[cayugabirds-l] Flock of loons on Cayuga Lake
We saw a flock of ten Common Loons, a flock of eight Buffleheads and a pair of Common Mergansers off of the north end of Maplewood Rd on the west side of Cayuga Lake this evening. I have never seen that many loons at once! Sarah Gould -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Freeze Rd. Snipe
Hi all, I walked the fields across from Dyce Lab looking for Vesper Sparrows. I didn't see or hear any, but it was very windy. I did flush 8, invisible, WILSON'S SNIPE. They were directly across from Dyce Lab at the north edge of the bare field. Four of them flew north and I didn't see if they circled back, but the other four just moved farther up the field. Even as I followed them in my bins they were almost impossible to see once they landed. Their camouflage is almost perfect for this field. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Caspian Tern, Montezuma
Larue St. Clair and Jackie Bakker reported a CASPIAN TERN this morning at Puddlers Marsh in Montezuma NWR. Good numbers of lots of ducks but nothing else of note. -- Jay McGowan Macaulay Library Cornell Lab of Ornithology jw...@cornell.edu -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Bird Club meeting April 9 (no speaker dinner)
Yeeekes! I am seeing an ad at the bottom of this e-mail. Has Cornell listserve also started making money by putting in an ad? Or some sneaky thing moved in on its own? Oops when I highlighted it seems to be coming from juno.com. which seems to Colleens internet provider. Advertisers stink! The Club meeting will begin with cookies and conversation at 7:15 and the business meeting starts at 7:30. Please note that there will NOT be a speaker dinner before the meeting this month. 53 Year Old Mom Looks 33 The Stunning Results of Her Wrinkle Trick Has Botox Doctors Worried http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f7f371b4f50b14416dst01duc -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Bird Club meeting April 9 (no speaker dinner)
The Cayuga Bird Club will be welcoming Sarah MacLean as our speaker this coming Monday, April 9. Sarah's presentation will be "Summer of Gulls: Survival, Defense and Communication in the Colony" Gulls are a familiar icon of frozen lakes and landfills in winter, but what are they up to during the summer months? Sarah will offer a unique glimpse into life at the breeding colony by sharing the eight-week saga of a gull chick, from hatching to first flight. She will also present her own research on auditory threat recognition and communication in gulls, providing insight into the cognitive aspect of nest defense. The Club meeting will begin with cookies and conversation at 7:15 and the business meeting starts at 7:30. Please note that there will NOT be a speaker dinner before the meeting this month. 53 Year Old Mom Looks 33 The Stunning Results of Her Wrinkle Trick Has Botox Doctors Worried http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f7f371b4f50b14416dst01duc -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Merlin photo
I threw a couple photos up on my Picasa site of the Merlin with goldfinch in talons. http://picasaweb.google.com/KevinJ.McGowan/Spring2012Birds -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Merlin at Lab of O
A MERLIN just took a goldfinch at the feeders on the north side of the Lab of Ornithology. Kevin -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] tree swallow
This morning, our first-of-yearTree Swallow was inspecting one of our bluebird boxes. Unfortunately, it is the same box that the bluebirds have chosen for their nest. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. There are over a dozen boxes to choose from, and Tree Swallows have chosen other boxes in past years. My bet is on the bluebirds to stay put. Bill McAneny, TBurg -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Montezuma Audubon Center April Birding Programs
