species, like the trillers. For myself, I have been blown away by
> the fun and accuracy of such a new application. I wouldn’t base a heard
> only rare bird report totally on this app yet, but it sure will be handy to
> add confidence to a sighting. It will always be better to eBird sightings,
> with notes / photo / audio attached, for the tough ones.
>
> The times I have used Merlin I was surprised by the ability of the app to
> pick out background songs that I wasn’t even aware of at the time. I just
> assumed it would only ID the loudest song while ignoring the rest. I’m sure
> as time goes on the learning logic will make it more accurate as the photo
> application has become. I would guess that people with specific frequency
> hearing loss will find it useful for some species that may not sound like
> they used too.
> I’m sure people can fool Merlin with a good song imitation so I wonder
> about mimic species. If a mockingbird is singing a N. Cardinal song will it
> ID the cardinal and should we count it. ;)
>
> One benefit that may be realized is an increased confidence with some
> birders on reporting rarer species. As Dave noted some rare bird reports
> have little or no associate documentation to support the sighting, but
> there are also sightings or "heard only" rare species that are reported as
> more common species because of lack of confidence or familiarity. I have
> seen this many times and have encouraged birders to submit sightings with
> notes to aid review. This may be more prevalent than people think. We
> probably have all seen this with numbers. Very large species counts require
> confirmation so people reduce the count to a number that doesn’t reach the
> trigger.
>
> All these new tools should really help the citizen science eBird database
> become more useful. Amateur birders as observers will never be perfect, but
> on a huge data set it doesn’t really matter that a few sightings are
> inaccurate as they are overwhelmed; 100% is a target.
> It’ll be fun to hear about more weird sound ID’s. as people find every
> quirk. It won’t be long we can just leave our phones outside on “record”
> and and drink coffee while the bird list in generated.
>
> Gary
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 9, 2021, at 3:28 PM, Dave Nutter  wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> I think the Library of Natural Sound used to ask, when archiving audio,
> whether the bird was seen to make the call. Now, when people include audio
> with eBird submissions, that question is not asked, and sometimes people
> are clearly guessing, even against the advice of apps intended to help them
> ID the calls. I recently checked Macaulay trying to learn more about
> Black-billed Cuckoo calls. Because at many places and times the species is
> not rare, I think the recordings go directly from eBird to Macaulay without
> any review. Before I found any audio recordings which were verified by
> sight, I found 2 examples of people labeling Chipmunk calls as cuckoos and
> 1 Yellow-billed labeled as Black-billed. My confidence in Macaulay as a
> source of information was shaken.
>
> Recently an enthusiastic young collector of rare bird reports claimed on
> the basis of hearing alone that there were 2 Worm-eating Warblers singing
> at a new location in Tompkins County, a county where the species is always
> rare yet is regularly found in one location where it’s a lot of trouble to
> climb a steep slope. Maybe that person is competent to make that judgement.
> Maybe there are plenty of birders who can. I know I can’t, and clearly
> Merlin can’t. I sure would appreciate people noting in their eBird reports
> whether their audio contributions are of birds they also identified by
> sight while the bird was recorded making the noise, or whether the bird was
> not seen.
>
> - - Dave Nutter
>
> On Jul 9, 2021, at 2:11 PM, Linda Orkin  wrote:
>
> Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for
> it. Appreciate it.
> I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that
> It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the
> trillers too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the
> notes in a slightly different  way.
>
> Linda
>
> On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia  wrote:
>
>  Hi Linda,
>
> Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.
>
> Best -
>
> Alicia
>
>
>  Forwarded Message 
> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
> Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
> From: Jay McGowan  
> Reply-To: Jay McGowan  
> To: Linda Orkin  
> CC: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic  ,
> KitKat PonyBird  ,
> Cayugabirds-L  
>
> Hi Linda,
> Yes, clicking 

[cayugabirds-l] Merlin song

[Carol Keeler]

I tried Merlin song outside this morning after I figured out what I had done 
last night. When you wear Bluetooth hearing aids, you have to turn off the 
Bluetooth.  It was amazing!  I recorded from my deck and all these bird names 
popped up.  I could hear the Robin and house wren, but it also heard the 
Chipping Sparrow, and House Sparrow which I couldn’t hear.  No hearing aids on. 
 Sometimes I get a bird singing that I don’t recognize.  This is going to be 
wonderful for IDing those birds. I used to use Bird Sleuth, but it was never 
accurate.  My girlfriend lives in the woods so she has some different birds 
than I do.  I’m going there today and can’t wait to use Merlin.  We downloaded 
Merlin on her phone yesterday.  My great niece will be there too and I’ve been 
getting her involved in birding.  I’m going to put Merlin on her Mom’s phone so 
they can use it too.  My niece doesn’t recognize any bird songs so this will 
help her with her six year old.  I’m going to try and get the whole family more 
involved in birding.  I’m so excited about having an app that works and will 
help me learn .  

Sent from my iPad

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Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Gary Kohlenberg]

Some are finding the new Merlin sound ID app has some deficiencies with 
difficult species, like the trillers. For myself, I have been blown away by the 
fun and accuracy of such a new application. I wouldn’t base a heard only rare 
bird report totally on this app yet, but it sure will be handy to add 
confidence to a sighting. It will always be better to eBird sightings, with 
notes / photo / audio attached, for the tough ones.

The times I have used Merlin I was surprised by the ability of the app to pick 
out background songs that I wasn’t even aware of at the time. I just assumed it 
would only ID the loudest song while ignoring the rest. I’m sure as time goes 
on the learning logic will make it more accurate as the photo application has 
become. I would guess that people with specific frequency hearing loss will 
find it useful for some species that may not sound like they used too.
I’m sure people can fool Merlin with a good song imitation so I wonder about 
mimic species. If a mockingbird is singing a N. Cardinal song will it ID the 
cardinal and should we count it. ;)

One benefit that may be realized is an increased confidence with some birders 
on reporting rarer species. As Dave noted some rare bird reports have little or 
no associate documentation to support the sighting, but there are also 
sightings or "heard only" rare species that are reported as more common species 
because of lack of confidence or familiarity. I have seen this many times and 
have encouraged birders to submit sightings with notes to aid review. This may 
be more prevalent than people think. We probably have all seen this with 
numbers. Very large species counts require confirmation so people reduce the 
count to a number that doesn’t reach the trigger.

All these new tools should really help the citizen science eBird database 
become more useful. Amateur birders as observers will never be perfect, but on 
a huge data set it doesn’t really matter that a few sightings are inaccurate as 
they are overwhelmed; 100% is a target.
It’ll be fun to hear about more weird sound ID’s. as people find every quirk. 
It won’t be long we can just leave our phones outside on “record” and and drink 
coffee while the bird list in generated.

Gary





On Jul 9, 2021, at 3:28 PM, Dave Nutter 
mailto:nutter.d...@me.com>> wrote:

Hi all,
I think the Library of Natural Sound used to ask, when archiving audio, whether 
the bird was seen to make the call. Now, when people include audio with eBird 
submissions, that question is not asked, and sometimes people are clearly 
guessing, even against the advice of apps intended to help them ID the calls. I 
recently checked Macaulay trying to learn more about Black-billed Cuckoo calls. 
Because at many places and times the species is not rare, I think the 
recordings go directly from eBird to Macaulay without any review. Before I 
found any audio recordings which were verified by sight, I found 2 examples of 
people labeling Chipmunk calls as cuckoos and 1 Yellow-billed labeled as 
Black-billed. My confidence in Macaulay as a source of information was shaken.

Recently an enthusiastic young collector of rare bird reports claimed on the 
basis of hearing alone that there were 2 Worm-eating Warblers singing at a new 
location in Tompkins County, a county where the species is always rare yet is 
regularly found in one location where it’s a lot of trouble to climb a steep 
slope. Maybe that person is competent to make that judgement. Maybe there are 
plenty of birders who can. I know I can’t, and clearly Merlin can’t. I sure 
would appreciate people noting in their eBird reports whether their audio 
contributions are of birds they also identified by sight while the bird was 
recorded making the noise, or whether the bird was not seen.

- - Dave Nutter

On Jul 9, 2021, at 2:11 PM, Linda Orkin 
mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for it. 
Appreciate it.
I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that
It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the trillers 
too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the notes in a 
slightly different  way.

Linda
On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia 
mailto:t...@ottcmail.com>> wrote:

 Hi Linda,

Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.

Best -

Alicia


 Forwarded Message 
Subject:Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
Date:   Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
From:   Jay McGowan 
Reply-To:   Jay McGowan 
To: Linda Orkin 
CC: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic , 
KitKat PonyBird , 
Cayugabirds-L 


Hi Linda,
Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to go on 
otherwise. One thing that 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Tim Gallagher]

I've been trying the Merlin sound app out on birds that I knew the identity of 
beforehand, just to see how well it works. It's usually pretty good, but I've 
seen it make some amazingly bad mistakes, so I wouldn't trust it to identify a 
rare bird unless I positively identified it myself. For example, I recorded 
some feral Rock Pigeons cooing softly within 10 feet of me, and it identified 
the sounds as Great Horned Owl. I also recorded a recently fledged American 
Robin calling and Merlin listed almost everything but a robin—Cedar Waxwing, 
House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and Chimney Swift. I do think it's a good 
learning tool, but people shouldn't base a bird identification on this app 
alone without verifying it.

Tim Gallagher


From: bounce-125759747-10557...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Dave Nutter 

Sent: Friday, July 9, 2021 3:28 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

Hi all,
I think the Library of Natural Sound used to ask, when archiving audio, whether 
the bird was seen to make the call. Now, when people include audio with eBird 
submissions, that question is not asked, and sometimes people are clearly 
guessing, even against the advice of apps intended to help them ID the calls. I 
recently checked Macaulay trying to learn more about Black-billed Cuckoo calls. 
Because at many places and times the species is not rare, I think the 
recordings go directly from eBird to Macaulay without any review. Before I 
found any audio recordings which were verified by sight, I found 2 examples of 
people labeling Chipmunk calls as cuckoos and 1 Yellow-billed labeled as 
Black-billed. My confidence in Macaulay as a source of information was shaken.

Recently an enthusiastic young collector of rare bird reports claimed on the 
basis of hearing alone that there were 2 Worm-eating Warblers singing at a new 
location in Tompkins County, a county where the species is always rare yet is 
regularly found in one location where it’s a lot of trouble to climb a steep 
slope. Maybe that person is competent to make that judgement. Maybe there are 
plenty of birders who can. I know I can’t, and clearly Merlin can’t. I sure 
would appreciate people noting in their eBird reports whether their audio 
contributions are of birds they also identified by sight while the bird was 
recorded making the noise, or whether the bird was not seen.

- - Dave Nutter

On Jul 9, 2021, at 2:11 PM, Linda Orkin 
mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for it. 
Appreciate it.
I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that
It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the trillers 
too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the notes in a 
slightly different  way.

Linda
On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia 
mailto:t...@ottcmail.com>> wrote:

 Hi Linda,

Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.

Best -

Alicia


 Forwarded Message 
Subject:Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
Date:   Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
From:   Jay McGowan <mailto:jw...@cornell.edu>
Reply-To:   Jay McGowan <mailto:jw...@cornell.edu>
To: Linda Orkin <mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>
CC: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic <mailto:bsadov...@htva.net>, 
KitKat PonyBird <mailto:kitkatponyb...@gmail.com>, 
Cayugabirds-L <mailto:Cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu>


Hi Linda,
Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to go on 
otherwise. One thing that will help long-term would be to make a recording of 
the bird, then upload it to an eBird checklist (doing some light editing 
following our best 
practices<https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48001064341-audio-preparation-and-upload-guidelines>
 whenever possible). This won't have any immediate effect on the model of 
course, but longer term it will provide us with more diverse examples to train 
on.

