[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology "Open House"

[Marc Devokaitis]

Hi All -

Tonight, all are welcome for the kick-off of SFO at the Cornell Lab. Come
see what it's all about!

6:30: Kevin McGowan: "Birding the Cayuga Basin"
7:30: Steve Kress: "Winter Resident Bird ID"
8:30: Steve Kress: "Seabird Restoration"

Cheers,
Marc

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[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology 2018

[Marc Devokaitis]

Dear Cayuga Birders,


I love that moment in late January when I notice just a smidge more
daylight remaining at the end of the workday. It sets me to thinking of the
all of the rotations and revolutions that we are a part of on this
fantastic planet. And more importantly, it makes me think about spring
birding!!



With that, I want to remind everyone of (or in some cases, introduce you
to) the Cornell Lab’s Spring Field Ornithology course (SFO
), taking place from March 28th – May
20th.



SFO is an Ithaca-area tradition that has helped thousands of people learn
about birds and birding over the past four-plus decades. It is also a great
way to get to know the birding community and the birding hotspots around
the area. Designed for all skill levels, the course has two main sections
plus a pair of overnight trips.

· *Wednesday night lectures*, including a visit to the bird
collection of the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates and a nighttime 'owl
prowl.'

· *Saturday or Sunday field trips* to regional birding hotspots
such as Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Derby Hill Hawk Watch, Montezuma,
Sapsucker Woods and Greensprings Natural Cemetery.

· *An overnight and a weekend trip* to birding meccas: Montezuma
National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh, Ohio.

*Dr. Steve Kress, *VP for Bird Conservation for National Audubon Society,
returns to teach the course, joined by a host of guest lecturers from
around the Lab. A cadre of local birding experts lead the weekend trips.
Visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo  to watch a video about the course,
look at photos, review the course schedule and enroll, and learn about the
offerings.

*Early bird discounts apply through February 5th! *


Full schedule: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo/Course_schedule
Online portal:
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/courses/spring-field-ornithology-northeast/


*If you are interested in any of this, or have any questions, please let me
know by email or visit me up in the Adelson Library at the Cornell Lab.*


*And please help spread the word by forwarding this email to anyone you
think might be interested!*


Happy Birding!
Marc

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[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology 2017

[Marc Devokaitis]

Hi Cayuga Birders:

Just a quick note to let you know that registration is now open for Spring
Field Ornithology at the Cornell Lab.  *Early bird discounts in effect
through Sunday, Feb. 5.*



As you may know, the course is an Ithaca-area tradition that has helped
several thousand people learn about birds and birding over the past four
decades. The course has two main sections plus a pair of overnight trips,
and is designed for all skill levels.

· *Wednesday night lectures*, including a visit to the bird
collection of the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates and a nighttime 'owl
prowl.'

· *Saturday or Sunday field trips* to regional birding hotspots
such as Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Derby Hill Hawk Watch, Montezuma,
Sapsucker Woods and Dryden Lake.

· *Two overnight trips* to birding meccas: Montezuma National
Wildlife Refuge and Cape May, NJ

Visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo to watch a video about the course,
look at photos, review the course schedule and enroll.


Full schedule: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo/Course_schedule


As last year, *in-person participants in the lectures section will also get
access to the online component*, which lecture recordings, quizzes, and
handouts. Online portal:
https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/courses/spring-field-ornithology-northeast/


If you have questions, contact me at sfocl...@cornell.edu,
 or call 607-254-2165, or stop by the Adelson Library
at the Cornell Lab to chat during the week. *And please help spread the
word by forwarding this email to anyone you think might be interested.*


Thank you, and I hope to see many of you this spring!



Marc Devokaitis

Coordinator, Spring Field Ornithology 

607-254-2165

sfocl...@cornell.edu

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[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology

[Marc Devokaitis]

Dear Cayuga Birders:


OK.  So there are male Red-winged Blackbirds at Montezuma in mid January.
That means we should be seeing phoebes by February, and a big wave of
warbler migration by late March, right?  Should be a an interesting year...


And what better way to bear witness to the the wild wonder of spring bird
migration in central New York than by joining this year’s Spring Field
Ornithology (SFO) course at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology?!  Whether you
are just getting into birds, or just want to reconnect with that
long-dormant birder inside of you that wishes it was better at getting up
early during April and May, this course is for you!


The course begins *Wednesday, March 25th *and runs through* May 17th *and
is designed for everyone from the complete beginner to the most avid birder.


SFO consists of:


*8 Wednesday night lectures*, including two visits to the bird collection
of the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates and a nighttime 'owl prowl.'

· *8 Saturday or Sunday field trips* to regional birding hotspots
such as Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, Derby Hill Hawk Watch, Montezuma,
Sapsucker Woods and Dryden Lake

*  2  2 overnight trips* to birding meccas: Montezuma National Wildlife
Refuge and Cape May, NJ.


You can take any part of the course, or the whole thing.  Visit
http://birds.cornell.edu/sfo  to see the schedule, watch a video about the
course, look at photos, and read testimonials. Register online at
http://store.birds.cornell.edu/category_s/49.htm

Steve Kress,
http://www.audubon.org/dr-steve-kress-vp-bird-conservation-director-seabird-restoration-program
VP for Bird Conservation for National Audubon Society, is the instructor.
The course also features guest lecturers from the Cornell Lab. Weekend
trips will be led by a cadre of local birding experts. The field trips are
tailored to the interests and abilities of each group. A sense of community
builds throughout the course, and many people enjoy the trips so much that
they return year after year with their friends!



Email, call or stop by the Adelson Library at the Lab if you have
questions.


Hope to see you there!

