Date: 1/15/26 2:02 pm From: AB Clark <anneb.clark...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] [External Email] UNAs threatened
HI Bob et al.
Glad you found these and I apologize for not answering yesterday. I was in
fact en route back from Seattle, much of the time in the air or
skibbling to the next plane.
Just to answer a few other questions--yes, FLT is very aware and was
working with the county EMC to identify how the plans were impacting known
UNAs--the Trillium Woods itself and the Freeville Fir Swamp. In fact, the
plans do include a donation of part of the swamp area to the Wetland Trust,
which holds the areas of swamp N of the road as well as contiguous swamp on
the S (same) side. But they leave portions of the UNA designated area and
its buffer.
One of our CB members has talked with the developers themselves and it
appears that they simply were not aware of the UNA designations. This might
be come a pre-meeting...we will see. In any case, I wanted to contact you
all as people interested in speaking about related ecological
issues--breeding birds (who are not always present--including rails,
gallinule, etc), migration stopovers, roosting areas for many species--plus
step stone links as foraging for herons, etc. Breeding bobcats, red and
gray fox in the acres East of the swamp, etc.
best,
anne
On Wed, Jan 14, 2026 at 11:40 AM bob mcguire <bmcguire...>
wrote:
> Thanks, Anne, for posting this. Here is the proposal (or set of maps, at
> least).
> https://www.townofdrydenny.gov/projects-under-review/page/172-ed-hill-road-conservation-subdivision-query >
> I look forward to commenting ops the proposal!
>
> Bob
>
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 3:28 PM, AB Clark <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> To all local birders,
>
> The article attached below is worth noting and turning out to the Jan 22
> meeting for if you value the Hile School Road Wetland, of which the
> Freeville Fir Swamp UNA is part. There are many other potential impacts of
> this proposed development. I am speaking to you all as a concerned nearby
> resident of the property, but the impacts on Dryden Township and the county
> go beyond this.
>
> Happy to answer more questions insofar as I can,
>
> Anne
>
> Anne B. Clark, Ph.D.
> Biological Sciences, Emeritus
> Binghamton University
> Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
> (607) 222-0905 (cell)
> (607) 777-2438 (Biol Sci office)
> *Power concedes nothing without a demand. *
> *It never did and it never will.* Frederick Douglass
>
>
>
>
> This from the Jan 11 issue, Tompkins Green Scene:
>
> *Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas in Dryden Threatened by
> Potential Development*
>
> Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas (UNA) would be threatened by
> a proposed residential subdivision development that seeks to carve up all
> of the Trillium Woods (UNA-73) and a large portion of the Freeville Fir
> Tree Swamp (UNA-74) into units for sale. Trillium Woods contains one of the
> densest collections of breathtakingly beautiful spring wildflowers in the
> County. The Freeville Fir Tree Swamp is an extensive wetland environment,
> and the only one of its type in the County, that supports mammoth hemlock
> trees and species that can only be found elsewhere hundreds of miles north
> of Ithaca. It also includes a population of the rare and endangered
> globeflower.
>
> The county’s Environmental Management Council’s designation of a land
> parcel as a Unique Natural Area does not in itself convey any legal
> protections. It provides a planning tool so that landowners
> and municipalities will be made aware of the special, sometimes
> irreplaceable, qualities of these areas so that they will be protected and
> any disruption of them can be avoided before approval for land development
> is granted.
>
> In this case, it will be up to the Dryden Planning Board to require these
> areas be protected as part of the development plan. The Dryden Planning
> Board’s next meeting is Thursday, January 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in
> the Town Public Meeting Room, 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, or via
> Hybrid tools, and the current owner’s development proposal is expected to
> be formally introduced at that meeting.
>
> For the Planning Board to resolve to defend the UNAs, it is
> vitally important that the public let the Board know how important
> protecting these sites is to them, by attending the Board meeting and/or
> sending letters. Together we can make the Board aware that protecting these
> rare, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and special places is the only
> correct decision.
>
> --
>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu <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.
>
> --
>
>
>
--
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--
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 3:28 PM, AB Clark <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> To all local birders,
>
> The article attached below is worth noting and turning out to the Jan 22 meeting for if you value the Hile School Road Wetland, of which the Freeville Fir Swamp UNA is part. There are many other potential impacts of this proposed development. I am speaking to you all as a concerned nearby resident of the property, but the impacts on Dryden Township and the county go beyond this.
>
> Happy to answer more questions insofar as I can,
>
> Anne
>
> Anne B. Clark, Ph.D.
> Biological Sciences, Emeritus
> Binghamton University
> Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
> (607) 222-0905 (cell)
> (607) 777-2438 (Biol Sci office)
> Power concedes nothing without a demand.
