Going out on a beautiful day and having every bird count equally.
Having my first species after the AMERICAN CROW commute overhead
not be my neighbor's bushes full of House Sparrows, but instead my
neighbor's tree with an immature COOPER'S HAWK.
Hearing lots of CAROLINA WRENS spontaneously singing on Ithaca's West Hill.
Finding a NORTHERN FLICKER, first in a tree, then on somebody's lawn.
Finding that spishing not only brought in BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES,
but elicited "towhee" calls from a thicket. Managing to get inside that thicket
even though it turned out to be largely composed of multiflora rose. Having
great close looks at the male EASTERN TOWHEE.
Being greeted not simply as a strange person prowling the neighborhood,
but as someone who would share an interest in why there were 2 dead crows
on the ground nearby. Assuring that it would be investigated. Seeing one of
those gorgeous birds. Having Laurie agree to collect them while I continued
birding. Hearing Kevin's news that they were very underweight and that
despite low funding, there is someone who has taken an interest and will
investigate what happened to those crows. Regardless, they will make great
specimens for new students of bird-skinning at the Lab.
Joining with my friends Stefhan & Franziska, who also birded the day entirely on foot.
Scoping a distant clump of birches above West Haven Road and confirming
that they were extra thick because of a flock of COMMON REDPOLLS.
Scoping distant groups of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,
and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Being joined by Laurie for awhile; getting texts from her of the birds she found
as she hiked up to meet me and on her return home, including CEDAR WAXWING
and RED-TAILED HAWK which I personally missed (if you don't count those 2 specks
I scoped over East Hill from West Haven Rd). Having her confirm the ID of a
second COOPER'S HAWK for the day, and add a second NORTHERN FLICKER.
Seeing a great feeding station with 3 suet feeders, which fed DOWNY & HAIRY
WOODPECKERS and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH simultaneously.
Hearing an intriguing month-and-a-half-old report of a possible American Three-toed
Woodpecker at a feeding station next to a grove of old spruces, as I listened to call
notes from a woodpecker I never saw. Hmmm...
Finding some waterfowl in and along the Flood Control Channel.
After Stefhan split up with us, hearing his description over the phone and tentative ID
of a MERLIN, then hearing that it was headed my way. Refinding the MERLIN atop
a power pole in the direction he said it went, getting great scope views while it
finished a meal, then seeing it take off continuing southeast over Ithaca.
Making my way to the lake before dark even though it wasn't my assigned territory,
and finding that there were a few waterfowl there, although most have been scared off
or killed.
Accumulating a respectable and 100% Luddite List.
Meeting friends at the Lab, having a great pot-luck supper, hearing their stories, and
getting the first summary of what we all found. Making plans to go out birding again
today. Gotta go.
--Dave Nutter
Having my first species after the AMERICAN CROW commute overhead
not be my neighbor's bushes full of House Sparrows, but instead my
neighbor's tree with an immature COOPER'S HAWK.
Hearing lots of CAROLINA WRENS spontaneously singing on Ithaca's West Hill.
Finding a NORTHERN FLICKER, first in a tree, then on somebody's lawn.
Finding that spishing not only brought in BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES,
but elicited "towhee" calls from a thicket. Managing to get inside that thicket
even though it turned out to be largely composed of multiflora rose. Having
great close looks at the male EASTERN TOWHEE.
Being greeted not simply as a strange person prowling the neighborhood,
but as someone who would share an interest in why there were 2 dead crows
on the ground nearby. Assuring that it would be investigated. Seeing one of
those gorgeous birds. Having Laurie agree to collect them while I continued
birding. Hearing Kevin's news that they were very underweight and that
despite low funding, there is someone who has taken an interest and will
investigate what happened to those crows. Regardless, they will make great
specimens for new students of bird-skinning at the Lab.
Joining with my friends Stefhan & Franziska, who also birded the day entirely on foot.
Scoping a distant clump of birches above West Haven Road and confirming
that they were extra thick because of a flock of COMMON REDPOLLS.
Scoping distant groups of BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,
and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
Being joined by Laurie for awhile; getting texts from her of the birds she found
as she hiked up to meet me and on her return home, including CEDAR WAXWING
and RED-TAILED HAWK which I personally missed (if you don't count those 2 specks
I scoped over East Hill from West Haven Rd). Having her confirm the ID of a
second COOPER'S HAWK for the day, and add a second NORTHERN FLICKER.
Seeing a great feeding station with 3 suet feeders, which fed DOWNY & HAIRY
WOODPECKERS and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH simultaneously.
Hearing an intriguing month-and-a-half-old report of a possible American Three-toed
Woodpecker at a feeding station next to a grove of old spruces, as I listened to call
notes from a woodpecker I never saw. Hmmm...
Finding some waterfowl in and along the Flood Control Channel.
After Stefhan split up with us, hearing his description over the phone and tentative ID
of a MERLIN, then hearing that it was headed my way. Refinding the MERLIN atop
a power pole in the direction he said it went, getting great scope views while it
finished a meal, then seeing it take off continuing southeast over Ithaca.
Making my way to the lake before dark even though it wasn't my assigned territory,
and finding that there were a few waterfowl there, although most have been scared off
or killed.
Accumulating a respectable and 100% Luddite List.
Meeting friends at the Lab, having a great pot-luck supper, hearing their stories, and
getting the first summary of what we all found. Making plans to go out birding again
today. Gotta go.
--Dave Nutter
