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21 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA [Dana Rohleder ] 20 Nov RE: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA ["Joan E. Collins" ] 20 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA [Dana Rohleder ] 20 Nov RE: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA [] 20 Nov NNYBirds: Plattsburgh area CBC [Judith Heintz ] 19 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? [Dana Rohleder ] 19 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? ["Julie" ] 19 Nov NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? [Dana Rohleder ] 16 Nov NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 16 Nov NNYBirds: Golden Eagle - Noonmark Mt. [Eric Teed ] 14 Nov NNYBirds: St. Lawrence River birds ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 9 Nov NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 08 Nov NNYBirds: random birds [] 8 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations ["grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" ] 08 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations [Dana Rohleder ] 7 Nov NNYBirds: Rusty Blackbirds [] 7 Nov Re:Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations [] 7 Nov Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations ["Joan E. Collins" ] 7 Nov NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations ["Joan E. Collins" ] 6 Nov NNYBirds: Evening Grosbeak in Peru [] 5 Nov NNYBirds: today in Lake Placid ["Larry Master" ] 06 Nov NNYBirds: Bohemians at Paul Smiths College ["birder64" ] 05 Nov NNYBirds: audubon trip report for ausable marsh [] 2 Nov Re: NNYBirds: Black Scoters on Lower Lake [Eric Teed ] 02 Nov NNYBirds: Black Scoters on Lower Lake ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 2 Nov NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 02 Nov NNYBirds: Red Phalarope over the St. Lawrence River ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 1 Nov NNYBirds: File - HelpFile - PLEASE READ & SAVE!! [] 30 Oct NNYBirds: Snow Buntings ["Michael" ] 28 Oct NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip at Ausable Marsh ["Joan E. Collins" ] 28 Oct NNYBirds: Noblewood yesterday ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 26 Oct NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 26 Oct NNYBirds: Recent observations ["Julie" ] 26 Oct NNYBirds: Birding N. Lake Champlain. ["birder64" ] 24 Oct NNYBirds: Perch River WMA this morning and other recent sightings ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 22 Oct Re: NNYBirds: Re:St. Lawrence-Franklin-Hamilton-Essex Co. sightings [Ken Feustel ] 20 Oct NNYBirds: Presentation in Potsdam on 10-21-09 ["Joan E. Collins" ] 20 Oct NNYBirds: rough-legged hawk near Canton ["Tom" ] 20 Oct NNYBirds: Birding over the weekend ["jaustin_carey" ] 19 Oct NNYBirds: Mountaineer Trail at Massawepie Lake ["Joan E. Collins" ] 19 Oct NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 18 Oct NNYBirds: Potsdam sightings ["Joan E. Collins" ] 18 Oct NNYBirds: Azure Mountain field trip ["Joan E. Collins" ] 18 Oct NNYBirds: Champlain Valley [] 18 Oct NNYBirds: Rand Hill purple finches [Judith Heintz ] 17 Oct RE: NNYBirds: Noblewood and Lake Placid and nocturnal migration ["Larry Master" ] 17 Oct NNYBirds: Noblewood and Lake Placid and nocturnal migration ["Larry Master" ] 18 Oct NNYBirds: Rough-legged Hawk and shorebirds ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 14 Oct NNYBirds: Out of region....purple finch movements ["birder64" ] 13 Oct NNYBirds: Plattsburgh area [] 13 Oct NNYBirds: FOS Dark-Eyed Juncos [Nancy A Carter ] 13 Oct NNYBirds: Noblewood [] 12 Oct NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip: Azure Mountain ["Joan E. Collins" ] 12 Oct NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 12 Oct NNYBirds: Great Egret, Pipits, Moose, and more ["Larry Master" ] 12 Oct NNYBirds: Ranger School Birds [Ber Carr ] 12 Oct Re: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog [Brenda Best ] 11 Oct RE: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog [Ginny Alfano ] 12 Oct NNYBirds: Noblewood Sunday afternoon [] 12 Oct RE: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog [] 11 Oct NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog ["jnphotonet" ] 11 Oct NNYBirds: Bird Migration Program from NPR ["adkarcadia" ] 11 Oct NNYBirds: Another Orange-crowned Warbler at Indian Creek Nature Center ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 10 Oct NNYBirds: Migrants at Partridge Run Golf Course in Canton ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 07 Oct Re: NNYBirds: (unknown) [Dana Rohleder ] 07 Oct NNYBirds: Snow Geese [] 07 Oct NNYBirds: Eurasian Wigeon at Wilson Hill WMA ["Jeff Bolsinger" ] 5 Oct NNYBirds: Skate Creek Migrants- Wanakena [Ber Carr ] 5 Oct NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 04 Oct NNYBirds: Screech Owl [Dana Rohleder ] 05 Oct NNYBirds: Whiteface Black-Backed Woodpecker ["adkarcadia" ] 3 Oct NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip to Champlain Valley ["Joan E. Collins" ] 2 Oct NNYBirds: Potsdam & Richville ["Joan E. Collins" ] 1 Oct NNYBirds: File - HelpFile - PLEASE READ & SAVE!! [] 30 Sep Re: NNYBirds: Nests along rt. 86, Wilmington ["Tim Whitens" ] 30 Sep Re: NNYBirds: Nests along rt. 86, Wilmington [Yvette Tillema ] Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:10:45 -0500 Joan/all, I did come across this information, although it is quite old. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/27653.html I don't know if this is still the plan, but it would appear so based on what I've seen. Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Joan E. Collins wrote: > Dana/All, > > > > Dana – I had the same impression after reading the response you received > from David Winchell of the DEC – that the clear-cutting would benefit > species that can be hunted. Please keep us informed about the situation at > Wickham Marsh. I found what I read alarming. Thanks for the information. > > > > Joan Collins > > Potsdam & Long Lake > > ------------------------------------ All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Northern_NY_Birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com Northern_NY_Birds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Northern_NY_Birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:09:20 -0500 Dana/All, Dana – I had the same impression after reading the response you received from David Winchell of the DEC – that the clear-cutting would benefit species that can be hunted. Please keep us informed about the situation at Wickham Marsh. I found what I read alarming. Thanks for the information. Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake From: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Dana Rohleder Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 8:56 PM To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA I am afraid that the WMA is being improved for some species (the one's that can be hunted) at the expense of more sensitive species that need contiguous forestland. Looking at the WMA land within the boundary, it would appear that clearing would be beneficial, especially for deer, upland birds and other game species. However, if you look at Chesterfield/Peru as a whole, it becomes obvious that the WMA is(was?) actually more of an old-growth island in the midst of significant forest fragmentation and disruption due to the golf course expansion, the 171 unit Port Kent housing development approved for the hill overlooking the WMA that was clearcut a couple years ago, in addition to numerous large parcels that have been developed on Trembleau Mtn. over the last few years. Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY edticknor AT sympatico.ca wrote: > Thank you for the explanation! I passed by there last week and was > horrified at what appeared to be clearing for dwellings. I am so > glad all this is for the benefit of the wildlife! Wickham is one of > my favourite areas to walk in.Eve > > Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field > Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 > 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 > > The road to the future is always under construction. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:56:09 -0500 I am afraid that the WMA is being improved for some species (the one's that can be hunted) at the expense of more sensitive species that need contiguous forestland. Looking at the WMA land within the boundary, it would appear that clearing would be beneficial, especially for deer, upland birds and other game species. However, if you look at Chesterfield/Peru as a whole, it becomes obvious that the WMA is(was?) actually more of an old-growth island in the midst of significant forest fragmentation and disruption due to the golf course expansion, the 171 unit Port Kent housing development approved for the hill overlooking the WMA that was clearcut a couple years ago, in addition to numerous large parcels that have been developed on Trembleau Mtn. over the last few years. Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY edticknor AT sympatico.ca wrote: > Thank you for the explanation! I passed by there last week and was > horrified at what appeared to be clearing for dwellings. I am so > glad all this is for the benefit of the wildlife! Wickham is one of > my favourite areas to walk in.Eve > > Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field > Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 > 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 > > The road to the future is always under construction. > > Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA From: <edticknor AT sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:59:39 +0000 Thank you for the explanation! I passed by there last week and was horrified at what appeared to be clearing for dwellings. I am so glad all this is for the benefit of the wildlife! Wickham is one of my favourite areas to walk in.Eve Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 The road to the future is always under construction. To: r5info AT gw.dec.state.ny.us CC: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com From: dcrohleder AT yahoo.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:58:02 -0500 Subject: NNYBirds: Re: Clearcutting/grading in Wickham Marsh WMA David, Thank you for the detailed explanation. Speaking for myself and NNYBirds, it helps to set our mind at ease. Recent private development around the Port Kent area has resulted in significant old-growth and hardwood loss, resulting in fragmentation of the pine barrens and mountainside birding habitat. Many of us are getting pretty reactive to any clearcutting in the area. Would it be possible in the future to post this type of information at the trailhead sign-in and/or kiosks to keep concerned individuals and groups up-to-date on improvements at sensitive sites such as Wickham Marsh? Is there a website where people can get this information both before and during construction? Thanks again for your prompt reply! Sincerely, Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY R5 Info wrote: > Dana, > > Actually the logging at Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area is to > create wildlife habitat. It is a wildlife habitat management > activity that was carefully planned and laid out by a DEC wildlife > biologist and a DEC forester. > > Three forest openings were constructed, each between 4 and 5 acres in > size. Stumps are being removed from the opening located next to the > marsh and this area will be planted to a mix of warm season and cool > season grasses to provide dense nesting cover for waterfowl and other > birds as well as food for a variety of wildlife species. > > The two openings on the ridge top will enhance the wildlife habitat > by providing different types of food and cover not currently found > there. It may look "ugly" to you at this moment but I assure you > that it looks more like a buffet table to the wildlife that lives > there. As time goes on you will see an increase in both the quantity > and diversity of wildlife species using the Management Area as a > result of our management actions. > > Please have patience while we work to make it a better place for the > wildlife and the visitors that use the Wildlife Management Area. > Please contact Wildlife Biologist John O'Connor at 897-1291 if you > have any questions about wildlife habitat management or the > ecological benefits of the logging that took place. > > David Winchell NYSDEC Region 5 Public Affairs > > >>>> Dana Rohleder 11/19/2009 7:30 PM >>> > I am inquiring to find the reason for the clear-cut and grading > project next to the wetland at the end of the access road at Wickham > Marsh WMA. Approx. 5 acres have been leveled, including all mature > timber in the project area, immediately adjacent to the Osprey > platform that was just put up. The heavy equipment has also damaged > the WMA access road. As near as I can figure it, it looks like a > future parking lot. I would think a DEC project would have proper > erosion fences up and road stabilization. I hope the project > justifies the habitat loss in an important wildlife area. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Northern_NY_Birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com Northern_NY_Birds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Northern_NY_Birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: NNYBirds: Plattsburgh area CBC From: Judith Heintz <heintzjf AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:26:46 -0500 The Plattsburgh area Christmas Bird Count is, as usual, the first Sunday of the Count period. This year that falls on Sunday, December 20th. Field workers are welcome and, if you live within the circle, you can be a feeder watcher. Contact me, Judy Heintz, if you are interested in participating. JUDY HEINTZ Plattsburgh, land line phone 5185635273. Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:26:13 -0500 I think this project is actually on the WMA (state) land. When viewed from the DEC "deer stand" across the marsh, there seems to be a buffer of trees with "Posted" signs between the new "parking lot" and the Fuller development farther up on the hill. If it is a DEC project, I can't figure how even they can work in a wetland destroying habitat - legally anyway - without some sort of public notice. Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Julie wrote: >>From what I have been told, this is Steve Fuller's project to build homes there eventually. I don't know if the houses will be down by the marsh actually or if they are just clearing the area for some other reason. He is the one who owns the golf course in Port Kent and has built homes near the course.