Publication of the North Country Bird Club, Inc. Since 1948

September / October 2015 Volume 56 No. 5

The Upland Plover

Due to the inclusion of the Spring Bird Census results, we were able to incorporate only a few of our members’ fine photos in this issue. The usual collection of member photos, including several from the summer season, will appear in the next issue.

FIELD TRIP: UPPER & LOWER LAKES WMA

Saturday, September 19th

Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart - 8:30 am

Upper & Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area is located between Rensselaer Falls and Canton in central St. Lawrence County and includes the Indian Creek Nature Center. The WMA has extensive woods and wetlands and a number of observation sites. The Nature Center features an elevated boardwalk through a marsh, as well as extensive trails through woodlands. We will visit during the fall migration to look for a variety of birds. The trails are well maintained and level, but appropriate footwear is strongly recommended, as fall rains may result in wet or muddy areas.

FIELD TRIP: MONTEZUMA NWR Saturday, October 17th

Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart - 8:30 am

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, at the northern end of Cayuga Lake, includes over 8,000 acres of ponds, wetlands, and woodlands. It is a major stopover for a great variety of migrating birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds. We will be visiting during the most active period of the fall migration. Bald Eagles, Great Blue Heron, Great Egrets, and Sandhill Cranes are among the many species usually sighted at this time of year. Reservations are required before or at the October 14 Club meeting.

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT 2016 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

ARE DUE BY JANUARY 1st

PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT THE FORM ON THE LAST PAGE SOON AND FORWARD IT WITH YOUR DUES

Please note that our November meeting is not on the second Wednesday, which is Veterans Day this year,

but on Wednesday, November 18th

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ONONDAGA AUDUBON

FALL PROGRAM IN WATERTOWN

Wednesday, October 21 - 6:00 pm

Flower Memorial Library

Linnea Rowse, Audubon New York Field Conservationist, will discuss Audubon New York’s work in the St. Lawrence Valley to conserve and manage habitat for Golden-winged Warblers.

For info on Onondaga Audubon field trips & programs: http://onondagaaudubon.com/

FALL MEETINGS

Please note the dates of our fall meetings on your calendar. Meetings are held at Stone Presbyterian Church, 140 Chestnut St, Watertown, at 7:00 pm. Meeting dates are:

Wednesday, September 9 Wednesday, October 14

Wednesday, November 18

FIRST FALL MEETING

Wednesday, September 9

Program: MONTEZUMA WETLANDS

In anticipation of our upcoming trip to the Montezuma NWR, we will learn about the Montezuma Wetlands Complex of which the Refuge is a part: its origins, geology, ecology, and habitats, as well as the variety of birds and other wildlife found there.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

This year’s Christmas Bird Count for the Watertown Circle, sponsored by Onondaga Audubon and always enthusiastically supported by North Country Bird Club, will be held on Saturday, December 19. 2015 marks the Audubon Society’s 116th Christmas Bird Count. This year, Bill Haller will serve as Compiler for the Watertown Circle (NYWA). If you would like to participate, please contact Bill (contact info is on the last page). The checklist for reporting will be distributed directly to participants.

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BALTIMORE ORIOLE

NCBC Picnic – July 12, 2015 Photo by Lauri Piiparinen

For detailed info about birds,

visit the website of

the Cornell Ornithology Lab

and of Cornell’s renowned

Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary

at http://www.birds.cornell.edu

OFFICERS

President

Corky Marlowe 782-4705

Vice-President

Bill Haller 639-6848

Treasurer

Kathleen Killeen 628-5874

Secretary

Christine Bourquin 649-5403

DIRECTORS

Richard Brouse To 5/2017

David Prosser To 5/2016

Mike Shepard To 5/2016

June Walker To 5/2017

Robert Walker To 5/2016

Field Trip Coordinator

Richard Brouse 788-6778

Census Coordinator

Bill Haller 639-6848

Historian

Robert Walker 649-2161

Newsletter Editor

Bill Haller 639-6848

A beautiful set of bird-themed notecards is given by random selection, each time the Plover is issued, to a member of our Club whose dues are current. This is intended to provide extra incentive to keep memberships in good standing. We offer our congratulations to Maureen Weaver of Carthage, selected as this issue’s recipient.

