Re:[cayugabirds-l] ( Red-headed Woodpecker) RHWO at Long Point
Long ago, in the early 1990's when our daughter studied at Wells College, on one of my many trips there, I wandered back into the woods behind the Wells dorms. There I saw my first RHWO. There was no eBird then, and I may have noted it down with my informal tick-off in my field guide. It was many years before I saw my next RHWO along Coddington Rd and most recently my greatest surprise(2019) when I looked out our dining room window & saw a RHWO perched on our feeder not 5 feet away! Only a few seconds before he flew off across the backyard. Here's my entry from eBird: Mistry backyard, Tompkins, New York, USMay 21, 2019 6:45 PM Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER appeared briefly at our feeders next to dining room window; stayed for about 15 seconds before flying off eastwards over next yard. Not long enough to get a photo. Observed by Nari & Gin Mistry. (Definitely NOT a Red-Bellied Wdpkr. which we have every day.) -- Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Subject: Re: RHWO at Long Point From: Alicia Plotkin Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2020 16:14:07 -0400 X-Message-Number: 3 In 2011 many birders, including my husband & me, went over to the Aurora to see the nesting RH Woodpeckers at Paines Creek, easily visible and audible from Rte 90. This is abt 1/2 mile north of Long Point. A gentleman who said he lived in Aurora stopped to chat with my husband & me. He seemed surprised by all the birders and said he had seen RH Woodpeckers in Aurora since he had moved there from Mississippi, where he said they were pretty common, abt 10 years before. He also directed me to a second nest further north on Rte 90 - he said he met his kids there when the bus dropped them off from school so had noticed the nest tree while waiting, and he suspected these weren't the only two nests in and around the village but they were the only two he knew of that spring. I went and easily found the second nest with his directions. There is only a scattering of eBird reports for Aurora: 1972, 1990, 1996, 2008, and 2011 (many). Yet in 2011 the gentleman from Mississippi, who seemed quite reliable (and definitely knew the difference between a Red-Bellied & Red_Headed Woodpecker) said they were there every year. Does anyone in Aurora enter RH Woodpeckers in eBird when they see them, or otherwise keep track of them? Does anyone else regularly check out the Aurora area for them? Just curious about whether they are usually absent or only usually absent from birding records. Alicia -- 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] Two Robins yesterday (2/21/20) & a "Dawn Chorus" at 1pm today.
Two Robins showed up outside our window yesterday (2/21/20), near the feeders. Hope they are finding something to eat. Today, when the temperature reached 35F in the shade I went outside to sit in the sun. There were birds at the feeders but mostly quiet. At 12:50 the quiet was broken by the loud piercing calls of a Cardinal. This was immediately followed by a deafening "dawn chorus" all around, which lasted for about 20 minutes.The Cardinal's cries were followed by the repeated loud cheerful song of a Titmouse; then a very insistent WBNuthatch went on and on; Goldfinches started singing, a Blue Jay started up with loud rasping screeches intermixed with long Kr, kr imitations of hawks on the wing; other birds piped up all around with the Cardinals and Blue Jays dominating. Finally when it all died down, a Mourning Dove which had been sitting in front of me the whole time ended the chorus with its mournful song. Glad I didn't miss it! Yesterday's Robins were not seen or heard. On a sad note, the Chipping Sparrow which had been visiting our feeders every day stopped showing up after the big snow two weeks ago. We kept hoping it would show, but it must have perished. At the feeders daily I could see it was shivering gently the whole time. We think it spent its nights just outside our back door under the roof. No A.Tree Sparrows have appeared this winter. Waiting for Spring! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Pileated Wdpkr returns
This afternoon I was happy to see a Pileated Woodpecker female at our feeder tree just outside the window. These regular visitors had not appeared since all the disruption started along Dodge Rd for the Solar Farm. (I think they used to nest somewhere in the woods to the East of Dodge Rd.) I'm hoping my CBC count along Dodge Rd will not be meager because of the disturbance and loss of habitat! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- ___ Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Chipping Sparrow still hanging around.
A Chipping Sparrow is still hanging around our feeders. I had noticed it in passing all this week, but simply ignored it as a Tree Sparrow. Yesterday I looked closely and realized it had a black eye-line all the way to the lores and no spot on the breast. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] An encounter with a raven family
I had a nice encounter with a family of ravens this morning. For many weeks this family has been around in the spruce tops across the road, driving our neighbor’s dog crazy. Today I saw one raven sitting on an extreme spruce tip, looking around so I started calling, croaking loudly like a young raven (slightly higher pitch)— first one and then two more ravens flew down to look at me and flew low round & around me , circling low again & again, just looking down at me. Then they sat in our spruces & watched me while I spoke to them to come down. Finally they flew off shaking their heads, not quite understanding what I was saying 😄. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at our feeders -- once in 50+ years!
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER appeared briefly at our feeders next to our dining room windows at about 6:45pm; it stayed for about 15 seconds before flying off eastwards over the next yard, flashing brilliant black and white. Not long enough to get a photo, but both Gin and I saw it perched on and eating out of the feeder containing "Ithaca Blend" mix. No need for binoculars, it was within 10 ft of where I was sitting. (No it was definitely NOT a Red-Bellied Wdpkr.) This is the first time it was close enough to see clearly the black line at the base of the red throat. I went outside to see if there was any sign of it anywhere but no luck. I will report it if seen again. Our ~1.7acre yard is not typical RHwoodpecker habitat. This was a once in 50+ years sighting! We regularly have all the other local woodpeckers at our feeders, including Pileated, and YBSapsuckers and Flickers come around but not to the feeders. Hope it is seen again somewhere in Ellis Hollow. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Fox Sparrow ; Pine Siskins still hanging around
We have two Pine Siskins still hanging around our feeders and battling it out with the male Goldfinches now courting and feeding their females. One busy Red Breasted Nuthatch has been here all winter. Yesterday Gin had a friendly Fox Sparrow scratching behind our shed while she worked nearby. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] 30-40 Pine Siskins at feeders today
A large flock of 30-40 Pine Siskins are at and below our feeders today. In the past few weeks we have had between a couple and 12 Siskins, but today they descended /en masse/. Alas, no Evening Grosbeaks ("Rose-peaks", according to today's Ith. Journal!) No Redpolls. But we have one to two Red-breasted Nuthatches as always. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd., Ithaca -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] FOY Northern Orioles
Yesterday at about 8:30 am I heard our first of the year Baltimore Oriole song in our backyard. Although it seemed to be flying around singing & establishing it's territory, I could not see it. Can't tell if this is particularly early, as every year I see the first male orioles exactly as the Japanese Quince flowers open. This year the flowers are obviously behind schedule. This morning I saw another(?) Oriole fly off from the tree near the Dodge Rd. bridge, as I approached around the curve. A Pileated Woodpecker went around the backyard this morning. This is also the time when two males show up and compete showing off on adjacent trees. One has been occasionally coming to our suet feeder this winter. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Super-black feathers in Birds of Paradise
