RBA
* New York
* Syracuse
* May 29, 2006
* NYSY 0605.29
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): May 22-May 29, 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 29 AT 5:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#19 - Monday, May 29, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of
May 29, 2006.
Highlights:
BRANT
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN
GREAT EGRET
SANDHILL CRANE
PEREGRINE FALCON
COMMON NIGHTHAWK
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
SEDGE WREN
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
PRAIRIE WARBLER
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
VESPER SPARROW
RED CROSSBILL
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
Once again, the pair of SANDHILL CRANES nesting in the MWC have reproduced, and 2
Colts are now being observed in the company of the adults. Last sighting
of the family came on the 29th from Carncross Rd., where the pavement ends.
Attempts to relocate the Crane family have been successful about 50%
of the time. Other areas to check are 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. Keep in mind a few
attempts may be necessary. Refer to page 74, Grid D1
in the NYS DeLorme.
First 6, then 9 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen flying over the the Wildlife Drive
Auto Loop, and feeding/loafing on the Main Pool since the 24th.
The latest report mentions 9 AM. WHITE PELICANS along the back side of the Main Pool
near Benning Marsh, and is dated today, the 29th. Also along
the Wildlife Drive, a SEDGE WREN was reported vocalizing from the Oxbow Trail area
on the 24th. Finally, a putative "Brewer's Duck", or Gadwall X
Mallard hybrid, was reported from the Main Pool on the 27th.
GREAT EGRETS continue to be reported from North Spring Pool.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Three large downy, puffy, white eyas are currently viewable from the USA Datanet
Falcon Cam as this report is being written. The parent
PEREGRINE FALCONS nest atop the 20th floor of State Tower Building at 109 South
Warren Street in the City of Syracuse inside a nestbox platform.
The pair of Falcons have nested here for the past two years, and a webcam allows
viewers to
observe the Falcons while nesting. Refer to the following URL:
http://www.usadatanet.com/falconcam.html
A single GREAT EGRET was seen from the bridge crossing the Seneca River in
Baldwinsville on the 23rd. Refer to DeLorme pg. 75.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS have begun appearing in the area. A roosting Bird was heard
vocalizing in Whiskey Hollow, Town of Van Buren, on the 26th.
It had been disturbed by an aggressive Red-winged Blackbird. Another roosting
COMMON NIGHTHAWK was digiscoped as it attempted to blend in with
a tree branch on the 28th in the 3-Rivers WMA just above the Bald Eagle viewing
platform. Photos can be viewed at:
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/oneidabirds/photos/browse/94d3
NOTE: you must join the OneidaBirds Listserv to view these images.
At least one adult CLAY-COLORED SPARROW is vocalizing from an evergreen
plantation in the Town of Camillus. Last sighted today the
29th, it is unknown whether successful breeding will occur, or if the Clay-colored
Sparrow will pair with a Chipping Sparrow.
Future observations will be reported to the RBA.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
The Derby Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch will conclude this week on May
31st.
A good late season flight was reported from last Thursday, the 25th. Refer to the
following URL for directions, daily observations, and
flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
Highlights from the past week include 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and 4 SANDHILL CRANES that
flew over 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.
9 BRANT were found on the north spit of Sandy Pond on the 24th. Note that
access must be from the water for the north spit, the
observer was in a canoe or kayak. See pg. 83 in the DeLorme.
2 PRAIRIE WARBLERS are still singing and being seen under the power lines on
Churchill Rd
in Happy Valley WMA, Town of Amboy, Delorme pg. 75. Last positive report was on the
25th.
The PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS are still singing along the backwater of the Bay in
the Fisherman's Access area located off Toad Harbor Rd., Town of
Constantia (D-pg. 75). Last positive report was from the 24th.
Jefferson County
- - - - - - - - - - -
Up to 3 SEDGE WRENS were found in the large sedgy fields along the trail of
South Sandy Creek on the 25th.
Located off Route 3 several miles in Jefferson County see pg. 83 in the DeLorme.
On Saturday, May 27 a trip for the St. Lawrence-Adirondack Audubon Society
visited Fort Drum, a military base north of Watertown.
The highlights:
-RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, and VESPER and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS
were found in the training areas at Rt. 26 along the western boundary of
the airfield. Also one UPLAND SANDPIPER was heard calling.
- A stop at a previously staked-out pine plantation found very cooperative RED
CROSSBILLS, several adults were foraging and feeding
young. Also heard at this stop, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK called and
boomed overhead.
Access to the base is surely very limited. Best to sign up with a prearranged field
trip if interested in Birding Fort Drum.
Oneida County
- - - - - - - - - - -
A GREAT EGRET was reported hunting in the
swampy area on the east side of the on-ramp for Route 12 North, off of Oriskany
Blvd. near Utica Marsh on the 23rd. See pg. 77 in the DeLorme.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Migrants reported from this past week include:
Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, White-rumped, Semipalmated, and Least
Sandpipers, Short-billed
Dowitcher, Eastern Wood-peewee, Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked
Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Magnolia, Northern Parula, Black&White,
Blackburnian, Cerulean, Canada, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blue and
Black-throated Green Warblers.
--end transcript
* New York
* Syracuse
* May 29, 2006
* NYSY 0605.29
hotline: Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert
date(s): May 22-May 29, 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 29 AT 5:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Matt Victoria
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#19 - Monday, May 29, 2006
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of
May 29, 2006.