> It never did and it never will. Frederick Douglass
>
>
>
>
> This from the Jan 11 issue, Tompkins Green Scene:
>
> Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas in Dryden Threatened by Potential Development
>
> Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas (UNA) would be threatened by a proposed residential subdivision development that seeks to carve up all of the Trillium Woods (UNA-73) and a large portion of the Freeville Fir Tree Swamp (UNA-74) into units for sale. Trillium Woods contains one of the densest collections of breathtakingly beautiful spring wildflowers in the County. The Freeville Fir Tree Swamp is an extensive wetland environment, and the only one of its type in the County, that supports mammoth hemlock trees and species that can only be found elsewhere hundreds of miles north of Ithaca. It also includes a population of the rare and endangered globeflower.
>
> The county’s Environmental Management Council’s designation of a land parcel as a Unique Natural Area does not in itself convey any legal protections. It provides a planning tool so that landowners and municipalities will be made aware of the special, sometimes irreplaceable, qualities of these areas so that they will be protected and any disruption of them can be avoided before approval for land development is granted.
>
> In this case, it will be up to the Dryden Planning Board to require these areas be protected as part of the development plan. The Dryden Planning Board’s next meeting is Thursday, January 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in the Town Public Meeting Room, 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, or via Hybrid tools, and the current owner’s development proposal is expected to be formally introduced at that meeting.
>
> For the Planning Board to resolve to defend the UNAs, it is vitally important that the public let the Board know how important protecting these sites is to them, by attending the Board meeting and/or sending letters. Together we can make the Board aware that protecting these rare, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and special places is the only correct decision.
> --
>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu <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: 1/13/26 1:18 pm From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Winter World Walks Continue
"Each step that we make in the more intimate knowledge of Nature leads us to the entrance of new labyrinths." - Alexander von Humboldt
Days are short and sunlight is less intense. What's to blame? Why have so many trees and shrubs lost their leaves? Can creatures other than mammals hibernate? Why can some birds spend the winter with us while others are forced to leave? And where have all the reptiles, amphibians and insects gone? Where in the dead of winter can I find a reliable promise of spring? And where can I find an even more reliable promise in the evening sky? Come join us as we seek to experience some of the marvels of this harsh and beautiful season. Walks are free and begin at 10am at the Montezuma Refuge Visitor Center. No signups necessary. No pets please. Walk Dates are: 1/4, 1/11 & 1/24. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer -- 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: 1/13/26 12:28 pm From: AB Clark <anneb.clark...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: [External Email] UNAs threatened
To all local birders,
The article attached below is worth noting and turning out to the Jan 22
meeting for if you value the Hile School Road Wetland, of which the
Freeville Fir Swamp UNA is part. There are many other potential impacts of
this proposed development. I am speaking to you all as a concerned nearby
resident of the property, but the impacts on Dryden Township and the county
go beyond this.
Happy to answer more questions insofar as I can,
Anne
Anne B. Clark, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences, Emeritus
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
(607) 222-0905 (cell)
(607) 777-2438 (Biol Sci office)
*Power concedes nothing without a demand. *
*It never did and it never will.* Frederick Douglass
This from the Jan 11 issue, Tompkins Green Scene:
*Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas in Dryden Threatened by
Potential Development*
Two of Tompkins County’s Unique Natural Areas (UNA) would be threatened by
a proposed residential subdivision development that seeks to carve up all
of the Trillium Woods (UNA-73) and a large portion of the Freeville Fir
Tree Swamp (UNA-74) into units for sale. Trillium Woods contains one of the
densest collections of breathtakingly beautiful spring wildflowers in the
County. The Freeville Fir Tree Swamp is an extensive wetland environment,
and the only one of its type in the County, that supports mammoth hemlock
trees and species that can only be found elsewhere hundreds of miles north
of Ithaca. It also includes a population of the rare and endangered
globeflower.
The county’s Environmental Management Council’s designation of a land
parcel as a Unique Natural Area does not in itself convey any legal
protections. It provides a planning tool so that landowners
and municipalities will be made aware of the special, sometimes
irreplaceable, qualities of these areas so that they will be protected and
any disruption of them can be avoided before approval for land development
is granted.
In this case, it will be up to the Dryden Planning Board to require these
areas be protected as part of the development plan. The Dryden Planning
Board’s next meeting is Thursday, January 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, in
the Town Public Meeting Room, 93 East Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053, or via
Hybrid tools, and the current owner’s development proposal is expected to
be formally introduced at that meeting.
For the Planning Board to resolve to defend the UNAs, it is
vitally important that the public let the Board know how important
protecting these sites is to them, by attending the Board meeting and/or
sending letters. Together we can make the Board aware that protecting these
rare, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, and special places is the only
correct decision.
--
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: 1/10/26 2:09 pm From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <cth4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: PLEASE READ — eList Changes
Hi Everyone,
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Date: 1/10/26 7:11 am From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <cth4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: Patience Please
Hi Everyone,
In short: I’m working on this today. Please be patient. This will get fixed. Questions: <cth4...><mailto:<cth4...>.
Since the Cornell-mandated migration to the new SimpleLists server hosting Cayugabirds-L, there have been several unexpected changes that will take some time to fix.
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Both of these settings got switched to receive “All Mail” as a result of the migration.
Here are my triage tasks for today.
I have accessed the original list of subscribers and have them sorted by type of subscription.