Curious readers may be interested in this evolutionary feature in Birds of Paradise . I have extracted below some paragraphs from a report in PhysicsWorld (UK). I don't have the reference to the original papers. Nari Mistry = Extracted from PhysicsWorld (UK)= Male birds of paradise have exceptionally black feathers and now researchers in the US have explained how the feathers manage to reflect tiny amounts of light. The team found that some feathers have complicated structures that create a scattering effect that results in almost zero reflectance of light under certain conditions – giving them a “super-black” appearance. The researchers think that this black plumage evolved to enhance the perceived brilliance of adjacent colour patches during courtship displays. Birds of paradise are found in New Guinea and parts of eastern Australia. They are famous for the elaborate courting displays, plumage ornaments and dramatic colouration of the males. In many species, males have brightly coloured patches of feathers next to matte black plumage that appears much darker than the black colouration of other birds.When researchers from Harvard University, the Smithsonian Institution, and Yale University shone light on museum specimens of five species of the bird of paradise they discovered that these black feathers have an extremely low directional reflectance – at normal incidence they only reflect back 0.05–0.31% of light. In contrast, black feathers from two other species of bird, used for comparison, had a directional reflectance of 3.2–4.7%. . . . . (Experiments). . . done by the team revealed that this is a result of the feathers' microscopic structure. A typical feather has a central shaft with rows of barbs branching off. Rows of smaller barbules then spread out from the barbs. In most feathers this structure is flat, with everything laying in the same horizontal plane. But the super-black feathers have barbules that are covered in microscale (tiny) spikes and they curve away (up) from the horizontal plane.The researchers explain that these vertically-tilted barbule arrays create deep, curved cavities that cause multiple scattering of light, resulting in more structural absorption of light than normal black feathers.". . . . These super-black feathers even retained their black appearance when coated with gold dust, whereas the normal black feathers appeared gold”. The modified barbules are only present on the exposed overlapping tips of the feathers, while those towards the base of the feathers have a typical feather structure. Also, the black feathers from the back of one bird of paradise species, the superb bird-of-paradise,/Lophorina superba/, which are not used during display, had a typical barbule morphology and were more reflective than the super-black feathers. This supports the idea that the modified feathers have evolved for display purposes, the researchers say. === ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Black vultures
This beautiful sunny afternoon at around 3:45pm Gin and I stopped at the Stevenson/Dodge Rd. junction to see if any Black Vultures would show up. Within a few minutes in the distance we saw four vulture types in close formation flying north towards us over Snyder Hill, flying straight and flapping continuously. They passed right over us and we could clearly see they were black vultures. They continued north towards Fall Creek and disappeared over the horizon. They were flapping non-stop in a steady rhythm from horizon to horizon. There were several TVs lazily soaring around too. The appearance of Black Vultures here in winter seems to be clear evidence of the climate changing. Can't attribute it to new highways and prevalence of roadkill which was given as the reason when TVs first started appearing here years ago. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. > -- > > Subject: Black vultures > From: Brad Walker > Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2018 13:29:57 + > X-Message-Number: 1 > > The four black vultures are currently perched in a dead tree next to the > small bridge between Dodge Road and the game farm. > > -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Pine Siskins and Purple Finches at feeders
This morning we have two Pine Siskins and two male Purple Finches at our feeders, among a hungry horde of birds in this challenging weather. One P.Finch was at the feeders yesterday. And when I was outside yesterday I heard a Pine Siskin clearly but was unable to find it. Nari & Gin Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] A little drama at our feeders
Early this morning I was standing at our second floor window looking down at all the birds just below at our feeders when a hawk streaked low across our side yard, continued behind the box-elder and then swirled back around & up chasing a small bird (junco?). The bird escaped and the Coopers Hawk perched disgruntled at my eye-level for quite a while, shaking its tail repeatedly and shaking out all its rumpled feathers. All the other birds had fled, but one small bird(?) had enough courage to streak for shelter in the adjacent cedar even while the hawk was distracted above. The hawk finally flew off and away. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Red-headed Woodpecker -- Continuing at Palmer Woods
Gin & I got to see the RH Woodpecker at Palmer Woods around noon today, courtesy of Wes Blauvelt who kindly showed us where he had just seen it . We had been walking in the woods looking in all the wrong places around the top of the rise, but enjoying the balmy weather anyway when Wes came along and helped us out. It was where it has been reported all along, on the large oak close to the Red marked trail, ~300 yds southwards from the head of the trail at Triphammer Rd. just opposite Iroquois Rd. Our only earlier sighting in Ithaca had been on Coddington Road ages ago. Hope everyone gets to go see this friendly Ithaca rarity. Nari & Gin Mistry -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Feeder seed preferences
Yesterday we decided to tally the feeder seed preferences of our bird visitors. Since we fill five feeders during the winter, all equally accessible in a row hanging from a wire within a span of ten feet, we thought it would be a fair test. At one end we have cedar and spruce for shelter, at the other our venerable box-elder tree. In order left to right we have: a tube feeder with safflower seed; a tube with nyger(thistle); a "squirrel-proof" hopper with spring-loaded perch, filled with sunflower hearts; a hanging tray with red millet; and a raw beef suet feeder in a cage. Over a period of 30 minutes (10:15 to 10:45am) we had approx. 3 BC Chickadees, 2 Titmouse, 2 WB Nuthatches, 1 Hairy and 2 Downy woodpeckers, 2 Cardinals, 2 Blue Jays, 2 Goldfinches and 1 Housefinch. (We did not try to distinguish individuals in the flurry of feeding visits.) One RB Woodpecker did not come down from the tree. Here is a summary of the results: Safflower 20 visits total (7 Chickadee, 10 Titmouse, 3 Housefinch) Nyger 2 ( one each Chickadee and Goldfinch) Sun.hearts 54 total (27 Chickadee, 22 WBNuthatch, 4 Titmouse, 1 Goldfinch) Millet 9 (2 Cardinal, 7 Blue Jay) Suet 8 (1 Chickadee, 2 Hairy, 5 Downy) We hope you find this tally entertaining. We find Safflower to be very popular with the small birds and ignored by squirrels. Luckily the red squirrel was not there to dominate the suet feeder or the millet tray. There is a whole saga to relate about making the hopper feeder really red-squirrel proof! Nari & Gin Mistry -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Yard Merlin
Yesterday at about 5:30 pm I was sitting outside enjoying the last of the warm weather, when a Merlin zoomed from the south straight as an arrow to the top of a 75ft spruce next to our porch. As it sat surveying our yard I ran in and got my binoculars to make sure it was not a Kestrel, although the high-speed direct flight was typical of a Merlin. It was a male Merlin, fresh clean plumage. Within seconds a foolish or unaware BlueJay landed just 10ft below the Merlin, which looked down curiously at the BlueJay but to my surprise decided not to launch an attack. The BJay soon flew off but the Merlin sat around some more and finally flew off North. Its behavior made me suspect it was a young bird. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Pileated Woodpecker a daily visitor
A gorgeous male Pileated Woodpecker has been feeding at our suet feeder several times a day for the last week or more. The feeder is only 15 feet from our kitchen window so we can watch him for several minutes at a time. Last evening he was last here at 7pm after several visits during the day and this morning he was back again at 7:30am. When we are outside gardening he zooms by, flying low on sweeping wings, quite a thrill. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] URGENT ALERT: Dodge Rd Spruce Woods may be cut down for massive Solar Farm on Dodge rd, STARTING in APRIL !!