ON THE WEB:

NORTH COUNTRY

BIRD CLUB

ON FACEBOOK

Bring insect repellent and water on all field trips. A field trip may be cancelled due to bad weather.

Call Dick Brouse at 788-6778 with any questions about our field trips.

FIELD TRIP REPORTS

Annual Picnic at the Brouse’s - July 12: On Sunday, July 12, a warm and sunny summer day, 25 members and friends of the Club gathered at Dick and Marion Brouse’s home in Watertown for the Club’s Annual Picnic. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Brouse’s for hosting this event and for sharing the beautiful grounds and gardens of their home. Over the course of the afternoon, while members enjoyed fine food and animated conversation, 30 species were observed.

We saw Green Heron, Ring-billed Gull, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Baltimore Oriole, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-capped Chickadee, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Cedar Waxwing, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, and House Sparrow. We heard Eastern Wood Pewee, Gray Catbird, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. As dusk approached and the picnic drew to a close, four remaining members also saw Merlin, Cooper’s Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, and Chimney Swift, and heard Wood Thrush, Black-billed Cuckoo, and Common Yellowthroat.

Marlowe Camp, Beartown - July 25: On Saturday, July 25, 10 members of NCBC joined Club President Corky Marlowe at her camp in Beartown, near Croghan, for a second time this season. The day was sunny and pleasant. After walking through woodlands and past two large bogs, we returned to the camp for an excellent luncheon and much good conversation. Many thanks to Corky for hosting us in this beautiful setting. In the course of the day, we observed 19 bird species, as well as three species of butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Blue Azure.

Bird species seen included Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black-capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pine Warbler, and Black-and-White Warbler. Bird species heard included Northern Flicker, Gray Catbird, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Alder Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Ovenbird, American Goldfinch, and Song Sparrow.

Perch River WMA - August 22: On Saturday, August 22, a very pleasant summer day, 11 members of the Club traveled to Perch River WMA to take advantage of the annual opening of the Refuge to the public in late August. We walked the berm along the Stone Mills Pool, took a break for lunch at Longway’s Diner, then visited Perch Lake. 42 species were observed during our visit.

We saw Canada Goose, a Swan of indeterminate species, Bufflehead (a most unusual sighting for this time of year), American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle,

Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Killdeer, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper (large flock flying to avoid the Peregrine), Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Phoebe, Cedar Waxwing, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue Jay, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Yellow Warbler, and Swamp Sparrow. We heard Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood Pewee, Gray Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Yellowthroat, and American Goldfinch.

Information about programs of the Department of Environmental Conservation, conservation news, and regulation updates are distributed to the public by a targeted e-mail system. Subscribers select topics from over 100 offered. To subscribe:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/subscriber/new

CLUB MEMBERS AT THE

MARLOWE CAMP IN BEARTOWN

Croghan – June 20, 2015

Photo by Kathy Killeen

NORTH COUNTRY RAPTORS

GERRY SMITH

Please note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of any organization.

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Some 45 years ago I was first introduced to the plethora of wintering and breeding raptors that could be found in Northern New York. While some of these birds were found in smaller numbers around Syracuse, others, such as breeding Ospreys, were unknown. This was the depths of the DDT era and many, particularly chemical companies and agricultural interests, vigorously denied any connection between these chemicals and the drastic decline in many birds of prey. It is astounding that half a century later, these ornithological equivalents of holocaust deniers are still publishing their garbage on the internet. It simply proves that lies that line someone’s pocket never die.

In the early 1970s this young birder was not convinced that many of our magnificent raptors would still be around when I reached my thirties, let alone my sixties. It’s hard to imagine now, when Osprey nests adorn many phone poles in the county, that this species was so rare. Only in the Indian River Lakes region, where pesticide-laden farm runoff was limited, did a small 1970s breeding population persist. No more than a dozen nests were part of a very small statewide population in the Adirondacks, on Long Island, and at a few other sites. Now the North Country enjoys a very healthy population that has expanded throughout virtually the entire region.