- > I don't understand how he got a permit from APA to work so close to the marsh??? > > Julie Lattrell > Keeseville, NY > > > ---- Original Message ----- > From: Dana Rohleder > To: NNYBirds > Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:15 PM > Subject: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? > > > > Does anyone know the reason for the clear-cut and grading project next > to the wetland at the end of the access road? Approx. 5 acres have been > leveled, including all mature timber in the project area, immediately > adjacent to the Osprey platform that was just put up. The heavy > equipment has also damaged the access road. As near as I can figure it, > it looks like a future parking lot. I would think a DEC project would > have proper erosion fences up and road stabilization. I hope the project > justifies the habitat loss in an important wildlife area. > -- > Dana Rohleder > Port Kent, NY > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? From: "Julie" <mcjbird AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:49:53 -0500 From what I have been told, this is Steve Fuller's project to build homes there eventually. I don't know if the houses will be down by the marsh actually or if they are just clearing the area for some other reason. He is the one who owns the golf course in Port Kent and has built homes near the course.- I don't understand how he got a permit from APA to work so close to the marsh??? Julie Lattrell Keeseville, NY ---- Original Message ----- From: Dana Rohleder To: NNYBirds Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 5:15 PM Subject: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? Does anyone know the reason for the clear-cut and grading project next to the wetland at the end of the access road? Approx. 5 acres have been leveled, including all mature timber in the project area, immediately adjacent to the Osprey platform that was just put up. The heavy equipment has also damaged the access road. As near as I can figure it, it looks like a future parking lot. I would think a DEC project would have proper erosion fences up and road stabilization. I hope the project justifies the habitat loss in an important wildlife area. -- Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Wickham Marsh construction/destruction? From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:15:57 -0500 Does anyone know the reason for the clear-cut and grading project next to the wetland at the end of the access road? Approx. 5 acres have been leveled, including all mature timber in the project area, immediately adjacent to the Osprey platform that was just put up. The heavy equipment has also damaged the access road. As near as I can figure it, it looks like a future parking lot. I would think a DEC project would have proper erosion fences up and road stabilization. I hope the project justifies the habitat loss in an important wildlife area. -- Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:33:40 -0800 (PST) RBA * New York * Syracuse * November 16, 2009 * NYSY 1611.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): November 09, 2009 - November 16, 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:November 16 AT 8:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #180 -Monday November 16, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of November 09 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- RED-THROATED LOON RED-NECKED GREBE TUNDRA SWAN GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE WHITE-WINGED SCOTER BLACK SCOTER SANDHILL CRANE GOLDEN EAGLE GOSHAWK ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK GLAUCOUS GULL NORTHERN SHRIKE CAROLINA WREN FOX SPARROW EVENING GROSBEAK Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 11/15: 13 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from East Road. Cayuga County ------------ 11/10: At Fairhaven State Park 1 RED-NECKED GREBE, 3 RED-THROATED LOONS, and BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were found. 11/14: At Fairhaven 2 RED-THROATED LOONS were seen. Onondaga County ------------- 11/10: A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen flying over the intersection of Tater Road and Rt. 370 in westernmost Onondaga County. 11/12: A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was found in Van Buren Park south of Baldwinsville. As of today (11/16) the bird is still being seen at the same location. 11/15: At least 6 FOX SPARROWS were found on Kellog Road near 60 Road in Three Rivers WMA. A CAROLONA WREN was seen on the south side of Syracuse. Oneida County ------------ 11/11: An EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at a feeder in Camden. 11/14: NORTHERN SHRIKES were seen in Waterville and the Erie Canal Village in Rome. Oswego County ------------ 11/11: 9 Raptor species were seen at Bishop Road north of Pukaski. Highlights were 2 GOSHAWKS, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and 1 GOLDEN EAGLE. Also seen were SNOW BUNTINGS, HORNED LARKS, and PIPPITS. 11/14: 47 TUNDRA SWANS were seen at Bernhard’s Bay on the north shore of Oneida Lake. Madison County ------------ 11/14: A PINE SISKIN was seen on Coon Tree Lane in DeRuyter. 2 CACKLING GEESE were seen on Woodman Pond. A possible BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was spotted on Hatch Lake but identification could be made definate. 11/15: A juvenile GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at the Madison County landfill on Buyea Road. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Golden Eagle - Noonmark Mt. From: Eric Teed <ekteed AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:18:47 -0800 (PST) On the way up Noonmark in Keene Valley today, I saw an immature Golden Eagle from one of the overlooks. I watched it gain altitude in tight circles and soar off toward the Ausable Lakes valley. In two hours on the summit I did not see any other raptors. Eric Teed New Russia, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: St. Lawrence River birds From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:38:40 -0000 Birding was slow along the river in Waddington, Louisville, and Massena yesterday, but I managed to find a few nice birds. Highlights were one Red-necked Grebe in the bay on the west side of Leishman Pt in Waddington (immediately west of the town beach and St. Lawrence University boathouse), 2 Surf Scoters and a Long-tailed Duck near Murphy Island (as viewed from Coles Creek State Park), and another 2 Red-necked Grebes near the Barnhart Island marina in Massena. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:09:56 -0800 (PST) RBA * New York * Syracuse * November 09, 2009 * NYSY 0911.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): November 02, 2009 - November 09, 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:November 09 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #179 -Monday November 09, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of November 02 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- TRUMPETER SWAN CACKLING GOOSE GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE ROSS’S GOOSE GOLDEN EAGLE SANDHILL CRANE NORTHERN SHRIKE PALM WARBLER FOX SPARROW EASTERN MEADOWLARK Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 11/7: 1 CACKLING GOOSE and at least 1 ROSS’S GOOSE were seen from East Road. At Van Dyne Spoor Road and Armitage Road a total of 31 TRUMPETER SWANS were counted. Also at Van Dyne Spoor Road 2 SANDHILL CRANES were spotted. 11/9: A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was seen at the Visitor’s Center and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen at East Road. Onondaga County ------------ 11/4: A NORTHERN SHRIKE was found at Three Rivers WMA north of Baldwinsville. 11/5: At Green Lakes State Park 3 FOS SPARROWS and 1 PALM WARBLER were found among a number of birds. 11/6: 3 EASTERN MEADOWLARKS were seen in Tully. 11/8: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen in with the many Canadas in Van Buren Park in Baldwinsville. Madison County ------------ 11/5: 2 CACKLING GEESE were found among 13 species of waterowl on Woodman Pond. AGOLDEN EAGLE was seen near Erieville. Oneida County ------------ 11/5: A juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE was observed hunting in Durhamville. Cayuga County ------------ 11/8: A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was found in a pond along Rt.370 east of Meridian near the Sunoco gas station. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: random birds From: mruddyduck AT aol.com Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:11:04 -0500 Hi all, On route to Rouses Point today I meandered around the cornfields in search of Snow Geese and other wintery birds. There were thousands of SNOW GEESE flying around the lakeshore, but I couldn't find them in a field today. I did however find a large flock of HORNED LARKS on North Farm Rd (near the Chazy Riverlands) with one LAPLAND LONGSPUR mixed in. There seemed to be Horned Larks everywhere along this road, and I had absolutely no luck estimating how many there might be as they kept changing locations repeatedly, but there were certainly over 100. Two days ago I had a surprise visit at my birdfeeder by a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, but haven't seen him again since. Melanie McCormack Plattsburgh [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations From: "grosbeak AT clarityconnect.com" <grosbeak@clarityconnect.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 17:38:27 -0500 Hello all, While Northern Shrikes can, and are known to sing through the year, singing is still rare from fall through winter. I've heard N. Shrikes singing during the "off-season" twice in 20 years. Matt Original Message: ----------------- From: Dana Rohleder dcrohleder AT yahoo.com Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:26:25 -0500 To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations Joan, How lucky!! It would be great if you could borrow a recording rig and tape the Shrike's vocalizations! Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Joan E. Collins wrote: > Potsdam, NY (St. Lawrence County) > > > > For the past 4 out of 5 winters at our home in Potsdam, we've had a Northern > Shrike spend the season behind our home along Plum Brook (an area with open > fields, wet shrublands, deciduous forest, marshes, the brook, and plenty of > hawthorn trees). In the morning on October 29, 2009, I stepped outside on > our back porch and heard a Northern Shrike vocalizing. It was at the top of > a deciduous tree near the marsh, but in a location where I would not have > noticed the shrike had it not been vocalizing. As I watched the shrike, > Amer. Robins were drawn in - flying around the tree and perching below the > shrike. Each time the robins perched, the shrike would loudly call and dive > at them. The robins took off each time, but continued to come back (loudly > calling). I watched the same behavior over and over - the shrike > singing/calling, the robins flying into the tree, the shrike calling loudly > as it dove at the robins. The only change occurred when a Rusty Blackbird > joined the robins just once. (The Rusty Blackbirds could be heard > vocalizing in the nearby marsh.) Eventually, I got cold and left the birds > to their antagonistic behavior. > > > > In the morning on Nov. 1, the Northern Shrike was observed perched in > several locations (top of deciduous trees and top of shrubs) and in pursuit > of a Blue Jay (not successful). > > > > At dawn (6:45 a.m.) on Nov. 4, I went outside on the back porch and found > the Northern Shrike vocalizing - an enormous barrage of interesting > vocalizations. I'm an ear birder, so I was in heaven, and wished I'd had > recording equipment at that moment. The vocalizations drew a Blue Jay to > the shrike. Each time the shrike flew at the Blue Jay it made a very loud > call - as it did with the robins on Oct. 29. After a few attempts at > catching the Blue Jay, the shrike gave up and flew across the large field - > but loudly called just before it flew. > > > > Today, Nov. 7, at dawn, I spotted the shrike at the top of a deciduous tree > behind our home from my bed! (This particular tree seems to be the favored > Northern Shrike perch in winter, and I can see it from my bed.) I ran > downstairs and outside, but the shrike was gone. I listened and heard a > distant shrike vocalization coming from across the large field, and then a > robin began calling from the same location. > > > > I found some interesting information on Northern Shrikes vocalizing outside > the breeding season in The Birds of North America Northern Shrike account > under "Sounds - Vocalizations": > > > > ***Frequency and function of winter singing cause of much speculation ( > b017> Bent 1950, > b038> Cramp and Perrins 1993). Since fifteenth century (Barnes 1486, Boke of > St. Albans), some writers have stated that shrike imitates calls and songs > of other birds to lure them into vulnerable range of attack: "She will stand > at perch upon some tree or poste, and there make an exceedingly lamentable > crye and exclamation, such as birds are wonte to do, being wronged or in > hazard of mischiefe, and all to make other fowles to thinke that she is very > much distressed and stands in need of ayde; whereupon the credulous sellie > birds do flocke together at her call. If any happen to approach neare her, > she out of hand ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (ungrateful subtill > fowle) in requital for their simplicity" (seventeenth-century author in > b079> McCowan 1951: 171-175). Atkinson ( > b012> 1997) showed experimentally that playback of recorded shrike songs in > winter attracted other small passerine species to significantly greater > extent (quicker, closer, more frequent approaches) than playback of American > Robin song or control playback of background tape noise; he observed 4 > instances of shrikes using such opportunities to attack other birds, twice > successfully. Whether potential prey are attracted to mimicked versions of > their own songs and calls ( > b092> Munro 1911), to generalized predator distress or alarm sounds > incorporated into shrike songs, or to the oddity of various, juxtaposed > warbles, gurgles, squeaks, and squawks (analogous to human "squeaking" to > attract birds) remains to be determined, but songbirds appeared most > responsive to portion of shrike song that incorporated jaa calls (EAC).