Date: 6/11/26 4:17 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] June 11 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
It's always a treat to see some of our favorite birds up close and personal, and, today's Thursday Birding Meetup at Lighthouse Point offered a wonderful chance to enjoy this closer look at the bird banding station. "Hummingbird" and his assistants banded most of this morning's captures before we arrived but we felt lucky to see the banding of a Carolina Wren, a fledged Robin and (star of the show) an American Redstart. This is the first season of banding at Lighthouse Point, the focus of Cayuga Bird Club's conservation work through improving habitat, and, documenting the birds who live or pass through this critical wet forest on the south shore of the lake. Jody Enck <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/1333572662/?__cft__[0]=AZbpIVt27bvI34rHOGRP74_3-r_AfQl7kw7FlbOGTWcRJzNVH8KQrYgDjFMD8pnefpSQWBwkkkV3l4IDQTioTxv9IX_D3cwCU5Wghhr8nzNgWQijf3rVUueYNxaznBs5842cNQhwK35jV0qgJpJgU-RL&__tn__=-]K*x-R> also showed us the encouraging habitat improvement progress, a work still very much in process but well under way. We were surrounded by bird song (especially northern yellow warblers, warbling vireos and redstarts) but also got to hear the "conversations" of the 40 cormorants nesting directly above us in the trees along the inlet. While one walks beneath their nests at some peril and aroma from their droppings, it was a thrill to see them up close as the next generation was nurtured into being. The ospreys on the golf course were busy with their young as well. Overall, we saw/heard 28 species including two male Northern Flickers in a head bobbing-tail flicking dance together which is their way of competing for mating or territory (but, after all, it is Pride month--perhaps a bit of bromance going on?). All in all, a morning of charming little surprises and affirmation of the club's conservation work. Eight of us enjoyed breakfast at Modern Ohana. Want to join us next week? We'll gather at 7:00 am at the Dorothy McIlroy Preserve. From Ithaca, take Route 13 east to Route 366. Follow Rt. 366 through Etna and Freeville. At the four corners in Freeville, turn left (north) on Rt. 38. Turn right on Rt 34B, then left on Salt Rd. Turn right on Rt. 90 (in Summer Hill) and then left on Champlin Rd. Take a brief right on Creech Rd. and then left on Sprouls Rd. Turn left on Lake Como Rd and watch for the Finger Lakes Land Trust McIlroy Preserve sign on the right. Turn right into Fire Lane A which leads to the parking lot. Whew, we promise you can get there! Shelley Page *she/they/ki*
313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower
Date: 6/7/26 1:03 pm From: Colleen Richards <clr82...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fw: Cayuga Bird Club June picnic
Just a reminder about tomorrow night's Annual Picnic for the Cayuga Bird Club at Myers Park 6-8 pm.
Our annual picnic will be at Myers Park in Lansing on June 8th starting at 6:00 pm. (Note that Myers Park charges admission for non-residents of Lansing until 6 pm). Meet at Pavilion E, the one with the Motus radio antenna next to Salmon Creek. Please bring: *a dish to pass *your own place setting, utensils, and beverageIf you are not comfortable with the dish-to-pass aspect, feel free to bring your own dinner. After dinner, we'll have a bird walk. Hope to see many of you there.Colleen Richards
Date: 6/5/26 12:55 pm From: Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Today Show interview on Monday, June 8
Hi all,
NBC's Today Show will be at the Lab of O on Monday, June 8th, to do a story on the rise of birding especially among younger people. They're looking to interview a few younger birders or people who recently got into birding, or just tag along on with a couple of people birding that afternoon. They currently plan to be available starting around 3:30-4:00pm.
If you're interested, text Kaitlyn Serrao from Campus Media Relations at 607-882-1140, so she can let you know if they have enough people, or if the time of the potential interview changes.
Date: 6/4/26 12:33 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Addendum to Thursday Birding Recap for June 4
*Special note for June 11 Thursday Birding Meetup at Lighthouse Point: bird banding starts at 6:00 am*--feel free to arrive early and check out the action! Just follow the gravel road along the inlet to behind the utility building to find the banding station.
Otherwise, see you at 7:00 am at the golf course parking area.
Shelley Page *she/they/ki*
313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower
Date: 6/4/26 11:00 am From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] June 4 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Checking in on the baby peregrine falcons was our mission at today's Thursday Birding Meetup at the Taughannock Falls overlook. Twenty of us gathered to get a look at the young falcons, only a few days away from fledging. The nest near the falls is not visible to the naked eye but the young ones were observed through our binoculars and scopes, flexing and strengthening their wings and just hanging out on their tiny ledge. Three nestlings were recently observed but today we only saw two. We do not know the fate of the third one. Tim Gallagher was on hand to offer peregrine fun facts and updates on the falcon he recently released. Yes, we saw and heard some other birds, too (red-eyed vireos, titmice, juncos, indigo buntings, song sparrows and others) but our focus was on these falcons, wishing them all the best in growing to full adulthood and life beyond Taughannock Creek. We were hoping to see one of the adults swoop in with breakfast for the lil ones but alas we simply had to imagine that scene. A bunch of us went to the Falls in Trumansburg for breakfast and lively conversation. A beautiful start to a beautiful late spring day!
*Want to join us next week? * We will gather at *7:00 am* at *Lighthouse Point* on Cayuga Lake to bird and observe bird banding with "Hummingbird" and his assistants. This will also be a chance to see the bird habitat con servation work underway at Lighthouse Point. Directions from Ithaca: Turn on to Willow Street, off Route 13. Cross the railroad tracks and turn left at the T. Drive to the end by the golf course building. We will meet in the parking lot and walk together out to Lighthouse Point, birding as we go. Shelley Page *she/they/ki*
313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower
Date: 6/4/26 7:53 am From: Anita Seaberg <aeseaberg...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] BIRDING FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY IN ELMIRA
Chemung Valley Audubon will host "Birding Is for Every Body" this Saturday, June 6, from 1-4 p.m. at Harris Hill Park Youth Camp, 470 Harris Hill Rd, Elmira. See the attached flyer.
This inclusive, accessible, family-friendly festival is free and will be held rain or shine. Indoor and outdoor activities include
Bird Identification Workshop
Guided Bird Walk
Tabling by Conservation Community Partners
Live Raptors
Giveaways (while they last!)
... and for the young ones
Make-and-Take Bird Feeder
Coloring Table
Artwork Poster
Wingspan Banner
Date: 6/2/26 5:32 pm From: Thomas Hoebbel Photography <tomhoebbel...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Golden winged warbler on Central Chapel in Brooktondale
Holly and I went for an evening walk along Central Chapel and came across a GW Warbler. We heard it first then got good looks. It was a lifer for hol and always a welcome sighting for me. Also along that stretch were blue winged, chestnut sided, yellow, yellowthroat.
Also veery and wood thrush singing from the nearby woods.
cheers, Tom
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thomas Hoebbel Photo~Video www.TH-Photo.com <http://www.th-photo.com/> linktr.ee/thomashoebbelphotography 607-351-5154 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 6/2/26 4:37 am From: Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bird Banding in the area
See info below for bird banding at Seneca Meadows this Saturday. Also, there will be bird banding at Lighthouse Point and Lindsay Parsons most Thursdays and Sundays this summer, details at https://www.cayugabirdclub.org/bird-banding
Suan
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Leff, Fred <fred.leff...>
I am hosting Andrea Patterson (Braddock Bay) this Saturday, June 6 at 8:00 - 11:00 AM for bird banding at the Seneca Meadows Wetland Preserve.
(Please get this out to any birders you think may be interested). This is a free event and anyone who wants to come must click on the link for details and for planning purposes.
Date: 5/30/26 3:42 pm From: david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
I agree Gary. "Now back to our regular programming..." BIRDS!!!
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 06:32:21 PM EDT, Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> wrote:
I have followed Alexandra Fasulo online for some time and she has been a fierce advocate for regulation change in NYS. ORES as a permitting body looks to be out of control. I don’t want this to be litigated here, but this subject does deserve more attention from the birding community.
Gary
On May 30, 2026, at 6:11 PM, david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Thanks for posting this. This is so true. I have seen acres and acres of FOREST chopped down for solar farms in Broome County. In one instance it led to excessive runoff into a local wildlife preserve and has toppled trees and led to siltation of the stream below. It has ruined the upper part of this park with dying trees. Grassland birds are in the steepest decline in our state and taking precious grasslands away for solar farms is a travesty! Putting wind turbines up along a major raptor and golden eagle migration pathway in eastern Broome Co went unopposed except for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon. But our DEC, just ignored them. We as birders should be opposing this destruction of our habitats just like when they tried to pass fracking! Where is the same level of opposition? I don't understand why this hasn't been met with more resistance by birders.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 02:44:16 PM EDT, Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Carl Steckler<simmshill40...>
Date: Sat, May 30, 2026 at 12:34
Subject: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
To: <cayugabirds-l...>
Date: 5/30/26 3:32 pm From: Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
I have followed Alexandra Fasulo online for some time and she has been a fierce advocate for regulation change in NYS. ORES as a permitting body looks to be out of control.
