[cayugabirds-l] Snowy Owl - Not

2016-10-27 Thread W. Larry Hymes 
Just a little clarification.  Seeing this bird at a distance without 
binocs could leave the manager of the farm (a non-birder) with the 
impression that this was indeed a Snowy Owl.  This is especially so, 
since Snowys have shown up on the farm on rare occasions.  I did suggest 
to him that it might be an "albino" Red-tail, but he was reasonably 
certain in his mind that he was seeing a Snowy.  Thus my report to 
Cayugabirds, and Sara Jane's rare bird alert.


I thought this was much too early, but I don't know the earliest first 
arrival date in the fall/early winter of Snowy in the basin.  However, I 
do have a vague recollection of Snowys being seen as early as November.


Larry

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W. Larry Hymes
120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
(H) 607-277-0759, w...@cornell.edu



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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Snowy Owl - Not

2016-10-27 Thread Asher Hockett 
I remember after moving to Danby in 2000 that I mistook the now-deceased
white Red-tail for a Snowy. I had to go home for bins and go back to
discover my error. That bird was whiter than any Snowy I have ever seen. I
saw it so often I felt like we were connected.

On Thu, Oct 27, 2016 at 12:02 PM, W. Larry Hymes  wrote:

> Just a little clarification.  Seeing this bird at a distance without
> binocs could leave the manager of the farm (a non-birder) with the
> impression that this was indeed a Snowy Owl.  This is especially so, since
> Snowys have shown up on the farm on rare occasions.  I did suggest to him
> that it might be an "albino" Red-tail, but he was reasonably certain in his
> mind that he was seeing a Snowy.  Thus my report to Cayugabirds, and Sara
> Jane's rare bird alert.
>
> I thought this was much too early, but I don't know the earliest first
> arrival date in the fall/early winter of Snowy in the basin.  However, I do
> have a vague recollection of Snowys being seen as early as November.
>
> Larry
>
> --
>
> 
> W. Larry Hymes
> 120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
> (H) 607-277-0759, w...@cornell.edu
> 
>
>
> --
>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
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> 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
>
> Please submit your observations to eBird:
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>
> --
>



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asher

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Re: [cayugabirds-l] Snowy Owl - Not

2016-10-27 Thread Carl Steckler 
Having seen this bird yesterday I can well understand why the 
misdentification.  When looking through a 600mm camera lens from a 
distance it did seem to have the markings of a Snowy. It was only after 
seeing it through a scope did I see the red tail and head.  Without 
these two positive identifiers I can well understand someone, even an 
experienced birder, making the wrong identification. I do not think this 
hawk is an albino though as it did not completely lack pigmentation.  
Leucism seems to be more likely as there was not a total lack of 
colorization, it plainly had the markings of a Red-tail, just with 
mostly white feathers.
Carl

On 10/27/2016 12:07, Asher Hockett wrote:
> I remember after moving to Danby in 2000 that I mistook the 
> now-deceased white Red-tail for a Snowy. I had to go home for bins and 
> go back to discover my error. That bird was whiter than any Snowy I 
> have ever seen. I saw it so often I felt like we were connected.
>
> On Thu, Oct 27, 2016 at 12:02 PM, W. Larry Hymes  > wrote:
>
> Just a little clarification.  Seeing this bird at a distance
> without binocs could leave the manager of the farm (a non-birder)
> with the impression that this was indeed a Snowy Owl.  This is
> especially so, since Snowys have shown up on the farm on rare
> occasions.  I did suggest to him that it might be an "albino"
> Red-tail, but he was reasonably certain in his mind that he was
> seeing a Snowy.  Thus my report to Cayugabirds, and Sara Jane's
> rare bird alert.
>
> I thought this was much too early, but I don't know the earliest
> first arrival date in the fall/early winter of Snowy in the
> basin.  However, I do have a vague recollection of Snowys being
> seen as early as November.
>
> Larry
>
> -- 
>
> 
> W. Larry Hymes
> 120 Vine Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
> (H) 607-277-0759 , w...@cornell.edu
> 
> 
>
>
> --
>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
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> 
> http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
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> 
> 
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> 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/ 
>
> --
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> asher
>
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[cayugabirds-l] DEC Wintering Raptor Surveys

2016-10-27 Thread Hoh, Christina M (DEC) 
Hello Cayuga-area birders,



It's almost that time of year again!  As the days shorten and the air gets 
crisper, we start thinking about all of the raptors that will be visiting us 
from even colder latitudes.  Every year, NYSDEC regions across the state 
monitor wintering raptor presence to record where and how these birds are 
spending their winters here.  Some of these species are of conservation 
concern, such as the Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier, and our data helps 
in planning management decisions that might affect these species.



Here in DEC Region 8, most surveys take place along public roads, with some in 
state Wildlife Management Areas or conservation group properties.  We record 
any hawks, eagles, or owls that we see during the hour-long survey, and are 
often treated to other wildlife, such as Horned Larks tinkling in adjacent 
fields, deer browsing nearby, or mink playing along a forest edge.  It can get 
chilly out there, so we always have sweets and warm drinks available for our 
surveyors.



Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a brand-new birder, all are welcome to 
come and join in.  Newbies are paired with experienced surveyors until they 
feel comfortable with the process, and you are welcome to help with just one 
survey or the entire season.



Since Short-eared Owls are our focal species, surveys take place when these 
birds are most active and likely to be seen- just around dusk.  Surveys run 
from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after, or as long as light 
conditions allow.  This means that our survey times will change as the season 
goes on- so even if your work schedule doesn't allow you to come out in 
December, please keep us in mind (or look out for a reminder email) when March 
rolls around!



We run surveys out of two locations in order to cover a large portion of the 
Finger Lakes/Genesee region, and survey sites are usually within a 20-minute 
drive of our meeting location.  Avon-area surveys are held every other Tuesday 
(starting 11/22) and we meet beforehand at the DEC Avon office (6274 E. 
Avon-Lima Rd).  Trumansburg-area surveys are held every other Thursday 
(starting 12/8) out of the Ulysses Philomathic Library (74 E. Main St).  Our 
first few meetings/surveys will take place around the 3:30-6:30PM timeframe.



Some additional survey opportunities will be available around the Iroquois NWR- 
please let me know if you might be interested in these.



Please send me an email at 
christina@dec.ny.gov if you'd like more 
information or would like to get involved with our surveys this winter.  Our 
first Avon survey will be Nov 22 (meeting at 3:30), and our first Trumansburg 
survey will be Dec 8 (meeting at 3:15).



Even if you aren't able to help out with surveys, it would be hugely 
appreciated if anyone who has Short-eared Owl sightings early in the season 
contacted me with details.  I check out eBird regularly but I understand if 
people don't want owl sightings to be completely public.



Thanks so much to everyone who has made these last few years of surveys such a 
success- our region is truly unique in having such a dedicated volunteer crew 
collecting a wealth of information.  Hope to see you soon!



-Christina


Christina M. Hoh
Seasonal Wildlife Technician, Bureau of Wildlife

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd. Avon 14414
P: (585) 226-5464 | F: (585) 226-6323 | 
christina@dec.ny.gov
www.dec.ny.gov | [cid:image002.gif@01D01928.215FD820] 
  | [cid:image001.gif@01D01927.D33C0790] 



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[cayugabirds-l] Lesser Black-backed Gull

2016-10-27 Thread Ann Mitchell 
It is currently in a field across from 1460 Hanshaw Road.
Ann

Sent from my iPhone

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