[cayugabirds-l] Saturday birds
Hi all, My two sons (ages 8 and 11) and I went around Cayuga Lake Saturday, starting after a mid morning music lesson. Highlights were: Excellent scope views of the Great Horned owls in Renwick Woods (Stewart Park, Ithaca), a domestic-Canada goose hybrid and a domestic?-mallard mixed female (the really light brown one reported from Stewart previously). A Merlin flying and perching in the top of a spruce tree just north of Myers Point. Screechie at the Factory St. pond in Union Springs. Snow geese as reported by others in the north parts of the Montezuma complex. Throughout the day, my kids were trying to estimate and keep track of the number of birds seen by species. With respect to the Snow Geese, my 8 year-old said, I don't know how many birds there were. My eyes know, but they can't talk so I can't ask them. On Center Rd. Ovid, among the hundreds of Canada Geese in a field right next to the road was one of the coolest birds I have ever seen. It clearly was a Canada-Snow goose hybrid. Seen from 20 yards with binoculars. Slightly smaller than surrounding Canadas. Base plumage similar to Canada (i.e., black head and neck with white chin strap, body more or less brownish gray [sort of]). Bill shaped like a Snow Goose, complete with a grinning patch. I have never seen one of those on a Canada before. Black of head and neck was flaked with white feathers making it really stand out from the crowd. Body had substantial number of white feathers mixed in with the typical brownish-gray Canada-type feathers. When it flew a short distance with the rest of the flock (they all picked up, flew in a really tight circle and landed back in the same spot next to the road), its flight feathers looked like a typical Canada Goose. All gray-brown. No noticeable white feathers or black ends to primaries. Some day I'll actually buy a camera. I could have gotten a decent picture with a cell phone. But I don't have one of those either. Did I mention that we drive a horse and buggy (just kidding on that one). Last highlight was that my 8 year-old really wanted to see a Loon as he had never knowingly seen one. We got a decent scope view of one just north of Sheldrake Point. Another cool bird in transitional plumage. Pretty far out, but easily seen in the scope. At that distance, and with the transitional plumage, the best thing I had to go on was bill structure to call it a Common Loon (I have personally never seen the Pacific Loon in that area -- too difficult to get up there often by horse and buggy :)) At the end of the day, both kids said that the day was even more fun than they thought it would be. Not a bad way to spend my birthday. Jody Enck -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Goldeneyes, Ring Necked Ducks
2 pair of C. Goldeneyes and 3 Ring-necked Ducks (2 male, 1 female), near shore on Lansing Station Rd. off NY Rt. 34 B Also 8 Wild Turkeys in woods above shore, as well as usual feeder birds, Robins, RW Blackbirds, A. Crows, Red Bellied, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Donna L. Scott 535 Lansing Station Road Lansing, NY 14882 d...@cornell.edu -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] GBH's
We just passed the FLLT heron rookery on Irish Settlement Rd. and noted a single GREAT BLUE HERON standing in each of three of the nests there. Do the same herons use the same nests year after year, or is it first-come-first-served? Nests were unoccupied yesterday. S. S. Fast Brooktondale P.s. Contact the Finger Lakes Land Trust if you know not where this is. -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Ross's Geese
I eventually picked out at least 3 different ROSS'S GEESE with just over 600 Snow Geese in the Game Farm field, but a few minutes ago most of them took off towards the lake and I don't see any Ross's amongst the 150 remaining Snows. Jay McGowan -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] 34 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS @ Newman
34 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS @ Newman Golf course 3pm --Dave Nutter -- 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/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] More Ross's Geese, Dryden
Would this be a Tompkins County record number of Ross's Geese ? Gary On Mar 13, 2011, at 3:02 PM, Jay McGowan wrote: Kevin and I just found at least two ROSS'S GEESE (certainly different birds than the ones at Game Farm) in a large flock of Snow Geese on the north side of Ferguson Road between Irish Settlement and Rt. 38. When I saw the flock this morning there were about 1500 birds, but there aren't quite that many now. George Road is a little more open now, and I saw 8 Northern Pintail, 8 Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, 3 Ring-necked Ducks, and a female REDHEAD there just now. Jay McGowan -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] about Screechie
Deb all,The Eastern Screech-Owl(s) dubbed "Screechie" by Fritzie Blizzard of Union Springs is frequently seen in the Wood Duck box on the northeast side of the pond on Factory Street, close to the low branches of what I think is a willow and just north of the cattails. Earlier this year I saw the immobile gray screech-owl face plugging the hole in that reddish box so regularly that I began to wonder if it was real and alive. Then more recently I saw the entrance empty, but I think someone reported it showing since then. I think the owl is most likely to be showing on sunny days to gather heat, and on cold days to insulate the box from cold drafts. If there's only one owl and it's incubating, it can't very well do that and cling to the entrance, but I think we may still be early for that. --Dave NutterOn Mar 13, 2011, at 10:22 AM, "Deborah F. Lynn" lynn.deborah@gmailcom wrote:Is the screech owl in the gox in the middle of the pond on Factory St in Union Springs? I've gone there several times and not seen the owl. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place. Thanks, Deborah Lynn