I will be manually removing all subscribers who had their emails set to “No Mail,” since many of you no longer have access to these old email accounts and are still receiving forwarded messages from those email accounts, or these were subscribed cell phone text message accounts.
If you wish to resubscribe those email addresses at any time, you can visit http://LISTS.cornell.edu and follow the instructions to subscribe to Cayugabirds-L again.
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Please send questions to me directly at <cth4...> (cth4_AT_cornell.edu) and not the entire list.
Thanks and good birding!
Sincerely,
Chris T-H
Greetings
Date: January 5, 2026 at 09:34:33 EST
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: PLEASE READ — eList Migration
Greetings fellow birders and Happy New Year!
Cornell University eList List Manager is making major changes to their eList platform.
This eList and all Cornell University eLists will migrate away from Lyris List Manager to a new platform called Simplelists.
This eList (Cayugabirds-L) will migrate to Simplelists on or about January 6, 2026.
Once this action takes place, any new email messages you wish to send out for distribution to current subscribers will need to be sent to the new email address below:
You can also query which Simplelists eLists you are currently subscribed to by entering your email address in the “My Lists” section at the https://lists.cornell.edu/ website. After following the link provided in the resulting email message that you receive, you will be able to Pause Delivery and Unsubscribe from an eList.
Digest does not appear to be a function that is supported in Simplelists.
Many have noted a marked reduction in email chatter on this and other birding eLists. Much of the email-based birding reporting across New York State migrated away from email and other localized chat groups to the New York Birding Discord Server in January of 2024. On the new Discord Server for New York Birding, there are various regional channels for reporting and discussing bird sightings, sharing photos, links, etc.
Details on joining the New York Birding Discord Server are at this link:
> On Jan 9, 2026, at 8:11 PM, Colleen Richards <clr82...> wrote:
>
> A reminder that the Cayuga Bird Club's January meeting, "Share Your Photo Night" hosted by Kevin McGowan will be held at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm.
>
>
> Come enjoy as Club members share their photos. Although submission is limited to club members, the meeting is open to all!
>
> Doors open at 6:45pm for social time before the reading of the basin bird list at 7:20. Club business begins at 7:30pm, followed by the speaker's presentation starting around 8:00pm and ending by 9:00pm.
>
> We also have a last-minute invitation to a speaker dinner with Kevin McGowan at the Ithaca Ale House on Monday, January 12 at 5:30 pm. Please be aware that there is only on-street parking. We need to make reservations by Sunday, Jan. 11 so rsvp to <clr82...> by noon on the 11th.
>
> Colleen Richards
> On Jan 9, 2026, at 8:11 PM, Colleen Richards <clr82...> wrote:
>
> A reminder that the Cayuga Bird Club's January meeting, "Share Your Photo Night" hosted by Kevin McGowan will be held at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm.
>
>
> Come enjoy as Club members share their photos. Although submission is limited to club members, the meeting is open to all!
>
> Doors open at 6:45pm for social time before the reading of the basin bird list at 7:20. Club business begins at 7:30pm, followed by the speaker's presentation starting around 8:00pm and ending by 9:00pm.
>
> We also have a last-minute invitation to a speaker dinner with Kevin McGowan at the Ithaca Ale House on Monday, January 12 at 5:30 pm. Please be aware that there is only on-street parking. We need to make reservations by Sunday, Jan. 11 so rsvp to <clr82...> by noon on the 11th.
>
> Colleen Richards
A reminder that the Cayuga Bird Club's January meeting, "Share Your Photo Night" hosted by Kevin McGowan will be held at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on Monday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm.
Come enjoy as Club members share their photos. Although submission is limited to club members, the meeting is open to all!
Doors open at 6:45pm for social time before the reading of the basin bird list at 7:20. Club business begins at 7:30pm, followed by the speaker's presentation starting around 8:00pm and ending by 9:00pm.
We also have a last-minute invitation to a speaker dinner with Kevin McGowan at the Ithaca Ale House on Monday, January 12 at 5:30 pm. Please be aware that there is only on-street parking. We need to make reservations by Sunday, Jan. 11 so rsvp to <clr82...> by noon on the 11th.
