Contents
All information for the May/June edition of the Plover needs to be in by March 28!
As this issue of the PLOVER goes to press, it's early spring in the North Country. Starling's bills are bright yellow, wintering raptors and ducks are courting, and our earliest nesters are setting up housekeeping. Chief among these is the Great Horned Owl with many local pairs already sitting on eggs. The onset of this species-nesting season locally follows a pattern that began in late-December and early January in the American Southland. The nesting of this widespread, abundant, top-of-the-line predator is a gauntlet that must be survived by many birds headed north and mammals intent on breeding and surviving the vernal season.
A Great Horned Owl is capable of killing most species of birds and mammals in North America. Birds as large as Wild turkey and Rough-legged Hawk are taken when surprised at their nocturnal roosts. For most of our hawks smaller than eagles, predation by Great Horned Owl during migration and at nests is a significant source of mortality. It has been suggested that potential predation by established resident pairs of Great Horned Owl is a major reason why many species of medium sized hawks cease migration by late afternoon. In addition to allowing for some hunting time, these hawks can scout the neighborhood of potential roost sites to avoid nearby owl nests.
The early nesting by Great Horned Owl at various latitudes corresponds with emergence and availability of mammal prey in spring. Also when Great Horned Owls are feeding growing young in northern New York, many prey birds of suitable size are passing through our area. It is likely that migrants less familiar with a given locale will be more vulnerable than resident birds. For many migrants, choosing a safe well-concealed roost site may be the difference between continuing migration and feeding growing young Great Horned Owls.
So as we hear the early spring hooting of this species locally, try to envision the gauntlet extending from Mexico to the arctic that returning migrants will soon begin to run.
Good Birding!
Gerry Smith - President
Checking account balance as of February 21, 2005 - $ 343.58
Savings account balance as of February 21, 2005 - $8,460.63
As of February 21, 2005 there are no known outstanding Bills or obligations.
David W. Prosser
Treasurer
Thank you to everyone who sent in sightings. This grouping covers some from January and February that I received too late to put in the last newsletter. Please remember there will be no sightings in the May/June Newsletter. In the future, if you have any to report, please send them to: Julie Covey, 26395 NYS Rte 180, Dexter, NY 13634, email: javelin74@tbs.net, or call (315) 639-4604.
Note:
Due to the expected birth of my second child around April 20th there will be no bird sightings in the May/June edition of the Upland Plover. I am sorry for this inconvenience, but at that point in time personal obligations will outweigh professional ones. The sightings will be back in the August/September edition.
Thank you for your understanding. - Julie Covey, editor
By June Walker
Catherine was an active and dedicated member of the North Country Bird Club for over 20 years. She served as President of the club in 1985 and 1986 and as Editor of The Upland Plover 1989 through 1995.
Catherine regularly attended field trips, meetings and the club's annual picnic. She will be missed in every aspect of the club's activities.
By David Prosser
Ok, all you listers out there, here is your chance to show off your accomplishments (bird sightings, that is). Please list all your sightings as of December 31, 2004. We will publish the results in a future issue of the Plover. Please send your lists to: David Prosser, 25492 NYS Rt 126, Watertown, NY 13601 or email at DWProsser@aol.com.
World __________________ ABA_______________________
Lower 48 States __________ All 50 States ________________
Canada ________________ New York __________________
Region 6 _______________ Jefferson County _____________
Lewis County ___________ St. Lawrence County __________
Your Back Yard _________ "Nemesis" Bird ______________
Butterflies or Bugs _______ Anything else you list _________
For the first time in nearly a decade this rare visitor has appeared in the North Country. On February 23rd Gerry Smith and North Country Public Radios' David Sommerstein were birding the Town of Cape Vincent. Perched atop a hedgerow tree on the Lawrence Farm off Gosier road was an individual of this boreal forest species. During the next two days several birders from as far away as Syracuse observed this bird hunting and loafing in woods and fields. As the word spreads farther through the upstate NY birding community it is likely more birders will venture to our area to observe this rare northern visitor.
The presence of a Great Gray Owl in our area is always a treat but is totally unexpected this year. Beginning in November, a major southward movement of this usually non-migratory species was noted in the upper Midwest. These irruptions are caused by a crash in small mammal populations in breeding areas following good breeding success by the owls. This year's irruption is unprecedented in the last 100 years with more than 1700 Great Gray Owls recorded in Minnesota. Over the last few months this invasion has gradually extended southeastward with small numbers now present west of Kingston, Ontario and one as close as Amherst Island. We are thrilled that one has made it to Jefferson County and North Country birders should watch for more over the next 4-6 weeks. For directions to see this bird contact Gerry Smith: goshawk @gisco.net or 315-688-2664. STAY TUNED!
Also of note: Check out the February 2005 National Geographic for a general article on the Great Gray Owl.
Remember to submit your suggested name for the butterfly, dragonfly and damselfly column by April 1. If your suggestion is chosen, you will receive a one year membership (free) to the North Country Bird Club. Send suggestion to: June Walker, 27557 Three Mile Point Road, Chaumont, NY 13622.
We are working on developing a list of butterflies for the Lewis County area. The Jefferson County list is complete and both are expected to be available spring 2005.
The butterfly group is attempting to develop a list of plants that will grow in our area and attract butterflies to a butterfly garden. The list will also include the butterflies that can be expected at a butterfly garden in Northern New York.
There will be a dragonfly atlas project in New York State beginning in 2005. Staff from the New York Natural Heritage Program of the NYSDEC and the Nature Conservancy are heading up this project. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Jerry LeTendre
By David Prosser
The North Country Bird Club will again sponsor a student at the Department of Environmental Conservation Camp Colby located near Saranac Lake, NY. This year the student is Morgan Shaver from Henderson. She is a 7th grader at Belleville Henderson School. She is reported to be an excellent student and wants to be a Marine Biologist. We are sure that she will have a fine time at Camp Colby. We will look forward to having here give a short presentation about here experiences at one of our meetings in the fall.
Any day the wind is in the South to South-west is a good time to come to Derby Hill to view the Spring migration of raptors northward. Scheduling a field trip ahead of time is very difficult due to variable weather conditions, so just watch your weather vane and come when the wind is right.