Marc



MarcDevokaitis

Course Coordinator

607-254-2165

sfocl...@cornell.edu

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[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology Saturday Group 2 Derby Hill (and Montezuma)

[david nicosia]

Led SFO group 2 to Derby Hill  in the cold, wind
and driving rain. There was even some snow mixed
in at times!!  We continued the SFO tradition of 
stopping by theSNIPE spot at the intersection of 
Route 3 and 104B  and found at least 8 WILSON'S  
SNIPE (there were  probably many more). 

Given the poor conditions, there was no noticeable
hawk movement today. We did have one male NORTHERN
HARRIER fly by very low. That was it for raptors seen by
our group at Derby.

Since the winds were from the south, Lake Ontario 
was not very choppy at all on its south shores so despite 
cold, wind and rain, we did get some great views of the
various  birdlife over the big lake. We saw many 
RED-BREASTED  MERGANSERS. Some were very close
showing off their beauty. We also saw many LONG-TAILED
DUCKS, one PIED-BILLED GREBE, a couple COMMON
LOONS, and one HORNED GREBE.  There were a couple
CASPIAN TERNS flying by fairly low with great looks. We
also saw many many TREE SWALLOWS with a few BARN
SWALLOWS over the big lake feeding and flying around. 
On the grass near the north lookout there were a bunch of 
NORTHERN FLICKERS feeding which was neat. 

After we were almost completely frozen, part of our group
decided to head down to Montezuma as there were a few
breaks in the rain on radar to the south. At the visitor's center,
we enjoyed many GREEN-WINGED, and BLUE-WINGED
TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and a few AMERICAN
WIGEON. There were many TREE SWALLOWS with a few 
BARNS at times. The PURPLE MARTINS were on the martin
houses with a few flying around as well. 

On wildlife drive, we saw more of the same waterfowl with an
exceptional view of a PIED BILLED GREBE  very close to
the road. We watched this bird dive repeatly in the very shallow
water near the edge of the main pool and you could see him
chasing his prey. It was really cool. We also picked up REDHEAD,
RING-NECKED DUCKS, among the other waterfowl species that
we had already seen. Numbers were fairly low.  We also saw both
male and female NORTHERN HARRIERS coarsing low over the
extensive marshes. I believe we had at least 4 or 5 of these guys. 
We also saw 3 BALD EAGLES and 1 SHARP-SHINNED
HAWK. More raptors here than at Derby! 

At the new shorebird area on wildlife drive near the first big turn, 
we counted 14 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. All were fairly
close so we got excellent views of this long distant migrant. 
We also had a couple KILLDEER here with no other shorebird
species seen by our group at Montezuma.  

At Benning marsh there were more of the same waterfowl species
that we had seen earlier. 

We tried to stop at May's Point but the wind almost literally
blew us out of there. We did pick up some BUFFLEHEAD
here along with an AMERICAN COOT and more REDHEADs,
and RING-NECKED DUCKS.  

We decided against climbing the tower at Tschache Pool
so we viewed several gulls from the car seeing the usual
RING-BILLED and  HERRING GULLs with one
GREATER BLACK BACKED GULL. There
was also one CASPIAN TERN here. 

On the way back we stopped at the North Mill 
Pond in Union Springs and ran into Dave Nutter's group. 
We saw much of the same as his group including
a beautiful GREEN HERON that he mentioned
in his post. 

All in all, despite the weather, we had an
excellent day with many great views
of various species. Thanks to everyone for
a fun and enjoyable day. 

Dave Nicosia
Johnson City, NY 

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[cayugabirds-l] Spring Field Ornithology March 23 - May 15; discounts volunteer position open

[Erica Van Etten]

Hi everyone,

I am once again coordinating the Spring Field Ornithology class at the Lab
of Ornithology, which will be March 23 - May 15th. Of course many of you are
familiar with the class already as alumni, leaders or already enrolled this
year!  For those of you who planning to enroll, I am writing to remind you
that there is a $10 discount the weekly field trip section if you sign up by
March 1.

I am also writing because I looking for at least one volunteer to assist
with the set-up/break down of the Wednesday night lectures. The volunteer
would receive free admission to lectures and visits to the bird skin
collection, and possibly also the weekly field trips. Volunteer benefits
are transferable; meaning you can volunteer and give your free lectures to a
friend as a gift. Please contact me at sfocl...@cornell.edu if you are
interested.

And finally, if you have never heard of Spring Field Ornithology (SFO), here
is your chance!

Spring Field Ornithology is an 8-week course offered each spring by the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The class consists of Wednesday night lectures,
weekend field trips on Saturdays or Sundays to birding hotspots in central
NY (Braddock Bay, Derby Hill, Sapsucker Woods, Montezuma, Arnot, etc), and
two optional overnight trips to Montezuma and to Cape May area, NJ.  The
lecture section includes two visits to the bird collections of the Cornell
Museum of Vertebrates and an owl prowl. Instruction is by Steve Kress, Vice
President for Bird Conservation for National Audubon, staff at the Cornell
Lab of Ornithology, and local birding experts. The field trips are organized
into beginning, intermediate and advanced levels so the course is suitable
for complete novices to experienced birders. You stay with the same field
trip group each week, and there is a sense of community that builds
throughout the course. Many people enjoy the trips so much they return to
take them year after year with their friends! College students may take the
course for credit by making arrangements for an independent study with their
advisor.

For more information or to enrolll, visit the course website:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo. You may also enjoy browsing our class
website and where students uploaded photos taken during the field trips last
year (and since last year). http://sfocornell.ning.com/  There is a $10
discount on field trip registrations received by March 1. For more
information, contact me (Erica Van Etten) at sfocl...@cornell.edu.

This message was approved by the Cayugabirds-L listserv moderator.

Happy birding!

-- 
Erica Van Etten

Course Coordinator
Spring Field Ornithology
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/sfo

(607)254-2466 (office)
607-279-6402 (cell)

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