*** > > > > If this particular Northern Shrike continues to sing/call through the > winter, I'll be thrilled! > > > > Other recent observations: > > > > Ruffed Grouse and Pileated Woodpecker have been observed each day. > > > > 11/7/09 > > Dark-eyed Junco - still moving through > > Red-winged Blackbird & Common Grackle flocks flying over (occasional > grackles at our feeder) > > > > 11/6/09 (first snow in Potsdam) > > Amer. Tree Sparrow - 1; first of the season > > > > 11/2/09 > > Golden-crowned Kinglet - migrant > > Fox Sparrow > > > > 11/1/09 > > This was the last day of large Amer. Robin flocks (now there are smaller > numbers still around). > > > > 10/26/09 > > Ruby-crowned Kinglet - last day observed > > Fox Sparrow > > Purple Finch - last flock heard going over (this species was moving around > the North Country in Oct.) > > > > 10/23/09 > > Great Horned Owl vocalizing (2 a.m. and 6:20 a.m.) > > White-throated Sparrow - last day observed > > > > 10/21/09 > > Hermit Thrush - last day observed > > Song Sparrow - last day observed > > White-crowned Sparrow - last day observed > > > > This year, there were large Amer. Robin flocks feeding on the berries of > Gray Dogwood and (invasive) Buckthorn (among all the sparrow species passing > through). It appears that they favored the Gray Dogwood berries, and they > are just about cleaned out. There are still plenty of Buckthorn berries > available, which seem to attract thousands of Bohemian Waxwings to this area > in winter. As Matt Young recently pointed out, the Bohemian Waxwings are > showing up each year. Since I have only observed them eating buckthorn > berries in winter (in this area), I wonder if they frequented this location > before Buckthorn was brought over from Europe? > > > > Joan Collins > > Potsdam & Long Lake > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - Microsoft® Exchange solutions from a leading provider - http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:26:25 -0500 Joan, How lucky!! It would be great if you could borrow a recording rig and tape the Shrike's vocalizations! Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Joan E. Collins wrote: > Potsdam, NY (St. Lawrence County) > > > > For the past 4 out of 5 winters at our home in Potsdam, we've had a Northern > Shrike spend the season behind our home along Plum Brook (an area with open > fields, wet shrublands, deciduous forest, marshes, the brook, and plenty of > hawthorn trees). In the morning on October 29, 2009, I stepped outside on > our back porch and heard a Northern Shrike vocalizing. It was at the top of > a deciduous tree near the marsh, but in a location where I would not have > noticed the shrike had it not been vocalizing. As I watched the shrike, > Amer. Robins were drawn in - flying around the tree and perching below the > shrike. Each time the robins perched, the shrike would loudly call and dive > at them. The robins took off each time, but continued to come back (loudly > calling). I watched the same behavior over and over - the shrike > singing/calling, the robins flying into the tree, the shrike calling loudly > as it dove at the robins. The only change occurred when a Rusty Blackbird > joined the robins just once. (The Rusty Blackbirds could be heard > vocalizing in the nearby marsh.) Eventually, I got cold and left the birds > to their antagonistic behavior. > > > > In the morning on Nov. 1, the Northern Shrike was observed perched in > several locations (top of deciduous trees and top of shrubs) and in pursuit > of a Blue Jay (not successful). > > > > At dawn (6:45 a.m.) on Nov. 4, I went outside on the back porch and found > the Northern Shrike vocalizing - an enormous barrage of interesting > vocalizations. I'm an ear birder, so I was in heaven, and wished I'd had > recording equipment at that moment. The vocalizations drew a Blue Jay to > the shrike. Each time the shrike flew at the Blue Jay it made a very loud > call - as it did with the robins on Oct. 29. After a few attempts at > catching the Blue Jay, the shrike gave up and flew across the large field - > but loudly called just before it flew. > > > > Today, Nov. 7, at dawn, I spotted the shrike at the top of a deciduous tree > behind our home from my bed! (This particular tree seems to be the favored > Northern Shrike perch in winter, and I can see it from my bed.) I ran > downstairs and outside, but the shrike was gone. I listened and heard a > distant shrike vocalization coming from across the large field, and then a > robin began calling from the same location. > > > > I found some interesting information on Northern Shrikes vocalizing outside > the breeding season in The Birds of North America Northern Shrike account > under "Sounds - Vocalizations": > > > > ***Frequency and function of winter singing cause of much speculation ( > b017> Bent 1950, > b038> Cramp and Perrins 1993). Since fifteenth century (Barnes 1486, Boke of > St. Albans), some writers have stated that shrike imitates calls and songs > of other birds to lure them into vulnerable range of attack: "She will stand > at perch upon some tree or poste, and there make an exceedingly lamentable > crye and exclamation, such as birds are wonte to do, being wronged or in > hazard of mischiefe, and all to make other fowles to thinke that she is very > much distressed and stands in need of ayde; whereupon the credulous sellie > birds do flocke together at her call. If any happen to approach neare her, > she out of hand ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (ungrateful subtill > fowle) in requital for their simplicity" (seventeenth-century author in > b079> McCowan 1951: 171-175). Atkinson ( > b012> 1997) showed experimentally that playback of recorded shrike songs in > winter attracted other small passerine species to significantly greater > extent (quicker, closer, more frequent approaches) than playback of American > Robin song or control playback of background tape noise; he observed 4 > instances of shrikes using such opportunities to attack other birds, twice > successfully. Whether potential prey are attracted to mimicked versions of > their own songs and calls ( > b092> Munro 1911), to generalized predator distress or alarm sounds > incorporated into shrike songs, or to the oddity of various, juxtaposed > warbles, gurgles, squeaks, and squawks (analogous to human "squeaking" to > attract birds) remains to be determined, but songbirds appeared most > responsive to portion of shrike song that incorporated jaa calls (EAC).*** > > > > If this particular Northern Shrike continues to sing/call through the > winter, I'll be thrilled! > > > > Other recent observations: > > > > Ruffed Grouse and Pileated Woodpecker have been observed each day. > > > > 11/7/09 > > Dark-eyed Junco - still moving through > > Red-winged Blackbird & Common Grackle flocks flying over (occasional > grackles at our feeder) > > > > 11/6/09 (first snow in Potsdam) > > Amer. Tree Sparrow - 1; first of the season > > > > 11/2/09 > > Golden-crowned Kinglet - migrant > > Fox Sparrow > > > > 11/1/09 > > This was the last day of large Amer. Robin flocks (now there are smaller > numbers still around). > > > > 10/26/09 > > Ruby-crowned Kinglet - last day observed > > Fox Sparrow > > Purple Finch - last flock heard going over (this species was moving around > the North Country in Oct.) > > > > 10/23/09 > > Great Horned Owl vocalizing (2 a.m. and 6:20 a.m.) > > White-throated Sparrow - last day observed > > > > 10/21/09 > > Hermit Thrush - last day observed > > Song Sparrow - last day observed > > White-crowned Sparrow - last day observed > > > > This year, there were large Amer. Robin flocks feeding on the berries of > Gray Dogwood and (invasive) Buckthorn (among all the sparrow species passing > through). It appears that they favored the Gray Dogwood berries, and they > are just about cleaned out. There are still plenty of Buckthorn berries > available, which seem to attract thousands of Bohemian Waxwings to this area > in winter. As Matt Young recently pointed out, the Bohemian Waxwings are > showing up each year. Since I have only observed them eating buckthorn > berries in winter (in this area), I wonder if they frequented this location > before Buckthorn was brought over from Europe? > > > > Joan Collins > > Potsdam & Long Lake > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > Subject: NNYBirds: Rusty Blackbirds From: JPThax5317 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:32:35 EST We watched a flock of about 30 rusty blackbirds foraging in the wet area behind campsite number 53 at Ausable Point this afternoon. We also heard a Carolina wren there. Otherwise pretty quiet, almost a raptorless day until we spotted a mature male peregrine falcon zooming low over the fields beside Steveson Road in Westport. Pat & John Thaxton Keene, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re:Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations From: Richjack115 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:47:26 EST Interesting. About 20 years ago I discovered a wintering Northern Shrike at Beltzville State Park in eastern Pennsylvania. It was sitting in the only very large tree at the edge of the lake in exactly the same spot where I had seen Northern Mockingbird on numerous prior occasions. In fact, from a distance I thought it was a Mockingbird. However, the rather cheerful warbling of the Shrike drew my attention as it was unlike any Mockingbird imitation I had ever heard, and was also persistently the same song. I never observed the behavior of chasing after sparrows and other passerines in the area, but it certainly was not hiding from any prospective prey as Shrikes, I think, tend to be. Richard ZainEldeen Brooklyn, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations From: "Joan E. Collins" <jecollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:07:44 -0500 Potsdam, NY (St. Lawrence County) For the past 4 out of 5 winters at our home in Potsdam, we've had a Northern Shrike spend the season behind our home along Plum Brook (an area with open fields, wet shrublands, deciduous forest, marshes, the brook, and plenty of hawthorn trees). In the morning on October 29, 2009, I stepped outside on our back porch and heard a Northern Shrike vocalizing. It was at the top of a deciduous tree near the marsh, but in a location where I would not have noticed the shrike had it not been vocalizing. As I watched the shrike, Amer. Robins were drawn in - flying around the tree and perching below the shrike. Each time the robins perched, the shrike would loudly call and dive at them. The robins took off each time, but continued to come back (loudly calling). I watched the same behavior over and over - the shrike singing/calling, the robins flying into the tree, the shrike calling loudly as it dove at the robins. The only change occurred when a Rusty Blackbird joined the robins just once. (The Rusty Blackbirds could be heard vocalizing in the nearby marsh.) Eventually, I got cold and left the birds to their antagonistic behavior. In the morning on Nov. 1, the Northern Shrike was observed perched in several locations (top of deciduous trees and top of shrubs) and in pursuit of a Blue Jay (not successful). At dawn (6:45 a.m.) on Nov. 4, I went outside on the back porch and found the Northern Shrike vocalizing - an enormous barrage of interesting vocalizations. I'm an ear birder, so I was in heaven, and wished I'd had recording equipment at that moment. The vocalizations drew a Blue Jay to the shrike. Each time the shrike flew at the Blue Jay it made a very loud call - as it did with the robins on Oct. 29. After a few attempts at catching the Blue Jay, the shrike gave up and flew across the large field - but loudly called just before it flew. Today, Nov. 7, at dawn, I spotted the shrike at the top of a deciduous tree behind our home from my bed! (This particular tree seems to be the favored Northern Shrike perch in winter, and I can see it from my bed.) I ran downstairs and outside, but the shrike was gone. I listened and heard a distant shrike vocalization coming from across the large field, and then a robin began calling from the same location. I found some interesting information on Northern Shrikes vocalizing outside the breeding season in The Birds of North America Northern Shrike account under "Sounds - Vocalizations": ***Frequency and function of winter singing cause of much speculation ( Bent 1950, Cramp and Perrins 1993). Since fifteenth century (Barnes 1486, Boke of St. Albans), some writers have stated that shrike imitates calls and songs of other birds to lure them into vulnerable range of attack: "She will stand at perch upon some tree or poste, and there make an exceedingly lamentable crye and exclamation, such as birds are wonte to do, being wronged or in hazard of mischiefe, and all to make other fowles to thinke that she is very much distressed and stands in need of ayde; whereupon the credulous sellie birds do flocke together at her call. If any happen to approach neare her, she out of hand ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (ungrateful subtill fowle) in requital for their simplicity" (seventeenth-century author in McCowan 1951: 171-175). Atkinson ( 1997) showed experimentally that playback of recorded shrike songs in winter attracted other small passerine species to significantly greater extent (quicker, closer, more frequent approaches) than playback of American Robin song or control playback of background tape noise; he observed 4 instances of shrikes using such opportunities to attack other birds, twice successfully. Whether potential prey are attracted to mimicked versions of their own songs and calls ( Munro 1911), to generalized predator distress or alarm sounds incorporated into shrike songs, or to the oddity of various, juxtaposed warbles, gurgles, squeaks, and squawks (analogous to human "squeaking" to attract birds) remains to be determined, but songbirds appeared most responsive to portion of shrike song that incorporated jaa calls (EAC).*** If this particular Northern Shrike continues to sing/call through the winter, I'll be thrilled! Other recent observations: Ruffed Grouse and Pileated Woodpecker have been observed each day. 11/7/09 Dark-eyed Junco - still moving through Red-winged Blackbird & Common Grackle flocks flying over (occasional grackles at our feeder) 11/6/09 (first snow in Potsdam) Amer. Tree Sparrow - 1; first of the season 11/2/09 Golden-crowned Kinglet - migrant Fox Sparrow 11/1/09 This was the last day of large Amer. Robin flocks (now there are smaller numbers still around). 