Sensational Spring Programs Spring into action at the Montezuma Audubon Center with these family friendly programs and special events! Space is limited. Registration required. To register or for more information about the Montezuma AudubonCenter please call 315-365-3588 or e-mail montez...@audubon.org. *Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex receive a 50% discount for programs marked with an asterisk.* April 7, Saturday, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM Birding at Howland’s Island Howland’s Island is 3,500 acres of state land located in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. It offers countless recreational opportunities and it provides excellent habitat for many types of birds. We’ll hike around the island and identify the birds we see on the way. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from us. Fee*: $3/child; $5/adult; $15/family. April 11, Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Spring Break Out! Spring break is here and the fun is blossoming! Children ages 6-12 will enjoy a spring adventure program that includes wetland and forest hikes, Spring Olympics, hands-on exploration, and arts and crafts. Come for the entire day (bring your lunch) or just the morning or afternoon session. Fee: $25/full day; $15/half day. April 18, Wednesday, 9:00AM-12:00PM Montezuma Birding Van Tour It’s migration madness in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Buckle up in the MAC van and we’ll drive to the Montezuma’s birding hotspots and experience the spring migration first hand. Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras and binoculars or borrow our binoculars. Fee: $7.50/child; $10/adult; $30/family April 21, Saturday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Volunteer Trail Tracker Event After a mild and wet winter, our trails and flower beds are in need of some TLC. Join us for a fun morning of trail maintenance, mulching and bird watching too. The birds will whistle while we work! Lunch will be provided. Fee: FREE! April 25, Wednesday, 8:00 AM–2:00 PM Derby Hill Hawk Watch Visit Lake Ontario for the spectacular spring raptor migration and leave the driving to us. Travel in the Montezuma Audubon Center van to witness hundreds and perhaps thousands of broad-winged hawks, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles and many more! If weather conditions do not cooperate, the program will be moved to Thursday, April 26. This program is offered in cooperation with the Onondaga Audubon Society. Bring your lunch. Fee: $15/child, $20/adult. Chris Lajewski Education Manager Montezuma Audubon Center 2295 State Route 89, Savannah, NY 13146 315.365.3588 clajew...@audubon.org http://ny.audubon.org/montezuma.htm -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Rarest ducklings on Earth hatch
BBC News reported this interesting item. ** Rarest ducklings on Earth hatch ** Eighteen Madagascan pochards hatch in captivity, bringing the world population of this critically endangered duck to just 60, conservationists say. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/nature/17616488 > -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [cayugabirds-l] Freese Rd, Myers Pt, Montezuma
Thanks so much Ann and Dave. This is tremendously helpful for SFO leaders. I am leading the day trip tomorrow and will definitively be referencing this stuff. The weather is going to be sunny for the weekend. Mornings will be cold with afternoon temperatures in the 50s. But... it will be windy, especially Saturday. Winds will be from the northwest.So places on the east side of Cayuga Lake and the exposed areas around Montezuma will be especially windy. We are looking at sustained winds 15 to 20 mphprobably closer to 20-25 mph on Saturday off the lakes and in open areas with higher gusts...30-35 mph. Winds willbe a lweaker on Sunday10-20 mph. So I would recommend dressing warmlydespite all the sunshine which will make it look warmer than it will beonce you are in the wind! Good luck to all. From: Dave Nutter To: cayugabirds-L@cornell.edu Sent: Friday, April 6, 2012 5:19 AM Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Freese Rd, Myers Pt, Montezuma Yesterday (5 April) Ann Mitchell & I scouted several locations prior to this weekend's SFO trips around the lake and to the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. But first we stopped locally along Freese Rd, which would be good for the local SFO option. Here's highlights: Freese Rd, Dryden: After considerable wandering on the west side of the road we discovered that the "lone tree" Jay McGowan mentioned was probably not the single lone tree far west of the Liddell Lab parking lot, but instead one of 2 lone trees across the road from the exclosure fence between Dyce Lab and the now-plowed Community Gardens. The Community Gardens on the east side of the road are a good place to park. Anyway, in the farm lane past