There is urgent need for lovers of birds and wildlife along Dodge Rd. to be aware of imminent developments along Dodge Rd. The massive industrial scale solar farm proposed in all the Cornell owned fields along Dodge Rd and Stevenson Rd (as well as Turkey Hill Rd.) is planning to start construction in a few weeks. There was a hearing in Dryden last Thursday at which many residents spoke out against the massive scale of the project which will devastate wildlife habitat. We have just learned this morning from a member of the Dryden Conservation Board that they are proposing to cut down the Spruce Woods bordering the WEST side of Dodge Rd. because they will shadow the panels slated to go right along the very edge of Dodge R. next to a (barbed-wire topped) fence! If you are concerned about this assault and the effect of replacing all the grassland in the fields with sod under the panels (and herbicides???), please write immediately to the Dryden Town Board and ATTEND THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING scheduled on THIS Thursday March 23, at 7pm at the Dryden Town Hall on Main Street. Please express your opinion that may help reduce the scale of this commercial operation that will devastate wildlife in this favorite location for viewing wildlife! Nari & Gin Mistry Ellis Hollow rd. -- 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] Early 2017 feeder birds: RB nuthatch pair, Hairy Woodpecker; Gray fox tracks.
Our regular RB Nuthatch pair were early birds today at our feeders. But a Hairy Woodpecker at the suet was surprisingly the first, at about 7am. Juncos next , then Goldfinches and then the RB Nuthatches and Chickadees. Hoping to see a Carolina Wren which has been coming to the suet occasionally. Yesterday I was surprised to see clear tracks of a Gray Fox in the snow. Starting from under our driveway deer-fence gate, they led absolutely straight right through the front and side yards to the back yard and unwavering straight across the backyard towards a low hole in the deer-fence where squirrels and woodchucks (and the fox!) have dug a small hole for their entry. The very direct route of over a 100 yards indicates this must be a well-established regular route. We have seen a gray fox family eating raspberries in our fenced garden in the summer but we have not noticed tracks in the winter. Time to go off for the Bird Count down Dodge Rd. Happy New Year! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Red Breasted Nuthatch pair, Purple Finches
We were happy to see a second RB Nuthatch arrived at our feeders on Nov.3. This past Feb, only one returned to our feeders -- we suspect the mate had died. Eventually a second RB Nuthatch showed up, clearly a young one that was quite unfamiliar with feeders. Then in September only one returned, until two days ago when the second showed up. Both have been feeding since then. Also, since Oct.30 we have had two male Purple Finches and one female. A female P Finch always shows up before any males every year. Is this a normal pattern seen by others? Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Red Breasted Nuthatches
We usually have had a pair of RB Nuthatches around for most of the year, but not for the last few months. Two days ago, one showed up as part of the "irruption." Looking back at my collection of emails (to the list and to ebird,) I see that I actually recorded one banded bird in 2004 that stayed from Dec to June and possibly was breeding in our yard (see emails copied below.) Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. ===copied From email dated 3/3/2004== For several years we have had a pair of RedBreasted Nuthatches at our feeders throughout the year and sometimes a brood of young in the summer. We always wondered whether "our" winter nuthatches moved up north and the breeding pair were moving up from further south. Never found their nest, although they always fly with food directly into spruces in the backyard. Last December we found that one of the pair was banded with an alum (USFWS) band on the right leg. Now we had a chance to check whether the same pair stayed around to breed. This week the two have started exploring a wren nestbox hanging in our backyard, and we can see that the banded nuthatch is planning to stay around for the summer. They are trying to enlarge the small entrance hole sporadically while going in and out. Hope they decide to use the nestbox! Nari & Ginny Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd., Ithaca ===copied From email dated 6/25/2004= Other breeding birds in our yard (Ellis Hollow Rd, Atlas Block #3769B) are : Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Cardinal, chipping sparrows, catbirds, chickadee, housewren, (nesting or fledglings observed) and suspected breeders *Red-breasted Nuthatch,* White-Breasted Nuthatch, red-bellied woodpecker. Rose-br grosbeaks are around but no fledglings observed yet. The *banded red-breasted nuthatch resident all winter is the one that appears to be nesting in the spruce trees--have heard babies but not seen them yet. * Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Nashville warbler; also Yellow Warbler
Yesterday afternoon I was lucky to catch sight of a Nashville Warbler that flew in to our box elder for one very brief second and then flew off. I was surprised that it was quite high up in the tree and was not foraging in bushes, probably just arrived. Also a brief look at a Yellow Warbler. Luckily I had my binoculars with me as I sat swinging in a hammock -- pretty hard to grab and focus on these birds at all while swinging! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Red-shouldered @ Sapsucker Woods
Gin & I were walking around the Wilson trail at SSW yesterday around 1 pm, when from the boardwalk we too heard loud cries of the Red-shouldered hawk. We did not see it anywhere near us. Nari & Gin Mistry -- 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] Pileated clock time & Spring rituals.
For some weeks now, at 4pm every day (within 5 minutes or so), two male Pileated Woodpeckers arrive and loudly announce their presence from our neighbor's tree. Sometimes they fly over to the box-elder next to our house to our suet feeder.. Today Gin and I went for a walk down Dodge Rd and on the way back encountered the two down near the spruce woods at about 3:45pm. I said, "let's watch, they will be at our house when we get back there." Sure enough, at 4:01pm we got to our back yard to loud "Wuk,wuk,." cries from next door. One flew back across Ellis Hollow Rd but the other stayed on the tree. This is a daily ritual by which I can tell the time within 5 minutes. Later in March the two will come and chase each other around our yard, sometimes displaying up and down parallel trees. This has been going on for many years. Here is a quote from my email to Cayugabirds-L on March 20, 2008: "As I worked at my desk at home, a few minutes ago first one and then another brilliant Pileated woodpecker flew in to a spruce trunk just outside my window. One brilliant scarlet crest was fully raised. I think both were males. Before I could get my camera they began a dance around the trees and then flew from tree to tree all around the house, west to north to east and finally around to the backyard (south) again, before flying off. All this was at upstairs window height, fully displaying their awesome shapes as they flew around while we watched. " Here is another excerpt from March 9, 2013: "A few minutes ago, as we were having lunch, two gorgeous male Pileated Woodpeckers flew down just outside our window, one low on the box-elder the other low on a black locust nearby. I think they were sizing up each other, in an annual Spring ritual in our yard. In my bird archives I see that last year they appeared on Feb. 12, and in 2011 on March 20, when they chased each other repeatedly all around our yard." It's tempting to believe these are the same two every year, but who knows . Nari & Gin Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Western tanager present at 10:30am, Cornell Campus
The Western Tanager was flitting around eating fruits from all the trees around the small Glen near Day Hall and the Campus store. We were there from ~10am to 10:30am. During that time many more birders came around and the friendly bird seemed to want to visit every group in turn right up close, to within a few feet. A flock of Cedar Waxwings came in for the fruit too , but the Tanager seemed happy to share with them. After we took a walk around Campus & Johnson Museum we walked back through the glen at about 12:30pm and did not see the bird or any birders. We did not look too carefully everywhere, so we hope it's still around. Nari & Gin Mistry -- 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] At last missing Red-br Nuthatch shows up
For at least 20 years we have had a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches at our feeders in winter and (another pair) in summer. This winter we had no sign of our favorites. Until today, when a single one showed up and made us glad. Soon we expect the mate to appear (we hope.) I would like to know if any others have missed their regular RB Nuthatches this winter. I know there were several RB Nuthatches counted during the CBC on Jan.1, but not in our yard or in my Dodge Rd. count area. Thanks, Nari Mistry , Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Field Sparrows, Park Preserve (Baldwin Tract)
Last Sunday morning (April 19), Gin and I took a walk around the FLLT Park Preserve S.(Baldwin Tract) on a beautiful morning. On the Blue trail in the first field we heard two Field Sparrows singing, one from each side. Other notable birds: both Kinglets, a male YB Sapsucker in really bright plumage drumming loudly, a possible Pine Warbler (not seen.) No /Louisiana Waterthrush/ seen or heard down by the Creek -- both steep banks of the ravine still had lots of blue ice, making for a wondrous scene in filtered sunlight. Nari & Gin Mistry -- 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] early Lincoln's Sparrow
This afternoon I noticed a possible Lincoln's Sparrow on our tray feeder. I got a good look before it was spooked by Gin walking in the yard. In a little while it appeared again with an Am Tree Sparrow, on the tray feeder. I was able to get another good look but it was quite skittish and flew off again when juncos landed on the feeder. I realize this is early for the average arrival date (I looked it up, it's May 3), but I am reasonably sure of the identification. I will report if it comes again. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd., Ithaca -- ___ -- 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] Savannah Sparrow, Dodge Rd.