In the 1970s no Bald Eagle nests were present anywhere in the region, but a small wintering population occurred along the St. Lawrence. These were the first wintering eagles I had ever seen, and the aesthetics of even a few birds inhabiting the wild frozen river was inspiring. The presence of these few birds helped, along with many other factors, to stop the idiotic idea of winter navigation on the River. Now there are several Bald Eagle nests locally and wintering numbers are impressive. It is hard to be afield along the lake or river in winter without seeing one or more Bald Eagles. This species is probably more common than at any time since the Civil War.

Another DDT impacted species, the Merlin, occurred as a migrant locally prior to the late 1980s. Places like El Dorado Nature Preserve often had a Merlin or two hunting shorebirds on most days. In recent years, exhibiting rapid evolution, this species has exploded in numbers. They began wintering in small numbers, usually around large farms or in urban areas, by the 1990s. Attracted by large concentrations of “trash bird” prey, they eventually began breeding locally. Using mostly old crow nests, they now breed widely in the Adirondacks and in parks, backyards and urban areas throughout the North Country lowlands.

When I first visited Jefferson County I was attracted by the impressive numbers of “mouse raptors” that often winter in the northwestern section. These numbers were so impressive that John Bull, in his Birds of New York State, ignored these reports because he did not consider such counts possible. Numbers of wintering Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Owl and Short-eared Owl far exceeded numbers reported from elsewhere in the northeastern United States. When these irregular irruptions occur today, numbers still remain impressive, with daily counts of over 100 Rough-legged Hawk and Short-eared Owl having been reported in recent years. Considering the latter is listed as Threatened in New York, these are impressive numbers indeed. With open landscape and often abundant meadow vole populations, many area sites are a Valhalla for wintering raptors. This area, along with the offshore US and Canadian Islands, form a regional wintering Paradise for these birds and those who observe them. Unfortunately there is trouble in Paradise as a result of irresponsible proposals for industrial wind farms. Such projects do not belong in this sensitive raptor area, let alone in the major flyway for migrants that flows through our region. In order to maintain the raptor populations locally, industrial wind power must be excluded from the landscape. As with DDT, beware information based on profit.

Gerry Smith, a professional ornithologist who serves as Vice-President of Onondaga Audubon, and a long-time member and former President of North Country Bird Club, generously offered to contribute an article for this issue. While Gerry’s expertise extends to all types of birds, raptors are his area of particular interest. Below are his reflections from nearly a half-century of observing changing raptor populations in the North Country. The Audubon Society has done very significant work in addressing environmental issues, playing a critical role in maintaining suitable habitat for birds and other wildlife. While North

Country Bird Club has always been deeply concerned about these issues, we have not addressed them as actively or as directly. Gerry’s article reflects his important work with Audubon on some very real issues facing us in today’s world. While our Club traditionally does not take a specific stand on such issues, and not all of our members may be in agreement with some views expressed here, the Editor feels it is important that we hear from someone of Gerry’s expertise concerning these issues, in order to

inform our own thinking. Our thanks to Gerry for so generously sharing his insights.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR REGIONAL SIGHTINGS

A list of birding organizations and list serves for New York (and other states) is available at http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/

Northern New York Birds List Serve: Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds. Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Y ahoo account.)

Oneida Birds List Serve (sightings in Central New York): Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/Oneidabirds. Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Y ahoo account.)

Cayuga Birds List Serve: Sightings of birds in the Finger Lakes Region with a focus on the Cayuga Lake Basin. E-mail Cayugabirds-L-Request@cornell.edu. In the message body put JOIN “Your name” (first and last name in quotes).

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SPRING BIRD CENSUS

Species: 192 - Observers: 21

Census Coordinators: Bill Haller - Corky Marlowe

21 Club members submitted 19 census forms for our Spring Bird Census this year. We express sincere thanks to all who took the time and made the effort to contribute. 192 species were recorded during our extended Census period, as compared to 158 last year, as we transitioned from a May Census to a Spring Census. Observers recorded 42 species in 2015 that were not seen in 2014, but 8 species recorded in 2014 were not observed in 2015. Seven observers recorded 100 or more species during the Census.