Date: 1/8/26 4:41 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Jan 8 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Jan 15 Plans
Our first of the year Thursday Birding Meetup along the lower section of the Black Diamond Trail today brought out 21 eager birders. The warming temperatures, promises of blue sky and New Year's good energy infused our flock as we searched for some warblers that were reported from the Christmas Bird Count. Indeed, we joyfully encountered six yellow-rumped warblers along with other songbirds enjoying breakfast rosehips and privet berries. Woodpeckers were out in force--all the usuals minus sapsuckers. We had flyovers of a mallard, Canada geese, pigeons and starlings. But the highlight was the drama of a redtailed hawk flying and roosting briefly with its breakfast--a squirrel , followed by two redtails having a little drama together and one flying right over us letting loose with its signature call. All in all, a great start to our birding year with many "first of year" sightings. Fifteen of us enjoyed the generous and creative breakfasts at Mix. Want to join us next week? All birders are warmly welcome to bird with us. We gather at 7:30 am, bird until around 9:00 and then go out for breakfast. Those who need to head to work, class or other things can bird for a while and then leave whenever works for you. Jan 15 Plans: We head to a new place for our birding forays--Marian Hartill Park on Northwoods Dr. in Ithaca. From Ithaca, take Route 13 up past Triphammer Road. Turn left on Warren Road, then another left to Northwoods Drive. 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
This morning I not only saw a red fox running around our property, but I also caught a whiff of "fox" in the air (skunky, musky scent of their marking). That is one of the earliest signs of the changing seasons in my opinion- breeding season is underway! While I was watching the fox run through the field, I also heard a single Tufted Titmouse singing "peter-peter-peter", a very welcome sound. With the mild temperatures today, it definitely feels like spring is around the corner! Unfortunately it looks like temps will be back in the 20's and teens next week.
"The months of the year, from January up to June, are a geometric progression in the abundance of distractions. In January one may follow a skunk track, or search for bands on the chickadees, or see what young pines the deer have browsed, or what muskrat houses the mink have dug, with only an occasional and mild digression into other doings January observation can be almost as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold. There is time not only to see who has done what, but to speculate why."
Date: 1/8/26 10:46 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] EARLY signs of spring
And I found skunk cabbage up and growing in mid December!!!
See photo attached.
Pete Saracino
On Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 9:45 AM Alyssa Johnson <
<thebarehandednaturalist...> wrote:
> Good morning!
>
> This morning I not only saw a red fox running around our property, but I
> also caught a whiff of "fox" in the air (skunky, musky scent of their
> marking). That is one of the earliest signs of the changing seasons in my
> opinion- breeding season is underway! While I was watching the fox run
> through the field, I also heard a single Tufted Titmouse singing
> "peter-peter-peter", a very welcome sound. With the mild temperatures
> today, it definitely feels like spring is around the corner! Unfortunately
> it looks like temps will be back in the 20's and teens next week.
>
> I'll leave you all with this excerpt from A Sand County Almanac
> <https://www.thetedkarchive.com/library/aldo-leopold-a-sand-county-almanac#toc7>,
> Part I "January Thaw":
>
> "T*he months of the year, from January up to June, are a geometric
> progression in the abundance of distractions. In January one may follow a
> skunk track, or search for bands on the chickadees, or see what young pines
> the deer have browsed, or what muskrat houses the mink have dug, with only
> an occasional and mild digression into other doings January observation can
> be almost as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold.
> There is time not only to see who has done what, but to speculate why.*"
>
> Have a wonderful day,
>
> Alyssa Johnson
> Searsburg, Trumansburg
>
Date: 1/8/26 9:16 am From: Sarah Katherine Wagner <skw67...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cornell Lab of Ornithology Volunteers Needed
Hello Cayuga Bird Club,
We have a few updates, including upcoming trainings and volunteer opportunities, that I wanted to share with everyone!
• Our group visits page<https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/visit/group-visits/> went live just before Cornell’s winter break. It includes descriptions for each of our guided tours and information on how to book. I suspect these will pick up as school comes back in session and we share the info more widely, but for now it’s a slower roll-out of tours. As they’re booked, we’ll share signups with trained volunteers.
• Our training series for drop-in activities (formerly Exploration Stations) will take place on 2/21, 2/28, and 3/7 from 10:00-12:00. If you’re interested in helping to lead these shorter activities at the Visitor Center, please complete this form<https://forms.gle/UpnYdh37Sesy2rEL8>. If you attended the fall training on leading tours, you’re welcome to skip the first training session (2/21), but otherwise please note that attending all three sessions is required.
• We’ve started working on our Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!) trips for the spring. If you’re not familiar with the program, the Lab welcomes almost every 5th grader in the county, and volunteers are a huge part of helping them explore birds and nature. Please see the note from Sarah below with more dates and details!
• This year we’ll be consolidating our Volunteer Appreciation events in an effort to get more of us together at once. Rather than holding separate events in January and June for folks that help with separate programs, we’ll be hosting something during National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19-25). I’ll share more details as that approaches.
Please reach out with any questions! If you’re no longer available/ interested in volunteering and would like to be removed from this list, just let me know.
Best,
Peter
Hello all,
We have started planning for Kids Discover the Trail! (KDT!). Our field trips have been a huge hit, thanks in large part to many of you! For those of you who have volunteered in the past I hope you will join us again. If you are interested in joining the KDT! ranks please let me know!
What is required of KDT volunteers?
• January: Please confirm if you plan to volunteer this year.
• February-March: Sign volunteer forms, undergo a background check (for working with minors), get assigned a Cornell NetID, take a short online CU Learn course.
• April: Attend volunteer training and sign up for program dates.
o Attend 3 Monday morning training sessions in April (4/6, 4/13/, 4/20) for a couple of hours. If you attended the first day of the Tours Training, you can skip the first session.
o Practice biodiversity walk and afternoon rotations and shadow peer walks on Monday, 4/27.