This noon, Gin & I found a Savannah Sparrow flitting into the bushes in the field near the corner of Dodge Rd and Stevenson Rd. Also found a Phoebe near the silos on Stevenson when we went looking for Snipes in the puddle -- no luck on Snipes, although there is always a Killdeer there. Another Phoebe singing in our yard. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] - CL Basin or Not?
After the flying flurry of emails about counting within the Cayuga Lake Basin (or CBC circle) had landed, I though I would offer a small suggestion. Considering that we can count birds flying overhead while standing within the circle or CL Basin boundaries, it seems odd to quibble about which precise side of the actual boundary the bird was when observed. Flying birds may never land or stay even within the same county, but we count them. So here's my suggestion: count birds visible **by unaided eye** from within the counting boundaries. This seems reasonable, as any bird on the North side of a road may hop over to the South in the next few minutes. I don't think it would lead to any inconsistencies in the count numbers. (My apologies if this starts a whole new round of discussion.) Nari Mistry -- Subject: Re: Belle School Rd - CL Basin or Not? From: Carl Steckler Date: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:54:33 -0500 X-Message-Number: 9 Considering that we accept MNWR as being "in the basin" isn't it just academic to be asking which side of a road the birds were? Just saying:?) Carl Steckler -- -- 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] Cooper's Hawk at feeders for CBC
As we were rounding off our CBCount at our feeders after counting at E Hill Rec Way and Dodge Rd., an adult Cooper's Hawk swooped up to a perch in the box-elder, directly above our line of feeders and fiercely eyed the feeders below, sweeping her head rapidly back and forth many times. We were quite awed by the fierce red eyes so close above us -- fortunately all the birds had fled a few moments earlier. The bird count today was quite sparse in the 20F weather. None of the usual Carolina wrens, Red-br nuthatches, A. Tree Sparrows. At our feeders yesterday we did have 3 Am Tree Sparrows and a pair of Red-br Nuthatches. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Winter birds, Ithaca area
A pair of Fox Sparrows stayed around here until the day after Thanksgiving (Nov.27). One of them had a droopy left wing and I was assuming could not fly long distances. Now they seem to have gone. White-throated Sparrows have been around for several weeks. A flock of A.Tree Sparrows were in the bushes around the bridge on Dodge Rd. a couple of weekends ago. Yesterday we had a C.Grackle and a female Cowbird at our feeders. That was unusual. Today with the warmer weather most birds are foraging elsewhere, except for a wise old Crow (no tags) walking around picking up bits of suet under the feeder. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. ___ __ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Fox Sparrow
This morning a Fox Sparrow showed up under our feeders -- an unusual but very welcome visitor during Fall migration. (We get several in the Spring.) It seems to be staying around all day. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Dodge/Stevenson Rd: Savannah Sparrows; Brown Thrasher
On a morning walk (9:30am - 11:30am) along Dodge Rd and Stevenson Rd and along the dirt road past the compost piles, we came across three bright Savannah Sparrows in the brush near the Stevenson Rd end. A Brown Thrasher was heard from the woods East of Dodge Rd. A Carolina Wren serenading loudly along Dodge Rd. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Purple Finch; 4 Fox Sparrows; Snow Buntings & H.Larks
Just before noon today, a lone female Purple Finch showed up at our feeders among the many House Finch pairs. No male as yet. At Monkey Run South Gin & I met Chris Wood who told us about a Fox Sparrow on the railroad bed above his house, so we walked there and found four bright Fox Sparrows foraging in the open on the railroad bed about a half-mile from Monkey Run Rd. Then up on Mt. Pleasant Rd at the East end, I came upon a nice flock of about 40 Snow Buntings feeding on the road, a few males in sharp-looking breeding plumage; also among them were several Horned Larks. More H.Larks were creeping about among the corn-stalks. No Longspurs visible. Back home, with the snow flurries swirling around the feeders, there are four Red-wing Blackbirds and two Common Grackles, along with Song Sparrows, 3 Tree Sparrows and all the other regulars. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Carolina wrens
Early this morning we finally got two Carolina Wrens together at the suet feeder. All February only one would visit and we wondered what had happened, or whether they were just taking turns. We have had a pair of Carolina Wrens visit our feeders for many years in winter; in spring & summer we hear the trilling and singing and see them skulking around our brush piles. We assumed they were a pair -- glad to know that is confirmed on the Lab of O page. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. > Subject: Re: Carolina wrens > From: John Greenly > Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2014 14:23:21 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 3 > > Ah, I should have looked at the Lab's page on Carolina Wrens first: says > there they don't migrate at all and stay paired all year. Funny I haven't > noticed in the winter the countersinging they do all the time in the spring. > Alicia Plotkin tells me that hers do that in the winter too. Anyway, my two > must be a pair. > > --John > Subject: Carolina wrens > From: John Greenly > Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2014 12:58:20 -0500 > X-Message-Number: 1 > > I always have a Carolina Wren singing all winter, and he makes part of his > living by cleaning up the bits of suet on the ground under the feeder that > the woodpeckers waste. But for the last week I have had two Carolina Wrens > coming together on suet cleanup duty. My impression was that the males > defend territories in the winter- hence all the singing- but these two are > not at all aggressive, often foraging within a foot of each other. There are > other males singing elsewhere in Ludlowville- is this just a truce at the > feeding spot? Or is it possible that the second bird is a female? Do they > stay around in the winter too? I've never seen two together in the winter > before. > > --John Greenly > Ludlowville -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Carolina wren 2.17.2014
A year or two ago, I put chicken wire around our double-caged suet-feeder (suet cage inside a bigger feeder cage) to stop the red-squirrel from sitting inside all day and excluding birds from the suet. This frustrated the squirrel all right, and small birds could get in and out. But I noticed that sometimes when trying to get out fast, they could scrape & perhaps damage their flight feathers. So I took the chicken wire off. Especially since a Carolina Wren pair loves to come to the suet. (This Feb we have had only one of the pair coming.) Two-inch mesh chicken wire is too large to keep the squirrel out. An interesting observation: the Red-br Nuthatch pair were the first to figure out how to get in through the ch-wire, then chickadees and carolina wrens. But the goldfinches just could never figure out that they had to perch and get in before they could get to the suet. They kept going round and round, never got in. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] bird hydration
The chickadees around our yard love to hover & sip the maple-sap icicles that form on a red maple when the sap has started running. It's quite sweet, I have tasted it! Hydration and energy all in one. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. > Subject: RE: bird hydration > From: "Marie P. Read" > Date: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:47:26 + > X-Message-Number: 7 > > Regarding winter bird hydration: > > I've seen several species of bird "eat" snow (e.g. Northern Cardinal, Common > Redpoll). > I've also seen chickadees hovering to sip from melting icicles. > > Marie > > Marie Read Wildlife Photography > 452 Ringwood Road > Freeville NY 13068 USA -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] RT Hawks mating already?
