The Upland

Plover
Publication of the North Country Bird Club, Inc.
September / October 2016
FALL MEETINGS

Since 1948

Volume 57 No. 5

Remember to note the dates of our fall meetings on your calendar.

Meetings are held at Stone Presbyterian Church (140 Chestnut
St, Watertown) and begin at 7:00 pm. Meeting dates are:

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT

2017 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
ARE DUE BY JANUARY 1st

Wednesday, September 14
Wednesday, October 12
Wednesday, November 9

PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT

THE FORM ON THE LAST PAGE SOON
AND FORWARD IT WITH YOUR DUES

FIRST FALL MEETING

Wednesday, September 14
Program: The Fall Migration
During the fall, a great variety of birds migrate from,
through, and to our area. We will consider both the
process of migration and the pattern of changing species
which can be seen as the fall migration progresses.

BALD EAGLE
FLEDGING
Along NY 12E
near Chaumont
July 9, 2016
Photo by
Christine Bourquin

On occasion, we receive information that would

most probably be of interest to many members.
However, knowing that members have given us
e-mail addresses specifically for delivery of the
Plover, the Editor has always made it a policy
to use our e-mail list only for that purpose.
Realizing that members may be interested in
receiving news between Plover issues about
select sightings and events, we now have a
second e-mail list for that purpose. It would
add an e-mail to your inbox no more than
weekly (and probably less often). Topics would
include very unusual sightings, very select
events from other groups, and the occasional
impromptu and unofficial field trip opportunity.
Let the Editor know at [email protected]
if you would like your e-mail address added
to this second list.

FIELD TRIPS - 2016 Season

Montezuma South: Sat, Sept 17 - 8:30 am
Montezuma North: Sat, Oct 15 - 8:30 am
This year we are planning two fall trips to the Montezuma National Wildlife
Refuge and nearby sites. Located at the northern end of Cayuga Lake, the
Refuge includes over 8,000 acres of ponds, wetlands, and woodlands. It is
a major stopover for a great variety of migrating birds, especially waterfowl
and shorebirds. Also located in the region are an Audubon center, DEC
sites, and the Seneca Meadows Preserve. We will be visiting at two
different stages of the fall migration, concentrating during the first trip on
sites in the southern part of the area and during the second on sites in the
northern part. Each trip will include a visit to the Refuge itself. Join us for
both trips to see a maximum variety of species.

FIELD TRIP: MONTEZUMA NW R - SOUTH

Saturday, September 17th
Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart - 8:30 am
Our first trip to Montezuma this fall will include, along with the Refuge, the
Seneca Meadows Preserve. The Preserve includes seven miles of trails
(no, we wont be walking all of them) which extend through 600 acres of
wetlands, fields, and wooded areas. This is an excellent location for
shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds. We will have lunch at Wolffys, a
favorite spot on the shore of Cayuga Lake. Reservations are required
before or at the September 14 Club meeting.

FIELD TRIP: MONTEZUMA NW R - NORTH

Saturday, October 15th
Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart - 8:30 am
On our second trip to Montezuma, we will visit the Montezuma Audubon
Center and the Montezuma DEC headquarters, as well as the Refuge. All
three locations offer a variety of waterbirds, with the Refuge an especially
good place to see migrating waterfowl. We will stop for dinner in the
Syracuse area on our way home. Reservations are required before or at
the October 12 Club meeting.

OFFICERS

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

President
Corky Marlowe
782-4705

This years Christmas Bird Count for the Watertown Circle (NYWA), sponsored by Onondaga
Audubon and always enthusiastically supported by North Country Bird Club, will be held in
mid-December. The date of the Count will be determined at the Clubs September meeting
and included in the next issue of the Plover. 2016 marks the Audubon Societys 117th
Christmas Bird Count. Again this year, Bill Haller will serve as Compiler for the Watertown
Circle. If you would like to participate, please contact Bill for more information (contact details
are on the last page). The checklist for reporting will be distributed directly to participants. Be
a part of this years Christmas Bird Count!

