Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
    Dates(s): August 11, 2008-August 18, 2008
    To report by e-mail: brinjoseph@yahoo.com
    Covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
    and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
    Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
    Compiled: August 18, 12:30p.m.. (EST)
    Compiler: Joseph Brin
    Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org

    #117 -Tuesday August 18, 2008

    Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of August 11, 2008.

    Highlights:

    LEAST BITTERN
    LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
    SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
    SANDHILL CRANE
    WILSON’S PHALAROPE
    RED-NECKED PHALAROPE
    SANDHILL CRANE
    YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER
    COMMON NIGHTHAWK
    WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
    SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Extralimital)

    Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands complex (MWC)
    ------------

    On 8/11 the following ducks were seen in the main pool. BLUE-WINGED TEAL, SHOVELER, PINTAIL, and RING-NECKED DUCK. Also seen there and at the Visitor’s Center were 6 species of shorebirds highlighted by LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
    On 8/17The Visitor’s Center and main pool held 11 species of shorebirds including 2 WILSON’S PHALAROPE and 3 RED-NECK PHALAROPE. Also on the 17th a SANDHILL CRANE was heard only from East Road.

    Cayuga County
    ------------

    On 8/17 the following birds were seen on Towpath Road (Port Byron, not Montezuma). 42 HORNED LARK, 24 LEAST SANDPIPER, 4 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and 1 DUNLIN.

    Oswego County
    ------------

    On 8/14 a WILSON’S WARBLER was in with a group on 8 warbler species at a private residence in West Monroe.
    On 8/15 a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER was spotted along the railroad grade in West Monroe.

    Madison County
    ------------

    On 8/16 7 of the common species of shorebird were seen at Ditchbank Road and the Sod Farm north of Chittenango.

    Onondaga County
    ------------

    On 8/18 4 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen from the Colvin Ave. location near Syracuse University.

    Lewis County
    ------------

    Lewis County seems to be the best area for WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in the immediate area. On 8/13 over 200 were seen and heard from French Road to Leonard Lane east of Lowville.

    Extralimital
    ------------

    On 8/16 an adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found at the Shawangunk Grasslands in Ulster County near New Paltz. It was also seen extensively yesterday. There is no report yet for today. Check New York Birds for driving instructions and more details.


    Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
    Dates(s):August 04, 2008-August 11, 2008
    To report by e-mail: brinjoseph@yahoo.com
    Covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
    and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
    Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
    Compiled:August 11, 9:30a.m.. (EST)
    Compiler: Joseph Brin
    Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org

    #116 -Tuesday August 11, 2008

    Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week ofAugust 04, 2008

    Highlights:

    BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
    LEAST BITTERN
    LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
    WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
    SANDHILL CRANE
    CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
    GREAT EGRET
    EVENING GROSBEAK

    Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands complex (MWC)
    ------------

    On 8/6 a LEAST BITTERN, a SANDHILL CRANE, and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON were seen from Towpath Road.
    On 8/9 a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and 8 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen in the new area at the Visitor's Center. Also found near the Visitor’s Center was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.

    Onondaga County
    ------------

    On 8/4 a GREAT EGRET was seen at the Hookway tract near Meadowbrook Drive in Syracuse.
    On 8/5 6 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were found in Morgon Hill State Forest near the Cortland County line.
    On 8/9 a GREAT EGRET was found in a wet area near Peru Road on Rt. 31 west of Baldwinsville.

    Herkimer County
    ------------

    On 8/6 12 EVENING GROSBEAKS were found on Farr Road in North Wilmurt. At least 2 birds were juveniles which indicates local breeding. Another flyover group of EVENING GROSBEAKS were heard some distance from the first group.


    Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
    Dates(s): July 28, 2008-August 04, 2008
    To report by e-mail: brinjoseph@yahoo.com
    Covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
    and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
    Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
    Compiled: August 04, 10:30a.m.. (EST)
    Compiler: Joseph Brin
    Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org

    #115 -Tuesday August 04, 2008

    Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of July 28, 2008

    Highlights:

    BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
    LEAST BITTERN
    SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
    STILT SANDPIPER
    WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL
    BAIRD’S SANDPIPER
    WESTERN SANDPIPER
    RED-NECKED STINT (Extralimital)
    SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (Extralimital)

    Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC)
    ------------

    On 7/29 10 species of shorebird including STILT SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and UPLAND SANDPIPER were seen at the Visitor’s Center and along the Wildlife Trail. The STALT SANDPIPERS and DOWITCHERS have continued through the week.
    On 7/29 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, 1 LEAST BITTERN and an astounding 108 COMMON MOORHENS were seen from Towpath Road.
    On 8/2 1 BAIRD’S and 6 WESTERN SANDPIPERS were reported from the Visitor’s Center.
    On 8/3 4 LEAST BITTERNS, 2 SORAS, and 2 VIRGINIA RAILS were seen and heard at the Marten’s Tract.

