Sorry for the cross-posting - this post might be of interest to either group, though. If anyone in either group can take the run-on sentences, fragmented sentences, and mangled syntax, that is. My apologies in advance.
After the Rochester Birding Association's joint field trip with Eaton Birding Society to Ontario Pathways where I heard, for the first time, the phrase "just another Cape May" (report to come, RBA people, never fear), I read the report of a Snowy Owl at Montezuma. I have not seen a Snowy since April 2nd and so this Owl would bring me to seven consecutive months of Snowy sightings, which is just insane, so I knew I had to go. Sure enough, the Snowy Owl was perched on a fuel tank in the middle of the muck to the south of 31, plain as day: he then flew down to the ground not far away as nearby construction equipment revved up. I was able to pick him out just fine scoping from the Potatoes Building, even. I ogled for a while, then departed for the southern complex and a drive around the loop which yielded great views of 17 Black Terns flying over the water before the spillway. After that, it was off to East Road (quiet) and Van Dyne Spoor, which was a bit dull at the watery end, but in the woods….magnificent. The Cerulean Warblers were singing, and I caught sight of a stunning male. A few Yellow-throated Vireos rasped their "three-ay" refrain. A Scarlet Tanager popped into view in between trees, a stunning red patch on the gray sky background. A Least Flycatcher chbecked (took me a few tries to get that past spellcheck, btw). Best of all, though, was the lovely Yellow-billed Cuckoo at the eastern edge of the woods - this bird hopped along the front branches of a nearby tree, at times hanging from slender twigs or posing against the leaves. After I watched it for a while, it sang! I can't hear that sound often enough to suit me. I saw no real rarities on my trip, but did enjoy the Ruddy Duck and Sandhill Crane at Knox-Marcellus, a lone Snow Goose at the Visitor's Center, a Solitary Sandpiper on the main pool, and the Willow Flycatcher at Tschache. Add that to a spectacular morning at the Pathways trail in Phelps, plus a hearty brunch at the Blue Ribbon diner, and this was a nearly perfect day. :) -kimberly sucy [email protected] -- 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/ --