Jay

On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 11:34 AM Linda Orkin 
mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Jay I wonder if you can say what we should do if we know song ID is incorrect. 
I got worm eating warbler for chipping sparrow down by vas’s park rink today 
and I clicked no match. Is that the best way to tri and alert Merlin to an 
incorrect choice?

Linda Orkin

On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:32 AM, Jay McGowan 
mailto:jw...@cornell.edu>> wrote:


This is a good reminder that the new Sound ID function in Merlin is a great way 
to cue into new sounds and learn to ID birds, but should never be taken as the 
final word on an identification. In this case, trilling species like 
Worm-eating Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and even Pine Warbler 
can be challenging for even experienced birders to identify with confidence, 
and the sound ID model has 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Linda Orkin]

Very good point Dave.  I was thinking the same. I am slightly competent with 
bird vocalizing id but if I uploaded a recording I would not be comfortable 
saying what it was unless I saw it, especially with these confusing and 
overlapping ones. Two years ago there was a particular junco singing in the 
woods above flat rock. It was the driest insect like trill you could ever 
imagine. I tried 5 different times before I found him and could be sure he 
wasn’t some rare other guy. 

Thanks Sandy too. I seemed to remember from previous years that pine warbler 
would continue singing deep into the season

Linda Orkin 



> On Jul 9, 2021, at 3:28 PM, Dave Nutter  wrote:
> 
> Hi all, 
> I think the Library of Natural Sound used to ask, when archiving audio, 
> whether the bird was seen to make the call. Now, when people include audio 
> with eBird submissions, that question is not asked, and sometimes people are 
> clearly guessing, even against the advice of apps intended to help them ID 
> the calls. I recently checked Macaulay trying to learn more about 
> Black-billed Cuckoo calls. Because at many places and times the species is 
> not rare, I think the recordings go directly from eBird to Macaulay without 
> any review. Before I found any audio recordings which were verified by sight, 
> I found 2 examples of people labeling Chipmunk calls as cuckoos and 1 
> Yellow-billed labeled as Black-billed. My confidence in Macaulay as a source 
> of information was shaken.
> 
> Recently an enthusiastic young collector of rare bird reports claimed on the 
> basis of hearing alone that there were 2 Worm-eating Warblers singing at a 
> new location in Tompkins County, a county where the species is always rare 
> yet is regularly found in one location where it’s a lot of trouble to climb a 
> steep slope. Maybe that person is competent to make that judgement. Maybe 
> there are plenty of birders who can. I know I can’t, and clearly Merlin 
> can’t. I sure would appreciate people noting in their eBird reports whether 
> their audio contributions are of birds they also identified by sight while 
> the bird was recorded making the noise, or whether the bird was not seen. 
> 
> - - Dave Nutter
> 
>> On Jul 9, 2021, at 2:11 PM, Linda Orkin  wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for it. 
>> Appreciate it. 
>> I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that 
>> It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the 
>> trillers too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the 
>> notes in a slightly different  way. 
>> 
>> Linda 
>>> On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia  wrote:
>>> 
>>>  Hi Linda,
>>> 
>>> Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.
>>> 
>>> Best -
>>> 
>>> Alicia
>>> 
>>> 
>>>  Forwarded Message 
>>> Subject:Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
>>> Date:   Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
>>> From:   Jay McGowan 
>>> Reply-To:   Jay McGowan 
>>> To: Linda Orkin 
>>> CC: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic , KitKat PonyBird 
>>> , Cayugabirds-L 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi Linda,
>>> Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to go 
>>> on otherwise. One thing that will help long-term would be to make a 
>>> recording of the bird, then upload it to an eBird checklist (doing some 
>>> light editing following our best practices whenever possible). This won't 
>>> have any immediate effect on the model of course, but longer term it will 
>>> provide us with more diverse examples to train on.
>>> 
>>> Jay
>>> 
>>> On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 11:34 AM Linda Orkin  wrote:
 Jay I wonder if you can say what we should do if we know song ID is 
 incorrect. I got worm eating warbler for chipping sparrow down by vas’s 
 park rink today and I clicked no match. Is that the best way to tri and 
 alert Merlin to an incorrect choice?
 
 Linda Orkin
 
> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:32 AM, Jay McGowan  wrote:
> 
> 
> This is a good reminder that the new Sound ID function in Merlin is a 
> great way to cue into new sounds and learn to ID birds, but should never 
> be taken as the final word on an identification. In this case, trilling 
> species like Worm-eating Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and 
> even Pine Warbler can be challenging for even experienced birders to 
> identify with confidence, and the sound ID model has trouble being sure 
> as well. Juncos in particular pose a challenge, with their extreme 
> variation between individuals. So certainly, if you're in the right 
> habitat, look a little harder for a bird flagged as a possible 
> Worm-eating, but in the cases you describe, these were almost certainly 
> Chipping Sparrows.
> 
> P.S. I'd be happy to take a listen to a recording if you want to send it 
> privately.
> 
> Jay
> 
> On Sun, Jul 4, 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Dave Nutter]

Hi all, 
I think the Library of Natural Sound used to ask, when archiving audio, whether 
the bird was seen to make the call. Now, when people include audio with eBird 
submissions, that question is not asked, and sometimes people are clearly 
guessing, even against the advice of apps intended to help them ID the calls. I 
recently checked Macaulay trying to learn more about Black-billed Cuckoo calls. 
Because at many places and times the species is not rare, I think the 
recordings go directly from eBird to Macaulay without any review. Before I 
found any audio recordings which were verified by sight, I found 2 examples of 
people labeling Chipmunk calls as cuckoos and 1 Yellow-billed labeled as 
Black-billed. My confidence in Macaulay as a source of information was shaken.

Recently an enthusiastic young collector of rare bird reports claimed on the 
basis of hearing alone that there were 2 Worm-eating Warblers singing at a new 
location in Tompkins County, a county where the species is always rare yet is 
regularly found in one location where it’s a lot of trouble to climb a steep 
slope. Maybe that person is competent to make that judgement. Maybe there are 
plenty of birders who can. I know I can’t, and clearly Merlin can’t. I sure 
would appreciate people noting in their eBird reports whether their audio 
contributions are of birds they also identified by sight while the bird was 
recorded making the noise, or whether the bird was not seen. 

- - Dave Nutter

> On Jul 9, 2021, at 2:11 PM, Linda Orkin  wrote:
> 
> Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for it. 
> Appreciate it. 
> I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that 
> It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the 
> trillers too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the notes 
> in a slightly different  way. 
> 
> Linda 
>> On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia  wrote:
>> 
>>  Hi Linda,
>> 
>> Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.
>> 
>> Best -
>> 
>> Alicia
>> 
>> 
>>  Forwarded Message 
>> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
>> Date:Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
>> From:Jay McGowan 
>> Reply-To:Jay McGowan 
>> To:  Linda Orkin 
>> CC:  Barbara Bauer Sadovnic , KitKat PonyBird 
>> , Cayugabirds-L 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Linda,
>> Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to go 
>> on otherwise. One thing that will help long-term would be to make a 
>> recording of the bird, then upload it to an eBird checklist (doing some 
>> light editing following our best practices whenever possible). This won't 
>> have any immediate effect on the model of course, but longer term it will 
>> provide us with more diverse examples to train on.
>> 
>> Jay
>> 
>>> On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 11:34 AM Linda Orkin  wrote:
>>> Jay I wonder if you can say what we should do if we know song ID is 
>>> incorrect. I got worm eating warbler for chipping sparrow down by vas’s 
>>> park rink today and I clicked no match. Is that the best way to tri and 
>>> alert Merlin to an incorrect choice?
>>> 
>>> Linda Orkin
>>> 
 On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:32 AM, Jay McGowan
   wrote:
 
 
 This is a good reminder that the new Sound ID function in Merlin is a 
 great way to cue into new sounds and learn to ID birds, but should never 
 be taken as the final word on an identification. In this case, trilling 
 species like Worm-eating Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and 
 even Pine Warbler can be challenging for even experienced birders to 
 identify with confidence, and the sound ID model has trouble being sure as 
 well. Juncos in particular pose a challenge, with their extreme variation 
 between individuals. So certainly, if you're in the right habitat, look a 
 little harder for a bird flagged as a possible Worm-eating, but in the 
 cases you describe, these were almost certainly Chipping Sparrows.
 
 P.S. I'd be happy to take a listen to a recording if you want to send it 
 privately.
 
 Jay
 
> On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 6:38 PM Barbara Bauer Sadovnic 
>  wrote:
> The same thing happened to me today, also while eating breakfast on my 
> porch, in Enfield!  I also tried BirdNET, and got the same result, 
> although that might have been a “wild guess.” When I went looking for it 
> I thought I saw a chipping sparrow, but couldn’t get a good look.
> 
> Later in the day the bird (I think the same bird) was closer, and was 
> identified as a chipping sparrow. But I couldn’t find it.
> 
> Just now I heard it again, and again Merlin thought “worm-eating 
> warbler.”  When I got closer Merlin changed his mind to chipping sparrow, 
> and when I finally got a good look, I did see chipping sparrow, singing.
> 
> I am really 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Linda Orkin]

Thanks Jay and Alicia. I didn’t see first reply though I was looking for it. 
Appreciate it. 
I am going to try the uploading to eBird. I didn’t know you could do that 
It’s interesting looking at the spectrogram and comparing between the trillers 
too. Although obviously not foolproof it can help you hear the notes in a 
slightly different  way. 

Linda 
> On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:42 PM, Alicia  wrote:
> 
>  Hi Linda,
> 
> Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.
> 
> Best -
> 
> Alicia
> 
> 
>  Forwarded Message 
> Subject:  Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
> Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
> From: Jay McGowan 
> Reply-To: Jay McGowan 
> To:   Linda Orkin 
> CC:   Barbara Bauer Sadovnic , KitKat PonyBird 
> , Cayugabirds-L 
> 
> 
> Hi Linda,
> Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to go 
> on otherwise. One thing that will help long-term would be to make a recording 
> of the bird, then upload it to an eBird checklist (doing some light editing 
> following our best practices whenever possible). This won't have any 
> immediate effect on the model of course, but longer term it will provide us 
> with more diverse examples to train on.
> 
> Jay
> 
> On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 11:34 AM Linda Orkin  wrote:
>> Jay I wonder if you can say what we should do if we know song ID is 
>> incorrect. I got worm eating warbler for chipping sparrow down by vas’s park 
>> rink today and I clicked no match. Is that the best way to tri and alert 
>> Merlin to an incorrect choice?
>> 
>> Linda Orkin
>> 
>>> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:32 AM, Jay McGowan  wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This is a good reminder that the new Sound ID function in Merlin is a great 
>>> way to cue into new sounds and learn to ID birds, but should never be taken 
>>> as the final word on an identification. In this case, trilling species like 
>>> Worm-eating Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and even Pine 
>>> Warbler can be challenging for even experienced birders to identify with 
>>> confidence, and the sound ID model has trouble being sure as well. Juncos 
>>> in particular pose a challenge, with their extreme variation between 
>>> individuals. So certainly, if you're in the right habitat, look a little 
>>> harder for a bird flagged as a possible Worm-eating, but in the cases you 
>>> describe, these were almost certainly Chipping Sparrows.
>>> 
>>> P.S. I'd be happy to take a listen to a recording if you want to send it 
>>> privately.
>>> 
>>> Jay
>>> 
>>> On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 6:38 PM Barbara Bauer Sadovnic  
>>> wrote:
 The same thing happened to me today, also while eating breakfast on my 
 porch, in Enfield!  I also tried BirdNET, and got the same result, 
 although that might have been a “wild guess.” When I went looking for it I 
 thought I saw a chipping sparrow, but couldn’t get a good look.
 
