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03 Jul Mississippi Kite, Montgomery Co. ["gwren70" ] 03 Jul Re: Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting [Andrew Mason ] 03 Jul Re: Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting [Andrew Mason ] 3 Jul Mississippi Kite - YES - yesterday 7/2 [Shilfiell Nels Rada ] 3 Jul Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting [RUTH FLOREY ] 2 Jul Re: Fort Drum birding update [Jeff Bolsinger ] 2 Jul RE: Mississippi Kite - More YES ["Richard Guthrie" ] 02 Jul Mississippi Kite - YES [Brenda Best ] 02 Jul Mississippi Kite - YES [Brenda Best ] 02 Jul Fort Drum birding update ["jsbolsinger" ] 01 Jul Volunteer for Common Nighthawk Watch ["gwren70" ] 01 Jul Bobwhites [Brenda Best ] 01 Jul Ditchbank and Sod Farm News [Brenda Best ] 1 Jul Mississippi Kite [Sheila Smith ] 1 Jul Southern Highlands/cone crop ["grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" ] 30 Jun Montezuma Sunday 6/28 [Michele Neligan ] 29 Jun Re: Re: Yellow-billed cuckoo [anthony grago ] 29 Jun Mississippi Kite [Bill Purcell ] 29 Jun Mississippi Kite [Bill Purcell ] 29 Jun Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 29 Jun Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoo ["gwren70" ] 29 Jun Re: Yellow-billed cuckoo ["shudderbug62" ] 28 Jun Yellow-billed cuckoo ["ccspagnoli" ] 23 Jun pine siskins ["John Dougherty" ] 23 Jun Sightings and the Central NY Land Trust! ["grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" ] 23 Jun Hello! ["rickdumont" ] 23 Jun Carolina Wren ["gwren70" ] 22 Jun Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 21 Jun Red-headed Woodpecker returns ["John Dougherty" ] 20 Jun Re: New yard woodpecker Red-headed [Ginny Alfano ] 20 Jun New yard woodpecker Red-headed ["John Dougherty" ] 20 Jun Another mockingbird... ["ccspagnoli" ] 20 Jun Sandhill Cranes at Montezuma ["rickdumont" ] 20 Jun Fort Drum birds ["jsbolsinger" ] 19 Jun Re: Message from Syracuse.com ["Smith Gerry" ] 18 Jun Re: Vireo Nest Predation [Matt Perry ] 18 Jun RE: Vireo Nest Predation ["J Fisher" ] 17 Jun Re: Conservation of Swallow Colonies [Andrew Mason ] 17 Jun Vireo Nest Predation ["Jody Hildreth" ] 18 Jun Conservation of Swallow Colonies ["gwren70" ] 17 Jun Re: Rt. 31 Osprey [Michele Neligan ] 17 Jun Red-eyed Vireo Nest Photos ["Jody Hildreth" ] 15 Jun Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 14 Jun Rt. 31 Osprey ["slshute727" ] 13 Jun Breeding assortment ["ccspagnoli" ] 12 Jun Cliff Swallows, Hampton Inn ["gwren70" ] 11 Jun Cliff Swallows ["brinjoseph" ] 11 Jun Re: Northern mockingbird, 6/9 [Judith Thurber ] 11 Jun Re: Northern mockingbird, 6/9 [SUSAN THUENER ] 11 Jun Northern mockingbird, 6/9 ["ccspagnoli" ] 10 Jun Syracuse Peregrines [Von Merm ] 9 Jun Fw: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 09 Jun Tuesday a.m. birds ["brinjoseph" ] 9 Jun Red Crossbill ["grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" ] 8 Jun Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 8 Jun Red-eyed Vireo Nest - Waterville ["Jody Hildreth" ] 08 Jun Bicknell's Thrush [Meena Haribal ] 08 Jun Re: Adirondacks trip, 6/6-6/7 [Brenda Best ] 08 Jun bobolinks ["aglunzman" ] 08 Jun Adirondacks trip, 6/6-6/7 ["ccspagnoli" ] 07 Jun Utica Peregrine Falcons [Matt Perry ] 7 Jun Peregrines [Dorothy Crumb ] 06 Jun Cliff Swallows, None ["gwren70" ] 06 Jun Prothonotary Warbler ["gwren70" ] 05 Jun Re: Fledging Peregrines [Bob Walker ] 5 Jun Fledging Peregrines [Von Merm ] 05 Jun Whiskey Hollow Cerulean and Hooded Warblers ["cesassman" ] 04 Jun Re: Cliff Swallows [Bob Walker ] 05 Jun Cliff Swallows ["oncidiums20" ] 04 Jun Re: Orchard Oriole ["brinjoseph" ] 3 Jun Re: Message from Syracuse.com [Michele Neligan ] 03 Jun Orchard Oriole ["brinjoseph" ] 3 Jun King Rail - Yes; Prothonotary & Cerulean Warblers - Yes [] 1 Jun Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 01 Jun Re: Playing tapes [Claire Putala ] 01 Jun Re: Playing tapes [Claire Putala ] Subject: Mississippi Kite, Montgomery Co. From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:38:23 -0000 This morning John Moore and I visited 919 Mapletown Rd. in Montgomery Co., south of Canajoharie. After 10 minutes at this location, we went down to the bottom of the hill where five other birders were waiting to see the bird. After a short period of time, we were able to see the kite for 10-15 minutes circling over the area where Donato Rd. meets Mapletown Rd. The kite then took a vertical dive into a stand of European Larch. This was between 12:00 and 1:30pm. Good birding. Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Re: Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting From: Andrew Mason <andymason AT earthling.net> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:37:32 -0400 Guess the chart didn't come through. You can see it at the link below, however. Andy At 02:32 PM 7/3/2009, you wrote: >Ruth-- > >Here's a chart with nesting cycles for grassland birds in NY >State. This is from an excellent report on conserving grassland >birds in the state by Michael Morgan and Michael Burger of Audubon NY. > >The entire report is available >at >http://www.audubon.org/chapter/ny/ny/PDFs/ConservationPlan-GrasslandBirds-NY.pdf > >Andy Mason > >[] > >At 01:36 AM 7/3/2009, you wrote: > > >Hi All, > > > >Does anyone know when the nesting cycle is complete for Eastern Meadowlark? > > > >I > >spoke with the Town of Dewitt Operations director about mowing the town > >landfill. My objective was to see if this could be delayed until the > >nestings are complete. I believe there are meadowlarks nesting there > >this summer. In the past, they have stopped briefly in the spring but > >haven't lingered. This year is different. I haven't seen the nests - > >the landfill is fenced, but the fact that they have stayed is > >encouraging. > > > >He was quite amenable to the idea - in fact he was > >very interested in what other birds are found there (Savannah Sparrow, > >Bobolink, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow routinely.) > > > >I > >wasn't prepared when he asked how long he should wait. I suggested end > >of July hoping this was enough of a cushion. Does anyone know the real > >answer? > > > >Ruth Florey > >Syracuse > >__________________________________________________________ > >Lauren found her dream laptop. Find the PC that's right for you. > >htt > p://www.microsoft.com/windows/choosepc/?ocid=ftp_val_wl_290 > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > >------------------------------------ > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >---------- > >Andrew Mason >1039 Peck St. >Jefferson, NY 12093 >(607) 652-2162 >AndyMason AT earthling.net > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting From: Andrew Mason <andymason AT earthling.net> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:32:59 -0400 Ruth-- Here's a chart with nesting cycles for grassland birds in NY State. This is from an excellent report on conserving grassland birds in the state by Michael Morgan and Michael Burger of Audubon NY. The entire report is available at http://www.audubon.org/chapter/ny/ny/PDFs/ConservationPlan-GrasslandBirds-NY.pdf Andy Mason [] At 01:36 AM 7/3/2009, you wrote: >Hi All, > >Does anyone know when the nesting cycle is complete for Eastern Meadowlark? > >I >spoke with the Town of Dewitt Operations director about mowing the town >landfill. My objective was to see if this could be delayed until the >nestings are complete. I believe there are meadowlarks nesting there >this summer. In the past, they have stopped briefly in the spring but >haven't lingered. This year is different. I haven't seen the nests - >the landfill is fenced, but the fact that they have stayed is >encouraging. > >He was quite amenable to the idea - in fact he was >very interested in what other birds are found there (Savannah Sparrow, >Bobolink, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow routinely.) > >I >wasn't prepared when he asked how long he should wait. I suggested end >of July hoping this was enough of a cushion. Does anyone know the real >answer? > >Ruth Florey >Syracuse >_________________________________________________________________ >Lauren found her dream laptop. Find the PC that's right for you. >http://www.microsoft.com/windows/choosepc/?ocid=ftp_val_wl_290 > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ---------- Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mississippi Kite - YES - yesterday 7/2 From: Shilfiell Nels Rada <ksucy AT eznet.net> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 06:40:40 -0400 After seeing the bird flying from Donato Rd. at around 4 PM yesterday during a nice stretch of time without rain, we were unable to relocate the Mississippi Kite for about 90 minutes. With rain threatening, all the other observers left but I remained behind and was rewarded just after 6:00. Once the rain picked up, the Kite flew across Mapletown Road and landed in the tallest scruffy-looking conifer in the utility right-of-way just down the hill from house #919 on the left side of the road. The Kite remained there until I left at just after 6:30, allowing the chance for dark but diagnostic photos. With two reports of the bird coming in to roost in that area during the rainy periods yesterday, it looks like bad weather might herald the best time to look for this Kite! -kimberly Subject: Help Requested: Meadowlark Nesting From: RUTH FLOREY <estella46 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:36:36 +0000 Hi All, Does anyone know when the nesting cycle is complete for Eastern Meadowlark? I spoke with the Town of Dewitt Operations director about mowing the town landfill. My objective was to see if this could be delayed until the nestings are complete. I believe there are meadowlarks nesting there this summer. In the past, they have stopped briefly in the spring but haven't lingered. This year is different. I haven't seen the nests - the landfill is fenced, but the fact that they have stayed is encouraging. He was quite amenable to the idea - in fact he was very interested in what other birds are found there (Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow routinely.) I wasn't prepared when he asked how long he should wait. I suggested end of July hoping this was enough of a cushion. Does anyone know the real answer? Ruth Florey Syracuse _________________________________________________________________ Lauren found her dream laptop. Find the PC that’s right for you. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/choosepc/?ocid=ftp_val_wl_290 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! 