Date: 7/30/26 3:43 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] July 30 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week's Plans
Well, one could say we had a field day at this morning's Thursday Birding
Meetup at South Hill Cider. We literally hung out mostly on the edges of
fields in their high summer finery brimming with flowers and grasses--and
the birds who love those places: goldfinches galore, field sparrows, a few
bobolinks, song sparrows, a savannah sparrow, an indigo bunting, and even
an eastern meadowlark. A bit of drama arose when noticed a small hawk up in
a tree accompanied by some crows. The hawk flew off awkwardly and was
unsuccessful in its half-hearted hunt attempt. While in the field, we were
having the classic Cooper's/Sharpie debate but William Seigart
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/508602390/?__cft__[0]=AZaF_5ELWA_7MSGj5CLKiAgeUOjApmiW2xes7RofRDKRhrp2BwHkbwH90pWcVRstAuGlVW_Btjvd79Fqo0VNQjvP_bHoslQfkaGjCUB1QPDtq_sl38hgBlFS2gbpWipXS1vXy2cxGRY7zOlnAzVG75hN&__cft__[1]=AZZi5ABDQmrdWWNmF7W5XNc-KqAsfaZAUAwoC19H9qexlbiQgpuAiyxtCWeaYsTDJEkLMNO-l0EYXn5eoTse6OHLPpzDASzNimLl0GVO6vXiuULHYlDjiyCBRbZ5aG9yD0AUYTPQeV3iURz8Mw7tFcYE&__tn__=-]K-R> captured
a photo of our little hawk and closer examination pegs it as a juvenile
Cooper's (thank you, Sibley!). We also observed red winged blackbirds
flocking up--oh my, the summer is already on the downswing. Our morning
yielded only 16 species but, as usual, it is simply the experience of
seeing what is out there and appreciating every moment of wonder for
creatures great and small along the way. The chefs at South Hill Cider made
us a scrumptious breakfast and it was fun to feel like we had a private
little breakfast party in a beautiful place.
Want to join us next week on August 6? We'll gather at 7:00 am at Myer's
Point Park in Lansing in hopes of seeing early shorebird migrants and
possibly Caspian Terns with their young. All birders are warmly welcome to
join us. Bird with us before work or other activities, or linger with us
over breakfast after our birding adventure. Directions from Ithaca: Take
Route 34 north and turn left on Route 34B. Proceed 2 miles. At the bottom
of the hill, turn left onto Myers Road. Cross the tracks and turn right
into the town park.
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