    Oswego County
    ------------

    On 7/29 a female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was found at the Great Bear Recreation Area north of Phoenix.
    On 7/29, despite higher than average water, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SANDERLINGS, and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS were seen at Sandy Pond. At nearby Skinner Creek 2 LEAST BITTERNS were found.

    Herkimer County
    ------------

    On 7/30 20 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen feeding on cones at a private residence near West Winfield.

    Extralimital
    ------------

    The weeks most exciting news comes from Jamaica Bay in New York City. On 8/1 a very colorful RED-NECKED STINT was located in the East Pond. It continued on the 2nd. and 3rd. but has not been seen yet today. On 8/3 a SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was found in the same East Pond and has already been relocated this morning.


    Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
    Dates(s): July 21, 2008-July 28, 2008
    To report by e-mail: brinjoseph@yahoo.com
    Covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
    and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
    Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
    Compiled: July 28, 10:30a.m.. (EST)
    Compiler: Joseph Brin
    Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org

    #114 -Tuesday July28, 2008

    Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of July 21, 2008

    Highlights:

    BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
    LEAST BITTERN
    GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
    SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
    STILT SANDPIPER
    RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
    RED CROSSBILL
    WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL

    Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC)
    ------------

    On 7/24 a large group of about 100 shorebirds were seen in Benning Marsh. Most were reported as YELLOWLEGS and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS.
    On 7/26 a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was seen in the main pool near the Seneca River Spillway.
    On 7/27 a STILT SANDPIPER was seen in the new pond at the Visitor’s Center. Also that day the following birds were seen from East Road and Towpath Road. LEAST BITTERN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, STILT SANDPIPER, and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER.

    Onondaga County
    ------------

    On 7/26 an adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen on private property in the Town of Lysander west of Baldwinsville. A probable fledgling was seen in flight. At the Pony Farm on Lamson Road also in Lysander a SOLITARY SANDPIPER was found.
    On 7/26 both RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were observed near the Onondaga and Cortland County line on Shakham Road.

    Madison County
    ------------

    On 7/26 on Muller Hill Road in southern Madison County a female EVENING GROSBEAK was observed feeding a fledgling.

    Oswego County
    ------------

    On 7/27 12 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were found on North Church Road just east of Bargey Road in the Town of Boylston.


    Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
    Dates(s): July 14, 2008-July 21, 2008
    To report by e-mail: brinjoseph@yahoo.com
    Covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
    and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
    Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
    Compiled: July 21, 1:30p.m.. (EST)
    Compiler: Joseph Brin
    Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org

    #113 -Tuesday July21, 2008

    Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of July14, 2008

    Highlights:

    GREAT EGRET
    BLACK TERN
    BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
    LEAST BITTERN
    PROTHONOTARY WARBLER
    SEDGE WREN
    AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER

    Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC)
    ------------

    On 7/16 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and LEAST SANDPIPER were all seen along the wildlife drive.
    On 7/19 LEAST BITTERN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, VIRGINIA RAIL, and 11 species of shorebirds were seen on Towpath Road. Shorebirds included STILT SANDPIPER and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER.
    On 7/20 a LEAST BITTERN was seen at the North Spring Pool. BLACK TERN was seen here and at other usual locations all this week.

    Oswego County
    ------------

    On 7/15 the PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and SEDGE WREN were found at their usual locations on the north shore of Oneida Lake off of Toad Harbor Road. The PROTHONOTARY was seen again on the 16th.

    Onondaga County
    ------------

    On 7/18 a GREAT EGRET was seen from the Bald Eagle lookout in the Three Rivers WMA on 60 Road north of Baldwinsville.

    Ferd’s Bog (Hamilton County)

    On 7/15 1 AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER and 3 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS were seen in Ferds Bog at the beginning of the walkway into the bog. The word is be there early, before 8:00 a.m., if you want to see these or any of the boreal species.