Vice-President
Bill Haller
639-6848
Treasurer
Kathleen Killeen
646-6007
Secretary
Christine Bourquin 649-5403

DIRECTORS
Richard Brouse
David Prosser
Mike Shepard
June Walker
Robert Walker

To 5/2017
To 5/2019
To 5/2019
To 5/2017
To 5/2019

Field Trip Coordinator

Richard Brouse
788-6778
Census Coordinator
Bill Haller
639-6848
Historian
Robert Walker
649-2161
Newsletter Editor
Bill Haller
639-6848

On The Web:
NORTH COUNTRY
BIRD CLUB
ON FACEBOOK

LEUCISTIC KILLDEER IN THE TOWN OF LYME

On July 5, Lynn Chavoustie sighted a bird with an odd appearance along
Millens Bay Road near Ashland WMA (see Lynns photo at right). Lynn
forwarded photos to Lee Ellsworth for assistance with identification, and
he reported that the bird was a Leucistic Killdeer, a Killdeer with mainly
white plumage. Thanks to Lynns very specific information about the
birds location, several other Club members were able to sight it later.
Two quick notes: 1) While Leucistic can be pronounced either Loo-kiss-tik or Loo-siss-tik, the first
is preferred, as the word is derived from leukos, a Greek word meaning white. 2) Although Leucistic
and Albino (derived from alba, a Latin word meaning white) animals are similar (but not exactly the
same) in appearance, the two conditions result from entirely different causes.

SANDHILL CRANES AT ASHLAND WMA

AND PERCH RIVER WMA
On July 30, Corky Marlowe and Bill Haller were birding at
Ashland WMA, near Three Mile Bay, returning to observe
Great Egrets they had sighted there the evening before. As
they stood on the berm by the refuge pool, two large birds flew
in above them and landed on the far shore. On closer
inspection, Corky and Bill determined that the birds were
Sandhill Cranes, certainly rare visitors to our area. After a quick call, Lynn Chavoustie, who lives
near the Refuge, joined them and was able to photograph the Cranes (see Lynns photo above).
Following a few more phone calls and a message on the Clubs recently established notification list
(see page one), several other members of the Club sighted the birds the next day. (On that evening,
Corky and Bill also sighted Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Caspian Tern, Common Gallinule, a
female Northern Harrier, and a Belted Kingfisher - Ashland is truly one of our areas birding hotspots.)
On August 27, a Sandhill Crane was sighted by Dick and Marion Brouse at Perch River WMAs
Stone Mills Pool. Hopefully these magnificent birds will become more regular visitors to our area in
the future and perhaps even establish a breeding pair, as they have in the Adirondacks (see page 6).

For detailed info about birds,

visit the website of
the Cornell Ornithology Lab
and of Cornells renowned
Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary
at http://www.birds.cornell.edu Bring insect repellent and water on all field trips. A field trip may be cancelled due to
The Cornell Lab now offers weather conditions. Call Dick Brouse at 788-6778 with any questions about field trips.
p r e d ic t i o ns o f b i rd A beautiful set of bird-themed notecards is given by random selection, each time
migration patterns. Track the Plover is issued, to a member of our Club whose dues are current, to provide
spring migrations through our extra incentive for members to keep memberships in good standing. We would like
area at http://birdcast.info
to congratulate Bina West of Brownville, selected as this issues recipient.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR REGIONAL SIGHTINGS

A list of birding organizations and list serves for New York (and other states) is available at http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/
Northern New York Birds List Serve: Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds.
Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Y ahoo account.)
Oneida Birds List Serve (sightings in Central New York): Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/Oneidabirds.
Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Y ahoo account.)
Cayuga Birds List Serve: Sightings of birds in the Finger Lakes Region with a focus on the Cayuga Lake Basin.
E-mail [email protected]. In the message body put JOIN Your name (first and last name in quotes). 2

