On the way up to Montezuma, I had a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS in a field before the Dunkin Donut's in Lansing. Also had a few AMERICAN KESTRELS on wires along route 90.
On Wildlife Drive, there are loads of waterfowl now. NORTHERN SHOVELORS, There was raft of RING-NECKED DUCKS at the beginning of the open area of the main pool. Then a little farther down, there were a few aythya rafts of mainly LESSER SCAUP with just a few GREATER SCAUP here and there. Also a few REDHEADS mixed in. Many RUDDY DUCKS, AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN COOTS, GADWALL and still a few PIED-BILLED GREBES mixed in TOO. Several GREEN-WINGED TEAL and one female BUFFLEHEAD too. Didn't find the eared grebe of the last few weeks. There were also at least 200 TUNDRA SWANS in the back of the main pool and a huge raft of mainly aythya ducks. They were so distant I could not tell what species were present but I presume mainly scaup. I also was surprised to find a basic plumage RED-THROATED LOON in the main pool closer to where the "carp crossing" is. The main pool is loaded and I likely missed some species. Then at Eaton marsh (shorebird flats) the AMERICAN AVOCET continues to put on a show. The bird was close enough to easily see naked eye. Binoculars afforded great views. The scope was basically overkill. I took several photos and recorded a video of the bird actively feeding. https://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/sets/72157649284337901/ In addition, there were several DUNLIN and one GREATER YELLOWLEGS. At Knox-Marcellus Marsh there were many geese. Mostly CANADA and many SNOWS (a few hundred or so) and at least 1 ROSS'S GOOSE. The bird was seen on the north end of the marsh from the parking area. The bird was much smaller than the SNOWS with a tiny bill. There were also quite a few blue phase SNOW GEESE too. TUNDRA SWANS were also present with at least one TRUMPETER identified by sound. I only had 6 SANDHILL CRANES. Earlier the folks at the visitor center said someone counted 60. There were many AMERICAN PIPITS too feeding on the mudflats. I estimated about 30 but this is probably underdone. I also heard a few HORNED LARKS in the cornfield along east road. For a windy and cold day it was awesome. Knox-Marcellus is loaded with geese and waterfowl. I imagine there are other good birds in there that I mised. The lighting was an issue and time was running out for me so I didn't bird this area as thoroughly as I would have liked. Dave Nicosia -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