• May: Help run programs! We expect ~20 program dates between May 4 – June 6 (exact dates TBA). Volunteer shifts are 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, for as many programs as you choose to sign up for, although we do request a minimum of 5 sign ups. New volunteers shadow / assist for their first two programs.
If you know of other people who might like to volunteer, please feel free to pass this on! As always, your help is what makes these programs possible. Please reach out with any questions or concerns – and most importantly, please let me (<skw67...><mailto:<skw67...>) know if you can volunteer this year no later than February 3.
Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you,
Date: 1/8/26 6:44 am From: Alyssa Johnson <thebarehandednaturalist...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] EARLY signs of spring
Good morning!
This morning I not only saw a red fox running around our property, but I also caught a whiff of "fox" in the air (skunky, musky scent of their marking). That is one of the earliest signs of the changing seasons in my opinion- breeding season is underway! While I was watching the fox run through the field, I also heard a single Tufted Titmouse singing "peter-peter-peter", a very welcome sound. With the mild temperatures today, it definitely feels like spring is around the corner! Unfortunately it looks like temps will be back in the 20's and teens next week.
"T*he months of the year, from January up to June, are a geometric progression in the abundance of distractions. In January one may follow a skunk track, or search for bands on the chickadees, or see what young pines the deer have browsed, or what muskrat houses the mink have dug, with only an occasional and mild digression into other doings January observation can be almost as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold. There is time not only to see who has done what, but to speculate why.*"
Date: 1/5/26 7:52 am From: Tracy McLellan <trcymclellan...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Gardening for Birds program
Steve Kress will be presenting a program on gardening for Birds next
Tuesday Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave,
Ithaca. Remote option also available. See announcement below.
Native Plant Gardening: Gardening for Birds
- Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Gardening for Birds shares some of the interactions between birds and
native plants and provides ideas for improving properties of all sizes for
birds. Stephen lives with his wife Elissa on a 40-acre rural property at
the edge of Ithaca where he tests techniques for improving gardens and
landscapes for birds. This presentation is hybrid, you may attend in person
or virtually and it will be recorded with materials sent to all who
register.
Instructor's bio: Stephen Kress is a visiting fellow of the Cornell
Laboratory of Ornithology and founder of Audubon’s Project Puffin. He has a
lifelong interest in creating habitats for landbirds with a focus on native
plants that benefit birds and pollinators. He received his undergraduate
and Master’s degrees in Wildlife Management from Ohio State University and
his Ph.D. in Environmental Education from Cornell. Among his many books on
birding and backyard wildlife management, he is author of The Bird Garden.
Fee
This program is valued at $20, however, please pay what you are able.
Paying more than $20 will help others attend the class.
Register
Date: 1/5/26 6:34 am From: Chris Tessaglia-Hymes <cth4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: PLEASE READ eList Migration
Greetings fellow birders and Happy New Year! Cornell University eList List Manager is making major changes to their eList platform. This eList and all Cornell University eLists will migrate away from Lyris List Manager to a new platform called Simplelists. This eList (Cayugabirds-L) will migrate to Simplelists on or about January 6, 2026. Once this action takes place, any new email messages you wish to send out for distribution to current subscribers will need to be sent to the new email address below:
<Cayugabirds-L...>
(Please note that the word LISTS is plural with the additional S. The email address is not case-sensitive) Simplelists has minimal settings that can be changed by a Subscriber or an Admin. Settings for Subscribers are currently restricted to Subscribing (Joining) or Unsubscribing (Leaving), and those both happen through this website:
You can also query which Simplelists eLists you are currently subscribed to by entering your email address in the My Lists section at the https://lists.cornell.edu/ website. After following the link provided in the resulting email message that you receive, you will be able to Pause Delivery and Unsubscribe from an eList. Digest does not appear to be a function that is supported in Simplelists. Many have noted a marked reduction in email chatter on this and other birding eLists. Much of the email-based birding reporting across New York State migrated away from email and other localized chat groups to the New York Birding Discord Server in January of 2024. On the new Discord Server for New York Birding, there are various regional channels for reporting and discussing bird sightings, sharing photos, links, etc. Details on joining the New York Birding Discord Server are at this link:
Date: 1/4/26 10:45 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Dreaming of birds in warm places
Hi All,
Just a reminder that the Cayuga Bird Club has organized a birding trip for this coming July to mainland Ecuador (Mindo area, visiting reserves at several elevations from <1,000 feet to over 11,000 feet to increase the diversity of birds we can observe) and to the Galapagos Islands. We have several spots still open, and we need one more person to sign up to make it a guaranteed "GO". Deadline is fast approaching. Please share with your friends and neighbors. Anyone can take part (don't need to be a member of the Cayuga Bird Club).
Date: 1/4/26 9:41 am From: Suan Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: Re:[cayugabirds-l] Share your Photos Night, Monday, January 12, 2026
The share your photos night is Monday, January 12, not 13 as I previously announced. Sorry about that.