SPRING BIRD CENSUS

Species: 200 - Observers: 17
17 Club members submitted 16 census forms for our Spring Bird Census this year. We express sincere thanks to all who took the time
and made the effort to contribute. 200 species were recorded during our extended Census period, an increase from 192 last year, and
the most recorded during the five years that the Editor has been analyzing Census data. Observers recorded 25 species in 2016 that
were not seen in 2015, while 17 species recorded in 2015 were not observed in 2016. Seven species were recorded this year for the
first time during the five most recent years of the Census (2012-2016). Four observers recorded more than 150 species during the
Census, and another four recorded more than 100.
Observed in 2016 but not during the previous four years (7): Brant, White-winged Scoter, Snowy Egret, Sandhill
Crane, Northern Shrike, Louisiana Waterthrush, Fox Sparrow
Observed in 2016 but not in 2015 (25): Brant, White-winged Scoter, Ruddy Duck, Gray Partridge, Snowy Egret,
Sandhill Crane, Semipalmated Plover, Dunlin, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Shrike, Yellow-throated Vireo,
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler,
Northern Parula, Cape May Warbler, Palm Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mourning
Warbler, Canada Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow
Observed in 2015 but not in 2016 (17): Canvasback, Spruce Grouse, Northern Bobwhite, Least Bittern, Glossy Ibis,
Sora, Greater Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl, Olive-sided
Flycatcher, Carolina Wren, Prothonotary Warbler, Henslow's Sparrow, Black Vulture, Arctic Tern
Observed only before May 1: 17 species (indicated below by 1 after the species name)
Observed only on or after May 1: 59 species (Indicated below by 2 after the species name)
Observers: Sheree Brosk, Dick Brouse, Marion Brouse, Janet Burrows, Lee Ellsworth, Doris Gibson, Bill Haller,
Jean & Ron Jacob, Kathy Killeen, Corky Marlowe, Dee Piiparinen, Lauri Piiparinen, Mandi Roggie, Linnea Rowse,
Mike Shepard, Tom Sherry
SPECIES: GEESE, SWANS, & DUCKS: Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Brant1, Mute Swan, Tundra Swan1, Trumpeter Swan, Wood

Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged
Teal, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, White-winged Scoter1, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common
Goldeneye1, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck1
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS: Gray Partridge1, Ring-necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey LOONS: Common Loon
GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe, Red-necked Grebe1 CORMORANTS: Double-crested Cormorant
BITTERNS, HERONS, & IBIS: American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret 2, Snowy Egret1, Green Heron2, Black-crowned
Night-Heron VULTURES: Turkey Vulture
EAGLES, HAWKS, & FALCONS: Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Coopers Hawk, Northern Goshawk,
Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon 1
RAILS & CRANES: Virginia Rail2, Common Gallinule (Moorhen), American Coot, Sandhill Crane 2
SHOREBIRDS: Semipalmated Plover2, Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper2, Least
Sandpiper2, Dunlin2, Wilsons Snipe, American Woodcock
JAEGERS, GULLS, & TERNS: Bonapartes Gull1, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Caspian Tern, Common Tern,
Black Tern2 DOVES & PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove CUCKOOS: Black-billed Cuckoo2, Yellow-billed Cuckoo2
OWLS: Great Horned Owl1, Snowy Owl1, Barred Owl2 GOATSUCKERS: Common Nighthawk2, Whip-poor-will
SWIFTS & HUMMINGBIRDS: Chimney Swift2, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
WOODPECKERS: Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker2, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker,
Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker
Original
FLYCATCHERS: Eastern Wood-Pewee2, Alder Flycatcher2, Willow Flycatcher,
2
Least Flycatcher , Eastern Phoebe, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird
SHRIKES: Northern Shrike1
VIREOS: Yellow-throated Vireo2, Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo2, Red-eyed Vireo
Enlarged
JAYS & CROWS: Blue Jay, American Crow, Common Raven
2
LARKS & SWALLOWS: Horned Lark , Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow2, Barn Swallow
CHICKADEES, TITMICE, & NUTHATCHES: Black-capped Chickadee,
Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch
CREEPERS & WRENS: Brown Creeper1, House Wren, Winter Wren2, Marsh Wren
KINGLETS & THRUSHES: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher2, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Swainsons Thrush2,
Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush2, American Robin
WILSONS SNIPE
MIMIC THRUSHES: Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird2, Brown Thrasher
Ashland WMA June 2016
STARLINGS: European Starling PIPITS & WAXWINGS: Cedar Waxwing
The Snipes favorite game? Wheres Waldo