I don’t want this to be litigated here, but this subject does deserve more attention from the birding community.
Gary
On May 30, 2026, at 6:11 PM, david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Thanks for posting this. This is so true. I have seen acres and acres of FOREST chopped down for solar farms in Broome County. In one instance it led to excessive runoff into a local wildlife preserve and has toppled trees and led to siltation of the stream below. It has ruined the upper part of this park with dying trees. Grassland birds are in the steepest decline in our state and taking precious grasslands away for solar farms is a travesty! Putting wind turbines up along a major raptor and golden eagle migration pathway in eastern Broome Co went unopposed except for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon. But our DEC, just ignored them. We as birders should be opposing this destruction of our habitats just like when they tried to pass fracking! Where is the same level of opposition? I don't understand why this hasn't been met with more resistance by birders.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 02:44:16 PM EDT, Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Carl Steckler <simmshill40...><mailto:<simmshill40...>> Date: Sat, May 30, 2026 at 12:34
Subject: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
To: <cayugabirds-l...><mailto:<cayugabirds-l...>>
Date: 5/30/26 3:20 pm From: Patrick L. McDonough <plm2...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Spraying US National forests with glyphosate
I thought of another problem too- what happens when our local National forest (Fingerlakes National) gets sprayed with glyphosate as has been mentioned for the US national forests! That's certainly not " friendly" to anything including us.
How can one best protest that action before it happens?
Pat McD
"Where there's a will there's a way!"
"Embrace the journey"
"And the truth shall set you free"
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do" – Goethe
"So walk on air against your better judgement …” – Seamus Heaney
“Yesterday is History… Tomorrow is a Mystery… Today is a Gift”
________________________________
From: david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2026 6:09:40 PM
To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>; Carl Steckler <simmshill40...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
Thanks for posting this. This is so true. I have seen acres and acres of FOREST chopped down for solar farms in Broome County. In one instance it led to excessive runoff into a local wildlife preserve and has toppled trees and led to siltation of the stream below. It has ruined the upper part of this park with dying trees. Grassland birds are in the steepest decline in our state and taking precious grasslands away for solar farms is a travesty! Putting wind turbines up along a major raptor and golden eagle migration pathway in eastern Broome Co went unopposed except for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon. But our DEC, just ignored them. We as birders should be opposing this destruction of our habitats just like when they tried to pass fracking! Where is the same level of opposition? I don't understand why this hasn't been met with more resistance by birders.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 02:44:16 PM EDT, Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Carl Steckler <simmshill40...><mailto:<simmshill40...>> Date: Sat, May 30, 2026 at 12:34
Subject: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
To: <cayugabirds-l...><mailto:<cayugabirds-l...>>
Date: 5/30/26 3:10 pm From: david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
Thanks for posting this. This is so true. I have seen acres and acres of FOREST chopped down for solar farms in Broome County. In one instance it led to excessive runoff into a local wildlife preserve and has toppled trees and led to siltation of the stream below. It has ruined the upper part of this park with dying trees. Grassland birds are in the steepest decline in our state and taking precious grasslands away for solar farms is a travesty! Putting wind turbines up along a major raptor and golden eagle migration pathway in eastern Broome Co went unopposed except for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon. But our DEC, just ignored them. We as birders should be opposing this destruction of our habitats just like when they tried to pass fracking! Where is the same level of opposition? I don't understand why this hasn't been met with more resistance by birders.
On Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 02:44:16 PM EDT, Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> wrote:
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Carl Steckler <simmshill40...>
Date: Sat, May 30, 2026 at 12:34
Subject: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
To: <cayugabirds-l...>
some of you might find this very interestinghttps://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/05/27/new-york-state-renewable-permitting-scandal/
--
Cayugabirds-L List Info:
Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
Archives:
The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
--
Date: 5/30/26 11:44 am From: Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Carl Steckler <simmshill40...> Date: Sat, May 30, 2026 at 12:34 Subject: Welcom to bird friendly NewYork To: <cayugabirds-l...>
Date: 5/30/26 7:50 am From: Colleen Richards <clr82...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Bird Club June picnic
Monthly MeetingAnnual PicnicMonday, June 8, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Myers Park, Lansing, NY
Our annual picnic will be at Myers Park in Lansing on June 8th starting at 6:00 pm. (Note that Myers Park charges admission for non-residents of Lansing until 6 pm). We'll meet at Pavilion E, the one with the Motus radio antenna next to Salmon Creek. Bring a dish to pass and your own place setting, utensils, and beverage. If you are not comfortable with the dish-to-pass aspect, feel free to bring your own dinner. After dinner, we'll have a bird walk. Hope to see many of you there.Colleen Richards
> On May 28, 2026, at 7:04 PM, Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> wrote:
>
> Some 25 birders gathered on this cool clear morning at the
> Sims-Jennings Preserve in Lansing. From the parking lot we heard and
> saw a singing Eastern Meadowlark and Baltimore Oriole, and walking
> down the edge of the field we heard Great Crested Flycatcher and
> Common Yellowthroat, and soon saw several Bobolinks and two Indigo
> Buntings. We entered the woods and crossed the two creeks to emerge at
> the lower field which, having recently been mowed, now hosted several
> more Bobolinks including a female. Field Sparrows were also seen
> frequenting a tree, likely close to a nest site. After birding, a
> dozen of us squeezed into a corner of East Shore Roadhouse for
> breakfast.
>
> Next week, we'll meet at the Taughannock Falls Overlook View Point,
> located uphill from the state park headquarters.
Some 25 birders gathered on this cool clear morning at the Sims-Jennings Preserve in Lansing. From the parking lot we heard and saw a singing Eastern Meadowlark and Baltimore Oriole, and walking down the edge of the field we heard Great Crested Flycatcher and Common Yellowthroat, and soon saw several Bobolinks and two Indigo Buntings. We entered the woods and crossed the two creeks to emerge at the lower field which, having recently been mowed, now hosted several more Bobolinks including a female. Field Sparrows were also seen frequenting a tree, likely close to a nest site. After birding, a dozen of us squeezed into a corner of East Shore Roadhouse for breakfast.
Next week, we'll meet at the Taughannock Falls Overlook View Point, located uphill from the state park headquarters.
Date: 5/27/26 9:46 am From: Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Jody Enck's talk tonight
*Join Us at 7 pm tonight at the Lansing Town Hall to hear*
*Dr. Jody Enck's inspirational presentation discussing ways to actively
involve communities in bird conservation.*
Honed since his boyhood on a Pennsylvania farm, Jody's love of birds and
his skill at bringing people together to
focus on conserving local bird populations has served him well. At a time
when many just shake their heads saying
it can't be done, Jody strives to show us how by working together, we may
better steward the Earth.
Dr. Enck, trained as both an ecologist and a social scientist, has gleaned
many practical lessons from encouraging communities to protect and
conserve their bird populations through projects he's led for the Cayuga
Bird Club’s Conservation Action Committee and the dozen international
birding trips he's led for the CBC. Connecting us all, Jody recently formed
the western hemisphere Sister Bird Club Network designed to link birders
across the Americas. This partnership has enormous potential for conserving
migrating birds on their summer *and *winter habitats.
Date: 5/27/26 9:42 am From: Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Tonight: Jody Enck talks on Communities Conserving Birds
*Join Us at 7 pm tonight at the Lansing Town Hall to hear*
*Dr. Jody Enck's inspirational presentation discussing ways to actively
involve communities in bird conservation.*
Honed since his boyhood on a Pennsylvania farm, Jody's love of birds and
his skill at bringing people together to
focus on conserving local bird populations has served him well. At a time
when many just shake their heads saying
it can't be done, Jody strives to show us how by working together, we may
better steward the Earth.
Dr. Enck, trained as both an ecologist and a social scientist, has gleaned
many practical lessons from encouraging communities to protect and
conserve their bird populations through projects he's led for the Cayuga
Bird Club’s Conservation Action Committee and the dozen international
birding trips he's led for the CBC. Connecting us all, Jody recently formed
the western hemisphere Sister Bird Club Network designed to link birders
across the Americas. This partnership has enormous potential for conserving
migrating birds on their summer *and *winter habitats.
Date: 5/27/26 4:59 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Preparation for bird banding a Lighthouse Point
Hello birders,
The Cayuga Bird Club has made great progress this spring on clearing privet (pulling it out by the roots as much as possible), fencing the cleared area, and planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. We only have a small number of plants-on-hand that we still want to get in the ground as soon as possible.