10/26/09 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - last day observed Fox Sparrow Purple Finch - last flock heard going over (this species was moving around the North Country in Oct.) 10/23/09 Great Horned Owl vocalizing (2 a.m. and 6:20 a.m.) White-throated Sparrow - last day observed 10/21/09 Hermit Thrush - last day observed Song Sparrow - last day observed White-crowned Sparrow - last day observed This year, there were large Amer. Robin flocks feeding on the berries of Gray Dogwood and (invasive) Buckthorn (among all the sparrow species passing through). It appears that they favored the Gray Dogwood berries, and they are just about cleaned out. There are still plenty of Buckthorn berries available, which seem to attract thousands of Bohemian Waxwings to this area in winter. As Matt Young recently pointed out, the Bohemian Waxwings are showing up each year. Since I have only observed them eating buckthorn berries in winter (in this area), I wonder if they frequented this location before Buckthorn was brought over from Europe? Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: NNYBirds: Vocal Northern Shrike & other observations From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:07:44 -0500 Potsdam, NY (St. Lawrence County) For the past 4 out of 5 winters at our home in Potsdam, we've had a Northern Shrike spend the season behind our home along Plum Brook (an area with open fields, wet shrublands, deciduous forest, marshes, the brook, and plenty of hawthorn trees). In the morning on October 29, 2009, I stepped outside on our back porch and heard a Northern Shrike vocalizing. It was at the top of a deciduous tree near the marsh, but in a location where I would not have noticed the shrike had it not been vocalizing. As I watched the shrike, Amer. Robins were drawn in - flying around the tree and perching below the shrike. Each time the robins perched, the shrike would loudly call and dive at them. The robins took off each time, but continued to come back (loudly calling). I watched the same behavior over and over - the shrike singing/calling, the robins flying into the tree, the shrike calling loudly as it dove at the robins. The only change occurred when a Rusty Blackbird joined the robins just once. (The Rusty Blackbirds could be heard vocalizing in the nearby marsh.) Eventually, I got cold and left the birds to their antagonistic behavior. In the morning on Nov. 1, the Northern Shrike was observed perched in several locations (top of deciduous trees and top of shrubs) and in pursuit of a Blue Jay (not successful). At dawn (6:45 a.m.) on Nov. 4, I went outside on the back porch and found the Northern Shrike vocalizing - an enormous barrage of interesting vocalizations. I'm an ear birder, so I was in heaven, and wished I'd had recording equipment at that moment. The vocalizations drew a Blue Jay to the shrike. Each time the shrike flew at the Blue Jay it made a very loud call - as it did with the robins on Oct. 29. After a few attempts at catching the Blue Jay, the shrike gave up and flew across the large field - but loudly called just before it flew. Today, Nov. 7, at dawn, I spotted the shrike at the top of a deciduous tree behind our home from my bed! (This particular tree seems to be the favored Northern Shrike perch in winter, and I can see it from my bed.) I ran downstairs and outside, but the shrike was gone. I listened and heard a distant shrike vocalization coming from across the large field, and then a robin began calling from the same location. I found some interesting information on Northern Shrikes vocalizing outside the breeding season in The Birds of North America Northern Shrike account under "Sounds - Vocalizations": ***Frequency and function of winter singing cause of much speculation ( Bent 1950, Cramp and Perrins 1993). Since fifteenth century (Barnes 1486, Boke of St. Albans), some writers have stated that shrike imitates calls and songs of other birds to lure them into vulnerable range of attack: "She will stand at perch upon some tree or poste, and there make an exceedingly lamentable crye and exclamation, such as birds are wonte to do, being wronged or in hazard of mischiefe, and all to make other fowles to thinke that she is very much distressed and stands in need of ayde; whereupon the credulous sellie birds do flocke together at her call. If any happen to approach neare her, she out of hand ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (ungrateful subtill fowle) in requital for their simplicity" (seventeenth-century author in McCowan 1951: 171-175). Atkinson ( 1997) showed experimentally that playback of recorded shrike songs in winter attracted other small passerine species to significantly greater extent (quicker, closer, more frequent approaches) than playback of American Robin song or control playback of background tape noise; he observed 4 instances of shrikes using such opportunities to attack other birds, twice successfully. Whether potential prey are attracted to mimicked versions of their own songs and calls ( Munro 1911), to generalized predator distress or alarm sounds incorporated into shrike songs, or to the oddity of various, juxtaposed warbles, gurgles, squeaks, and squawks (analogous to human "squeaking" to attract birds) remains to be determined, but songbirds appeared most responsive to portion of shrike song that incorporated jaa calls (EAC).*** If this particular Northern Shrike continues to sing/call through the winter, I'll be thrilled! Other recent observations: Ruffed Grouse and Pileated Woodpecker have been observed each day. 11/7/09 Dark-eyed Junco - still moving through Red-winged Blackbird & Common Grackle flocks flying over (occasional grackles at our feeder) 11/6/09 (first snow in Potsdam) Amer. Tree Sparrow - 1; first of the season 11/2/09 Golden-crowned Kinglet - migrant Fox Sparrow 11/1/09 This was the last day of large Amer. Robin flocks (now there are smaller numbers still around). 10/26/09 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - last day observed Fox Sparrow Purple Finch - last flock heard going over (this species was moving around the North Country in Oct.) 10/23/09 Great Horned Owl vocalizing (2 a.m. and 6:20 a.m.) White-throated Sparrow - last day observed 10/21/09 Hermit Thrush - last day observed Song Sparrow - last day observed White-crowned Sparrow - last day observed This year, there were large Amer. Robin flocks feeding on the berries of Gray Dogwood and (invasive) Buckthorn (among all the sparrow species passing through). It appears that they favored the Gray Dogwood berries, and they are just about cleaned out. There are still plenty of Buckthorn berries available, which seem to attract thousands of Bohemian Waxwings to this area in winter. As Matt Young recently pointed out, the Bohemian Waxwings are showing up each year. Since I have only observed them eating buckthorn berries in winter (in this area), I wonder if they frequented this location before Buckthorn was brought over from Europe? Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Evening Grosbeak in Peru From: <hefitts AT charter.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:02:11 -0800 Hello All We had a single adult male Evening Grosbeak at our feeder yesterday. He didn't stay at the feeder very long, but I could hear him calling in the trees bordering Arnold Brook a half hour later. This is the first one we've seen since July 7, when we also were visited by a single male. Yesterday there was a flock of about 18 Tree Sparrows in a hedgerow in an Eccles Rd. field., the first this season for me. Today an immature Cooper's hawk was hunting in the brush pile behind our feeders in the morning and visited the feeders again in the afternoon - no luck that we could see. To our surprise an adult Cooper's also came to the feeding area today and perched out in the open for a great view. Liz Fitts, Peru Subject: NNYBirds: today in Lake Placid From: "Larry Master" <lawrencemaster AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 23:28:56 -0500 A cruise around Lake Placid this morning revealed only a single Common Loon. (I've been away for 12 days and likely missed the usual late October scoter/grebe migration pulse.) Notable birds today on our farm on River Road were a Black-backed Woodpecker, a first year Bald Eagle, an immature Cooper's Hawk, 5 Hooded mergansers, 1 Common Merganser, and 1 Great Blue Heron. Larry Master Lake Placid [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Bohemians at Paul Smiths College From: "birder64" <birder64 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:37:09 -0000 Hello all, I just received word from Shaun Martin, PSC student and very accomplished birder, that 10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS are frequenting the area around the front of Freer Science Building on campus. They're feeding on a berry-filled tree and then hang out in a nearby pine. Earlier another equally accomplished student of bird study notified me of a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on campus. It's good to know we have birding eyes on a campus located in prime birding habitat. Brian McAllister Saranac Lake Subject: NNYBirds: audubon trip report for ausable marsh From: mruddyduck AT aol.com Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:58:41 -0500 Hello all, A large group of 20 participants took advantage of a nice sunny morning on Sunday, November 1st for the Audubon trip to Ausable Marsh. Overall the birds were rather quiet but we were treated to some nice surprises. The highlight was the sight of MERLIN who caught his breakfast in mid-air and then landed in a nearby tree for us to watch. Another highlight was a close-up view of a foraging RUSTY BLACKBIRD by a few people, a life bird for some. Earlier in the day I saw a flock of 8 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS in the marsh and have seen subsequent flocks around the area the past few days as they are passing through. Waterfowl were present in modest numbers and included 8 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 3 COMMON LOONS, 4 HORNED GREBES, 2 BUFFLEHEAD, and 4 COMMON GOLDENYE. In all we saw 23 species, but the highlight really was to have such a large turnout of people from all over, including people from Westport, Indian Lake, Saranac Lake, and Saratoga. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a pleasant morning of birding! Melanie McCormack Location: Ausable Point Observation date: 11/1/09 Number of species: 23 Mallard 20 Bufflehead 2 Common Goldeneye 4 Common Loon 4 Pied-billed Grebe 8 Horned Grebe 3 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Great Blue Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Merlin 1 Ring-billed Gull 20 Great Black-backed Gull 4 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 American Robin 2 Dark-eyed Junco 4 Red-winged Blackbird 3 Rusty Blackbird 8 American Goldfinch 2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Black Scoters on Lower Lake From: Eric Teed <ekteed AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:58:25 -0800 (PST) I saw 275 Black Scoters this morning from the Lake Champlain Ferry between Essex NY and Charlotte VT. This too would be a high count by many multiples for me on Lake Champlain, although a count of 600 was reported from Essex on 10/23/09. Eric Teed New Russia, NY ________________________________ From: Jeff Bolsinger To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, November 2, 2009 6:56:31 PM Subject: NNYBirds: Black Scoters on Lower Lake This afternoon at about 4 pm I saw a raft of approximately 130 Black Scoters on Lower Lake. From the Rt. 15 tower they were near the opposite end of the lake, much too far away to see well without a scope. I've seen all three species of scoters here in the past, but never more than four individuals at a time. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Black Scoters on Lower Lake From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:56:31 -0000 This afternoon at about 4 pm I saw a raft of approximately 130 Black Scoters on Lower Lake. From the Rt. 15 tower they were near the opposite end of the lake, much too far away to see well without a scope. I've seen all three species of scoters here in the past, but never more than four individuals at a time. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:50:24 -0800 (PST) RBA * New York * Syracuse * November 02, 2009 * NYSY 0211.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): October 26, 2009 - November 02, 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:November 02 AT 6:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #178 -Monday November 02, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 26 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- RED-THROATED LOON RED-NECKED GREBE BRANT EURASIAN WIGEON WHITE-WINGED SCOTER MERLIN NORTHERN GOSHAWK MERLIN RED-NECKED GREBE SANDHILL CRANE BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER SANDERLING DUNLIN WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER RED PHALAROPE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER BONAPARTE’S GULL LAPLAND LONGSPUR RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET BLUE-HEADED VIREO BOBOLINK Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/27: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Van Dyne Spoor Road. 3 SANDHILL CRANED were seen in Knox-Marsellus Marsh. 5 species of shorebird were seen at the visitor’s center including WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 10/29: 2 EURASIAN WIGEON were seen in Tschache Pool. St. Lawrence County ------------ 11/1: A RED PHALAROPE was seen at Coles Creek State Park on the St. Lawrence River near Massena. Oneida County ------------ 10/26: A late BOBOLINK was seen in Camden. 10/29: At Sylvan Beach the following were seen. 4 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 10 SANDERLING, 2 DUNLIN, 11 BRANT, and 16 BONAPARTE’S GULLS. Onondaga County ------------ 10/30: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen near Northern Lights Shopping center. 10/31: 15 BRANT were seen in the Inner Harbor. Oswego County ------------ 10/31: A late swallow, possibly a CAVE SWALLOW, was seen at Mexico Point. 11/1: At Derby Hill the following birds were seen. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, MERLIN, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Cayuga County ------------ 11/1: At Fairhaven State Park a RED THROATED LOON, a RED-NECKED GREBE, and a MERLIN were all seen. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Red Phalarope over the St. Lawrence River From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:09:38 -0000 This morning I saw a Red Phalarope flying up the St. Lawrence River from the camping area at Coles Creek State Park. I first saw it through my binoculars as it flew low over the water straight out from where I was on the shore. I suspected phalarope immediately from the erratic, "twisty" flight, and quickly got it in my scope. By this time it was heading away from me, so my best view was of the upperparts, which were a plain, pale gray. Otherwise there was a small flight of ducks all heading upstream (southwest). During 90 minutes at two locations I counted 74 Bufflehead, 32 Common Goldeneye, and 30 Long-tailed Ducks flying upriver. I also saw one Common Loon flying, but the rest of the 20 or so loons I saw were on the water. At Wilson Hill WMA I saw the Eurasian Wigeon again (assuming that it is the same bird) after missing it for a couple of weeks. He appears to have completed his molt, as he now has gray flanks, unlike when I first saw him a few weeks ago. As before, the Eurasian was too far out from shore to identify without a scope. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: File - HelpFile - PLEASE READ & SAVE!! From: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Date: 1 Nov 2009 10:33:33 -0000 PLEASE READ & SAVE!!! Northern_NY_Birds (NNYBirds) Monthly Help & Information File Please read the list guidelines (see below) before engaging in discussion. In addition, familiarize yourself with how the list operates, especially if you've never participated in an Internet email discussion group before. It's a good idea to SAVE THIS MESSAGE somewhere so you know how to unsubscribe and alter your subscription settings. GUIDELINES: A discussion area for amateur to expert birders to report rare, unusual, or simply interesting bird sightings in Northern NY. This would include the Adirondacks, St. Lawrence, Tug Hill, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain areas. Loosely, anywhere east of Lake Ontario/I-81 and north of I-90. Relevant cross-postings from neighboring groups are also encouraged. On the website, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds , events and trips relative to the group may be posted and/or placed on the group calendar. Birding-related photos, files, and polls may also be uploaded. Please feel free to use any of these features. This is an UNMONITORED list, which means that no one is monitoring messages before they are sent out to subscribers. Therefore, contributers should keep in mind the purpose of this list and should avoid discourteous and inappropriate messages. 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Rohleder, O.D. List Administrator Northern_NY_Birds-owner AT yahoogroups.com Subject: NNYBirds: Snow Buntings From: "Michael" <mjpm3 AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:29:10 -0000 Hi all 25 Snow Buntngs at Lake Adirondack parking area Indian Lake. Mike and Wanda Moccio Indian Lake Subject: NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip at Ausable Marsh From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:35:25 -0400 Hi Everyone, Below are details for this Sunday's Northern NY Audubon field trip to Ausable Marsh. Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake ******************************************* Sunday November 1, 2009 Ausable Marsh Peru (Clinton Co.) This area, where the Ausable River empties into Lake Champlain, is a great location to observe migrant shorebirds and waterfowl. The past few field trips at Ausable have been good for spotting rarities, such as White-eyed Vireo and Tundra Swan, so you never know what might show up! In November, there should be waterfowl and lingering songbird migrants. Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Meet at the parking area just before the campground entrance. Leader: Melanie McCormack Register by calling Melanie at (518) 312-6123 or email mruddyduck AT aol.com ****************************************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Noblewood yesterday From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:28:44 -0000 I finally made it to Noblewood yesterday and had a very pleasant couple of hours birding. A good diversity of waterbirds and waterfowl were on the lake, especially south of the bluff, where Horned Grebes were especially numerous. A Black-bellied Plover and 11 Snow Buntings were on the sand spit along with the four common gull species. A group of Snow Geese passed over heading south as I was leaving the lakeshore, otherwise there wasn't any obvious migration taking place. The following list is from the loop I walked from the parking lot to the lake shore and back, although I spent most of my time scoping the lake and spit: Snow Goose 70 Canada Goose 75 Mallard 10 Greater Scaup 4 Surf Scoter 4 White-winged Scoter 3 Long-tailed Duck 50 Bufflehead 33 Common Goldeneye 45 Red-breasted Merganser 5 Common Loon 7 Horned Grebe 77 Red-necked Grebe 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Killdeer 2 Bonaparte's Gull 12 Ring-billed Gull 88 Herring Gull 6 Great Black-backed Gull 3 Hairy Woodpecker 3 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 9 Black-capped Chickadee 15 Tufted Titmouse 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 7 Brown Creeper 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Snow Bunting 11 House Finch 1 American Goldfinch 7 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Later in the day I spent some time scoping Lake Champlain from Ausable Point. Far fewer ducks and grebes were here, although I did see one Black Scoter. About 600 gulls were on the sand spit on the south side of the river mouth, but I couldn't pick out anything other than Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed. I spent a few hours this morning along the Chubb River southwest of Lake Placid. My efforts to find any boreal species failed, but I did hear three Pine Siskins fly overhead and saw my first Northern Shrike of the year. The latter bird threw me for a minute, as I was in dense spruce forest and when I first saw a flash or gray and white I assumed that it was a Gray Jay. It seemed an odd location for a shrike, but perhaps the shrike thought so too, as it quickly flew up and away over the trees. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:23:36 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * October 26, 2009 * NYSY2610.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): October 19, 2009 - October 26, 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:October 26 AT 4:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #177 -Monday October 26, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 26 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- RED-NECKED GREBE GREAT EGRET WHITE IBIS (Extralimital) EURASIAN WIGEON SURF SCOTER SANDHILL CRANE AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER HUDSONIAN GODWIT WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER NORTHERN SHRIKE CAROLINA WREN ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER NELSON’S SPARROW SNOW BUNTING PINE SISKIN Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/19: 3 SANDHILL CRANES were seen at the Audubon Center on Rt.89. 10/24: A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was spotted and photographed on VanDyne Spoor Road. On 10/25 the bird was relocated and seen by many observers from early morning to last light. As yet there have been no positive reports on 10/26. 10/25: Also seen this day fron Van Dyne Spoor Road were HUDSONIAN GODWIT, SANDHILL CRANE, and NORTHERN SHRIKE. At Marten’s tract 2 NELSON’S SPARROWS were seen. At Tschache Pool an EURASIAN WIGEON was seen.At North Spring Pond 5 GREAT EGRETS were spotted. At the Visitor’s Center 6 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were seen. Cayuga County ------------ 10/22: 22 DUNLIN and 1 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER were found at Fairhaven State Park. 10/24: 9 species of waterfowl including 10 SURF SCOTERS were seen at Fairhaven State Park. Also seen were 2 RED-NECKED GREBES, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and 10 SNOW BUNTINGS. Oswego County ------------ 10/22: An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen in Hastings. Onondaga County ------------ 10/22: A laate EASTERN MEADOWLARK was spotted in Tully. PINE SISKINS were at a feeder in the est side of Syracuse. 10/23: 2 CAROLINA WRENS were found on the Erie Canal Trail on Bennets Corners Road west of Syracuse. Extralimital ------------ The WHITE IBIS has returned to the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area and was seen as recently as 10/25. Check Genesee Birds for specific location. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Recent observations From: "Julie" <mcjbird AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:23:53 -0400 Posting a few observations in and around Keeseville, NY. The Dark-eyed Junco arrived in my yard -to stay- last Friday. Seemed early, but there had been snow in the surrounding mountains. Rattlesnake Mountain, near Long Pond in Willsboro, Tuesday I saw a few Yellow-rumped warblers at the mountain top. Also chickadees, blue-jays, juncos and some LBB. Yesterday in a walk around the village there were Robins singing and flying around in the trees. Julie Lattrell, Keeseville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Birding N. Lake Champlain. From: "birder64" <birder64 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:04:35 -0000 Hello All, The Adirondack Field Naturalists group was out birding/cruising the NY shoreline of Lake Champlain in search of season firsts....and we were not disappointed. Highlights mostly from Point au Roche/Chazy Riverlands area: common loon snow geese-lots Canada geese-lots LESSER SCAUP LONG-TAILED DUCK-3 COMMON MERGANSER COMMON GOLDENEYE RING-NECKED DUCK-2 mallard American black duck northern harrier red-tailed hawk GREATER YELLOWLEGS-2 Bonaparte's gull AMERICAN PIPIT SNOW BUNTING-4 ....probably forgetting something:-( Thank you AFN'ers Brian McAllister Saranac Lake Subject: NNYBirds: Perch River WMA this morning and other recent sightings From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:48:03 -0000 I had some errands to run in Jefferson County this morning, but was able to squeeze in a little birding. In Leray I encountered a long, loose, linear flock of migrating blackbirds that included approximately 6000 Common Grackles and just a handful of other species. Nearby two Northern Harriers were dive-bombing a Red-tailed Hawk. After I finished my errands I took an hour to check out the wildlife sanctuary portion of Perch River WMA (basically the west end of the Allen Road impoundment. Here are the highlights (duck numbers are approximate): Gadwall: 35 American Wigeon: 360 American Black Duck: 4 Blue-winged Teal: 6 Northern Shoveler: 2 Northern Pintail: 34 Ring-necked Duck: 225 Lesser Scaup: 50 Hooded Merganser: 1 Pied-billed Grebe: 3 American Bittern: 1 (late) Bald Eagle: 1 adult Peregrine Falcon (made a couple of half-hearted dives at ducks before meandering off to the southwest) Common Moorhen: 1 Yesterday I spent a little while along the St. Lawrence River in Waddington and Louisville. Duck numbers at Wilson Hill were way down over the previous week, as the large rafts of Ring-necked Ducks present for several weeks were nowhere to be found. The highlight of the morning was a group of four White-winged Scoters at the Waddington boat ramp. Stops at several spots along the Lake Ontario shoreline of Jefferon County Thursday afternoon turned up virtually nothing anywhere except at Montario Point. From the west end of Montario Point Road I saw 90 Red-breasted Mergansers and a mixed group of at least 40 scoters. The mergansers were all close to shore, but the scoters were more distant. Most seemed to be White-winged, but I was able to pick out at least one Surf and two Black Scoters in the group. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Re:St. Lawrence-Franklin-Hamilton-Essex Co. sightings From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:25:46 -0400 Hello Stella, Sue's e-mail is suefeustel AT optonline.net. On Jan 13, 2009, at 8:59 PM, Sue wrote: > I too have seen many WW Crossbills the past few weekends....eating > grit off the roads. I have seen them near my home (Northwestern > Saratoga Cnty) and in Southeastern Hamilton Cnty. Each time I saw > flocks of 50 to 100+. > > I have had an evergrowing population of pine siskens at my > feeders....some days about 3 dozen...a couple of wks ago there were > only a few. > > Sue Hendler > Edinburg > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Presentation in Potsdam on 10-21-09 From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:38:51 -0400 Hi Everyone, I wanted to post details for tomorrow's fascinating presentation by professor Susan Willson from St. Lawrence University. The link is very long, so I copied the story from "NorthCountryNow.Com" below. Professor Willson gave this presentation for the St. Lawrence-Adirondack Audubon Chapter several years ago, and it was just remarkable! Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake ************************************************** 'Science cafe' to focus on bizarre life forms found in tropics Oct. 21 in Potsdam Monday, October 19, 2009, 4:49pm POTSDAM - The next in Clarkson University's series of Science Cafes at Jack & Wezzie's Coffee House, Main Street, is on the bizarre life forms that can be found in the tropics. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, St. Lawrence University Professor of Biology Susan Willson talks on the subject "Why are There Such Bizarre Life Forms in the Tropics? A Look at the Specialized World of Army Ants and Obligate Ant-Following Birds." The tropics are home to an amazing diversity of life forms that are not found anywhere else. Wilson will focus on the ecology and evolution of one such group, the carnivorous swarm-raiding army ants, and the few bird species whose lives are so intertwined with the army ants that they cannot live without them. Science Cafes bring together engineers, scientists and townspeople in a relaxed, informal setting. Find out more about Clarkson's Science Cafes at www.clarkson.edu/sciencecafe. **************************************************************************** **** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: rough-legged hawk near Canton From: "Tom" <adk3356 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:52:54 -0000 Yesterday in the early afternoon I observed a light morph rough-legged hawk cruising about two miles south of Canton. Had good looks and is my first of season. This early afternoon on the Eben Crary Mills road between Canton and Potsdam I observed a northern harrier which for a short time was being harassed by a cooper's hawk (or vice versa? as they were doing interesting flight patterns trying to get the upper talon before the cooper's flew off and the harrier resumed cruising the field). Tom Wheeler Canton Subject: NNYBirds: Birding over the weekend From: "jaustin_carey" <jaustin_carey AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:19:24 -0000 I stayed at Lake Placid a couple of days over the weekend . I went over to Paul Smith's Interpretive Center and walked around the Boreal Trail . Didnt see anything except for a red squirrel. I heard some Golden Crown Kinglets. Per the employees in the Visitor center there is a Black Backed woodpecker being seen near the boardwalk. Before I left Lake Placid got to see my first moose that was hanging out near Mirror Lake. I stopped at Ferd's Bog on the way home. Deer season is open for the Northern zone as I met a Deer Hunter at the trailhead. I also met a fellow birder coming out of the bog .He said he had good looks at a Gray Jay , Black Backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee. He showed me a picture he took of a Gray Jay. I grabbed my Camera and went down to the Bog and didnt see anything for a while. I saw what I thought was a Gray Jay off in the distance across the bog. It was getting towards 5 and was thinking about leaving and I thought I heard this noise behind me and I turned around and there were these two Gray Jays in a tree that appeared out of no where. I was able to get some pictures which I posted. I always seem to have good luck at Ferd's. Joe Carey Clinton NY Subject: NNYBirds: Mountaineer Trail at Massawepie Lake From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:23:18 -0400 10/19/09 Mountaineer Trail (Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence Co.) David Buckley and I hiked the Mountaineer Trail from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The temperature was mid 30s when we began, and mid 40s when we finished. There were calm winds during the 1st hour, and Massawepie Lake looked like a mirror. The trail was extremely wet, and at times, the water went over my hiking boots! David and I both went home with soaked boots/feet. Here are some of the species found: Ruffed Grouse - 1 (found by my 2 dogs) Common Loon - we observed 2 at the far end of the Massawepie Lake, and heard a 3rd calling near the outlet. Red-tailed Hawk Pileated Woodpecker Gray Jay - 4; David saw the movement of the 1st bird, and then 3 more flew gradually flew in. Only the last Gray Jay made a few quiet vocalizations. Common Raven - several Golden-crowned Kinglet - several Purple Finch - several heard calling We had perfect conditions for hearing Black-backed Woodpeckers, but we did not hear any near the trail today. Joan Collins - Potsdam/Long Lake David Buckley - Piercefield/VA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:53:28 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * October 19, 2009 * NYSY1910.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): October 12, 2009 - October 19, 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:October 19 AT 2:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #176 -Monday October 19, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 12 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- CACKLING GOOSE EURASIAN WIGEON RUDDY DUCK GOLDEN EAGLE ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK MERLIN SANDHILL CRANE FOX SPARROW Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/14: 2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from East Road at Knox-Marcellus Marsh. 10/16: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen from East Road. 10/18: An EURASIAN WIGEON was seen at Tschache Pool. 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen in the mucklands along Rt. 31. Onondaga County ------------ 10/12: A SANDHILL CRANE was seen from Nash Road in the Town of Elbridge. 10/17: 2 RUDDY DUCKS were seen on Beaver Lake. 10/19: 6 or more FOX SPARROWS were found in the Three Rivers WMA at the corner of 60 Rd. and Kellog Road. Oswego County ------------ 10/15: A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a GOLDEN EAGLE were among the raptors flying over Bishop Hill north of Pulaski. Also seen was a MERLIN and 1153 TURKEY VULTURES. ON THE 16TH. another GOLDEN EAGLE and MERLIN were seen. 10/17: 2 SANDHILL CRANES were seen along Rt.3 in Dexterville. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Potsdam sightings From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:11:06 -0400 10/16/09 Potsdam Mary Beth Warburton and I took a walk at her house with our dogs on Friday. Here are a few of the species we found: Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Fox Sparrow - 1 (it was feeding on red berries with a group of White-throated Sparrows and Amer. Robins) Rusty Blackbird - 3 Joan Collins - Potsdam/Long Lake Mary Beth Warburton - Potsdam [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Azure Mountain field trip From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:05:12 -0400 10/17/09 Azure Mountain (Town of Waverly in Franklin County) Five people climbed Azure Mountain on Saturday. It was below freezing when we began, with ice and a bit of snow along the trail. On our descent, the melted ice turned the trail to mud in many sections with leaves on top making for slippery conditions. I didn't have a watch, but I estimate we were on the summit between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. We observed raptors moving south upon arrival on the summit, but only for a short time, and then things became quiet (I noticed that observation times for raptors at the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch were also very early on Sat.). Eileen, Joan H. and I stopped at a wetland along West Stockholm/Southville Rd. on route to the trailhead. We stopped in one spot along Blue Mountain Road also. At every stop, including the trailhead, we heard Purple Finches calling. There was also a Purple Finch perched at the top of a conifer on the summit. I hadn't seen a Purple Finch in quite some time, but it appears they are on the move in our area now. Here are some of the 24 species found: Wood Duck Amer. Black Duck Ruffed Grouse Turkey Vulture - several rocketing through the valley between Azure and Brushy Top Mountains. Cooper's Hawk Peregrine Falcon Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Common Raven Golden-crowned Kinglet Purple Finch We observed an unknown eagle (a very distant bird - if we had a scope on the summit, we would have been able to tell the species) and an unknown buteo (likely Red-shouldered). It was family weekend at Clarkson Univ., and there were many scheduled trips to Azure Mountain. Cars filled the parking area and overflowed onto Blue Mountain Rd.! The winds were fairly mild out of the east, but leaves were whirling up past the summit from nearly 1,000' below! It was sunny during our time on the summit. It was great to meet Clif Mills from Fort Drum. He is not a birder, but had remarkable patience for the pace of the 4 birders on the trip! Having just returned from Iraq a week ago, he said he was enjoying seeing mountains and trees again. Observers: Joan Collins - Potsdam/Long Lake Joan Howlett - Norwood Clif Mills - Fort Drum Eileen Wheeler - Canton (co-leader) Katie Woodruff - Saranac Lake/VT [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Champlain Valley From: JPThax5317 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:24:00 EDT Noblewood: 1 Pectoral sandpiper, 1 Horned grebe, 22 Greater black-backed gulls, 3 Bonaparte's gulls, >300 Canada geese Westport: Stevenson Rd- 1 Dark phase Rough-legged hawk Coll Bay (Camp Dudley): 2 C. goldeneyes BTW: The Crown Point Bridge is totally shut down since Friday afternoon when a major structural flaw was discovered in the support on the east side. Larger ferries are running at Essex. Pat & John Thaxton Keene, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Rand Hill purple finches From: Judith Heintz <heintzjf AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:50:06 -0400 On Saturday the 17, among the usual birds on my land, I had a small (4) group of purple finches. I haven't seen any purple finches since late summer. Also there were at least 4 RBNH. Again they have been absent, at least on my walks, since late summer. The WBNH are frequently around this time of year. JUDY HEINTZ from Rand Hill in Clinton County Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Noblewood and Lake Placid and nocturnal migration From: "Larry Master" <lawrencemaster AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:13:25 -0400 I neglected to mention an alliterative first of the fall flyover purple finch at the farm on River Road this afternoon. Shorter urls for the radar loops listed below are as follows: http://tinyurl.com/ygpu3jq http://tinyurl.com/yh9aoyq Larry Master _____ From: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Larry Master Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 9:54 PM To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: NNYBirds: Noblewood and Lake Placid and nocturnal migration Sean O'Brien, Gerald Phillips, and I birded River Road in Lake Placid and Westport to Noblewood Park in Willsboro this afternoon. Notable birds in 40 minutes of birding at our farm on River Road included first of the fall Northern Shrike and Fox Sparrow along with male and female Black-backed Woodpeckers and hoards of White-crowned Sparrows and an Eastern Phoebe. A late afternoon (4-5 pm) visit to the sand spit at Noblewood yielded 1 Dunlin, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Killdeer, 1 ad. Bald Eagle, 8 Common Loons, 4 Horned Grebes, 1 White-winged Scoter, 2 Bufflehead, and two large flocks totaling 200+ Canada Geese. A hundred or more Bonaparte's Gulls were feeding far out on the lake off the Westport boat launch. The clear night skies over the Adirondacks are again filled with migrant birds. Check out http://www.rap. ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KTYX ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KTYX&prod=bref1&b kgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0> &prod=bref1&bkgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0 or http://www.rap. ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KCXX ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KCXX&prod=bref1&b kgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0> &prod=bref1&bkgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0 and click on either radar image to see a velocity map (see http://adknature. blogspot.com/) of birds streaming south. Larry Master Lake Placid [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Noblewood and Lake Placid and nocturnal migration From: "Larry Master" <lawrencemaster AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:53:47 -0400 Sean O'Brien, Gerald Phillips, and I birded River Road in Lake Placid and Westport to Noblewood Park in Willsboro this afternoon. Notable birds in 40 minutes of birding at our farm on River Road included first of the fall Northern Shrike and Fox Sparrow along with male and female Black-backed Woodpeckers and hoards of White-crowned Sparrows and an Eastern Phoebe. A late afternoon (4-5 pm) visit to the sand spit at Noblewood yielded 1 Dunlin, 1 Solitary Sandpiper, 1 Killdeer, 1 ad. Bald Eagle, 8 Common Loons, 4 Horned Grebes, 1 White-winged Scoter, 2 Bufflehead, and two large flocks totaling 200+ Canada Geese. A hundred or more Bonaparte's Gulls were feeding far out on the lake off the Westport boat launch. The clear night skies over the Adirondacks are again filled with migrant birds. Check out http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KTYX &prod=bref1&bkgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0 or http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/radar/displayRad.php?icao=KCXX &prod=bref1&bkgr=black&endDate=20091011&endTime=-1&duration=0 and click on either radar image to see a velocity map (see http://adknature.blogspot.com/) of birds streaming south. Larry Master Lake Placid [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Rough-legged Hawk and shorebirds From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:25:32 -0000 Yesterday as I drove to Watertown I saw my FOS Rough-legged Hawk hunting over a field along Rt. 11 in Canton. This is not the first RLHA I've heard of this season, though; Gerry Smith told me that he saw one in Jefferson County in late September. Today I stopped at a few spots along the St. Lawrence River on my way to run some errands in Massena. At Wilson Hill WMA the 1000+ Ring-necked Ducks that have been present for a couple of weeks continue, numbers of Redhead have increased to about 300, but nearly all the wigeon, including the Eurasian, appear to have left. The water levels along the river have dropped recently, and there was a decent amount of mudflat exposed at Whalen Park in Louisville, where I counted 143 Green-winged Teal, 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 24 Dunlin, and 4 Pectoral Sandpipers. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Out of region....purple finch movements From: "birder64" <birder64 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:09:54 -0000 Hello All, I found this posting (below), from the Minnesota Birds listserve, of interest. Can we expect a similar movement into the NE U.S.? Brian McAllister Saranac Lake Subject: Major southbound Purple Finch flight - Lakewood, St. Louis County From: Cameron Rutt Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:02:27 -0500 Ramsay Koury and I staked out a section of Lakewood Road, just north of North Shore Community Church for 3.5 hours this morning (730 - 1100), essentially at the Lakewood Pumping Station. After a three-day total of 2175 northbound Purple Finches along the North Shore (10/4, 10/5, and 10/7), there was finally a big push heading in the "right" direction (almost a matching 2035 for this morning). For the first two hours (less than 300 were seen in the final 1.5 hours), Purple Finches were moving at a very steady clip, with today's tally besting the previous state high count of 1309 (17 December 2005 on the Duluth CBC). A nice variety of other passerines were tallied, with some birds, of course, being left unidentified. Subject: NNYBirds: Plattsburgh area From: <wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:47:09 +0000 Some sightings from the Plattsburgh area on Tuesday. Deyo Road south of Point au Roche S.P. - 45 American Pipits in a plowed field and ~300 Snow Geese coming off Lake Champlain. Point au Roche, Red Cloud Road - seasonal migrants including kinglets, creeper, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Song, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos. In the park a young Cooper's Hawk cruised by and there were more sparrows. Chellis Bay north of the state park - 4 Common Loons, 2 Horned Grebes, D-C Cormorants and Bonaparte's Gulls. North end of Cumberland Bay viewed from the municipal beach - a flock of 1200 Scaup, both Greaters & Lessers but I left most of them unidentified due to the distance and gray light. I could not find any other "Athyia" species in the flock but there were 4 White-winged Scoters, 2 Green-winged Teal and 1 Common Merganser (which flew in) with the scaup. When I first got there 67 Brant were calling as they flew over me and a Northern Harrier flying down the beach. Bill Purcell Hastings NY 13076 Subject: NNYBirds: FOS Dark-Eyed Juncos From: Nancy A Carter <adirondackbackyardbirds AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:23:24 -0400 Location: Northern End of Lake George, Near Cook Mt Preserve Dates: October 10, October 12, October 13 By: Nancy A Carter, Ticonderoga This afternoon, after returning from an all-day errands trip, I looked out the dining room window to see three Dark-Eyed Juncos under the stationary feeder, which I just put back up after straightening the pole that was damaged by last September's bear. Right now the juncos are feasting on Goldenrod flower seeds. I put the hanging feeders out last week; only within the last few days has there been significant activity. The Black-capped Chickadees and American Blue Jays were the first to return. Yesterday, I was entertained by the sound and sight of American Goldfinch fledges and their parents. It was also the first day since I returned that I saw Tufted Titmouses at the feeders. The most unusual backyard bird (for here) I've seen was a Brown Creeper last Saturday. On the lake are Common Mergansers, Canada Geese, and Herring Gulls, all commonfor this time of year. I returned to Ti, October 5. Neighbors say there has been no sign of the bear for a few weeks now. No one here ever saw it, only the damage it created and the scat it left. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Noblewood From: <wpurcell AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 8:09:32 -0400 I visited Noblewood Park in Willsboro on mid-day Monday and on the trip out to the sandbar there were 3 Hermit Thrushes in the woods and 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers in the low trees along the mouth of the river. On the riverbank a Wilson's Snipe crouched low hoping not to be seen and on the sandbar there were 3 Killdeer along with the 3 large gulls and Bonaparte's Gulls. Waterfowl on the lake included 1 Common Loon, 2 Horned Grebes, 1 Common Goldeneye and a flock of 14 Double-crested Cormorants flying down the lake. Best bird of the trip was a Peregrine Falcon moving down the lakeshore. Bill Purcell Hastings NY 13076 Subject: NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip: Azure Mountain From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:53:46 -0400 Hi Everyone, Below are details for this Saturday's Northern New York Audubon field trip up Azure Mountain. (The long range forecast shows clear skies and northern winds - hope this forecast holds!) This field trip is jointly sponsored by the Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Take care, Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake Saturday, October 17, 2009 Azure Mountain Santa Clara (Franklin Co.) Azure Mountain's 2512' fire tower summit is reached by hiking a one mile trail with an elevation gain of 944'. In mid-October, late migrant songbirds may be observed along the trail. Once on the open summit, we will watch for migrating raptors. Time: 9 a.m. Leaders: Joan Collins & Eileen Wheeler Meet: At the Azure Mt. Trailhead on Blue Mountain Road Register: by calling Joan at (315) 261-4246 jecollins AT twcny.rr.com **************************************************************************** **************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:48:36 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * October 12, 2009 * NYSY1210.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): October 05, 2009 - October 12, 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:October 12 AT 2:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #175 -Monday October 12, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 05 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- SANDHILL CRANE PARASITIC JAEGER SWAINSON’S THRUSH ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER NELSON’S SPARROW LINCOLN’S SPARROW Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/08: 4 NELSON’S SPARROWS were found at Martin’s Tract. 10/09: A NELSON’S SPARROW was found and photographed on Van Dyne Spoor Road. 10/10: 8 SANDHILL CRANES were seen from Rt.31 looking south at the intersection of Rts. 31 and 89. Onondaga County ------------ 10/06: A SWAINSON’S THRUSH was seen along with other migrants on McDonald Road near the hamlet of Peru near Rt.31. 10/09: am ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen with other migrants at the Town of Van Buren Transportation Department west of Baldwinsville. Madison County ------------ 10/07: 2 LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were seen along with other migrants on Ditchbank Road east of Lakeport Road. Oswego County ------------ 10/07: 10 PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen from Derby Hill. Also seen were 9 species of Ducks, mostly PINTAILS. 4 PHALAROPE species were seen but were too far out on the lake ti be positively identified. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Great Egret, Pipits, Moose, and more From: "Larry Master" <lawrencemaster AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:55:12 -0400 Radar confirmed a massive southward movement of birds Saturday night in the Adirondacks and throughout much of the eastern half of the country! (Unfortunately my post to Northern NY Birds on Saturday evening never made it to the list.) See some static radar images from Saturday evening and links to radar sites at http://adknature.blogspot.com/. There is a Great Egret (late date for Essex County?) hanging out today on Paradox Bay on Lake Placid. The observant Town Supervisor has never seen this species before in his 55+ years in Lake Placid, nor have I. There is also a temporarily resident cow moose that has been hanging out across the street (Victor Herbert Rd) from Paradox Bay on Signal Hill for at least a week now. Yesterday there was a flock of American Pipits along River Road and last week there was an Orange-crowned Warbler. White-crowned Sparrows are now locally abundant around town. Images forthcoming in a day or so. Larry Master Lake Placid [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Ranger School Birds From: Ber Carr <mycocarex AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:15:21 +0000 Sunday afternoon we hiked up to the firetower atthe Ranger School in Wanakena. We had a few pine siskins the first I heard since late spring. Golden crowned and ruby crowned kinglets are still around as are the yellow rumped warblers. Bernie Carr mycocarex AT hotmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog From: Brenda Best <bestbird AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:19:10 -0400 On Oct 11, 2009, at 7:02 PM, jnphotonet wrote: > The woodpecker at one point landed near my feet allowing a full > frame shot that i had to move backward for.! Don't you just hate it when birds do that? :-) Great photos again, Jeff! Brenda -- Brenda Best Durhamville, NY 13054 bestbird AT verizon.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog From: Ginny Alfano <jgalfano AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:59:39 -0700 (PDT) Just to let you know that the site opened immediately for me.  Ginny Alfano Canastota & Constableville, NY   --- On Sun, 10/11/09, edticknor AT sympatico.ca wrote: From: edticknor AT sympatico.ca Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog To: "Northern NY Birds" Date: Sunday, October 11, 2009, 8:14 PM The address you gave doesn't open up.  It starts to but quits right away....... Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 The road to the future is always under construction. To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com From: jnphotonet AT yahoo.com Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:02:59 +0000 Subject: NNYBirds:  Ferd's Bog                       I was surprised to find one Lincoln's sparrow still present.  From sunrise tio about 9AM, 3 gray jays followed me around and occasionally interacted with a male black-backed woodpecker. The woodpecker enjoyed working logs on the ground, offering an unusual horizontal woodpecker shot.  Unfortunately, no American three-toed woodpeckers seen or heard.  And as typical at Ferd's, by 10AM, birdlife was gone.  The woodpecker at one point landed near my feet allowing a full frame shot that i had to move backward for.! http://www.jnphoto.net/New/New/9931096_dbx4j#677477928_Pvwwn To hear and see boreal chickadees, I had to head over to Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains. I bushwacked around quite a bit, but no luck finding scat from Spruce Grouse. Jeff Nadler                                                                      [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Noblewood Sunday afternoon From: <edticknor AT sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:32:49 +0000 The woods going down to the river were pretty quiet, a few Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches....... The sandbar is curled around back to the river with a very short spur going out into the lake. There I saw 5 Great Black-backed Gulls along with maybe a dozen Ring-billed Gulls. And south of the public beach were 6 or 7 Horned Grebes in winter plumage. A Robin and a Downy Woodpecker on the way back to my car ended my trip to Noblewood.Cheers, Eve Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 The road to the future is always under construction. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog From: <edticknor AT sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:14:11 +0000 The address you gave doesn't open up. It starts to but quits right away....... Eve Ticknor Peregrine Falcon Watch Coordinator Ottawa Field Naturalists Club 38-9 Gillespie Cres Ottawa, Ontario K1V 9T5 613-859-9545 613-737-7551 The road to the future is always under construction. To: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com From: jnphotonet AT yahoo.com Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:02:59 +0000 Subject: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog I was surprised to find one Lincoln's sparrow still present. From sunrise tio about 9AM, 3 gray jays followed me around and occasionally interacted with a male black-backed woodpecker. The woodpecker enjoyed working logs on the ground, offering an unusual horizontal woodpecker shot. Unfortunately, no American three-toed woodpeckers seen or heard. And as typical at Ferd's, by 10AM, birdlife was gone. The woodpecker at one point landed near my feet allowing a full frame shot that i had to move backward for.! http://www.jnphoto.net/New/New/9931096_dbx4j#677477928_Pvwwn To hear and see boreal chickadees, I had to head over to Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains. I bushwacked around quite a bit, but no luck finding scat from Spruce Grouse. Jeff Nadler [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Ferd's Bog From: "jnphotonet" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:02:59 -0000 I was surprised to find one Lincoln's sparrow still present. From sunrise tio about 9AM, 3 gray jays followed me around and occasionally interacted with a male black-backed woodpecker. The woodpecker enjoyed working logs on the ground, offering an unusual horizontal woodpecker shot. Unfortunately, no American three-toed woodpeckers seen or heard. And as typical at Ferd's, by 10AM, birdlife was gone. The woodpecker at one point landed near my feet allowing a full frame shot that i had to move backward for.! http://www.jnphoto.net/New/New/9931096_dbx4j#677477928_Pvwwn To hear and see boreal chickadees, I had to head over to Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains. I bushwacked around quite a bit, but no luck finding scat from Spruce Grouse. Jeff Nadler Subject: NNYBirds: Bird Migration Program from NPR From: "adkarcadia" <arcadiaco AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:47:30 -0000 Hi All, Thought you might be interested in this program that was on NPR Friday. http://www.sciencefriday.com/about/listen/ Happy Birding, Laura Smith Willsboro Bay Subject: NNYBirds: Another Orange-crowned Warbler at Indian Creek Nature Center From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:00:23 -0000 Is anybody else seeing more Orange-crowned Warblers than usual this fall? This morning I saw one at Indian Creek Nature Center, in the brush north of the pond near the beginning of the boardwalk. I've now seen at least one Orange-crowned three days in a row (two on Fort Drum Thursday), and I've seen six in the past two weeks. I usually see just one or two per fall in this area. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Migrants at Partridge Run Golf Course in Canton From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:35:50 -0000 An hour long walk along the trail at Partridge Run Golf Course in Canton produced a nice assortment of migrants this morning. Some of the 29 species I encountered along a short shrubby stretch of the trail included: Eastern Phoebe: 1 Warbling Vireo: 1 Blue-headed Vireo: 2 Winter Wren: 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 8 Orange-crowned Warbler: 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler: 18 Song Sparrow: 3 Lincoln's Sparrow: 1 White-throated Sparrow: 90 White-crowned Sparrow: 6 Red-winged Blackbird: 180 I saw a Lincoln's Sparrow in this same spot last weekend, too, along with a large number of other birds, but haven't seen much anywhere else along the golf course trail. To get to this spot cross the road from the golf course parking lot and walk about 0.4 miles, to the flat shrubby area past the bottom of the small hill. Partridge Run Golf Course is on Sullivan Drive, accessible from State Street about one-quarter mile southwest of County Route 310. Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: Re: NNYBirds: (unknown) From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:45:42 -0400 If you have recently received the message that appears to come from Kris Olson and contains a link, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK! She apparently is the victim of a virus/worm, etc. and the link is likely malicious. Moderator Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Snow Geese From: tectona AT aol.com Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:17:44 -0400 Hi everyone, Mike and I drove?up?Lakeshore Road between Chazy Landing and Coopersville on Monday. We saw 1,000+ Snow Geese in the farm fields on the west side of the road.?It was an incredible sight. Sharon Pratt Willsboro, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Eurasian Wigeon at Wilson Hill WMA From: "Jeff Bolsinger" <jsbolsinger AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:31:17 -0000 Early this afternoon I saw one adult male Eurasian Wigeon at Wilson Hill WMA. I saw it from Rt. 131 about half a mile west of the tower; it was well out from the road and I certainly wouldn't have been able to pick it out without a scope. The wigeon had the red head and buffy crown typical of breeding adult males, but still had the rufous flanks of eclipse plumage. Duck numbers overall are much higher than the last time I visited Wilson Hill, a little more than a week ago. It was very windy and I couldn't certainly identify everything, but the following is my best guess as to what I was seeing. I probably missed a few things, perhaps the odd Mallard or Black Duck... Canada Goose: 250 Mute Swan: 2 Gadwall: 25 EURASIAN WIGEON: 1 American Wigeon: 275 Redhead: 60 Ring-necked Duck: 1050 Lesser Scaup: 20 Jeff Bolsinger Canton, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Skate Creek Migrants- Wanakena From: Ber Carr <mycocarex AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 22:50:46 +0000 There was a small band of migrants yesterday morning. The season is winding down and soon only year round residents will be around (avian and people). The area of Skate Creek was completely open over 100 years ago and the site of a major railroad, factory, and mill operation. Today, the ponded creek is surrounded by alder and native vegetation. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER 10 BL. TH BLUE WARBLER 1 SWAMP SPARROW 1 WH TH SPARROW 3 RED-EYED VIREO 1 RUBY CR. KINGLET 5 GOLDEN CR. KINGLET 3 RED-BR NUTHATCH 4 BL C. CHICKADEE 7 BROWN CREEPER 1 SH SHINNED HAWK 1 Bernie Carr mycocarex AT hotmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 10:01:50 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * October 05, 2009 * NYSY0510.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): September21, 2009 - October 05, 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:October 05 AT 1:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #174 -Monday October 05, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of September 28 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- SANDHILL CRANE BRANT MERLIN PEREGRINE FALCON BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER STILT SANDPIPER LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER BONAPARTE’S GULL LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL PHILADELPHIA VIREO ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER LINCOLN’S SPARROW Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/01: A STILT SANDPIPER was seen in the channel at the beginning of the Wildlife Drive. 6 species of shorebird including 11 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen from East Road. 2 SANDHILL CRANES and a MERLIN were seen in the mucklands along Rt. 31. 10/04: An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER was seen in the mucklands near the intersection with Rt. 89. Oswego County ------------ 9/30: A PEREGRINE FALCON and 2 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at Derby Hill. 10/03: At Sandy Pond 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER were found. Onondaga County ------------ 10/03: In the upper parking lot of the State Fair an number of migrants were seen highlighted by PHILADELPHIA VIREO and LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Cayuga County ------------ 10/04: At Fairhaven the first sighting of BRANT occured with a flock of about 25. Oneida County ------------ 10/04: At Sylvan Beach 5 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 50 BONAPARTE’S GULLS were seen. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Screech Owl From: Dana Rohleder <dcrohleder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:35:02 -0400 For the last two evenings, I have heard a Screech Owl vocalizing near my house. It's nice that it's warm enough to have the windows open again. -- Dana Rohleder Port Kent, NY Subject: NNYBirds: Whiteface Black-Backed Woodpecker From: "adkarcadia" <arcadiaco AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:19:38 -0000 Hi all, Saw a pair Black Backed Woodpeckers at the second turn out (Union Pond Overlook) going up the Whiteface Toll Road on Fri. There were a number of small birds in the area but was going to stop on the way back down to ID them as the clouds were closing in on the top but missed the pull off going back down. This area was recently cut and there is a lot of brush piled up and there were a lot of warblers, sparrows, etc. in amongst the brush. It's below the wall below the pull off area. There was snow 3/4 of the way up the mountain and no bird activity above this spot. Happy birdin' Laura Smith Willsboro Bay Subject: NNYBirds: NNYA Field Trip to Champlain Valley From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 20:51:20 -0400 Hi Everyone, Details are below for next Saturday's Northern NY Audubon field trip to the Champlain Valley. Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake Saturday, October 10, 2009 Champlain Valley Westport (Essex County) Join Pat and John Thaxton for a birding trip in the Champlain Valley which has a tendency to look absolutely glorious in early October, when migrating waterfowl and raptors show up to take in the views. The trip will start at Westport Boat Launch and, depending on recent sightings and conditions, take in either Noblewood Park and/or Coon Mountain. Time: 8 a.m. Location: Meet at the Westport Boat Launch Leaders: Pat & John Thaxton Register: by calling Pat & John at (518 576-4232 or email jpthax5317 AT aol.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: Potsdam & Richville From: "Joan E. Collins" <JECollins AT twcny.rr.com> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 18:51:24 -0400 10/1/09 Potsdam Here are a few birds observed at 1:30 p.m. on a walk with my dogs: Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray Catbird Orange-crowned Warbler Magnolia Warbler Palm Warbler - 2 (Western "Brown" subspecies) These birds traveled together - and for a time sat on the same branch in a brush pile in our backyard pumping their tails. Lined up in the same brush were Song, White-throated, and White-crowned Sparrows. White-throated Sparrow - many eating buckthorn berries White-crowned Sparrow - many; singing On a return trip with my son from Massena, we spotted 17 Great Egrets in the Winthrop roost at 6:10 p.m. There was a single Great Egret in the wetland along Route 11 (Potsdam) both on our way to and from Massena (the later time was 6:30 p.m.) 10/2/09 Potsdam 8 a.m. On an early morning walk with our dogs, I found: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing (9), Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler (western subspecies), Common Yellowthroat, and Rusty Blackbirds. 10/2/09 Richville 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Today, Mary Beth Warburton, Joan Howlett, and Ann Beaulieu and I visited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's St. Lawrence Wetland and Grassland Management District on Boland Rd. in Richville. We found 40 species during our time visiting this area. Here are some of the species found: Wood Duck - several Green-winged Teal Great Blue Heron Great Egret - 2 - aggressively interacting with each other and the Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture - many Northern Harrier - male Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Amer. Kestrel Killdeer Solitary Sandpiper - 3 Wilson's Snipe - 2 Barred Owl - vocalizing up a storm! Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Common Raven Eastern Bluebird - at least 7 Gray Catbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Palm Warbler - western subspecies Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee - 2 White-throated Sparrow Rusty Blackbird Joan Collins Potsdam & Long Lake [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NNYBirds: File - HelpFile - PLEASE READ & SAVE!! From: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com Date: 1 Oct 2009 10:32:10 -0000 PLEASE READ & SAVE!!! Northern_NY_Birds (NNYBirds) Monthly Help & Information File Please read the list guidelines (see below) before engaging in discussion. In addition, familiarize yourself with how the list operates, especially if you've never participated in an Internet email discussion group before. It's a good idea to SAVE THIS MESSAGE somewhere so you know how to unsubscribe and alter your subscription settings. GUIDELINES: A discussion area for amateur to expert birders to report rare, unusual, or simply interesting bird sightings in Northern NY. This would include the Adirondacks, St. Lawrence, Tug Hill, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Lake Champlain areas. Loosely, anywhere east of Lake Ontario/I-81 and north of I-90. Relevant cross-postings from neighboring groups are also encouraged. On the website, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds , events and trips relative to the group may be posted and/or placed on the group calendar. Birding-related photos, files, and polls may also be uploaded. Please feel free to use any of these features. This is an UNMONITORED list, which means that no one is monitoring messages before they are sent out to subscribers. Therefore, contributers should keep in mind the purpose of this list and should avoid discourteous and inappropriate messages. Group etiquette encourages members to state at least their first name and their location at the end of each post. The primary website for the group can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds I highly recommend you visit it regularly as content and features are added from time-to-time. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, go to the website, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds and select the link from the menu bar at the top. This menu will also let you change your subscription between digest(one LONG message/day) and normal(separate email messages) mode. EMail Only Access: When dealing with a listserver, there are two types of messages, namely, COMMANDS and POSTS. EMAIL COMMANDS These e-mail messages are intended to cause some action to occur, such as subscribing the FROM address to a mailing list. Commands are usually one or two word phrases which should be entered in the SUBJECT field of the message. Any other fields are ignored... it doesn't matter what you put in them. The following commands are accepted: To JOIN a group, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com To UNSUBSCRIBE from a group, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com To POST a message to a group, send your message to: Northern_NY_Birds AT yahoogroups.com To post a message to a group's owners and moderators, send a message to: Northern_NY_Birds-owner AT yahoogroups.com To put your email message delivery on hold for a group, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-nomail AT yahoogroups.com To change your subscription to daily digest mode, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com To change your subscription to individual emails, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-normal AT yahoogroups.com To receive general help information, send a blank message to: Northern_NY_Birds-help AT yahoogroups.com Thanks, Dana C. Rohleder, O.D. List Administrator Northern_NY_Birds-owner AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Nests along rt. 86, Wilmington From: "Tim Whitens" <willowcreek00 AT windstream.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:06:06 -0400 Mary Beth, thanks for clearing that up! I was on a bus on the state maple tour, and others actually saw them and called everyone's attention to them. Of course, everyone figured they MUST be eagle nests. Yvette, I think the easiest way to see the nests is travelling from Wilmington to Lake Placid, then look to the right in the general vicinity of the Whiteface ski area, if my memory is correct. Tim Tim & Nancy Whitens Fulton, NY willowcreek00 AT windstream.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "mary beth warburton" To: Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:24 AM Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Nests along rt. 86, Wilmington > All, > The nests along Rt. 86 are Osprey nests. The nest south of Moss cliff has > been occupied for several seasons and they had young this year but the > nest north of the cliff is new this year. It will be interesting to see > what happens in that one next year. ( Eagles like to take over Osprey > nests) There have been several Osprey nests along the Ausable over the > years but it is great to see a new one. Good observation though, because > most people miss them. > Mary Beth Warburton > Potsdam, NY Subject: Re: NNYBirds: Nests along rt. 86, Wilmington From: Yvette Tillema <yvettetillema AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:57:39 -0400 I have not seen the nests either, but twice this summer I hiked up into Owen, Winch and Copperas Pond and I heard lots of ravens. Are the nests hard to spot? I would enjoy seeing them as I am only familiar with raven's nests located cliffside. Thanks. Yvette "I wake expectant, hoping to see a new thing." Annie Dillard Yvette Tillema yvettetillema AT mac.com > Tim, > > I haven't noticed them, but have you considered raven, crow, or raptor > nests? > > Dana Rohleder > Port Kent, NY > > Tim Whitens wrote: > > Has anyone noticed the nests in the tops of some tall, dead trees, > > assumably spruces, along rt. 86, High Falls Gorge/Whiteface Ski > area, > > west side? I was with a non-birding group today who figured Bald > > Eagles, but I'm doubtful of that, but not sure if ospreys would like > > that location, either. > > > > Thanks, Tim > > > > Tim & Nancy Whitens Fulton, NY willowcreek00 AT windstream.net > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > All postings to Northern_NY_Birds are protected by copyright law. > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]