Matt Medler and I spent the day checking through the many hundreds of
shorebirds currently at Montezuma, in addition to a few spots closer
to Ithaca. Despite the very windy conditions, we managed to find a
surprisingly list of species!
We started the morning by checking the Fort Hill Rd (Lansing) spot
for Acadian Flycatchers, but it seems they're not back yet. Instead,
we found singing male BLUE-WINGED and HOODED WARBLERS.
Nothing seemed to be moving at Myers Point (the highlight being great
views of a pair of ORCHARD ORIOLES at Salt Point), setting our
expectations low for finding anything interesting up at Montezuma.
Luckily, it turned out we were wrong! The visitor center pool at
Montezuma was teeming with shorebirds, including several hundred
LEAST SANDPIPERS, 80 or so DUNLIN, at least two SEMI-PALMATED
SANDPIPERS, a couple each of GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and 8
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS. There were also three SOLITARY SANDPIPERS at
the small pool at the turn-off. The expanse of mudflats directly in
front of the observation tower over the main pool had a stunning
female WILSON'S PHALAROPE, about 20 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS, a dozen
LESSER YELLOWLEGS, one WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and another hundred or
so LEAST SANDPIPERS. There were also three SANDHILL CRANES foraging
in the distance. One CERULEAN WARBLER was audible over the fierce
wind ripping through the trees. Along the Wildlife Drive, there were
scattered SOLITARY and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS along the various drainage
ditches.
Next, we stopped at Tschache to see whether the black terns were
around. To our surprise, we stumbled upon what seemed to be the flock
of 5 FORSTER'S TERNS and a single COMMON TERN that were present at
Myers yesterday afternoon. There was also a single BLACK TERN
present. Another surprise here were the five GREAT EGRETS along the
shoreline and in the trees at the back of the pool.
Knox-Marcellus Marsh overlook on East Rd also held a good number of
shorebirds along the near shoreline, including (among the hundred or
so Least Sandpipers), one DUNLIN, one PECTORAL SANDPIPER, one WHITE-
RUMPED SANDPIPER, a few LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and three SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS. A lingering SNOW GOOSE was at the back of the marsh.
Next, we moved on to check out VanDyne Spoor Rd to see whether there
was water left. Indeed, the fields are still very much flooded, and
we counted an impressive 27 BLACK TERNS that have moved into the
marshes here. There was also a single NORTHERN SHOVELLER present.
There wasn't much in the way of shorebird habitat, but we did see a
few lesser yellowlegs and six dunlin. The biggest surprise along
VanDyne Spoor Rd was perhaps the most co-operative LINCOLN'S SPARROW
either of us has ever encountered at the forest edge. It sat on an
exposed perch watching us for a good minute or two. Nearby was a
calling WILLOW FLYCATCHER.
The cat-tails at Railroad Rd have really died off, and we didn't see
much here, apart from MARSH WRENS, a couple of MOORHENS, two
lingering AMERICAN WIGEON and the local pair of TRUMPETER SWANS.
Likewise, the flooded fields at the end of Morgan Rd are almost
completely dry.
On our way back down to Ithaca, we stopped briefly at Long Point
State Park, and to our surprise found a lone BRANT foraging on the
lawn. There was also a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO in the trees within the
park.
Our final stop of the day was to the woods surrounding Jessup Field
at Cornell. As many others know, this is my third spring in the
U.S.A., and I have still yet to see a Bay-breasted Warbler in
breeding plumage! Others have seen some in this general area
throughout the week, and following a tip-off from Alberto Lopez that
he had seen one this morning, and considering my luck throughout the
rest of the day, I thought I'd give it a go. Needless to say, I
didn't find the warbler! However, I did stumble across an impressive
mixed flock that contained, in addition to large numbers of yellow-
rumped warblers, two TENNESSEE WARBLERS, one NORTHERN PARULA, one
MAGNOLIA WARBLER, two LEAST FLYCATCHERS and, what was possibly the
biggest surprise of the day, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO. This is one
species I see each autumn in Ithaca, but never before in the spring.
Unfortunately, Matt's decision to stay at the car and make a phone-
call while I found this flock cost him dearly.
So, despite less than ideal birding conditions (fierce winds at every
stop), we racked up an impressive tally of migrant and breeding
species, including 13 species of shorebirds. I only hope the Cayuga
Basin teams down at the World Series of Birding are having as much luck!
Chris Wiley
Ithaca
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