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Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Fort Drum birding update From: Jeff Bolsinger <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:54:01 -0700 (PDT) Based on a couple of message I have recieved since my last post I guess I need to clarify something.  As I have described in the past, anybody wanting to bird on Fort Drum needs a recreation permit and access pass; see this website for details: http://www.drum.army.mil/garrison/pw/FishandWild.html   Unfortunately, it is too late to obtain a permit for this weekend (the permit office is closed Friday), so if you don't already have one or made arrangements to recieve one you will be unable to bird on Fort Drum this weekend.  Passes are good for the federal fiscal year (Oct 1 to 30 Sep) and only cost $5, so I always suggest that anybody with any interest in birding Fort Drum buy one well in advance of a potential visit.   Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY --- On Thu, 7/2/09, jsbolsinger wrote: From: jsbolsinger Subject: [OneidaBirds] Fort Drum birding update To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 4:04 PM Just in time for the July 4 weekend, another summary of the birds we've been seeing on Fort Drum has been posted to the Fort Drum Fish and Wildlife web page. This summary can be seen by following this link: http://www.drum. army.mil/ garrison/ pw/pdf/Environme ntal/NatResource s/FishAndWild/ Wildlife% 20Viewing% 20Report% 20-%2002Jul2009. pdf I always recommend a visit to Fort Drum on a major holiday weekend, particularly Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, as virtually no training occurs at these times and usually most of the installation is open to recreation. Good luck to any who go. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Mississippi Kite - More YES From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 18:16:06 -0400 Andy, Kimberly, Bill Cook, LeRoy Suess and I were there at 3 PM today (July 2). No sign of the bird until 4 PM when Andy saw it in flight from Donato Road. It flew very high up in the general vicinity for about 20 minutes when we lost sight of it high up. I left, but none of those remaining behind saw it again - at least up till now (6 PM), as relayed by phone. There are several dead trees along Mapletown Road. Apparently the kite had been seen on the one where Donato Road comes out to Mapletown. That bit of clarification comes from one of the locals, and was news to me. So at this point, I'm not certain which tree is THE tree or if it matters. The one bird today was pushing the limits on height, so be prepared to search skyward a lot. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4067453-8863757 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4067453-8863757 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Brenda Best Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:32 PM To: ONEIDABIRDS; NYSBIRDS Subject: [nysbirds-l] Mississippi Kite - YES Betty Armbruster and I ventured to Montgomery County this morning. We headed straight to 919 Mapletown Road, but did not see the kite. We birded the general area for the morning during intermittent rain showers, then went up to Canajoharie for lunch. We came back planning to sit at 919 for a while as Rich suggested. However, there was a barking beagle up on the hillside to our right, so I decided to drive down the road a bit. And there was the Mississippi Kite perched in the dead tree on the left side of the road. Thank you, beagle. Time was just after 2 p.m. and it was pouring. A couple of pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22146769 AT N03/sets/72157620731918585/ BTW, I believe that dead tree is a poplar, not an elm. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Mississippi Kite - YES From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:31:44 -0400 Betty Armbruster and I ventured to Montgomery County this morning. We headed straight to 919 Mapletown Road, but did not see the kite. We birded the general area for the morning during intermittent rain showers, then went up to Canajoharie for lunch. We came back planning to sit at 919 for a while as Rich suggested. However, there was a barking beagle up on the hillside to our right, so I decided to drive down the road a bit. And there was the Mississippi Kite perched in the dead tree on the left side of the road. Thank you, beagle. Time was just after 2 p.m. and it was pouring. A couple of pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22146769 AT N03/sets/72157620731918585/ BTW, I believe that dead tree is a poplar, not an elm. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Mississippi Kite - YES From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:31:44 -0400 Betty Armbruster and I ventured to Montgomery County this morning. We headed straight to 919 Mapletown Road, but did not see the kite. We birded the general area for the morning during intermittent rain showers, then went up to Canajoharie for lunch. We came back planning to sit at 919 for a while as Rich suggested. However, there was a barking beagle up on the hillside to our right, so I decided to drive down the road a bit. And there was the Mississippi Kite perched in the dead tree on the left side of the road. Thank you, beagle. Time was just after 2 p.m. and it was pouring. A couple of pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22146769 AT N03/sets/72157620731918585/ BTW, I believe that dead tree is a poplar, not an elm. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net Subject: Fort Drum birding update From: "jsbolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:04:08 -0000 Just in time for the July 4 weekend, another summary of the birds we've been seeing on Fort Drum has been posted to the Fort Drum Fish and Wildlife web page. This summary can be seen by following this link: http://www.drum.army.mil/garrison/pw/pdf/Environmental/NatResources/FishAndWild/Wildlife%20Viewing%20Report%20-%2002Jul2009.pdf I always recommend a visit to Fort Drum on a major holiday weekend, particularly Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, as virtually no training occurs at these times and usually most of the installation is open to recreation. Good luck to any who go. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: Volunteer for Common Nighthawk Watch From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:53:23 -0000 I am looking for a volunteer to count the Common Nighthawks that pass over the City of Syracuse from August 12th to August 31st. The place would be from the top of the hill in Temple Adath Yeshurun Cemetery which is at the corner of Thurber St. and Jamesville Ave. Times are from 6:00 to 8:30pm. My wife and I are moving to Tully in mid-August to be near my son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Good birding. Gene Huggins. Subject: Bobwhites From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:38:44 -0400 As I drove Ditchbank Rd this morning, I believe I saw 5 bobwhites fly up from the road into the trees. I was concentrating on a turkey and her too-young-to-fly poults that were in the road. Later, as I photographed the dowitcher, I heard a bobwhite singing. These are most likely released birds, which Great Swamp Conservancy raises, but still neat to hear. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net Subject: Ditchbank and Sod Farm News From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:23:17 -0400 Ditchbank Road in the Town of Lenox, Madison County, should be perfect for shorebirds this year. The earth has been "worked" and there is some standing water. The roadside brush has all been removed, which means clear viewing. This morning, I found a breeding plumaged Short- billed Dowitcher, along with a Lesser Yellowlegs (which flew high and fast toward the east as I got out of my car) and 16 Killdeer. Pictures of the dowitcher have been uploaded to http://www.flickr.com/photos/22146769 AT N03/sets/72157620680462931/detail/ The Sod Farm on Lakeport Road is a bit of a different story. Where we usually look for shorebirds has been planted with some sort of row crop. I have no idea what it is. There are a couple grassy strips, plus some bare dirt. That's where I found 14 Killdeer. However, on the opposite side of the road there is now a broad expanse of grass. Assuming the birds find it, we'll be looking into the sun in the afternoon and evening; morning sun will be to our backs. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net Subject: Mississippi Kite From: Sheila Smith <sheilas1 AT roadrunner.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:09:44 -0400 Yesterday Steve Hall and I went to see the Miss Kite(s). We had several distant views of the bird(s) flying fast. We along with other birders had good looks with a scope. We found a good viewing area east of 919 Mapletown Road just east of Donato Road. There is an open field that can be viewed by looking west from the north side of Mapletown Road. The bird flew north to south over the road as we were looking west. It appears standing still and waiting for the bird may be the best strategy. Sheila Smith 1354 Graffenburg Road New Hartford, NY 13413 sheilas1 AT roadrunner.com Subject: Southern Highlands/cone crop From: "grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" <grosbeak@clarityconnect.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:27:45 -0400 Hello all, Sorry for the lateness of this report. This past Saturday I birded the Southern Highlands and checked on the cone crop for the upcoming year. Highlights were: Muller Hill, Madison County: CANADA WARBLER, 2 PINE WARBLERS (this species continues to increase in the Southern Highlands where it's been slower to increase than in many other parts of NY), HOODED WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, the other expected warblers, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 1 RED CROSSBILL, and 5 PINE SISKINS still at Linda Salter's feeders on Carpenter Rd. Firetower Rd, Madison County: PRAIRE WARBLER or two, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Ridge Rd, Otselic County: 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO at nearly 2000ft (highest elevation I've ever recorded this species), COMMON RAVEN and 2-4 RED CROSSBILLS. North Rd and CCC Trucking Rd Pharsalia, Chenango County: SWAINSON THRUSHES, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, and all the expected warblers. It's still a tad too early to be sure, but overall the cone crop looks to be poor with locally fair to good areas. In areas the white pine crop didn't produce last year, the crop looks to be very good (I wonder if this is the case on the Tug Hill?). The European larch crop looks to be good again, but the spruces and hemlocks look to be poor with only a few areas producing a very light crop (Muller Hill might be the best). Last year the best areas in CNY were Morgan Hill and Summerhill, but this year the best crop looks to be in the Muller Hill, Ridge Rd, and DeRuyter areas --these were areas that didn't produce a good crop last year. cheers, Matt Young Scott, NY -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting Subject: Montezuma Sunday 6/28 From: Michele Neligan <gull.girl AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:33:59 -0700 (PDT) Hello All,   Montezuma's Tschache Pool is a great place to go right now.  