Just returned from a walk down Dodge Rd and Stevenson Rd. I observed two RT Hawks mating on the top of a pole in the Game Farm pens. Both were adults, so this was not just juveniles acting up. I did not notice any prior courtship flight. Does this seem a little early for courtship and mating, which is supposed to start in mid-February? Nari Mistry -- ___ *Nari B. Mistry*, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Cowbirds reared by harassed Junco Re:Cowbird being fed by probable Chipping Sparrow
A few weeks ago, we had two hulking baby cowbirds relentlessly pursuing a distraught little Junco all over our yard. The Junco was frantically trying to find food for the "babies" and at the same time trying to escape. This went on for several days before the cowbirds began to find their own food. "Never more!" quoth the Junco. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Redpolls & Purple Finches
We still have Common Redpolls coming to our feeders today. There are also two male Purple Finches sitting next to a male House Finch in a seed tray, allowing a good comparison of the differences. Nice look at the curved vs. straight culmen of the beak. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- 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] Three Osprey at Stewart Park; two Yellow-Rumped warblers; Eared Grebe
Ann Mitchell's post reminded me to write that we saw three adult Osprey at Stewart Park over the Swan Pen pond, at around 1pm. One (female?) perched on a tree and kept calling while the other two circled overhead. Then they all flew off toward Hog Hole. There were also two Yellow-Rumped warblers by the swan pond. One Eared Grebe (basic plumage?) swam within binocular distance of the dock. Lots of Redheads, Scaup, Red-Necked Ducks etc, out further & not too clear with just binoculars. Hooded mergansers (2 male with 7 females), Buffleheads, grebes (horned?) in the inlet. Nari & Gin Mistry --- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Fox Sparrow at last.
Finally, my favorite spring arrival, a Fox Sparrow appeared this morning, hop-scratching under our feeders. To hear it sing in our yard would add to the pleasure. A pair of Purple Finches (m,ƒ) has been around for a few days. We also had a few Pine Siskins appear briefly on their way northward. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Dryden Lake -- Swamp sparrow (heard) & waterfowl
This morning on a walk along the Schug trail by Dryden Lake, we heard but did not see a Swamp Sparrow in the swamp near the east end. Waterfowl seen: Pied-billed Grebes, Hooded Merganser, Common Mergansers (seven females flew in with a lone male), Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, 3 pairs of N. Shovelers, one female Ruddy Duck. Beautiful sunny morning. Nari, Gin & Premila Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Purple Finch at feeders; and maple-sap popsicles for birds
This morning we were visited by a lone male Purple Finch at our feeders. No females. In early spring, with freezing nights and warm days, we get some large maple-sap icicles on one red maple. From our kitchen we get to see the amusing spectacle of chickadees & titmouse(s) fluttering, hovering and sipping the drips from these popsicles. I should have been smart enough to photograph this a few days ago, now the nights are too warm. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] YB Sapsucker; Raven, other yard birds
This morning the first YB Sapsucker flew in and explored all his favorite trees in our yard. A Raven flew low circling overhead -- looking for something? I found a Song Sparrow sitting on a stump, singing very very quietly to himself, practicing his song. As I waited, he grew more confident and louder, but not full throated yet. There have been lots of his family around to learn from. The one 'tame' female Redpoll I mentioned earlier is still around. She looks very fat and bloated -- even in warm sunshine on warmer days this week. Could this be some sickness (-- or is she ready to lay eggs!) ? I searched all around for a Fox Sparrow, but no luck. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] Common Redpolls still around
We are still getting 16 - 20 Common Redpolls at our feeders every day. (No Hoary has visited.) Yesterday I noticed that only one female was smart enough to figure out how to get into the cage surrounding the sunflower feeder. Others kept puzzling how to enter, climbing all around watching the chickadees & finches feeding inside and giving up repeatedly, flitting back to the easier nyger feeder or to the ground. One of the females was quite tame, watching me walk by without spooking while the others were all gone-- maybe the same smart one. A Brown Creeper has been making the rounds all winter, and a Carolina wren has been singing sporadically. Also this winter, a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers have been daily visitors, along with the Downy and Red-Bellied pairs. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- 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] Hooded Mergansers on Fall Creek near Flat Rock
There was a trio of beautiful Hooded Mergansers on Fall Creek near the suspension bridge at Flat Rock, when we crossed at about 12:45pm after a long walk. Two males were escorting an elegant female, flashing their hoods in the sunlight and displaying non-competitively. Beavers have been cutting down a lot of beech and other small trees all along the north bank of the creek. Nari & Gin Mistry -- 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] Pileated WPs and Redpolls
A few minutes ago, as we were having lunch, two gorgeous male Pileated Woodpeckers flew down just outside our window, one low on the box-elder the other low on a black locust nearby. I think they were sizing up each other, in an annual Spring ritual in our yard. In my bird archives I see that last year they appeared on Feb. 12, and in 2011 on March 20, when they chased each other repeatedly all around our yard. Earlier this morning we had a crowd of 20 Common Redpolls at the nyger seed spilled on the ground. Chickadees seem to be looking at the nest-boxes. Our two Red-breasted Nuthatches are zipping in and out to the feeders all day. I have never been able to decide whether the pair we have throughout every winter stay and nest here or whether it is another pair that moves in later in the spring and spends the summer here. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Skittishness of large bird flocks -- Re: 200 Redpolls again
It seems to me that large bird flocks are moreprone to take flight suddenly as a group simply because the large number makes it more probable that one or more birds moves suddenly, causing the whole group to take fright/flight. Smaller flocks have a smaller probability at any given moment. Birds in a flock are constantly aware of what others are doing, presumably as warning and group safety. Meanwhile, an individual is always twitching to get at the food -- a sudden jump may be all that it takes to set off the whole flock. This looks like what one always sees with Snow Bunting flocks that take off and return to the same spot every few moments. Does someone have a video of such behaviour to demonstrate whether this interpretation is correct? (However, this does not explain why flocks disappear from feeders for hours or days before returning.) Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Birders & Hunters on Cayuga Lake