Suan
> On Dec 31, 2025, at 7:00 PM, Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> wrote:
>
> On Monday, January 13, 2026, Kevin McGowan will once again host the
> Cayuga Bird Club’s annual “Share Your Photos Night.”
>
> Cayuga Bird Club members can share a maximum of five photos during the
> 3 minutes you will have to take the stage. Send them by January 7 to
> Kevin at <kjm2...> The Subject Line on the email MUST BE “Bird
> club photo submission Jan2026.” Kevin will send an acknowledgement
> when he receives them. IF you do not get an acknowledgement, contact
> Kevin again WELL before the meeting date. Remember, you must attend
> the meeting at the Lab of Ornithology to show your photos. Don’t be
> shy! Share! The meeting will be recorded and posted online; if you
> wish to be excluded from this recording, let Kevin know as well.
>
> Although submission is limited to club members, the meeting is open to all!
>
> Doors open 6:45pm for social time; club business begins at 7:30pm,
> followed by the presentations starting around 8:00pm.
>
> Suan
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Date: 1/4/26 8:54 am From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <cth4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: PLEASE READ — eList Migration
Greetings fellow birders and Happy New Year!
Cornell University eList List Manager is making major changes to their eList platform.
This eList and all Cornell University eLists will migrate away from Lyris List Manager to a new platform called Simplelists.
This eList (Cayugabirds-L) will migrate to Simplelists on or about January 6, 2026.
Once this action takes place, any new email messages you wish to send out for distribution to current subscribers will need to be sent to the new email address below:
You can also query which Simplelists eLists you are currently subscribed to by entering your email address in the “My Lists” section at the <https://lists.cornell.edu/>https://lists.cornell.edu/ website. After following the link provided in the resulting email message that you receive, you will be able to Pause Delivery and Unsubscribe from an eList.
Digest does not appear to be a function that is supported in Simplelists.
Many have noted a marked reduction in email chatter on this and other birding eLists. Much of the email-based birding reporting across New York State migrated away from email and other localized chat groups to the New York Birding Discord Server in January of 2024. On the new Discord Server for New York Birding, there are various regional channels for reporting and discussing bird sightings, sharing photos, links, etc.
Details on joining the New York Birding Discord Server are at this link:
Date: 1/3/26 3:10 pm From: Barbara B. Eden <beb1...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bird bath heater?
I am looking for advice on the possible purchase of a heater for my outdoor bird bath. Does it make sense , or shall I just fill it with heated water on a daily basis.
Thanks for any and all tips
Best,
Barbara Eden
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Is more birding one of your goals for 2026? Let us help! Every Thursday morning, all birders are warmly invited to gather with us at 7:30 for the Thursday Birding Meetup. We bird until around 9:00 and then go out for breakfast. If your morning schedule includes work, class or other activities, bird with us just for a while and carry on with your day. We would love to have you join us either way. Watch this space, Insta, Cayuga Bird Club list serv and calendar for weekly updates about where the Thursday Birding Meetup will gather. Plans for Jan 8: Inspired by some intriguing sightings at the Christmas Bird Count on Jan 1, we will bird along the lower section of the Black Diamond Trail. Meet at the Ithaca Children's Garden parking lot. From Ithaca, go north on Rt 89 (Taughannock Boulevard), turn left on to Turtle Lane and then right into the parking lot. (The weather forecast indicates a mid-week thaw so it will not be as chilly as some of our winter outings. Come out and bird with us!) 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
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At about 3 pm on a chilly walk along Rumsey Road in Trumansburg (Schuyler County), a female Merlin flew across the field from the east and landed on the top of a utility pole right in front of me. What a thrill! She sat there for a few minutes while I admired her, then flew back to the east. Great start to my year list.
Annette Nadeau Trumansburg, NY
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Date: 12/31/25 4:01 pm From: Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Share your Photos Night, Monday, January 13, 2026
On Monday, January 13, 2026, Kevin McGowan will once again host the
Cayuga Bird Club’s annual “Share Your Photos Night.”
Cayuga Bird Club members can share a maximum of five photos during the
3 minutes you will have to take the stage. Send them by January 7 to
Kevin at <kjm2...> The Subject Line on the email MUST BE “Bird
club photo submission Jan2026.” Kevin will send an acknowledgement
when he receives them. IF you do not get an acknowledgement, contact
Kevin again WELL before the meeting date. Remember, you must attend
the meeting at the Lab of Ornithology to show your photos. Don’t be
shy! Share! The meeting will be recorded and posted online; if you
wish to be excluded from this recording, let Kevin know as well.
Although submission is limited to club members, the meeting is open to all!
Doors open 6:45pm for social time; club business begins at 7:30pm,
followed by the presentations starting around 8:00pm.
Suan
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Date: 12/31/25 6:02 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Bird Club trip to the Galapagos Islands
Happy New Year Cayuga Birders!
As you all know, the Cayuga Bird Club organizes birding trips to international destinations for several reasons. We want to connect with the birds, birders, and conservationists in these other places. We still have spots available for our trip this coming July to mainland Ecuador and to the Galapagos Islands. See the link below for more information or reach out to me. Deadline to sign-up is coming in mid January.