 Later in the day the bird (I think the same bird) was closer, and was 
 identified as a chipping sparrow. But I couldn’t find it.
 
 Just now I heard it again, and again Merlin thought “worm-eating warbler.” 
  When I got closer Merlin changed his mind to chipping sparrow, and when I 
 finally got a good look, I did see chipping sparrow, singing.
 
 I am really enjoying the new Merlin.
 
> On Jul 4, 2021, at 1:15 PM, KitKat PonyBird  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> While enjoying breakfast on my back porch today, I heard an unfamiliar 
> bird.  The new Sound ID on the Merlin app came up with Worm-eating 
> Warbler.
> 
> Merlin says this bird is rare for this area.  I heard at least three of 
> the same song from different locations at nearly the same time.  Still 
> hearing them around.
> 
> I did a couple of recordings, but don't know (yet) how to share them.  
> It's definitely different from the chipping sparrows I usually hear.
> 
> Wish I'd been able to get a visual.
> 
> Happy Birding
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Welcome and Basics
> Rules and Information
> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive
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 --
 Cayugabirds-L List Info:
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 Rules and Information
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 Archives:
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>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- 
>>> Jay McGowan
>>> Macaulay Library
>>> Cornell Lab of Ornithology
>>> jw...@cornell.edu
>>> --
>>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>>> Welcome and Basics
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>>> --
> 
> 
> -- 
> Jay McGowan
> Macaulay Library
> Cornell Lab of Ornithology
> 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Alicia]

Hi Linda,

Jay replied a couple days ago - forwarded  below.

Best -

Alicia


 Forwarded Message 
Subject:Re: [cayugabirds-l] Possible Worm-eating Warblers in Lansing NY
Date:   Wed, 7 Jul 2021 12:02:10 -0400
From:   Jay McGowan 
Reply-To:   Jay McGowan 
To: Linda Orkin 
CC: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic , KitKat PonyBird 
, Cayugabirds-L 



Hi Linda,
Yes, clicking that will give us a record of it, but it won't be a lot to 
go on otherwise. One thing that will help long-term would be to make a 
recording of the bird, then upload it to an eBird checklist (doing some 
light editing following our best practices 

 
whenever possible). This won't have any immediate effect on the model of 
course, but longer term it will provide us with more diverse examples to 
train on.

Jay

On Wed, Jul 7, 2021 at 11:34 AM Linda Orkin mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Jay I wonder if you can say what we should do if we know song ID is
incorrect. I got worm eating warbler for chipping sparrow down by
vas’s park rink today and I clicked no match. Is that the best way
to tri and alert Merlin to an incorrect choice?

Linda Orkin

> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:32 AM, Jay McGowan  > wrote:
>
> 
> This is a good reminder that the new Sound ID function in Merlin
> is a great way to cue into new sounds and learn to ID birds, but
> should never be taken as the final word on an identification. In
> this case, trilling species like Worm-eating Warbler, Chipping
> Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and even Pine Warbler can be challenging
> for even experienced birders to identify with confidence, and the
> sound ID model has trouble being sure as well. Juncos in
> particular pose a challenge, with their extreme variation between
> individuals. So certainly, if you're in the right habitat, look a
> little harder for a bird flagged as a possible Worm-eating, but in
> the cases you describe, these were almost certainly Chipping
> Sparrows.
>
> P.S. I'd be happy to take a listen to a recording if you want to
> send it privately.
>
> Jay
>
> On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 6:38 PM Barbara Bauer Sadovnic
> mailto:bsadov...@htva.net>> wrote:
>
> The same thing happened to me today, also while eating
> breakfast on my porch, in Enfield!  I also tried BirdNET, and
> got the same result, although that might have been a “wild
> guess.” When I went looking for it I thought I saw a chipping
> sparrow, but couldn’t get a good look.
>
> Later in the day the bird (I think the same bird) was closer,
> and was identified as a chipping sparrow. But I couldn’t find it.
>
> Just now I heard it again, and again Merlin thought
> “worm-eating warbler.”  When I got closer Merlin changed his
> mind to chipping sparrow, and when I finally got a good look,
> I did see chipping sparrow, singing.
>
> I am really enjoying the new Merlin.
>
>> On Jul 4, 2021, at 1:15 PM, KitKat PonyBird
>> mailto:kitkatponyb...@gmail.com>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> While enjoying breakfast on my back porch today, I heard an
>> unfamiliar bird.  The new Sound ID on the Merlin app came up
>> with Worm-eating Warbler.
>>
>> Merlin says this bird is rare for this area.  I heard at
>> least three of the same song from different locations at
>> nearly the same time.  Still hearing them around.
>>
>> I did a couple of recordings, but don't know (yet) how to
>> share them. It's definitely different from the chipping
>> sparrows I usually hear.
>>
>> Wish I'd been able to get a visual.
>>
>> Happy Birding
>> --
>> *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, 

Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Donna Lee Scott]

So far when I use Merlin here, I get correct IDs for Chipping Sparrows & juncos

Donna Scott
Lansing
Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 9, 2021, at 1:07 PM, Peter Saracino  wrote:


I like all the additional "sounds" on Merlin too!
Sar

On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 12:47 PM Linda Orkin 
mailto:wingmagi...@gmail.com>> wrote:
The worm eating warbler is a interesting weak link. For all the trillers I 
capture it has said worm eating except for one time ChIpping Sparrow corrector 
id’d and one time pine warbler which I thought was likely wrong although it 
could have been right as it was at the top of the hill in the arboretum where 
there are pine warblers. It would just seem late in the season to me but that’s 
just me guessing on timing.
I asked but no one answered so maybe no one knows but if you know Merlin choice 
is inaccurate are you supposed to click “no match”?

It’s very fun to use Merlin especially to confirm your own vocal id. One thing 
I’m really liking is the number of other vocalizations like chips and flight 
calls that are also available

Linda Orkin

On Jul 9, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Peter Saracino 
mailto:petersarac...@gmail.com>> wrote:


I played the song of a junco from IBird pro on one electronic device and 
listened using Birdnet with another electronic device. The devices were side by 
side.
Birdnet said it was a worm eating warbler. I did so after having been fooled by 
juncos at Lindsay Parsons a number of times.
After birdnet failed I didn't feel so badly...
Pete Sar


On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 10:07 AM Donna Lee Scott 
mailto:d...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
 I have been “testing” the Merlin bird sound ID here on Lans. station Rd. with 
birds I know ( or think I know).
This morning it correctly ID’d an atypical, more squeaky call of E. Phoebe.
Later, it quickly ID’d a singing Brown Thrasher & a couple minutes later, the 
mimic serenade of a Gray Catbird about 70 feet away from the tree Thrasher was 
in.
I notice that when a few different birds are calling or singing, Merlin posts 
all of them in a list of birds ID’d.
& in a yard first, I now have a Turkey Vulture perched atop one of my bird 
feeder posts! It’s wings are spread out in the sun.

Donna Scott
Lansing
Sent from my iPhone
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Re: More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Peter Saracino]

I like all the additional "sounds" on Merlin too!
Sar

On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 12:47 PM Linda Orkin  wrote:

> The worm eating warbler is a interesting weak link. For all the trillers I
> capture it has said worm eating except for one time ChIpping Sparrow
> corrector id’d and one time pine warbler which I thought was likely wrong
> although it could have been right as it was at the top of the hill in the
> arboretum where there are pine warblers. It would just seem late in the
> season to me but that’s just me guessing on timing.
> I asked but no one answered so maybe no one knows but if you know Merlin
> choice is inaccurate are you supposed to click “no match”?
>
> It’s very fun to use Merlin especially to confirm your own vocal id. One
> thing I’m really liking is the number of other vocalizations like chips and
> flight calls that are also available
>
> Linda Orkin
>
> On Jul 9, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Peter Saracino 
> wrote:
>
> 
> I played the song of a junco from IBird pro on one electronic device and
> listened using Birdnet with another electronic device. The devices were
> side by side.
> Birdnet said it was a worm eating warbler. I did so after having been
> fooled by juncos at Lindsay Parsons a number of times.
> After birdnet failed I didn't feel so badly...
> Pete Sar
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 10:07 AM Donna Lee Scott  wrote:
>
>>  I have been “testing” the Merlin bird sound ID here on Lans. station Rd.
>> with birds I know ( or think I know).
>> This morning it correctly ID’d an atypical, more squeaky call of E.
>> Phoebe.
>> Later, it quickly ID’d a singing Brown Thrasher & a couple minutes later,
>> the mimic serenade of a Gray Catbird about 70 feet away from the tree
>> Thrasher was in.
>> I notice that when a few different birds are calling or singing, Merlin
>> posts all of them in a list of birds ID’d.
>> & in a yard first, I now have a Turkey Vulture perched atop one of my
>> bird feeder posts! It’s wings are spread out in the sun.
>>
>> Donna Scott
>> Lansing
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> --
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More on Merlin Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Linda Orkin]

The worm eating warbler is a interesting weak link. For all the trillers I 
capture it has said worm eating except for one time ChIpping Sparrow corrector 
id’d and one time pine warbler which I thought was likely wrong although it 
could have been right as it was at the top of the hill in the arboretum where 
there are pine warblers. It would just seem late in the season to me but that’s 
just me guessing on timing. 
I asked but no one answered so maybe no one knows but if you know Merlin choice 
is inaccurate are you supposed to click “no match”? 

It’s very fun to use Merlin especially to confirm your own vocal id. One thing 
I’m really liking is the number of other vocalizations like chips and flight 
calls that are also available
 
Linda Orkin 

> On Jul 9, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Peter Saracino  wrote:
> 
> 
> I played the song of a junco from IBird pro on one electronic device and 
> listened using Birdnet with another electronic device. The devices were side 
> by side.
> Birdnet said it was a worm eating warbler. I did so after having been fooled 
> by juncos at Lindsay Parsons a number of times.
> After birdnet failed I didn't feel so badly...
> Pete Sar
> 
> 
>> On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 10:07 AM Donna Lee Scott  wrote:
>>  I have been “testing” the Merlin bird sound ID here on Lans. station Rd. 
>> with birds I know ( or think I know).
>> This morning it correctly ID’d an atypical, more squeaky call of E. Phoebe. 
>> Later, it quickly ID’d a singing Brown Thrasher & a couple minutes later, 
>> the mimic serenade of a Gray Catbird about 70 feet away from the tree 
>> Thrasher was in. 
>> I notice that when a few different birds are calling or singing, Merlin 
>> posts all of them in a list of birds ID’d. 
>> & in a yard first, I now have a Turkey Vulture perched atop one of my bird 
>> feeder posts! It’s wings are spread out in the sun. 
>> 
>> Donna Scott
>> Lansing
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
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>> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave
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>> The Mail Archive
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Peter Saracino]

I played the song of a junco from IBird pro on one electronic device and
listened using Birdnet with another electronic device. The devices were
side by side.
Birdnet said it was a worm eating warbler. I did so after having been
fooled by juncos at Lindsay Parsons a number of times.
After birdnet failed I didn't feel so badly...
Pete Sar


On Fri, Jul 9, 2021, 10:07 AM Donna Lee Scott  wrote:

>  I have been “testing” the Merlin bird sound ID here on Lans. station Rd.
> with birds I know ( or think I know).
> This morning it correctly ID’d an atypical, more squeaky call of E.
> Phoebe.
> Later, it quickly ID’d a singing Brown Thrasher & a couple minutes later,
> the mimic serenade of a Gray Catbird about 70 feet away from the tree
> Thrasher was in.
> I notice that when a few different birds are calling or singing, Merlin
> posts all of them in a list of birds ID’d.
> & in a yard first, I now have a Turkey Vulture perched atop one of my bird
> feeder posts! It’s wings are spread out in the sun.
>
> Donna Scott
> Lansing
> Sent from my iPhone
> --
> *Cayugabirds-L List Info:*
> Welcome and Basics 
> Rules and Information 
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> 
> *Archives:*
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin results/Turkey Vulture

[Donna Lee Scott]

 I have been “testing” the Merlin bird sound ID here on Lans. station Rd. with 
birds I know ( or think I know).
This morning it correctly ID’d an atypical, more squeaky call of E. Phoebe.
Later, it quickly ID’d a singing Brown Thrasher & a couple minutes later, the 
mimic serenade of a Gray Catbird about 70 feet away from the tree Thrasher was 
in.
I notice that when a few different birds are calling or singing, Merlin posts 
all of them in a list of birds ID’d.
& in a yard first, I now have a Turkey Vulture perched atop one of my bird 
feeder posts! It’s wings are spread out in the sun.

