RBA
* New York
* Syracuse
* May 1, 2006
* NYSY 0605.01
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): April 24 - May 1, 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: May 1 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#15 - Monday, May 1, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of
May 1, 2006.
Highlights:
RED-NECKED GREBE
GREAT EGRET
SANDHILL CRANE
SWAINSON'S HAWK
PEREGRINE FALCON
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
UPLAND SANDPIPER
ORCHARD ORIOLE
VESPER SPARROW
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
The last affirmative sighting of the SANDHILL CRANES occurred on
May 1st again from Carncross Rd. in the Town
of Savannah. The Cranes are likely the same Sandhill Cranes that nest
in the MWC. Check the cut corn field along the south side of
Carncross Rd., or try to find the Cranes by scanning from the DEC
Parking Area at the end of Morgan Rd. Sandhill Cranes can be tricky to
locate, a few attempts may be necessary. Refer to page 74, Grid D1
in the NYS DeLorme.
The LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS first discovered on the 20th have moved
down the Wildlife Drive Auto Loop and are now frequenting Benning
Marsh. 7 adult breeding plumaged Birds were last reported on the 30th.
Digiscoped photos of the Birds may be found here:
http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/tcl6/lbdo.html
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS rarely occur in our area during Spring migration,
but are commonly encountered in Autumn migration. Other highlights from
the Main Pool portion of MNWR include a sleeping RED-NECKED GREBE on the
29th and a continuing GREAT EGRET.
2 GREAT EGRETS were seen from the overlook at Tschache Pool on the 29th.
Cayuga County
- - - - - - - - - -
Lake watches from the point at Long Point SP south of Aurora
resulted in the sighting of a possible Snowy/Cattle Egret on the 29th.
The Bird was observed as it flew off and has not been seen since. Long
Point SP is located on Lake Rd. south of Wells College and is accessed
from NY-90 (not I-90, aka the Thruway) just outside the Village of
Aurora, Town of Ledyard, NY. Refer to page 60 in the
Delorme NY State Atlas and Gazetteer.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
On March 30th, the female drastically changed her behavior, and began
huddling inside the box constantly, instead of coming and going in and
out. This likely indicates eggs were laid. We can expect the young
Falcons to hatch out any day now!
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
A male ORCHARD ORIOLE was found under the powerlines between
Radisson and Sixty
Roads today, May 1st in the morning. Other 3-Rivers highlights include
a GREAT EGRET seen in the 100 Acre Marsh off Sixty Road in the 3-Rivers
WMA area on the evening of the 25th. A single SANDHILL CRANE was
observed on the 29th in a field that can be approached on the dirt road
going east from the building on 60 Road north of Potter Road. The
lookout for the Eagle's nest is just south of this building. 3-Rivers
WMA is located in the Town of Lysander and may be found on DeLorme pg. 74
A single VESPER SPARROW was heard vocalizing from the north end of
Whiskey Hollow Rd. on May 1st. Whiskey Hollow Rd. is located in the
Town of Van Buren and may be found on DeLorme pg. 74.
Louisiana Waterthrushes are back on territory throughout Onondaga
County. If you would like to see one, try Pratts Falls County Park in
the Town of Pompey and along Gulf Rd. near Pompey Center and the Madison
County line. Refer to page 61 in the DeLorme Grid A7. On the west
side, try the 13 curves of Cedarvale Rd. in the Town of Onondaga,
DeLorme pg. 61 Grid A5.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
Raptor migration is moving right along, and many Hawks were recorded
this past week for Derby Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch.
A SWAINSON'S HAWK was recorded during a massive flight on the 24th.
Refer to the following URL for directions, daily observations, and
flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
Highlight from the past week include a VESPER SPARROW and a GREAT EGRET
on the 24th, a flyover SANDHILL CRANE and 2 additional VESPER SPARROWS
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.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
UPLAND SANDPIPERS have returned to their nesting area on Irish Ridge
Rd., Town of
Verona. They were last reported on the 27th.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Migrants reported from this past week include:
Green Heron, Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, Solitary
Sandpiper, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Black Tern, Purple Martin, and
Cliff Swallows, Chimney Swift, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern
Kingbird, Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireos, Least Flycatcher,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Brown Thrasher,
Hermit Thrush, Yellow Warbler, Blue-winged, Nashville, Chestnut-sided,
Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black&White, American Redstart, Black-throated Blue
and Black-throated Green Warblers, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush,
Eastern Towhee, Vesper Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Bobolink, and
Purple Finch.
