The Naturalists' Club of Broome County, NY

Weed Walk Diary – May 2007

May 5 – Jones Park.
We did Jones Park today and it wasn’t bad, but nothing you wouldn’t expect – Louisiana Waterthrush, Osprey, Broad-winged Hawk, Sapsucker, Black-thr. Green Warbler. The “BIG MOMENT” came after we spilt up and went home. Jan’s car then stopped at our favorite river spot and had one of those moments. She called me and what she reported made me go back out – 5 Surf Scoters (probably a first for Broome County), 24 Horned Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, Bufflehead and Red-necked Grebe for an outstanding sight.

May 9 – Chenango Bridge
We went to the home of Bill & Linda Vick and as usual enjoyed the generosity that they bestowed on us. At first we thought the day went slow but when we started adding up the birds we got 42 birds and 14 were new for the year – Osprey, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated, Brown Creeper, Veery, Bobolink and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

May 16 – Warbler Day
We had planned on doing an all-day warbler trip. Mother Nature said “NOPE!” So we did mostly a car trip and did rather well. We went after warblers and ended up with 14, including Tennessee, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-thr.Blue, No.Waterthrush and Mourning!! Non-warbler highlights were Black-bellied Plover at Dorchester, Raven, Yellow-thr.Vireo, Gnatcatcher, RB Grosbeak and Hermit Thrush.

May 23 – E.Maine Rd.
Again we thank generous people like Dr, Reitz for willingness to share with us. As we got out of the cars the Baltimore Orioles were singing and it only got better from there. Hooded Merganser, Bobwhite (15 pairs he had purchased), Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Kingbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanager and the bird of the day only seen by three people – SWAINSON”S THRUSH.

May 30 – Aqua-Terra Park
The birding was good with Killdeer, RT Hummingbird, N.Flicker, Pileated Wood- pecker, Alder Flycatchers, Veery, Cedar Waxwings, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Am.Redstart. Next at Jackson Pond for Indigo Bunting, E.Bluebird and Baltimore Oriole. Our last stop at scenic Rock Road added Gr.Crested Flycatcher, BH Vireo, Ovenbird and Blk-thr.Green Warbler for a morning total of 50 species.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh and Dan Watkins. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – March 2007

March 7 – Sunny but very cold so we rode the roads in northern Broome. Bald Eagle, Goshawk, Red-tailed/Rough-legged Hawks and a Kestrel gave us a good raptor count. We also saw Turkeys, Pileated Woodpecker, C.Ravens, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and 17 other species. This is a changing time of year that can reward a birder with unusual species possibly popping up in unexpected places.

March 14 – On the road again, this time 11 species of ducks, mainly at Boland Pond and River Rd. Many flocks of both Canada and Snow Geese migrating. Another Bald Eagle, seeming to gather nesting materials, Bluebirds, Robins everywhere and Killdeer for a total of 42 species.

March 21 – Cold confined us to the van. We got good looks at a N.Shrike plus Horned Larks, Mockingbird, Tree Sparrows, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrows and 27 other species.

March 28 – Nice enough to walk Chenango Valley State Park, getting our first Phoebes of the year. Also Brown Creeper and non-avian species of Mink and Raccoon, skunk cabbage coming up. Ducks here and at ponds along the way yielded Wood Ducks, Black Ducks, N.Shovelers, Gr.Scaup, Hooded and Common Mergansers.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh and Dan Watkins. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – September 2006

9/6 – Went to Brick Pond and were rewarded with 9 Great Egrets! Green Heron and GB Herons were just too plentiful to count. Also had a Solitary Sandpiper. Mirror Lake gave us a nice view of a Prairie Warbler. At Campville bridge we had great looks at a soaring Broadwing Hawk. After Marie and Grace left us we got a P.Falcon, Phila.Vireo and an Endicott Policeman.

9/13 – Rainy day in Broome. What a change. At Boland we had 2 short stubby birds fly over, not giving us a very good look but we think they may have been Va. Rails. On Carigan Road we came upon a small flock of Warblers and Vireo’s including Black-throated Green, Magnolia and Blue-headed, plus 3 Am.Kestrels.

9/20 – A very spring-looking Prairie Warbler posed for us willingly at Aqua-Terra. Two Accipiters flew over quickly, one of which may have been a Goshawk. Also had 2 warblers in their confusing fall plumage, one probably a Nashville. Ruby Crowned Kinglet was also seen as well as a flock of E.Bluebirds.

