Date: 4/2/26 7:12 pm From: Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help
Thank you for doing this survey.
Candace
On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 6:02 PM <anneb.clark...> wrote:
> And I will add: if you note Merlins interacting with crows ( fish crows or
> American crows) I would love to know that.
> It would be particularly useful to know what bird actually built the
> nest used by a Merlin pair, and if it was a last springs nest or a newly
> built 2026 nest!
>
> Any hints will help us.
>
> Thanks Anne Clark
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 2, 2026, at 8:14 AM, Stephanie P. Herrick <sph1...> wrote:
>
>
> A pair was sighted last Friday on south hill in a tree just off Hudson
> street near Pearsall. Will keep an eye out for them.
>
> - S
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 2, 2026 9:45:08 AM
> *To:* <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>
> *Subject:* [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help
>
> Thanks in part to contributions from this list serve, the number of Merlin
> nests discovered in Tompkins County has included
>
> 6 in 2015
> 8 in 2020
> 10 in 2022
> 11 in 2024 and in 2025
>
> Geo Kloppel and I are trying to do this survey again this year. We hope to
> find every nest in Tompkins County and to follow each nest carefully enough
> to determine the number fledged for each nest. We hope to document the
> nesting success of urban/suburban Merlin.
>
> We follow up on every report of Merlin to this list serve or to eBird.
> We've already started as several Merlin sightings have been reported this
> season, although this is a bit early for nesting.
>
> WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS YEAR. PLEASE SEND IN
> YOUR MERLIN OBSERVATIONS
>
> John Confer and Geo Kloppel
>
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu <http://lists.cornell.edu/> for more
> information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 4/2/26 6:15 pm From: Martha Fischer <mf26...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Some thoughts on the turning of the year
I LOVE this.
Martha
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Candace E. Cornell <cec222...>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 4:07:26 PM
To: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...>
Cc: <eatonbirdingsociety...> <eatonbirdingsociety...>; Cayuga Birds List <Cayugabirds-L...>; Geneseebirds <geneseebirds-googlegroup...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Some thoughts on the turning of the year
Sar-
You hit the nail on the head each time.
🪶
On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM Cherilyn Jackmin <cj45...><mailto:<cj45...>> wrote:
Date: 4/2/26 3:17 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] April 2 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
The Thursday Birding Meetup celebrated its first anniversary today through rain and mist at Stewart Park, undaunted by the weather! Eleven of us gathered, peering through the "Ithacation" to see seven species of ducks and mergansers including a nice closer view of a beautiful American wigeon. A raft of over 100 coots swam nearby in a coot-style conga line. Then our attention turned to waves of about 400 tree swallows (with a couple of barn swallows) flying over the lake, a spectacular surprise! Meanwhile, higher up, the ospreys and a young eagle put on quite a show with a successful theft of a fish, the eagle making off with the goods! Ospreys were sitting on their newly enhanced nests at eastern end of the park and along Fall Creek. One cheeky starling was carrying nesting material to the Fall Creek osprey platform, apparently hoping to share the space with their much bigger neighbor! We saw 31 species (thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZbWjsBav6uj119rh2kOpUUufueKvj4_BOlsFRcwKOHUEENZzLIbDiXKGoGDlqSt06P4qcDOUY_UcqqOQIipHl-pvtU8L9_npgfZ1sOj-Dgoq-FlG_UyRBJJRPrm6nDXw1ybm4Q7wWgM-g-BFIbEsn_t&__tn__=-]K-R>) in total including first of year double-crested cormorants and great blue herons! All in all, a soggy but satisfying anniversary morning, made even more special by Jane Bain's delicious cookies packaged in bags with bird sticker decor. We breakfasted at Kendall afterward, enjoying each other's company as always. Here's to the coming year and more birding adventures together! Consider joining us any Thursday morning--we warmly welcome all birders to bird and then breakfast with us, if their schedule is flexible. Want to join us next week? Gather with us at 7:00 am at Flat Rock where we will explore a bit along Fall Creek and bird over in the Arboretum (we are parking at Flat Rock because the gates into the Arboretum roads are still closed and may still be closed next week). From Ithaca, take Rt. 366 (Dryden Rd) east and turn left on Caldwell Rd just beyond the Cornell Vet School. At the bottom of the hill, turn right on to Forest Home Drive and go .5 mile to the parking area on the left near the creek. 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
And I will add: if you note Merlins interacting with crows ( fish crows or American crows) I would love to know that. It would be particularly useful to know what bird actually built the nest used by a Merlin pair, and if it was a last springs nest or a newly built 2026 nest! Any hints will help us. Thanks Anne Clark
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 2, 2026, at 8:14 AM, Stephanie P. Herrick <sph1...> wrote:
A pair was sighted last Friday on south hill in a tree just off Hudson street near Pearsall. Will keep an eye out for them. - S
From: Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 9:45:08 AM To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help Thanks in part to contributions from this list serve, the number of Merlin nests discovered in Tompkins County has included 6 in 20158 in 202010 in 202211 in 2024 and in 2025 Geo Kloppel and I are trying to do this survey again this year. We hope to find every nest in Tompkins County and to follow each nest carefully enough to determine the number fledged for each nest. We hope to document the nesting success of urban/suburban Merlin. We follow up on every report of Merlin to this list serve or to eBird. We've already started as several Merlin sightings have been reported this season, although this is a bit early for nesting. WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS YEAR. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR MERLIN OBSERVATIONS John Confer and Geo Kloppel
Date: 4/2/26 12:54 pm From: Cherilyn Jackmin <cj45...> Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Some thoughts on the turning of the year
Awesome poem- Thanks for sharing!
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> On Behalf Of Peter Saracino
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 1:36 PM
To: <eatonbirdingsociety...>; Cayuga Birds List <Cayugabirds-L...>; Geneseebirds <geneseebirds-googlegroup...>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Some thoughts on the turning of the year
"At turn of year, when winter's past
and spring's at hand, I think at last
I understand. Then comes the night
when peepers shrill and geese in flight
gabble the moon. And then I say that all I know can be stowed away
in an acorn cup. But this is plain:
That snow is snow and rain is rain,
that wind is change, that water ran
before earth felt the foot of man;
that flesh and blood of me are kinned
with grass and bush and tree and wind;
that love is sweet and salt are tears;
that days become the turning years;
that I am new and time is old;
that love is warm and hate is cold.
What more is there to understand
when winter's past and spring's at hand?"
Date: 4/2/26 8:14 am From: Stephanie P. Herrick <sph1...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help
A pair was sighted last Friday on south hill in a tree just off Hudson street near Pearsall. Will keep an eye out for them.
- S
________________________________
From: Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 9:45:08 AM
To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help
Thanks in part to contributions from this list serve, the number of Merlin nests discovered in Tompkins County has included
6 in 2015
8 in 2020
10 in 2022
11 in 2024 and in 2025
Geo Kloppel and I are trying to do this survey again this year. We hope to find every nest in Tompkins County and to follow each nest carefully enough to determine the number fledged for each nest. We hope to document the nesting success of urban/suburban Merlin.
We follow up on every report of Merlin to this list serve or to eBird. We've already started as several Merlin sightings have been reported this season, although this is a bit early for nesting.
WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS YEAR. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR MERLIN OBSERVATIONS
Date: 4/2/26 6:45 am From: Karen (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Merlin survey help
Thanks in part to contributions from this list serve, the number of Merlin nests discovered in Tompkins County has included
6 in 20158 in 202010 in 202211 in 2024 and in 2025
Geo Kloppel and I are trying to do this survey again this year. We hope to find every nest in Tompkins County and to follow each nest carefully enough to determine the number fledged for each nest. We hope to document the nesting success of urban/suburban Merlin.
We follow up on every report of Merlin to this list serve or to eBird. We've already started as several Merlin sightings have been reported this season, although this is a bit early for nesting.
WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AGAIN THIS YEAR. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR MERLIN OBSERVATIONS
John Confer and Geo Kloppel
Date: 3/31/26 7:29 am From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: Woodcock /cowbird
Two nights in a row, my neighbor here & I heard brief ‘peents’ of a Woodcock in marsh area just south of the ring road (east of brown gazebo) at Kendal ! Did not see it.
Also, just now I saw FOY male Brown-headed Cowbird at my feeders.
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
Date: 3/30/26 11:42 am From: Elaina M. McCartney <elaina.mccartney...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey pair
About 11:30 this morning an Osprey was standing on the perch of the nest to the north of the Hangar Theater, when another (smaller) Osprey flew in from the wooded area and mounted her.
We have been checking two osprey nest sites almost daily for the last 10 days or so; the Covert Communications Tower and the Footes Corner Nest site.
Today there was one osprey, and likely two, at the Covert Communications Tower site about 10:45am. We visited the same site about 12:15 and did not see any.
There were no ospreys at or near the Footes Corners Nest site when we visited it about 12:30 today.
Marty
===========================================
Marty Schlabach <MLS5...>
8407 Powell Rd. home 607-532-3467
Interlaken, NY 14847 cell 315-521-4315
===========================================
Date: 3/27/26 5:02 am From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: more about coltsfoot
Yes, as we spied the blooming coltsfoot, we remarked that it is not native.
And, it is still one of the first plants to flower, offering a little
spring joy in these unsettling times.
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
On Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:45 AM Patricia A. Curran <pc21...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Coltsfoot flowers resemble dandelions, but bloom a little earlier, before
> the leaves expand to the large size that resemble the feet of colts.
>
> Like dandelion, this is an invasive weed in North America. Unlike
> dandelion, it does seem to prefer roadsides. Also unlike dandelion,
> instead of a taproot, it grows and expands sideways with a large creeping
> rootstock.
>
> Like dandelion, the white fluffy seedheads blow all over, and seedlings
> grow well in many places.
>
> Yes, it's pretty and blooms early so it provides food for early
> pollinators, but it's still an invasive plant not to be encouraged.
>
> https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/tussilago/farfara/ >
> Pat Curran
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
> on behalf of Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 26, 2026 8:04 PM
> *To:* <cayugabirds-L...> <cayugabirds-L...>
> *Subject:* [cayugabirds-l] March 26 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and
> Next Week Plans
>
> Ah, spring! The Thursday Birding Meetup birders reveled in the sunny
> warmth of this early spring morning at Dryden Lake today. It felt great to
> bird without handwarmers, ski pants, snow boots and balaclavas. Eighteen of
> us gathered on the platforms and along the lakeside trail to see 30
> species, a definite uptick in number reflecting the migration season
> starting out (thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan
> <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZYnf3tamr20ZZiqPwEBJ8m_0upMmnwto3Na_ib_klms-x4Yi66o43N9eSTe_b__KLdnubGoxgfHPEXkLP8SVwxCbu09SrQ6fKieNFEVxZSnEiZiQX7HiTmGXBjcikC64Kui3GvVvQXycgf123WV9rjMEqAQIzVP3_V5jgSSuJ7E1Io9m2iblTCLd5kRLCBnIvNPbQcsyTibpH2YKohUPUvx&__tn__=-]K-R>).