* the total time you spend watching,
* the species you see (or hear), and
* the maximum number of birds of each species seen at any one time.
(This is the same protocol as Project Feederwatch).
I, Donna Scott, club volunteer, will be answering calls (607-379-1694) between 4:00pm and 6:00pm to record your numbers for each species.
* * It is important that you call me between 4 & 6 PM on Jan. 1st , because I have to have time to compile all the feeder data and send it to the person who does the whole compilation of bird data for the Count.
(Please note that this is a personal phone number, to be used only to report feeder counts between 4 - 6pm on January 1, 2026).
The compilation gathering will once again feature a dish-to-pass dinner, and will be held at the Foundation of Light <https://www.thefoundationoflight.org/#find-us> on Friday, January 2, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM.
Jared Dawson will serve as the count compiler and reporter. The counts will be presented after the dinner.
Date: 12/29/25 2:19 pm From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] One date change for Winter World Refuge Walks
Sorry but the 1st Winter World Walk originally scheduled for January 3rd has been changed to the 4th due to the Eaton Birding Society's CBC taking place on the 3rd. Pete Saracino
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Date: 12/29/25 11:45 am From: Jared Dawson <jaredwdawson...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] specific areas needing bird counters on New Year's Day
Hello birders, we still are in need for more counters on our Christmas Bird Count (see https://sites.google.com/site/cbc14850/christmas-bird-count?authuser=0). Specifically the greatest needs are in the eastern part (Dryden, Hammond and Yellow Barn Hills, etc) and the northeast section (West Dryden, Peruville, and Groton Rds area). It's going to be cold! People should bring hand and toe warmers. Email me back for any other information and help getting placed at a site. Jared Dawson
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Date: 12/29/25 7:50 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] "Winter World Walks At Refuge Continue Through January
Days are shorter and sunlight is less intense. What's to blame? Why have so many trees and shrubs lost their leaves? Can creatures other than mammals hibernate? Why can some birds spend the winter with us while others are forced to leave? And where have all the reptiles, amphibians and insects gone? Where in the dead of winter can I find a reliable promise of spring? And where can I find an even more reliable promise in the evening sky? Come join us as we seek to experience some of the marvels of this harsh and beautiful season. Walks are free and begin at 10am at the Montezuma Refuge Visitor Center. No signups necessary. No pets please. Walk Dates are: 1/3, 1/11 & 1/24. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
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Date: 12/29/25 6:10 am From: Jay McGowan <jwm57...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Info
The most active community right now is on the New York State Discord
server, which includes channels for everywhere in the state, including
Central NY covering the Oneida birds region, and supports over 3000
members. See more details on how to join here:
On Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 8:03 AM Joe DeVito <joebubo...> wrote:
> Hi!
> Just moved back from the Adirondacks last fall. How do I connect with
> Oneida bird group? I don’t see emails anymore.
>
> Thanks.
> Joe
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
>
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>
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> NortheastBirding_DOT_com/CayugabirdsWELCOME_DOT_htm
> NortheastBirding_DOT_com/CayugabirdsRULES_DOT_htm
> NortheastBirding_DOT_com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave_DOT_htm
>
> ARCHIVES:
> 1) mail-archive_DOT_com/cayugabirds-l@cornell_DOT_edu/maillist_DOT_html
> 2) surfbirds_DOT_com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
> 3) aba_DOT_org/birding-news/
>
> Please submit your observations to eBird:
> ebird_DOT_org/content/ebird/
>
> --
>
>
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Date: 12/26/25 5:12 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Winter World Walk tomorrow at the Montezuma Refuge
There's a storm a brewing in the Finger Lakes with 5-8" of snow in today's forecast. If you're ready for a winter adventure join me tomorrow at the Refuge as we explore some of the marvels of the world in winter. Hope to see you there at 10 am at the Montezuma Refuge Visitor Center. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/ New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
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Date: 12/23/25 6:40 am From: Jason Luscier <luscier...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Syracuse CBC Results
The 106th Syracuse Christmas Bird Count
20 December 2025
This year’s Syracuse Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on Saturday, 20
December. A total of 19,206 individual birds representing 82 species were
recorded, both figures falling below the recent eight-year averages of
approximately 27,500 individuals and 83 species. Many observers noted that
the day felt unusually “quiet.” The most notable sighting was a Surf Scoter
at Green Lakes State Park. No warblers were observed, likely reflecting the
early onset of harsh winter conditions. Particularly low numbers were
recorded for sparrows, American Robins, and gulls.