(Census data continued on next page)

Photo by Lynn Chavoustie

Spring Bird Census data continued from previous page:

WOOD WARBLERS and TANAGERS: Blue-winged Warbler2, Golden-winged Warbler2, Tennessee Warbler2, Nashville Warbler2,
Northern Parula2, Yellow Warbler2, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler2, Cape May Warbler2, Black-throated Blue Warbler2,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler2, Blackburnian Warbler2, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler2, Palm Warbler,
Bay-breasted Warbler2, Blackpoll Warbler2, Cerulean Warbler2, Black-and-White Warbler2, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern
Waterthrush2, Louisiana Waterthrush2, Mourning Warbler2, Common Yellowthroat2, Canada Warbler2, Scarlet Tanager2
SPARROWS & GROSBEAKS: Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow2, Field Sparrow,
Vesper Sparrow2, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow2, Fox Sparrow1, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow2, White-throated
Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Snow Bunting1, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting2
BLACKBIRDS: Bobolink2, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird,
Orchard Oriole2, Baltimore Oriole2
FINCHES: Purple Finch, House Finch, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Evening Grosbeak 2
OLD WORLD SPARROWS: House Sparrow

FIELD TRIP REPORTS

NCBC Annual Picnic - At the Brouses - July 10: On Sunday, July 10, 21 members and
friends of NCBC gathered at Dick and Marion Brouses home in Watertown for the Clubs
Annual Picnic. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Brouses for again hosting this
event and for sharing the beautiful grounds and gardens of their home. Skies were
overcast, with temperatures in the mid-60s, a comfortable, if not classic, summer day.
Over the course of the afternoon, while members enjoyed fine food and conversation, 34
bird species were observed, with an excellent view of a Tiger Swallowtail as a bonus.
We observed Turkey Vulture, Coopers Hawk, Merlin, Ringbilled Gull, Rock Pigeon,
Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Rubythroated Hummingbird, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy
Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern WoodPewee, Greatcrested Flycatcher, Blue Jay,
American Crow, Blackcapped Chickadee, Whitebreasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Eastern
Bluebird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Common
Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
Rosebreasted Grosbeak, Redwinged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brownheaded
Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, and American Goldfinch.
Marlowe Camp, Beartown - July 23: On Saturday, July 23, nine members of NCBC joined
Club President Corky Marlowe at her camp in Beartown, near Croghan, for a second time
this season. The day was sunny, with temperatures in the low 80s. After walking along
Beartown and Texas Roads, passing through woodlands and along two bogs, we returned
to the camp for an excellent luncheon and good conversation. Many thanks to Corky for
hosting us in this beautiful setting. During the walk, we observed 18 bird species, as well
as three species of butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Blue Azure.
The bird species observed were Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Broadwinged Hawk,
Mourning Dove, Rubythroated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern WoodPewee,
Alder Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Greatcrested Flycatcher, Blueheaded Vireo, Redeyed
Vireo, American Crow, Blackcapped Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Cedar
Waxwing, and Common Yellowthroat.

CHIPPING SPARROW FEEDING

YOUNG BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD
Sackets Harbor June 22, 2016
Shouldnt Mom be wondering
why the chick is as big as she is?
Photo by Kathy Killeen

FUERTES PAINTING
From the State Museum in Albany
Published in Birds of America, 1917

