Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
The opinion that follows is strictly my own and does not reflect any official position of the Cayuga Bird Club. Although I wish it did. I will not be one of the ones that says I have nothing against hunting because I do, sorry. But even if I thought hunting was a great thing, I feel it is totally bizarre to have this slaughter, harassment and disregard for life going on right INSIDE our own city limits in a public park where any and all are exposed to this carnage and risk. I am attaching a link to the article that Jane Graves discovered and published in our October newsletter re:the imposition of waterfowl hunting in 1933. Too bad it was ever started. I would support Dave's suggestion to petition the DEC to rescind this permission at the south end of the lake. http://cayugabirdclub.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-note-from-past.html Have a great count day on January 1. There's still time to sign up if you'd like. Email me. Linda Orkin Sent from my iPhone On Dec 29, 2013, at 10:51 PM, Dave Nutter nutter.d...@me.com wrote: Perhaps the line of fire proximity of people buildings was the reason the DEC police called in the gunners who were in the SW corner of the lake tied to a tree along the shore of Treman. I saw in the background 2 adults and a child on the beach of the west shore, associated with the first house, a large new one. I'd like to petition the DEC to have the south end of the lake, say the portion within the City of Ithaca, which does not allow firing guns, off limits to hunting. --Dave Nutter On Dec 29, 2013, at 08:47 PM, Anne Clark anneb.cl...@gmail.com wrote: It sounds as if some of these folks might be illegally close to buildings, although I suppose they argue that their guns are pointing down the lake. On the other hand, in the park area, trails and inlets make a complex problem for claiming that nothing could be in the line of fire when shooting at ducks flying in and over. Do they really stop firing when the ducks swing toward shore? Per the DEC hunting regulations Question: How far from a building do I have to be to discharge my firearm? Answer: You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of any school, playground, occupied factory or church. You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building, or structure unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent. This does not apply to the discharge of a shotgun over water when hunting migratory game birds and no dwelling, public structure, livestock, or person is in the line of fire. On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: I birded at East Shore Park on Saturday mid-day, and at Stewart Park this morning -- I must say that I have never seen so much hunting pressure at the south end of the lake. I want to say clearly that I am not against legal duck hunting in well managed areas (and I buy a Migratory Bird Stamp to support wetland conservation), but what is going on this year does not seem to be sustainable or an appropriate use of such a large public space. Boats with hunters and decoys were anchored right under the trees at the Swan Pen at Stewart Park, at the tip of the red lighthouse jetty, at the wooden buoy marker, on the beach at Hogs Hole, and along East Shore -- yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks. Needless to say there was not a single spot for ducks to rest safely anywhere in the southern quarter-mile or so of Cayuga Lake (and probably north past Myer's Point as well), and any flock that circled around over the south end of the lake (no matter how high) was shot at. I don't know if DEC would consider that proper management of this important waterfowl wintering area. This seemed pretty different from the past few years when a few hunters kept the duck flocks moving around but there was plenty of place for them to rest -- notably along the Stewart Park shoreline, which was not available today. This activity will undoubtedly affect the numbers of waterfowl on this year's Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday (wasn't much to count today). If this trend continues in future years, I strongly recommend that the Cayuga Bird Club move its count to the days prior to the late hunting season -- this slight straying from tradition will probably yield more accurate numbers of local waterfowl populations. In spite of the hunting, I did manage to see a few distant LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a single WHITE-WINGED SCOTER far to the north of East Shore Park, and a flock of 12 RUDDY DUCKS, along with HORNED and PIED-BIILED GREBES, COMMON LOON, and 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS -- all decent CBC birds if they can hang in there. There were also TUNDRA SWANS around this morning -- 2 on the ice at Stewart Park east end when I arrived, and a flock of
Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
