11/22/14 Long Lake (Hamilton Co.)
Today at Little Tupper Lake, I encountered a disturbing sight. A Moose did not make it across the lake overnight. The lake was open water just a few days ago and quickly froze from the cold snap - but it wouldn't be thick enough to hold such a heavy animal yet. About 10 Common Ravens and an adult Bald Eagle were feeding on the carcass (it appears to be the Moose's back sticking out of the ice). It is located near the southern shore across from the Round Pond outlet bridge. The owners of the land near this spot have recently photographed two Moose on their trail cameras. I think it is likely that it will still be visible tomorrow, but with the warm-up I am told that the animal will sink when the water opens back up. Several people driving by had noticed the animal out on the ice and stopped to ask me what it was when they saw my scope. I posted 11 photos to my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AdirondackAvian . It was difficult to photograph and I had to use my scope and iPhone attachment, both zoomed all the way in. As usual, I was mesmerized by the Common Raven activity at the Moose carcass. They stood up to the Bald Eagle and it left - I didn't see it again! Their interactions were fascinating. Several times, they flew about 20 to 30 feet from the carcass to snow-bathe. They rolled in the snow, so they were often on their backs with their feet sticking up! At Sabattis Bog, I visited with my two Gray Jay friends! A female Black-backed Woodpecker flew in and tried to bother the Gray Jays. I followed the woodpecker down the road and the Gray Jays followed. They chased the woodpecker. Usually, it is the other way around and the Black-backed Woodpeckers chase the Gray Jays. I posted photos of both species to my Facebook page. On my drive out of Sabattis Circle Road, I found a Ruffed Grouse feeding high up in a birch tree. 11/18/14 Long Lake A Fox Sparrow was foraging along Sabattis Circle Road with two nearby Dark-eyed Juncos. (I posted a photos of the bird on Facebook.) 11/17/14 Long Lake A Common Loon was observed on Little Tupper Lake. (I hope it left before the sudden icing.) Two Gray Jays were observed at Sabattis Bog. 11/16/14 Long Lake Hooded Mergansers were observed on the Round Pond outlet along Sabattis Circle Road. Two Gray Jays were observed at Sabattis Bog. A lone Pine Siskin showed up at our feeders and stayed for a few days. 11/15/14 Long Lake Along Sabattis Circle Road including the bog: American Black Ducks Hooded Mergansers Black-backed Woodpecker - 2 (male and female) Gray Jay - 2 Evening Grosbeak - at least two heard flying over 11/13/14 Long Lake Along Sabattis Circle Road including the bog: Ruffed Grouse - displaying male in the road (photos on Facebook) Black-backed Woodpecker - 2 (male and female) Evening Grosbeak - at least two heard flying over Joan Collins Long Lake, NY (315) 244-7127 cell (518) 624-5528 home http://www.adirondackavianexpeditions.com/ http://www.facebook.com/AdirondackAvian -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