HERONS AND CRANE

Perch River WMA - August 20: On Saturday, August 20, a sunny day with temperatures in
the 80s, nine members of the Club traveled to Perch River WMA to take advantage of the
annual opening of the Refuge to the public in late August. We walked along the Lower Pool
berm, then the Stone Mills Pool berm, followed by lunch at Longways Diner. 29 species
were observed during our visit. Highlights at the Lower Pool included a Northern Harrier
soaring over the marsh, both mature and immature Bald Eagles, and a Black-bellied Plover.
At the Stone Mills Pool, highlights included several Great Egrets, a Green Heron flying
above the berm, and a Belted Kingfisher perched along the shore.
Species observed during our visit were Canada Goose, Wood Duck, American Black Duck,
Mallard, Northern Pintail, Doublecrested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green
Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Blackbellied Plover, Killdeer,
Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ringbilled Gull, Caspian Tern, Mourning Dove,
Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Kingbird, Blue Jay, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blackcapped
Chickadee, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Rosebreasted Grosbeak.
Information about programs of the Department of Environmental Conservation, conservation news, and regulation updates are distributed by a
targeted e-mail system. Subscribers select from 100+ topics. To subscribe: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/subscriber/new

For information on Onondaga Audubon field trips and programs visit http://onondagaaudubon.com/

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB SIGHTINGS

Please forward notable sightings for the next issue by October 15, using the contact info on the last page.
While the highlight of this summer was undoubtedly the sighting of Sandhill Cranes in our area (see page
two), the multiple reports of Great Egrets at Perch River and Ashland certainly were also news of
significance. On July 28, while birding together, Dick and Marion Brouse and Bill Haller sighted three Great
Egrets at Ashland WMA, as well as 2 Caspian Terns. They also sighted multiple Wood Ducks, several
Osprey, and 3 Great Blue Heron at Perch River WMA, and 2 Common Terns on Point Salubrious. Corky
Marlowe joined the three that evening at the Brouses home, where the four sighted a Chimney Swift,
Northern Cardinals, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Northern Flicker, a
Merlin, and, remarkably, a Tufted Titmouse. Dick and Marion sighted three Great Egrets at Ashland again
on July 31, then five on August 6. On August 1, Corky and Bill sighted 5 Great Egrets at Ashland WMA, as
well as an American Bittern, 6 Great Blue Herons, and 3 Caspian Terns. On the Vaadi Road, they had an
excellent view of a Belted Kingfisher. On August 19, Corky and Bill sighted 10 Great Egrets at Perch River
TRUMPETER SWANS
WMAs Stone Mills Pool, then another 10 at Ashland WMA. On August 26, Corky and Connie Mason sighted
Pillar
Point July 31, 2016
18 Great Egrets at the Stone Mills Pool, while Dick and Marion counted 20 there on August 27, along with 15
Photo by Lynn Chavoustie
Great Blue Heron, the Sandhill Crane noted on page two, and a Semipalmated Plover.
Killdeer chose to nest this year in the gravel of two different parking areas at Perch River WMA, one choosing the exact center of an area. The DEC
marked both sites to protect the nests. Corky and Bill had reported the first nest to the DEC on May 31, then continued to observe it from the roadside
throughout June. Returning from the Clubs first Beartown Field Trip on June 25, Bill found the mother with three hatchlings near the nest. As we are
told Killdeer do not remain long near the nest after the young are hatched, this was a most fortunate (and fascinating) sighting. As Marion has so often
noted, its all in the timing! Corky and Bill had observed the second nest through early July from the opposite end of the parking area where it was
located and, on July 19, sighted the mother with two hatchlings near the nest. These sightings were an excellent, and most lucky, pair of experiences.
Kezia Sullivan reported that, on July 2, a group of Common Ravens, being harassed by Common Grackles, were at her home near the lakeshore in
Sackets. While Kezia has been visited there by a wide variety of birds over the years, these were the first Ravens ever to come by. Later that day,
Kezia sighted Ravens, most probably the same group, at the Cheese Store in East Hounsfield.
Doris Gibson reported that, on July 28, things were very busy at her home on Keyser Road after a heavy rainstorm. She sighted twenty species there
after the rain let up, including Eastern Towhee, Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, House Wren, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Gray Catbird,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, and Ruby-throated
Hummingbird (as well as, of course, American Robin, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Common Grackle, and Blue Jay). Doris then reported that she
had sighted a similar variety of species on August 8, as well as four Brown Thrashers. On August 24, Doris had a very unusual encounter with a
Ruby-throated Hummingbird. While watching Hummingbirds at her feeders from her porch, she felt something strange in her hair and realized that one
of the Hummingbirds was gently probing her hair with its beak. This continued for two to three minutes, at which point the bird flew away, allowing
Doris a sure identification of her visitor.
Linnea Rowse reported having a very productive visit to Perch River WMA on August 27. She noted that her favorite bird of the day was probably the
Clapper Rail that she heard in the marsh. The shorebirds she sighted included Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Semipalmated and Least
Sandpiper, and Semipalmated Plover. She also sighted a variety of ducks, including Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, and Wood Duck. The raptors Linnea
sighted included Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, Osprey, and Bald Eagle. She also sighted a pair of Trumpeter Swans.
Dick and Marion made two especially productive visits to Ashland WMA in mid-summer, sighting 27 species there on July 31 and 22 on August 6.
Sightings included Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Common Gallinule, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, American Bittern, the three Great
Egrets mentioned earlier, Black-crowned Night Heron, two Sandhill Cranes, Lesser Yellowlegs, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Osprey, Northern Harrier,
Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Kingbird, Gray Catbird, Purple Martin, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and American Goldfinch.
On August 10, Corky and Bill sighted several Bobolinks (adult and juvenile) and a Cedar Waxwing along Cook Road at Perch River WMA. On August
11, they heard Whip-poor-wills along the Ransom Road. On August 18, they sighted two mature Bald Eagles perched on a single spike in the Lower
Pool at Perch River. On August 28, Corky and Bill sighted a Great Horned Owl along Perch Lake Road near Jenkins Road. Proceeding on to Perch
Lake, they sighted Pied-billed Grebe, Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Caspian Tern,
and two immature Bald Eagles. Leaving the lake, they found the Great Horned Owl still perched in the
same location along Perch Lake Road.
On August 20, following the Clubs Perch River WMA Field Trip, Mike Shepard returned to Stone Mills
Pool in the evening and sighted a Peregrine Falcon perched in a tree along the shore. He pointed the
Falcon out to Corky and Bill when they arrived a bit later, and the three watched the bird for nearly half
an hour.
On August 26, Corky, Bill, and Ellen Darabaner, birding at Perch Lake while it was open to the public,
sighted two immature Bald Eagles, both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Spotted Sandpiper.