If you have journeyed over to Seneca Lake you have seen the numerous duck blinds just off shore of the park where there is precious little shallow water. Representation was made to the state and village several years ago and I forget the legalese but in layman's terms the large lakes come under state jurisdiction and the DEC reading was that such hunting with blinds and decoys was quite legal despite proximity to shoreline and docks east and west. It would be a shame to change a traditional date for the CBC and moving may cause conflicts with other counts. Why not advocate buying duck and habitat stamps and ask the local fish and game clubs to weigh in on possible solutions. Perhaps they would as a group help with the count instead of hunting on the CBC day? John -- John and Sue Gregoire Field Ornithologists Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory 5373 Fitzgerald Road Burdett,NY 14818-9626 Website: http://www.empacc.net/~kestrelhaven/ Conserve and Create Habitat On Mon, December 30, 2013 07:52, Linda Orkin wrote: The opinion that follows is strictly my own and does not reflect any official position of the Cayuga Bird Club. Although I wish it did. I will not be one of the ones that says I have nothing against hunting because I do, sorry. But even if I thought hunting was a great thing, I feel it is totally bizarre to have this slaughter, harassment and disregard for life going on right INSIDE our own city limits in a public park where any and all are exposed to this carnage and risk. I am attaching a link to the article that Jane Graves discovered and published in our October newsletter re:the imposition of waterfowl hunting in 1933. Too bad it was ever started. I would support Dave's suggestion to petition the DEC to rescind this permission at the south end of the lake. http://cayugabirdclub.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-note-from-past.html Have a great count day on January 1. There's still time to sign up if you'd like. Email me. Linda Orkin Sent from my iPhone On Dec 29, 2013, at 10:51 PM, Dave Nutter nutter.d...@me.com wrote: Perhaps the line of fire proximity of people buildings was the reason the DEC police called in the gunners who were in the SW corner of the lake tied to a tree along the shore of Treman. I saw in the background 2 adults and a child on the beach of the west shore, associated with the first house, a large new one. I'd like to petition the DEC to have the south end of the lake, say the portion within the City of Ithaca, which does not allow firing guns, off limits to hunting. --Dave Nutter On Dec 29, 2013, at 08:47 PM, Anne Clark anneb.cl...@gmail.com wrote: It sounds as if some of these folks might be illegally close to buildings, although I suppose they argue that their guns are pointing down the lake. On the other hand, in the park area, trails and inlets make a complex problem for claiming that nothing could be in the line of fire when shooting at ducks flying in and over. Do they really stop firing when the ducks swing toward shore? Per the DEC hunting regulations Question: How far from a building do I have to be to discharge my firearm? Answer: You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of any school, playground, occupied factory or church. You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building, or structure unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent. This does not apply to the discharge of a shotgun over water when hunting migratory game birds and no dwelling, public structure, livestock, or person is in the line of fire. On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: I birded at East Shore Park on Saturday mid-day, and at Stewart Park this morning -- I must say that I have never seen so much hunting pressure at the south end of the lake. I want to say clearly that I am not against legal duck hunting in well managed areas (and I buy a Migratory Bird Stamp to support wetland conservation), but what is going on this year does not seem to be sustainable or an appropriate use of such a large public space. Boats with hunters and decoys were anchored right under the trees at the Swan Pen at Stewart Park, at the tip of the red lighthouse jetty, at the wooden buoy marker, on the beach at Hogs Hole, and along East Shore -- yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks. Needless to say there was not a single spot for ducks to rest safely anywhere in the southern quarter-mile or so of Cayuga Lake (and probably north past Myer's Point as well), and any flock that circled around over the south end of the lake (no matter how high) was shot at. I don't know if DEC would consider that proper management of this important waterfowl wintering area. This seemed pretty different from the past few years when
RE: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
... Do they really stop firing when the ducks swing toward shore? I would say yes. One of the first things you get taught in firearm safety class (which is mandatory in New York for all first-time hunting licenses) is to always be aware of where your muzzle is pointing. Always. Most people hunting with a partner are pretty aware of where their partner's gun is pointing, too. Obviously some people are going to be better at being cautious and not careless than others, but that line between safe/not safe is probably more distinct for a gunner than you might think. Kevin -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
It sounds like not everyone is following hunting regulations. If anyone is curious about waterfowl hunting seasons, regulations, bag limits, etc see the link. Prohibited: driving, rallying or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sailboat to put them in the range of hunters. http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/wfregsguide13.pdf I have had similar thoughts about the various issues of doing a bird count during duck hunting season. Perhaps I will wear blaze orange when counting on the lake shore. Good luck to all bird counters. On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg k...@cornell.edu wrote: ...yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