Because Montezuma has drained the Main pool and May's Point pool, the birds are all concentrated there.    Michaela and I spent about two hours Sunday watching birds from the tower.  I saw/counted:   approximately 15 Great Blue Herons (the ones I could see with binoculars) a minimum of six juvie bald eagles, a pair of adult bald eagles a caspian tern 2 trumpeter swans with babies 4 American coots a black tern, a great egret, a double breasted comorant, and too many ospreys to count.   Everywhere you looked it seemed that there were juvenile bald eagles and ospreys. The ospreys are very vocal right now.  I believe there were also three great egrets on the very back part of the pool, but they were too far out to make a positive identification.  If you go, bring your scopes (like I need to tell you that!)   There was also a Marsh Wren and Cedar Waxwings at the main pool.    Good Birding, Michele Neligan Baldwinsville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Yellow-billed cuckoo From: anthony grago <tone1958 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:13:55 -0700 (PDT)    Chris,  I was fortunate enough toPhotograph a Yellowbilled Cuckoo in the swamp near the mohawk river Rome, ny ...first ever .         tone1958 AT smugmug.com --- On Mon, 6/29/09, shudderbug62 wrote: From: shudderbug62 Subject: [OneidaBirds] Re: Yellow-billed cuckoo To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 9:16 AM Chris, I heard a Yellow-billed cuckoo giving the same call from Slate Hill Rd. near Marcellus early Saturday morning, as well. Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville --- In oneidabirds AT yahoogroups. com, "ccspagnoli" wrote: > > Again this year (I think this is the third or fourth time) a yellow-billed cuckoo gave its "coo" call from my property on Oran Delphi Road in the Town of Pompey. This bird, which I have always thought of as the more southerly of the two regional cuckoo species, has in recent years been more common in Region 5, but I think the real spike in occurrences this year may have more to do with the tent caterpillar outbreak we saw in spring. > > Good birding. > > Chris Spagnoli > Town of Pompey > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mississippi Kite From: Bill Purcell <wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:30:57 -0400 Joe Brin and I went to Montgomery County on Monday to see the Mississippi Kite(s) and we did get a distant view of one. We got to 919 Mapletown Road about 9:20 AM and for the most part stayed just to the west at the top of the hill where there seemed to be the best view. The kite wasn't seen until 11:50 and it was really just a silhouette as it worked it's way from north to south over Mapletown Road to our east. It had long, narrow wings, pointed at the end with a what I would call a moderate-length tail that was very squared-off at the tip. It didn't flap and held it's wings either flat or slightly drooped at the wing tips. I hope other birders in the area got a better view later in the day. Other raptors included multiple sightings of Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks and Am. Kestrels and single Cooper's Hawk and Merlin. Bill Purcell Hastings NY 13076 wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Mississippi Kite From: Bill Purcell <wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:30:57 -0400 Joe Brin and I went to Montgomery County on Monday to see the Mississippi Kite(s) and we did get a distant view of one. We got to 919 Mapletown Road about 9:20 AM and for the most part stayed just to the west at the top of the hill where there seemed to be the best view. The kite wasn't seen until 11:50 and it was really just a silhouette as it worked it's way from north to south over Mapletown Road to our east. It had long, narrow wings, pointed at the end with a what I would call a moderate-length tail that was very squared-off at the tip. It didn't flap and held it's wings either flat or slightly drooped at the wing tips. I hope other birders in the area got a better view later in the day. Other raptors included multiple sightings of Turkey Vultures, Northern Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks and Am. Kestrels and single Cooper's Hawk and Merlin. Bill Purcell Hastings NY 13076 wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:19:41 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 29, 2009 * NYSY 2906.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): June 22, 2009 - June 29, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 29 AT 4:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #160 -Monday June 29, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of June 22 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- SANDHILL CRANE LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO ORCHARD ORIOLE PROTHONOTARY WRBLER GRASSHOPPER SPARROW MISSISSIPPI KITE (Extralimital) Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 6/22: 7 SANDHILL CRANES were seen along the wildlife drive. 6/23: 2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen along the wildlife drive. Onondaga County ------------ 6/20: (belated) Many species of birds including 8 species of warbler were found in the Central New York Land Trust’s Mason Hill Preserve in the Town of LaFayette. Highlights were LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and HOODED WARBLER. 6/28: A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was heard singing on Oran-Delphi Road in the Town of Pompey. Reports of YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were also recieved from Slate Hill Road and Beaver Creek Road in south eastern Madison County. It is thought that this years Tent Caterpiller infestation may be bring larger numbers of the YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO than is normal in our area. 6/28: An adult male ORCHARD ORIOLE was seen on Perry Road in the Town of Van Buren. Earlier this week at this sight a pair of ORCHARD ORIOLES was observed feeding young and a second year male was also seen. Oswego County ------------ 6/27: An adult male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was seen in the usual site on Toad Harbor Road at the first lagoon. It was seen again the next day. 6/28: 2 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were seen on Silk Road near the Oswego County Airport.. Extralimital ------------ This weeks big news is the pair of MISSISSIPPI KITES found in southern Montgomery County south of Canajoharie. One bird was apparently found as early as June 1 and local farmers have reported seeing and hearing them daily since. One bird was reported again on 6/27 and 2 were seen on 6/28 and it is thought they may be a nesting pair. One bird was seen again today and later reports are certain to come in. Directions th where the birds are being seen are: NYS Thruway to the Canajoharie exit, #28 (not 29 as NYS Birds says). Take Rt.10 south to Maple Town Road and turn left and go about 3 miles to mailbox #919. From here the bird has seen flying overhead and also further east in some dead trees. You may have to wait a while to see the birds. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A.. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoo From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:33:43 -0000 Last Saturday, I had an opportunity to see both species of cuckoo about three miles north of the village of Brookfield near the Beaver Creek Rd. in southeastern Madison Co. Currently, there is an extensive invasion of tent caterpillars evident in the destruction of leaves on Sugar Maple, White Ash, and Black Cherry. You can see this destruction on both sides of the valley above the Brookfield Swamp. Good Birding, Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Re: Yellow-billed cuckoo From: "shudderbug62" <shudderbug62 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:16:50 -0000 Chris, I heard a Yellow-billed cuckoo giving the same call from Slate Hill Rd. near Marcellus early Saturday morning, as well. Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville --- In oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com, "ccspagnoli" wrote: > > Again this year (I think this is the third or fourth time) a yellow-billed cuckoo gave its "coo" call from my property on Oran Delphi Road in the Town of Pompey. This bird, which I have always thought of as the more southerly of the two regional cuckoo species, has in recent years been more common in Region 5, but I think the real spike in occurrences this year may have more to do with the tent caterpillar outbreak we saw in spring. > > Good birding. > > Chris Spagnoli > Town of Pompey > Subject: Yellow-billed cuckoo From: "ccspagnoli" <ccspagnoli AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:41:30 -0000 Again this year (I think this is the third or fourth time) a yellow-billed cuckoo gave its "coo" call from my property on Oran Delphi Road in the Town of Pompey. This bird, which I have always thought of as the more southerly of the two regional cuckoo species, has in recent years been more common in Region 5, but I think the real spike in occurrences this year may have more to do with the tent caterpillar outbreak we saw in spring. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey Subject: pine siskins From: "John Dougherty" <jdoughe7 AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:31:00 -0000 Three pine siskins were feeding here yesterday. One juvenile. Last month we had about two dozen. I coaxed a fairly tame bird to eat from my hand. A photo is in my album. John Dougherty Morrisville Subject: Sightings and the Central NY Land Trust! From: "grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" <grosbeak@clarityconnect.