Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Birding - Montezuma 12/20/11

Seneca River
Cancross Road

Having received an email from Cayuga Birds noting that a Snowy Owl was seen near the Potato House on Route 31 in the Montezuma Mucklands decided to venture forth this morning. Arrived at the junction of Rt. 89S and Rt. 31 at 7:30 AM. Looking over the berms and the fields no Snowy Owl but hundreds of Canada Geese. Then a small blue vehicle with vanity license plate (Owl Man) pulled next to me. The driver got of the car and after a brief introduction gave me his calling card. Telling me that higher ground will provide me with a better observation point for Snowy he got back into his car and drove off.

I had just met Tom McDonald, Rochester’s noted Snowy Owl bander and researcher.

You have got to love birding and the interesting people you meet in the wild.

Continued on to Van Spoor Road. While driving through the woods two DEC workers in a green truck passed me. At the end of the road to the north were several Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, and Swans.

Stopping at Martens Tract all was calm until 17 Canada Geese flew overhead.

At the end of Cancross Road the Seneca River had flooded the Howland Island access. Down stream 59 Canada Geese were floating in the river.

Visited the Montezuma Audubon Center. Dave Spier was there. Together were spent an hour observing the bird feeders. The bright sunshine illuminated the active birds.

Headed home. Drove over the Knox-Marcellus Road. Canada Geese (250+) were far off to the east. Observed a Bald Eagle at May's Point flying in the northeast corner towards the woods.  Flushed up a hawk at the entrance to Tschache Pool. Could not make a positive identification. Sent my observations to Dave for help. (Dave eliminated some possibilities. He senses that the bird may have been a female Cooper's Hawk. Since there is not enough information to make a positive ID -  I will go with hawk, sp.)

Final stop was the open water on River Road just south of the Cayuga-Seneca lock. There saw 50+ Canada Geese and 200+ Tundra Swans.

Believe that I will get that Snowy Owl in the near future.

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