RBA
* New York
* Syracuse
* March 27, 2006
* NYSY 0603.27
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): March 20 - March 27, 2006
RBA BirdBox: (315)-637-0318
to report by e-mail: fickity AT netscape DOT net
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.
compiled: March 27 AT 9:00 a.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#10 - Monday, March 27, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week
of March 27, 2006.
Highlights:
EURASIAN WIGEON
PACIFIC LOON (extralimital)
RED-NECKED GREBE
PEREGRINE FALCON
"NELSON'S GULL"
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
ICELAND GULL
SNOWY OWL
COMMON RAVEN
NORTHERN SHRIKE
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
PINE SISKIN
COMMON REDPOLL
EVENING GROSBEAK
EXTRALIMITAL: Sheldrake Point, Seneca County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A PACIFIC LOON discovered January 28th on the west side of Cayuga
Lake was rediscovered and photographed on February 3rd. Since that
time, it has been seen by many observers, the most recent report is from
March 26th. To reach Sheldrake Point in Seneca County, the area where
the Loon was seen, proceed west on NY 5&20 past the main entrance to the
Montezuma NWR. Turn south on NY-89 at the light and major intersection
by the Montezuma Winery. Head south on NY-89 exactly 20.6 miles to
Sheldrake. Turn east on CR-139 1.2 miles to Sheldrake Point (at the
stop sign, go straight into the small park). Begin your search at this
point, continue searching south along CR-153 (CR-153 is accessed by
turning south at the stop sign on CR-139). The PACIFIC LOON covers a
lot of area, and may be seen anywhere from Sheldrake Point at the north
to the end of CR-153 at the junction with CR-141. Lately, the majority
of searchers report sighting the Loon at Sheldrake Point, or just to the
north.
Refer to page 60 in the DeLorme.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
Up to 10 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, some near breeding plumage, were found
among flocks of Horned Larks in the Savannah Mucklands area of the
Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) on the 25th.
No specific area was mentioned, but sightings might be obtained by
scoping from behind the Potatoes Building on NY-31, or from the pullout
just after you cross the green bridge on NY-31. The Potatoes building
will be quite obvious if traveling westbound from the Village of
Montezuma. After crossing a green bridge over the Erie Canal and
leaving Cayuga County, look for the Potatoes Building (the only
structure for miles) up ahead on the right. This area is in Seneca
County, DeLorme page 74, quadrant D1.
No positive sightings this week of Sandhill Cranes from Carncross Rd.
in the Town of Savannah. However, searchers turned up a NORTHERN SHRIKE
on the 25th isolated row of cattails in the middle
of the field a few hundred feet south of the road. Refer to page 74,
Grid D1 in the NYS DeLorme.
Railroad Rd. in the Town of Savannah continues to be a reliable
location for observing EURASIAN WIGEONS.
At least one and at times two EURASIAN WIGEON were reported by observers
viewing the ponds from atop the old railroad
track and berm from March 21-26th. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was also reported
from the edge of woodlot along Railroad Rd or
was seen from atop the berm throughout the week. The Shrike may also be
seen along Van Duyn Spoor Rd. itself. Railroad
Rd. is accessed from Van Duyn Spoor Rd., the first left after passing
Seneca Street. After the last residence, the road
becomes unpaved and can be muddy and rutted at times. Park at the point
the road forks and heads up a hill toward the
track. Scope from atop the old railroad grade.
DeLorme pg. 74 Grid D1.
Yet another EURASIAN WIGEON was located among the Waterfowl in
the Main Pool. Though the Wildlife Drive is closed, the Main Pool is
accessed from the Visitor's Center by taking
the trail that starts at the north of the parking lot and leads past the
rest rooms to the viewing tower and platform. Climb the tower and scope
the Ducks. The main entrance to MNWR is off NY-5&20 on the right side
if westbound.
The Wildlife Drive is scheduled to open for vehicular traffic April 1, 2006.
Cayuga County
- - - - - - - - - -
35+ EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from the Summer Hill area on the
26th from Eaton Rd, an extension of
Fillmore Rd to the east. Refer to page 60 in the Delorme. Also, from a
private feeding station on on Salt Rd.
1 PINE SISKIN was seen and 1 COMMON RAVEN heard the same day.
Birders visiting the Bear Swamp area at the southern end of
Skaneateles Lake turned up 3 COMMON REDPOLLS at feeders
on Iowa Rd. on the 26th. See page 61 in the DeLorme.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported on the 20th in the Three Rivers
Wildlife Management Area north of Baldwinsville on 60 Rd. See page
74 in the DeLorme. Also in the 3-Rivers area, American Woodcocks are
back on territory. Try listening for the flight of the Timberdoodle at
dusk from the lots along Kellog Rd., north or south of Smokey Hollow
Rd., or on Potter Rd. east of 60 Rd. Refer to page 74 in the Delorme NY
State Atlas and Gazetteer.