> We were treated to a veritable buffet of ducks and mergansers with 9
> species represented including a raft of 22 American Wigeons, along with
> five Horned Grebes popping up and down. Looking across the lake, we could
> clearly view a Bald Eagle sitting on its nest--yay! We loved seeing our
> first of year Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Phoebe. The woodland fringe
> along the lake was alive with woodpecker drumming and spring songs being
> sung by our resident woodland birds as well as the returning migrants. The
> first brilliant yellow coltsfoot flowers graced the side of the trail,
> another first of year spring treat. We lingered out in the balmy
> temperatures for longer than usual, soaking in the promise of the season
> before heading to the Corner Brew in Dryden for some breakfast and
> conversation. All in all, a lovely morning!
> Want to join us next week? Thursday, April 2 will be our first anniversary as
> Cayuga Bird Club's weekly social birding group! Come out and celebrate with
> us by seeing some awesome birds at the lake. All birders are truly warmly
> welcomed! We'll be returning to Stewart Park, the site of our first
> Thursday Birding Meetup. Note TIME CHANGE reflecting the seasonal changes
> of light and bird activity: We will start at 7:00 am, a pattern we will
> keep through October.
> Shelley Page
> *she/they/ki*
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/261+Coddington+Road+Apt.+B+%0D%0A+Ithaca,+New+York+14850?entry=gmail&source=g> >
> 313-550-1437
> 261 Coddington Road Apt. B
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/261+Coddington+Road+Apt.+B+%0D%0A+Ithaca,+New+York+14850?entry=gmail&source=g> > Ithaca, New York 14850
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/261+Coddington+Road+Apt.+B+%0D%0A+Ithaca,+New+York+14850?entry=gmail&source=g> >
> 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: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 3/27/26 4:46 am From: Patricia A. Curran <pc21...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: more about coltsfoot
Hi all,
Coltsfoot flowers resemble dandelions, but bloom a little earlier, before the leaves expand to the large size that resemble the feet of colts.
Like dandelion, this is an invasive weed in North America. Unlike dandelion, it does seem to prefer roadsides. Also unlike dandelion, instead of a taproot, it grows and expands sideways with a large creeping rootstock.
Like dandelion, the white fluffy seedheads blow all over, and seedlings grow well in many places.
Yes, it's pretty and blooms early so it provides food for early pollinators, but it's still an invasive plant not to be encouraged.
Pat Curran
________________________________
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 8:04 PM
To: <cayugabirds-L...> <cayugabirds-L...>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] March 26 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Ah, spring! The Thursday Birding Meetup birders reveled in the sunny warmth of this early spring morning at Dryden Lake today. It felt great to bird without handwarmers, ski pants, snow boots and balaclavas. Eighteen of us gathered on the platforms and along the lakeside trail to see 30 species, a definite uptick in number reflecting the migration season starting out (thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan<https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZYnf3tamr20ZZiqPwEBJ8m_0upMmnwto3Na_ib_klms-x4Yi66o43N9eSTe_b__KLdnubGoxgfHPEXkLP8SVwxCbu09SrQ6fKieNFEVxZSnEiZiQX7HiTmGXBjcikC64Kui3GvVvQXycgf123WV9rjMEqAQIzVP3_V5jgSSuJ7E1Io9m2iblTCLd5kRLCBnIvNPbQcsyTibpH2YKohUPUvx&__tn__=-]K-R>). We were treated to a veritable buffet of ducks and mergansers with 9 species represented including a raft of 22 American Wigeons, along with five Horned Grebes popping up and down. Looking across the lake, we could clearly view a Bald Eagle sitting on its nest--yay! We loved seeing our first of year Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Phoebe. The woodland fringe along the lake was alive with woodpecker drumming and spring songs being sung by our resident woodland birds as well as the returning migrants. The first brilliant yellow coltsfoot flowers graced the side of the trail, another first of year spring treat. We lingered out in the balmy temperatures for longer than usual, soaking in the promise of the season before heading to the Corner Brew in Dryden for some breakfast and conversation. All in all, a lovely morning!
Want to join us next week? Thursday, April 2 will be our first anniversary as Cayuga Bird Club's weekly social birding group! Come out and celebrate with us by seeing some awesome birds at the lake. All birders are truly warmly welcomed! We'll be returning to Stewart Park, the site of our first Thursday Birding Meetup. Note TIME CHANGE reflecting the seasonal changes of light and bird activity: We will start at 7:00 am, a pattern we will keep through October.
Shelley Page
she/they/ki
313-550-1437
261 Coddington Road Apt. B
Ithaca, New York 14850
Date: 3/26/26 6:11 pm From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey nests more occupied at S end of Cayuga L; and a correction
This morning (26 March) the nest in Union Fields in Cass Park had not just 1 but 2 Ospreys standing in it. I hope it was the female I saw enjoying a fish provided by the male while he watched.
Also this morning the nest next to Cayuga Inlet at the NW corner of Newman Golf Course had 2 Ospreys standing in it, the first time this year I've seen any Osprey even nearby.
This afternoon the nest next to Fall Creek on the E side of Newman Golf Course opposite the SW corner of Stewart Park continued to have sticks brought at least twice by an Osprey who otherwise did not spend much time on the nest while I was watching.
And at the NE corner of Stewart Park this afternoon an Osprey stood on the platform beside the nest. This is the first time this year I've seen any Osprey near this nest.
I have not seen any Ospreys near the nest on the north side of the Lagoon at Stewart Park, although admittedly I tend to spend most of my time in other parts of the park and looking the opposite direction.
Thank you to Candace Cornell for correcting a misimpression of mine. While I still think Paul Paradine deserves plenty of credit for putting up nest platforms for NYSEG, he did not start the program, he inherited it after lots of work had been done by Paul Batz. To me, this is good news that there was institutional continuity. She wrote:
> Actually, during the preceding decade, NYSEG forester Paul Batz and his crew erected quite a few platforms around the lake, especially in the northern part of Cayuga Lake. When Mr. Batz retired, Paul Paradine and his crew carried on Batz' work and orchestrated the building of numerous platforms at the southern half of the lake.
It took several generations of Ospreys for them to spread the length of the lake. It is wonderful that these crews kept helping more birds as years passed.
Although I had seen a couple of Phoebes and heard call notes, until today I had not heard songs from those same birds near the Cascadilla Boathouse at Stewart Park, and along Fall Creek in Renwick Wildwood. I also heard a new-to-me-this-year Phoebe sing in Jetty Woods (the City-owned part adjacent to Newman Golf Course, not the Cornell-owned Lighthouse Point Natural Area portion farther north). All this singing was not simply birds showing up; those that have been here were also more inspired today. - - Dave Nutter
On Mar 26, 2026, at 1:16 PM, Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> wrote:
We heard one singing here at Kendal’s west side yesterday (Wed.) Donna Scott Kendal at Ithaca-377Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2026, at 1:10 PM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...> wrote:
I had a Phoebe singing in my backyard this morning, too. 😊
On Mar 26, 2026, at 12:35 PM, Pixie Senesac <gps1...> wrote:
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:39:42 AM To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe Same here! Hills of Candor. On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...> wrote:
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it! Anne Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2026, at 8:07 AM, Alyssa Johnson <thebarehandednaturalist...> wrote:
Heard my first of year EASTERN PHOEBE this morning, joining in with the bird song! Trumansburg -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
Date: 3/26/26 5:05 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] March 26 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Ah, spring! The Thursday Birding Meetup birders reveled in the sunny warmth
of this early spring morning at Dryden Lake today. It felt great to bird
without handwarmers, ski pants, snow boots and balaclavas. Eighteen of us
gathered on the platforms and along the lakeside trail to see 30 species, a
definite uptick in number reflecting the migration season starting out
(thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZYnf3tamr20ZZiqPwEBJ8m_0upMmnwto3Na_ib_klms-x4Yi66o43N9eSTe_b__KLdnubGoxgfHPEXkLP8SVwxCbu09SrQ6fKieNFEVxZSnEiZiQX7HiTmGXBjcikC64Kui3GvVvQXycgf123WV9rjMEqAQIzVP3_V5jgSSuJ7E1Io9m2iblTCLd5kRLCBnIvNPbQcsyTibpH2YKohUPUvx&__tn__=-]K-R>).
We were treated to a veritable buffet of ducks and mergansers with 9
species represented including a raft of 22 American Wigeons, along with
five Horned Grebes popping up and down. Looking across the lake, we could
clearly view a Bald Eagle sitting on its nest--yay! We loved seeing our
first of year Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Phoebe. The woodland fringe
along the lake was alive with woodpecker drumming and spring songs being
sung by our resident woodland birds as well as the returning migrants. The
first brilliant yellow coltsfoot flowers graced the side of the trail,
another first of year spring treat. We lingered out in the balmy
temperatures for longer than usual, soaking in the promise of the season
before heading to the Corner Brew in Dryden for some breakfast and
conversation. All in all, a lovely morning!
Want to join us next week? Thursday, April 2 will be our first anniversary as
Cayuga Bird Club's weekly social birding group! Come out and celebrate with
us by seeing some awesome birds at the lake. All birders are truly warmly
welcomed! We'll be returning to Stewart Park, the site of our first
Thursday Birding Meetup. Note TIME CHANGE reflecting the seasonal changes
of light and bird activity: We will start at 7:00 am, a pattern we will
keep through October.
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
Date: 3/26/26 10:16 am From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
We heard one singing here at Kendal’s west side yesterday (Wed.)
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2026, at 1:10 PM, Tim Gallagher <twg3...> wrote:
I had a Phoebe singing in my backyard this morning, too. 😊
On Mar 26, 2026, at 12:35 PM, Pixie Senesac <gps1...> wrote:
Same here! Mecklenburg.
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:39:42 AM
To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
Same here! Hills of Candor.
On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...><mailto:<anneb.clark...>> wrote:
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it!
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...> Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:39:42 AM To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe Same here! Hills of Candor. On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...> wrote:
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it! Anne Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2026, at 8:07 AM, Alyssa Johnson <thebarehandednaturalist...> wrote:
Heard my first of year EASTERN PHOEBE this morning, joining in with the bird song! Trumansburg -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
Date: 3/26/26 10:10 am From: Tim Gallagher <twg3...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
I had a Phoebe singing in my backyard this morning, too. 😊
On Mar 26, 2026, at 12:35 PM, Pixie Senesac <gps1...> wrote:
Same here! Mecklenburg.
