The shorebird concentration continues in Knox-Marcellus Marsh. Birds were seen best from Towpath Road with favorable lighting. Most of the shorebirds today were found in the first impoundment on Towpath.
Got at least 6 STILT SANDPIPERS, and 6 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS. There were 3 DOWITCHERS that were larger than the others and more rufous underneath - prairie race or LONG-BILLED? The birds were not molting yet so probably prairie race of SHORT-BILLED? Tough call. Also SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (many), LEAST SANDPIPER (many), LESSER YELLOWLEGS (many), GREATER YELLOWLEGS(few), 1 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (among semi-s, noticeably bigger, primary projection past tail, the bird also flew and displayed white on the rump!!), SPOTTED SANDPIPERS (many), KILLDEER(many), and 1 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. I counted at least 29 CASPIAN TERNS loafing on a gravel bar in the middle of the impoundment. (I took some distant digiscoped photos which came out fair. http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/4831672353/ ) There were also 4 BLACK TERNS coursing over the marsh 1 adult breeding plumage, 1 molting adult, and 2 non-breeding or juvenile plumage. There were also probably 200+ GREAT BLUE HERONS, 2 GREAT EGRETS, and several COMMON MOORHEN. I also got great views and photos of a family of TRUMPETER SWANS http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/4832280706/ There were the usual BALD EAGLES cruising around and also on the ground, mostly 1st and 2nd year birds with 1 sub-adult 3rd or 4th year bird. Also had OSPREY, TV and RED-TAILED HAWK. Among the waterfowl that I observed, there were several GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GADWALL, MALLARD, WOOD DUCKS, and BLACK DUCK. There were many YELLOW WARBLERS, several COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, many GRAY CATBIRDS, 1 EASTERN PHEOBE and 1 WILLOW FLYCATCHER. Also heard BALTIMORE ORIOLE, VEERY, INDIGO BUNTING and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. >From East Road, I saw the "resident" SNOW GOOSE. At May's Point, there were several families of PIED BILLED GREBES, and 1 family of COMMON MOORHENS right by the viewing platform. Also had flyover CASPIAN TERNS. All in all, a great day. Temperatures were in the 70s, low humidity and enough of a breeze to keep the insects off. Dave Nicosia Johnson City, NY -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