The PEREGRINE FALCON that has been seen atop the 20th floor of State
Tower Building at 109 South Warren Street in the City of Syracuse is
currently in the nestbox platform at the time of writing this report. A
pair of Falcons have nested here for the past two years, and utilize a
nestbox/platform. A webcam allows viewers to
observe the Falcons while nesting. Refer to the following URL:
http://www.usadatanet.com/falconcam.html
Yesterday the 26th, one Falcon was seen just after 11:00am and again
just after noon. As the daylight faded, one Falcon was still noticeable
on camera even as late as 7:45pm.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
On the 26th, a decent movement of Raptors was recorded for Derby
Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch as a result of light winds
after many days of lingering winter weather. Refer to the following URL
for directions, daily observations, and flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
The 26th's flight tallied 448 Raptors, and 2 PINE SISKINS were observed
at the feeders. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was observed
singing at the south lookout on the 25th. See the Derby Hill website
for a full tally of Hawks observed. Directions to Derby Hill can be
found at the website, the Hill is located on DeLorme page 83.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen and photographed in Oswego Harbor from the
pier behind the Maritime Museum on the 23rd.
Gull Reports from Phoenix this week detail an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL seen the 21st-24th, a 2nd winter ICELAND GULL on the 21st, and a
1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL on the 23rd.
A "NELSON'S GULL", or Glaucous Gull X Herring Gull hybrid was seen and
photographed on the 21st and 22nd. A bleached
out 2nd winter ICELAND GULL was digiscoped behind the Huhtamaki Plant in
Fulton at Lock 2 on the 21st. These Gulls
are constantly moving up and down the River, so check as many spots as
you can! Refer to page 74 in the Delorme NY State Atlas and Gazetteer.
Oneida County
----------------
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was observed from behind Schneible's
Restaurant, where Oneida Creek flows into the lake, on the 24th.
Schneible's Restaurant is located on the shore of Oneida Lake off Rt. 13
south of Verona Beach
State Park. Refer to page 76 in the Delorme NY State Atlas and
Gazetteer. The creek forms the border between Oneida and Madison
Counties.
Herkimer County
- - - - - - - - - - -
A SNOWY OWL remains near the Town of Fairfield in Herkimer County, north
of Little Falls and east of Middleville. Try sighting this Bird along
Castle Rd., then drive adjacent roads and scrutinize the fields. DeLorme
78, between C1 and D1.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Compiler's Comments: Subsequent RBA's may, in the future, be sent
out on Monday nights. As landscaping season approaches, my Monday
morning time period will soon be occupied.
--end transcript
* New York
* Syracuse
* March 27, 2006
* NYSY 0603.27
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): March 20 - March 27, 2006
RBA BirdBox: (315)-637-0318
to report by e-mail: fickity AT netscape DOT net
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.
compiled: March 27 AT 9:00 a.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#10 - Monday, March 27, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week
of March 27, 2006.
Highlights:
EURASIAN WIGEON
PACIFIC LOON (extralimital)
RED-NECKED GREBE
PEREGRINE FALCON
"NELSON'S GULL"
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
ICELAND GULL
SNOWY OWL
COMMON RAVEN
NORTHERN SHRIKE
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
PINE SISKIN
COMMON REDPOLL
EVENING GROSBEAK
EXTRALIMITAL: Sheldrake Point, Seneca County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A PACIFIC LOON discovered January 28th on the west side of Cayuga
Lake was rediscovered and photographed on February 3rd. Since that
time, it has been seen by many observers, the most recent report is from
March 26th. To reach Sheldrake Point in Seneca County, the area where
the Loon was seen, proceed west on NY 5&20 past the main entrance to the
Montezuma NWR. Turn south on NY-89 at the light and major intersection
by the Montezuma Winery. Head south on NY-89 exactly 20.6 miles to
Sheldrake. Turn east on CR-139 1.2 miles to Sheldrake Point (at the
stop sign, go straight into the small park). Begin your search at this
point, continue searching south along CR-153 (CR-153 is accessed by
turning south at the stop sign on CR-139). The PACIFIC LOON covers a
lot of area, and may be seen anywhere from Sheldrake Point at the north
to the end of CR-153 at the junction with CR-141. Lately, the majority
of searchers report sighting the Loon at Sheldrake Point, or just to the
north.
Refer to page 60 in the DeLorme.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
Up to 10 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, some near breeding plumage, were found
among flocks of Horned Larks in the Savannah Mucklands area of the
Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) on the 25th.
No specific area was mentioned, but sightings might be obtained by
scoping from behind the Potatoes Building on NY-31, or from the pullout
just after you cross the green bridge on NY-31. The Potatoes building
will be quite obvious if traveling westbound from the Village of
Montezuma. After crossing a green bridge over the Erie Canal and
leaving Cayuga County, look for the Potatoes Building (the only
structure for miles) up ahead on the right. This area is in Seneca
County, DeLorme page 74, quadrant D1.
No positive sightings this week of Sandhill Cranes from Carncross Rd.
in the Town of Savannah. However, searchers turned up a NORTHERN SHRIKE
on the 25th isolated row of cattails in the middle
of the field a few hundred feet south of the road. Refer to page 74,
Grid D1 in the NYS DeLorme.