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:39:42 AM
To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
Same here! Hills of Candor.
On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...><mailto:<anneb.clark...>> wrote:
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it!
Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________
From: <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> on behalf of Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...>
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:39:42 AM
To: <cayugabirds-l...> <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
Same here! Hills of Candor.
On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...><mailto:<anneb.clark...>> wrote:
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it!
Date: 3/26/26 8:40 am From: Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm <mo...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] FOY Phoebe
Same here! Hills of Candor.
On Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 11:25 AM <anneb.clark...> wrote:
> Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a
> Cardinal which apparently flew right at it!
>
> Anne
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 26, 2026, at 8:07 AM, Alyssa Johnson <
> <thebarehandednaturalist...> wrote:
>
> Heard my first of year EASTERN PHOEBE this morning, joining in with the
> bird song!
>
> Trumansburg
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Exactly. Ours too. This am over the usual nesting area. Had to avoid a Cardinal which apparently flew right at it! Anne Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 26, 2026, at 8:07 AM, Alyssa Johnson <thebarehandednaturalist...> wrote:
Heard my first of year EASTERN PHOEBE this morning, joining in with the bird song! Trumansburg -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
There is no hierarchy in nature. All hierarchy in nature is a human
projection.
On Wed, Mar 25, 2026, 7:49 PM Regi Teasley <rltcayuga...> wrote:
>
> Maybe this is a good time to plug our **local organic/near organic and
> regenerative small farmers**. These are the people who will feed us,
> protect and improve the land and enhance biodiversity. They should be
> celebrated, supported and valued.
> IMHO, they are our best hope for birds, insects, food and a better way
> of life. The more we make the connections and act on them, the better
> chance we, and our fellow creatures, have for enduring the polycrisis.
>
> Regi
> ___________
> Protect what is left, recover what is lost of the fair earth.
> William Morris, “Art and the Beauty of the Earth.” 1881
>
>
>
> On Mar 25, 2026, at 6:29 PM, Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> wrote:
>
>
> It was mentioned to me by Jane Graves that so much land in Brazil, and
> here, is devoted to growing soybeans. Again only about 6% of this is for
> human consumption. The rest is animal feed with some going to oil and
> biofuel.
>
> Linda
>
> On Mar 25, 2026, at 3:36 PM, Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> This article is very important. As always, good scientific information
> allows us to perhaps ameliorate a situation with better choices. Just a
> reminder when they are talking about cropland, it is not fields of
> broccoli that are the problem. Animal feed is responsible for a huge
> percentage of land use, about 75-80%.
>
>
> https://sentientmedia.org/study-shows-link-between-industrialized-agriculture-and-declining-bird-populations/ >
> Linda Orkin
> Ithaca, NY
>
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 3/25/26 4:49 pm From: Regi Teasley <rltcayuga...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Good reporting
Maybe this is a good time to plug our **local organic/near organic and regenerative small farmers**. These are the people who will feed us, protect and improve the land and enhance biodiversity. They should be celebrated, supported and valued. IMHO, they are our best hope for birds, insects, food and a better way of life. The more we make the connections and act on them, the better chance we, and our fellow creatures, have for enduring the polycrisis. Regi ___________Protect what is left, recover what is lost of the fair earth. William Morris, “Art and the Beauty of the Earth.” 1881
On Mar 25, 2026, at 6:29 PM, Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> wrote:
It was mentioned to me by Jane Graves that so much land in Brazil, and here, is devoted to growing soybeans. Again only about 6% of this is for human consumption. The rest is animal feed with some going to oil and biofuel. Linda
On Mar 25, 2026, at 3:36 PM, Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> wrote:
Date: 3/25/26 4:04 pm From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: [saltpoint] Corrected Link: Salt Point Osprey are back!
A pair of Ospreys arrived today at the nest tower on the point at Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing.
On east shore of Cayuga Lake.
See nest on YouTube link below.
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Robert Rieger <roberthrieger...>
Date: March 25, 2026 at 5:14:33 PM EDT
To: <saltpoint...>, 'Laurie Moskow' via Lansing NY News and Discussion <lansing-ny-news-and-discussion...>
Cc: Ben Heller <ben...>
Subject: [saltpoint] Corrected Link: Salt Point Osprey are back!
Reply-To: saltpoint+<managers...>
________________________________
From: Robert Rieger <roberthrieger...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 1:58:36 PM
To: <saltpoint...> <saltpoint...>; 'Laurie Moskow' via Lansing NY News and Discussion <lansing-ny-news-and-discussion...>
Cc: Ben Heller <ben...>
Subject: Salt Point Osprey are back!
We're pleased to announce the return of an osprey pair on the nest at Salt Point.
You can view the nest in person at Salt Point or via the nest camera.
The camera is brought to you by the Friends of Salt Point. We're grateful for support for this streaming service from Town of Lansing and generous local donors.
We also wish to thank Ben Heller of Computer Room for his technical expertise. See Ben's additional message below.
Regards,
Board of Directors
Friends of Salt Point
From Ben:
The stream runs daily from 4am to 3:40pm and again from 4pm to 3:40am. The 20 minute breaks allow a new stream to be started, and YouTube will archive the old stream so it can be played back. By keeping each stream under 12 hours, the entire video can be replayed later.
And right on queue, an Osprey arrived this morning at 6:49am with the sunrise in the background.
[image.png]
And just now at 9:15am there are two!
[image.png]
Sincerely,
Ben Heller
Computer Room
225 S Fulton St, Ste 2
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-8336 x7005
<ben...><mailto:<ben...>
Date: 3/25/26 3:28 pm From: Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Good reporting
It was mentioned to me by Jane Graves that so much land in Brazil, and here, is devoted to growing soybeans. Again only about 6% of this is for human consumption. The rest is animal feed with some going to oil and biofuel.
Linda
> On Mar 25, 2026, at 3:36 PM, Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> wrote:
>
>
>
>>
>> This article is very important. As always, good scientific information allows us to perhaps ameliorate a situation with better choices. Just a reminder when they are talking about cropland, it is not fields of broccoli that are the problem. Animal feed is responsible for a huge percentage of land use, about 75-80%.
>>
>> https://sentientmedia.org/study-shows-link-between-industrialized-agriculture-and-declining-bird-populations/ >>
>> Linda Orkin
>> Ithaca, NY
>>
>>
Date: 3/25/26 12:37 pm From: Linda Orkin <wingmagic16...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Good reporting
>
> This article is very important. As always, good scientific information allows us to perhaps ameliorate a situation with better choices. Just a reminder when they are talking about cropland, it is not fields of broccoli that are the problem. Animal feed is responsible for a huge percentage of land use, about 75-80%.
>
> https://sentientmedia.org/study-shows-link-between-industrialized-agriculture-and-declining-bird-populations/ >
> Linda Orkin
> Ithaca, NY
>
>
Date: 3/25/26 12:03 pm From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cass Park Union Fields Osprey
This morning (25 March) as I walked north from the start of the Black Diamond Trail I saw my first Cass Park Osprey perched on the crossbar that holds floodlights above the northwest backstop at Union Fields. That perch is not obvious from the Waterfront Trail, but it had a great view of the unoccupied nest above a different set of floodlights. As I walked south on the Waterfront Trail a couple hours later, the Union Fields nest had an Osprey on it, but I didn't see any among the floodlights, including that previous perch. Clearly the nest is claimed, but maybe one member of the pair has yet to arrive.
Date: 3/25/26 10:23 am From: Lois E. Chaplin <lec4...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey
Indeed, lots of activity at the salt point platform. For a moment, I thought I would be witnessing copulation, but it turned out just to be a lunch delivery. Home improvement is underway with sticks being tossed out and delivered
Lois
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 25, 2026, at 12:57 PM, Jack Morse <jack.morse131...> wrote:
You don't often get email from <jack.morse131...> Learn why this is important<https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification> Lois - I was on the nest platform side of the creek this morning and saw a pair on the nest platform. I got a couple of very poor pictures that of no use identifying but I’d like to assume that Orpheus and Ursala are back for another season.
Jack Morse
On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 12:36 PM Lois E. Chaplin <lec4...><mailto:<lec4...>> wrote:
Watching an Osprey bathing at Myers Park in the shallows where the creek enters.
Date: 3/25/26 9:57 am From: Jack Morse <jack.morse131...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey
Lois - I was on the nest platform side of the creek this morning and saw a
pair on the nest platform. I got a couple of very poor pictures that of no
use identifying but I’d like to assume that Orpheus and Ursala are back for
another season.
Jack Morse
On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 12:36 PM Lois E. Chaplin <lec4...> wrote:
> Watching an Osprey bathing at Myers Park in the shallows where the creek
> enters.
>
> Lois Chaplin
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> 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.
> --
Date: 3/24/26 7:53 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] 3 Ospreys, S end of Cayuga L, afternoon 23 March
Yesterday, 23 March, after seeing several reports of an Osprey on the nest along Fall Creek opposite Stewart Park and of an Osprey on the nest in the SW field of AH Treman State Marine Park (the one north of the maintenance building, the solar panel array, and also the Hangar Theatre), but never more than 1 Osprey seen at a time, I went to figure out whether this was a single bird checking the choices among nests while no other birds were around, or whether there seemed to be a greater level of attachment, indicating 2 separate birds.
When I arrived at AH Treman and came past the maintenance building, I saw (and quickly photographed) an Osprey on the perch on the nest platform. It soon took off and flew around in a large circle, calling. Then I saw what I assumed was the same Osprey fly to a big Cottonwood nearby along the E side of NYS-89, perching about halfway up, which is about the same height as the nest platform. A few times as I walked around the park I was able to check these perches from a distance, and usually either the platform or the Cottonwood (sometimes the top) was occupied by an Osprey, but never both. As I was about to finally lose sight of this area before exiting the park, I glanced back. There were 2 Ospreys sitting side-by side on that nest! I managed to quickly set up my scope and get 1 photo before one of them took flight. Although I didn't see mating, I also didn't see altercation. It looked like a pair who had claimed their nest. At any rate it proved more than 1 Osprey is around. But I didn't see any Osprey near any of the other 3 nests (Union Field in Cass Park, the north field at AH Treman, or the NW corner of Newman Golf Course.