those two separate trees we re-found the 5 VESPER SPARROWS, plus at least 2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, while the plowed field to the north hosted a KILLDEER, a flock of about 20 AMERICAN PIPITS, and a flock of about 50 AMERICAN ROBINS, and the grassy field to the south hosted an invisibly singing EASTERN MEADOWLARK. Farther south, close to the pond we also found a FIELD SPARROW. An AMERICAN KESTREL was on the wires nearby. We also saw a beautiful COYOTE near the woodlot to the west. Ladoga, Lansing: This bay is calm during north winds. There were over 200 AMERICAN COOTS, 1 each PIED-BILLED and HORNED GREBE, 2 COMMON LOONS, and plenty of RING-NECKED DUCKS and BUFFLEHEADS. Myers Point Park, Lansing: Low over Salmon Creek near the mouth were over 60 TREE SWALLOWS. The upstream end of this flock included at least 4 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS and a BARN SWALLOW. At least 1 KILLDEER was on a gravel bar in the creek, while the gravel bars at the mouth of the creek hosted the usual 3 species of gulls. Although we did not see any, watch for Caspian Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls either among the resting gulls, feeding on the lake, or traveling north. We saw 1 COMMON LOON flying north. We also saw an OSPREY overhead. Take a look at Osprey nests as you head north. We saw that many were occupied. Mill Pond, Union Springs, Springport Lots of TREE SWALLOWS and at least 2 BARN SWALLOWS; a few BUFFLEHEAD. Village of Cayuga, Aurelius: We would have stopped at Harris Park, but as we headed north on Lake St, the shallow left turn from NYS-90 as one approaches the Village of Cayuga from the south, we found a propitious overlook just north of Wheat Street. From here we were able to scope all 5 typical Aythya duck species for our region, plus BUFFLEHEADS, RUDDY DUCKS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a HORNED GREBE, and the most exciting for us, the 2 WESTERN GREBES, swimming together and mimicking each other's head movements in obvious courtship, including a pose with the neck arched over and the bill pointed forward to nearly touch the water. The larger and darker of the two birds was often somewhat behind, and I figure that's the male. I hope somebody gets to see their crazy water-walking dance. I don't think that's been reported from here yet. Perhaps all of this would also have been visible from Harris Park as well. Mud Lock: 2 small fuzzy eaglet heads were visible in the nest. An adult BALD EAGLE perched nearby. Keep an eye on the bay to the south for terns, although we saw none today. BALD EAGLES immatures were seen over most locations in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Montezuma NWR Visitor Center: Excellent viewing of GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MALLARD, CANADA GOOSE. The Wildlife Drive was only open to the spillway (carp orgy spot), but may be open entirely this weekend I'm very curious about the shorebird area and Bennings. The Main Pool seemed barren, but we did see a PIED-BILLED GREBE and a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS. Larue's Lagoon had many of the Anas ducks above, plus NORTHERN PINTAILS. We looked for Wilson's Snipe here but found none. Staring from the tower may have produced American Bittern or Sandhill Crane, maybe not,
[cayugabirds-l] Sweazey Rd Thurs.
Off Rt. 34B, on orchard fence, male E. BLUEBIRD. Further west down road, dirt part, in usual tree, the E. SCREECH OWL, trying to sleep, but peeking at me from slightly open lid of one eye! Donna L. Scott 535 Lansing Station Road Lansing, NY 14882 607/533-7228 d...@cornell.edu -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[cayugabirds-l] Freese Rd, Myers Pt, Montezuma
Yesterday (5 April) Ann Mitchell & I scouted several locations prior to this weekend's SFO trips around the lake and to the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. But first we stopped locally along Freese Rd, which would be good for the local SFO option. Here's highlights:Freese Rd, Dryden:After considerable wandering on the west side of the road we discovered that the "lone tree" Jay McGowan mentioned was probably not the single lone tree far west of the Liddell Lab parking lot, but instead one of 2 lone trees across the road from the exclosure fence between Dyce Lab and the now-plowed Community Gardens. The Community Gardens on the east side of the road are a good