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Date: 8/13/26 5:03 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Aug 13 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week's Plans
There's birding and then there are the stories about birding. Today's recap is a mash up of stories from Lynne Hewitt <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/629387812/?__cft__[0]=AZZeR2KpHhGr4EkDGQm91iIJSHKcNydM3zA5br4v5ASQGPbQ_rwtU8CG9Jz2axrhMrfEKkQjzVgPqMKnhyviNAtGSD_-ZVTmAJ2To92zXlH6ObilHxYfQ_FlloWxZ5_Y7dpt0R0XLpOWRlybe_V2xDLFoFRSsxeiPjpRkJRSNCK4HIOspvqHRMxa209qYnrWlPNFibDz_nYIad1KjP-Mxt29&__tn__=-]K-R> , Tim Gallagher <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/1556975493/?__cft__[0]=AZZeR2KpHhGr4EkDGQm91iIJSHKcNydM3zA5br4v5ASQGPbQ_rwtU8CG9Jz2axrhMrfEKkQjzVgPqMKnhyviNAtGSD_-ZVTmAJ2To92zXlH6ObilHxYfQ_FlloWxZ5_Y7dpt0R0XLpOWRlybe_V2xDLFoFRSsxeiPjpRkJRSNCK4HIOspvqHRMxa209qYnrWlPNFibDz_nYIad1KjP-Mxt29&__tn__=-]K-R> , Gwen Gallagher <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100003709552158/?__cft__[0]=AZZeR2KpHhGr4EkDGQm91iIJSHKcNydM3zA5br4v5ASQGPbQ_rwtU8CG9Jz2axrhMrfEKkQjzVgPqMKnhyviNAtGSD_-ZVTmAJ2To92zXlH6ObilHxYfQ_FlloWxZ5_Y7dpt0R0XLpOWRlybe_V2xDLFoFRSsxeiPjpRkJRSNCK4HIOspvqHRMxa209qYnrWlPNFibDz_nYIad1KjP-Mxt29&__tn__=-]K-R> and my own recollections. I was only present for part of the birding hike and then later for breakfast so here's the mash up of our humid morning out in the beautiful Duemling Meadows at Sapsucker Woods. We strolled through the woods out into the meadows. Our first notable bird encounter was a nice close look at some cedar waxwings, including seeing parent on their nest in a white pine tree, likely a second brood. The stars of the morning were a quite unusual sighting of two kestrels and a young merlin "playing" together, with some unhappy blue jays nearby. These raptors who wouldn't ordinarily be hanging out or interacting at all, were chasing each other in a "friendly" way and pausing on branches nearby, clearly not upset, concerned or threatened by each other. At one point, the merlin flew right in front of some birders providing a dramatic sight. Another highlight was a yellow-billed cuckoo calling by a little pond by the path. We saw 25 species, mostly a smattering of expected meadow birds (goldfinches, song sparrows, common yellowthroat, tree swallows) and woodland birds (great crested flycatcher, red-eyed vireo, chickadees, eastern wood peewee). We attracted a large group today--23 in all--which meant that a lot of socializing and stretching out into smaller groups throughout the meadows. We enjoyed the late summer blooms (goldenrods, Joe-pye, broad-leafed aster, American hog peanut, and invasive but beautiful purple loosestrife and Queen Anne's lace). We were excited to identify the narrow-leafed mountain mint that was flowering abundantly. A few pollinators were out and about including both monarch and viceroy butterflies. All in all, a nice bird and bloom morning in a place we usually overlook but is totally worth visiting. Some of us headed over to Kendall for breakfast and conversation. Want to join us next week? Thursday August 20 we will gather at 7:00 am to bird at Freeville Marshes, a wetland area in the village of Freeville, with Tim and Gwen Gallagher as our guides. All birders are warmly welcome to join us! These mornings are designed for flexibility--leave when you to need to go to work or elsewhere. Otherwise, all are welcome to join us for breakfast afterward. Directions from Ithaca: Take Route 13 north toward Dryden, turn left on Route 366. Turn right on Railroad Street in Freeville, then right on Factory Street. Park at the Freeville Fire Department. We will walk to the trail from there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/cayugabirdclub Shelley Page she/they/ki 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 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --

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