The next big thing is the start of bird banding as part of the Finger Lakes Bird Observatory MAPS project. We have all the necessary federal, state, and local permits. However, we still need to finish cutting (not digging) net lanes through the privet. This is much easier and quicker than removing the privet by the roots and only requires loppers.
To accomplish the planting and net lane work, we will be working down at Lighthouse Point Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, each day from about 1pm to 3pm.
Please let me know if you can come help. If you come, please wear boots and bring gloves. Bring a water bottle. Bug spray might be a good idea. For planting, please bring a trowel or small shovel. We also can have folks map where plants have been planted. For cutting net lanes, please bring a lopper, hand pruner, or similar tool.
I will try to have the gate unlocked and open each afternoon so folks can come back and park in the woods (not on the golf course). If the gate is closed for some reason, park at the golf course building and walk back the access roae.
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks Jody
Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940
We can check NestWatch. Had them singing inthe Von Engeln preserve yesterday but that is a classic little refuge. A glacial scoop with big pond. Lots of conifer. I will remind any who knew that a pair nestedAnd did not migrate for years in bu greenhouses. Started to demand food by flying into the office. Brought off broodsInvarious hangingBaskets. Anne Sent from my iPhone
On May 24, 2026, at 8:22 PM, Victor Lamoureux <vlamoureux9...> wrote:
Dave…. I am curious if you heard anything from the Cornell folks on this? Too bad eBird doesn’t go far enough back to illuminate this idea. But think how valuable the data we all input will be in 50 years! (Or less!) Victor On Sun, May 24, 2026 at 20:17 Tracie Scott <theidler88...> wrote:
We also have juncos in our yard all year round. We live on a hill with mature trees and a wooded area nearby. I've had a junco nest in a hanging flower pot before but they mostly nest inside my large boxwoods against the house. When a lot of birds have gone for the winter, there are always a few juncos that stay. I have several dwarf Alberta spruces they like to use as cover too. Tracie Scott Get Outlook for iOS
From: 'Susan D Boyce' via bluewing-group <bluewing-group...> Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2026 4:52:38 PM To: <pcarman65...> <pcarman65...> Cc: <vlamoureux9...> <vlamoureux9...>; <daven1024...> <daven1024...>; Cayuga Birds List <cayugabirds-l...>; Bluewing-group Bird Report <bluewing-group...> Subject: Re: [External Email] Re: [bluewing-group] Dark-eyed Juncos - a suburban summer yard bird now?? Echoing Paula, we too have a flock of 10-12 juncos wintering followed by a couple pair nesting in the arborvitae over the summer months. The males will sing from the roof tops!!! Sent from my iPhone
On May 23, 2026, at 2:12 PM, Paula Carman <pcarman65...> wrote:
Hi Dave et al, Juncos have been a daily year round visitor to our backyard, for 50+ years. We have a small flock in the winter and a couple pair in summer. I once discovered an active nest on the side of the driveway, just under the grass edge overhang. Paula
Sent from my iPhone
On May 23, 2026, at 1:06 PM, Victor Lamoureux <vlamoureux9...> wrote:
Hi Dave, I think your general observations jive with what I was taught as an early birder.... That juncos would get scarce in the Spring / Summer, and you had to go to certain forests in the County, usually at a higher elevation, in order to get them. Interestingly, in our Big Bird Day data I recently sent out we have had junco EVERY SINGLE YEAR and never missed it. I feel like we were always worried about missing it and we would need to target specific forests for them. But in the last bunch of years, it has become fairly easy to get them, and often at LOTS of locations (although looking at our final tally Trip Reprt we only recorded one on King St for the day). Glad to see you are picking up a new hobby in retirement! Victor On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 11:11 AM 'david nicosia' via bluewing-group <bluewing-group...> wrote:
Hi everyone, Now that I am retired, I’ve been taking some time to document the breeding Dark-eyed Juncos in my neighborhood here in Johnson City, and I’m amazed at how they have transitioned into a common "backyard" summer breeder.
For context, I have had nesting Juncos on my property for years, which I’ve always attributed to my dense spruce/fir cover and year-round feeding. However, I’ve recently been mapping singing males in the surrounding neighborhood, and the habitat selection is fascinating:
*
Observation 1: A male singing from the top of a utility pole in an area with very few conifers or dense brush.
*
Observation 2: A male in better habitat (adjacent to woods) singing from the top of a basketball backboard.
*
Observation 3: A male singing from a rooftop surrounded by small blue spruce/arborvitae, again in a yard with limited cover.
By contrast, I walked a steep, north-facing hillside across from my house this morning—a mature northern hardwood forest with hemlocks, red pine, and Norway spruce—and I recorded zero Juncos. They seem to show a strong preference for the south-facing suburban yards, which stands in stark contrast to my memories from 40+ years ago, when finding a summer Junco required trekking into deep, shaded ravines.
For a species so strongly associated with boreal breeding and cold-adapted affinities, this shift seems quite significant. I am reminded of the well-documented adaptation of the Oregon subspecies of the Dark-Eyed Junco in Southern California. Are we seeing a similar pathway for hyemalis here in the East?
Has anyone else noticed this trend in their local areas? I would be very interested to hear if others are seeing this shift toward suburban nesting or if there are any current studies investigating this behavioral plasticity.
I was birding at Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary a couple weeks ago ( south end of Lake Como, in Summerhill area) and saw 3 trees chewed in a classic hourglass shape, fairly close together, it looked fresh to me, and I immediately thought beavers must be living here, although I didn't see any. It was pretty cool looking.Barbara CliseSent from my Galaxy -------- Original message --------From: Bert Bland <bertbland...> Date: 5/23/26 5:32 PM (GMT-05:00) To: "Candace E. Cornell" <cec222...> Cc: Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...>, <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FYI Fisher roadkill I’m happy to hear of Beavers living in Salmon Creek.I live on Lansing Station Road not far from Where Donna Scott used to live . About a week ago I saw an animal swimming north. Looked like a seal , but must have been a Beaver. BertOn Sat, May 23, 2026 at 1:18 PM Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> wrote:We had an adult beaver wash ashore at the Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing a little over two weeks ago. From the photo I saw, it had no obvious injuries. There is a beaver family living in Salmon Creek.CandaceOn Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:59 PM Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> wrote:
This is interesting to hear, because I was there a few days ago and there was a dead beaver at the culvert roadside in perfect condition. I was tempted to have it mounted.
Gary
On May 22, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
I hope this stretching of the rules is interesting enough to be allowed.
There is a dead fisher along the roadside of Flatiron Rd., Goetchius FLLT Wetland Preserve: west side, north of Culvert. Pelt seems in good
condition. Probably hit by car. Potentially diseased so don't pick it up. Surprised me by large size.
Date: 5/23/26 2:32 pm From: David Ruppert <dr24...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Oriole unable to fly has recovered
I thank those who answered my post. The bird has recovered and is flying and eating fruit preserves in our feeder. One list member suggested that it hit a window and was stunned. I believe that is what happened.
I’m happy to hear of Beavers living in Salmon Creek.
I live on Lansing Station Road not far from Where Donna Scott used to live
. About a week ago I saw an animal swimming north. Looked like a seal ,
but must have been a Beaver.
Bert
On Sat, May 23, 2026 at 1:18 PM Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> wrote:
> We had an adult beaver wash ashore at the Salt Point Natural Area in
> Lansing a little over two weeks ago. From the photo I saw, it had no
> obvious injuries. There is a beaver family living in Salmon Creek.
> Candace
>
> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:59 PM Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> wrote:
>
>> This is interesting to hear, because I was there a few days ago and there
>> was a dead beaver at the culvert roadside in perfect condition. I was
>> tempted to have it mounted.
>> Gary
>>
>> On May 22, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
>> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> I hope this stretching of the rules is interesting enough to be allowed.
>> There is a dead fisher along the roadside of Flatiron Rd., Goetchius FLLT Wetland
>> Preserve: west side, north of Culvert. Pelt seems in good condition.
>> Probably hit by car. Potentially diseased so don't pick it up. Surprised me
>> by large size.
>>
>> John
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/23/26 1:48 pm From: David Ruppert <dr24...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Oriole unable to fly
There is a Baltimore Oriole in my yard in Ellis Hollow, either a female or young. It is not able to fly. I contacted the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital and am waiting for a call back. Is there anything else I should do? If I need to capture the Oriole is there anyone with experience with bird rescue and willing to help?
Date: 5/23/26 10:18 am From: Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FYI Fisher roadkill
We had an adult beaver wash ashore at the Salt Point Natural Area in
Lansing a little over two weeks ago. From the photo I saw, it had no
obvious injuries. There is a beaver family living in Salmon Creek.