I then biked from AH Treman to Stewart Park via the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. As I approached I watched the nest on the W bank of Fall Creek opposite the SW corner of Stewart Park, and I didn't see any Osprey there, nearby, or anywhere. I wondered if an Osprey was in the nest but hunkered down against the stiff NW wind, so I set up my scope on the boardwalk between the suspension bridges and examined the top of the nest for evidence of feathers. No Osprey appeared to be hiding in the nest, but then into my view descended a pair of feet carrying a large stick as an Osprey returned. It took a moment to set up my phone on the scope, by which time the Osprey, now sitting on the nest, was using its bill to adjust the placement of the stick (shown in a quick & dirty photo I took). I then got another more respectable photo of it standing on the nest with its crown ruffled by the wind. That Osprey wasn't always on the nest, but its commitment to that nest is clear as it adds sticks.
Again I saw no Ospreys around the other 2 nests at Stewart Park, nor flying around, nor perched generally. But as of yesterday afternoon it appears there were at least 3 Ospreys at the south end of Cayuga Lake.
The Hangar Theatre pair arrived early last year also.
Candace
On Mon, Mar 23, 2026 at 1:26 PM Elaina M. McCartney <
<elaina.mccartney...> wrote:
> An Osprey was standing on the nest by the Hangar Theater about 1:20 today.
>
>
>
> Elaina
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 3/23/26 11:02 am From: Patricia A. Curran <pc21...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Regional central NYS Osprey overview
Our Haiku box reported an osprey at 7:43 am today. We are about 1 mile north of West Danby.
Pat
________________________________
From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 1:16 PM
To: Cayuga Birds List <cayugabirds-l...>
Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Regional central NYS Osprey overview
I should've read all the emails before writing the last one. On 22 March both Suan Yong and Garrett Taylor saw an Osprey on the nest west of the green suspension bridge over Fall Creek on the east side of Newman Golf Course, suggesting, along with multiple sightings of a single bird in various places, that there may already be 2 Ospreys at the south end of Cayuga Lake.
- - Dave Nutter
On Mar 23, 2026, at 1:02 PM, Dave Nutter <nutter.dave...> wrote:
Looking at the eBird map of Osprey reports in central NYS, it is clear we are still in the very early stage of their return, but there were several additional sightings on 22 March. Here's a summary from south to north of the swath of NYS from the Southern Tier adjacent to the Finger Lakes to Lake Ontario.
In Chemung County on 14 March Jill Rogan photographed the first 2026 eBird Osprey record in Elmira along the Chemung River. On 22 March she reported an Osprey perched over a pond several miles to the west.
As Dave Nicosia reported, on 22 March he found the first Broome County eBird Osprey along the Otselic River at the north end of the reservoir in Upper Lisle, and this bird was reported a couple more times.
In Ithaca on 22 March there were more reports of a single Osprey at the south end of Cayuga Lake, first by Kevin Packard, who photographed one eating a fish while perched in a tree on the west side of Taughannock Blvd (NYS-89) near the nest platform north of the maintenance building on the west side of AH Treman State Marine Park. Later an Osprey was anonymously reported perched on that same nest platform. This is the first Ithaca report I've seen of an Osprey at a nest. Last year this nest was the first to be occupied of the several nests around AH Treman, Cass Park, and the NW corner of Newman Golf Course.
In Canandaigua in Ontario County on 22 March, Kyle Gage photographed an Osprey perched on a light pole along Airport Rd, the first eBird report in a several county area.
In Waterloo on 22 March, 6 people in a group of 14 reported to eBird an Osprey apparently at or near the Seneca Meadows trash landfill, without any comment as to what it was doing.
As I mentioned, on 22 March Dave Kennedy photographed an Osprey on a nest along NYS-5/US-20 near the Montezuma NWR entrance. Presumably this same bird was reported several times later in the day either along the highway or from the refuge Visitor Center area.
In Wayne County on 22 March Carmen Gumina made the first 2 eBird reports east of the Village of Savannah in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, each of a single Osprey, first at the DEC's Railroad Rd marshes, and later at the Montezuma NWR Sandhill Crane Unit along the SE end of Van Dyne Spoor Rd. He did not say whether he thought they were likely the same or different birds at these fairly close locations, nor whether they were associated with particular nests.
The first Onondaga County eBird record was a few days earlier on 18 March, photographed by Andrew Mosher at Onondaga Lake Park "flying towards the nest". Presumably the same Osprey was photographed again on the 21st perched on what looks like a communications antenna tower (perhaps the nest site?) by Thomas McKay, and reported without comment on 2 other checklists.
Farther north on 19 March Kayla & Robert Fisk reported to eBird an Osprey, without comment, along the Oneida River east of Phoenix.
Still farther north in Oswego County at the Derby Hill Hawk Watch, the official counter, David Brown, photographed the first Osprey of the year on 22 March, the only raptor he saw migrating that mostly rainy day. This is the only eBird report of Osprey along Lake Ontario's south shore as of this writing.
That leave a whole lot of nests yet to be occupied in the Cayuga Basin and beyond, and a whole lot of migrants to pass through.
This wraps up the area which I tend to look at in eBird. There are a few eBird Osprey reports in western NYS and nearby southern Ontario Province, some along the Hudson Valley, and a ton along the Atlantic coast.
Date: 3/23/26 10:16 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Regional central NYS Osprey overview
I should've read all the emails before writing the last one. On 22 March both Suan Yong and Garrett Taylor saw an Osprey on the nest west of the green suspension bridge over Fall Creek on the east side of Newman Golf Course, suggesting, along with multiple sightings of a single bird in various places, that there may already be 2 Ospreys at the south end of Cayuga Lake. - - Dave Nutter
On Mar 23, 2026, at 1:02 PM, Dave Nutter <nutter.dave...> wrote:
Looking at the eBird map of Osprey reports in central NYS, it is clear we are still in the very early stage of their return, but there were several additional sightings on 22 March. Here's a summary from south to north of the swath of NYS from the Southern Tier adjacent to the Finger Lakes to Lake Ontario. In Chemung County on 14 March Jill Rogan photographed the first 2026 eBird Osprey record in Elmira along the Chemung River. On 22 March she reported an Osprey perched over a pond several miles to the west. As Dave Nicosia reported, on 22 March he found the first Broome County eBird Osprey along the Otselic River at the north end of the reservoir in Upper Lisle, and this bird was reported a couple more times. In Ithaca on 22 March there were more reports of a single Osprey at the south end of Cayuga Lake, first by Kevin Packard, who photographed one eating a fish while perched in a tree on the west side of Taughannock Blvd (NYS-89) near the nest platform north of the maintenance building on the west side of AH Treman State Marine Park. Later an Osprey was anonymously reported perched on that same nest platform. This is the first Ithaca report I've seen of an Osprey at a nest. Last year this nest was the first to be occupied of the several nests around AH Treman, Cass Park, and the NW corner of Newman Golf Course. In Canandaigua in Ontario County on 22 March, Kyle Gage photographed an Osprey perched on a light pole along Airport Rd, the first eBird report in a several county area. In Waterloo on 22 March, 6 people in a group of 14 reported to eBird an Osprey apparently at or near the Seneca Meadows trash landfill, without any comment as to what it was doing. As I mentioned, on 22 March Dave Kennedy photographed an Osprey on a nest along NYS-5/US-20 near the Montezuma NWR entrance. Presumably this same bird was reported several times later in the day either along the highway or from the refuge Visitor Center area. In Wayne County on 22 March Carmen Gumina made the first 2 eBird reports east of the Village of Savannah in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, each of a single Osprey, first at the DEC's Railroad Rd marshes, and later at the Montezuma NWR Sandhill Crane Unit along the SE end of Van Dyne Spoor Rd. He did not say whether he thought they were likely the same or different birds at these fairly close locations, nor whether they were associated with particular nests. The first Onondaga County eBird record was a few days earlier on 18 March, photographed by Andrew Mosher at Onondaga Lake Park "flying towards the nest". Presumably the same Osprey was photographed again on the 21st perched on what looks like a communications antenna tower (perhaps the nest site?) by Thomas McKay, and reported without comment on 2 other checklists. Farther north on 19 March Kayla & Robert Fisk reported to eBird an Osprey, without comment, along the Oneida River east of Phoenix. Still farther north in Oswego County at the Derby Hill Hawk Watch, the official counter, David Brown, photographed the first Osprey of the year on 22 March, the only raptor he saw migrating that mostly rainy day. This is the only eBird report of Osprey along Lake Ontario's south shore as of this writing. That leave a whole lot of nests yet to be occupied in the Cayuga Basin and beyond, and a whole lot of migrants to pass through. This wraps up the area which I tend to look at in eBird. There are a few eBird Osprey reports in western NYS and nearby southern Ontario Province, some along the Hudson Valley, and a ton along the Atlantic coast.
Date: 3/23/26 10:02 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Regional central NYS Osprey overview
Looking at the eBird map of Osprey reports in central NYS, it is clear we are still in the very early stage of their return, but there were several additional sightings on 22 March. Here's a summary from south to north of the swath of NYS from the Southern Tier adjacent to the Finger Lakes to Lake Ontario.
In Chemung County on 14 March Jill Rogan photographed the first 2026 eBird Osprey record in Elmira along the Chemung River. On 22 March she reported an Osprey perched over a pond several miles to the west.
As Dave Nicosia reported, on 22 March he found the first Broome County eBird Osprey along the Otselic River at the north end of the reservoir in Upper Lisle, and this bird was reported a couple more times.
In Ithaca on 22 March there were more reports of a single Osprey at the south end of Cayuga Lake, first by Kevin Packard, who photographed one eating a fish while perched in a tree on the west side of Taughannock Blvd (NYS-89) near the nest platform north of the maintenance building on the west side of AH Treman State Marine Park. Later an Osprey was anonymously reported perched on that same nest platform. This is the first Ithaca report I've seen of an Osprey at a nest. Last year this nest was the first to be occupied of the several nests around AH Treman, Cass Park, and the NW corner of Newman Golf Course.
In Canandaigua in Ontario County on 22 March, Kyle Gage photographed an Osprey perched on a light pole along Airport Rd, the first eBird report in a several county area.
In Waterloo on 22 March, 6 people in a group of 14 reported to eBird an Osprey apparently at or near the Seneca Meadows trash landfill, without any comment as to what it was doing.
As I mentioned, on 22 March Dave Kennedy photographed an Osprey on a nest along NYS-5/US-20 near the Montezuma NWR entrance. Presumably this same bird was reported several times later in the day either along the highway or from the refuge Visitor Center area.
In Wayne County on 22 March Carmen Gumina made the first 2 eBird reports east of the Village of Savannah in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, each of a single Osprey, first at the DEC's Railroad Rd marshes, and later at the Montezuma NWR Sandhill Crane Unit along the SE end of Van Dyne Spoor Rd. He did not say whether he thought they were likely the same or different birds at these fairly close locations, nor whether they were associated with particular nests.
