Date: 9/13/26 6:42 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] "Transition" Interpretive Walk at the Montezuma Refuge this Saturday
"If it were mine to make the change, I think I'd let it be. But I don't remember hearing anybody asking me......" - John Denver/Seasons Suite: Fall
Come join us as we explore some of the beautiful (and bittersweet?) passages inherent in this season of transitions. And bring a friend! See poster for details.
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Questions? Contact us at 1-800-432-8612 to reach our 24-hour automated Policyholder Information Line and Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm EST to reach one of our Insurance Specialists.
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From: [<geneseebirds-l...>]
Sent: 9/5/2026, 6:50 PM
To: <geneseebirds-l...>
Subject: [External] [GeneseeBirds-L] injured adult red tail
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
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I have an injured red tail on my property in Akron NY. Any suggestions for what I should do do?
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Date: 9/7/26 11:18 am From: ROBERT SPAHN <rspahn...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Hamlin Beach 8/21 - thoughts on Yanty Creek Trail upgrade
Hamlin Beach - Yanty Crk Trail short, Monroe, New York, US
Aug 21, 2026 10:25 AM - 11:20 AM
Bob Spahn, <rspahn...>: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:  Sue and I walked to the board walk into the Yanty Creek Marsh and back as part walk and birding on the way. This was the first time since the trail was closed for Park upgrades. I have held off on posting this to give time to think about how to present our feelings. The rape of the trail and habitat to the boardwalk area was a real shock. There is no need for a 30 or so foot wide slash through the habitat with brush on the edges shredded and many trees removed. Maybe someday the idea is handicap accessible; not really now with the ugly chip base. Is it really a problem to restrain the use of a big side-arm rotary mower deck just because you bought one? The enlarged "viewing" platform now with table is an interesting thought, but it still lacks a useful view of anything. Overall assessment of that part of the trail is negative - waste of resources and damage to habitat.
16 species
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Caspian Tern 2
Double-crested Cormorant 43
Green Heron 1
Northern Flicker 2
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 2
Marsh Wren 2
Gray Catbird 4
American Goldfinch 1
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
American Redstart 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Date: 9/6/26 6:03 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Visitor Center at Refuge presenting some good shirebird habitat
Folks. The Refuge Visitor Center Wetlands has been mowed, plouged and partially flooded and currently presenting some good shorebird habitat. Just in time for the Muckrace! And while I'm at it, please considering financially supporting your favorite Muckrace team. Your contribution goes toward a very good cause - helping insure vital habitat for our friends who are wild, feathered and furred. Thanks for considering. Sar
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Date: 9/4/26 10:17 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] "Transition" Interpretive Walk at the Montezuma Refuge this SUNDAY
Change is in the air! Hope to see you this SUNDAY. Check poster for details. And bring a friend! Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Date: 9/4/26 4:48 am From: ROBERT SPAHN <rspahn...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Webster Park walk - Barred Owls
Webster Park--Campground area, Monroe, New York, US
Sep 2, 2026 2:15 PM - 2:50 PM
R. & S, Spahn; <rspahn...>: Traveling
0.25 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:  Sue and I noted birds on walk from start of RV loop to flagpole area with about 10 minutes seated on bench near old red barn at flagpole site. Time of day late for much activity and this time of year songs and calls scarce. I typically do some spishing, EASO imitation, and brief Barred Owl imitation. This time a Barred Owl called back from east of the road on the way in and as we started back two Barred Owls started calling back and forth on the west side with no prompting from me. No EASO replies. Distance is one way and numbers are counts headed in plus new species or clearly new numbers headed out.
9 species
Barred Owl 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Blue Jay 9
American Crow 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Date: 9/3/26 5:58 pm From: James Kimball <kimball...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Perry Rd. (Leicester area) )Stilt Sandpiper et al
There was a Stilt Sandpiper, along with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, in small flooded spots along Perry Rd., (east of River Rd.) this afternoon. Photo in ebird - which hasn’t confirmed it yet. Stilt Sandpipers, if not common, are rather regular in that area in fall migration.
Jim Kimball
<kimball...>
On the evening of Sep. 2, shortly before the thunderstorms, a red-tailed hawk with a squirrel in its talons landed on my patio fine in Brighton and proceeded to eat the squirrel. Although the lighting was terrible, I managed to get some photos which can be seen at
Date: 9/2/26 8:38 am From: 'Lynn A. Braband' via Geneseebirds <geneseebirds-l...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] City noise can detract from the health benefits of listening to nature.