Candace
On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:59 PM Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> wrote:
> This is interesting to hear, because I was there a few days ago and there
> was a dead beaver at the culvert roadside in perfect condition. I was
> tempted to have it mounted.
> Gary
>
> On May 22, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>
> I hope this stretching of the rules is interesting enough to be allowed.
> There is a dead fisher along the roadside of Flatiron Rd., Goetchius FLLT Wetland
> Preserve: west side, north of Culvert. Pelt seems in good condition.
> Probably hit by car. Potentially diseased so don't pick it up. Surprised me
> by large size.
>
> John
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/23/26 6:00 am From: Evelyn Weinstein <myisland3...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Dark-eyed Juncos - a suburban summer yard bird now??
I have seen them in multiple places on my own property which has very few
conifers! Good observations all!
On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 3:35 PM Jerry Skinner <jay2of6...> wrote:
> There have been summer resident juncos at Sweet Melissa’s ice cream shop
> in downtown Ithaca for two years now.
>
>
> On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 11:42 AM Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> wrote:
>
>> DE Juncos built a nest in a pot of New Guinea Impatiens in a metal stand
>> near the front/main entry of a Kendal cottage in the south/middle side of
>> this Ithaca old folks home this spring.
>> …In a cluster of “cottages”(row houses, really). Lots of cement
>> sidewalks.
>> No good habitat anywhere nearby. Just a few ornamental trees.
>>
>> The resident has counted 4 eggs.
>> Bird-savvy person, so he will be careful not to water nest.
>>
>> Donna Scott
>> Kendal at Ithaca-377
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On May 22, 2026, at 11:12 AM, david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
>> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> Now that I am retired, I’ve been taking some time to document the
>> breeding Dark-eyed Juncos in my neighborhood here in Johnson City, and I’m
>> amazed at how they have transitioned into a common "backyard" summer
>> breeder.
>>
>> For context, I have had nesting Juncos on my property for years, which
>> I’ve always attributed to my dense spruce/fir cover and year-round feeding.
>> However, I’ve recently been mapping singing males in the surrounding
>> neighborhood, and the habitat selection is fascinating:
>>
>> -
>>
>> *Observation 1:* A male singing from the top of a utility pole in an
>> area with very few conifers or dense brush.
>> -
>>
>> *Observation 2:* A male in better habitat (adjacent to woods) singing
>> from the top of a basketball backboard.
>> -
>>
>> *Observation 3:* A male singing from a rooftop surrounded by small
>> blue spruce/arborvitae, again in a yard with limited cover.
>>
>> By contrast, I walked a steep, north-facing hillside across from my house
>> this morning—a mature northern hardwood forest with hemlocks, red pine, and
>> Norway spruce—and I recorded zero Juncos. They seem to show a strong
>> preference for the south-facing suburban yards, which stands in stark
>> contrast to my memories from 40+ years ago, when finding a summer Junco
>> required trekking into deep, shaded ravines.
>>
>> For a species so strongly associated with boreal breeding and
>> cold-adapted affinities, this shift seems quite significant. I am reminded
>> of the well-documented adaptation of the Oregon subspecies of the Dark-Eyed
>> Junco in Southern California. Are we seeing a similar pathway for *
>> hyemalis* here in the East?
>>
>> Has anyone else noticed this trend in their local areas? I would be very
>> interested to hear if others are seeing this shift toward suburban nesting
>> or if there are any current studies investigating this behavioral
>> plasticity.
>>
>> Best,
>> Dave Nicosia
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/23/26 3:24 am From: Laura Stenzler <lms9...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Hollow Trip CHANGED to May 25
Reminder - Shindagen Hollow Cayuga Bird Club trip postponed until Monday, May 25.
Laura
Laura Stenzler
<lms9...>
> On May 22, 2026, at 8:20 AM, Laura Stenzler <lms9...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> The May 23 Cayuga Bird Club field trip to Shindagin Hollow is being postponed until MONDAY, May 25 due to predicted rain on May 23 and 24.
>
> Cayuga Bird Club Trip to Shindagin Hollow State Forest, led by Laura Stenzler and Gladys Birdsdall.
> Meet at 7:30 am at Collegetown Bagels parking lot in East Hill plaza, at the corner of Ellis Hollow Road and Pine Tree Road in Ithaca. We will head to Shindagin Hollow State Forest at 7:45 am for warblers and other birds during this peak period of migration and breeding. We will walk 1-2 miles while birding along Shindagin Hollow Road, ending around 11 or 11:30 am. Wear good walking shoes (may be muddy), bring a hat, bug spray, water, and a snack. Please contact Laura if you have any questions (<lms9...>).
>
> Laura Stenzler
> <lms9...>
Date: 5/22/26 12:34 pm From: Jerry Skinner <jay2of6...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Dark-eyed Juncos - a suburban summer yard bird now??
There have been summer resident juncos at Sweet Melissa’s ice cream shop in
downtown Ithaca for two years now.
On Fri, May 22, 2026 at 11:42 AM Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> wrote:
> DE Juncos built a nest in a pot of New Guinea Impatiens in a metal stand
> near the front/main entry of a Kendal cottage in the south/middle side of
> this Ithaca old folks home this spring.
> …In a cluster of “cottages”(row houses, really). Lots of cement
> sidewalks.
> No good habitat anywhere nearby. Just a few ornamental trees.
>
> The resident has counted 4 eggs.
> Bird-savvy person, so he will be careful not to water nest.
>
> Donna Scott
> Kendal at Ithaca-377
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 22, 2026, at 11:12 AM, david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Now that I am retired, I’ve been taking some time to document the breeding
> Dark-eyed Juncos in my neighborhood here in Johnson City, and I’m amazed at
> how they have transitioned into a common "backyard" summer breeder.
>
> For context, I have had nesting Juncos on my property for years, which
> I’ve always attributed to my dense spruce/fir cover and year-round feeding.
> However, I’ve recently been mapping singing males in the surrounding
> neighborhood, and the habitat selection is fascinating:
>
> -
>
> *Observation 1:* A male singing from the top of a utility pole in an
> area with very few conifers or dense brush.
> -
>
> *Observation 2:* A male in better habitat (adjacent to woods) singing
> from the top of a basketball backboard.
> -
>
> *Observation 3:* A male singing from a rooftop surrounded by small
> blue spruce/arborvitae, again in a yard with limited cover.
>
> By contrast, I walked a steep, north-facing hillside across from my house
> this morning—a mature northern hardwood forest with hemlocks, red pine, and
> Norway spruce—and I recorded zero Juncos. They seem to show a strong
> preference for the south-facing suburban yards, which stands in stark
> contrast to my memories from 40+ years ago, when finding a summer Junco
> required trekking into deep, shaded ravines.
>
> For a species so strongly associated with boreal breeding and cold-adapted
> affinities, this shift seems quite significant. I am reminded of the
> well-documented adaptation of the Oregon subspecies of the Dark-Eyed Junco
> in Southern California. Are we seeing a similar pathway for * hyemalis*
> here in the East?
>
> Has anyone else noticed this trend in their local areas? I would be very
> interested to hear if others are seeing this shift toward suburban nesting
> or if there are any current studies investigating this behavioral
> plasticity.
>
> Best,
> Dave Nicosia
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
We haven't found the peregrines yet, but a shockingly beautiful view of
what I'm pretty sure is pinkster azalea on the south rim made it all worth
while.
On Thu, May 21, 2026, 7:23 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
> Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the
> Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were
> establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’
> from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous
> attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the
> Ravens’ nest.
>
> Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional
> eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they
> intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not.
> The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what
> happened.
>
> Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie
> that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing
> courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced
> there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close
> to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have
> four chicks up there.
>
> -Geo
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
Date: 5/22/26 11:59 am From: Gary Kohlenberg <jgk25...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FYI Fisher roadkill
This is interesting to hear, because I was there a few days ago and there was a dead beaver at the culvert roadside in perfect condition. I was tempted to have it mounted.
Gary
On May 22, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
I hope this stretching of the rules is interesting enough to be allowed.
There is a dead fisher along the roadside of Flatiron Rd., Goetchius FLLT Wetland Preserve: west side, north of Culvert. Pelt seems in good condition. Probably hit by car. Potentially diseased so don't pick it up. Surprised me by large size.
I hope this stretching of the rules is interesting enough to be allowed.There is a dead fisher along the roadside of Flatiron Rd., Goetchius FLLT Wetland Preserve: west side, north of Culvert. Pelt seems in good condition. Probably hit by car. Potentially diseased so don't pick it up. Surprised me by large size.
John
Date: 5/22/26 8:41 am From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Dark-eyed Juncos - a suburban summer yard bird now??