Donna Scott
Lansing
Sent from my iPhone

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin update

[Karen]

Poor year for Tompkins CountyMerlins

In sum:

             4known active nests

2 failed nests

4 pair unknown if/wherethey nested. 

Any help appreciated

2021 in some detail


Burleigh Dr.

    Nestactive with tiny nestlings

Bridges Cornell Heights

    Nestactive with tiny young.

Maplewood Dr.

    Nestactive with small young

Treman Marine

    Nestwith ~10 day old young.


 
Dryden

Pair seen alongJames St., but left that area. Subsequently pair found along 
Mill St., but leftthat area. Pair found around Dryden Family Medicine, but 
can’t find nest.

Trumansburg

    Pairfound around Washington St, but no known nest.

Ithaca, South Hill

    Pairactive and noisy for 8 days and then disappeared

West Hill

Pair around nestat Union Fields, Childrens’ Garden, and later up Elm St., but 
no nest found.


Lansing 

Pair stoleactive Fish Crow nest, but subsequently nest failed.

Ithaca City Cemetery

    Nestfailed.


Last year there were 11 knownpair in Tompkins County, and 8 pair that fledged 
young. 


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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Wee Hao Ng]

Hi John,

There were a pair of Merlins along Wyckoff Avenue (near Bridges Cornell
Heights) this morning, one of whom may have returned as early as two weeks
ago since I also heard a Merlin call in the same area on the 12th, and
again on the 20th. Might be the same breeding pair from last year.

Regards,
Wee Hao

On Fri, Mar 26, 2021 at 3:31 PM jimnorwalk  wrote:

> A pair has been vocalizing the last few mornings up the block. Activity
> focused on a grove of tall Norway Spruce at Washington and Nursery.  Also a
> roost for a couple dozen Turkey Vultures and consistent crow nesting
> activity both American and Fish Crows heard regularly.
>
>
>
> Sent from my Galaxy
>
>
>  Original message 
> From: "Johnson, Alyssa" 
> Date: 3/26/21 10:14 AM (GMT-05:00)
> To: "Kenneth V. Rosenberg" , Karen <
> confergoldw...@aol.com>
> Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports
>
> Last spring, I was working from home so had ample time to walk around my
> neighborhood midday, and discovered a Merlin nest site in the Washington
> Street Cemetery on Washington Street in Geneva. Their NOISE is what
> attracted my attention first. Then I found where I thought the nest was
> (30+ feet up in a huge spruce), I couldn’t see it but saw the parents
> coming and going, and watched it get mobbed with crows too, once the young
> fledged. Once the young fledged, the noise was doubled at least (2 parents,
> 2 chicks maybe 3) as they tested their wings for a few days and flapped
> around the huge old oaks and spruces in that cemetery. I hadn’t thought of
> them again until 2 days ago, I heard the male alarm call and saw him zip
> between houses and disappear. It’s good spot to watch for them!
>
>
>
> --
>
> *Alyssa Johnson*
>
> Environmental Educator
>
> 315.365.3588
>
>
>
> *Montezuma Audubon Center*
>
> PO Box 187
>
> 2295 State Route 89
>
> Savannah, NY 13146
>
> Montezuma.audubon.org
>
> *Pronouns: She, Her, Hers*
>
>
>
> *From:* bounce-125494974-79436...@list.cornell.edu <
> bounce-125494974-79436...@list.cornell.edu> *On Behalf Of *Kenneth V.
> Rosenberg
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 25, 2021 6:42 PM
> *To:* Karen 
> *Cc:* CAYUGABIRDS-L 
> *Subject:* Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports
>
>
>
> Hi John
>
>
>
> At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I
> say “at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large
> sycamore at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one
> seen regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live
> about halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one
> regularly flying over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds.
>
>
>
> Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched
> and calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may
> have been winteri g locally.
>
>
>
> KEN
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
> On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen  wrote:
>
> 
>
> I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports[image:
> Heart Eyes]. I check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have
> observed an increasing number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as
> follows: 2 (2014), 6 (2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9
> (2020).  These include pairs in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville,
> Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a pair in Groton). Local observers provided
> guidance to almost all of these. I have written one paper on this, and am
> trying to write a more complete paper including habitat choice.
> Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban areas. None in forests
> nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.
>
>
>
> Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are
> helpful by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For
> instance, the pair observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there.
> Weeks after being seen at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east
> closer to the Catholic church.
>
>
>
> I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
> *confergoldw...@aol.com
> *
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> John
>
> --
>
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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[jimnorwalk]

A pair has been vocalizing the last few mornings up the block. Activity focused 
on a grove of tall Norway Spruce at Washington and Nursery.  Also a roost for a 
couple dozen Turkey Vultures and consistent crow nesting activity both American 
and Fish Crows heard regularly.Sent from my Galaxy
 Original message From: "Johnson, Alyssa" 
 Date: 3/26/21  10:14 AM  (GMT-05:00) To: "Kenneth 
V. Rosenberg" , Karen  Cc: 
CAYUGABIRDS-L  Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] 
Merlin reports 

Last spring, I was working from home so had ample time to walk around my 
neighborhood midday, and discovered a Merlin nest site in the Washington Street 
Cemetery on Washington Street in Geneva. Their NOISE is what attracted my 
attention
 first. Then I found where I thought the nest was (30+ feet up in a huge 
spruce), I couldn’t see it but saw the parents coming and going, and watched it 
get mobbed with crows too, once the young fledged. Once the young fledged, the 
noise was doubled at least
 (2 parents, 2 chicks maybe 3) as they tested their wings for a few days and 
flapped around the huge old oaks and spruces in that cemetery. I hadn’t thought 
of them again until 2 days ago, I heard the male alarm call and saw him zip 
between houses and disappear.
 It’s good spot to watch for them!
 

--
Alyssa Johnson
Environmental Educator
315.365.3588
 
Montezuma Audubon Center
PO Box 187
2295 State Route 89
Savannah, NY 13146
Montezuma.audubon.org
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

 


From: bounce-125494974-79436...@list.cornell.edu 

On Behalf Of Kenneth V. Rosenberg
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 6:42 PM
To: Karen 
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports


 
Hi John 

 


At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I say 
“at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large sycamore 
at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one seen regularly
 (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live about halfway 
between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one regularly flying over— so 
we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds. 


 


Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched and 
calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may have been 
winteri g locally. 


 


KEN

Sent from my iPhone






On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen  wrote:




 

I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports.
 I check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an increasing 
number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows:
2 (2014), 6 (2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These 
include pairs in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca 
(plus hints of a pair
 in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I have 
written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban 
areas. None in forests nor edge
 of forest nor edge of lake.


 


Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are helpful 
by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, the pair 
observed
 by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after being seen at Myer's 
Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the Catholic church.


 

I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at
confergoldw...@aol.com



 


Thanks, 


 


John



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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Suan Hsi Yong]

FWIW, last weekend while driving up the lake, I spied a brownish falcon
hunting the field immediately south of the King Ferry winery. When I pulled
over to check it out it flew away to the east and I could never get a
binoculared look to ID it, but I think it was a merlin.

Suan

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Dave Nutter]

Yesterday evening (Thursday 25 March) I heard (several times) and saw (once) a 
Merlin calling and flying near my yard. It may have been in one or more of 
several mature conifers near the very bottom of Cliff Street in Ithaca. When I 
finally saw it, it was flying in a big clockwise arc around those trees then 
straightened and flew NW climbing over Hector Street. My guess is it was 
talking to an unseen partner about potential nest sites. I don’t know what the 
selection is of old or new crow nests in those trees. 

- - Dave Nutter

> On Mar 25, 2021, at 11:19 PM, anneb.cl...@gmail.com wrote:
> 
> Interesting. They have more 2020 crow nests to rent in the Birchwood area 
> than near that sycamore. But it will be interesting to see if one pair is 
> searching the whole area. The nest used last year was either a recently 
> depredated American crow nest or a takeover, the reason for the crow nest 
> failure. 
> Anne 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:41 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg  wrote:
>> 
>>  Hi John
>> 
>> At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I 
>> say “at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large 
>> sycamore at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one 
>> seen regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live 
>> about halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one 
>> regularly flying over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds. 
>> 
>> Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched 
>> and calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may 
>> have been winteri g locally. 
>> 
>> KEN
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen  wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports. I 
>>> check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an increasing 
>>> number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 
>>> (2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include 
>>> pairs in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus 
>>> hints of a pair in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all 
>>> of these. I have written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more 
>>> complete paper including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been 
>>> in urban/suburban areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of 
>>> lake.
>>> 
>>> Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are 
>>> helpful by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For 
>>> instance, the pair observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. 
>>> Weeks after being seen at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east 
>>> closer to the Catholic church.
>>> 
>>> I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
>>> confergoldw...@aol.com
>>> 
>>> Thanks, 
>>> 
>>> John
>>> --
>>> 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:
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> 
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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Johnson, Alyssa]

Last spring, I was working from home so had ample time to walk around my 
neighborhood midday, and discovered a Merlin nest site in the Washington Street 
Cemetery on Washington Street in Geneva. Their NOISE is what attracted my 
attention first. Then I found where I thought the nest was (30+ feet up in a 
huge spruce), I couldn’t see it but saw the parents coming and going, and 
watched it get mobbed with crows too, once the young fledged. Once the young 
fledged, the noise was doubled at least (2 parents, 2 chicks maybe 3) as they 
tested their wings for a few days and flapped around the huge old oaks and 
spruces in that cemetery. I hadn’t thought of them again until 2 days ago, I 
heard the male alarm call and saw him zip between houses and disappear. It’s 
good spot to watch for them!

--
Alyssa Johnson
Environmental Educator
315.365.3588

Montezuma Audubon Center
PO Box 187
2295 State Route 89
Savannah, NY 13146
Montezuma.audubon.org
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

From: bounce-125494974-79436...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of Kenneth V. Rosenberg
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 6:42 PM
To: Karen 
Cc: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

Hi John

At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I say 
“at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large sycamore 
at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one seen 
regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live about 
halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one regularly flying 
over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds.

Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched and 
calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may have been 
winteri g locally.

KEN
Sent from my iPhone


On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen 
mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>> wrote:

I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports[Heart 
Eyes]. I check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an 
increasing number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 
(2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include pairs 
in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a 
pair in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I 
have written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban 
areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.

Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are helpful 
by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, the pair 
observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after being seen 
at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the Catholic 
church.

I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
confergoldw...@aol.com<mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>

Thanks,

John
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RE: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Wesley M. Hochachka]

From my yard, it’s been seeming that most of the Merlin activity has been 
concentrated around the row of White Pine trees behind the dumpsters of the two 
apartment buildings on Tareyton, in the area that there was a crow nest 2 years 
ago (I think 2 years ago…).  When I’ve been watching a calling Merlin in 
flight, it’s path seems to almost invariably lead to circling around or maybe 
diving into those pines.

Wesley




From: bounce-125495218-3494...@list.cornell.edu 
 On Behalf Of anneb.cl...@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 11:20 PM
To: Kenneth V. Rosenberg 
Cc: Karen ; CAYUGABIRDS-L 

Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

Interesting. They have more 2020 crow nests to rent in the Birchwood area than 
near that sycamore. But it will be interesting to see if one pair is searching 
the whole area. The nest used last year was either a recently depredated 
American crow nest or a takeover, the reason for the crow nest failure.
Anne
Sent from my iPhone


On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:41 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg 
mailto:k...@cornell.edu>> wrote:
 Hi John

At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I say 
“at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large sycamore 
at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one seen 
regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live about 
halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one regularly flying 
over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds.

Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched and 
calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may have been 
winteri g locally.

KEN
Sent from my iPhone


On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen 
mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>> wrote:

I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports[Heart 
Eyes]. I check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an 
increasing number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 
(2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include pairs 
in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a 
pair in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I 
have written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban 
areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.

Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are helpful 
by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, the pair 
observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after being seen 
at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the Catholic 
church.

I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
confergoldw...@aol.com<mailto:confergoldw...@aol.com>

Thanks,

John
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[anneb . clark]

Interesting. They have more 2020 crow nests to rent in the Birchwood area than 
near that sycamore. But it will be interesting to see if one pair is searching 
the whole area. The nest used last year was either a recently depredated 
American crow nest or a takeover, the reason for the crow nest failure. 
Anne 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:41 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg  wrote:
> 
>  Hi John
> 
> At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I say 
> “at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large 
> sycamore at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one 
> seen regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live 
> about halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one regularly 
> flying over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds. 
> 
> Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched and 
> calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may have 
> been winteri g locally. 
> 
> KEN
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen  wrote:
>>> 
>> 
>> I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports. I 
>> check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an increasing 
>> number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 (2015), 
>> 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include pairs in 
>> Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a 
>> pair in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I 
>> have written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
>> including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in 
>> urban/suburban areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.
>> 
>> Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are 
>> helpful by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, 
>> the pair observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after 
>> being seen at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the 
>> Catholic church.
>> 
>> I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
>> confergoldw...@aol.com
>> 
>> Thanks, 
>> 
>> John
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Kenneth V. Rosenberg]

Hi John

At least one Merlin has returned to the Northeast Ithaca  neighborhood. I say 
“at least” one because there is a male perching regularly on the large sycamore 
at the north end of Muriel St. (and calling in that area) and one seen 
regularly (by Brad) flying around and calling on Birchwood Dr.  I live about 
halfway between these areas on Tareyton and also see/hear one regularly flying 
over— so we don’t know if this represents 1 or 2 birds.

Interestingly there was a pair of Merlins (one noticeably larger) perched and 
calling in the Muriel sycamore on a warm day in February— so they may have been 
winteri g locally.

KEN

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 25, 2021, at 6:18 PM, Karen  wrote:


I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports[Heart 
Eyes]. I check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an 
increasing number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 
(2015), 6 (2016), 5 (2017), 3 (2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include pairs 
in Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a 
pair in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I 
have written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban 
areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.

Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are helpful 
by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, the pair 
observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after being seen 
at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the Catholic 
church.

I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
confergoldw...@aol.com

Thanks,

John
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin reports

[Karen]

I love Merlins and Merlin reports and people who send in Merlin reports. I 
check them all out. . Thanks to such reports, I have observed an increasing 
number of incubated nests in Tompkins County as follows: 2 (2014), 6 (2015), 6 
(2016), 5 (2017), 3(2018), 6 (2019), 9 (2020).  These include pairs in 
Trumansburg, Lansing, Dryden, Freeville, Etna, and Ithaca (plus hints of a pair 
in Groton). Local observers provided guidance to almost all of these. I have 
written one paper on this, and am trying to write a more complete paper 
including habitat choice. Interestingly, all nests have been in urban/suburban 
areas. None in forests nor edge of forest nor edge of lake.
Merlins start egg-laying in early May. Observations in late March are helpful 
by providing a hint about where they may finally nest. For instance, the pair 
observed by so many at Myer's Pint never nested there. Weeks after being seen 
at Myer's Point, there was a pair about 800 m east closer to the Catholic 
church.
I would love to have individuals provide me with their observations at 
confergoldw...@aol.com
Thanks, 
John
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Dave Nutter]

On Inlet Island there’s a tall flat-topped metal pole for electric wires.  I 
have seen at least ten different species of birds choose to perch on top of 
that pole. Twice in the past few days I have seen a Merlin there. The more 
recent time the Merlin appeared to be urged off by a Rock Pigeon, perhaps (the) 
one who likes to display there. 

- - Dave Nutter

> On Mar 23, 2021, at 6:00 PM, Carol Cedarholm  wrote:
> 
> Just had a Merlin in my black walnut tonight in downtown Ithaca. Anybody else 
> seeing them?
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RE:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[smb4inc]

The local northeast area of Ithaca Merlin returned last week.  I saw the Merlin 
while looking for the crows.  Initially heard then seen chasing whomever 
possible near St. Catherine's Church on Siena X Blackstone.  The Merlin has 
been flying around the neighborhood since then.
This morning the Merlin was perched in a tree in my yard and was quite vocal.
Suzanne, northeast area Ithaca
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Kate & John Finn]

Hi Carol, we are also downtown (N Geneva). We will keep an eye and ear out!
What is your location? Thanks.
John and Kate

On Tue, Mar 23, 2021, 6:01 PM Carol Cedarholm  wrote:

> Just had a Merlin in my black walnut tonight in downtown Ithaca. Anybody
> else seeing them?
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Carol Cedarholm]

Just had a Merlin in my black walnut tonight in downtown Ithaca. Anybody
else seeing them?

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Nesting 2020

[John Confer]

I have monitored nesting success of Merlin in Tompkins for the last six years. 
Nest discovery has been almost entirely due to reports by other birders. I am 
so grateful to so many. This year only 2 of 10 nests were discovered by myself. 
I really depend on help, thanks. I am trying to write a paper for the Journal 
of Raptor Research with our Tompkins County Merlin as the backbone derived from 
your reports.

PAIRS/NESTS (YEAR)
6/6 (2015), 6/6 (2016), 5/5 (2017), 6/6 (2018), 6/6 (2019), and 11/10 (2020).
This year’s survey area was expanded to include Lansing and Trumansburg, which 
added 2 pair. In the normal survey area there were 9 known pairs and 8 nests 
where I have found 5-6 nests in previous years. 70% nest success for 10 known 
Merlin nests in 2020.
Dryden: 2 pair, one successful
Lansing: 1 pair successful. This almost certainly was the pair seen by many at 
Myer’s Point. It nested just west of the Catholic church.
Trumansburg: 1 pair failed in the “downtown” center of the town.
South Hill: 1 pair first seen for weeks on Crescent Place, but nested down 
Hudson St. closer to Aurora
Freeville: Pair present for weeks, but moved and was not refound.
Buffalo St: Successfully fledged four
University Ave.: Successful pair
Heights Court: Successful fledged four
Murial/Salem: Successful, number fledged unknown
Burleigh Dr.: Takeover of American Crow nest, Merlin failed.
The local Merlin population is clearly suburban, not nesting in the rural areas 
of agriculture or forested land. The population appears to be increasing.
I am so grateful to so many for their reports. Over 35 people alerted me to 
nests this year!!. I’m not going to mention everyone, but Jay sent me reports 
that led me to two nests. The Crow people, Anna, Kevin, Connor, and Sheila, 
helped considerably.
 Thanks,
John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[John Confer]

Merlin Update

Tompkins County is now regularly blessed with quite a few pair of Merlin 
beginning with the first documented pair in 2005 (T. Gallagher), a part of the 
explosive, southward advance in the last 30 years. I have been trying to 
document nest success rates for 5 years. After the first year, I have shared 
the location of only one nest. That was the nest opposite GIAC and in a tree 
within the fence around the public swimming pool. This year I have followed 10 
pairs in Tompkins County.

HELP WANTED FOR THREE PAIR THAT DISAPPEARED.

Currently successful

Between Dryden and Lake Dryden. Male brought in a catbird for his mate on nest 
a few days ago.

Along University Ave.

West of Catholic church toward Myer’s Point probably in nest built and 
successfully used by Fish Crow this year. (Thanks Jay and Connor)

Near Highland and Wyckoff

Downtown Trumansburg

Between Murial and Salem.

Lost track of:

Freeville: pair seen earlier in same location as last year’s nest, but left.

South Hill School: pair seen around old nest for two weeks, but left

Pair that drove crows off nest along Burleigh Dr., but still left.

Failed:

Pair seen incubating near Dryden Family Medicine, but failed.

If anyone has recently seen Merlin in the Lost Track Of locations or anywhere 
else, please contact confergoldw...@aol.com

Thanks for help with this fascinating species

John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] merlin

[Bard Prentiss]

Hi John,and all

Yesterday we had a female merlin on our deer fence in the yard.
Later we saw and heard a pair in the spruces across the street
between Union and East Main. I saw one there on Wednesday
too.  I hope they stay.

Best, 
Bard

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting 2019

[John Confer]

Thanks to all who made this Merlin study possible.


I monitored the nest success for seven nests in spring 2019. The number of 
discovered nests has remained nearly constant in the last four years. All nests 
have been in urban/suburban locations. Most of these nests were discovered by 
others and reported to me, for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you all for 
your help.

Of monitored nests (i.e., nests seen on more than one date), I know that 4 of 5 
local nests fledged young. A monitored nest in Freeville probably fledged 
young. A monitored nest in Endwell fledged young. Three fledglings were seen in 
Tioga Point Cemetery, one of which had an injured leg. This site has had 
successful nests for the last two years,

 More detail and a video by Suan will be available in the next Cayuga Bird Club 
newsletter.

John Confer


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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

[Suan Hsi Yong]

On Thu, Jul 25, 2019 at 7:20 AM John Confer  wrote:

> Hi Suan,
>
>Thanks for posting that.
>
>Mammals are rarely captured by Merlin, but not never. Adults often
> remove the tail and head before they bring it to nestlings. That has been a
> frustration when I tried to identify prey, which I did for 50 prey. None of
> them were mammals, but dead floppy birds without tail or head look like
> mammals. I couldn't tell what it was. At one frame I thought I saw two
> bumps on the ventral surface where the legs of a bird would be. By the way,
> they do eat the bird's legs. Lots of calcium I guess.
>

Thanks John.

On that evening, I first observed a parent flying by with the prey in its
talons, over the field and an unseen site away from the nest. The video was
taken about 10-20 minutes later when a/the parent brought the prey to the
nest. That timeline is consistent with some food pre-processing.