--end transcript
* New York
* Syracuse
* May 1, 2006
* NYSY 0605.01
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): April 24 - May 1, 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: May 1 AT 7:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#15 - Monday, May 1, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of
May 1, 2006.
Highlights:
RED-NECKED GREBE
GREAT EGRET
SANDHILL CRANE
SWAINSON'S HAWK
PEREGRINE FALCON
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
UPLAND SANDPIPER
ORCHARD ORIOLE
VESPER SPARROW
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
The last affirmative sighting of the SANDHILL CRANES occurred on
May 1st again from Carncross Rd. in the Town
of Savannah. The Cranes are likely the same Sandhill Cranes that nest
in the MWC. Check the cut corn field along the south side of
Carncross Rd., or try to find the Cranes by scanning from the DEC
Parking Area at the end of Morgan Rd. Sandhill Cranes can be tricky to
locate, a few attempts may be necessary. Refer to page 74, Grid D1
in the NYS DeLorme.
The LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS first discovered on the 20th have moved
down the Wildlife Drive Auto Loop and are now frequenting Benning
Marsh. 7 adult breeding plumaged Birds were last reported on the 30th.
Digiscoped photos of the Birds may be found here:
http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/tcl6/lbdo.html
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS rarely occur in our area during Spring migration,
but are commonly encountered in Autumn migration. Other highlights from
the Main Pool portion of MNWR include a sleeping RED-NECKED GREBE on the
29th and a continuing GREAT EGRET.
2 GREAT EGRETS were seen from the overlook at Tschache Pool on the 29th.
Cayuga County
- - - - - - - - - -
Lake watches from the point at Long Point SP south of Aurora
resulted in the sighting of a possible Snowy/Cattle Egret on the 29th.
The Bird was observed as it flew off and has not been seen since. Long
Point SP is located on Lake Rd. south of Wells College and is accessed
from NY-90 (not I-90, aka the Thruway) just outside the Village of
Aurora, Town of Ledyard, NY. Refer to page 60 in the
Delorme NY State Atlas and Gazetteer.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
On March 30th, the female drastically changed her behavior, and began
huddling inside the box constantly, instead of coming and going in and
out. This likely indicates eggs were laid. We can expect the young
Falcons to hatch out any day now!
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
A male ORCHARD ORIOLE was found under the powerlines between
Radisson and Sixty
Roads today, May 1st in the morning. Other 3-Rivers highlights include
a GREAT EGRET seen in the 100 Acre Marsh off Sixty Road in the 3-Rivers
WMA area on the evening of the 25th. A single SANDHILL CRANE was
observed on the 29th in a field that can be approached on the dirt road
going east from the building on 60 Road north of Potter Road. The
lookout for the Eagle's nest is just south of this building. 3-Rivers
WMA is located in the Town of Lysander and may be found on DeLorme pg. 74
A single VESPER SPARROW was heard vocalizing from the north end of
Whiskey Hollow Rd. on May 1st. Whiskey Hollow Rd. is located in the
Town of Van Buren and may be found on DeLorme pg. 74.
Louisiana Waterthrushes are back on territory throughout Onondaga
County. If you would like to see one, try Pratts Falls County Park in
the Town of Pompey and along Gulf Rd. near Pompey Center and the Madison
County line. Refer to page 61 in the DeLorme Grid A7. On the west
side, try the 13 curves of Cedarvale Rd. in the Town of Onondaga,
DeLorme pg. 61 Grid A5.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
Raptor migration is moving right along, and many Hawks were recorded
this past week for Derby Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch.
A SWAINSON'S HAWK was recorded during a massive flight on the 24th.
Refer to the following URL for directions, daily observations, and
flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
Highlight from the past week include a VESPER SPARROW and a GREAT EGRET
on the 24th, a flyover SANDHILL CRANE and 2 additional VESPER SPARROWS
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.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
UPLAND SANDPIPERS have returned to their nesting area on Irish Ridge
Rd., Town of
Verona. They were last reported on the 27th.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Migrants reported from this past week include:
Green Heron, Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, Solitary
Sandpiper, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Black Tern, Purple Martin, and
Cliff Swallows, Chimney Swift, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern
Kingbird, Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireos, Least Flycatcher,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Brown Thrasher,
Hermit Thrush, Yellow Warbler, Blue-winged, Nashville, Chestnut-sided,
Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black&White, American Redstart, Black-throated Blue
and Black-throated Green Warblers, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush,
Eastern Towhee, Vesper Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Bobolink, and
Purple Finch.
--end transcript