Predictions: Today should have been the last day of our 8th annual Summer Raptor Count, but the weather would not have it. This count is conducted Aug 1-31 to tally the natal dispersal of raptors through Braddock Bay, most of which are Red-tailed Hawks. Despite the last couple of days being a wash-out, we had our best season with over 6,000 raptors tallied.
Many thanks to all our volunteers who helped with the count, and visitors who stopped out to learn what was happening. It is possible to get a few more young raptors moving through in early September on southerly winds, but likely not much more to come our way for now.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Date: 8/30/26 5:33 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] "Transition" Interpretive Walk at the Montezuma Refuge This Sunday
No summer lasts forever. And all of life is aware and responding! Come join us this September as we seek to experience the continued unfolding of the seasonal change. And bring a friend! See poster for details. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Daena Ford
Observers: Anya Syta-Gutierrez, Bridget Watts, Dan Niven, Joann Tetlow, Mike Tetlow
Visitors: Pat Bidwell and Wiley the Corgi. Suzie, Anya and Rafael. Jill Heimrich stopped by after banding. Randy Cavazza from PA. A nice couple that just relocated from Vermont to Rochester stopped by to do a little birding. Plus a few others.
Weather: Light SW-S winds throughout the count. Cooler in the morning, warming up to the upper 70's. Heavy clouds early on which changed to blue skies later.
Raptor Observations: We anticipated a much busier flight day given the favorable winds and conditions, but it did not pan out as hoped. Still had just under 100 raptors today of 7 species.
Most birds were high, and slow to move through.
One of the 5 Bald Eagles counted was a 4th year bird. A few other adult balds in the area that went back and forth through the area.
A Cooper's Hawk was also spotted, but did not take the migratory route past us.
Payne Beach banding station banded 7 RTHA in the morning hours.
As counters were leaving, they spotted a Peregrine Falcon with 2 Turkey Vultures and 3 Red-tails to end the day's count.
Non-raptor Observations: Purple Martin and Barn Swallows Cedar Waxwings and American Goldfinches 1 Greater and 2 Lesser Yellowlegs flew over together ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Mike Tetlow
Observers: Carol Dunn, Niki Banke
Visitors: Al Fisher enjoyed finding his first August migrants. Tim Willis paid us a visit.
Weather: Quite cool with mostly sunny skies. N/NW winds switching to W/NW the last 2 hours. Light enough to allow some birds to get to us.
Raptor Observations: Scattered individuals all day. Mostly seen out front then often lost as they broke through the blue sky on inconsistent lines. Local Ospreys and 1 Local adult Bald Eagle helped us find a couple migrants. One surprise extremely high American Kestrel.
Non-raptor Observations: Flock of Mallards included 1 each American Wigeon and Blue-winged Teal.
Predictions: Warm, sunny with light SW winds will get some birds up even if a light onshore breeze develops. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Mike Tetlow (<metetlow...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Bridget Watts
Observers: Anya Syta-Gutierrez, Chuck Stiles, Cliff Dekdebrun, Daena Ford, Dan Niven, Maili Waters, Mike Tetlow, YouShan Li
Visitors: Suzie and Rafael Syta Gutierrez and Pat Bidwell (and Wiley the Corgi).
Weather: Morning started sunny with SW winds, gradually becoming cloudier as a front approached. The wind turned to the NW after 12 pm EST. We heard thunder and moved to the shelter of the pavilion around 12:30 EST. Although it didn't rain, and the storm passed to our north, the flight didn't pick up again, and the count ended at 1pm EST.
Raptor Observations: Not a huge flight, but steady through the late morning and early afternoon, with birds passing mostly over the park, although a few headed inland. Height of flight varied quite a bit. Mostly Red-Tailed Hawks with a smattering of Bald Eagles and Broadwings.
Non-raptor Observations: We had a good crowd of observers today to help with the count.
Predictions: Cooler with more northerly winds, behind the front that passed through today, so less favorable conditions. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bridget Watts (<wattsbridget7...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Mike Tetlow
Observers: Brenna Kinzel, Bridget Watts, Dan Funk, Dan Niven
Visitors:
2 that helped do some spotting.
