A small crew of four birders (who didn't read the snowy and windy forecast, or paid no heed to it) attended yesterday's meetup at Taughannock. The open water in the small sheltered marina hosted a nice variety including Mute Swans, Gadwall, Common Mergansers, and Redheads. The swimming beach, shadowed from the wind, had a big gathering of waterfowl, including Tundra Swans, Red-breasted Mergansers, and two Snow Geese walking on the snow. Two Bald Eagles made appearances before we trudged our way into the headwind across the field back to our cars for breakfast at the Falls. After breakfast, we went to the falls overlook and walked upstream to seek out the viewpoint for the peregrine nest, passing many Turkey Vultures roosting and flying about, including a tree with at least 26 birds, and scaring away a Pileated Woodpecker working a cavity.
Next week, we'll meet at Myers Park's boat launch area: TURN LEFT immediately after the entrance station and park near the playground.