The first Onondaga County eBird record was a few days earlier on 18 March, photographed by Andrew Mosher at Onondaga Lake Park "flying towards the nest". Presumably the same Osprey was photographed again on the 21st perched on what looks like a communications antenna tower (perhaps the nest site?) by Thomas McKay, and reported without comment on 2 other checklists.
Farther north on 19 March Kayla & Robert Fisk reported to eBird an Osprey, without comment, along the Oneida River east of Phoenix.
Still farther north in Oswego County at the Derby Hill Hawk Watch, the official counter, David Brown, photographed the first Osprey of the year on 22 March, the only raptor he saw migrating that mostly rainy day. This is the only eBird report of Osprey along Lake Ontario's south shore as of this writing.
That leave a whole lot of nests yet to be occupied in the Cayuga Basin and beyond, and a whole lot of migrants to pass through.
This wraps up the area which I tend to look at in eBird. There are a few eBird Osprey reports in western NYS and nearby southern Ontario Province, some along the Hudson Valley, and a ton along the Atlantic coast.
Date: 3/23/26 8:02 am From: Astrid Jirka <astrid...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Basin Osprey report, early 22 March
On Saturday the 21st, around 3pm, I saw an Osprey in the nest bw. Stewart
Park and the Golf Course, on Fall Creek. It flew off to land on a large
tree on the north edge of the golf course.
Good to hear of the recent arrivals!
*Astrid Jirka*
Director of Tourism Initiatives
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discover Cayuga Lake - "Tourism with a Mission"
www.discovercayugalake.org <http://discovercayugalake.org/> Tompkins Center for History & Culture, Suite 303
607-327-LAKE (5253)
On Sun, Mar 22, 2026 at 7:57 PM david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
<CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
> We had our FOY Osprey in Broome County today. Bird was forced down from
> heavy rain. It was heading north low over reservoir upper lisle county
> park.
>
> Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_315_SearchOrgConquer_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002039&af_sub5=C01_Email_Static_&af_ios_store_cpp=0c38e4b0-a27e-40f9-a211-f4e2de32ab91&af_android_url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?<id...>&listing=search_organize_conquer> >
> On Sun, Mar 22, 2026 at 8:33 AM, Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list)
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
> At the south end of Cayuga Lake there continue to be reports of a single
> Osprey. On March 20th Jay McGowan saw one "circling around nest area over
> creek". On Saturday the 21st there were multiple reports: from the south
> end of the Black Diamond Trail, from AH Treman State Marine Park, from
> Stewart Park, and from 4 members of a Cayuga Bird Club Conservation
> Committee work crew in Lighthouse Point Natural Area (Jetty Woods). No one
> reported more than one Osprey, nor did they pin it down as to where it was
> spending its time, but Ann Mitchell on the work crew reported the Osprey
> was carrying a fish.
>
> In Seneca County, where Osprey has seasonally ceased being considered
> rare, there have been 2 additional reports in the Montezuma NWR area after
> a hiatus since the 16th. Eleven people from the boards of the Iroquois and
> Montezuma Friends Boards (public support groups for the refuges, not
> necessarily Quakers) was allowed onto the Wildlife Drive before the general
> public (who I believe will be allowed on 1 April), and 1 member of the
> group, Christopher Hollister, submitted an eBird list including 1 Osprey,
> simply noting "FOY". This morning, the 22nd, David Kennedy, a photographer
> birder known for finding and splendidly documenting new arrivals in the
> north end of the Basin, shared to the Montezuma chat group on Discord a
> photo of an Osprey on a nest along 5&20 just west of the refuge entrance.
>
> I haven't seen or heard of any reports elsewhere in the Cayuga Basin, but
> the day is young.
>
>
> - - Dave Nutter
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
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> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
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> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
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> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 3/22/26 4:58 pm From: david nicosia (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Basin Osprey report, early 22 March
We had our FOY Osprey in Broome County today. Bird was forced down from heavy rain. It was heading north low over reservoir upper lisle county park.
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
On Sun, Mar 22, 2026 at 8:33 AM, Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list)<CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote: At the south end of Cayuga Lake there continue to be reports of a single Osprey. On March 20th Jay McGowan saw one "circling around nest area over creek". On Saturday the 21st there were multiple reports: from the south end of the Black Diamond Trail, from AH Treman State Marine Park, from Stewart Park, and from 4 members of a Cayuga Bird Club Conservation Committee work crew in Lighthouse Point Natural Area (Jetty Woods). No one reported more than one Osprey, nor did they pin it down as to where it was spending its time, but Ann Mitchell on the work crew reported the Osprey was carrying a fish.
In Seneca County, where Osprey has seasonally ceased being considered rare, there have been 2 additional reports in the Montezuma NWR area after a hiatus since the 16th. Eleven people from the boards of the Iroquois and Montezuma Friends Boards (public support groups for the refuges, not necessarily Quakers) was allowed onto the Wildlife Drive before the general public (who I believe will be allowed on 1 April), and 1 member of the group, Christopher Hollister, submitted an eBird list including 1 Osprey, simply noting "FOY". This morning, the 22nd, David Kennedy, a photographer birder known for finding and splendidly documenting new arrivals in the north end of the Basin, shared to the Montezuma chat group on Discord a photo of an Osprey on a nest along 5&20 just west of the refuge entrance.
I haven't seen or heard of any reports elsewhere in the Cayuga Basin, but the day is young.
best view of a lifetime. At bridge over canal up at Rt 89 at Montezuma. Bird flew up over car going northeast as we drove south over bridge. Very brief, but no more than 20m from us. I actually got a glimpse of the golden head. Monstrous big bird. Joy John Confer
Date: 3/22/26 12:23 pm From: Suan Yong <suan.yong...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Basin Osprey report, early 22 March
On our field trip at Stewart park this morning, starting from the east end of the park we first spied one far to the west hovering then landing in a tree beyond the white lighthouse. Later, about midway along our westward walk we saw one sitting atop the nest by the suspension bridge. A little after that we saw one hovering around the lighthouses. Later yet after circling the Fuertes loop to the boat house we saw one over the inlet. At this time the nest by the suspension bridge was unoccupied. So while we never simultaneously saw two birds, it felt like there were at least two, one on the Allen Treman side and one claiming the suspension bridge nest. Suan
On Mar 22, 2026, at 8:34 AM, Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
At the south end of Cayuga Lake there continue to be reports of a single Osprey. On March 20th Jay McGowan saw one "circling around nest area over creek". On Saturday the 21st there were multiple reports: from the south end of the Black Diamond Trail, from AH Treman State Marine Park, from Stewart Park, and from 4 members of a Cayuga Bird Club Conservation Committee work crew in Lighthouse Point Natural Area (Jetty Woods). No one reported more than one Osprey, nor did they pin it down as to where it was spending its time, but Ann Mitchell on the work crew reported the Osprey was carrying a fish. In Seneca County, where Osprey has seasonally ceased being considered rare, there have been 2 additional reports in the Montezuma NWR area after a hiatus since the 16th. Eleven people from the boards of the Iroquois and Montezuma Friends Boards (public support groups for the refuges, not necessarily Quakers) was allowed onto the Wildlife Drive before the general public (who I believe will be allowed on 1 April), and 1 member of the group, Christopher Hollister, submitted an eBird list including 1 Osprey, simply noting "FOY". This morning, the 22nd, David Kennedy, a photographer birder known for finding and splendidly documenting new arrivals in the north end of the Basin, shared to the Montezuma chat group on Discord a photo of an Osprey on a nest along 5&20 just west of the refuge entrance. I haven't seen or heard of any reports elsewhere in the Cayuga Basin, but the day is young.
Date: 3/22/26 5:33 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Basin Osprey report, early 22 March
At the south end of Cayuga Lake there continue to be reports of a single Osprey. On March 20th Jay McGowan saw one "circling around nest area over creek". On Saturday the 21st there were multiple reports: from the south end of the Black Diamond Trail, from AH Treman State Marine Park, from Stewart Park, and from 4 members of a Cayuga Bird Club Conservation Committee work crew in Lighthouse Point Natural Area (Jetty Woods). No one reported more than one Osprey, nor did they pin it down as to where it was spending its time, but Ann Mitchell on the work crew reported the Osprey was carrying a fish.
In Seneca County, where Osprey has seasonally ceased being considered rare, there have been 2 additional reports in the Montezuma NWR area after a hiatus since the 16th. Eleven people from the boards of the Iroquois and Montezuma Friends Boards (public support groups for the refuges, not necessarily Quakers) was allowed onto the Wildlife Drive before the general public (who I believe will be allowed on 1 April), and 1 member of the group, Christopher Hollister, submitted an eBird list including 1 Osprey, simply noting "FOY". This morning, the 22nd, David Kennedy, a photographer birder known for finding and splendidly documenting new arrivals in the north end of the Basin, shared to the Montezuma chat group on Discord a photo of an Osprey on a nest along 5&20 just west of the refuge entrance.
I haven't seen or heard of any reports elsewhere in the Cayuga Basin, but the day is young.
Date: 3/19/26 2:54 pm From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] At least 1 Osprey is definitely back in the Cayuga Basin
Sunday March 15 produced 3 eBird reports from the Montezuma Wetlands area, but considering that Osprey was at that time rare in Seneca County, the details were scant. Maybe there was an Osprey in the area, but it's hard to be sure.
In the Mucklands a brown-bodied bird with a brown & white striped head was seen sitting in a field, which is typically what Bald Eagles do, not Ospreys. The observer only succeeded in getting photos of an immature Bald Eagle, so that report languishes.
Over Mays Point Pool a bird "identified by W shaped wings" (I think they meant M) was accepted as Osprey even though other birds such as gulls and Great Blue Herons fly with their wings bowed.
On Route 5&20 between Routes 89 on the west and Route 90 on the east near the Montezuma NWR Visitor Center entrance there is a series of 7 Osprey nests on big metal pylons for electric wires. It's a fast, busy, and frankly dangerous road, so birders rarely stop to take a careful look or take a photo. On the 15 an observer reported an Osprey somewhere along there, but because the report, made afterward from home, accidentally used their home as the observation site, that eBird chucked that report. The next day a very good photographer reported an Osprey somewhere in that block, but did not include a photo. The report was accepted by eBird, which surprised me. Twice this week I have seen a large raptor perched on or near an Osprey platform, but each time the bird turned out to be a Red-tailed Hawk.
Then late in the afternoon on March 18 Michael Sprintz spent 2 1/2 hours at Stewart Park in Ithaca and included in the eBird report an excellent photograph of an Osprey perched on a branch. The photo showed its small dark hooked bill, and its clean white belly, as well as the white head with a high-contrast dark mask, and uniformly dark brown back & wings. That ain't no eagle.