9/27 – At Upper Lisle we saw Pied-billed Grebes, DC Cormorants, G.Yellowlegs, YB Sapsucker, Hairy/Pileated Woodpeckers, N.Flickers and E.Phoebes. A trip along Carigan Rd. rewarded us with Am.Kestrel, E.Meadowlarks and a male RN Pheasant w/2 females.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Dan Watkins. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – August 2006

August 2 – CHOCONUT CENTER PARK: High heat limited us to a short walk and we saw some of the usual species including dozens of Robins and Catbirds. Surprisingly we found the flood control pond totally drained and dry. As as we watched, a Great Blue Heron alit, and surprised like us, immediately took off. We ran into club member Joe Sedlacek mowing the grass and heard how he had discovered a Flying Squirrel in one of the nest boxes he has erected there.

August 9 – PARSONS ROAD: We had B.Kingfisher, N.Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, E.Wood Pewee, Baltimore Oriole and Rose-Br.Grosbeak, then made a short stop at the BCC Nature Trail where we saw Barn Swallows. On to Cutler Pond adding Wood Duck, Downy/Hairy Woodpeckers, E.Phoebe and Swamp Sparrow. The pickerel weed and swamp loosestrife were in bloom.

August 16 – WHITNEY PT. RESERVOIR: At Dorchester a copse of trees was alive with mixed species including Warbling/Red-eyed Vireos, WB Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwings, Yellow/Chestnut-sided/Yellow-rumped/Blk-thr.Green Warblers and Scarlet Tanagers. At Upper Lisle we found Semi-palmated Plovers, Killdeer, Gr.Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpipers along with the outstanding duo of the day: An Osprey and Bald Eagle(imm) circling eachother.

August 23 – MIDDENDORF PARK: Broad-winged Hawk, RT Hummingbird, E.Phoebes, RE Vireos, Carolina Wren, E.Bluebirds, Yellow/Chestnut-sided/Pine/Am.Redstart/C.Yellowthroat Warblers, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-br.Grosbeak afforded us great views. Then a stop at the Susquehanna River where we experienced the stunning spectacle of an adult Peregrine Falcon diving at a Least Sandpiper and missing!

August 30 – NORTHWEST BROOME: Stops at the Rt.12A driving range, Greenwood Park & Leekville marsh yielded Gr.Blue Herons, Osprey, Yellowlegs, Solitary/Spotted Sandpipers, B.Kingfisher, N.Flickers, E.Wood Pewee, C.Raven, Barn Swallows and E.Bluebirds along with other more common species.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – June 2006

June 7 – PARSONS ROAD – A stop at Boland Pond gave us Va.Rail, C.Moorhen, Marsh Wren, E.Kingbird and Swamp Sparrows. Choice birds on Parsons included Chimney Swifts, N.Flickers, E.Wood Pewee, Alder Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, E.Bluebird, Chestnut-sided Warbler and Baltimore Orioles. We added Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers at Chenango Bridge Park.

June 14 – WATERMAN NATURE CENTER – On the way we stopped at the Binghamton Country club to see the Purple Martins nesting there. Before our walk at Waterman was cut short by rain, we had Cooper’s Hawk, Blue-winged Warbler and Ovenbirds. A Cliff Swallow was spotted at the Campville Bridge.

June 21 – WOLFE PARK – Mature woods plus brushy habitat combined to give us Blue-headed/Red-eyed Vireos, Veery, Hermit/Wood Thrushes, Prairie Warbler, Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-Br.Grosbeak and the highlight – a killer look at a very obliging Yellow-billed Cuckoo. At Boland Pond we saw the active Bank Swallow colony.

June 28 – Cancelled due to heavy rain and flooding conditions.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – April 2006

April 5 – VESTAL – On a cold, blustery day we totalled 42 species, seeing Wood Ducks, Gadwalls, Green-winged Teals, Buffleheads, Hooded/C.Mergansers, DC Cormorants, B.Kingfishers and Tree Swallows on the river. Also Gr.Blue Heron, Am.Kestrels, Killdeer and N.Flicker, then Pileated Woodpecker and Cedar Waxwings at Nuthatch Hollow. Carolina Wrens, E.Bluebird and White-throated Sparrows added to our list.

