Date: 8/8/25 7:58 am From: Jane Bain <jane.bain...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Thursday Mornings Birding Meetup Recap plus next week's plans
On this week’s Thursday Birding Meetup, sixteen of us shared a beautiful summer morning in Spencer on Peggy Hurley’s property walking through the wooded trails, exploring the gorgeous flower garden, and ending on the deck enjoying breakfast and each other’s company. On the walk through the woods the plaintive coo-ing of Mourning Doves accompanied us the whole way. The woods were otherwise quiet for much of the walk, with only a few species heard including Eastern Wood-Pewee and Brown Creeper. Highlights were a Red-eyed Vireo that stayed low and close for good eye-level looks as it continuously made its "chway" complaint calls for reasons we could not decipher, a Hermit Thrush that sat singing loudly for a good long while but on a difficult-to-describe perch, eventually offering scope views, while a Blue-headed Vireo started singing loudly and gave neck-stretching views in the high canopy above. A major plus on many of these trips is the information on the local plant life shared with us by various knowledgable members, and so we were pointed to flowering plants and fungi like Pearly Everlasting, Indian Pipe, and Chanterelles. As a final treat, while sitting on the deck, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird made an appearance. It was a perfect way to spend a summer morning in August, thanks to Peggy and all the members sharing their expertise. All birders of any level are welcome to join us on Thursday mornings at 7:00 am. Check the Cayuga Bird Club calendar for details before each Thursday.
August 14 Thursday Birding Meetup: Alder Pond at Ken Haas’s home at 5915 State Route 79. If you missed the earlier field trip to Alder Pond, this is your chance to visit this lovely place and see some great birds with Ken. He says that the trails are easy walking, meandering through 10 acres of mixed deciduous and coniferous young
forest with some dense undergrowth, a swampy area and some shrubby areas, as well as a pond, with potential to see all kinds of birds. Directions from Ithaca: take 79 west to Mecklenburg. Continue 0.8 miles out of the village up the hill and around to a straight stretch. Shortly before the road curves again, Turnpike Road comes in from the left. The driveway to Alder Pond is to the right directly opposite Turnpike Road. There is space for five cars to park on the property; if that is full, park along Turnpike Road (i.e., if you see cars parked on Turnpike Road, the lot is probably full at the property).
Jane Bain
Lansing, NY
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