Observed in 2015 but not in 2014: Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Northern Bobwhite, Red-necked Grebe, Least Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Northern Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Virginia Rail, Sora, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Upland Sandpiper, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-billed Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Barred Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common Nighthawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Alder Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Horned Lark, Carolina Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, Bay-breasted Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow’s Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak, Black Vulture, Arctic Tern

Observed in 2014 but not in 2015: Ruddy Duck, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Mockingbird, Nashville Warbler, Palm Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, Canada Warbler

Observed only before May 1: 14 species (indicated below by “1” after the species name)

Observed only on or after May 1: 61 species (Indicated below by “2” after the species name)

Observers: Dick Brouse, Marion Brouse, Janet Burrows, Lynn Chavoustie, Vici & Steve Diehl, Lee Ellsworth, Doris Gibson, Bill Haller, Jean & Rob Jacob, Kathy Killeen, Corky Marlowe, Connie Mason, Erin Nestico, Dee Piiparinen, Lauri Piiparinen, Mike Shepard, Tom Sherry, Bob Walker, June Walker

SPECIES (e = number who sighted the species only before May 1 / l = only on or after May 1 / b = both):

GEESE, SWANS, & DUCKS: Snow Goose1 (14e), Canada Goose (1e-17b), Mute Swan (2e-2l-8b), Tundra Swan (3e-1l), Trumpeter Swan (2e-1l-4b), Wood Duck (3e-2l-4b), Gadwall (4e-1l), American Widgeon (3e-1b), American Black Duck (3e-1l-1b), Mallard (1e-2l-13b), Blue-winged Teal (2e-1l-6b), Northern Shoveler (4e-2l-3b), Northern Pintail1 (3e), Green-winged Teal (5e-2b), Canvasback2 (1l), Redhead1 (1e), Ring-necked Duck (7e-3b), Greater Scaup (4e-1b), Lesser Scaup (4e-2b), Long-tailed Duck (6e-5b), Bufflehead (4e-6b), Common Goldeneye (5e-4b), Hooded Merganser (10e-2b), Common Merganser (5e-1l-6b), Red-breasted Merganser (1e-9b)

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS: Ring-necked Pheasant (2e-1b), Ruffed Grouse (3e-6b), Spruce Grouse (1b), Wild Turkey (2e-1l-15b), Northern Bobwhite2 (1l) LOONS: Common Loon (1e-5l-5b)

GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (2e-4b), Red-necked Grebe2 (1l) CORMORANTS: Double-crested Cormorant (2e-2l-9b)

BITTERNS, HERONS, & IBIS: American Bittern2 (9l), Least Bittern2 (1l), Great Blue Heron (3e-2l-12b), Great Egret2 (6l), Green Heron (6l-2b), Black-crowned Night Heron2 (7l), Glossy Ibis2 (6l) VULTURES: Turkey Vulture (4e-14b), Black Vulture1 (2e)

EAGLES, HAWKS, & FALCONS: Osprey (2e-2l-10b), Bald Eagle (2e-1l-11b), Northern Harrier (3e-3l-7b), Sharp-shinned Hawk (2b), Cooper’s Hawk (2e-2l-1b), Northern Goshawk1 (1e), Red-shouldered Hawk (1e-1l), Broad-winged Hawk (2e-5l-1b), Red-tailed Hawk (5e-4l-7b), Rough-legged Hawk (7e-1b), American Kestrel (1e-9b), Merlin (6e-4b), Peregrine Falcon1 (1e)

RAILS & CRANES: Virginia Rail2 (4l), Sora2 (3l), Common Gallinule (Moorhen)2 (8l), American Coot (2l-1b)

SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (4l-10b), Greater Yellowlegs (2e-1b), Lesser Yellowlegs (1e-1l-1b), Solitary Sandpiper2 (3l), Spotted Sandpiper2 (2l), Upland Sandpiper2