Now that we have a Cayuga Basin 2026 First Record and I can relax about ID details. Next comes the question of when which nests will be reclaimed. I went to Stewart Park this morning, and near the platform at the northeast corner of the park sat a big raptor - one of those Red-tailed Hawks (Just check carefully, folks!). Eventually I found a/the Osprey perched high in a tree on the north edge of Renwick Wildwood above the Lagoon. I think the Osprey was keeping an eye on the platform located just beyond the west end of the suspension bridge over Fall Creek. I'm not sure that's a definite claim yet, but that's where I'd bet.
Check any and all Osprey platforms and nests in our area over the next couple weeks. If you see a real Osprey on one of them write a note here describing where that nest/platform is located. Candace Cornell, who has studied the Ospreys' spread in our area, and Karen Edelstein, who has mapped many nests & platforms, would like to know. Maybe lots of folks will find it cheering.
Date: 3/19/26 2:48 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] March 19 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Some mornings it just feels good to get out there in a familiar spot and see who's showing up! Our Thursday Birding Meetup gathered at Sapsucker Woods today, kind of the equivalent of birding comfort food--a cozy familiarity with the ever present possibility of a surprise or two along the way. Two dozen of us birded the Wilson Trail, trekking through the March snow. We were heartily greeted by red-winged blackbirds who were talking up a storm with each other--yep, they're back! Out on the water, we were happy to see wood ducks and two ring-necked ducks along with the Canada geese. Otherwise, there was a selection of the usual woodland birds as we made our way around the circle, seeing 20 species (thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZbuiq6Uvo2-UjRGudYrUSNUbEWv-I9dCQd0p0s9Qcpvkd3z_19V0L5JFkKhHIAuQV6XEhBHDEfg-1IiPpGFitGRZbnrhFEuKCqefPZVOoprlkqaA-ro-6RP3SQ50pJhaUbmeARGz08c81Ns8_ww2BXr&__tn__=-]K-R>). At the very end, a red-tailed hawk sat up in a tree across the road, ignoring the mob of blue jays harassing it. We even checked out the feeder birds in search of some early sparrow migrants, seeing an American Tree sparrow and song sparrow in the mix. Afterward, we gathered for breakfast at Ithaca Bakery at Triphammer (our beloved East Shore Roadhouse was closed today!). Want to join us next week? We'll gather on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 am at Dryden Lake. Directions from Ithaca: Head east on Route 13 to Dryden and turn right on Route 38 south (South Street that becomes Dryden Harford Rd.) for 2.1 miles. Turn left on Chaffee Road until it ends at West Lake Rd. Go left and then immediately right into the park entrance. 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
Date: 3/19/26 11:54 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Taughannock Ravens building
Well in any case, today it looks like a detente has been achieved. The Ravens have now established a new nest high on the south wall of the gorge a few hundred feet from the falls, and the Peregrines were ignoring them while I was there. The Raven nest is visible from various openings along the North Rim Trail between markers #9 and #10. Pictures at https://ebird.org/checklist/S310717665 -Geo
On Mar 18, 2026, at 5:19 PM, <anneb.clark...> wrote:
When inappropriately applied, Hope has high costs. Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 17, 2026, at 7:51 AM, Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Since a week ago, when their collection of sticks fell into the gorge, I have found the Raven pair several times in trees along the South Rim near the great falls, perched side by side where they have a view of their traditional ledge. But so far they haven’t brought (or haven’t succeeded in bringing) any building materials to it. Yesterday morning I watched at very close range as they were subjected to vigorous dive-bombing attacks by the male Peregrine, who finally drove them off their perch. They dropped down from the rim and fled, probably back up the gorge beyond the falls and out of the Peregrine’s immediate defensive perimeter. He took up a perch that had been theirs, and preened himself.
Date: 3/19/26 4:43 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Taughannock Ravens building
The Ravens began this year in the same way as two years ago, by attempting to build in an unworkable location farther up the gorge. It seems likely that their reason then was the same as now: early exclusion from their preferred ledge at the falls by the territorial Peregrines nesting nearby. But the cost exacted two years ago was only a delay. A month later they succeeded in establishing a nest at the falls. Perhaps the Peregrines were too busy with their own brood at that point to prevent it. Might the Ravens be hoping for a repeat?
That brings me to a reconsideration of last year’s failures, which were speculatively attributed to a Great Horned Owl. I wonder if the Ravens and the Peregrines (nemesis species) might actually have destroyed each others’ broods?
-Geo
> On Mar 18, 2026, at 5:19 PM, <anneb.clark...> wrote:
>
> When inappropriately applied, Hope has high costs.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>>> On Mar 17, 2026, at 7:51 AM, Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
>>>
>>
>> Since a week ago, when their collection of sticks fell into the gorge, I have found the Raven pair several times in trees along the South Rim near the great falls, perched side by side where they have a view of their traditional ledge. But so far they haven’t brought (or haven’t succeeded in bringing) any building materials to it. Yesterday morning I watched at very close range as they were subjected to vigorous dive-bombing attacks by the male Peregrine, who finally drove them off their perch. They dropped down from the rim and fled, probably back up the gorge beyond the falls and out of the Peregrine’s immediate defensive perimeter. He took up a perch that had been theirs, and preened himself.
>>
>> -Geo
When inappropriately applied, Hope has high costs. Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 17, 2026, at 7:51 AM, Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
Since a week ago, when their collection of sticks fell into the gorge, I have found the Raven pair several times in trees along the South Rim near the great falls, perched side by side where they have a view of their traditional ledge. But so far they haven’t brought (or haven’t succeeded in bringing) any building materials to it. Yesterday morning I watched at very close range as they were subjected to vigorous dive-bombing attacks by the male Peregrine, who finally drove them off their perch. They dropped down from the rim and fled, probably back up the gorge beyond the falls and out of the Peregrine’s immediate defensive perimeter. He took up a perch that had been theirs, and preened himself.
Date: 3/18/26 8:35 am From: Sandy Podulka <sgp4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Spring Ornithology Sigh-up -- Last Chance (really)
Trust me, spring really is coming, one of these days! So here's a reminder---last chance to sign up for the 50th Anniversary year of Spring Ornithology with Steve Kress, which starts March 24--just 6 days from now.
Info:
The class will be held Tuesday evenings, 7 to 9 pm, March 24 through May 19 (no class 4/7) at Kendal at Ithaca. You can attend each class either in person OR via Zoom.
Classes will be recorded for students to view or review at their convenience.
Details and registration at: www.cayugabirdclub.org/spring-ornithology
The class is suitable for beginners, but even seasoned birders will find their enjoyment of birds enriched by exploring little-known aspects of species they thought they knew well. Makes a great gift for yourself or a birding friend, including people in senior care facilities with internet access.
Date: 3/17/26 4:13 pm From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bird habitat improvement at Lighthouse Point Saturday March 21
Hi All,
The Cayuga Bird Club has another habitat improvement day planned for this coming Saturday from about 10am to noon. Park at the Newman Golf Course and walk back the dirt access road to the woods.
It is expected to be about 50 degrees that day (the snow should all melt before then). Wear boots, bring work gloves. We also have non-strenuous tasks for folks who want to operate a clipboard and pencil.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and let me know if I should expect you Saturday.
Thanks Jody Enck
Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940
Date: 3/17/26 4:52 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Re: Taughannock Ravens building
Since a week ago, when their collection of sticks fell into the gorge, I have found the Raven pair several times in trees along the South Rim near the great falls, perched side by side where they have a view of their traditional ledge. But so far they haven’t brought (or haven’t succeeded in bringing) any building materials to it. Yesterday morning I watched at very close range as they were subjected to vigorous dive-bombing attacks by the male Peregrine, who finally drove them off their perch. They dropped down from the rim and fled, probably back up the gorge beyond the falls and out of the Peregrine’s immediate defensive perimeter. He took up a perch that had been theirs, and preened himself.
Date: 3/12/26 3:50 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] March 12 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
Sometimes the star sighting of the morning is a mammal, even though today's Thursday Birding Meetup at Allan Treman State Marine Park was, of course, focused on birds. We saw two minks, including a curious one that walked right up to us, charming us all with a really close look at this usually shy creature. A nice little surprise for our chilly birding morning. Fifteen of us put on our winter gear yet again and saw 21 species (thanks for ebird, Tracy McLellan <https://www.facebook.com/groups/423723264332161/user/100000604080233/?__cft__[0]=AZZDVjziiW5f9G-jpK__RrvXHpk18bSAjng7KLvMSgK24xzHPGZGyZVdd56zKYWpCh7M5LshPPVDIonhJc2HxCLoDorcQFv-IjvMVe28_S7d-LO1T-H0cs-ZpDQjHh6R3rPTkjgj__YqigJsqPFfRcYz&__tn__=-]K-R>). We were on the lookout for any returning migrants and did see red-winged blackbirds, grackles, robins and a small murmuration of starlings. Otherwise, the usual ring-billed and herring gulls (with two Great Black-backs) were hanging out on the docks. The inlet and nearby lake area featured several common and hooded mergansers along with a smattering of other ducks. American and fish crows were out and about, reminding us "oh yeah, what's the difference, again?" We got excited about a merlin that flew into a nearby white pine tree but it seemingly disappeared, much to our disappointment. Ah well. We warmed up at breakfast, trying out Modern Ohana, the new incarnation of Mix, a spot with quite the creative Hawaii-inspired breakfast/brunch menu. Want to join us next week? Thursday March 19, we'll gather at Sapsucker Woods at 7:30 am to see who's hanging out at the Lab of O. All birders are warmly welcome to bird with us, and join us for breakfast afterward, if your schedule allows. Directions from Ithaca: Take Route 13 North and turn right on Sapsucker Woods Road. We'll meet in the parking lot near the Visitor's Center. 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
A recording of Monday's CBC presentation, "Grassland birds on Cornell lands: survey results and opportunities for conservation," by Adriaan Dokter, is now available:
Date: 3/11/26 4:41 am From: Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] TCAMP patrols tonight!
Hello Bird List! This is not directly bird related but I know we are nature enthusiasts so I wanted to provide some info about TCAMP. There have been some emails about the group on this list serve so please disregard if you already know about this organization and its efforts.
The warm evening rains this time of year bring on an incredible natural phenomenon - amphibians en masse migrate to vernal pools to lay eggs.
Because this often involves road crossings, there is a relatively high mortality rate.
In an effort to help amphibians, a local group named TCAMP (Tompkins County Amphibian Patrol) was established a couple of years ago. Volunteers go out on warm, wet early Spring nights to move salamanders and frogs to the other side of the road. The amphibians are identified and counted including dead ones that were hit by cars. Data collected are being compiled and there are several people working with the data as part of their research.