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:47:13 -0400 Hello all, This past Saturday while helping out at a Central NY Land Trust fundraiser (formerly Save the County) in Marcellus, I heard a single flyover PINE SISKIN. For those that don't know, the Central NY Land Trust has a garden tour and plant sale every year around the Summer Solstice at Sycamore Hills Gardens in Marcellus. It's a great place! Then next day Julie and I attended (with Bernie Carr's leadership) a Central NY Mycological Society field trip to the Mason Hill Preserve, which is a Central NY Land Trust Preserve. At the Preserve we saw/heard LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, HOODED WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, a family of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, SCARLET TANAGER, E. WOOD PEWEE, Eastern Pheobe, WOOD THRUSH, VEERY, and much more! Please visit the Central NY Land Trust website and learn about the 45 preserves (approaching 3000 acres) scattered about Onondaga and Oswego Counties: http://www.cnylandtrust.org/ Think about becoming a member if you haven't already. :-) Any lingering siskin sightings out there still? Seems there's still widespread very small numbers scattered about NY. cheers, Matt Young -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting Subject: Hello! From: "rickdumont" <dewey.ny AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:57:10 -0000 Hello! I'm new to the forum. I'm still learning how to post and respond yet I thought I'd give things a test. I'm a somewhat new birder from the Geddes area of Syracuse though I've been a nature lover and Hiker/Backpacker for years. I'm heading out on the Finger Lakes Trail for a 4 day hike this week. I've enjoyed reading about the activity in the area so far. Good Birding! Subject: Carolina Wren From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:02:20 -0000 A Carolina Wren was heard calling late this afternoon at 239 Houston Ave. Houston Ave. is located between Levy Junior High School and Euclid Ave. in Syracuse's southeast neighborhood. I saw my first Monarch Butterfly of the year visiting Common Milkweed at 1059 Westmoreland Ave. Good birding. Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:53:01 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 22, 2009 * NYSY 2206.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): June 15, 2009 - June 22, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 22 AT 5:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #159 -Monday June 22, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of June 15 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- RED CROSSBILL GREAT EGRET GRASSHOPPER SPARROW BLACK TERN EURASIAN WIGEON SHORT-EARED OWL WHIP-POOR-WILL COMMON NIGHTHAWK RED-HEADED WOODPECKER SEDGE WREN GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER GRASSHOPPER SPARROW CLAY-COLORED SPARROW HENSLOW’S SPARROW OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 6/16: 5 GREAT EGRETS, 1 SANDHILL CRANES, and 4 BLACK TERNS were seen at May’s Point Pool. 6/20: 6 SDANDHILL CRANES were seen in the Main Pool. 6/21: An adult drake EURASIAN WIGEON was seen in the Main Pool. Also seen were 6 SANDHILL CRANES, and 30 BALD EAGLES. Fort Drum ------------ Fort Drum in Jefferson County has always been known as an excellent birding location but the report from Jeff Bolsinger for the first half of June is nothing short of spectacular. Highlights are probable nesting SHORT-EARED OWLS, WHIP-POOR-WILL, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, numerous RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS, GRASSHOPPERS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, and HENSLOW’S SPARROWS. I will include a list of all birds seen from June 1 to June 15 on the area. Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Hooded Merganser Ruffed Grouse Wild Turkey Pied-billed Grebe American Bittern Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Green Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Virginia Rail Sora Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper Wilson’s Snipe American Woodcock Ring-billed Gull Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Great Horned Owl Common Nighthawk Whip-poor-will Belted Kingfisher Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Alder Flycatcher Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper House Wren Winter Wren Sedge Wren Marsh Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Veery Hermit Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Cedar Waxwing Blue-winged Warbler Golden-winged Warbler “Brewster’s” Warbler “Lawrence’s” Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Pine Warbler Prairie Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Field Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Henslow’s Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Baltimore Oriole Purple Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow Birding is permitted on the base by permit only. For instructions to obtain a permit contact Jeff Bolsinger by email (jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com) . Madison County ------------ 6/20: An adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen and photographed at a feeder in Morrisville. The bird also returned the next day. Herkimer County ------------ 6/21: An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was heard only from the Third Lake Creek Trail north of Old Forge. Also seen and heard were 10 species of warbler. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker returns From: "John Dougherty" <jdoughe7 AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:21:16 -0000 The bird returned to feed at 7 A.M. and was ambushed immediately by a Hairy male. But it was patient and took a turn on the suet feeders to provide a good profile photo. The distance is about 20 ft.through an open window. My Canon 20D shutter is loud, but the bird offered about 40 poses before displaying the white wing feathers at take-off. Another picture is uploaded to my Oneidabirds album. John Dougherty Morrisville jdoughe7 AT twcny.rr.com Subject: Re: New yard woodpecker Red-headed From: Ginny Alfano <jgalfano AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:46:17 -0700 (PDT) How exciting, John!  Red-headed Woodpeckers have become very scarce, and you hardly hear of anyone reporting them anymore.  Years ago they were fairly common, but as their habitat has disappeared, so have they.  Congratulations on an awsome yard bird that many of us only wish we could see!  Your photos are beautiful. Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY   --- On Sat, 6/20/09, John Dougherty wrote: From: John Dougherty Subject: [OneidaBirds] New yard woodpecker Red-headed To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 7:23 PM      I just added a photo of our 7th yard woodpecker of this week here in Morrisville.  Sorry about the quality but taken during a rain shower.      View it at the Dougherty album. John Dougherty ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New yard woodpecker Red-headed From: "John Dougherty" <jdoughe7 AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:23:17 -0000 I just added a photo of our 7th yard woodpecker of this week here in Morrisville. Sorry about the quality but taken during a rain shower. View it at the Dougherty album. John Dougherty Subject: Another mockingbird... From: "ccspagnoli" <ccspagnoli AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:00:46 -0000 This certainly seems to be a banner year for mockingbirds in the area - first we had one on Birdathon for the first time in ages, and now I've seen two in different spots around the city. Today a bird was singing from the wires at the SPCA on East Molloy Road in the Dewitt area. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey Subject: Sandhill Cranes at Montezuma From: "rickdumont" <dewey.ny AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:37:17 -0000 Had a great morning out at Montezuma Refuge. Bald Eagles, Osprey and more. Using a spotting scope I picked up 6 cranes feeding in the grass at the far side of the main pool area. I don't have a top of the line scope, so it was tough to make out for sure yet I'm fairly certain they were Sandhill Cranes. Brownish/Gray body, lightened up about half way up the neck, dark bill, dark legs, red on head (though at this distance it was not as prominent as I thought it would be). Maybe immature? Is there anything else I might mistake them with? I was thinking immature Blue Herons yet I wouldn't think 6 grouped so closely together. Also, there weren't many Blue Herons out there today. Subject: Fort Drum birds From: "jsbolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:18:46 -0000 I've been meaning to post an update to the Fort Drum Fish and Wildlife web page about what Amy Finfera (my seasonal wildlife tech) and I have been seeing on Fort Drum lately, but have had trouble finding the time to do so. I finally wrote something up this week, which can be found at the following link: http://www.drum.army.mil/garrison/pw/pdf/Environmental/NatResources/FishAndWild/Wildlife%20Viewing%20Report%20-%2017Jun2009.pdf Among the species mentioned in the update are American Bittern, Short-eared Owl (probable nesting), both cuckoos, Whip-poor-will, Common Nighthawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Sedge Wren, Golden-winged Warbler, and Clay-colored and Henslow's Sparrows. Somehow one detail was dropped from the post, which I will include here: the only location where we've found Sedge Wrens so far is in Training Area 12B south of Poagland Road near the western edge of the installation. Locations for the remaining species I listed above can be found at the provided link. Speaking of Sedge Wrens, a few have moved into the area during the past couple of weeks. Tuesday morning I heard one in Antwerp from Rt. 11 about a mile southwest of Fox Ranch Road; this was the fourth Sedge Wren I've found this month (after none in May). Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: Re: Message from Syracuse.com From: "Smith Gerry" <goshawk AT gisco.net> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:25:29 -0400 I do not recall anyone responding to this query. Information of banding efforts of this type should be sought thru the bird banding lab Pawtuxet Md. I disagree with the conclusion that such marking is cruel and inappropriate.Leg tags and bands are standard research materials and if the bird in question was having trouble flying it was from causes other than leg tags and bands. Most gulls acclimate to auxiliary markers in a few days. Inexperienced observers may draw inappropriate conclusions regarding the impacts of these marking efforts on any bird. Gerry Smith ----- Original Message ----- From: Ginny Alfano To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 9:37 PM Subject: [OneidaBirds] Message from Syracuse.com Does anyone know anything about this gull banding? http://www.syracuse.com/kirst/index.ssf/2009/05/banded_gull.html Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Vireo Nest Predation From: Matt Perry <mperry63 AT roadrunner.