Railroad Rd. in the Town of Savannah continues to be a reliable
location for observing EURASIAN WIGEONS.
At least one and at times two EURASIAN WIGEON were reported by observers
viewing the ponds from atop the old railroad
track and berm from March 21-26th. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was also reported
from the edge of woodlot along Railroad Rd or
was seen from atop the berm throughout the week. The Shrike may also be
seen along Van Duyn Spoor Rd. itself. Railroad
Rd. is accessed from Van Duyn Spoor Rd., the first left after passing
Seneca Street. After the last residence, the road
becomes unpaved and can be muddy and rutted at times. Park at the point
the road forks and heads up a hill toward the
track. Scope from atop the old railroad grade.
DeLorme pg. 74 Grid D1.
Yet another EURASIAN WIGEON was located among the Waterfowl in
the Main Pool. Though the Wildlife Drive is closed, the Main Pool is
accessed from the Visitor's Center by taking
the trail that starts at the north of the parking lot and leads past the
rest rooms to the viewing tower and platform. Climb the tower and scope
the Ducks. The main entrance to MNWR is off NY-5&20 on the right side
if westbound.
The Wildlife Drive is scheduled to open for vehicular traffic April 1, 2006.
Cayuga County
- - - - - - - - - -
35+ EVENING GROSBEAKS were reported from the Summer Hill area on the
26th from Eaton Rd, an extension of
Fillmore Rd to the east. Refer to page 60 in the Delorme. Also, from a
private feeding station on on Salt Rd.
1 PINE SISKIN was seen and 1 COMMON RAVEN heard the same day.
Birders visiting the Bear Swamp area at the southern end of
Skaneateles Lake turned up 3 COMMON REDPOLLS at feeders
on Iowa Rd. on the 26th. See page 61 in the DeLorme.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
An adult NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported on the 20th in the Three Rivers
Wildlife Management Area north of Baldwinsville on 60 Rd. See page
74 in the DeLorme. Also in the 3-Rivers area, American Woodcocks are
back on territory. Try listening for the flight of the Timberdoodle at
dusk from the lots along Kellog Rd., north or south of Smokey Hollow
Rd., or on Potter Rd. east of 60 Rd. Refer to page 74 in the Delorme NY
State Atlas and Gazetteer.
The PEREGRINE FALCON that has been seen atop the 20th floor of State
Tower Building at 109 South Warren Street in the City of Syracuse is
currently in the nestbox platform at the time of writing this report. A
pair of Falcons have nested here for the past two years, and utilize a
nestbox/platform. A webcam allows viewers to
observe the Falcons while nesting. Refer to the following URL:
http://www.usadatanet.com/falconcam.html
Yesterday the 26th, one Falcon was seen just after 11:00am and again
just after noon. As the daylight faded, one Falcon was still noticeable
on camera even as late as 7:45pm.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
On the 26th, a decent movement of Raptors was recorded for Derby
Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch as a result of light winds
after many days of lingering winter weather. Refer to the following URL
for directions, daily observations, and flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
The 26th's flight tallied 448 Raptors, and 2 PINE SISKINS were observed
at the feeders. A NORTHERN SHRIKE was observed
singing at the south lookout on the 25th. See the Derby Hill website
for a full tally of Hawks observed. Directions to Derby Hill can be
found at the website, the Hill is located on DeLorme page 83.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was seen and photographed in Oswego Harbor from the
pier behind the Maritime Museum on the 23rd.
Gull Reports from Phoenix this week detail an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL seen the 21st-24th, a 2nd winter ICELAND GULL on the 21st, and a
1st winter GLAUCOUS GULL on the 23rd.
A "NELSON'S GULL", or Glaucous Gull X Herring Gull hybrid was seen and
photographed on the 21st and 22nd. A bleached
out 2nd winter ICELAND GULL was digiscoped behind the Huhtamaki Plant in
Fulton at Lock 2 on the 21st. These Gulls
are constantly moving up and down the River, so check as many spots as
you can! Refer to page 74 in the Delorme NY State Atlas and Gazetteer.
Oneida County
----------------
A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was observed from behind Schneible's
Restaurant, where Oneida Creek flows into the lake, on the 24th.
Schneible's Restaurant is located on the shore of Oneida Lake off Rt. 13
south of Verona Beach
State Park. Refer to page 76 in the Delorme NY State Atlas and
Gazetteer. The creek forms the border between Oneida and Madison
Counties.
Herkimer County
- - - - - - - - - - -
A SNOWY OWL remains near the Town of Fairfield in Herkimer County, north
of Little Falls and east of Middleville. Try sighting this Bird along
Castle Rd., then drive adjacent roads and scrutinize the fields. DeLorme
78, between C1 and D1.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Compiler's Comments: Subsequent RBA's may, in the future, be sent
out on Monday nights. As landscaping season approaches, my Monday
morning time period will soon be occupied.
--end transcript