(3l), Semipalmated Sandpiper2 (1l), Least Sandpiper2

(2l), Wilson’s Snipe (1e-5l-3b), American Woodcock (3l-4b)

JAEGERS, GULLS, & TERNS: Bonaparte’s Gull (2e-1l), Ring-billed Gull (1e-3l-11b), Herring Gull (3l-9b), Great Black-backed Gull (5e-3b), Caspian Tern (4l-8b), Common Tern2 (5l), Black Tern2 (5l), Arctic Tern2 (1l)

DOVES & PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (2e-1l-12b), Mourning Dove (1e-18b) CUCKOOS: Black-billed Cuckoo2 (6l)

OWLS: Barn Owl2 (1l), Great Horned Owl (2e-1l-1b), Snowy Owl1 (8e), Northern Hawk Owl1 (1e), Barred Owl1 (2e), Short-eared Owl1 (1e)

GOATSUCKERS: Common Nighthawk2 (2l), Whip-poor-will2 (11l)

SWIFTS & HUMMINGBIRDS: Chimney Swift (8l-1b), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (15l-1b)

WOODPECKERS: Belted Kingfisher (1e-6l-6b), Red-headed Woodpecker1 (1e), Red-bellied Woodpecker (2e-2b), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

(6l-1b), Downy Woodpecker (4e-14b), Hairy Woodpecker (1e-1l-11b), Northern Flicker (1e-6l-11b), Pileated Woodpecker (5e-4l-6b)

FLYCATCHERS: Olive-sided Flycatcher2 (1l), Easter Wood-Pewee (1e-7l), Alder Flycatcher (1e-1l), Willow Flycatcher2 (3l), Least Flycatcher (1e-6l), Eastern Phoebe (1e-2l-8b), Great-crested Flycatcher2 (10l), Eastern Kingbird (9l-2b)

VIREOS: Blue-headed Vireo2 (4l), Warbling Vireo2 (10l), Red-eyed Vireo2 (8l)

JAYS & CROWS: Blue Jay (1l-18b), American Crow (17b), Common Raven (5l-7b)

LARKS & SWALLOWS: Horned Lark (2e-4l-2b), Purple Martin (8l-2b), Tree Swallow (3l-11b), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2e-1l), Bank Swallow2 (8l), Cliff Swallow2 (5l), Barn Swallow (6l-7b)

CHICKADEES, TITMICE, & NUTHATCHES: Black-capped Chickadee (18b), Tufted Titmouse (3e-1l-5b), Red-breasted Nuthatch2 (1l), White-breasted Nuthatch (4e-1l-11b)

CREEPERS & WRENS: Brown Creeper1 (6e), Carolina Wren2 (1l), House Wren (1e-8l-3b), Winter Wren (2l-1b), Marsh Wren (5l-2b)

(Census data continued on next page)

Summer has brought a number of notable sightings in Northern New York. Certainly the most remarkable of the early summer occurred on June 28, when Christine Bourquin, on a drive around Point Salubrious, spotted a Sandhill Crane in a field along the road (photo at left). While these striking birds have been spotted occasionally in southern Jefferson County, they are seen only very rarely in the Chaumont Bay area.

In a sighting nearly as remarkable, Lee Ellsworth reported on July 5 that, while birding near dusk at Seven Bridges, he sighted 63 Black-crowned Night Herons flying over the marsh. Lee also reported being told that a pair of Piping Plovers had nested successfully at Lakeview WMA. This endangered species is rare anywhere and virtually unknown here. Since Lee’s report, there have been numerous confirmations of this extraordinary event.

On July 6, Nancy Dixon reported that one or more Whip-poor-wills were making the summer interesting at her home in Clayton. She wrote: We have whip-poor-wills...at least one... that tune up right after sunset. He sounds as if he's in the house. This has been going on for about three weeks. Never heard one so close. One night he woke my daughter about midnight. She could hear him over the air conditioner.