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:18:51 -0400 Jody, It is possible for the nest to retain some nestlings or eggs after being raided. Recently, I was watching a Kingbird nest when a Red Squirrel came upon it. The squirrel successfully plundered the nest twice while the Kingbird parents frantically tried to repel it. I couldn't see inside the nest due to its height, however, this is 4 days after that event and the Kingbird continues to sit on the nest. - Matt but Jody Hildreth wrote: > > > Hello All, > > Today at the vireo nest in Waterville two of the chicks disappeared. This > left a lone Red-eyed Vireo chick. > > I am wondering if it is common when predation occurs that some > nestlings are > left. It would seem to me that the nest would be cleaned out. The reason I > ask is that there is the slightest possibility that a person removed the > cowbird (and other chick either accidentally or not knowing which was > really > the cowbird). The home owner did receive some emails telling us to remove > the egg and that we were in the wrong by letting nature take its course. I > do not want to believe this is what happened, and would rather suspect it > was a Blue Jay, chipmunk, or Red Squirrel. The latter were playfully > chasing each other in a tree only 10 feet from the vireo nest. > > If this last chick can survive further predation it should do quite well. > Both parents are feeding it. I posted 5 more pictures from this afternoon > to the Oneidabirds Facebook page: > http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54875198998 > > > Jody Hildreth > Waterville, NY > Webmaster: KidWings.com > Sauquoit Valley Elementary Library Media Specialist > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Vireo Nest Predation From: "J Fisher" <e_fisher AT pipeline.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:34:59 -0400 In Florida, I watched a Red-shouldered Hawk loose a chick a night for three nights until the nest was empty. Judy Judy Fisher, Seminole, Fl but originally from Chenango County, NY - - - Respect wildlife. If a critter stops what it is doing, chances are you are too close. Subject: Re: Conservation of Swallow Colonies From: Andrew Mason <andymason AT earthling.net> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:56:07 -0400 In Otsego and Delaware Counties this spring, an announcement appeared in local papers advising motorists of possible delays along Interstate 88, which runs from Schenectady to Binghamton, due to "bridge cleaning" operations. This was carried out by a private contractor. At one stop on my Breeding Bird Survey route a couple of weeks ago, which is adjacent to an I-88 bridge, and which has always had several Barn Swallows present, there were none. I suspect the "bridge cleaning" includes hosing off of swallow nests--probably both Barn and Cliff. Andy Mason At 09:41 PM 6/17/2009, you wrote: >Recently, I had noted the disappearance of a colony of Cliff >Swallows on a commerical establishment in the village of Bridgeport. >It was believed that they were purposely destroyed because of their >habit in dive-bombing the customers who were visiting the store. In >the future, if anyone strongly suspects nesting colonies of swallows >or other birds being deliberately destroyed at a local business, >please e-mail the Onondaga Audubon Society at >http://www.onondagaaudubon.org or >goshawk AT gisco.net. We will then take the >necessary steps of correspondence to graciously alert our friends on >how important it is not to interrupt the incubation, growth and >development of birds. Thank you. Sincerely, Gene Huggins, Member of >the Board of Directors, Onondaga Audubon Society. > > Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vireo Nest Predation From: "Jody Hildreth" <falcon AT kidwings.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:48:54 -0400 Hello All, Today at the vireo nest in Waterville two of the chicks disappeared. This left a lone Red-eyed Vireo chick. I am wondering if it is common when predation occurs that some nestlings are left. It would seem to me that the nest would be cleaned out. The reason I ask is that there is the slightest possibility that a person removed the cowbird (and other chick either accidentally or not knowing which was really the cowbird). The home owner did receive some emails telling us to remove the egg and that we were in the wrong by letting nature take its course. I do not want to believe this is what happened, and would rather suspect it was a Blue Jay, chipmunk, or Red Squirrel. The latter were playfully chasing each other in a tree only 10 feet from the vireo nest. If this last chick can survive further predation it should do quite well. Both parents are feeding it. I posted 5 more pictures from this afternoon to the Oneidabirds Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54875198998 Jody Hildreth Waterville, NY Webmaster: KidWings.com Sauquoit Valley Elementary Library Media Specialist Subject: Conservation of Swallow Colonies From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:41:49 -0000 Recently, I had noted the disappearance of a colony of Cliff Swallows on a commerical establishment in the village of Bridgeport. It was believed that they were purposely destroyed because of their habit in dive-bombing the customers who were visiting the store. In the future, if anyone strongly suspects nesting colonies of swallows or other birds being deliberately destroyed at a local business, please e-mail the Onondaga Audubon Society at http://www.onondagaaudubon.org or goshawk AT gisco.net. We will then take the necessary steps of correspondence to graciously alert our friends on how important it is not to interrupt the incubation, growth and development of birds. Thank you. Sincerely, Gene Huggins, Member of the Board of Directors, Onondaga Audubon Society. Subject: Re: Rt. 31 Osprey From: Michele Neligan <gull.girl AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:09:30 -0700 (PDT) They are in the area - I saw one on Saturday fishing in the Village of B'ville behind the Sr. Center. --- On Sun, 6/14/09, slshute727 wrote: From: slshute727 Subject: [OneidaBirds] Rt. 31 Osprey To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 12:56 PM On Friday, June 11, my coworker Dawn and I watched an osprey hitting up several stormwater ponds along the very busy Rt. 31 corridor in Clay. We got some great views from the McDonald's parking lot, but must say, it would have been nicer to be in a more natural setting. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red-eyed Vireo Nest Photos From: "Jody Hildreth" <falcon AT kidwings.com> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:32:11 -0400 Hello All, I've been enjoying watching the Red-eyed Vireos nesting in a backyard here in Waterville. I posted several photos to the Oneidabirds Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54875198998 The nest now has one baby cowbird and two vireos. One egg was damaged, I assume by the female cowbird when she laid her egg in the nest. The cowbird hatched first with the vireos following on the two consecutive days. Yesterday the mother brought several insects to the nest. One was a nice large horse fly. The chick's eyes are just starting to open. Jody Hildreth Waterville, NY Webmaster: KidWings.com Sauquoit Valley Elementary Library Media Specialist Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:42:41 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 15, 2009 * NYSY 1506.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): June 08, 2009 - June 15, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 15 AT5:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #158 -Monday June 15, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of June 08 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- LEAST BITTERN RED CROSSBILL BLACK TERN BLACK VULTURE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON GREAT EGRET GRASSHOPPER SPARROW Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 6/13: Up to 20 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at the Knox-Marcellus Marsh on East Road. 1 LEAST BITTERN was heard from Towpath Road. 2 more LEAST BITTERNS were heard on Railroad Road. 7 GREAT EGRETS continue at Mays Point Pool, and numerous BLACK TERNS were seen at Tschache Pool. Madison County ------------ A belated report records a RED CROSSBILL on 6/05 at the Nelson Swamp. Oswego County ------------ 6/09: A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was seen on Silk Road near the Oswego County airport. On Howard Road, also near the airport< 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were observed. Nearby at the Co. Rt. 6 wetland north of Co. Rt .3 a LEAST BITTERN was heard. Also in the wetland COOT, PIED-BILLED GREBE, COMMON MOORHEN and TRUMPETER SWAN were seen. Onondaga County ------------ 6/07: A BLACK VULTURE was seen flying over the Syracuse Regional Market. 6/11: A large number of CLIFF SWALLOWS were found nesting on the Hampton Inn Hotel on Rt. 31 in the Town of Clay. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rt. 31 Osprey From: "slshute727" <sarahlynn727 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:56:52 -0000 On Friday, June 11, my coworker Dawn and I watched an osprey hitting up several stormwater ponds along the very busy Rt. 31 corridor in Clay. We got some great views from the McDonald's parking lot, but must say, it would have been nicer to be in a more natural setting. Subject: Breeding assortment From: "ccspagnoli" <ccspagnoli AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:36:22 -0000 This morning's birdsong at the house included wood thrush, brown thrasher, and willow flycatcher, all of which have traditional breeding spots on the property. Pretty cool to wake up to. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey Subject: Cliff Swallows, Hampton Inn From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:19:14 -0000 The Cliff Swallows continue their presence on the upper walls of the Hampton Inn in back of the Barnes & Noble on Rt.31 in the Twn. of Clay. I counted forty-one nests with most of them having been completed. An estimated 25 percent were active with birds flying in and out of the nesting entances. A few were being occupied by House Sparrows. I noticed the outlines to several nests in the front of the Barnes & Noble store, but no partial or completed nests. My thanks to Joe Brin for his keen observation. Good birding. Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Cliff Swallows From: "brinjoseph" <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:18:50 -0000 I was at the Barnes and Noble on Rt.31 today and noticed large numbers of CLIFF SWALLOWS flying around. Most of the birds were building nests on the Hampton Inn Hotel behind the bookstore although some birds were starting to nest on the bookstore facade also. I approached the Hampton Inn people and they assured me they would not disturb the birds while they were nesting but would install spikes when the birds were done. Not perfect but much better than the fate of the birds Gene Huggins described a few weeks ago. Joseph Brin jnnbrin AT yahoo.com Baldwinsville, N.Y. Subject: Re: Northern mockingbird, 6/9 From: Judith Thurber <jathurber AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:56:59 -0700 (PDT) At Mallard's Landing's in Manlius on Gadwall Dr. at the roundabout halfway down the street a pair of Mockingbirds is obviously nesting and are very active and vocal! Lovely to watch and listen to. Judy Thurber Liverpool, NY ________________________________ From: ccspagnoli To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 8:13:17 PM Subject: [OneidaBirds] Northern mockingbird, 6/9 Yesterday around 6 p.m. I was driving on Cortland Avenue in Syracuse and heard a mockingbird. I pulled the car around and found the bird immediately - it was on a wire in a parking lot/abandoned paved lot across the street from the Centro bus garage. Of course, it was singing incessantly. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Northern mockingbird, 6/9 From: SUSAN THUENER <SUELEE AT Prodigy.net> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:08:41 -0700 (PDT) Mockers can really have a nasty sense of humor.  I was having my car serviced, (can't remember where) and waiting my turn when I heard a cardinal.  Shortly after I saw a cardinal flying from tree to tree looking in vain for the bird calling.  Then I noticed a mockingbird sitting on a telephone wire, and every so often he would sound the cardinal call.  You could almost see him chortling with glee as the poor cardinal tried without success to find the bird he was sure must be very close by.  Birdy Susan Thuener Mohawk, NY suelee AT Prodigy.net --- On Wed, 6/10/09, ccspagnoli wrote: From: ccspagnoli Subject: [OneidaBirds] Northern mockingbird, 6/9 To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 8:13 PM Yesterday around 6 p.m. I was driving on Cortland Avenue in Syracuse and heard a mockingbird.  I pulled the car around and found the bird immediately - it was on a wire in a parking lot/abandoned paved lot across the street from the Centro bus garage.  Of course, it was singing incessantly. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern mockingbird, 6/9 From: "ccspagnoli" <ccspagnoli AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:13:17 -0000 Yesterday around 6 p.m. I was driving on Cortland Avenue in Syracuse and heard a mockingbird. I pulled the car around and found the bird immediately - it was on a wire in a parking lot/abandoned paved lot across the street from the Centro bus garage. Of course, it was singing incessantly. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey Subject: Syracuse Peregrines From: Von Merm <shudderbug62 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:43:45 -0700 (PDT) As of Wednesday morning, I see only two peregrine falcon young in the Syracuse nest box. Presuming the other two fledged yesterday or very early this morning, there is much flapping activity from the two remaining eyases. http://www.wvtc.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=555 Yvonne Merriam Upstate NY, USA Photo galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." --Michelangelo Subject: Fw: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 11:54:44 -0700 (PDT) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "Ellsworth, Lee E" To: "brinjoseph AT yahoo.com" Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 1:44:10 PM Subject: Re:Syracuse RBA I saw a Black vulture while AT Syracuse regional market Sunday morning. Lee Ellsworth Lab Director Watertown Water Plant, Laboratory 315 785 7869 Fax 315 -785 8227 LEllsworth AT watertown-ny.gov [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Tuesday a.m. birds From: "brinjoseph" <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:52:12 -0000 I was able to pick up some year birds this morning and find a few other interesting ones. On Silk Road about half a mile north of Co. Rt. 3 in Oswego County I found a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW on the fence on the left. Just down the road on Howard Road at the Oswego County Airfield I found the 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS but no Grasshopper Sparrows. At the wetland on Co Rt. 6 just east of the airport I got LEAST BITTERN (heard only). The COOT was still there but most interesting were PIED-BILLED GREBE and COMMON MOORHEN, both with young. The TRUMPETER SWANS were there also but no sign of young. Joseph Brin jnnbrin AT yahoo.com Baldwinsville, N.Y. Subject: Red Crossbill From: "grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" <grosbeak@clarityconnect.com> Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 11:04:28 -0400 Last Friday I also had a flyover RED CROSSBILL around 6pm at Nelson Swamp Madison co. Matt Original Message: ----------------- From: Joseph Brin brinjoseph AT yahoo.com Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 16:07:27 -0700 (PDT) To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [OneidaBirds] Syracuse RBA RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 08, 2009 * NYSY 0806.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): June 01, 2009 - June 08, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 08 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #157 -Monday June 08, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of June 01 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- KING RAIL LEAST BITTERN RED CROSSBILL BLACK TERN GREAT EGRET BLACK VULTURE PROTHONATARY WARBLER ORCHARD ORIOLE PEREGRINE FALCON Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 6/6: 2 LEAST BITTERNS were heard at Marten’s Tract. 5 BLACK TERNS were seen at the Main Pool. 5 GREAT EGRETS were found at May’s Point Pool. Cortland County ------------- 6/4: A BLACK VULTURE was reported but no location was given. 6/8: 19 Species of warblers were reported from Summerhille and surrounding areas highlighted by MOURNING, HOODED, CANADA, and Pine. Also 2 RED CROSSBILLS WERE HEARD. Oswego County ------------ 6/3: A KING RAIL is still being heard at Peter Scott Swamp. 2 PROTHONATARY WARBLERS were found in the canals on Toad Harbor Road on Oneida Lake. The pair? were seen the next day and 1 only was seen on the 6th. Onondaga County ------------ 6/3: A male ORCHARD ORIOLE was found on Perry Road in the Town of Van Buren west of Baldwinsville. A female was found the next day and both continue to be seen and heard. 6/4: A CERULEAN WARBLER was found in Whiskey Hollow wast of Baldwinsville. Oneida County ------------ 6/7: It has been detirmined that the Utica PEREGRINE FALCONS have laid at least one or more eggs and are incubating. The nest is at the Gold Dome Bank on Genesee Street. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://link.mail2web.com/mail2web Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 16:07:27 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 08, 2009 * NYSY 0806.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): June 01, 2009 - June 08, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 08 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #157 -Monday June 08, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of June 01 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- KING RAIL LEAST BITTERN RED CROSSBILL BLACK TERN GREAT EGRET BLACK VULTURE PROTHONATARY WARBLER ORCHARD ORIOLE PEREGRINE FALCON Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 6/6: 2 LEAST BITTERNS were heard at Marten’s Tract. 5 BLACK TERNS were seen at the Main Pool. 5 GREAT EGRETS were found at May’s Point Pool. Cortland County ------------- 6/4: A BLACK VULTURE was reported but no location was given. 6/8: 19 Species of warblers were reported from Summerhille and surrounding areas highlighted by MOURNING, HOODED, CANADA, and Pine. Also 2 RED CROSSBILLS WERE HEARD. Oswego County ------------ 6/3: A KING RAIL is still being heard at Peter Scott Swamp. 2 PROTHONATARY WARBLERS were found in the canals on Toad Harbor Road on Oneida Lake. The pair? were seen the next day and 1 only was seen on the 6th. Onondaga County ------------ 6/3: A male ORCHARD ORIOLE was found on Perry Road in the Town of Van Buren west of Baldwinsville. A female was found the next day and both continue to be seen and heard. 6/4: A CERULEAN WARBLER was found in Whiskey Hollow wast of Baldwinsville. Oneida County ------------ 6/7: It has been detirmined that the Utica PEREGRINE FALCONS have laid at least one or more eggs and are incubating. The nest is at the Gold Dome Bank on Genesee Street. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red-eyed Vireo Nest - Waterville From: "Jody Hildreth" <falcon AT kidwings.com> Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 18:11:37 -0400 Hello All, Nothing earth shattering, but a friend of mine discovered another nest in the lilac tree that housed the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds last year. This afternoon I had a moment to go over and confirm the identity of the occupant and sure enough, it is a Red-eyed Vireo. I am looking forward to another season of photographing a local bird family as it grows. Unfortunately, the nest has a cowbird egg in it. On the plus side, I am currently writing a children's story about a cowbird - so the photos could work nicely for my book. I posted two pictures of the nest and eggs on the Oneidabirds Facebook page. The nest is quite beautiful. They used pieces of a wasp nest to build it - I have to figure out what the white stuff is. Looks like their nest was toilet-papered! Jody Hildreth Waterville, NY Webmaster: KidWings.com Sauquoit Valley Elementary Library Media Specialist Subject: Bicknell's Thrush From: Meena Haribal <mmh3 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:54:03 -0400 A few years ago, I hiked up Slide Mountain in Catskils and stayed at a camp below around 3800 ft. Then we hiked early morning, I think we left around 4.30 am and reached the top of the mountain. We did hear them, but then we there till 10.00 am. We heard and saw them many times. They sang till 8.00 Am intermittently. We also observed two males squabbling. I think it is possible to see them if you have patience and spend longer time. I did Blue Mountains too a few years ago from Ausuble Camp ground. Started hiking I think around 5.00 am and by the time I reached the top it was 8.00 AM I think and too many cars up by then. And