I strongly endorse the wise comments of Jody Enck & Ken Rosenberg asking for restraint in advocating for a ban on duck hunting on Cayuga Lake. Birders tend to believe that we are a huge beneficial community that can do no wrong. The reality is that the world looks at us with benign amusement. To set ourselves up as "our viewpoint is best for everyone" is a mistake. I am just as concerned about gunshots and disturbance of wildlife and humans, but I don't think we can justify a ban. While bird conservation arguments may be useful, it does not appear to me that waterfowl conservation is threatened by hunting on Cayuga Lake, as Ken has pointed out. So the argument becomes just "my preference against others'." Pushing for a ban on duck-hunting on the lake can easily be regarded by hunters as the first step in trying to ban hunting in the fields and woods, leading to acrimonious name-calling and the end of any good relationship between birders and land-owners, hunters and "real" people. A much better course of action would be to have a dialog with duck-hunters clubs and to explain the beneficial need for hunting away from shore and avoiding deliberate disturbance and flushing of birds to gain an advantage. I hope a reasonable course of action is chosen. Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] American Pipit, at Dodge & Stevenson Rds
An American Pipit was seen yesterday and again today at the intersection of Dodge Rd & Stevenson Rd by my wife Gin. Unfortunately when I got to the spot today just ten minutes after Gin, a truck passed by possibly driving it off. A Pipit has been seen sometimes in prior years in winter at this spot. I found very few birds during my frigid wind-blown CBC count walk this morning along E Ithaca Rec Way and Dodge Rd. I tried for quite a while for the Screech Owl to show in its hole on the Rec Way but it was absent or stayed hidden --- there were several yapping barking dogs holding a session right there. (More dogs than birds were seen!) Happy New Year, Nari Mistry -- 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] Back-door Carolina Wren
This morning, as I was looking out the kitchen window, our neighborhood Carolina Wren flew directly to the back door under the small porch and started exploring every nook & cranny gleaning for insects. As I watched through the storm door, it climbed up a raincoat and busily examined gardening baskets, tools, everything, softly trilling all the while. By the way, I have not seen this trill described in any of the several bird books I have. The trill is similar to that of the T.Titmouse, but longer and more musical. It does appear briefly in the /first/ example for CAWR in the Macaulay Library audio list, but not in any other examples that I checked some years ago. Our wren trills very often, signaling its presence long before any loud song. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] A gentle reminder from a digest reader
I heartily endorse John Gregoire's repeat plea on behalf of all Cayugabirds-L Daily Digest readers: please, please try to delete the endless thread added to each successive reply to a Cayugabirds message -- Unless you feel it is extremely relevant to add the whole thread. (Perhaps those who don't see the "Digest" don't realize how many times it is repeated in the same message.) Thanks, Nari Mistry -- 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] YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER @ 3rd Tee (9:15am) & Renwick birds
This morning I arrived (8:30am) at Stewart Park to try & find the Yellow-throated warbler on Pier Rd. next to the golf-course. I looked at all the sycamores along the edge but there was no warbler. Luckily I persisted because at 9:15am I heard the song faint but distinct. After a while I found the bird high up and singing all the while. Got good looks as it came out on the edge of the first (south) sycamore at the 3rd. tee. Best seen from Pier Rd. The song was not quite like the five examples found on the Warbler Songs Collection, and very much like what Dave Nutter described. The first two soft notes were easily heard, even over the racket of traffic and the very loud Orioles singing constantly. I transcribed it as: tu tu whee-tu whee-tu whee-tu --tyu. I could not find the BlueGray Gnatcatcher nest that Chris T-H described, instead I found a Redstart nest right by the curved boardwalk, in a scrubby tree about 10ft off the ground. Species at Pier Rd. & vicinity: Yellow-throated warbler Warbling vireo A. Redstart E. Wood Pewee Yellow warbler E. Bluebird N. Oriole Belted Kingfisher Some of the species at Renwick Sanctuary, seen or heard over a tremendous racket of railroad cleaning equipment: Wood Thrush N. Oriole E. Phoebe Carolina Wren Red-eyed Vireo Red-bellied wdpkr Hairy Wdpkr A. Redstart --- Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Dodge Rd: Cape May, Redstart, Scarlet Tanager etc & crow moaning
This morning (8am) I walked down Dodge Rd to check out arrivals. There was a good sprinkling of birds all along the road. Near the corner of Ellis Hollow Rd., at the first spruce tree on the right I heard a few Tsee-tsee notes and found a Cape May warbler foraging down low, giving me great close looks for a long while until I moved on. Here are some of the birds seen or heard: Cape May warbler1 Yellow warblers several Com. Yellowthr.s several A. Redstart1--a brilliant male quietly foraging in the bushes near Cascadilla Crk bridge Cedar waxwings3---a surprise to find them sitting side-by-side like ripe Bosc pears Scarlet Tanager 1 Indigo Bunting 1-- a very dark individual Wood Thrush1 Y-B Sapsucker 1 Phoebe 1 GrCrested Flycatcher 1 Barn swallows many @ the bridge: a good photo-op as they all sit on the chain across the dirt rd. nearby Turkey vultures 2 - posing hunched over for a Snoopy cartoon; one other TV yawned at me below At the spruce grove, I heard a soft "Krrk--Owoooh", repeated several times. I knew it was a crow, and when I called Owooo, a crow popped up and looked at me quizzically. I have heard this here before and asked about it. I wish Kevin would explain what it means. Late last evening at 8pm I found a Least Flycatcher sitting quietly in our backyard. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow rd -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Sapsucker woods this afternoon (Wed.)
This afternoon at around 4pm I walked around SSW along the Wilson trail. The best sighting was a Black-throated Blue warbler silently foraging, around the bend from the Sherwood Platform. Some birds seen or heard: Blk-thr Blue w 1 Blk-thr Green w2 Magnolia w 2 Yellow w1 Ovenbird 2 Com. Yellowthr 3 Rose-br. Grosbeak 2 Wood Thrush 1 Y-B Sapsuckers 3 Least flycatcher 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 I really wanted to see the Barred Owl, so I walked up and down near the gate and the junction of the Wilson/Severinghaus trails for a while when I started. After 5pm I went back there and just after I entered the gate, I heard a very small commotion, like a person complaining "harrumph!" and I saw a large silent raptor being chased by a black-bird through the woods & across the road, very low about 10-15 feet off the ground. I never found it again, but I am sure it was the B.Owl. Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Two Pine Siskins
Two Pine Siskins showed up at our feeders this afternoon, with the usual flock of Goldfinches. Could they be the same two laggards that have been reported earlier? (I don't remember where those two were seen.) Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Has birding ethics changed?