Meanwhile, this morning the two fully-feathered fledglings sat in the nice
morning sun, preening, ever attentive of the parent's few fly-by's, and
made a couple of short flights to a nearby tree and back, but always
wanting to stay close to home.

Suan

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

[John Confer]

Hi Suan,

   Thanks for posting that.

   Mammals are rarely captured by Merlin, but not never. Adults often remove 
the tail and head before they bring it to nestlings. That has been a 
frustration when I tried to identify prey, which I did for 50 prey. None of 
them were mammals, but dead floppy birds without tail or head look like 
mammals. I couldn't tell what it was. At one frame I thought I saw two bumps on 
the ventral surface where the legs of a bird would be. By the way, they do eat 
the bird's legs. Lots of calcium I guess.

John

From: bounce-123767908-25065...@list.cornell.edu 
 on behalf of Suan Hsi Yong 

Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 7:59 PM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L 
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

This message originated from outside the Ithaca College email system.

Stopped by GIAC this evening, one merlin (couldn't tell if parent or young) was 
perched visibly until my attention caused it to hop behind some branches. They 
can definitely tell who's paying attention and who isn't, like the few dozen 
parents watching the ongoing basketball game.

Anyhow, last Friday, July 19, I happened to get a video of a feeding:

  
https://www.facebook.com/suan.yong/posts/10220272976272542<https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsuan.yong%2Fposts%2F10220272976272542=02%7C01%7Cconfer%40ithaca.edu%7C900d7e82990f4decb5bb08d70fc9712e%7Cfa1ac8f65e5448579f0b4aa422c09689%7C0%7C0%7C636995230175812880=e0Iqb1jyJv4l%2Bt62RNEIFMLSQdpQxqsWU95DtLpX7ZA%3D=0>

Can anyone ID the rodent?

Suan

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

[Suan Hsi Yong]

Stopped by GIAC this evening, one merlin (couldn't tell if parent or young)
was perched visibly until my attention caused it to hop behind some
branches. They can definitely tell who's paying attention and who isn't,
like the few dozen parents watching the ongoing basketball game.

Anyhow, last Friday, July 19, I happened to get a video of a feeding:

  https://www.facebook.com/suan.yong/posts/10220272976272542

Can anyone ID the rodent?

Suan

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RE:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

[Magnus Fiskesjo]

Thanks for this intriguing report.
 
It reminds me of a bald eagle nest I saw in the middle of Hamilton, NY, a town 
about 1 1/2 hrs east of Ithaca. 
This July 3, I saw three grown bald eagle chicks getting ready to fly, sitting 
on branches around the nest, one even tried a short round flying around the 
tree. 
One parent came back with food, then sat in another tree across the street, 
vocalizing back to the chicks. 
The eagle nest is in a large pine in Madison cemetery on Madison street, right 
next to people's houses, in a regular street area. 
Lots of people going back and forth in cars and on foot, including to see the 
eagles. People were sitting outside their house, right below the nest. 
Local people seemed to love the eagles, some stopping to look at the eagles in 
my scope. 
One person did say that at another nest nearby, someone flew a drone over it, 
and the eagles left and did not come back after that. 

Magnus
--
Magnus Fiskesjö, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Cornell University
McGraw Hall, Room 201. Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
E-mail: magnus.fiske...@cornell.edu, or: n...@cornell.edu

Affiliations at Cornell University, WWW:
Anthropology Department, anthropology.cornell.edu/faculty/
Southeast Asia Program (SEAP), seap.einaudi.cornell.edu/faculty_directory
East Asia Program (EAP), eap.einaudi.cornell.edu/faculty_directory
CIAMS (Archaeology), ciams.cornell.edu/people/
Cornell Institute for Public Affairs (CIPA), 
cipa.cornell.edu/academics/fieldfaculty.cfm

From: bounce-123738728-84019...@list.cornell.edu 
[bounce-123738728-84019...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of John Confer 
[con...@ithaca.edu]
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2019 10:16 AM
To: CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

THANKS!!  This is my fifth year of monitoring Merlin nest success.  THANKS!! to 
the directions and assistance provided by many, I have been able to monitor 
over 30 nests, including 7 this year. Most of the nests I have monitored were 
originally discovered by others. I am so very grateful for so many reports.

This year two nests have been predated (so far), three have fledged, and two 
still have nestlings. This is, so far, a good year for nesting success

I never share the location of a nest that is early in the nesting cycle. I 
never share the location of a nest that can only be seen from private property, 
or a nest where the parents seem upset by human activity. There is one nest 
this year that I feel I can share without any danger of birding visitors 
jeopardizing the nest.

There is a nest in a tall spruce between GIAC and the public swimming pool. In 
fact the spruce tree is inside the chain link fence surrounding the pool area. 
During the school year and now that the pool is open (after 12:00) there is an 
extremely high level of noisy human activity around the nest site. The addition 
of any quiet birders outsider the chain link fence, in comparison to kids 
leaving the school or playing in the pool, would make no difference to the 
Merlins. The male and female seem virtually oblivious to extreme activity. If 
the nest continues successfully, the young should fledge around the weekend of 
the 20th. For a few days before fledging, the young hop out limbs, exercise 
their wings, and generally look very comical. The nest can best be seen from 
outside the northwest corner of the chain link fence around the swimming pool. 
I have spoken to the lifeguards and some of them know that people with optical 
equipment are likely birders. But you may enjoy watching the birds before all 
hell breaks loose in the swimming pool at 12:00.

John Confer

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest GIAC

[John Confer]

THANKS!!  This is my fifth year of monitoring Merlin nest success.  THANKS!! to 
the directions and assistance provided by many, I have been able to monitor 
over 30 nests, including 7 this year. Most of the nests I have monitored were 
originally discovered by others. I am so very grateful for so many reports.

This year two nests have been predated (so far), three have fledged, and two 
still have nestlings. This is, so far, a good year for nesting success

I never share the location of a nest that is early in the nesting cycle. I 
never share the location of a nest that can only be seen from private property, 
or a nest where the parents seem upset by human activity. There is one nest 
this year that I feel I can share without any danger of birding visitors 
jeopardizing the nest.

There is a nest in a tall spruce between GIAC and the public swimming pool. In 
fact the spruce tree is inside the chain link fence surrounding the pool area. 
During the school year and now that the pool is open (after 12:00) there is an 
extremely high level of noisy human activity around the nest site. The addition 
of any quiet birders outsider the chain link fence, in comparison to kids 
leaving the school or playing in the pool, would make no difference to the 
Merlins. The male and female seem virtually oblivious to extreme activity. If 
the nest continues successfully, the young should fledge around the weekend of 
the 20th. For a few days before fledging, the young hop out limbs, exercise 
their wings, and generally look very comical. The nest can best be seen from 
outside the northwest corner of the chain link fence around the swimming pool. 
I have spoken to the lifeguards and some of them know that people with optical 
equipment are likely birders. But you may enjoy watching the birds before all 
hell breaks loose in the swimming pool at 12:00.

John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin and Swallows

[Tobias Dean]

Lots of drama over the past week. We have a colony of barnswallows that
live in one of our barns. Approx 25-45 individuals but they are hard to
count. Plus tree swallows in nest boxes. What I am pretty sure is a Merlin
has been coming around and driving them absolutely crazy. both Swallow
species mob this bird. The fledglings are coming out and I assume the bird
is trying to get one but I haven't seen one taken. the falcon may actually
fly into the barn on occasion.
   The Merlin comes by at least 3-4 times a day and I can hear the general
outcry from inside the house. The falcon doesn't seem terribly worried
about the attack of the swallows but circles around as they fly all around
him/her.

I don't recall this kind of predation over a long period from previous
years.

 I wonder if egg laying will be reduced from the stress of these
attacks. This is happening on South Hill near the intersection of King and
Yaple Rd in Danby. You are welcome to check this out, just let me know in
advance.

   Toby Dean

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest info.

[John Confer]

Hi Folks,

I have monitored nesting success of Merlins for four previous years. This 
year neat finding has been really slow. I know of a probable nest near 
Freeville and a probable nest near the Ithaca swim club and a third in 
Endicott. The adults are flying around the probably nest, but not yet 
incubating. From other years my earliest incubation date has been 1 May with 
some nests considerably later.

   This year I have made probably 2-6 trips to every report of a Merlin 
sighting, either those sent to me (at confergoldw...@aol.com) or posted to 
eBird. Boy, either they are getting more sneaky, or my skill is dropping. Well, 
my hearing isn't as good, and I can't get out at daylight, which I have found 
to be the most fruitful time.

   I have used the observations for science publications and popular science 
education. I don't tell people about nests if the only access is on private 
property, and I don't tell people about a nest until the nestlings are fairly 
old, at which point the adults are very unlikely to desert. I have found nests 
on the border of school grounds, in branches over roads and even highways, and 
adjacent to really busy sidewalks. I followed one nest adjacent to another 
conifer that was cut down as the adults fed the nestlings in order to make way 
for the installation of an above ground swimming pool. And the young fledged. I 
don't like to take any chances with disturbing nesting birds, but I think 
Merlin are extraordinairly well adapted to humans.

  I find it interesting that I have never found a really rural Merlin nest. 
Surely nests in urban/suburban areas are  morel likely to be ofund. But none 
out of 24 in rural areas. Not sure why that should be.

   Love to hear about any probable Merlin nest, thanks.

John Confer

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest success, 2018 - short and long

[John Confer]

Merlin Nest Success 2018

In Brief.
  During each of the preceding 3 years I monitored 7 Merlin nests 
near Ithaca that collectively had about a 50% nest success. This is quite low 
according to other surveys and probably would not produce enough young that 
survive to breeding age to replace the annual mortality. Most of the nests were 
discovered by others and reported to me. Thanks to all who were involved, 
especially Anne Clark and all the crow people, and Debbie Mahoney.
  This year I monitored 4 nests, all of which fledged young.
Freeville, 3 fledged young. Sorry but I forget who told me that 
there was a Merlin heard in Freeville, which started me on this search.
Tioga Point Cemetery, Sayre, PA, 2 young. Thanks to Bill Howe.
Near corner Pinewood Place and Sycamore Drive in at 112 
Sycamore, 3 fledged young. Thanks to Brad Walker and the crow people
Hanshaw Rd, about 20 m south side of road, west of Blackstone 
Ave. 4 fledged young, Thanks to the Doerr family.

Some detail

I had a terrible time this year tracking down nests of reported pairs of birds.
I made about 15 visits to Dryden to find a nest. On several visits the male and 
female were conspicuous. One the female sat on a potential nest, but never 
nested there.
Kevin McGowan forwarded to me a report of a pair at a tree with a last year's 
crow nest at Hancock and Dey. After 3 or 4 mornings of 1 to 1.5 hours walking, 
I never found the pair again. I'm sorry but I have forgotten who told Kevin, 
but thanks.
I made 5 visits to Wells College campus, but never pinned down the nest.  The 
pair were fairly conspicuous and several people reported seeing/hearing the pair
I made a trip to Endicott for a definite nesting tree with nest, only to have 
the pair disappear from there,  and another trip to Whitney Point area to a 
road where Merlin had been seen twice this spring, once carrying prey, but no 
luck. Thanks Victor and others for all the help.
I chased a pair around Christopher Circle, Brandywine, Winthrop, Sandra Place 
and that area, probably 6 or 7 times, frequently seeing both birds, sure that I 
had found the nest on one occasion, only to have the pair disappear. But, 
hiking with your dog is good for you, isn't it.
Even with the successful  Freeville nest. it turned out to be not easy and was 
frustrating. I watched the female sitting in a nest  in Freeville for ten 
minutes and was certain I had the nest tree, which provided great joy. Only, 
for no known reason I knew she was gone the next two visits. Eventually I 
picked up flight into another  tree and found the nest. The tree was on the 
edge of an elementary school playground and for a few hours every day there 
were a lot of noisy Kids nearby. Eventually they did fledge at least three 
young.