Soooo … why am I telling you this? It looks like tonight (Wednesday March 11) is going to be an optimal migration night! Volunteers will be out along a number of roads in the Caroline and Brooktondale area including Thomas Road, White Church and Ellis Hollow. There are also groups near the Cornell golf course. They will be wearing hi vis vests and headlamps. Please slow down when you see them. If you’d like, ask them to show you a Spotted Salamander, which there are typically many of. They are big and beautiful!
Sadly, the Ravens’ attempt to build a nest in a little cliff-niche up near the Black Diamond RR trestle has failed again. All of the sticks they carried up there have fallen into the gorge. If I were them, I’d be ready to try building in a tree now!
-Geo
> On Mar 6, 2026, at 12:58 PM, Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> wrote:
>
> I’ve been wondering what the Taughannock Falls Ravens would do this year, after last year’s loss of their young from the exposed nest-ledge near the great falls …
Date: 3/10/26 11:59 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
I've been told I spelt Paul's name incorrectly and that it's Paradine. Thank-you, Donna. Sorry about that, Paul. - - Dave Nutter
On Mar 10, 2026, at 2:16 PM, Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
A wooden power pole with 2 parallel crossbars at the top is a very attractive nest site for Ospreys. When Ospreys started to nest in our region, I think at Montezuma NWR first, NYSEG had a policy of pulling down any Osprey nest they found on their poles, because the sticks can touch the wires causing a short or a fire. The Ospreys probably returned to see their nest on the ground, thought "I didn't build it strong enough", and started over. Everybody lost: the Ospreys couldn't raise young, and NYSEG workers kept coming back to pull it down and looking like meanies. Then a forester named Paul Parradine who worked for NYSEG proposed a different tactic whenever such an Osprey nest start was found atop one of their poles. Instead of chucking the nest on the ground, they would carefully and temporarily remove it. Add an extension to the pole. Top it with a wooden nest platform, complete with a railing to keep the nest in place and a perch for the male, constructed by Parradine and his crew. Place the nest in the platform. The Ospreys return, initially a bit surprised at the new height but pleased with the amenities. Everyone wins: Ospreys raise young, and over the course of generations they spread south to Ithaca. The public loves them. NYSEG doesn't have to return to that pole, and they are heroes for helping Ospreys. I don't know why the nest was removed on Middaugh road. It's possible that Paul Parradine has retired, or for some other reason NYSEG has decided it's too much trouble to accommodate every Osprey nest. But I am grateful for the work that NYSEG allowed, and I credit Parradine almost single-handedly for the range expansion of Ospreys throughout the Cayuga Lake Basin - - Dave Nutter PS Please correct what I got wrong, and add what's missing.
On Mar 9, 2026, at 2:32 PM, Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Hi everyone, I live near the nest on Middaugh Road in Brooktondale. The nest has been removed and there is an orange cone where the nest was. I called the DEC and although the person who oversees this was not in the office, the person I spoke to said that NYSEG most likely received a permit to remove this nest. He said that nests on power lines can be dangerous both for the birds as well as potential for fire. So sometimes they are removed for these reasons. I am waiting to hear back for the official word, but in the meantime the nest is definitely gone. If the birds do come back and rebuild somewhere close by I will let know. - Yvette
On Mar 9, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> wrote:
And just a reminder here.... I've been maintaining THIS INTERACTIVE MAP of the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and correct anything listed here, so please loop me in. Karen On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but she and I are both interested in early arrivals. Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area. If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes in migration. If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a platform or not. Thanks! And happy Spring!
Date: 3/10/26 11:39 am From: Linda Post Van Buskirk <lpv1...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
In my area (just north of Aurora), poles are being replaced. I haven't seen nest poles taken down, but it is obviously possible that maintenance could interfere with nest poles.
Linda Van Buskirk
________________________________
From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 2:16 PM
To: ydeboer <ydeboer...>
Cc: Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...>; <Cayugabirds-L...> <Cayugabirds-L...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
A wooden power pole with 2 parallel crossbars at the top is a very attractive nest site for Ospreys. When Ospreys started to nest in our region, I think at Montezuma NWR first, NYSEG had a policy of pulling down any Osprey nest they found on their poles, because the sticks can touch the wires causing a short or a fire. The Ospreys probably returned to see their nest on the ground, thought "I didn't build it strong enough", and started over. Everybody lost: the Ospreys couldn't raise young, and NYSEG workers kept coming back to pull it down and looking like meanies.
Then a forester named Paul Parradine who worked for NYSEG proposed a different tactic whenever such an Osprey nest start was found atop one of their poles. Instead of chucking the nest on the ground, they would carefully and temporarily remove it. Add an extension to the pole. Top it with a wooden nest platform, complete with a railing to keep the nest in place and a perch for the male, constructed by Parradine and his crew. Place the nest in the platform. The Ospreys return, initially a bit surprised at the new height but pleased with the amenities. Everyone wins: Ospreys raise young, and over the course of generations they spread south to Ithaca. The public loves them. NYSEG doesn't have to return to that pole, and they are heroes for helping Ospreys.
I don't know why the nest was removed on Middaugh road. It's possible that Paul Parradine has retired, or for some other reason NYSEG has decided it's too much trouble to accommodate every Osprey nest. But I am grateful for the work that NYSEG allowed, and I credit Parradine almost single-handedly for the range expansion of Ospreys throughout the Cayuga Lake Basin
- - Dave Nutter
PS Please correct what I got wrong, and add what's missing.
On Mar 9, 2026, at 2:32 PM, Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I live near the nest on Middaugh Road in Brooktondale. The nest has been removed and there is an orange cone where the nest was.
I called the DEC and although the person who oversees this was not in the office, the person I spoke to said that NYSEG most likely received a permit to remove this nest. He said that nests on power lines can be dangerous both for the birds as well as potential for fire. So sometimes they are removed for these reasons.
I am waiting to hear back for the official word, but in the meantime the nest is definitely gone. If the birds do come back and rebuild somewhere close by I will let know.
- Yvette
On Mar 9, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> wrote:
And just a reminder here....
I've been maintaining THIS INTERACTIVE MAP<https://arcg.is/10uOuv3> of the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and correct anything listed here, so please loop me in.
Karen
On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...><mailto:<CAYUGABIRDS-L...>> wrote:
Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but she and I are both interested in early arrivals.
Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area.
If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes in migration.
If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a platform or not.
Date: 3/10/26 11:16 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
A wooden power pole with 2 parallel crossbars at the top is a very attractive nest site for Ospreys. When Ospreys started to nest in our region, I think at Montezuma NWR first, NYSEG had a policy of pulling down any Osprey nest they found on their poles, because the sticks can touch the wires causing a short or a fire. The Ospreys probably returned to see their nest on the ground, thought "I didn't build it strong enough", and started over. Everybody lost: the Ospreys couldn't raise young, and NYSEG workers kept coming back to pull it down and looking like meanies. Then a forester named Paul Parradine who worked for NYSEG proposed a different tactic whenever such an Osprey nest start was found atop one of their poles. Instead of chucking the nest on the ground, they would carefully and temporarily remove it. Add an extension to the pole. Top it with a wooden nest platform, complete with a railing to keep the nest in place and a perch for the male, constructed by Parradine and his crew. Place the nest in the platform. The Ospreys return, initially a bit surprised at the new height but pleased with the amenities. Everyone wins: Ospreys raise young, and over the course of generations they spread south to Ithaca. The public loves them. NYSEG doesn't have to return to that pole, and they are heroes for helping Ospreys. I don't know why the nest was removed on Middaugh road. It's possible that Paul Parradine has retired, or for some other reason NYSEG has decided it's too much trouble to accommodate every Osprey nest. But I am grateful for the work that NYSEG allowed, and I credit Parradine almost single-handedly for the range expansion of Ospreys throughout the Cayuga Lake Basin - - Dave Nutter PS Please correct what I got wrong, and add what's missing.
On Mar 9, 2026, at 2:32 PM, Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Hi everyone, I live near the nest on Middaugh Road in Brooktondale. The nest has been removed and there is an orange cone where the nest was. I called the DEC and although the person who oversees this was not in the office, the person I spoke to said that NYSEG most likely received a permit to remove this nest. He said that nests on power lines can be dangerous both for the birds as well as potential for fire. So sometimes they are removed for these reasons. I am waiting to hear back for the official word, but in the meantime the nest is definitely gone. If the birds do come back and rebuild somewhere close by I will let know. - Yvette
On Mar 9, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> wrote:
And just a reminder here.... I've been maintaining THIS INTERACTIVE MAP of the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and correct anything listed here, so please loop me in. Karen On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but she and I are both interested in early arrivals. Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area. If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes in migration. If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a platform or not. Thanks! And happy Spring!
Date: 3/10/26 10:12 am From: Barbara Bauer Sadovnic <bsadovnic...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga North end
Just came up Rt. 89, and saw no ice. Off Lower Lake Rd south of Cayuga State Park there were several rafts of ducks, and a large flock of snow geese. At least 20 sandhill cranes at the visitor center. I’m very happy!
Date: 3/9/26 11:44 am From: Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
Thanks for the update, Yvette. I just made a note on the listing, and the
update is now live.
On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 2:32 PM Yvette de Boer <ydeboer...> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I live near the nest on Middaugh Road in Brooktondale. The nest has been
> removed and there is an orange cone where the nest was.
>
> I called the DEC and although the person who oversees this was not in the
> office, the person I spoke to said that NYSEG most likely received a permit
> to remove this nest. He said that nests on power lines can be dangerous
> both for the birds as well as potential for fire. So sometimes they are
> removed for these reasons.
>
> I am waiting to hear back for the official word, but in the meantime the
> nest is definitely gone. If the birds do come back and rebuild somewhere
> close by I will let know.
>
> - Yvette
>
> On Mar 9, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...>
> wrote:
>
>
> And just a reminder here....
>
> I've been maintaining *THIS INTERACTIVE MAP* <https://arcg.is/10uOuv3> of
> the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the
> past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there
> haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and
> correct anything listed here, so please loop me in.
>
> Karen
>
> On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
> <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
>
>> Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but
>> she and I are both interested in early arrivals.
>>
>> Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around
>> Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area.
>>
>> If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using
>> eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even
>> a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features
>> helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes
>> in migration.
>>
>> If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a
>> platform or not.
>>
>> Thanks! And happy Spring!
>>
>> - - Dave Nutter
>>
>> --
>> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
>> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
>> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
>> Archives:
>> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
>> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
>> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
>> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
>> http://www.ebird.org.