[cayugabirds-l] binocs found
Did anyone leave some binocs on my property on the way down the stairs to the dock? If so, contact me off-line. I noticed them this morning (spotted them through my binoculars) and brought them up to the house. They could have been left recently, or emerged out of the snow. This morning before dawn I was awakened by a traffic pattern of what must have been thousands of geese flying south to north (sounded like mostly Canadas) and thousands of crows flying east to west. They obeyed the air traffic convention of maintaining separate altitudes (the crows lower). Pretty quiet on the surface of the lake north of Hog Hole today--a little while ago 5 active Buffleheads (2 males), one Common Loon, and a Redhead that looks like it got left behind. Three Turkey Vultures circled overhead earlier today. There seem to be more Blue Jays than usual judging from their voices. Elaina -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Northern Shrike
Hi All, I missed all the fun yesterday because of work so I thought I might find some Snow Geese today. I saw mostly Canada Geese, Swans, and a lot of Pintails in the mucklands. There was also Mallards and Widgeons. The light was pretty bad and it was also raining. I did not see the Eagles at the lock. I really gave a little time to try and see her head at the nest but did not. On Van Dyne Spoor after a slippery ride in the mud and potholes, I was rewarded with a Northern Shrike. I watched it hunt small rodents more or less dropping down on them. I have a very blown up photo of it with its prey and one displaying its wing patterns. No Snow Geese no matter how much I looked! Diana Whiting http://www.dianawhitingphotography.com/Galleries/Birds/Birds-of-Prey/13273665_xTBkm#1215057543_5RiDr http://www.dianawhitingphotography.com/Galleries/Birds/Birds-of-Prey/13273665_xTBkm#1215057621_hq6Ww -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] E Ithaca Rec Way Screech Owl
Some of you may remember back a few years to when an Eastern Screech owl inhabited a natural cavity along the East Ithaca Recreation Way, not too far in from Game Farm Road. It seems to have been absent for the past several years but tonight, as I was walking past the McDowell Nut Grove, a gray morph EASCOW hung its head out of a nest box just above the path and gave its tremolo call. I watched from about 30 feet away for ten minutes. It never blinked, or called again. Hopefully it is there for the season. Bob McGuire -- 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/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Mud Lock Bald Eagles ? Old Montezuma. Canandaigua Barrow's Goldeney
On Friday we stopped by the Mud Lock Eagles nest and could not see any head on the nest or an Eagle in any nearby trees. Hopefully it was just sitting very low in the nest. Has anyone had better luck or have they failed? We also have not seen any adults near the nest north of the Rtes 89 and 31 junctions. Our Montezuma observations Friday were about the same as everyone has reported except for a total of 7 Rough-legged Hawks (4 over Main Pool and May's Point and 3 in the Morgan/Carncross Road area). There were a total of 15 Bald Eagles on the ice at Tschache Pool alone. While I'm typing I might as well mention that there has been a male Barrow's Goldeneye( previously reported by others on Genesee Birds) at Deep Run Park on the east side of Canandaigua Lake which was still there today. It was not easy to see as it was diving regularly and among a large raft of commoner ducks but once located it gave great views. A lifer for 3 other birders there with us. Mike and Joann Tetlow -- 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/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Mud Lock Bald Eagles ? Old Montezuma. Canandaigua Barrow's Goldeney
I saw them a little over a week ago - 1 in nest, 1 in tree. Marie (currently in south TX where it's hot and humid) . Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail m...@cornell.edu http://www.marieread.com ***NEW*** See my beautiful photo notecards: http://www.marieread.com/cpg/displayimage.php?album=478pos=0 From: bounce-9247335-5851...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-9247335-5851...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Michael and Joann Tetlow [mjtet...@frontiernet.net] Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 7:02 PM To: cayugabird...@list.cornell.edu Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Mud Lock Bald Eagles ? Old Montezuma. Canandaigua Barrow's Goldeney On Friday we stopped by the Mud Lock Eagles nest and could not see any head on the nest or an Eagle in any nearby trees. Hopefully it was just sitting very low in the nest. Has anyone had better luck or have they failed? We also have not seen any adults near the nest north of the Rtes 89 and 31 junctions. Our Montezuma observations Friday were about the same as everyone has reported except for a total of 7 Rough-legged Hawks (4 over Main Pool and May’s Point and 3 in the Morgan/Carncross Road area). There were a total of 15 Bald Eagles on the ice at Tschache Pool alone. While I’m typing I might as well mention that there has been a male Barrow’s Goldeneye( previously reported by others on Genesee Birds) at Deep Run Park on the east side of Canandaigua Lake which was still there today. It was not easy to see as it was diving regularly and among a large raft of commoner ducks but once located it gave great views. A lifer for 3 other birders there with us. Mike and Joann Tetlow -- 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/ --