SANDHILL CRANES: BREEDING PAIR IN THE ADIRONDACKS

BALD EAGLE ON THE ROCKS
Guffins Bay July 2016
Photo by Bob Smolinski

From Joan Collins, President of NYSOA (posted July 6):

I was out with some great people from NYC Audubon . . . We stopped at the Raquette River
marsh in Tupper Lake on Sunday, July 3rd, and observed two adult Sandhill Cranes with
two juveniles feeding at the edge of the marsh along Simon Pond! . . . This documents the
first breeding record for this species in the Adirondacks - very exciting!
5

THE UPLAND PLOVER

P. O. Box 634
Watertown, NY 13601
On FACEBOOK: North Country Bird Club

REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2017!

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ITEMS FOR THE NEXT PLOVER ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 15

If you have sightings, photos, or other items for the Nov / Dec issue,
please forward them to the Editor by October 15.
Contact info: Bill Haller, Editor - Mail: P. O. Box 6, Dexter, NY 13634
E-mail: [email protected] - Phone: (315) 639-6848 (9 am to 9 pm)

EASTERN PHOEBE ON THE NEST

Guffins Bay June 13, 2016
Photo by Bob Smolinski

Consider joining the New York State

Ornithological Association. Included are
both a quarterly journal and a newsletter.
Details at www.nybirds.org.

Meetings / Programs: March, April,

May, September, October, November,
(Second Wednesday of the month)
Field Trips: Spring - Summer - Fall
Spring Bird Census
North Country Big Day
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Newsletter: The Upland Plover
Website: North Country Bird Club
on FACEBOOK
The North Country Bird Club, Inc.,
is a member of the New York State
Ornithological Association, Inc.