I went over to Cayuga Vista Dr a couple days ago and stalked the shrike. After about 20 min, a bird with buffy breast and grayish back popped into view and I got excited until I saw the remarkably straight bill and wimpy black mask. Then another showed up flashing white wing bars and I had to accept my first two NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDs of 2013. Sigh.
Waited for at least 30 more minutes and no shrike. Today, I arrived around 11am and there was the NORTHERN SHRIKE big as life (actually big as a Life Bird which it was for me!), hooked bill and dark mask intact, sitting prominently on the high wire about halfway down the road between 34 and Woodsedge Dr (where Cayuga Vista turns 90deg.). It sat there long enough for me to park 100' short, grab the binocs and get a couple lousy photos. Then a couple of vehicles drove by and that made it fly to the tallest tree in the field right across from Hy-gear where it sat long enough for good scope view and a few photos (weak because it was now 100 yds from me). After a bit of preening, it flew down into the field and disappeared for 15 min. Eventually, I scanned back up to the Woodsedge corner and the shrike reappeared in the top of the scruffy apple tree there for a few more looks before disappearing down into the field again. Thanks to all for the repeated sighting reports! Also, the TURKEY VULTURE group has been roosting up near me, sometimes in the Asbury Cemetery pines and somewhat to the east, and at least one night in my and my neighbors trees. I counted 28 in the group twice, once while roosting and a couple days later in flight; I believe there are a few more than that because while I was counting the roosters, one flew to another pine and scared up yet another TUVU that had been hidden on the far side. Leucy (or is it Leuc?) was among the flying group but i couldn't tell if it was in the sleeping group with wings furled. In flight, they soar only 50' over my head while I stand in the backyard. I think they are really cool birds both sitting and flying so this is a great thrill. ChrisP -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