Another though: how about petitioning the DEC to delay the start of the late waterfowl season at the south end of Cayuga lake until after January 1st? Why should the needs (?) of 15-20 hunters take precedence over a 100-year tradition data collection (the Ithaca CXBC)? Bob McGuire On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: I birded at East Shore Park on Saturday mid-day, and at Stewart Park this morning -- I must say that I have never seen so much hunting pressure at the south end of the lake. I want to say clearly that I am not against legal duck hunting in well managed areas (and I buy a Migratory Bird Stamp to support wetland conservation), but what is going on this year does not seem to be sustainable or an appropriate use of such a large public space. Boats with hunters and decoys were anchored right under the trees at the Swan Pen at Stewart Park, at the tip of the red lighthouse jetty, at the wooden buoy marker, on the beach at Hogs Hole, and along East Shore -- yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks. Needless to say there was not a single spot for ducks to rest safely anywhere in the southern quarter-mile or so of Cayuga Lake (and probably north past Myer's Point as well), and any flock that circled around over the south end of the lake (no matter how high) was shot at. I don't know if DEC would consider that proper management of this important waterfowl wintering area. This seemed pretty different from the past few years when a few hunters kept the duck flocks moving around but there was plenty of place for them to rest -- notably along the Stewart Park shoreline, which was not available today. This activity will undoubtedly affect the numbers of waterfowl on this year's Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday (wasn't much to count today). If this trend continues in future years, I strongly recommend that the Cayuga Bird Club move its count to the days prior to the late hunting season -- this slight straying from tradition will probably yield more accurate numbers of local waterfowl populations. In spite of the hunting, I did manage to see a few distant LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a single WHITE-WINGED SCOTER far to the north of East Shore Park, and a flock of 12 RUDDY DUCKS, along with HORNED and PIED-BIILED GREBES, COMMON LOON, and 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS -- all decent CBC birds if they can hang in there. There were also TUNDRA SWANS around this morning -- 2 on the ice at Stewart Park east end when I arrived, and a flock of 40-50 in the center of the lake way out. Later in the morning, as I was scouting around the Farmers Market and Community Gardens, several small flocks of swans passed over Ithaca heading south. Yesterday, at Taughannock Falls State Park, there were 2 (MYRTLE) YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS with chickadees at the lakeshore near the south end of the park. Let's hope some birds survive the next deep freeze, KEN Ken Rosenberg Conservation Science Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology 607-254-2412 607-342-4594 (cell) k...@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! -- -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
It sounds as if some of these folks might be illegally close to buildings, although I suppose they argue that their guns are pointing down the lake. On the other hand, in the park area, trails and inlets make a complex problem for claiming that nothing could be in the line of fire when shooting at ducks flying in and over. Do they really stop firing when the ducks swing toward shore? Per the DEC hunting regulations Question: How far from a building do I have to be to discharge my firearm? Answer: You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of any school, playground, occupied factory or church. You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building, or structure unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent. This does not apply to the discharge of a shotgun over water when hunting migratory game birds and no dwelling, public structure, livestock, or person is in the line of fire. On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: I birded at East Shore Park on Saturday mid-day, and at Stewart Park this morning -- I must say that I have never seen so much hunting pressure at the south end of the lake. I want to say clearly that I am not against legal duck hunting in well managed areas (and I buy a Migratory Bird Stamp to support wetland conservation), but what is going on this year does not seem to be sustainable or an appropriate use of such a large public space. Boats with hunters and decoys were anchored right under the trees at the Swan Pen at Stewart Park, at the tip of the red lighthouse jetty, at the wooden buoy marker, on the beach at Hogs Hole, and along East Shore -- yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks. Needless to say there was not a single spot for ducks to rest safely anywhere in the southern quarter-mile or so of Cayuga Lake (and probably north past Myer's Point as well), and any flock that circled around over the south end of the lake (no matter how high) was shot at. I don't know if DEC would consider that proper management of this important waterfowl wintering area. This seemed pretty different from the past few years when a few hunters kept the duck flocks moving around but there was plenty of place for them to rest -- notably along the Stewart Park shoreline, which was not available today. This activity will undoubtedly affect the numbers of waterfowl on this year's Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday (wasn't much to