DE Juncos built a nest in a pot of New Guinea Impatiens in a metal stand near the front/main entry of a Kendal cottage in the south/middle side of this Ithaca old folks home this spring.
…In a cluster of “cottages”(row houses, really). Lots of cement sidewalks.
No good habitat anywhere nearby. Just a few ornamental trees.
The resident has counted 4 eggs.
Bird-savvy person, so he will be careful not to water nest.
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
On May 22, 2026, at 11:12 AM, david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Hi everyone,
Now that I am retired, I’ve been taking some time to document the breeding Dark-eyed Juncos in my neighborhood here in Johnson City, and I’m amazed at how they have transitioned into a common "backyard" summer breeder.
For context, I have had nesting Juncos on my property for years, which I’ve always attributed to my dense spruce/fir cover and year-round feeding. However, I’ve recently been mapping singing males in the surrounding neighborhood, and the habitat selection is fascinating:
* Observation 1: A male singing from the top of a utility pole in an area with very few conifers or dense brush.
* Observation 2: A male in better habitat (adjacent to woods) singing from the top of a basketball backboard.
* Observation 3: A male singing from a rooftop surrounded by small blue spruce/arborvitae, again in a yard with limited cover.
By contrast, I walked a steep, north-facing hillside across from my house this morning—a mature northern hardwood forest with hemlocks, red pine, and Norway spruce—and I recorded zero Juncos. They seem to show a strong preference for the south-facing suburban yards, which stands in stark contrast to my memories from 40+ years ago, when finding a summer Junco required trekking into deep, shaded ravines.
For a species so strongly associated with boreal breeding and cold-adapted affinities, this shift seems quite significant. I am reminded of the well-documented adaptation of the Oregon subspecies of the Dark-Eyed Junco in Southern California. Are we seeing a similar pathway for hyemalis here in the East?
Has anyone else noticed this trend in their local areas? I would be very interested to hear if others are seeing this shift toward suburban nesting or if there are any current studies investigating this behavioral plasticity.
Date: 5/22/26 8:12 am From: david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Dark-eyed Juncos - a suburban summer yard bird now??
Hi everyone,
Now that I am retired, I’ve been taking some time to document the breeding Dark-eyed Juncos in my neighborhood here in Johnson City, and I’m amazed at how they have transitioned into a common "backyard" summer breeder.
For context, I have had nesting Juncos on my property for years, which I’ve always attributed to my dense spruce/fir cover and year-round feeding. However, I’ve recently been mapping singing males in the surrounding neighborhood, and the habitat selection is fascinating:
-
Observation 1: A male singing from the top of a utility pole in an area with very few conifers or dense brush.
-
Observation 2: A male in better habitat (adjacent to woods) singing from the top of a basketball backboard.
-
Observation 3: A male singing from a rooftop surrounded by small blue spruce/arborvitae, again in a yard with limited cover.
By contrast, I walked a steep, north-facing hillside across from my house this morning—a mature northern hardwood forest with hemlocks, red pine, and Norway spruce—and I recorded zero Juncos. They seem to show a strong preference for the south-facing suburban yards, which stands in stark contrast to my memories from 40+ years ago, when finding a summer Junco required trekking into deep, shaded ravines.
For a species so strongly associated with boreal breeding and cold-adapted affinities, this shift seems quite significant. I am reminded of the well-documented adaptation of the Oregon subspecies of the Dark-Eyed Junco in Southern California. Are we seeing a similar pathway for hyemalis here in the East?
Has anyone else noticed this trend in their local areas? I would be very interested to hear if others are seeing this shift toward suburban nesting or if there are any current studies investigating this behavioral plasticity.
Date: 5/22/26 6:52 am From: Evelyn Weinstein <myisland3...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] flock of Nighthawks
Last evening around 8p, while clearing brush in my yard, I listened to a Woodcock doing it's spring call and flight sounds when another similar sound, but many more voices, floated down from high overhead. I looked up to see a loosely associated flock of 16 Common Nighthawks buzzing around my open field about 40-50' overhead. They were calling and close enough to pick out the white patches under their wings. Background of the Woodcock was an excellent opp to compare these similar sounds. Very special dusk treat.
Date: 5/22/26 5:19 am From: Laura Stenzler <lms9...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Shindagin Hollow Trip CHANGED to May 25
Hi all,
The May 23 Cayuga Bird Club field trip to Shindagin Hollow is being postponed until MONDAY, May 25 due to predicted rain on May 23 and 24.
Cayuga Bird Club Trip to Shindagin Hollow State Forest, led by Laura Stenzler and Gladys Birdsdall.
Meet at 7:30 am at Collegetown Bagels parking lot in East Hill plaza, at the corner of Ellis Hollow Road and Pine Tree Road in Ithaca. We will head to Shindagin Hollow State Forest at 7:45 am for warblers and other birds during this peak period of migration and breeding. We will walk 1-2 miles while birding along Shindagin Hollow Road, ending around 11 or 11:30 am. Wear good walking shoes (may be muddy), bring a hat, bug spray, water, and a snack. Please contact Laura if you have any questions (<lms9...>).
Date: 5/22/26 4:43 am From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Woodcocks in Lansing Town
When I lived on Lansing Station Road in Northwest Lansing (Town), one day I drove up that road towards Route 34B and found a woodcock right in the road!
I stopped car & got out & gently shooed the bird into an adjacent area with thickets & trees.
This was about 8 years ago.
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
On May 21, 2026, at 11:25 PM, Tom Vawter <atvawter...> wrote:
At 6:30 PM this evening we saw a couple of American Woodcocks in what would seem to be very inappropriate habitat. They were beside the road near the roadside ditch on the north side of Ross Road. There are woods beyond the ditch and wetlands nearby.
Date: 5/21/26 8:25 pm From: Tom Vawter <atvawter...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Woodcocks in Lansing Town
At 6:30 PM this evening we saw a couple of American Woodcocks in what would seem to be very inappropriate habitat. They were beside the road near the roadside ditch on the north side of Ross Road. There are woods beyond the ditch and wetlands nearby.
Date: 5/21/26 6:50 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] May 21 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Always nice to bird in a new place and be delighted! Our Thursday birding meetup today at the beautiful Swan property on Mt. Pleasant Road was a new venue for us, at the invitation of Lynne Hewitt <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/629387812/?__cft__[0]=AZb3rWyLqXdHWXSkGQywIQU1OsbglDpAJhbHhSNwjxUKYjaA-aFzfHC8jf15KcLO_y4AIGpRbWh7XNUnN8SUd8VoyKdptt1f-tmvXgZSmOihZScGfxM9fbV29T5uxXk8FlBMGPSE4ZJKeAzVGB0-X5Nb&__tn__=-]K-R> who lives next door. Twenty-one of us gathered to check it out and we were not disappointed! Our initial foray around the pond found us excited by blackpoll and Tennessee warblers as well as a close look at two cedar waxwings picking bugs among apple blossoms. A few bobolinks graced the meadow. And the woods surprised us with sapsuckers and a sapsucker nest in a slender aspen where we could hear the nestlings! Seven different warblers were on view with the usually elusive ovenbird as the star of the show. We got excellent looks as an ovenbird walked along at pretty close range so that the iconic orange topknot was very visible. We saw 33 species in total (thanks for our ebird, Diane Morton) including the resident woodland birds and some recent arrivals like great crested flycatcher and wood thrush. The wildflowers were a treat as well with mounds of wild geraniums, scatterings of Canada mayflowers and mayapples, and large patches of wood betony (aka Canadian lousewort--a good reminder that botany prefers the Latin name, Pedicularis canadensis) among ferns and fungus. All in all, a lovely morning of birding and botany! Thanks, Lynne Hewitt <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/629387812/?__cft__[0]=AZb3rWyLqXdHWXSkGQywIQU1OsbglDpAJhbHhSNwjxUKYjaA-aFzfHC8jf15KcLO_y4AIGpRbWh7XNUnN8SUd8VoyKdptt1f-tmvXgZSmOihZScGfxM9fbV29T5uxXk8FlBMGPSE4ZJKeAzVGB0-X5Nb&__tn__=-]K-R>! Several of us gathered afterward at East Hill College Town Bagels for conversation and breakfast. Want to join us next week? Gather with us at 7:00 am at the Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs in Lansing. We'll be on the look out for grassland birds in the meadows and warblers in the woods and along the edges. Directions from Ithaca: Take Route 34 (East Shore Dr) north. Turn left on 34B and travel 3.9 miles to the parking lot on your left. Shelley Page *she/they/ki*
313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower
> On May 21, 2026, at 10:44 AM, AB Clark <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
>
> Cool! The first Ravens I knew about nesting in the wider area was back in the 90's in the old quarry S of Binghamton. Vic Lamoureux got pictures of the nest on a ledge at the time.