Weather:
Cool with almost no southerly breeze for the first 2 hours. As soon as
birds got up the lake enhanced E/SE breeze picked up keeping birds high to
the parkway side. The wind went full lake breeze and shut the flight down
by 1:30 EDT.
Raptor Observations:
Local Cooper�s Hawk passed by a couple times and Ospreys continue to work
the area. The only Harrier hunted the cattails and hedgerow and was counted
as a migrant when we lost track of it.
Non-raptor Observations:
Goldfinches, Tree and Barn Swallows were as active as usual. A Baltimore
Oriole popped up for a good view,
Predictions:
The perfect SW winds will likely come with the morning storms. The WSW
winds after the storms should get a flight going.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Mike Tetlow (<metetlow...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
Date: 8/26/26 10:07 am From: 'Lynn A. Braband' via Geneseebirds <geneseebirds-l...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Re: Northern spotted owls have disappeared from large parts of their range
Observation start time: 08:45:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Linda Bender
Observers: Jill Frier, Maili Waters
Visitors:
A family of five from Toronto stopped to visit. They had a daughter who was
extremely interested in the birds.
Weather:
It was a cloudy, chilly, breezy day. The temperature never reached 70. The
cloud cover was 90% or more all day.
Raptor Observations:
The first four Red tails were seen almost immediately upon out arrival.
Most of the raptors were high with a few flying low over head for great
views.
A Peregrine Falcon flew by lakeside and a few local eagles and ospreys were
seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
The usual barn swallows were in attendance.�
Predictions:
Tomorrow should be similar in temperature with a little more sunshine and
winds shifting to WNW possibly.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Daena Ford, Maili Waters
Observers: Ashley Deroo, Karina Lopez
Weather: Interesting weather day. Much cooler than yesterday. Temps reached 70F, but it felt a lot cooler with a strong westerly and southerly winds at times. Clouds covered half the sky to start, increased as storms approached the area, then broke up a little bit around 1:00 EST. Drizzle during the 11:00 EST hour, then finally a storm hit at 2:45 EST.
Raptor Observations: Raptors were on the move from the start today, although not in as great a volume as yesterday. Flight slowed down when rain threatened during the 11:00 hour. I thought it was done at 12:00, but one final scan showed red-tails and a couple of eagles up in the distance, so stayed for the next hour, which ended up being the best hour of the day.
One Northern Harrier flew by lower over the field to the southwest.
Non-raptor Observations: Lots of goldfinches, starlings and swallows still. A juvenile Cooper's Hawk perched out in front of the platform for a bit, which made the songbirds restless.
2 Common Ravens spotted over the parkway during the 10:00 hour.
Predictions: Cloudy with a chance of rain showers, and cooler temperatures probably means few raptors. But winds are predicted to be WSW 10-20 mph, so some may still move. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Date: 8/23/26 5:20 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] "Transition" Interpretive Walks at the Montezuma Refuge this September
Coming soon to a Refuge (Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge) near you. Hope you can join us. And bring a friend! See poster for details. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Mike Tetlow, Niki Banke
Observers: Daena Ford, Dan Niven, Joann Tetlow, Maili Waters, Mike Tetlow, Niki Banke
Visitors: Other observers: Maili Waters and Luke Seitz with friend Stephen Menzie; Mitch Barry
Randy Ford, Jill Heimrich, Tim Willis, Carol Dunn
Two gentlemen with their dogs.
Weather: Steady southerly winds today, with warm temperatures around 80 F. Cloud cover was variable. At times the clouds provided a great background for spotting, but did get heavier as the day went on.
Raptor Observations: Incredible day with over 1,000 raptors! This is the highest single day count, and only 4 digit day count since we started this project in 2019. The most numerous raptor was Red-tailed Hawk (908), but there was also a good showing of Broad-winged Hawks (102) and Bald Eagles (47). First bird counted was a Red-shouldered Hawk. Another one gave us great views later during the 11:00 hour.
A great crew of observers worked hard spotting and counting nearly all parts of the sky today. Some birds gave us a treat and passed by low, but the majority were high. The majority of the flight came through between 11am-2pm EST.
Local Osprey and Bald Eagle sparred over the marsh.