count today). If this trend continues in future years, I strongly recommend that the Cayuga Bird Club move its count to the days prior to the late hunting season -- this slight straying from tradition will probably yield more accurate numbers of local waterfowl populations. In spite of the hunting, I did manage to see a few distant LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a single WHITE-WINGED SCOTER far to the north of East Shore Park, and a flock of 12 RUDDY DUCKS, along with HORNED and PIED-BIILED GREBES, COMMON LOON, and 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS -- all decent CBC birds if they can hang in there. There were also TUNDRA SWANS around this morning -- 2 on the ice at Stewart Park east end when I arrived, and a flock of 40-50 in the center of the lake way out. Later in the morning, as I was scouting around the Farmers Market and Community Gardens, several small flocks of swans passed over Ithaca heading south. Yesterday, at Taughannock Falls State Park, there were 2 (MYRTLE) YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS with chickadees at the lakeshore near the south end of the park. Let's hope some birds survive the next deep freeze, KEN Ken Rosenberg Conservation Science Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology 607-254-2412 607-342-4594 (cell) k...@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! -- -- 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/ --
Fwd: Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
On 12/29/2013 20:29, bob mcguire wrote: Another though: how about petitioning the DEC to delay the start of the late waterfowl season at the south end of Cayuga lake until after January 1st? Why should the needs (?) of 15-20 hunters take precedence over a 100-year tradition data collection (the Ithaca CXBC)? Bob McGuire On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: One of the reasons that hunters should take precedence is because they contribute $746 million (Annual amount of money spent by hunters in the United States on licenses and public land access fees). $300 million --- Additional monies contributed to wildlife conservation every year by the more than 10,000 private hunting-advocate organizations, like the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $4.2 billion --- Amount of money sportsmen have contributed to conservation through a 10% federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and gear since the 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act established the tax. Millions of acres of public-use land has been purchased, preserved, and maintained with this money. I know we don't like to admit, but hunters actually do more for conservation of animal species and land than all other sources of funding for those things combined. We need to realize that much of what we have we owe to those who have actually paid for the places and animals we enjoy. If not for these funds MNWR would not be there. Many of our state parks would not be there. Not to mention how many bird and other species would be gone. Last year more than 556000 hunting and fishing licensees were issued in New York State. Divide that by 62 counties that comes out to an average of 8967 per county. if only 1% hunt waterfowl in Tompkins county that is about 90 hunters (I am sure there are more). While I neither hunt (except with a camera) nor fish I do give due to those who do and pay for what I enjoy. As long as they are perusing their passion in a safe legal manner I think we owe them a break and thanks. It is more than 15-20. Carl Steckler -- 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/ --
Re: Fwd: Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
Do not forget that all waterfowl hunters also must purchase a $15.00 Duck Stamp to hunt each year. The money spent on Duck Stamps provides acquisition funds for wildlife refuges such as the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge. As birders, you can also contribute by buying Duck Stamps as a way to help buy additional lands. Chuck Gibson Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 9:19 PM To: CAYUGABIRDS-L Subject: Fwd: Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure On 12/29/2013 20:29, bob mcguire wrote: Another though: how about petitioning the DEC to delay the start of the late waterfowl season at the south end of Cayuga lake until after January 1st? Why should the needs (?) of 15-20 hunters take precedence over a 100-year tradition data collection (the Ithaca CXBC)? Bob McGuire On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote: One of the reasons that hunters should take precedence is because they contribute $746 million (Annual amount of money spent by hunters in the United States on licenses and public land access fees). $300 million — Additional monies contributed to wildlife conservation every year by the more than 10,000 private hunting-advocate organizations, like the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $4.2 billion — Amount of money sportsmen have contributed to conservation through a 10% federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and gear since the 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act established the tax. Millions of acres of public-use land has been purchased, preserved, and maintained with this money. I know we don't like to admit, but hunters actually do more for conservation of animal species and land than all other sources of funding for those things combined. We need to realize that much of what we have we owe to those who have actually paid for the places and animals we enjoy. If not for these funds MNWR would not be there. Many of our state parks would not be there. Not to mention how many bird and other species would be gone. Last year more than 556000 hunting and fishing licensees were issued in New York State. Divide that by 62 counties that comes out to an average of 8967 per county. if only 1% hunt waterfowl in Tompkins county that is about 90 hunters (I am sure there are more). While I neither hunt (except with a camera) nor fish I do give due to those who do and pay for what I enjoy. As long as they are perusing their passion in a safe legal manner I think we owe them a break and thanks. It is more than 15-20. Carl Steckler -- 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: 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] weekend birds, hunting pressure