>
> I think they are pretty familiar (as a species) with using such sites.
>
> anne
Date: 5/21/26 7:45 am From: AB Clark <anneb.clark...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines
Cool! The first Ravens I knew about nesting in the wider area was back in
the 90's in the old quarry S of Binghamton. Vic Lamoureux got pictures of
the nest on a ledge at the time.
I think they are pretty familiar (as a species) with using such sites.
anne
On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 8:36 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
> Yes, in time neighbor relations settled down. A few days ago, the Ravens’
> nest was looking very crowded with youngsters eager to fledge. At a tree
> nest, they would have been out on the branches...
>
> -Geo
>
>
> On May 21, 2026, at 7:36 AM, Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62...>
> wrote:
>
>
> Than you George!
> Do you know what happened to the Ravens? Were they able to nest at all?
>
> Nancy
>
> On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:24 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
>
>> Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the
>> Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were
>> establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’
>> from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous
>> attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the
>> Ravens’ nest.
>>
>> Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional
>> eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they
>> intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not.
>> The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what
>> happened.
>>
>> Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie
>> that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing
>> courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced
>> there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close
>> to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have
>> four chicks up there.
>>
>> -Geo
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive:
>> https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html >> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/21/26 6:20 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines
…so if they haven’t fledged yet, their nest (the Ravens’, that is) can be spotted at telescope distance by looking across the gorge from a station about eight fence posts east of North Rim Trail marker #10. The Peregrine eyrie is visible from a lookout a bit east of marker #9, where there’s a wooden bench. Neither of them is easily visible from below, nor from the main falls overlook. Details, photos on eBird. -Geo
On May 21, 2026, at 8:36 AM, Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Yes, in time neighbor relations settled down. A few days ago, the Ravens’ nest was looking very crowded with youngsters eager to fledge. At a tree nest, they would have been out on the branches... -Geo
On May 21, 2026, at 7:36 AM, Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62...> wrote:
Than you George!Do you know what happened to the Ravens? Were they able to nest at all? Nancy On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:24 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’ from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the Ravens’ nest.
Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not. The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what happened.
Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have four chicks up there.
Date: 5/21/26 6:02 am From: madonna stallmann <madonnaoftheprairie...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Yellow crowned night heron in Newfield yesterday
Sorry, no other location details are available.The friend of a friend loves
night herons but does not love hordes of people with binoculars lurking
around. 😉
💐 Madonna
On Thu, May 21, 2026, 8:52 AM madonna stallmann <
<madonnaoftheprairie...> wrote:
> Seen and photographed by a friend of a friend. Looks like the real deal to
> me.
>
> 💐 Madonna
>
>
>
Date: 5/21/26 5:36 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines
Yes, in time neighbor relations settled down. A few days ago, the Ravens’ nest was looking very crowded with youngsters eager to fledge. At a tree nest, they would have been out on the branches... -Geo
On May 21, 2026, at 7:36 AM, Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62...> wrote:
Than you George!Do you know what happened to the Ravens? Were they able to nest at all? Nancy On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:24 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’ from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the Ravens’ nest.
Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not. The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what happened.
Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have four chicks up there.
Date: 5/21/26 5:23 am From: Tom Vawter <atvawter...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles at Jelly
We’ve had at least 3 males and 2 female Baltimore Orioles around our
feeders for the last couple of weeks. Both sexes seem still to be
interested in the grape jelly and orange half we’ve put out.
We’ve also got some number of very active hummingbirds.
Date: 5/21/26 4:37 am From: Nancy Cusumano <nancycusumano62...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines
Than you George!
Do you know what happened to the Ravens? Were they able to nest at all?
Nancy
On Thu, May 21, 2026 at 7:24 AM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
> Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the
> Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were
> establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’
> from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous
> attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the
> Ravens’ nest.
>
> Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional
> eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they
> intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not.
> The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what
> happened.
>
> Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie
> that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing
> courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced
> there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close
> to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have
> four chicks up there.
>
> -Geo
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive:
> https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
Date: 5/21/26 4:22 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines
Back in March of this year, antipathy really flared between the Taughannock Ravens and Peregrines. It turned out that the Ravens were establishing a new nest, high on the _south_ wall of the gorge about 400’ from the falls, and the Peregrines didn’t like that. I witnessed numerous attacks in the overhanging trees or out in the dizzy gulf in front of the Ravens’ nest.
Meanwhile, the Peregrines were also refurbishing their own traditional eyrie, 1,500’ away on the north wall. It certainly looked like they intended to nest there again, in spite of its exposure. But they did not. The ledge remains unoccupied. And for two months I’ve wondered what happened.
Now I know. Although the Peregrines were obviously attached to the eyrie that they have used since the year 2020, and refurbishing it was a pleasing courtship ritual, they did not forget the predation that they experienced there last year. So they left it empty, and nested up the gorge, very close to the falls, and therefore quite close to the Ravens’ nest. They now have four chicks up there.
> On May 20, 2026, at 2:30 PM, <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
> The shape and messy stickiness suggests a fish crow built it. Wonder if there is any cultural transmission of nest builder to choose.
>
> Anne
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>>> On May 20, 2026, at 1:47 PM, Wes Blauvelt <ravenbarnconsulting...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> Geo & Jared - I stopped by South Strret this morning. The nest is in a large White Pine tree in front of 12 South Street.
Date: 5/20/26 3:29 pm From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] pair of Merlins in Trumansburg
Yes! I spotted that yesterday evening, and the female was on the nest. -Geo
On May 20, 2026, at 1:46 PM, Wes Blauvelt <ravenbarnconsulting...> wrote:
Geo & Jared - I stopped by South Strret this morning. The nest is in a large White Pine tree in front of 12 South Street. One bird flew to the nest while I was there and later flew to a perch in an adjacent Walnut tree. I’ve attached a photo of the nest. Wes
<IMG_0262.jpeg>
On Sun, May 17, 2026 at 3:08 PM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Thanks, Jared! Your sighting of a pair at 8 South Street is very interesting. That’s about half a mile from the Merlin nest out by the Trumansburg High School. I had a look at that nest just yesterday afternoon around 3:30, and the female was quietly incubating. It’s a big sturdy-looking nest, deep enough that she’s often invisible up there, but I watched her stand up, turn around and settle right back down again. I doubt she and her mate would have been loitering the previous day in a walnut tree half a mile distant. And I would love to think that your birds might be the pair that has gone missing from Trumansburg's northside, where they nested for quite a few years around Congress Street, Washington Street etc. -Geo
On May 17, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> wrote:
On Friday 15 May at 8 South St across from the Methodist church parking lot, there were two perched Merlins, a male and a female, in a large black walnut tree. This was after hearing and observing them flying in and around a hemlock behind the church. Geo Kloppel earlier reported a nest on the school property to the SE but I wonder if this were the same couple nesting, would not one be on or around the nest and not so distant from it? I had to move on after 15 minutes of watching the pair rather separate in this tree preening and quietly perched. I will try and get back to the area to watch for a possible new nest site.Cheers, Jared DawsonTrumansburg-- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
Date: 5/20/26 12:15 pm From: Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bobolinks in the National Forest
Had a good morning with Bobolinks on the western edge of the basin, starting on the Interloken Trail northerly off of Searsburg Rd. The large meadow had a number of displaying birds, and we had good looks at a female. We heard meadowlarks but could not spot them. The approach on Seneca Rd up to Teeter Pond and Horton meadow is still closed, although the mud conditions are much improved. Jared Dawson Trumansburg
On Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:23 AM Jeanne Sullivan <sullivanjeanne...>
wrote:
> I am in Interlaken, and I have tons of Orioles in the morning. I will pay
> attention as to whether the crowds diminish.
> Jeanne
>
> On May 20, 2026, at 10:51 AM, madonna stallmann <
> <madonnaoftheprairie...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi folks!
>
> Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few
> days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first
> year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of
> interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This
> week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so
> what changed?
>
> 💐 Madonna
>
>
>
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
>
Date: 5/20/26 10:48 am From: Wes Blauvelt <ravenbarnconsulting...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] pair of Merlins in Trumansburg
Geo & Jared - I stopped by South Strret this morning. The nest is in a
large White Pine tree in front of 12 South Street. One bird flew to the
nest while I was there and later flew to a perch in an adjacent Walnut
tree. I’ve attached a photo of the nest. Wes
On Sun, May 17, 2026 at 3:08 PM Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
> Thanks, Jared!
>
> Your sighting of a pair at 8 South Street is very interesting. That’s
> about half a mile from the Merlin nest out by the Trumansburg High School.
> I had a look at that nest just yesterday afternoon around 3:30, and the
> female was quietly incubating. It’s a big sturdy-looking nest, deep enough
> that she’s often invisible up there, but I watched her stand up, turn
> around and settle right back down again. I doubt she and her mate would
> have been loitering the previous day in a walnut tree half a mile distant.
