Bird Survey for October 19, 2021

DUCK, DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE!! They’re B-A-A-A-C-K!! The vegetation has opened up in a couple of areas in the Main Pool. We could see that there are loads of ducks there. Most were pretty far out, close together and swimming or resting in vegetation. At one point we got really lucky and an adult bald eagle did a flyover and flushed thousands into the air. I have a video that I will try to get on the website as soon as I can. I’m including pictures of a northern shoveler with an American coot and a ring necked duck in the Main Pool. There were some ducks close to the Wildlife Drive.

The Visitors’ Center Wetland usually has a mix of ducks, geese, gulls and shorebirds. The wild flower area was mowed yesterday afternoon and that greatly improves visibility of the unit along the entrance road.

Seneca Flats held the most shorebirds. We detected at least 5 species that were often disturbed by a northern harrier. There were lots of harriers (10) in and around the Main Pool yesterday. On Sunday, a birder saw the ibis flying higher and higher and take off over the Main Pool. He wondered if it had gotten some signal that it was time to go. However, Monday morning it flew into Seneca Flats with some shorebirds and promptly flew off toward the Seneca-Cayuga Canal, before I could get a picture of it, when a harrier flew over. RATS!! We did not see it yesterday. So, if you see it, please let me know.

Last week I was getting concerned about the lower water at Knox. Silly me! Mother Nature stepped up over the weekend and after the rain on Saturday, there was a substantial increase in water at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. I’m including a picture of a pair of scaup we found there. There were loads of Canada geese (2500) and 60 sandhill cranes. On Monday, a woman came into the Visitors’ Center and told me she had seen over 100 sandhill cranes at Knox on Saturday evening! Woohoo! It’s that time of year!!

I am not surveying on Friday, this week. But, there will be a survey and lists posted in the Visitors’ Center.

ENJOY, be respectful and safe.