Perhaps the line of fire proximity of people buildings was the reason the DEC police called in the gunners who were in the SW corner of the lake tied to a tree along the shore of Treman. I saw in the background 2 adults and a child on the beach of the west shore, associated with the first house, a large new one. I'd like to petition the DEC to have the south end of the lake, say the portion within the City of Ithaca, which does not allow firing guns, off limits to hunting. --Dave NutterOn Dec 29, 2013, at 08:47 PM, Anne Clark anneb.cl...@gmail.com wrote:It sounds as if some of these folks might be illegally close to buildings, although I suppose they argue that their guns are pointing down the lake. On the other hand, in the park area, trails and inlets make a complex problem for claiming that nothing could be in the line of fire when shooting at ducks flying in and over. Do they really stop firing when the ducks swing toward shore?Per the DEC hunting regulationsQuestion: How far from a building do I have to be to discharge my firearm? Answer: You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of any school, playground, occupied factory or church. You cannot discharge a firearm or bow within 500 feet of a dwelling, farm building, or structure unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent. This does not apply to the discharge of a shotgun over water when hunting migratory game birds and no dwelling, public structure, livestock, or person is in the line of fire.On Dec 29, 2013, at 5:07 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg wrote:I birded at East Shore Park on Saturday mid-day, and at Stewart Park this morning -- I must say that I have never seen so much hunting pressure at the south end of the lake. I want to say clearly that I am not against legal duck hunting in well managed areas (and I buy a Migratory Bird Stamp to support wetland conservation), but what is going on this year does not seem to be sustainable or an appropriate use of such a large public space. Boats with hunters and decoys were anchored right under the trees at the Swan Pen at Stewart Park, at the tip of the red lighthouse jetty, at the wooden buoy marker, on the beach at Hogs Hole, and along East Shore -- yesterday there was an additional boat cruising the center of the lake to chase duck flocks. Needless to say there was not a single spot for ducks to rest safely anywhere in the southern quarter-mile or so of Cayuga Lake (and probably north past Myer's Point as well), and any flock that circled around over the south end of the lake (no matter how high) was shot at. I don't know if DEC would consider that proper management of this important waterfowl wintering area. This seemed pretty different from the past few years when a few hunters kept the duck flocks moving around but there was plenty of place for them to rest -- notably along the Stewart Park shoreline, which was not available today.This activity will undoubtedly affect the numbers of waterfowl on this year's Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday (wasn't much to count today). If this trend continues in future years, I strongly recommend that the Cayuga Bird Club move its count to the days prior to the late hunting season -- this slight straying from "tradition" will probably yield more accurate numbers of local waterfowl populations.In spite of the hunting, I did manage to see a few distant LONG-TAILED DUCKS and a single WHITE-WINGED SCOTER far to the north of East Shore Park, and a flock of 12 RUDDY DUCKS, along with HORNED and PIED-BIILED GREBES, COMMON LOON, and 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS -- all decent CBC birds if they can hang in there. There were also TUNDRA SWANS around this morning -- 2 on the ice at Stewart Park east end when I arrived, and a flock of 40-50 in the center of the lake way out. Later in the morning, as I was scouting around the Farmers Market and Community Gardens, several small flocks of swans passed over Ithaca heading south.Yesterday, at Taughannock Falls State Park, there were 2 (MYRTLE) YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS with chickadees at the lakeshore near the south end of the park.Let's hope some birds survive the next deep freeze,KEN Ken Rosenberg Conservation Science Program Cornell Lab of Ornithology 607-254-2412 607-342-4594 (cell) k...@cornell.edu--Cayugabirds-L List Info:Welcome and BasicsRules and InformationSubscribe, Configuration and LeaveArchives:The Mail ArchiveSurfbirdsBirdingOnThe.NetPlease submit your observations to eBird!Cayugabirds-L List Info:Welcome and BasicsRules and InformationSubscribe, Configuration and LeaveArchives:The Mail ArchiveSurfbirdsBirdingOnThe.NetPlease 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! --
