About 20 people gathered at upper Buttermilk for this morning's Thursday Birding Meetup, as the gentle drizzle faded away and the day slowly warmed. An enthusiastically singing Winter Wren stopped just as we started walking down the road, while numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets could be heard singing from the stratosphere, with a few low individuals offering good looks. After crossing the creek, we heard our targeted Louisiana Waterthrush singing loudly from high in a tree, but some 20 minutes of patient searching by 20 sets of eyes could not locate it, until later when it flew to a perch to sing while bobbing its tail, seen by a small group who stayed behind to stalk it patiently while everyone else climbed up to Lake Treman. On the way back we found a small mixed flock including Field Sparrow and Purple Finch. Breakfast afterwards was a delight at Dolce Delight.
Next week, we'll try birding at Goetchius Wetland Preserve in Caroline. From Ithaca, take 79 east past Slaterville Springs for 2.6 miles, turn left onto Flat Iron Road for 0.7 miles. Park along the road (beware the road doesn't have much shoulder). Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWr8sxGx3pQodBCd7
NOTE: we may or may not decide to cross a 15-foot stretch of flooded trail, so bring muck boots if you have them :-).