I was not lucky there. Or simply there they are not very close to where people go. But the hike was beautiful! Meena At 03:23 AM 6/8/2009, you wrote: > >Sun Jun 7, 2009 7:34 pm (PDT) > >able, was unremarkable; of the boreal specialties I only had the variety >of breeding warblers, and a Swainson's thrush (the first I've heard >singing other than on a tape). >This morning I hit the road early and was at the start of the trail up >Blue Mountain before 6 a.m. >And that was too late. >On my way up the mountain (and I wasn't taking my time!) I encountered >another birder coming DOWN from the summit who had gotten there even >EARLIER. He had Bicknell's thrush singing and even saw one. By the time I >reached the breeding elevation, the birds were silent except for a couple >of calls (not songs). I didn't have a watch with me but it couldn't have >been much past 7 a.m. I did get a brief glimpse of what was probably a >Bicknell's, but it was far from a diagnostic look. >The lesson, I guess, being that if you want to actually hear and hunt for >Bicknell's, you'd better be on the trail in time to assure your arrival at >the breeding elevations by 6:30 at the latest. >The upside to all this is that I had a spruce grouse vocalize just off the >trail on my way up, and I even saw the bird, a female, as it stood up, >looked me over, and hurried away. I don't think spruce grouse is expected >on Blue Mountain but the vocalization was unmistakable - it matched >perfectly to my old Peterson's bird song tape. >Other boreal birds on Blue Mountain, near the summit, were yellow-bellied >flycatcher, boreal chickadee, ruby-crowned kinglet, and blackpoll warbler. >Later I visited a small bog south of Upper Brook Tract Pond, on Uncas >Road, and although three-toed woodpecker remained absent, a female >black-backed woodpecker was present and showed very well. >Good birding. >Chris Spagnoli >Town of Pompey Meena Haribal Ithaca NY 14850 webpage: http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/mmh3/ http://www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/ http://www.geocities.com/asiootusloe/mothsofithaca.html http://meenaharibal.blogspot.com/ http://haribal.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wildwest+trip+August+2007+.pdf Current Loc: 42o 25' 44.48" N, 76o 28' 16.90" W Elev 816 ft or 248.7 m Formerly: 19o 0' 41,65" N, 72o 51' 13.02" E Elev 33 ft or 10m [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Adirondacks trip, 6/6-6/7 From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:49:10 -0400 Hi Chris, First, here's how to subscribe to NNYBirds: To JOIN, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com Second, I was in the Adirondacks last weekend with Betty Armbruster for the birding festival at Paul Smith's. On the trip to Whiteface Mt., Bicknell's Thrush was found in two different places at mid- to late-morning. At the first spot, the bird was in plain sight, perched on a boulder along side the road. It spent much time on the boulder, in the road, and in the grass. Great views. Higher up at the second spot, a recording was used and we saw two Bicknell's and heard both song and call. Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: bobolinks From: "aglunzman" <aglunzman AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:38:23 -0000 Hello all, Had the great pleasure of observing a male bobolink at the edge of my field twice this morning. First time I've seen a bobolink outside of a book. In addition, my green heron friend seems to like the pine trees in my yard and has been visiting and squawking in them all week. He's really sweet, actually. Subject: Adirondacks trip, 6/6-6/7 From: "ccspagnoli" <ccspagnoli AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:34:15 -0000 Usually an account of a trip to the Adirondacks would be appropriate for the NNY-birds listserv, but I'm posting here because (1) there's some important advice if you're from our area planning to make a day or weekend run up to the Adirondacks for Bicknell's thrush and (2) I can't seem to find where you sign up for NNY-birds. Anyway. I went up Saturday and stayed over for today, with the main focus to try for Bicknell's and for three-toed woodpecker. Saturday's birding, while enjoyable, was unremarkable; of the boreal specialties I only had the variety of breeding warblers, and a Swainson's thrush (the first I've heard singing other than on a tape). This morning I hit the road early and was at the start of the trail up Blue Mountain before 6 a.m. And that was too late. On my way up the mountain (and I wasn't taking my time!) I encountered another birder coming DOWN from the summit who had gotten there even EARLIER. He had Bicknell's thrush singing and even saw one. By the time I reached the breeding elevation, the birds were silent except for a couple of calls (not songs). I didn't have a watch with me but it couldn't have been much past 7 a.m. I did get a brief glimpse of what was probably a Bicknell's, but it was far from a diagnostic look. The lesson, I guess, being that if you want to actually hear and hunt for Bicknell's, you'd better be on the trail in time to assure your arrival at the breeding elevations by 6:30 at the latest. The upside to all this is that I had a spruce grouse vocalize just off the trail on my way up, and I even saw the bird, a female, as it stood up, looked me over, and hurried away. I don't think spruce grouse is expected on Blue Mountain but the vocalization was unmistakable - it matched perfectly to my old Peterson's bird song tape. Other boreal birds on Blue Mountain, near the summit, were yellow-bellied flycatcher, boreal chickadee, ruby-crowned kinglet, and blackpoll warbler. Later I visited a small bog south of Upper Brook Tract Pond, on Uncas Road, and although three-toed woodpecker remained absent, a female black-backed woodpecker was present and showed very well. Good birding. Chris Spagnoli Town of Pompey Subject: Utica Peregrine Falcons From: Matt Perry <mperry63 AT roadrunner.com> Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:50:25 -0400 Greetings all,* I am very pleased to report that on Saturday, June 6th, 2009, we determined that the Utica Peregrine Falcons (Maya and Tor) have finally begun incubating at least one egg.* The egg or eggs themselves can't be seen due to the depth of the nest tray, but the behavior of both parents strongly implies the presence of at least one egg. If everything goes well, the egg(s) should hatch in about one month. In the last weeks, observation at the nest site had been stepped up in anticipation of this event, since last year's discovery of an egg took place on June 4th, and each individual Peregrine female tends to lay her eggs around the same time of year. Matt Perry [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Peregrines From: Dorothy Crumb <birder4 AT windstream.net> Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 09:11:06 -0400 At 9:00 this morning, One of the young falcons was sitting outside the box. I could still see at least 2 inside, but the third was probably lying down. 10 minutes later I did get a quick glimpse of the 4th bird as she raised her head. Dorothy Crumb Subject: Cliff Swallows, None From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:28:17 -0000 Early this morning, I visited my former place of employment, Cicero-North Syracuse High School and found no Cliff Swallows or complete nests on the honey-comb ceiling beneath the library. There was only one partial nest left from a previous nesting season. At Kinney Drugs on the corner of Rt.31 and Rt.298 all of the nests were gone with no birds in the area. The clerk inside commented on the fact that they had been dive-bombing the customers. Good Birding. Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Prothonotary Warbler From: "gwren70" <gwren70 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:50:05 -0000 John Moore and I had an opportunity to see the Prothonotary Warbler this morning on the north side of the second channel in the Toad Harbor area. Good Birding. Gene Huggins, Syracuse, N.Y. Subject: Re: Fledging Peregrines From: Bob Walker <bobphoto AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:11:41 -0400 I have quite a few pigeons coming to our feeders if the kids are looking for some yummies (o: Bob W. On Jun 5, 2009, at 10:00 AM, Von Merm wrote: Greetings! I enjoy keeping the Syracuse FalconCam going in Java in the background on my work desktop. Just now, I saw much flapping from the nearly fully-feathered eyases. But there is one in particular who just took flight across the front of the nestbox from left to right! I'm wondering if we won't be seeing some fledglings soon!!! http://www.wvtc.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=555 Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fledging Peregrines From: Von Merm <shudderbug62 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 07:00:57 -0700 (PDT) Greetings! I enjoy keeping the Syracuse FalconCam going in Java in the background on my work desktop. Just now, I saw much flapping from the nearly fully-feathered eyases. But there is one in particular who just took flight across the front of the nestbox from left to right! I'm wondering if we won't be seeing some fledglings soon!!! http://www.wvtc.