April 12 – WHITNEY POINT LAKE – Here we had 8 new species for the season including Blue-winged Teals, Greater Yellowlegs, YB Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and E.Towhee, an E.Meadowlark on Carigan Rd. and an Osprey and Virginia Rails at Boland Pond. Other choice sightings of Turkey Vulture, Pied-bill Grebe and E.Phoebes gave us a total of 45 species. We got a close look at a Green Darner dragonfly at Upper Lisle.

April 19 – CHENANGO VALLEY STATE PARK – A stop at Boland Pond afforded us a stunning look at a Virginia Rail. Then on to the Park where we saw Wood Ducks perched in a tree, an adult Bald Eagle, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Creepers and Pine Warblers, also a Spring Azure butterfly and Bloodroot in bloom. At our final stop at Spring Forest Cemetery we had just spotted our 40th specie – the female Merlin in the favored “perching tree” when the male Merlin flew in and mating occurred! Timing is everything in a birder’s world.

April 26 – JONES PARK – We found the La.Waterthrushes had returned as had Blue-headed Vireos, Hermit Thrushes, Field Sparrows and Purple Finches, along with others. Much Dwarf Ginseng and Spring Beauty was blooming. Short stops at Aqua-Terra gave us Brown Thrasher, E.Towhee and at River Rd. we added Osprey plus a mixed flock of Tree, Barn, N.Rough-winged and Bank Swallows for a total of 50 species.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – March 2006

March 1 – RIVER & EAST – The official Weed Walks started out with a bang coming up with three unusual birds: Tundra Swan, C.Pedpoll and Raven. Adding Pine Siskins, Rough-legged Hawks and N.Flicker along with more common birds brought our total species to 31, a good start on the new year.

March 8 – CENTRAL BROOME – Ice still covered most of Boland Pond but we found Am.Wigeons, Am.Black Ducks and Mallards squeezed into a patch of open water. On the Chenango River were a pr. of Hooded Merganser, C.Mergansers and a B.Kingfisher. One Pine Siskin was still at our favorite feeder in Chenango Forks. Over the line in Cortland County we saw an Am.Kestrel and a Pileated Woodpecker for a total count of 28 species.

March 15 – INTERRUPTED ROAD TRIP – A bad tire on Dan’s van delayed us an hour waiting as it was fixed. Still, we saw 37 species including many ducks such as Wood, N.Pintails, Ring-necked and Ruddy, plus a pair of Killdeer, Am.Kestrels while Am.Robins were everywhere.

March 22 – RIVER & NORTHWEST – Along with Green-winged Teals, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper’s Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker we saw many Tree Swallows searching for insects over the water. A cold day gave us 42 species.

March 29 – BOLAND POND – Turkey Vultures over the Mall started us out, still many ducks and a Great Blue Heron at Boland. W.Turkeys, Red-breasted Nuthatch and our first Yellow-rumped Warbler added to our total species count of 36. We tried for the Red Crossbills at CVSP but found they were no longer there.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh and Dan Watkins. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – September 2005

9/7: COLE PARK – The fog dissipated as we reached the park allowing us to see the birds, our first being YB Sapsucker, BC Chickadees, Blue-winged Warbler and RB Nuthatch. Walking through the woods at first yielded little until we came upon several large flocks of foraging birds including Downy, Hairy, N.Flicker and Pileated Woodpeckers, WB Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwings, Magnolia/Yellow-rumped/Blk-thr.Green Warblers, C.Yellowthroats and a Scarlet Tanager. Our hawk tally included Cooper’s, Red-Shouldered and Red-Tailed. On the return trip we saw W.Turkeys and at Boland Pond/Chenango River were Mallards, C.Mergansers, DC Cormorant, Killdeer, Gr.Blue Herons and Wood Ducks for a total of 44 species.

9/14: GREENWOOD PARK – A perfect late summer day was complete when we saw N.Flickers, Yellow-thr.Vireo, Blue-hd.Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blk-thr.Green/Magnolia/Palm Warblers and RB Grosbeaks in a migrating wave. Also there were 15 Killdeer, Red/WB Nuthatches and E.Wood Pewee. Our auto travels added 2 Cooper’s Hawks, 9 Am.Kestrels, E.Phoebe, Least Flycatcher, E.Kingbird, 2dz E.Bluebirds, many Chipping Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, E.Meadowlark and 2 Indigo Buntings toward our 45 species total.