Non-raptor Observations: Lots of flocks of cedar waxwings Nighthawk over the bay!! Goldfinch, starlings and barn swallows all day
Predictions: No way to top today! Temperatures dropping into the 60's and scattered thunderstorms predicted. Might be a few birds left to pass through on WSW winds in the morning. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Daena Ford
Observers: Carol Dunn, Joe DeMars, Jonah Dean, Mike Tetlow
Visitors: 2
Weather: Cooler morning and day overall. Mostly sunny skies with very light winds, which started from the south but ended up going east for most of the flight.
Raptor Observations: The season total surpassed 4,000 raptors today - a first since this count began in 2019.
Highlight of the day was a LEUCISTIC RED-TAILED HAWK, an almost pure white bird! It took us by surprise as it appeared lower than most of the red-tails we were counting, over the field to the left of the platform. A few quick photos were snapped before it flew south towards the parkway and over the salt dome at the highway department.
A juvenile Cooper's Hawk perched for a bit at the edge of that same field earlier in the day. We had 2 Cooper's Hawks and 1 Northern Harrier that moved through today, in addition to the Red-tails and handful of Broad-wings. Only 2 Bald Eagles today. Local Osprey continue.
Non-raptor Observations: Belted Kingfisher was nice to see.
Predictions: Conditions look favorable tomorrow with south winds and warming temps. Winds are light though, and hopefully a lake breeze will hold off. Storms are predicted to pop up later in the day, so could get exciting (hopefully in a good way!). ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Date: 8/21/26 11:43 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Dust bathing sparrow
Looking out my window for monarchs to tag and spied a house sparrow taking what looked like a dust bath on the part of my lawn tractor that's covered in grass clippings! The things you see..... Sar
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Bridget Watts, Maili Waters, Mike Tetlow
Observers: Chuck Stiles, Maili Waters, Mike Tetlow
Weather:
Gloomy, cloudy the first 3 hours. As clouds broke around around 1 pm EDT a
light west breeze got the first birds up. A light lake breeze allowed the
flight to continue until 3:15 EDT pushed a few birds by on the inside then
the flight ended.
Raptor Observations:
A couple local Osprey, Turkey Vultures and a Cooper�s Hawk were seen but
not passing through.
Non-raptor Observations:
Goldfinch numbers are picking up. Barn and Tree Swallows hunted low in the
gloomy skies then moved on with the clearing.
Predictions:
Light east winds sunny and warm. Wrong winds but light enough to give birds
some lift and some will move through.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Mike Tetlow (<metetlow...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
Date: 8/20/26 12:42 pm From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Entangled Lives Interpretive Walk at Montezuma Refuge this Saturday
Last "Entangled Lives" walk this season, soon to be followed by "Transition" come September and October. Hope to see you this Saturday (8/22). And bring a friend! See poster for details. Pete Saracino/Refuge Volunteer Naturalist/New York State Master Naturalist Volunteer
"To know is not all; it is only half. To love is the other half". - John Burroughs " The Art Of Seeing Things"
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Mike Tetlow
Observers: Ashley Deroo, Brenna Kinzel, Dan Funk, Luke Seitz, Maili Waters
Weather: SW winds for the first 4 hours until the rain came through. After the rain cleared winds turned NW, then NNW.
Raptor Observations: Good flight until the rain came. When rains cleared, more raptors moved through, and were lower due to the more northerly winds.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: Cloudy conditions will give way to a little sun later tomorrow. Winds will be light and variable, so hard to say how much movement we'll see. Should be some raptors up and about though. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Chris Smith, Maili Waters
Observers: Bridget Watts, Daena Ford, Linda Bender, Luke Seitz
Visitors: Two men with their dogs stopped to say hello.
Weather: Overcast and cloud covered most of the day with some blue sky appearing occasionally. Wind was WNW, gusty at times. Thankfully no rain today!
Raptor Observations: The day started very slowly until the 3rd hour when blue sky areas appeared. Three different lines of birds showed up: over the west spit end, straight overhead and another over the parkway. Luckily we had 3 sets of eyes to pick them out as they passed very high above us. The 4th hour, most of the flight was straight overhead.
Non-raptor Observations: An unknown duck flew quickly by us.
Predictions: Low chance of rain. Wind WNW again, but could bring a decent flight in about noontime. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Daena D. Ford (<dford...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