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=555 Yvonne Merriam Baldwinsville Photo galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/4dabirds "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." --Michelangelo Subject: Whiskey Hollow Cerulean and Hooded Warblers From: "cesassman" <lightpainter AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:19:40 -0000 Betty Armbruster and I spent some time at Whiskey Hollow at mid-day June 4. We were able to find the CERULEAN WARBLER and HOODED WARBLER (life birds) in the wooded area near the western end of the road. Unfortunately there was a cowbird lurking nearby, no doubt waiting for a handy nest. Besides the usual species, some others of note: Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Blackburnian Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Not to mention the most amazing collection of chipmunks I've ever seen! Cheri Sassman Utica, NY Subject: Re: Cliff Swallows From: Bob Walker <bobphoto AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:57:30 -0400 Hello Donna, Thank you for alerting us to the Cliff Swallows Donna. The big box store chains don't sound too sensitive to our wildlife. I'll bet if they got some exposure from the media for it they might think different. After seeing all those Kinney Drug Store ads/commercials and how sensitive they are to their customers needs I have to admit this kind of surprises me. Maybe someone can educate the manager of this store and if relocation is absolutely necessary of the birds it can be done by someone who knows best how to do it. Just my 2ç Donna if I'm out that way I'll stop in and mention it as you requested. Bob W. On Jun 4, 2009, at 8:35 PM, oncidiums20 wrote: Hello All, There are Cliff Swallows nesting under the over hang at the front of the Kinney Drug Store, in Bridgeport. It's on the corner of Route 31, and Route 298, if you would like to see them! Today (Friday) there were four half nests, and two almost completed "jugs". You could mention to the staff inside, how special they are! I told two people, and one of them said they had already been washed down once. Donna Coleman Kirkville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cliff Swallows From: "oncidiums20" <dcoleman5 AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:35:28 -0000 Hello All, There are Cliff Swallows nesting under the over hang at the front of the Kinney Drug Store, in Bridgeport. It's on the corner of Route 31, and Route 298, if you would like to see them! Today (Friday) there were four half nests, and two almost completed "jugs". You could mention to the staff inside, how special they are! I told two people, and one of them said they had already been washed down once. Donna Coleman Kirkville Subject: Re: Orchard Oriole From: "brinjoseph" <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:47:32 -0000 -I found the male ORCHARD ORIOLE today on Perry Road, Town of Van Buren. I've posted a picture in the photo section of Oneidabirds. Joseph Brin jnnbrin AT yahoo.com Baldwinsville, N.Y. -- In oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com, "brinjoseph" wrote: > > I found a singing ORCHARD ORIOLE at a residence on Perry Road in the Town of Van Buren. I've heard it over the course of three days but haven't caught sight of one or possibly two yet. > > Joseph Brin > jnnbrin AT ... > Baldwinsville, N.Y. > Subject: Re: Message from Syracuse.com From: Michele Neligan <gull.girl AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 18:03:24 -0700 (PDT) Hi Ginny & Bob,   I happen to have a login for the forum and I responded to his post.  I have asked him to post the name of the town and the shopping center where he saw the bird.  Hopefully he will respond.  If he answers, do we have someone in Oneidabirds who knows what to do next?    Michele Neligan --- On Mon, 6/1/09, Bob Walker wrote: From: Bob Walker Subject: Re: [OneidaBirds] Message from Syracuse.com To: oneidabirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 11:05 AM Hi Ginny, The gull banding you mention is new to me. I wish the person who had written in would have told what parking lot the bird was seen in and in what municipality. Maybe someone more knowledgeable in the forum will have an answer for you Ginny. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. Bob W. On May 31, 2009, at 9:37 PM, Ginny Alfano wrote: Does anyone know anything about this gull banding? http://www.syracuse .com/kirst/ index.ssf/ 2009/05/banded_ gull.html Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Orchard Oriole From: "brinjoseph" <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:21:58 -0000 I found a singing ORCHARD ORIOLE at a residence on Perry Road in the Town of Van Buren. I've heard it over the course of three days but haven't caught sight of one or possibly two yet. Joseph Brin jnnbrin AT yahoo.com Baldwinsville, N.Y. Subject: King Rail - Yes; Prothonotary & Cerulean Warblers - Yes From: kywright AT vt.edu Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 10:36:35 -0400 Did a little southern Oswego county birding this morning (3 June). At least one King Rail was moderately talkative (sans tapes) from four to four fifteen in Peter Scott Swamp from the same location north of the red flagging it/they have been heard from. Only other birds I heard at that hour were Swamp Sparrow and American Bittern. A bit later when the sun was up I took a trip down Toad Harbor Road in West Monroe. Found the (or at leas a) pair of Prothonotary Warblers about half way down the trail on the south side of the second fishing channel. I will add to Mickey’s post the other day that the behavior was a bit strange for trying to figure out where in a nesting cycle they are. Neither seemed overly agitated by my presence. I followed the female hopping along the ground for upwards of ten minutes, and she kept chipping, but did not really seem to be scolding at me; flared crown feathers and other tough gal around a nest attributes were no where to be seen. In that time, the male flew across to the north side of the channel and back twice, but never uttered a noise. Both were hunting and eating, but not collecting anything to bring back to young. In the last few seconds I was on them, they copulated - to many hormones, or has she not laid eggs yet? As amazing as Prothonotary Warblers are (a state bird for me), there was other avian life in the DEC fishing access area at the end of Toad Harbor Road. I heard a single Cerulean Warbler sing a few times (but could not locate it - too many leaves on the trees). There were also decent numbers of singing Yellow-throated Vireos, Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood Pee-wees, American Redstarts, Yellow Warblers, and Common Yellowthroats, in addition to a single distant empid that I thought to be Least Flycatcher. Northbound land bird migration may be down to a trickle, but there is still some nice stuff around! -Kyle Wright Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 17:06:36 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * June 01, 2009 * NYSY 0106.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): May 25, 2009 - June 01, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:June 01 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #156 -Monday June 01, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of May 25 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- KING RAIL WHIMBREL SANDHILL CRANE LEAST BITTERN RED CROSSBILL ACADIAN FLYCATCHER COMMON NIGHTHAWK CATTLE EGRET SNOW GOOSE OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 5/31: 3 SANDHILL CRANES were seen along the Wildlife Drive. Derby Hill ------------ This was the last week of the Hawk Watch at Derby Hill. The weather did not cooperate and only 100 raptors were counted. However the season total of 40,190 Hawks counted was impressive indeed. A record number of SANDHILL CRANES were seen. Other highlights were 2 SWAINSON’S HAWKS and a lone BLACK VULTURE. Jefferson County ------------ 5/30: At the Lakeview WMA 11 species of Warbler were found . Also seen were GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, LEAST BITTERN (heard) , MERLIN, and PEREGRINE FALCON. Onondaga County ------------ 5/26: 2 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the Morgan Hill State Forest. Also found were multiple HOODED and MOURNING WARBLERS. An ACADIAN FLYCATCHER was found for the second year at the Camillus Unique Forest area on Thompson Road in the Town of Camillus. It was seen again on the 28th. 5/28: 2COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen in the Liverpool area. One other was seen in Dewitt. 5/30: A CERUULEAN WARBLER was heard singing in Whiskey Hollow and was heard again today. 5/31: A CATTLE EGRET was seen by a farmer plowing on East Sorrell Hill Road in the Town of Van Buren. Oswego County ------------ 5/25: A KING RAIL continues to be heard in Peter Scott Swamp. It was heard again on the 27th. through the 30th. Also seen on the 25th. were 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS. 5/27: An amazing 71 WHIMBREL were seen in 2 groups at Phillips Point on Oneida Lake. 6/1: A mated pair of PROTHONATARY WARBLERS were seen in the Lagoon on Toad Harbor Road on Oneida Lake. Cayuga County ------------ 2 RUDDY TURNSTONES and 2 DUNLIN were seen at Fairhaven State Park. 3 SNOW GEESE were seen in the Misty Harbor development east of Meridian. Oneida County ------------ An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and 2 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at a residence in Camden. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y., U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Playing tapes From: Claire Putala <putala AT Oswego.EDU> Date: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:28:28 -0400 Sorry all. Obviously I meant that to go to Dorothy Crumb and in my haste was not careful, just proving the point. cwp ----- Original Message ----- From: Dorothy Crumb Date: Monday, June 1, 2009 11:20 am Subject: [OneidaBirds] Playing tapes To: Oneidabirds ----------------------------------------------------------- | > > > > I may be going overboard, but I am not in favor of playing a tape to > attract or get a response from a rare bird. I assume that when a rail > hears another of his species calling it means invasion into its > territory. If there is any chance of this bird (or birds) staying at > Peter Scott Swamp, it should be allowed to stay as peaceful as > possible. Many people, I am sure, have heard this King Rail call > without the use of a tape. Please discourage anyone you see or her > using a tape not to do it. > Please respond to me personally rather than starting a big issue on > Oneidabirds. > Dorothy Crumb > birder4 AT windstream.> net > > > |----------------------------------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Playing tapes From: Claire Putala <putala AT Oswego.EDU> Date: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:25:08 -0400 Hi, I am mostly a lurker but really enjoy all of it.  I think you have made a very wise and important point. Just because we have the technology doesn't mean we have to use it and when we do use it, we should use it thoughtfully. Thank you, Claire Putala ----- Original Message ----- From: Dorothy Crumb Date: Monday, June 1, 2009 11:20 am Subject: [OneidaBirds] Playing tapes To: Oneidabirds ----------------------------------------------------------- | > > > > I may be going overboard, but I am not in favor of playing a tape to > attract or get a response from a rare bird. I assume that when a rail > hears another of his species calling it means invasion into its > territory. If there is any chance of this bird (or birds) staying at > Peter Scott Swamp, it should be allowed to stay as peaceful as > possible. Many people, I am sure, have heard this King Rail call > without the use of a tape. Please discourage anyone you see or her > using a tape not to do it. > Please respond to me personally rather than starting a big issue on > Oneidabirds. > Dorothy Crumb > birder4 AT windstream.> net > > > |----------------------------------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]