9/21: CHENANGO FORKS – The last day of summer gave us beautiful birding weather. Our first stop at the Towpath yielded an Osprey, Carolina Wren and B.Kingfisher. We then went to nearby Parsons Road where we found many more birds including Sharp-shinned and Red-tailed Hawks, Downy, N.Flicker and Pileated Woodpeckers, E.Wood Pewee, E.Phoebe, Scarlet Tanager and RB Grosbeak. On our return via Pigeon Hill Road, Dan’s sharp ears picked up a song so we pulled over, adding a Red-bellied Woodpecker, both Red/WB Nuthatches and Blk-thr.Greens to our final tally of 42 species.

9/28: DORCHESTER/UPPER LISLE – We had a couple of firsts for the upcoming season – one Snow Goose with many Canadas at Dorchester and 2 White-Crowned Sparrows at UL. It was also a good raptor day with Turkey Vultures, 2 Ospreys, 2 Sharp-shinned, 3 Red-tails and 6 Am.Kestrels. One of the Sharpie sightings was exceptionally notable as we witnessed it battling with a Pileated Woodpecker. Also one of the Ospreys treated us to fantastic close looks as it fished, finally being successful on its third dive. Our tally of wild birds was 37 and we ended with the escaped Budgerigar at Wild Birds Unltd feeders.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Weed Walk Diary – June/July 2005

6/29: NEW IRELAND FCD – We were greeted by several singing E.Towhees. A quick accipter zipped over us defying i.d. but we did zero in on a B.Kingfisher, R-B Grosbeaks, Blue-winged Warblers and a stunning view of a perched Scarlet Tanager. After adding Wood Thrush, BH Vireo and Swamp Sparrow we went to Boland Pond where we saw Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons and heard Marsh Wren. From here we walked Choconut Center Park and found a juvenile Spotted Sandpiper, Chimney Swifts, Warbling Vireos and young Tree Swallows being fed by parents. Returning, near the Mall, we saw our 48th species, a N.Mockingbird.

7/6: TOWN OF TRIANGLE – We hit several spots, birding mostly by car, seeing Turkeys, Green Herons, Am.Kestrels, Killdeer, RT Hummingbirds, Willow Flycatcher, E.Kingbirds, Cliff Swallows, E.Meadowlarks, Purple Finches and a few lingering Bobolinks where fields were still unhayed. Heading back along Whitney Pt. Reservoir, Dan spotted two large, dark soaring birds so we stopped and all piled out. Both were eagles, one an immature Bald Eagle and the other, astonishingly, a sub-adult Golden Eagle! We watched spellbound as they lazily spiraled around eachother, slowly moving up the reservoir. Occasionally the Golden extended his legs and the two would almost clasp talons. We all got close and exciting long looks at these, our 48th and 49th species of the day.

7/13: VESTAL WETLANDS – After the rain let up, we visited several parks and wetlands, coming up with 43 species. On the Susquehanna River we saw Wood Ducks, Mallards and C.Mergansers all with young plus Am.Black Duck, Great Blue and Green Herons, Spotted Sandpiper, B.Kingfisher, N.Flicker, Wood Thrush and Chipping Sparrows. An immature male Baltimore Oriole afforded us a close look as it feasted on honeysuckle berries.

7/20: JACKSON POND/AQUA-TERRA – We visited two parks on this perfect summer day, first walking around Jackson Pond where we saw a pr. of Brown Creepers, E.Phoebe, WB Nuthatches, Veery and Scarlet Tanager. Then off to Aqua-Terra to add RT Hummingbird, YB-Sapsuckers and several Indigo Buntings, ending the morning with a total of 38 species.

7/27: NANTICOKE LAKE – We were surprised to find access to the upper lake barricaded by huge dirt berms thus making the area inaccessible. Between the lower access and our road itinerary, we managed 40 species including several Red-tailed Hawks and Am.Kestrels, Alder Flycatchers, E.Kingbird, E.Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, Field Sparrows, E.Meadowlarks, House Wren on the road and our Bird-of-the-Day: Vesper Sparrows, one singing in a field near another perched along Howland Hill Road.

Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.