Highlights:
BRANT
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN
GREAT EGRET
SANDHILL CRANE
PEREGRINE FALCON
COMMON NIGHTHAWK
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
SEDGE WREN
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
PRAIRIE WARBLER
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
VESPER SPARROW
RED CROSSBILL
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex
(MWC)
- - - - - - - - - -
Once again, the pair of SANDHILL CRANES nesting in the MWC have reproduced, and 2
Colts are now being observed in the company of the adults. Last sighting
of the family came on the 29th from Carncross Rd., where the pavement ends.
Attempts to relocate the Crane family have been successful about 50%
of the time. Other areas to check are 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. Keep in mind a few
attempts may be necessary. Refer to page 74, Grid D1
in the NYS DeLorme.
First 6, then 9 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were seen flying over the the Wildlife Drive
Auto Loop, and feeding/loafing on the Main Pool since the 24th.
The latest report mentions 9 AM. WHITE PELICANS along the back side of the Main Pool
near Benning Marsh, and is dated today, the 29th. Also along
the Wildlife Drive, a SEDGE WREN was reported vocalizing from the Oxbow Trail area
on the 24th. Finally, a putative "Brewer's Duck", or Gadwall X
Mallard hybrid, was reported from the Main Pool on the 27th.
GREAT EGRETS continue to be reported from North Spring Pool.
Onondaga County
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Three large downy, puffy, white eyas are currently viewable from the USA Datanet
Falcon Cam as this report is being written. The parent
PEREGRINE FALCONS nest atop the 20th floor of State Tower Building at 109 South
Warren Street in the City of Syracuse inside a nestbox platform.
The pair of Falcons have nested here for the past two years, and a webcam allows
viewers to
observe the Falcons while nesting. Refer to the following URL:
http://www.usadatanet.com/falconcam.html
A single GREAT EGRET was seen from the bridge crossing the Seneca River in
Baldwinsville on the 23rd. Refer to DeLorme pg. 75.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS have begun appearing in the area. A roosting Bird was heard
vocalizing in Whiskey Hollow, Town of Van Buren, on the 26th.
It had been disturbed by an aggressive Red-winged Blackbird. Another roosting
COMMON NIGHTHAWK was digiscoped as it attempted to blend in with
a tree branch on the 28th in the 3-Rivers WMA just above the Bald Eagle viewing
platform. Photos can be viewed at:
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/oneidabirds/photos/browse/94d3
NOTE: you must join the OneidaBirds Listserv to view these images.
At least one adult CLAY-COLORED SPARROW is vocalizing from an evergreen
plantation in the Town of Camillus. Last sighted today the
29th, it is unknown whether successful breeding will occur, or if the Clay-colored
Sparrow will pair with a Chipping Sparrow.
Future observations will be reported to the RBA.
Oswego County
- - - - - - - - - - -
The Derby Hill Bird Observatory's annual Hawk Watch will conclude this week on May
31st.
A good late season flight was reported from last Thursday, the 25th. Refer to the
following URL for directions, daily observations, and
flight predictions:
http://www.derbyhill.org
Highlights from the past week include 2 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and 4 SANDHILL CRANES that
flew over 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.
9 BRANT were found on the north spit of Sandy Pond on the 24th. Note that
access must be from the water for the north spit, the
observer was in a canoe or kayak. See pg. 83 in the DeLorme.
2 PRAIRIE WARBLERS are still singing and being seen under the power lines on
Churchill Rd
in Happy Valley WMA, Town of Amboy, Delorme pg. 75. Last positive report was on the
25th.
The PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS are still singing along the backwater of the Bay in
the Fisherman's Access area located off Toad Harbor Rd., Town of
Constantia (D-pg. 75). Last positive report was from the 24th.
Jefferson County
- - - - - - - - - - -
Up to 3 SEDGE WRENS were found in the large sedgy fields along the trail of
South Sandy Creek on the 25th.
Located off Route 3 several miles in Jefferson County see pg. 83 in the DeLorme.
On Saturday, May 27 a trip for the St. Lawrence-Adirondack Audubon Society
visited Fort Drum, a military base north of Watertown.
The highlights:
-RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, and VESPER and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS
were found in the training areas at Rt. 26 along the western boundary of
the airfield. Also one UPLAND SANDPIPER was heard calling.
- A stop at a previously staked-out pine plantation found very cooperative RED
CROSSBILLS, several adults were foraging and feeding
young. Also heard at this stop, a COMMON NIGHTHAWK called and
boomed overhead.
Access to the base is surely very limited. Best to sign up with a prearranged field
trip if interested in Birding Fort Drum.
Oneida County
- - - - - - - - - - -
A GREAT EGRET was reported hunting in the
swampy area on the east side of the on-ramp for Route 12 North, off of Oriskany
Blvd. near Utica Marsh on the 23rd. See pg. 77 in the DeLorme.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Migrants reported from this past week include:
Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, White-rumped, Semipalmated, and Least
Sandpipers, Short-billed
Dowitcher, Eastern Wood-peewee, Yellow-bellied and Alder Flycatcher, Gray-cheeked
Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Magnolia, Northern Parula, Black&White,
Blackburnian, Cerulean, Canada, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blue and
Black-throated Green Warblers.
--end transcript