Birchwood then Sycamore then Salem then Sycamore nest.
Brad Walker told me about a male calling north of his house on 
Hanshaw and south of Birchwood. Indeed it was there several times in the nest 
three days including the morning when I spent an extra hour there waiting for 
AAA  to open my car that had the keys inside. Then the pair called and flew 
around and landed in a spruce on Sycamore. Then the pair wasn't seen in two 
visits. Then the pair was seen on two days with the female going into and out 
of a spruce in the backyard of a home on Salem, close to Hanshaw. Then the pair 
finally selected a nest in a spruce on Sycamore.  Anne Clark and her students 
spent a great deal of time looking for crow nests in this area last year, and 
other years as well. She was fairly certain that she knew all the crow nests  
in that area, and raised the possibility that it was a Cooper's Hawk nest. 
Certainly not known, but interesting.

 Tobias and Venu  Doerr reported via someone at the lab and I forget who, but 
thanks, a nest in the yard adjacent to there's on Hanshaw. I was feeling a 
little frustrated on nest finding when I got the email, and suspected some 
mistake in identification. I drove into their driveway, looked up into a spruce 
tree, saw a nest, got the scope on it, and there she was. The entire family 
(i.e., human family) provided enthusiasm, nice observations including a feather 
collection from prey with a probable Bobolink, and incredibly easy access (a 
park in their drive and watch the Merlin nest.
To add insult to injury for the birds that evaded me, Nancy Cusomano contacted 
me that Morgan Hapeman, who runs the Finger Lakes Raptor Center had attained 
two nestling Merlin via the Cornell  Vet School . One was found north of Argos 
Inn off MLK street and the other in bushes in downtown Ithaca. They were both 
of the same age, and probably from the same nest. Now how in the world did I 
and all the rest of the Ithaca birders miss a Merlin nest near MLK Street in 
downtown Ithaca. Considering the time I spent in that area looking/listening 
for a Merlin, it is a bit 

[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting

[John Confer]

Information wanted, please.


During the last three years I have monitored Merlin nesting success near 
Ithaca. Results show that Merlin have an unusual relationship with both Fish 
Crow and American Crow in our region, and that nesting success is about 50%.


Many of these nests or areas where Merlin were calling were reported to me by 
birders. I am very grateful for this help. Again this year, if you locate a 
nest or calling Merlin, let me know off-line at confergoldw...@aol.com.


Ca Ca Ca Ca Ca


John

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin vs. Elf Owls

[John Luther Cisne]

Merlin, the Lab of O’s smartphone app, recently got an Elf Owl’s sincerest form 
of endorsement.


Edward Bulwer-Lytton might have called that July night in Big Bend as black as 
the back of a Common Blackhawk (and verifiably, too, since a pair were nesting 
in the particular campground).   Driving away at the end of my night of owling, 
at least two Elfs set up a commotion in the brush close by as a shape 
resembling a Great Horned Owl’s sailed through my headlights.


Replaying Merlin’s Elf Owl to confirm the ID, I got an immediate answer from a 
rustling in the bushes scarcely an arm’s length away!  Score one for Merlin as 
implemented on the iPhone.


+
John L. Cisne, Professor Emeritus
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Office Hours: Catch-as-Catch-Can or by arrangement
http://www.eas.cornell.edu/eas/people/profile.cfm?netid=jlc34
Phone: [Please contact by e-mail instead]
+

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Nesting 2017: brief and nest by nest

[John Confer]

 SYNOPSIS OF Merlin nesting success in 2017 in the  Finger Lakes region and 
nearby.
This summary of Merlin nesting success is only possible because of reports from 
others who let me know of the location for nesting behavior they noted first,  
and in one case continued to monitor the nest. Thanks so much.
For 2017, 5 of 7 monitored nests fledged young. In the previous 2 years, only 7 
of 14 nests fledged young. The sample size remains small, but even the higher 
nest success rate this year is much lower than other studies and may not be 
high enough to sustain our population without emigration from more successful 
areas. I did not have the time (or perhaps energy) to monitor the nests 
frequently enough to determine the number fledged per nest. Perhaps help next 
year would yield more complete data.
NEST BY NEST SPECIFICS
N. Titus Rd. Nest in 2015 discovered by Ken Humphreys, was in top of 1 of 2 
tall White Pine and fledged 4 or 5 young. In 2016 a pair nested in a White Pine 
less than 100 m distant in nest stolen from Fish Crow, but failed. In 2017 
Merlin stole Fish Crow nest in the other of the two tall White Pine. Nest was 
destroyed by major wind storm. This could be the same pair for 3 years, or at 
least 1 bird from the same pair. For 2 adults to fledge only 4 young in 3 years 
is very low nesting success.
Lake Rd Dryden, NY. Courting pair first reported by Fred Rimmel. Fledged at 
least 2 young in 2017. This nest is was in a spruce tree and was about 450 m 
from successful nest in a spruce tree last year on Kimberly Rd. It seems 
probably that 1 or both of the pair for this year came from the pair last year.
City Cemetery. Nesting activity first reported by Andy Zepp. This nest in a 
White Pine failed as did 2 other nests in the City Cemetery in preceding years. 
I wonder if there could be a resident Great Horned Owl that eats Merlins or 
Merlin eggs.
Tioga Point Cemetery. Nesting activity reported by Bill Howe. Bill is retired 
from a career of working with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Some may remember 
his name from his undergrad years at Cornell. This nest fledged young from a 
nest in a spruce tree. This large cemetery had Am. Crow, Fish Crow and Merlin. 
It seems unusual to have all three species hanging out in the same location.
Maplewood Rd. Crow monitoring crew first reported this Merlin pair as they 
stole a nest built this year by American Crow. (While the Merlin-watching 
people appreciate the service provided to Merlins by crows, it is not clear the 
feeling is reciprocated by crow-watchers:).) This nest in a spruce tree fledged 
young, probably four. This was the most flimsy, tiny nest I have observed used 
by Merlin. Over-topping branches covered only about 10% of the nest from 
passing predators, such as Red-tailed Hawks. I didn't think it could make it, 
but it did.
Etna, NY. Courtship behavior, i.e., calls, reported by Chris Hynes. The nest in 
a spruce tree fledged 4 young. It took me about 4 trips to find where the birds 
were nesting, which can usually be found in 1 or 2 trips to an area with 
courting birds.
Endicott, NY. Nest reported and monitored by Mike Jordan. Apparently fledged 
several young.
Merlin are one of the few species, the only species I know, that has expended 
into NY from the North in the last 30 years. It's progress into PA and its 
nesting success are intriguing to follow. All nest I have heard about are in a 
decidedly urban location. All nests are in conifers planted perhaps 50-100 
years ago. All nests were built by crows, as far as we can tell. Many of them 
have been stolen from crows in the spring that the crows built them. 
Fascinating. Thanks for your help and interest. Hopefully we can do this again 
next year.


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin misfortune

[John Confer]

Perhaps you, too, had a major wind storm Sunday night. Two of the nests I have 
been monitoring were in the tip top of tall conifer trees. I had the concern 
that the severe wind could have destroyed a nest, particularly the two nests in 
the tip top.

Shortly after I arrived at the nest between Sycamore Dr. and Maplewood Drive, 
the male called as he brought food in. The female responded and left the nest 
for the food exchange. In a few minutes the female, after decapitating the prey 
and removing a wing or two, which makes identification of the prey difficult,  
took the prey up to the nest and fed four nestlings. Nice.

The nest on North Titus was in the terminal part of a very tall White Pine. The 
terminal branch had broken off earlier and the nest was placed between three 
lateral branches and exposed 100% to the sky. It was immediately evident that 
one of the lateral branches was broken, and the nest was largely dismantled. 
After courtship and displacing a family of Fish Crow that built the nest, and 
after laying ~4 eggs (~5-7 days), and after 30 days of incubation, and after 
about 25 days of protecting and feeding the young, and about 4-6 days before 
fledging the nest was destroyed. It is hard being a Merlin. It is also hard 
being a Merlin nest monitor.

By the way, the Merlin nest with the newly constructed swimming pool on Lake 
Rd. in Dryden is still feeding young. I was able to show the home owners and 
their three kids the nestling Sunday morning. This nest is not near the top of 
the nest tree, a spruce, and I think it is likely it managed to survive the 
storm.

Still ,5 of 7 nests I have been monitoring have young, by last check. Keep your 
fingers crossed.

John


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nests

[John Confer]

One persistent pair of Merlins!

One of the nests I am monitoring is likely by a pair that successfully raised 5 
young last year in a nest about 400 m from the current nest. The current nest 
is in the back yard of a family with three, young kids. Two days ago, I walked 
up to check on the nest and found that the land owners were gone. However, a 
new raised swimming pool had been installed about 15 m from the base of the 
nest tree and a tree frequently used by the pair was cut down, which provided 
more sunlight for the pool. I was sure that the birds would have abandon the 
nest. But, there they were. The male called as he brought in food and the 
female responded. Amazing.
So far, four of the five nests I am monitoring this year are still active. 
Young should be hatching about this week. Previously most failures of a nest 
occurred by this stage in the nesting cycle. So, I am hopeful for a better year 
this year than the last two years.

As eggs hatch and nestlings become noisy and demand frequent feeding, the 
adults become conspicuous. I don't know if any nest has nestlings yet because I 
don't get to every nest every day, but there will be young soon. By the way, if 
anyone finds a Merlin nest location, I would love to know about it off 
cayugabirds at con...@ithaca.edu, thanks.

Kak, Kak, Kak, Kak,
John


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin - Help please

[John Confer]

As many of you know, I have been following the nest success of local Merlins 
for the last two years. Thanks in large part to reports from subscribers to 
this list serve, I have been able monitor nesting success of 14 nests, which 
had about 50% nesting success. Great fun, and good information. I have provided 
summaries of the nest success to the list serve. I would like to do that again 
this year. If you know of any probable nesting area, would you please let me 
know of the location as precisely as you can, off-list at 
con...@ithaca.edu.

Thanks,

John Confer
W) 274-3978
H)  539-6308

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin @ Esty & Washington

[Suan Hsi Yong]

Just had a merlin sitting on a tree a few houses east of the CFCU on Meadow
and Esty, presently shooed by two crows to a spruce tree one block east. My
attention from the sidewalk may have contributed to the shooing :-D.

Suan

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Donna Lee Scott]

Stahl Rd. Near Seybolt, Looking between red farm bldgs. & white wire-fenced 
small field, on single upright black trunk , left side of Y shape on tree.

Donna Scott
Sent from my iPhone

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Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting update

[AB Clark]

I heard a merlin twittering on Christopher Circle/Christopher Lane yesterday 
evening, although hadn’t seen activity on it.  I have not scoped it recently.