place to park. Anyway, in the farm lane past those two separate trees we re-found the 5 VESPER SPARROWS, plus at least 2 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, while the plowed field to the north hosted a KILLDEER, a flock of about 20 AMERICAN PIPITS, and a flock of about 50 AMERICAN ROBINS, and the grassy field to the south hosted an invisibly singing EASTERN MEADOWLARK. Farther south, close to the pond we also found a FIELD SPARROW. An AMERICAN KESTREL was on the wires nearby. We also saw a beautiful COYOTE near the woodlot to the west. Ladoga, Lansing:This bay is calm during north winds. There were over 200 AMERICAN COOTS, 1 each PIED-BILLED and HORNED GREBE, 2 COMMON LOONS, and plenty of RING-NECKED DUCKS and BUFFLEHEADS.Myers Point Park, Lansing:Low over Salmon Creek near the mouth were over 60 TREE SWALLOWS. The upstream end of this flock included at least 4 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS and a BARN SWALLOW. At least 1 KILLDEER was on a gravel bar in the creek, while the gravel bars at the mouth of the creek hosted the usual 3 species of gulls. Although we did not see any, watch for Caspian Terns and Bonaparte's Gulls either among the resting gulls, feeding on the lake, or traveling north. We saw 1 COMMON LOON flying north. We also saw an OSPREY overhead. Take a look at Osprey nests as you head north. We saw that many were occupied.Mill Pond, Union Springs, SpringportLots of TREE SWALLOWS and at least 2 BARN SWALLOWS; a few BUFFLEHEAD.Village of Cayuga, Aurelius:We would have stopped at Harris Park, but as we headed north on Lake St, the shallow left turn from NYS-90 as one approaches the Village of Cayuga from the south, we found a propitious overlook just north of Wheat Street. From here we were able to scope all 5 typical Aythya duck species for our region, plus BUFFLEHEADS, RUDDY DUCKS, AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, a HORNED GREBE, and the most exciting for us, the 2 WESTERN GREBES, swimming together and mimicking each other's head movements in obvious courtship, including a pose with the neck arched over and the bill pointed forward to nearly touch the water. The larger and darker of the two birds was often somewhat behind, and I figure that's the male. I hope somebody gets to see their crazy water-walking dance. I don't think that's been reported from here yet. Perhaps all of this would also have been visible from Harris Park as well. Mud Lock:2 small fuzzy eaglet heads were visible in the nest. An adult BALD EAGLE perched nearby. Keep an eye on the bay to the south for terns, although we saw none today. BALD EAGLES immatures were seen over most locations in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.Montezuma NWR Visitor Center:Excellent viewing of GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, MALLARD, CANADA GOOSE. The Wildlife Drive was only open to the spillway (carp orgy spot), but may be open entirely this weekend I'm very curious about the shorebird area and Bennings. The Main Pool seemed barren, but we did see a PIED-BILLED GREBE and a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS. Larue's Lagoon had many of the Anas ducks above, plus NORTHERN PINTAILS. We looked for Wilson's Snipe here but found none. Staring from the tower may have produced American Bittern or Sandhill Crane, maybe not, but we did not try. GREAT BLUE HERONS were at or over most locations in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.Tschache Pool:High water, various ducks at various distances best not viewed late in the day against sun glare when we were there. Also AMERICAN COOTS, noisy PIED-BILLED GREBES. May's Point Pool:Very high water, few distant waterfowl, some swallows. East Rd: Good variety of waterfowl, including a pair of leftover adult white SNOW GEESE, but generally at scoping distances. Also NORTHERN HARRIER. Afternoon light best.Railroad Rd:Extremely low water has left our favorite rail locale high and dry except puddles in what are normally deep water, which hosted Anas ducks. Van Dyne Spoor Rd:Plenty of water makes for plenty of marsh bird potential. We found a pair of AMERICAN COOTS and a PIED-BILLED GREBE. I bet more patience would have turned up American Bittern, Common Gallinule or Sandhill Crane. The road is extremely dusty.Muckrace Flats on the south side of Savannah- Spring Lake Rd, between Crusoe Creek and Morgan Rd:Our only sandpiper, a single GREATER