I have read yesterday's comments about electronic calls (I get only the digest, so have not read today's responses.) I saw nothing said about using calls during nesting season. I don't own a portable electronic call. My own behavior has been to avoid even PISHING during nesting season. Breeding birds are predictably agitated by calls and spishing -- that's why they respond. So it seems to me that during nesting season we should avoid disturbances wherever a nest is suspected. I suppose when you see an elusive bird flitting about in the canopy, especially a migratory bird, then it's OK to call it in closer. Some may think this restriction is extreme. Comments would be helpful. - Nari Mistry Subject: Has birding ethics changed? From: John and Sue Gregoire Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2012 09:36:19 -0400 X-Message-Number: 1 Perhaps I misunderstand the CayugaBirds posts of late but in the last couple of years I have seen many references to birders using electronic calls to enhance their personal or group birding experience. It used to be a condemned practice and very strictly limited to research, and then light usage only, as well as a part of the ABA Birding Code of Ethics. I thought that perhaps these posts were new birders who hadn't been taught the ethical code but now I see the use of calls somewhat codified by its use in SFO trips. While the proliferation of electronic devices may make this easier, I don't see the need or the justification. Comments appreciated. John -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Pileated Wdpkr and Carolina Wren make backyard rounds for GBBC
A Pileated Woodpecker flew in and made the rounds of our backyard as we were observing for the GBBC today. A Carolina Wren also showed up again after weeks, singing all around the backyard, celebrating the count weekend. A Bluebird has been singing for several days. The lone Redpoll has not been seen since last Sunday-- we're hoping it is still around. Nari & Gin Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- 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] Common Redpoll
This morning a single female Common Redpoll was perched briefly above our feeders while I got a good look through binoculars. But it was scared off by a squirrel just as it swooped down to the feeders among all the house finches, goldfinches & juncos. But now it's back at a feeder and I decided I could report it. We're hoping for a cloud of Redpolls as we have had occasionally in years past, for the GBBC. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Backyard Raven and TV
A few minutes ago, I was watching "our" resident Turkey Vulture circling & swooping low (<30ft) all around our backyard and then settling on a back corner tree to spread its wings in the sun. A Raven swooped down and was immediately mobbed by three crows, until it circled back over the TV and was chased away. The large size and the wedge tail was immediately recognizable, even w/o the mobbing crows. For several weeks there has been a deer carcass just outside the SE corner of our deer-fenced yard, which is why the TV and the Raven are interested. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Sunshine brings out Brown Creeper and Carolina Wren
A little bit of sunshine seems to bring a Brown Creeper to our box-elder every time. It seems to appear with the sunlight. Can't wait for Spring to hear its tinkling song again. Today the sun also brought back a Carolina Wren to our feeders -- first return since CBC count week, although I heard a little snatch of trill yesterday. Now waiting for the pair to come regularly to the suet. Other birds at our feeders: T.Titmouse, A.Tree Sparrow, White-thr Sparrow, Mourning Doves, House Finches, Goldfinches, RBWoodpecker, Downy, and many Juncos (I will go crazy looking for Chris Wood's Cassiar Junco). No Pine Siskins or Purple Finches have shown up here. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Interesting bird interaction
Yesterday afternoon I watched an interesting little interaction between a male Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Blue Jay in our yard. The RBWO flew into our box-elder with loud chirrups, waited just a few seconds, then flew to a silver birch in the corner. In a few seconds he chirruped back and started pecking at a stump on the box-elder. This was repeated several times, I was not able to check whether he was caching something he got from the birch. Meanwhile a blue jay sat watching this action. After a few back-and-forth flights the RBWO hopped off to another branch. The watching blue jay immediately flew up, not directly to the stump, but a few feet away and hopped around a little, picking at random spots nonchalantly, as if uninterested. But he quickly made his way to the stump and looked in. At this, the RBWO zoomed up again and scared off the blue jay. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Backyard Hawk watch
I decided to take advantage of the warm updrafts today and watch for a while this afternoon for raptors passing over our backyard (Ellis Hollow Rd, Opp. Dodge Rd) The highlights were: a magnificent Bald Eagle sailing from (limited) horizon to horizon without a wing-beat; two Sharpshinned hawks spiraling up locally and then zooming southwards; a Cooper's Hawk doing the same; and some high Turkey Vultures smoothly sailing south. The most moving sight is to see lone Monarch butterflies battling their way south, high up. Yesterday evening at about 6pm while I was watching Monarchs fluttering south, one little dot resolved into an awesome Merlin flying south straight as an arrow with powerful fast wing beats. Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Carolina Wren serenade
A Carolina Wren is singing loudly just outside my window right now as I sit at my desk. I can see his throat action as he sings. He has been flitting up & down the spruce branches within 15 ft. of my window. Now he is trying out a whole variety of songs in his repertoire! Possibly he is a young bird trying all his songs and trills. Some mornings his song seems loud enough as if he sitting at our bedroom window. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Myers: BlackBellied Plover
After a morning painting at Ludlowville Falls, I decided to swing by Myers to take a quick look, around noon. A Black-Bellied Plover was walking around at the spit, with a gaggle of RB Gulls sleeping nearby, Three female Common Mergansers were swimming around -- they might be the same three that were at L.Falls earlier and took off downstream around 10am. Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Hawthorn this morning
Gin & I birded in the hawthorn orchard this morning, starting at 7:30am. Some of the notables: --Tenessee warblers singing everywhere, finally got our sights on some in the dense foliage. The best views I had was in the open at the south edge of the woods, looking in from the field. (This is where there are some reliably every year). -- Blackpoll warblers, everywhere, lots singing. !0 in one big tree. -- Canada warblers, heard several, saw one finally, in the company of Bob McGuire, Dave Nutter, Susan Danskin, and others, near the middle. -- Bay-breasted male & female, again near the south edge. -- Magnolia male, near the south edge. -- Blue-winged warbler -- Willow flycatcher (heard) -- Two Least flycatchers (heard) -- etc. Pleasant morning -- squish, squish... Nari Mistry -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Yard birds: Swainson's Thrush, S.Tanager, Magnolia Warbler
This evening, a Swainson's Thrush made a surprise appearance foraging on the ground outside our dining room window during dinner. On Friday a Scarlet Tanager showed up and added its song to that of our resident B.Orioles (two males) RBGrosbeaks (2 males +2 females) C.Yellowthroat, H.Wrens, Finches, etc. Have not seen YRumped warblers for a few days. Late afternoon yesterday a Magnolia Warbler was foraging behind the shed, giving us good looks. Nari -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Dodge Rd: Bobolinks, E.KINGBIRDS, Kestrel, Palm Warbler, etc.
I walked down Dodge Rd at 5:30pm in a slight drizzle under cold overcast skies. A female Kestrel was keeping vigil in the lone tree standing in the middle of the uppermost (South) field. Her colors looked beautiful in this light. Four E.Kingbirds flew in from the east across the lower fields and sat for a conference in a young maple before dispersing one by one. They may have just arrived. As I stood pishing beside the spruce grove, a troop of 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers tumbled out and did an entertaining aerial trapeze act, popping out in the open one by one to look at me. It was hard to scan through them, but I caught one (Eastern, yellow) Palm Warbler. On the way back, I heard the wit-wit-wit call of a Wood-thrush from the scrubby woods. Finally, back at the south field, a male Bobolink flew up into the tree where the Kestrel had been. When he flew back down, he led me to another male Bobolink. The two sat on adjacent bullrushes, displaying their puffed-up yellow napes, hoping for mates. I was glad to see bobolinks again here -- they used to be regular breeders in these fields until the early mowing started up years ago. Bobolinks & Meadowlarks are rare here now. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd -- -- 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] Dodge Rd: Bobolinks, E.KINGBIRDS, Kestrel, Palm Warbler, etc.
I walked down Dodge Rd at 5:30pm in a slight drizzle under cold overcast skies. A female Kestrel was keeping vigil in the lone tree standing in the middle of the uppermost (South) field. Her colors looked beautiful in this light. Four E.Kingbirds flew in from the east across the lower fields and sat for a conference in a young maple before dispersing one by one. They may have just arrived. As I stood pishing beside the spruce grove, a troop of 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers tumbled out and did an entertaining aerial trapeze act, popping out in the open one by one to look at me. It was hard to scan through them, but I caught one (Eastern, yellow) Palm Warbler. On the way back, I heard the wit-wit-wit call of a Wood-thrush from the scrubby woods. Finally, back at the south field, a male Bobolink flew up into the tree where the Kestrel had been. When he flew back down, he led me to another male Bobolink. The two sat on adjacent bullrushes, displaying their puffed-up yellow napes, hoping for mates. I was glad to see bobolinks again here -- they used to be regular breeders in these fields until the early mowing started up years ago. Bobolinks & Meadowlarks are rare here now. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Rose-breasted Grosbeak
This morning the first male Rose-breasted Grosbeak appeared at our feeders. Looking at some past records, I noted that last year on 5/2/10, there was a crowd of SEVEN male RBGrosbeaks feeding peacefully at our feeders! We have usually had two pairs breeding in our yard or somewhere close, although at the feeders they never quarrel. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow rd -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Pine Siskins, Purple finches
A handful of Pine Siskins & Purple Finches continue at our feeders. Aggressive House Finches drive away the Purple Finches when they flock in. Early this morning when I went to get the newspaper, a Pileated Woodpecker took off with a huge sound of flapping wings, from the base of a spruce across the road. This seems a favorite spot which it explores every year. Nari Mistry Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Towhee
This morning, while the sun shone briefly, we were greeted by the loud song of an E.Towhee, amongst the songs of Wh Thr Sparrow, Goldfinch, HouseFinch and the rest of the chorus. Now the sun's hidden and so is the Towhee! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Purple Finches, Chipping sparrow, etc
Two bright male Purple Finches are at our feeders today. There have been two females off and on at the feeders during the week. Curious, but two females seem to come first every Spring. Also, our first chipping Sparrow showed up this morning. The crowd of Wh-Thr. Sparrows seems to have moved on. A Y-bellied Sapsucker has been drumming all around for the past week too. No females seen yet. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, NY To see my paintings, visit http://www.ArtbyNari.com -- 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] Incredible-- backyard River Otter!