Merlin Breeds in Broome County

With the goal of spotting some warblers in migration, Ruth and Arthur Levy went to Spring Forest Cemetery on the morning of May 5, 2003. It is located on Mygatt Street in the city of Binghamton, about one-half mile from busy NYS Route 17. Established in 1857 on approximately 50 acres, it has over 10,000 burial sites including U.S. Senator Daniel Dickinson (1870), Isaac Perry, the famous architect who designed the entrance gate, and 20 of the victims of the July 1913 Binghamton Clothing Co. fire. It is quite heavily wooded, and many of the old trees, both deciduous and conifer, are from 75′ to 100′ tall.

As the Levy’s searched the trees for warblers, Ruth called Art’s attention to a small hawk she saw perched in a tall dead oak. Looking at it through his binoculars, Art made a tentative i.d. of “merlin.” But a merlin here at this time of year didn’t fit the breeding locale parameters. Merlins (falco columbarius) are found worldwide, breeding in northern forests and not in central New York State. To be sure he was not off base, Art drove home, picked up his telescope and rushed back to the cemetery. The hawk was still perched where it had been. With the improved view through the ‘scope, Art felt confident of his original identification – that the bird was indeed a merlin.

Art then promptly called me and I immediately went over. Arriving, I saw two merlins perched on the dead oak. The birds were calling to each other repeatedly and then copulated. Several other members of our club saw the pair the next day when Tom Tasber located the nest about 75′ up in a white pine tree, approximately 60’ from the “perching” tree. On May 6, copulation was again observed by Peg Burnett and later that day the head of an adult, presumably the female, was seen in the nest. The substantial nest, possibly a crow’s nest previously, consisted of sticks and was situated in a crotch of the north-leaning trunk of the white pine.

At this point, realizing the uniqueness of the situation, I decided to seek an expert opinion, and called Gerry Smith, whom I have known since his years as head counter at Derby Hill Hawk Watch. Gerry advised me that this was, indeed, an exciting development since to his knowledge this was the first possible nesting of taiga merlin in an urban area in New York State. He recommended advising NYSDEC, which I did. Frequent monitoring was begun by Dan Watkins, in whose Breeding Bird Atlas block the cemetery falls.

Throughout May and June, one or both of the parent birds were observed by various club members, sometimes pursuing birds or flying in and out of the nest site, but because of the height of the nest and the deep bowl construction no definite confirmation of egg laying, or chick hatching, could be made. Then on July 1 Art Levy spotted a fuzzy white chick in the nest, and on July 2 a club group saw two chicks with the adult female in attendance. From their size and activity it was estimated that they were 2-3 weeks old at this point.

On July 8, Dan Watkins ‘scoped four nestlings, all close to the same size, and observed the adult female feeding them. The same day John Baumlin (Wild Birds Unlimited) with a digital camera and Swaroski telescope photographed two of the young perched in the nest. Many bird feathers now littered the ground under the “perching” tree, some appearing to be from b-c chickadees; one was a wing from a cedar waxwing. From here on, adults and young were seen by different observers on various days; on July 11 one fledgling moved out of the nest to perch on branches above and below it. This behavior was seen with some of the fledglings on subsequent days, although on other trips to the cemetery no birds, either adult or fledgling, were seen.

Finally on July 22, the day after a violent thunderstorm the evening before, I visited the site and saw four merlins, two adults and two immatures, sitting high in the “perching” tree while a third immature flew about, vocalizing loudly. The storm had taken down two large deciduous trees but had not affected either one of the merlin trees. The fourth fledgling was not definitely spotted; however, in a conversation with John Quain, the cemetery manager, he told me he had seen all six birds on July 18 and also had seen them all “a few days ago” at the corner of Mygatt and Prospect Streets (about an eighth of a mile from the nesting site). Other club observers also reported spotting some of the merlins there.

The parents and three immatures were again seen on July 23, but in more distant trees. On July 25 Dan Watkins observed the female and one immature moving among trees while the immature called repeatedly – a possible begging action. Sightings then started to become more unreliable with only two or one immature being seen at a time through August 15. After that, until this writing, there were no sightings. Merlin fall migration starts in mid-to-late August, peaking in mid-September and winding down in mid-October, so it is quite probable our birds have departed. Whether they will return next season to nest here again is an interesting possibility but the entire scenario has presented our local birders with a wonderful and exciting event.

Marie Petuh
August 31, 2003

above photos by John Baumlin

Sonogram of Merlin call, Binghamton,N.Y.

Click here to hear the Merlin call