Went to Montezuma Wetlands Complex today via the west side of Cayuga Lake. There were quite a few BUFFLEHEAD all the way up the lake visible from Rte. 89. Lower Lake Road continues to have decent numbers of Aythyla species but numbers seems to be down some from a couple weeks ago. Also I saw no CANVASBACKs today here which was unlike a couple weeks ago when this specie was very common. SCAUP (both lesser and greater) and REDHEAD were the most common with decent numbers of RING-NECKED DUCKS. I also picked out one HORNED GREBE and several AMERICAN WIGEON at this stop. I also saw a distant small group of ducks that looked like scoters but it was too far for me to be sure.
Next stop was the Montezuma Visitor's Center and the highlight for me was the COMMON (EURASIAN) TEAL of which others have seen recently (see Jay's post below). This is the first time I have ever had this sub-species (or species??) and the bird was distinctively different than the numerous GREEN-WINGED TEALS. It lacked the vertical stripe on the sides and had a thin white horizontal line along its back. It also had a more distinct brown/orange stripe on its face. I got a couple digiscoped images of which you can see here http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/5583621842/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/5583034745/ Also at the visitor's center pond were numerous NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GADWALL, a few NORTHERN PINTAIL, and TRUMPETER SWAN. Along route 20 near the refuge I had 2 OSPREY flying around low above last year's nests. Next stop was East Road. I was there around 1 pm so I believe I preceded Jay's group. It is interesting that I had NO TREE SWALLOWS here which was surprising to me. I did eventually see some but along Route 90 near Aurora. I did have the same SNOW GEESE here, along with RING-NECKED DUCKS, CANVASBACK, REDHEAD, SCAUP sp (male and female) and a small raft of around 10 RUDDY DUCKS including a couple beautiful males. There were also BLACK DUCK, MALLARDS, and 2 DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTs. I had two flyover HORNED LARKS and one singing one. There was one GREAT BLUE HERON and numerous gull sp. in the distance. Next stop was the MAC and I did find the EURASIAN WIGEON that Jay, Gary and Dave Spier posted on below. This was a very beautiful bird and I was fortunate to get one decent image among the many that I took. See below. http://www.flickr.com/photos/davenicosia/5583622488/ 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/ --