Below is the complete list of birds detected:
*Species*
*2025*
Snow Goose
1
Canada Goose
2521
Mute Swan
43
Trumpeter Swan
24
Tundra Swan
79
Gadwall
8
Mallard
632
American Black Duck
34
Redhead
200
Ring-necked Duck
1
Greater Scaup
5
Lesser Scaup
9
Surf Scoter
1
Long-tailed Duck
1
Bufflehead
115
Common Goldeneye
29
Hooded Merganser
51
Common Merganser
1151
Red-breasted Merganser
36
Wild Turkey
81
Pied-billed Grebe
1
Horned Grebe
1
Mourning Dove
356
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
2092
American Coot
37
Ring-billed Gull
322
Herring Gull
37
Great Black-backed Gull
16
Red-throated Loon
1
Common Loon
9
Double-crested Cormorant
69
Great Blue Heron (Blue form)
8
Black Vulture
4
Turkey Vulture
44
Sharp-shinned Hawk
5
Cooper's Hawk
7
Northern Harrier
1
Bald Eagle
16
Red-tailed Hawk
43
Rough-legged Hawk
2
Eastern Screech-Owl
3
Great Horned Owl
1
Barred Owl
2
Belted Kingfisher
5
Red-bellied Woodpecker
54
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
2
Downy Woodpecker
108
Hairy Woodpecker
21
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)
30
Pileated Woodpecker
9
American Kestrel
3
Merlin
1
Blue Jay
134
American Crow
6187
Fish Crow
6
Common Raven
13
Black-capped Chickadee
262
Tufted Titmouse
64
Golden-crowned Kinglet
7
Cedar Waxwing
11
Red-breasted Nuthatch
28
White-breasted Nuthatch
89
Brown Creeper
17
Carolina Wren
23
Winter Wren
2
Northern Mockingbird
15
European Starling
2574
Eastern Bluebird
19
Hermit Thrush
1
American Robin
257
House Sparrow
289
House Finch
168
Purple Finch
2
Common Redpoll
7
American Goldfinch
331
American Tree Sparrow
61
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
225
White-throated Sparrow
100
Song Sparrow
17
Red-winged Blackbird
30
Brown-headed Cowbird
1
Northern Cardinal
193
*Jason D. Luscier, PhD*
*Pronouns: he, him, his*
Professor | Biological and Environmental Sciences
Certified Wildlife Biologist ®
Chair | Urban Wildlife Working Group of The Wildlife Society
Associate Editor | *Urban Ecosystems*
Le Moyne College
1419 Salt Springs Road
Syracuse, NY 13207
Date: 12/23/25 5:06 am From: Tracy McLellan <trcymclellan...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Christmas Bird Count January 1, 2026
The Cayuga Bird Club is organizing the upcoming Ithaca bird count, as usual to be held on New Year's Day. There are numerous areas within the count circle that can use your help. We are looking for more birders of any experience level to join us to count the species that we find through a 24-hour period. For most people the most active time is dawn into the midday.
Come out and be part of a collective citizen project 125 years old and encompassing over two thousand count circles over our hemisphere and into the Pacific. Then join us for a wrap up dish-to-pass dinner and recap at the Foundation of Light, 391 Turkey Hill Road, starting at 6:00 pm on the next day, January 2, 2026.
Jared Dawson
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Date: 12/21/25 10:41 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Winter World Walk st Montezuma Refuge on 12/27
Days are shorter and sunlight is less intense. What's to blame? Why have trees and shrubs dropped their leaves? Are mammals the only creatures that hibernate? Do some insects really construct sleeping bags to survive the winter? Where have all the reptiles and amphibians gone? And why are some birds able to stay with us through the winter while others are forced to leave? Where on Earth, in the dead of winter, can I find a reliable promise of spring? And where can I find an even more reliable promise in the evening sky? Come join us as we explore some of the marvels of the winter season. Walks are free and begin at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center at 10 am. Length of walk depends on what we encounter along the path and where we linger, but you can leave as it suits youl schedule! Binoculars, appropriate dress and sunscreen are recommended. All ages welcomed, please leave pets at home! December walks are scheduled for 12/20 & 12/27. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
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Date: 12/21/25 9:09 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Winter World Walks Continue at Montezuma Refuge 12/27/2025
Days are shorter and sunlight is less intense. What's to blame? Why have trees and shrubs dropped their leaves? Are mammals the only creatures that hibernate? Do some insects really construct sleeping bags to survive the winter? Where have all the reptiles and amphibians gone? And why are some birds able to stay with us through the winter while others are forced to leave? Where on Earth, in the dead of winter, can I find a reliable promise of spring? And where can I find an even more reliable promise in the evening sky? Come join us as we explore some of the marvels of the winter season. Walks are free and begin at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center at 10 am. Length of walk depends on what we encounter along the path and where we linger, but you can leave as it suits youl schedule! Binoculars, appropriate dress and sunscreen are recommended. All ages welcomed, please leave pets at home! December walks are scheduled for 12/20 & 12/27. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
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Date: 12/19/25 12:12 pm From: Suan Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Sunday 8am Stewart Park field trip
Hello all,
This is a reminder that I'm leading a CBC field trip this Sunday at 8am. (The newsletter erroneously listed it as Saturday, December 21 - correct date but wrong day). Weather is looking to be cold and windy, so after an initial look around I suspect we'll be driving to hog hole or elsewhere.
(If anything, Saturday morning is looking better for Stewart Park birding, so I'll probably be there Saturday morning as well :-)
Suan
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