Doris Gibson reported that, on July 7, along with Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Gray Catbird, and American Goldfinch, she sighted a Yellow-breasted Chat, a seldom-seen Warbler, at her home near Perch Lake. On the evening of August 10, Corky Marlowe and Bill Haller sighted eleven Great Egrets at Perch River WMA from Vaadi Road. Six were at Stone Mills Pool, while five were perching in trees at the far end of the Upper Pool Berm.

On August 14, Nancy Dixon wrote again to report a Black-billed Cuckoo had appeared in her yard, while a Northern Cardinal was making his presence known, also. She wrote: On the first day of August I heard [ the Black-billed Cuckoo ] first, very close, as within our yard. I assume it is the male that makes all the noise. While we have had both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, this summer it appears to be a Black-billed. He goes on and on, quietly. I have

heard him a couple of times this summer, and this morning he's at it again. I saw one here several years ago. I don't know how rare they are. I seem to hear them only in the heat of the summer. I connect the sound to a hot summer afternoon. Perhaps they are more common in other parts of the county, but it's not every summer I hear one. Another first for me, though I have read of it: There is a male cardinal attacking his reflection in a window in an outbuilding. He's been doing it for about three weeks now, and yesterday he flew into a window of the house. He's quite persistent, perching in bushes close to the window between attacks, and staying most of the morning. We have one or two pairs, year round.

This summer, the DEC drained the Stone Mills Pool, in order to reestablish bottom vegetation for the fall migration of waterfowl. By late summer, the setting was an area of low vegetation, mud flats, and shallow pools. A great variety of shorebirds were attracted by this habitat (as were a variety of raptors seeking an easy food source). The report on the Club’s field trip to Perch River WMA on page 2 of this issue gives an indication of what was seen as a result of this temporary change.

On August 24, Corky and Bill were birding with Dick and Marion Brouse on the Stone Mills Pool berm, observing the shorebirds, when an Osprey flew over carrying prey in its talons. Suddenly, a Peregrine Falcon appeared and began to harass the Osprey, flying at it from all directions. After three or four minutes, the two disappeared into woods along the pool. Shortly after, the Peregrine emerged carrying the Osprey’s prey, landed on a mud flat, and proceeded to have dinner. As the Falcon dined, three other Peregrines appeared and settled onto the mud flat, presumably seeking to join in the meal. The first Peregrine did not show any interest in sharing, so the other three eventually flew off. Watching all of this from a tree along the berm was a Merlin, seemingly content to be an observer. Later that evening, Corky and Bill sighted five American Kestrel along Dog Hill and Perch Lake Roads, thus seeing all three Falcon species commonly found in our area in less than an hour.

One shorebird species that was not seen on our field trip was the Baird’s Sandpiper. On August 28, Dick and Marion sighted several Baird’s at the Stone Mills Pool, which were seen later that day by Corky and Bill. This provided a suitable conclusion to the shorebird bonanza at Perch River WMA which accompanied the annual opening of the Refuge to the public.

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB SIGHTINGS

Please forward notable sightings for the next issue by October 15, using the contact info on the last page.

FUERTES PAINTING

Spring Bird Census data continued from previous page:

KINGLETS & THRUSHES: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (2e-2l), Eastern Bluebird (4l-2b), Veery2 (6l), Swainson’s Thrush2 (1l), Hermit Thrush2 (2l), Wood Thrush (6l-1b), American Robin (19b) MIMIC THRUSHES: Gray Catbird (9l-4b), Brown Thrasher (4l-7b)

STARLINGS: European Starling (18b) PIPITS & WAXWINGS: Cedar Waxwing (1e-8l-3b)

WOOD WARBLERS and TANAGERS: Blue-winged Warbler2 (4l), Golden-winged Warbler2 (3l), Yellow Warbler2 (12l), Chestnut-sided Warbler2 (6l), Magnolia Warbler2 (4l), Black-throated Blue Warbler2 (5l), Yellow-rumped Warbler (6l-1b), Black-throated Green Warbler2 (4l), Blackburnian Warbler2 (5l), Pine Warbler2 (6l), Prairie Warbler2 (7l), Bay-breasted Warbler2 (1l), Blackpoll Warbler2 (2l), Cerulean Warbler2 (1l), Black-and-White Warbler2 (9l), American Redstart2 (11l), Ovenbird2 (9l), Common Yellowthroat2 (10l), Prothonotary Warbler2 (1l), Scarlet Tanager2 (11l)

