Hi, Not quite knowing how to bird today because of the cold, windy, snowy day, Gary and I decided to make a trip up the lake where it was colder, windier, and more snowy. Makes sense, right? Highlights were: Union Springs Frontenac Park 12 COMMON TERNS on a pier Cayuga Tow Path Machine 4 COMMON TERNS flying Montezuma Entrance and Main Pool 26+ LEAST SANDPIPERS 4 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS 2 BLUE-WINGED TEAL Tschache's Pool Many LEAST SANDPIPERS landing out of sight in the grass. We figured there are many more sandpipers around, but because there is virtually no habitat for them, they are in the grassy, marshy spots. 4+ BALD EAGLES 2+ OSPREY May's Pool 1 COMMON MOORHEN 8+ REDHEADED DUCKS 2 RINGED-NECK DUCKS PIED-BILLED GREBES 1 female BUFFLEHEAD 2+ COOTS North Spring Pool 2 BLACK TERNS 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER OSPREY on nest Tow Path Road THIS is where things became really WEIRD. We saw a SPOTTED SANDPIPER land on a tree branch and stay there, then we drove by 2 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS in a nest box at the house with a pond just before going up East Road. We figured that we had just entered the "Twilight Zone". Besides the Snowy Egret, I think the Red-Wings were my favorite of the day. Knox Marcellus 19 DUNLINS in breeding plumage 12+ LEAST SANDPIPERS 2 WHITE-RUMPED WARBLERS 1 CASPIAN TERN 4 LESSER YELLOWLEGS 1 SPOTTED SANDPIPER Railroad Road SORA MARSH WREN VIRGINIA RAIL AMERICAN BITTERN MOORHEN SWAMP SPARROW PIED-BILLED GREBE all calling at the same time. Bad weather, good birds. We did not hear a Least Bittern call. Either too cold for them or they aren't there yet. VanDyne Spoor Road 2 TRUMPETER SWANS 2 GREATER YELLOWLEGS Union Springs, Mill Pond 1 SNOWY EGRET actively feeding. We didn't see it on the way up the lake. It could have been behind the pond in the creek. Who knows? We watched it for quite awhile, maybe 15 minutes before it raised it's leg to show a yellow foot. Happy Mother's Day to all!! Good birding, Ann Mitchell
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