Just before 7am, I had just put down my binoculars after scanning the backyard from our kitchen. I was still looking hopefully for any Fox Sparrows, when I saw a dark low shape running along the bank of a small creek bordering our side yard. As it came out in the open, I saw clearly that it was a RIVER OTTER, typical loping run, shiny dark coat and beautiful thin tail. A few seconds later I saw it again, (or another one?) as it went by again towards the road! I think it may have been the same one that ran back briefly from the road & passing cars. I have seen River Otters before in the Inlet by Stewart Park, but this was at home -- wow! What an incredible experience. There's hope for wildlife yet! Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- 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] (Red)Squirrel-proofing feeders
Title: (Red)Squirrel-proofing feeders We have two of our six feeders enclosed in wire cages (from Agway) --- one has a seed tube inside, the other has a suet cage. i have written before how a persistent red squirrel sits INSIDE the cage all day, eating everything and keeping birds away. I don't mind the eating, but the birds can't even try for the food ! Last weekend I wrapped both cylindrical outer cages with chickenwire fence, hexagonal 1.5"x1.0" openings, smaller than the 1.5x1.5 openings in the cage. The red-squirrel have been frustrated and in a frenzy to get in, so far. (The big grays too, can't reach in as they used to.) I was worried about the birds, since not all hexagonal openings line up with the cage openings. The smartest birds were the chickadees. After a few perplexed tries yesterday, the chickadees now jump around until they find a fully open hexagon and flit in and out. The nuthatches were next. The two WBrNH held back at the strange new appearance of the cages-- but soon they could learn to get in and out. The two RBr nuthatches learned quickly to find the openings and go in and out -- one holds back a little, still getting used to it. The goldfinches simply have not figured it out yet. They give up easily and go to the nyger or safflower feeders. The bigger birds (woodpeckers & Bluejays) can get at the suet at the edges of the suet cage, as they did before. I am hoping the Carolina Wrens who come for the suet will not give up too easily, and find a way in. On the same topic, the squirrels simply leave the safflower seed alone -- they don't like it. The birds will eat it happily, unless sunflower is easy to get. Cardinals love the safflower, particularly. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com
[cayugabirds-l] Tree sparrows
Since yesterday the lone Tree Sparrow, alone at our feeders since January, has found a companion or mate. The new sparrow is smaller and leaner-- female? Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Carolina Wren pair come to be counted today.
Both of the Carolina Wren pair appeared together today at our suet, just so they could be counted for the GBBC. They were missing since last Thursday and only one at a time has appeared sporadically last week. A red squirrel happily sits all day inside the outer suet cage, discouraging small birds -- in spite of my efforts to persuade him away to seed elsewhere, cajole him, threaten him. In past years a CAWren pair has stayed around all year and even once nested in a brush pile. Hope they do again. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Caroliina Wren, Brown Creeper regulars in our yard this week
This week a Carolina Wren has been coming to our suet feeder sporadically every day. A Brown Creeper seems to spend most of mid-day every day on the box-elder outside our dining room window, making a stop on the snow below the feeders before each round up the tree-trunk. ( I want to hear him start to sing his tinkly song as the days lengthen, but with the windows closed, that's unlikely) Other regulars: Red-br Nuthatch pair, White-br Nuthatch pair, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy woodpecker, one Tree sparrow, BC Chickadees, T.Titmouse, House Finches, DEJuncos, N.Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Bluejays, four gray squirrels and one red squirrel. Earlier in the month we had one male Redpoll & for just one appearance, five Pine Siskins that did not return. Looking at the sexual dimorphism of the woodpecker pairs versus the identical plumage of the nuthatches, chickadees, etc., I wondered whether there is any substantial discussion of how birds recognise their mates, or even gender in general? Is it known what birds look for ? Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Black Kite nest decorations
In Mumbai, right next to my family's apartment, Black kites were using mostly-white Tee shirts as well as blue plastic and other found clothing-scraps. I particularly noticed the Tee shirts when we visited in 2008, but I couldn't read the T-shirt logos to see what brand they preferred(!). -Nari Mistry At 8:37 AM -0500 1/21/11, Meena Haribal wrote: Chris et al, In India, at least those Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) that nested near my house or my office in Mumbai, preferred golden materials, especially those of fire cracker wrappers. And crows (Corvus splendens) preferred metal coat (ok clothes) hangers to sticks. I guess where these guys studied the Black Kites did not have exotic colors available. I wonder what would happen if they were given different choice of colors would they show a gradient in their fitness. Meena -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Dodge Rd: Mockingbird, Bluebirds
On my walk down Dodge Rd this afternoon (2pm) I found a juvenile N.MOCKINGBIRD in the roadside shrubs. It was quite tame and allowed me to approach quite close. A small group of 4 male E.BLUEBIRDs leapfrogged along the wires as I walked. Some other birds: Redbellied & Hairy Woodpeckers, House Finches and lots of RTHawks. At one point as I was watching a low-flying RTHawk, in the field of view but far away a cloud of white-winged small birds arose & settled. I walked all around for quite a while but could not find the presumed Buntings again. Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Snow Buntings & A.Tree Sparrows, Dodge Rd
This afternoon (4pm) I walked along Dodge Rd and found a nice flock of 20 Snow Buntings doing wheelies in the Millers' pumpkin-patch field on the west side of Dodge Rd. (along the Cornell gas-line). Several times they perched in a neat line on the power-line wire, allowing me to count them. In the same field there was a flock of 8 A.Tree Sparrows gleaning in the weeds. At our feeders, a lone male C.Redpoll comes and goes, as well as a single A.Tree Sparrow, competing with the Red-Br Nuthatch pair, Wh-Br Nuthatch, Chickadees, Goldfinches, TUTI (a way to avoid saying Titmice!), Juncos, etc Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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] Red-breasted Nuthatch pair
Just in time for the GBBC, we have our usual pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches at our feeders. We were away and put out feeders just a few days ago. I saw only one at a time until this morning when both appeared together so I could report them. In case they don't come around tomorrow they're here for Count Week. . . . . . Nari Mistry, Ellis Hollow Rd. -- Nari B. Mistry, Ithaca, New York For my paintings, see http://www.artbynari.com -- 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/ --