SPARROWS & GROSBEAKS: Eastern Towhee (5l-7b), American Tree Sparrow (4e-1l-8b), Chipping Sparrow (1e-4l-7b), Clay-colored Sparrow2 (4l), Field Sparrow (1e-6l-3b), Savannah Sparrow (6l-1b), Grasshopper Sparrow2 (1l), Henslow’s Sparrow2 (1l), Song Sparrow (3e-1l-12b), Swamp Sparrow (1e-3l-4b), White-throated Sparrow (1l-9b), White-crowned Sparrow (1e-7l-1b), Dark-eyed Junco (5e-1l-13b), Snow Bunting1 (3l), Northern Cardinal (2e-1l-15b), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (13l-1b), Indigo Bunting2 (7l)

BLACKBIRDS: Bobolink2 (13l), Red-winged Blackbird (19b), Eastern Meadowlark (3l-6b), Rusty Blackbird (4e-1l-1b), Common Grackle (1e-18b), Brown-headed Cowbird (2l-13b), Orchard Oriole2 (4l), Baltimore Oriole (12l-1b)

FINCHES: Purple Finch (2e-3l-7b), House Finch (1e-3l-8b), Common Redpoll (11e-1b), Pine Siskin (2e-7l-1b), American Goldfinch (1e-4l-14b), Evening Grosbeak1 (1l) OLD WORLD SPARROWS: House Sparrow (1e-12b)

SANDHILL CRANE

Point Salubrious

June 28, 2015 Photo by Christine Bourquin

THE UPLAND PLOVER

P. O. Box 634 Watertown, NY 13601

On FACEBOOK: North Country Bird Club

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT PLOVER ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 15 If you have sightings, photos, or other items for the November / December edition,

please forward them to the Editor by October 15.

Contact info: Bill Haller, Editor - Mail: P. O. Box 6, Dexter, NY 13634

E-mail: haldex@twcny.rr.com - Phone: (315) 639-6848 (9 am to 9 pm)

Meetings / Programs: September, October, November, March, April, May (Second Wednesday of the month)

Field Trips: Spring - Summer - Fall

Spring Bird Census

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Newsletter: The Upland Plover

Website: North Country Bird Club on FACEBOOK

The North Country Bird Club, Inc., is a member of the New York State

Ornithological Association, Inc.

HELP THE BIRD CLUB SAVE MONEY! RECEIVE THE UPLAND PLOVER ONLINE

Receive the Club’s newsletter via e-mail (viewed with Adobe Reader - http://www.adobe.com/).

The online Plover is the same as the printed, but in COLOR! Contact the Editor, Bill Haller, to sign up.

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Membership is for the calendar year. Dues are per individual. Renewals are due by January 1st. To ensure that you receive Club materials, be sure to give your correct mailing address below.

Name(s): _____________________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip: __________

Regular at $10.00 Number _____ Total $______________

Sponsor at $15.00 Number _____ Total $______________

Patron at $20.00 Number _____ Total $______________

___ New ___ Renewal Total Dues $______________

Make checks payable to:

Year: 20____

North Country Bird Club P.O. Box 634

Watertown, NY 13601

Please send Plover by e-mail

Tug Hill Tomorrow has scheduled a fall hike through an Old Growth Forest on Tug Hill. The hike will begin at 10 am on Saturday, Sept 12, in the Osceola area. For details and to sign up, call 315-779-8240 or go to:

http://tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org

Consider joining the New York State Ornithological Association, (our Club is a member organization). Membership includes a quarterly journal (Kingbird) and a newsletter (New York Birders).

Details at www.nybirds.org.

MIGRATION FORECASTS

The Cornell Ornithology Lab now offers predictions of bird migration patterns. Track migrations and determine what birds will be moving through our area as the season progresses at http://birdcast.info

REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2016!