>> --
>>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
>
Date: 3/9/26 11:32 am From: Yvette de Boer (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
Hi everyone, I live near the nest on Middaugh Road in Brooktondale. The nest has been removed and there is an orange cone where the nest was. I called the DEC and although the person who oversees this was not in the office, the person I spoke to said that NYSEG most likely received a permit to remove this nest. He said that nests on power lines can be dangerous both for the birds as well as potential for fire. So sometimes they are removed for these reasons. I am waiting to hear back for the official word, but in the meantime the nest is definitely gone. If the birds do come back and rebuild somewhere close by I will let know. - Yvette
On Mar 9, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> wrote:
And just a reminder here.... I've been maintaining THIS INTERACTIVE MAP of the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and correct anything listed here, so please loop me in. Karen On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but she and I are both interested in early arrivals. Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area. If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes in migration. If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a platform or not. Thanks! And happy Spring!
Date: 3/9/26 10:30 am From: Tobias Dean <tobydean60...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Fwd: First Woodcock Call
We heard one call multiple times tonight at our scruby field in North Danby. Very good to hear as for the first time in years and years we had no woodcock activity last year. Toby
Date: 3/9/26 9:31 am From: Karen Edelstein <karen.edelstein...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
And just a reminder here....
I've been maintaining *THIS INTERACTIVE MAP* <https://arcg.is/10uOuv3> of
the Cayuga Lake Osprey trail for Candace and the birding community over the
past decade or so. Due to some of Candace's mobility restrictions, there
haven't been any additions since last winter. I'm happy to update and
correct anything listed here, so please loop me in.
Karen
On Mon, Mar 9, 2026 at 10:17 AM Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <
<CAYUGABIRDS-L...> wrote:
> Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but
> she and I are both interested in early arrivals.
>
> Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around
> Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area.
>
> If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using
> eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even
> a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features
> helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes
> in migration.
>
> If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a
> platform or not.
>
> Thanks! And happy Spring!
>
> - - Dave Nutter
>
> --
> Cayugabirds-L List Info:
> Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information
> Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...>
> Archives:
> The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>
> <https:%3Ca%20href=>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https:
> //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html
> Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at
> http://www.ebird.org.
> --
>
Date: 3/9/26 8:38 am From: Peter Saracino <petersaracino...> Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] North end of Cayuga Lake still icy?
We had 6 sandhills at the Refuge Visitor Center this Saturday during our
Winter Into Spring Interpretive Walk. Tundra swans and various waterfowl
species
Pete Saracino
On Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 9:15 AM Lanie Wilmarth <lwilmarth007...> wrote:
> Hoping to see some waterfowl at the north end of Cayuga Lake today and
> wondered if anyone has been up there this past weekend to see if it is
> still iced over.
>
> Lanie Wilmarth
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> 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.
> --
Date: 3/9/26 8:04 am From: Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes <cth4...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] ADMIN: Digest Mode --> Pause Mode
Hi Everyone, Just a quick note to let you all know that Digest is no longer a functional option for the new Cornell eList Server at Lists.cornell.edu; however, there is a “pause” option if volume of messages becomes too burdensome. Users can go to Lists.cornell.edu to manage your subscriptions there. More information is available here. Hope this helps! Sincerely,Chris T-H
-- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, Cayugabirds-L Ithaca, New <Yorkcth4...> Archives Cayugabirds-L Welcome and Basics Cayugabirds-L Rules and Information Cayugabirds-L Subscription Configuration and Removal -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
Date: 3/9/26 7:17 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Ospreys will return soon
Candace Cornell is no longer able to get out to check Osprey nests, but she and I are both interested in early arrivals.
Please post to CayugaBirds-L any sightings of Ospreys in March around Tompkins County, Cayuga Lake or the Montezuma area.
If you think your sighting might be the first record or you are using eBird or Merlin and they call it "rare", please try to snap a photo - even a lousy hand-held phone photo can help immensely - or say what features helped you ID the bird. Those records especially help to document changes in migration.
If the Osprey was at a nest please describe where and whether it is on a platform or not.
Date: 3/9/26 6:15 am From: Lanie Wilmarth <lwilmarth007...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] North end of Cayuga Lake still icy?
Hoping to see some waterfowl at the north end of Cayuga Lake today and wondered if anyone has been up there this past weekend to see if it is still iced over.
Our first red-winged blackbird here just north of West Danby.
We have a mourning dove staring at us through the sliding door on the porch — probably getting ready to build her nest on the porch as she has done the last couple of years.
Pat
________________________________
From: Jonathan Skinner (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...>
Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2026 4:28 PM
To: Laura J. Heisey <ljh2...>
Cc: <Cayugabirds-L...> <Cayugabirds-L...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Geese flying!
Hello! I used to get a digest of this list but I now seem to be getting individual emails. I’ve gone to the subscriber page but see no option for a digest setting. Does anyone know if that is still an option? Thank you!
Jonathan Skinner
(United Kingdom, formerly Ithaca)
On 8 Mar 2026, at 19:42, Laura J. Heisey <ljh2...> wrote:
Lots of geese flying over Newfield today, too!
Still only a single Red-winged Blackbird heard a few days ago.
Hello! I used to get a digest of this list but I now seem to be getting individual emails. I’ve gone to the subscriber page but see no option for a digest setting. Does anyone know if that is still an option? Thank you!
Jonathan Skinner
(United Kingdom, formerly Ithaca)
Date: 3/8/26 12:43 pm From: Laura J. Heisey <ljh2...> Subject: RE: [cayugabirds-l] Geese flying!
Lots of geese flying over Newfield today, too!
Still only a single Red-winged Blackbird heard a few days ago.
Laura Heisey
Newfield
From: Donna Lee Scott <dls9...>
Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2026 2:40 PM
To: Laura Stenzler <lms9...>
Cc: <Cayugabirds-L...>
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Geese flying!
Lots geese seen over salt mine entrance in Lansing & Grackles at my kendal feeders.
Donna Scott
Kendal at Ithaca-377
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 8, 2026, at 1:03 PM, Laura Stenzler <lms9...><mailto:<lms9...>> wrote:
Lots of Canada and Snow geese flying this afternoon! And several golden eagle reports, including one over our house on Hunt Hill Rd in Dryden!
Laura
Just a reminder that I will be leading an all-day field trip tomorrow (Saturday 3/7) around the lake, hoping to find Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and other birds of interest. We meet at the east end of Stewart Park at 7:30am to carpool (if that feels too early, consider that on Sunday at the same time clocks will say 8:30am :-). I'll plan to stop along the way for snacks and/or lunch, likely at the Circle K. Rain should not arrive until later in the afternoon, but if it arrives early, we may end the trip early.
Email me with questions, or call/text 607-351-9334 to reach me in the morning.
Date: 3/6/26 9:58 am From: Geo Kloppel <geokloppel...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Taughannock Ravens building
I’ve been wondering what the Taughannock Falls Ravens would do this year, after last year’s loss of their young from the exposed nest-ledge near the great falls, which ocurred on the same date that the Peregrines’ newly-hatched young were taken. This morning I found the Ravens trying to build a nest farther upstream, in the same little overhung niche where they had attempted (and failed) to build two years ago. The problem then was that the floor of the niche tilts outward, and their sticks kept falling into the gorge. I’m not sure what new skills they might be able to bring to this challenge. I’ve been watching for a good while. They’re determined…
The trail-fence kick-out nine fence-posts upstream from marker #14 on the South Rim Trail points directly across the gorge at the niche, which now has a few sticks in place and vines hanging down.
Date: 3/5/26 6:58 pm From: Shelley Page <shelleypage.imagine...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] March 5 Thursday Birding Meetup Recap and Next Week Plans
You know it's going to be a good birding day when you barely open your car door and see/hear a First of Year red-winged blackbird! Today's Thursday Birding Meetup birders were greeted by this FOY bird, setting a hopeful tone for the morning in spite of the steady light drizzle. Eleven of us headed down the Dryden Rail Trail and were surprised by two black vultures that chose to hang out right above us! We appreciated the close up view of these actually rather elegant (in their own way!) scavengers. Some close up scope views of hairy woodpeckers drumming were also pretty cool. Otherwise, we saw a smattering of the expected regulars like blue jays and cardinals along that path. As we walked back toward the compost area, we were met with three other Thursday birders who arrived late and hit the compost first. We pulled together some quick car pools and drove into the compost zone for a gull vulture venture. And, we were not disappointed. Among the many herring and ring bills, we picked out glaucous, glaucous winged and Iceland gulls! Some lifers for some of us--always a treat! We also saw murders of crows and the expected black and turkey vultures. We gathered afterward at College Town Bagels East Hill to plot further adventures and study Maia's amazing comprehensive gull field guide. Want to join us next week? We're thinking more ice will be off the lake so we're gathering on Thursday March 12 at 7:30 am at Allan Treman State Marine Park. Directions from Ithaca: Head north on Route 89 (Taughannock Blvd) and turn right into the park, just before the Hangar Theatre. Continue straight, then turn left into the marina parking lot. Park on the far end near the dog park. 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
Date: 3/5/26 5:19 am From: Jody Enck <jodyenck...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Bird habitat improvement at Lighthouse Point
Hi All,
We are kicking off our bird conservation activities this weekend with a couple of hours of effort planned for Sunday March 8th from about 10am to noon down at Lighthouse Point woods. Additional habitat improvement days are on our club calendar, which you can find here: https://sites.google.com/site/cbc14850/calendar.
Parking is available at the Newman Golf Course on Pier Road, off Willow Avenue. Walk back in the dirt access road to the woods. We will be working along the main road/trail through the woods.
If you come, please wear boots, bring gloves and your own water. The forecast is for unseasonably warm weather.
You don't have to pull privet or do other heavy lifting to help out. We have other things that need to be done using a clipboard and pencil, and more tasks involving a 10m long measuring tape.
For those of you who read this list just to keep your finger on the pulse of our conservation work, I have two questions for you. I really do want your thoughtful responses, and all friendly discussion is welcome.
1. What information about our Cayuga Bird Club conservation efforts do you WANT to have available?
2. What kinds of information, support, guidance, etc. do you NEED to have to further develop your capacity to engage in bird conservation locally?
Thanks in advance for your responses to these questions, and I hope to see many of you on Sunday.
Jody W. Enck, PhD Conservation Social Scientist, and Founder of the Sister Bird Club Network 607-379-5940
Date: 3/3/26 11:11 am From: Colleen Richards <clr82...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Cayuga Bird Club speaker dinner
There will be a speaker dinner before the Cayuga Bird Club March meeting next Monday (3/9) at 5:30 at the Sumo Restaurant. Please rsvp to <clr82...> by Monday at noon so reservations can be made. Thanks. Enjoy the warm weather this weekend and happy birding. Colleen Richards