> And I would love to think that your birds might be the pair that has gone
> missing from Trumansburg's northside, where they nested for quite a few
> years around Congress Street, Washington Street etc.
>
> -Geo
>
>
> On May 17, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> wrote:
>
>
>
> On Friday 15 May at 8 South St across from the Methodist church parking
> lot, there were two perched Merlins, a male and a female, in a large black
> walnut tree. This was after hearing and observing them flying in and around
> a hemlock behind the church. Geo Kloppel earlier reported a nest on the
> school property to the SE but I wonder if this were the same couple
> nesting, would not one be on or around the nest and not so distant from it?
> I had to move on after 15 minutes of watching the pair rather separate in
> this tree preening and quietly perched. I will try and get back to the area
> to watch for a possible new nest site.
> Cheers, Jared Dawson
> Trumansburg
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/20/26 10:04 am From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles no longer attracted to the grape jelly
I have 2 jelly + orange dishes hung out.
I have had Orioles off & on up till 2 days ago. My experience at Kendal in Cayuga Hts. (4 years) has been that they come a lot initially, then find other foods elsewhere.
At my more woodsie , former lakeside home on Lansing Station Rd I had lots of both B & Orchard Orioles at the jelly/ orange feeders for awhile, then they would slack off.
Here I have seen at least 1 charming catbird eating jelly for several days & it “meows” while it is eating!!
Of course I am not watching all the time , so don’t know who comes when I’m not watching.
In addition, I have seen chickadees & B. Orioles trying to get sugar water from the hummingbird feeder here, which has round bee guards in each plastic flower.
So they seem to fail to get a drink.
At Lansing there were feisty B. Orioles that broke & ripped out the bee guards, so they could get the nectar from the little tubes in the plastic flower!
Whoever thinks birds are not smart hasn’t been watching!
That bee guard destruction has not happened with same kind of H bird feeder here at Kendal (yet)!
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
On May 20, 2026, at 12:12 PM, Evelyn Weinstein <myisland3...> wrote:
I think that's true, what Karen says. I also am seeing lots of other species on the grape jelly - Catbirds, and even, oddly,
the occasional Red Bellied Woodpecker! That surprised me.
Happy spring!
Evie
On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...><mailto:<karen.edelstein...>> wrote:
As the weather ×arms up, they may be finding more nutritious and protein-rich insect food.
On Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:25 AM Jeanne Sullivan (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...><mailto:<CAYUGABIRDS-L...>> wrote:
I am in Interlaken, and I have tons of Orioles in the morning. I will pay attention as to whether the crowds diminish.
Jeanne
Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so what changed?
Date: 5/20/26 9:42 am From: Robyn Bailey <rb644...> Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Are owl nest boxes helpful?
I have 3 screech-owl boxes on my Lansing property, all with cameras in them. All have been used, and for 4 years since installing them, we have been able to watch the owls raise their young. It's been a delight!
We are using a Blink camera, but there are others you could use. It's not necessary to have a camera, but without it you would get many times fewer the observations, as they probably only perch in the hole 5% of the time. And it will help you keep an eye out for other visitors, like squirrels, or starlings if you're in a more open area.
Even if you don't get an owl, you could end up with something interesting, like a Wood Duck, or in my case, gray squirrels (hilarious to watch and the babies are adorable).
10/10 recommend
Robyn Bailey
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> On Behalf Of Tony Henderson
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 12:21 PM
To: <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Are owl nest boxes helpful?
I'm thinking of putting up a screen owl box in some nearby woods.
Date: 5/20/26 9:12 am From: Evelyn Weinstein <myisland3...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles no longer attracted to the grape jelly
I think that's true, what Karen says. I also am seeing lots of other
species on the grape jelly - Catbirds, and even, oddly,
the occasional Red Bellied Woodpecker! That surprised me.
Happy spring!
Evie
On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 11:30 AM Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...>
wrote:
> As the weather ×arms up, they may be finding more nutritious and
> protein-rich insect food.
>
> On Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:25 AM Jeanne Sullivan (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>> I am in Interlaken, and I have tons of Orioles in the morning. I will
>> pay attention as to whether the crowds diminish.
>> Jeanne
>>
>> On May 20, 2026, at 10:51 AM, madonna stallmann <
>> <madonnaoftheprairie...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi folks!
>>
>> Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few
>> days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first
>> year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of
>> interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This
>> week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so
>> what changed?
>>
>> 💐 Madonna
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/20/26 8:30 am From: Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles no longer attracted to the grape jelly
As the weather ×arms up, they may be finding more nutritious and
protein-rich insect food.
On Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:25 AM Jeanne Sullivan (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
<CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
> I am in Interlaken, and I have tons of Orioles in the morning. I will pay
> attention as to whether the crowds diminish.
> Jeanne
>
> On May 20, 2026, at 10:51 AM, madonna stallmann <
> <madonnaoftheprairie...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi folks!
>
> Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few
> days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first
> year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of
> interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This
> week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so
> what changed?
>
> 💐 Madonna
>
>
>
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 5/20/26 8:24 am From: Jeanne Sullivan (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles no longer attracted to the grape jelly
I am in Interlaken, and I have tons of Orioles in the morning. I will pay attention as to whether the crowds diminish.Jeanne
On May 20, 2026, at 10:51 AM, madonna stallmann <madonnaoftheprairie...> wrote:
Hi folks! Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so what changed? 💐 Madonna
Date: 5/20/26 7:51 am From: madonna stallmann <madonnaoftheprairie...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles no longer attracted to the grape jelly
Hi folks!
Is the grape jelly just a sugar fix for the orioles upon their first few
days of return to their breeding grounds? I ask because this is my first
year of providing grape jelly and I'm puzzled by the sudden lack of
interest. Last week I had several males and 2 females all over it. This
week it's being completely ignored. The birds are still in the area, so
what changed?
Date: 5/19/26 10:25 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Lighthouse Point Woods habitat improvement
Hi All,
We will have another Thursday after work event at Lighthouse Point Woods this week (May 21st) from 6:30pm to 8pm.
Last week, we got a fence up around plots L9, L10, K9, and K10. That gives us 4 fenced plots in which to plant the native herbaceous plants and shrubs we've been holding down there since last fall.
Main plan is to plant the herbaceous plants more or less in single-species clumps closest to the trail (e.g, plots L9 and L10), and do the same thing with the woody shrubs a little farther back (K9 and K10). We'll put a single labeled flag in for each species clump so we know what we planted.
We want to get these things we've held over winter in the ground while it is quite wet. Given the forecast for the next week or ten days, these plants should get pretty well established before the dryness of summer arrives.
Whatever we cannot get planted on Thursday will spill over to Friday afternoon starting about 2pm.
For those of you who are having privet withdrawal (the emotional kind), we also can continue to cut privet out of the net lanes ahead of starting our banding operation in June.
Thanks, and let me know if you are able to help out (or have questions). Jody
Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940
Date: 5/18/26 7:32 am From: Christopher Sperry <csperry...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black Vulture near Freeville
We are having a regular Black Vulture fly over and one in our yard last week (first time ever) on Kline road in the city of Ithaca.
Chris
Get Outlook for Mac <https://aka.ms/GetOutlookForMac> From: Tim Gallagher <twg3...>
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 5:42 PM
To: <anneb.clark...> <anneb.clark...>
Cc: Kenneth V. Rosenberg <kvr2...>; <Cayugabirds-L...> <Cayugabirds-L...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black Vulture near Freeville
I took a short video of two Black Vultures with my iPhone last year at the end of May. They were feeding on a dead skunk on Johnson Road at the other end of Freeville. I think I posted it on the Cayuga Bird Club Facebook page. I suspect they’re nesting near Freeville, possibly near Fall Creek Farm, where Ken saw one.
Date: 5/18/26 5:21 am From: Tom Vawter <atvawter...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Orioles
We’ve had male Baltimore Orioles at the hummingbird feeder for about a
week, and two females showed up. Both sexes have been actively feeding on
the hummingbird feeder and the grape jelly and orange halves we put out.
Date: 5/17/26 2:42 pm From: Tim Gallagher <twg3...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black Vulture near Freeville
I took a short video of two Black Vultures with my iPhone last year at the end of May. They were feeding on a dead skunk on Johnson Road at the other end of Freeville. I think I posted it on the Cayuga Bird Club Facebook page. I suspect they’re nesting near Freeville, possibly near Fall Creek Farm, where Ken saw one.
> On May 17, 2026, at 4:58 PM, <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
> Ha. I had the first I’d seen here, about 2 years ago, over Red mill rd. That’s very close also. Just one obs tho.