> On Jun 16, 2016, at 6:26 PM, John Confer  wrote:
> 
> Not good news, overall, for Merlin nests.
> 
> The Titus Ave. nest, and the Dryden nest, and the City Cemetery nest have all 
> failed. I saw red-tails in the vicinity of two of the nests. The sticks in 
> two of the nests were dis-assembled, allowing light to penetrate where it had 
> been opaque, suggesting a struggle with a predator.
> 
> The Wells College nest, the Christopher Lane nest, and now maybe, perhaps the 
> new Congregational Church nest, may still be active. I never located the 
> possible nest near Freeze Rd. despite 4 trips of over an hour each from 
> ~6:30-7:30. Darn. Thanks for the input!
> 
> John Confer


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nesting update

[John Confer]

Not good news, overall, for Merlin nests.


The Titus Ave. nest, and the Dryden nest, and the City Cemetery nest have all 
failed. I saw red-tails in the vicinity of two of the nests. The sticks in two 
of the nests were dis-assembled, allowing light to penetrate where it had been 
opaque, suggesting a struggle with a predator.


The Wells College nest, the Christopher Lane nest, and now maybe, perhaps the 
new Congregational Church nest, may still be active. I never located the 
possible nest near Freeze Rd. despite 4 trips of over an hour each from 
~6:30-7:30. Darn. Thanks for the input!


John Confer

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin(s) @ Cayuga Heights

[AB Clark]

Hi Suan and All Merlin Watchers,

The Merlins on Christopher Circle have either gone completely silent or fledged 
(too soon?) or they have moved.  I saw no birds around or visible on the nest 
by late last week.  IS this related to the Highland Avenue pair?  I have no 
idea how far they might move for a renest. 

Anne

> On Jun 14, 2016, at 10:10 PM, Suan Yong  wrote:
> 
> At 7:30 this evening as we were about to enter the First Congregational 
> Church on Highland Avenue in Cayuga Heights, we heard a Merlin calling from a 
> pine tree up the hill SE of the church. Soon we saw a Merlin circle around in 
> a display flight. I couldn't be sure, but it felt like the vocalizing bird 
> was different from the flying one, suggesting a pair, perhaps. Seems possible 
> that a nest is nearby, but without binoculars and being late for the 
> rehearsal, I didn't see anything more.
> 
> Suan
> _
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin(s) @ Cayuga Heights

[Suan Yong]

At 7:30 this evening as we were about to enter the First Congregational Church 
on Highland Avenue in Cayuga Heights, we heard a Merlin calling from a pine 
tree up the hill SE of the church. Soon we saw a Merlin circle around in a 
display flight. I couldn't be sure, but it felt like the vocalizing bird was 
different from the flying one, suggesting a pair, perhaps. Seems possible that 
a nest is nearby, but without binoculars and being late for the rehearsal, I 
didn't see anything more.

Suan
_
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin nests including Wells C.

[Suan Yong]

While biking home this evening around 8pm, I heard what I'm pretty sure was a 
Merlin calling from a deciduous tree behind 210 Park Place. Without binoculars 
I never sighted the bird. It was calling very continuously, with a few breaks 
in between and some "chink" calls reminiscent of grosbeak. There are a couple 
of evergreens nearby that could be candidate nest sites.

Suan
_
http://suan-yong.com

> On May 25, 2016, at 8:41 PM, John Confer  wrote:
> 
> It is a ittle premature to count my eggs before they hatch, but ... .
> 
> 
> Last year at this time 2 of seven Merlin nests in our area had failed, 
> probably predation.
> 
> 
> This year 5 of 5 are still going strong, including the easily accessed nest 
> in the top of a white Pine on South Titus St. behind Meadow Court Lodge. This 
> can be watched from your car without disturbing the pair, which are already 
> exposed to lots of human activity. The first eggs of any nest will probably 
> hatch in a little more than a week.
> 
> 
> I found the Wells College nest thanks to someone who said they had heard a 
> Merlin on campus, which was passed on to me, which inspired me to spend a 
> pleasant half hour walking around the campus. It is about an hour drive one 
> way for me, which is a little hard for monitoring survival a couple times a 
> week, or better even monitoring prey brought to the nest. 
> 
> 
> I am trying to determine Merlin nesting success in urban areas near Ithaca, 
> and the prey species brought to the nest. Anyone interested in monitoring 
> that nest?
> 
> 
> Ki KI KI KI
> 
> 
> John Confer 274-3978
> 
> 
> 
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nests including Wells C.

[John Confer]

It is a ittle premature to count my eggs before they hatch, but ... .


Last year at this time 2 of seven Merlin nests in our area had failed, probably 
predation.


This year 5 of 5 are still going strong, including the easily accessed nest in 
the top of a white Pine on South Titus St. behind Meadow Court Lodge. This can 
be watched from your car without disturbing the pair, which are already exposed 
to lots of human activity. The first eggs of any nest will probably hatch in a 
little more than a week.


I found the Wells College nest thanks to someone who said they had heard a 
Merlin on campus, which was passed on to me, which inspired me to spend a 
pleasant half hour walking around the campus. It is about an hour drive one way 
for me, which is a little hard for monitoring survival a couple times a week, 
or better even monitoring prey brought to the nest.


I am trying to determine Merlin nesting success in urban areas near Ithaca, and 
the prey species brought to the nest. Anyone interested in monitoring that nest?


Ki KI KI KI


John Confer 274-3978



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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nest - City Cemetery

[John Confer]

There is an incubating Merlin in the City Cemetery. From east to west, it is in 
about the middle. From north to south it is in the northern half. It is in the 
more northern of a pair of very tall White Pine. Neither the nest, nor the 
frequently used plucking post in adjacent, tall spruce can be seen from 
underneath the tree. They are visible as far as I can tell only from the 
northern side of the cemetery. Incubation began yesterday or the day before, 
and if successful the eggs should hatch in 26-28 days.


Any observations sent to con...@ithaca.edu would be appreciated.


John

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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin nests

[John Confer]

I am again this year trying to monitor nest location, nesting success, and prey 
brought to nests by Merlin. Last year thanks to the help of many on the 
listserve, I, Mark Witmer, Madeline Ulinski, Ann Herzig, and Sam Ayers reported 
on 7 regional nests  in the article "NESTING MERLINS (Falco columbarius) IN AND 
NEAR ITHACA, NEW YORK, 2015" in the September issue of The Kingbird. Our sample 
of 7 nests was interesting to find for the Ithaca area, but is not 
statistically very meaningful.

So far this year, with help from several people, particularly the crow people, 
I have located five nests or nesting areas. As of this morning, I watched three 
females sitting near a nest and occasionally flying up to the probable nest, 
but not sitting on the nest for a prolonged time. The male and female drive 
other birds and squirrels away, perhaps because the female has laid an 
incomplete clutch and they are trying to protect the eggs prior to incubation. 
I am reluctant to share these nest locations until the female starts prolonged 
sitting on the nest, indicative of a complete clutch and a high probability of 
staying on the nest, which greatly decreases the probability of abandoning the 
nest area. When incubation starts, I will be glad to share these locations of 
the nests of these attractive and photogenic birds then. Last year, the 
earliest known incubation was on 4 May. The tally of five nests includes a 
report of Merlin on Wells College campus, as last year. I don't have time to 
get up there to monitor that nest. Any takers?

In the mean time, I am trying to add to that small sample again this year. Any 
reports of the location of nesting behavior by Merlins would be appreciated. 

Kee kee kee kee kee

John Confer
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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin downtown

[Dave Nutter]

Yesterday morning (10 Feb) while waiting by the front door of the Super 8 Motel 
(close to the Meadow Court Inn) I saw a female MERLIN approach from the 
northeast, alight atop a tall tree along Six-mile Creek, look around a couple 
minutes, bob her head as if judging the distance to prey, and fly north and 
down out of sight. It was my first Merlin encounter in Ithaca this year. She 
could be associated with the male John saw just upstream today.
—Dave Nutter

> On Feb 11, 2016, at 4:55 PM, John Confer  wrote:
> 
> I drove around South Titus near the Meadow Court Motel for 10-15 minutes 
> yesterday. The White Pine and Eastern Hemlock that are close to each other 
> and just northeast of the motel had a Fish Crow nest last year. I was hoping 
> to see Merlin activity as an indication of potential nesting. AND THERE IT 
> WAS!! A male Merlin flew around Inlet Creek in the vicinity of the tall 
> pines. This is very near a Merlin nest from last year. Merlin courtship 
> starts in early April and I am hoping to monitor nesting success again this 
> year. An optomistic beginning.
> 
> John Confer
> 
> 
> 
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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin downtown

[John Confer]

I drove around South Titus near the Meadow Court Motel for 10-15 minutes 
yesterday. The White Pine and Eastern Hemlock that are close to each other and 
just northeast of the motel had a Fish Crow nest last year. I was hoping to see 
Merlin activity as an indication of potential nesting. AND THERE IT WAS!! A 
male Merlin flew around Inlet Creek in the vicinity of the tall pines. This is 
very near a Merlin nest from last year. Merlin courtship starts in early April 
and I am hoping to monitor nesting success again this year. An optomistic 
beginning.


John Confer




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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Seneca Falls

[John VanNiel]

Had a Merlin earlier today North of 318 on Gravel Road in Seneca Falls. Was not 
there when I returned but worth looking for. I would call it an adult female. 

Dr. John Van Niel
Professor of Environmental Conservation
Director, East Hill Campus
Finger Lakes Community College


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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin over Triphammer Road in Lansing

[Meena Madhav Haribal]

I saw a Merlin flyover Triphammer Road in Lansing today.


Meena


Meena Haribal
Ithaca NY 14850
42.429007,-76.47111
http://www.haribal.org/
http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/
Ithaca area moths: https://plus.google.com/118047473426099383469/posts
Dragonfly book sample pages: http://www.haribal.org/dragonflies/samplebook.pdf




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[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Bird Photo ID question

[Clara MacCarald]

Hi all,

Is there anyone who has participated in beta testing of the Merlin Bird
Photo ID (http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/photo-id) who would like to talk
to me about the experience for a Tompkins Weekly article? Let me know.

Thanks!
Clara MacCarald
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Clara MacCarald
(607) 229-5789
cmm...@gmail.com
claramaccarald.com

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Re:[cayugabirds-l] Merlin Bird Photo ID question

[Clara MacCarald]

Regarding the Merlin Bird Photo ID software, I would also be interested in
hearing people's opinions of how such software might change birding and
bird-related citizen science.

Thank you,
Clara MacCarald

On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 8:29 AM, Clara MacCarald cmm...@gmail.com wrote:

 Hi all,

 Is there anyone who has participated in beta testing of the Merlin Bird
 Photo ID (http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/photo-id) who would like to
 talk to me about the experience for a Tompkins Weekly article? Let me know.

 Thanks!
 Clara MacCarald
 --
 __
 Clara MacCarald
 (607) 229-5789
 cmm...@gmail.com
 claramaccarald.com




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Clara MacCarald
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cmm...@gmail.com
claramaccarald.com

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin

[Randolph Ross]

By way of an unfortunate window incident, I can report that a female or
immature Yellow Warbler can appear from above to have distinct outer yellow
tail feathers. (We have not had them in the yard before; it appeared to
recover, and disappeared a while later, after being placed out of harm's
way in a Norway spruce.)

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 6:32 PM, Carol Keeler carolk...@adelphia.net wrote:

 I take it that the Merlin app does not work on an iPad.  Am I right?
 I downloaded it to ID a bird I just got a glimpse of.  I had a Goldfinch
 sized bird that I only saw from the back.  It was distinctive because it's
 outer tail feathers were yellow like a Junco's are white.  Any idea as to
 what it might be ?  Is it a Goldfinch?

 For those talking about the absence of Hummingbirds, my Hummers have been
 here on and off all day.  I only saw the males today.

 Sent from my iPad
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