Last week I met ten people at the Lab of O for a half day trip. The original venue changed from lake birding and going to Montezuma instead. We first went to the Swan Pen at Stewart Park for warblers. We met two more birding friends there. I think Bob said there was a Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Ducks on the lake. Coots and Pied-billed Grebes were also present. At the Swan Pen, Paul found a Rusty Blackbird for everyone, Grackles were present, lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, a juvenile Green Heron, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet(s).Two days before that, I saw an Orange-crowned Warbler there, so I hoped it would still be around. Oh, well….
No surprise to anyone, we immediately went to Montezuma. At the visitor's center we spotted Greater Yellowlegs, a Killdeer, Northern Shovelers, and lots of Canada Geese. Bennings WAS the destination. I think Diane and Ken were the first to spot the Ibis. Everyone had super views of the 2 species. We spent some time talking about their differences. Like Chris Wood said, side by side was a great way to study them. It was a very rare and learning opportunity for everyone. People took photos and were awed by the birds. Very cool! Then we went to East Road for the American White Pelican Watch. They were there sleeping. There were lots of Snow Geese, but Bob couldn't find a Ross's Goose. There were lots of Double-Crested Cormorants. Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintails, some in breeding plumage, American Wigeon, Hooded Mergansers, Great-blue Herons, Great Egrets, 1 Bald Eagle, 2 Northern Harriers, AND I think Paul counted 8 Sandhill Cranes AND 1 Cackling Goose that he found and everyone got to see. We returned to the lab around noon. It was a great morning with excellent birders. Thanks to all! It was a great trip and I am really glad we didn't do lake birding. Best, Ann -- 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/ --