>
> Anne
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 16, 2026, at 9:27 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg <kvr2...> wrote:
>>
>> Last year I saw one fly out of the Silo at Fall creek Farm just north of there, so keep an eye out for breeding activity.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>>> On May 16, 2026, at 5:03 PM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...> wrote:
>>>
>>> I saw a Black Vulture soaring above Fall Creek Road about a mile past Freeville this afternoon. First one I’ve seen there so far this spring.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>>> Archives:
>>> The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html >>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
>>> --
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html >> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
Date: 5/17/26 1:59 pm From: <anneb.clark...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black Vulture near Freeville
Ha. I had the first I’d seen here, about 2 years ago, over Red mill rd. That’s very close also. Just one obs tho.
Anne
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 16, 2026, at 9:27 PM, Kenneth V. Rosenberg <kvr2...> wrote:
>
> Last year I saw one fly out of the Silo at Fall creek Farm just north of there, so keep an eye out for breeding activity.
>
> Ken
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 16, 2026, at 5:03 PM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...> wrote:
>>
>> I saw a Black Vulture soaring above Fall Creek Road about a mile past Freeville this afternoon. First one I’ve seen there so far this spring.
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html >> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
> --
Date: 5/17/26 12:07 pm From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] pair of Merlins in Trumansburg
Thanks, Jared! Your sighting of a pair at 8 South Street is very interesting. That’s about half a mile from the Merlin nest out by the Trumansburg High School. I had a look at that nest just yesterday afternoon around 3:30, and the female was quietly incubating. It’s a big sturdy-looking nest, deep enough that she’s often invisible up there, but I watched her stand up, turn around and settle right back down again. I doubt she and her mate would have been loitering the previous day in a walnut tree half a mile distant. And I would love to think that your birds might be the pair that has gone missing from Trumansburg's northside, where they nested for quite a few years around Congress Street, Washington Street etc. -Geo
On May 17, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> wrote:
On Friday 15 May at 8 South St across from the Methodist church parking lot, there were two perched Merlins, a male and a female, in a large black walnut tree. This was after hearing and observing them flying in and around a hemlock behind the church. Geo Kloppel earlier reported a nest on the school property to the SE but I wonder if this were the same couple nesting, would not one be on or around the nest and not so distant from it? I had to move on after 15 minutes of watching the pair rather separate in this tree preening and quietly perched. I will try and get back to the area to watch for a possible new nest site.Cheers, Jared DawsonTrumansburg-- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
Date: 5/17/26 10:41 am From: Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] pair of Merlins in Trumansburg
On Friday 15 May at 8 South St across from the Methodist church parking lot, there were two perched Merlins, a male and a female, in a large black walnut tree. This was after hearing and observing them flying in and around a hemlock behind the church. Geo Kloppel earlier reported a nest on the school property to the SE but I wonder if this were the same couple nesting, would not one be on or around the nest and not so distant from it? I had to move on after 15 minutes of watching the pair rather separate in this tree preening and quietly perched. I will try and get back to the area to watch for a possible new nest site. Cheers, Jared Dawson Trumansburg
Date: 5/16/26 6:27 pm From: Kenneth V. Rosenberg <kvr2...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Black Vulture near Freeville
Last year I saw one fly out of the Silo at Fall creek Farm just north of there, so keep an eye out for breeding activity.
Ken
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 16, 2026, at 5:03 PM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...> wrote:
>
> I saw a Black Vulture soaring above Fall Creek Road about a mile past Freeville this afternoon. First one I’ve seen there so far this spring.
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html > Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org.
> --
Date: 5/14/26 3:41 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] May 14 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
An overcast misty morning can be just the thing for seeing lots of birds "pop" out so we can appreciate their beauty and ways of being. Today's Thursday Birding Meetup was just that kind of day at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve. Thirty of us gathered (a record number!) to explore the diverse settings within this beautiful preserve showing off its spring green best, surrounding us with birdsong. We started out with a prairie warbler and common yellowthroat before we even left the parking lot! A good omen! We ended up seeing 47 species including 9 warbler species, 3 kinds of vireos, twitterpated bluebirds and Great Blue Herons nesting. Some of us stopped at the wetland next to the West Danby Fire Dept. to see more Great Blue Herons including 5 on nests. Thanks for the ebird, Tracy McLellan. Several of us gathered at the Morning Moon Cafe in Newfield (next to the covered bridge!) for some breakfast goodies and conversation. Today we bid farewell to Wang Chuwen, a new birder this year who we have all enjoyed getting to know, appreciating his enthusiasm for the wonders of our area. We wish him well in London!
*Want to join us next week?* We're trying out a new birding spot on May 21, up on Mount Pleasant! Gather with us at *7:00 am* at Swan's Cycles to explore some land protected by the Finger Lakes Land Trust and other nearby property. Hoping for bobolinks and much more in this diverse habitat! Directions from Ithaca: Take Dryden Road (Route 366) east of town. Turn right on Mt. Pleasant Road in Varna. Keep going straight as you pass Turkey Hill Road. Then, in 0.7 miles, turn left at the mailbox marked "SWAN 226" beneath some power lines. Drive past the pond and park on gravel (not on the wet grass) between the house and the barn. Overflow parking is on Mt Pleasant Road (with a 0.25 mile walk to the property.)
This listserv will not support photographs to be shared. We have many lovely shots from today's meetup published on the Cayuga Bird Club Facebook page. Check it out!
Shelley Page *she/they/ki*
313-550-1437 261 Coddington Road Apt. B Ithaca, New York 14850
https://uuma.zoom.us/j/2065380867 "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change." Octavia Butler, The Parable of the Sower
Date: 5/14/26 11:42 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Bird Habitat Improvement this evening at Lighthouse Point
Hello all birders,
Just a follow-up message to my invitation for folks to join us on our
habitat improvement project at Lighthouse Point Woods this evening from
6:30m to 8pm.
Please expect muddy conditions. It is much, much drier than it was a
couple weeks ago, but it will still be muddy in some places.
Also, please bring a pair of work gloves if you have them.
Park of our task will involve identifying, counting a labeling native
plants inside one of our fenced holding areas. For that task in particular,
we could use a few extra clip boards, a pad of paper, and writing
instruments (pens or pencils). I have plastic flags we can use
to mark/label various species, but we could use a few sharpies to write on
the flags.Oh, and if you have some loppers, you might want to bring those.
Also, please feel free to bring your binoculars. It was fairly birdy this
morning.
Thanks
Jody
Jody W. Enck, PhD
Conservation Social Scientist, and
Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
607-379-5940
On Thu, May 14, 2026 at 8:04 AM Jody Enck <jodyenck...> wrote:
> Just a reminder, the Cayuga Bird Club will be working on our habitat
> improvement project from 6:30pm to 8pm this evening.
> Main tasks will be putting up some fencing and inventorying and labeling
> native plants that we will be planting soon (not tonight).
>
> Best place to park is at the Newman Golf Course and walk back the dirt
> access road through the yellow gate. However, I will have the gate
> unlocked and open so we can drive back to the site. There is limited
> parking back at the site. Just watch out for golfers teeing off for hole
> #9.
>
> Thanks
> Jody
>
>
>
>
> Jody W. Enck, PhD
> Conservation Social Scientist, and
> Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network
> 607-379-5940
>
Date: 5/14/26 9:56 am From: Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga bird club field trip Sunday May 17 canceled to Teeter Pond
Unfortunately I need to *cancel *the scheduled May 17 walk to Teeter Pond in the Finger Lakes National Forest. This morning I went to scout and the access road to the pond and Horton Meadow is closed due to the mud. Luckily there is a club walk scheduled for 7 am Saturday at Greensprings and Arnot Forest which is a better bet for greater numbers of Bobolinks. And a much greater diversity of warblers. Join us! Good birding! Jared Dawson
Date: 5/14/26 9:06 am From: Regi Teasley <rltcayuga...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Pair of Common Yellowthroats
We were please to see both male and female Common Yellowthroats foraging on the Ninebark and other shrubs in the yard. Gardening for birds is rewarding.
Regi
West Hill in the city
___________
Protect what is left, recover what is lost of the fair earth.
William Morris, “Art and the Beauty of the Earth.” 1881
Date: 5/14/26 5:04 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bird Habitat Improvement this evening at Lighthouse Point
Just a reminder, the Cayuga Bird Club will be working on our habitat improvement project from 6:30pm to 8pm this evening. Main tasks will be putting up some fencing and inventorying and labeling native plants that we will be planting soon (not tonight).
Best place to park is at the Newman Golf Course and walk back the dirt access road through the yellow gate. However, I will have the gate unlocked and open so we can drive back to the site. There is limited parking back at the site. Just watch out for golfers teeing off for hole #9.
Thanks Jody
Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940
