Date: 4/30/26 11:45 am From: Suan Hsi Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Thursday Birding Meetup at Durland Preserve
On this cool misty morning, twelve people met at the Ellis Hollow Community Center, where after a short walk we carpooled to the nearby Durland Preserve. Negotiating bits of wet trail, we traversed the hemlock grove to reach the Ellis Hollow Wetlands overlook along Cascadilla Creek. The overlook itself was closed due to structural issues, but we got good scope views of a singing Swamp Sparrow from the boardwalk. Returning through the hemlocks we heard Brown Creeper and Nashville Warbler but saw neither - the misty morning had not been great for seeing birds until we exited the woods and found a tree full of some 20 Cedar Waxwings - we would later count 35 more in another tree. Farther along the hedgerow Lynne spotted our biggest surprise of the day, a porcupine sitting atop a shrub with branches that did not look strong enough to hold it. After getting great scope views, we proceeded to circle the lower field, hearing Northern House Wren and getting looks at Field Sparrow and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Several singing Blue-winged Warblers were heard but not seen, likewise Eastern Towhees - that is until we returned to our cars when a towhee finally popped up for us to admire. Breakfast was great at the Coal Yard Cafe.
Join us next week, when we meet at the Freeville Village Hall to explore that section of the Dryden Rail Trail. From Freeville's 4-way stop sign, head east on 38, and take the first right onto Factory Street. After exploring the rail trail, we may head to Hile School Road or elsewhere.
