********************************************************************* * ^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^ * ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ * ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^ * ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ * ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ * The electronic publication of the David Cup/McIlroy competition. * Editors: Allison Wells, Jeff Wells * Basin Bird Highlights: "Inspector" Tom Nix * Pilgrim's Progress Compiler: "Stoinking" Matt Medler * Composite Deposit, Stat's All: Karl "Father of the Madness" David * Evans Cup Compiler: "Bird Hard" Bard Prentiss * The Yard Stick Compiler: Margaret "in Mansfield" Launius * Bird Bits: Jay "Beam Hill Me Up, Scotty" McGowan * Bird Brain Correspondent: "Downtown" Caissa Willmer * On-site Choreographer: Jeff Wells **************************************************************** What's Santa bringing YOU for the holidays? A Yellow-billed Loon? Great Gray Owl? Maybe a flock of Bohemian Waxwings? Before you scribble down your wish list, you better ask yourself if you've been naughty (shamelessly spending quality time chasing other people's birds, or--gasp!--not even doing that much) or nice (finding American Avocets, Cattle Egrets, and Franklin's Gulls for the rest of us to enjoy.) In other words, unless your name is Stephen Davies, you might just as well write "lump of coal" at the top of the page. Lucky for you, Santa has implored a few elves--nine, to be precise, and their names are in the masthead--to help him this season, and these busybodies have been too hurriedly preparing a certain home-spun gift for you all not to have it delivered. Surprise! (No, Ken, it's not a honkin' slab of salami.) It's The Cup 2.11! And with it, we at Cup Headquarters say "Merry Christmas- Happy Chanukah to all, and to all, a good last few weeks of 1997 David Cup birding!" So go on, unwrap. And if it doesn't fit...too bad. No refunds or exchanges at this establishment. But don't be too down-hearted: Maybe you'll get those Bohemian Waxwings after all! @ @ @ @ @ @ NEWS, CUES, and BLUES @ @ @ @ @ @ WELCOME TO THE DAVID CUP CLAN: We got him! He squirmed and bucked and thrashed on the line, but we reeled him in! Who is this Big Fish that nibbled at the bait last month? None other than John Fitzpatrick, Mr.--or rather, Dr.--Lab of O Himself! Although the Lab's esteemed director has joined our ranks, it is not without hesitation: "I'm a little concerned that this will mean I'll stop getting good birds at my house," he says. In fact, the Common Redpoll that visited his feeder in his pre-Cupper days has not been back...of course, how many of us can boast of EVER having Common Redpolls at our feeders? Just to be safe, he gave us only his yard total so far. And most of you Yardbirders are gonna be sorry he sent that much, when you see what that total is! CUPPERS' CHOICE AWARDS: Did our latest Cupper sign up just so that he'd qualify to participate in the 2nd Annual Cuppers' Choice Awards? We wouldn't blame him if he did. The opportunity to vote for "Best Dressed Cupper" and "Family Time Prize" is, again, too good to pass up. We invite all Cuppers to cut and paste the "enclosed" ballet sheet (nestled appropriately between "News" and "Highlights"), weigh in (yes, you can vote for yourself, since it may be the only way some of you will get highly coveted Cup face time!), and email your ballet back to us. Don't be surprised to see some of last year's categories omitted from the ballot form (can anything this year compete with Meena's "peeing" screech owl from last year, in the "Best CayugaBirds" category?), and perhaps our new category will give some of you (okay, most of you) who don't stand a chance for "Best Dressed Cupper" an opportunity to take home a fabulous prize. Perhaps not. YUPPER, IT'S THE CUPPER SUPPER: Where will the prestigious Cuppers' Choice Awards be bestowed? At the 2nd Annual Cupper Supper! "Fun, Food, Fodder, and Foolishness" was the motto last year, and we're aiming to keep it just as high brow this year. There'll be food, blues, drinks (again, BYOB--we'll supply soft drinks), food, friends (including some you've met so far only on Cayugabirds), food, and food. As before, the Cupper Supper will include the "Top Ten Reasons to Be in the David Cup" contest (newly revised, and this year easy enough so Sue Kelling won't stand a chance!), the Cup Conferments (our chance to embarrass, uh, thank our highly paid Cup staffers), the bestowing of the prestigious Cuppers' Choice Awards, and of course, the anointing of our new David Cup King! And we're standing by our promise to award fabulous prizes to those who place in David Cup Top Ten. Awe-inspiring David Cup Certificates will again be distributed with warmth and pride (and ample opportunities to bribe the editors for next year's DC competition.) This year, in addition to the McIlroy Award, there'll be the Evans Trophy and the Yard Stick winners to be envious of (that is, assuming you compilers provide or get someone to provide a trophy!) Sorry, since "Bird Hard: the David Cup Movie" has run into some unanticipated production problems (Quentin Tarantino is balking at his verbal agreement to direct), we can't promise you a sequel (but we just may have a different sort of deal in the works...) As for the date of the Supper, it's looking like the 24th of January (we'll confirm ASAP via email.) All Cuppers and their significant others (including spouse and children) are invited. Please RSVP with what you can bring (main dish, dessert, salad, a good bird joke) so we can figure out if we can squeeze in again at Jeff and Allison's Birdland Bistro or if we'll be forced to take one of you generous Cuppers up on your offer to have it at your place (thanks!) We'll again supply paper plates/ cups/utensils but invite you to bring your own reusable set. Doors open at 5pm. Cover charge: Adults $0, kids under 12 half price. WE'RE BEING INVADED!: No, we're not talking about the Cupper Supper! We're talking winter finches. They're invading North America in what could well be a record year! How do we know? Because the North American Winter Finch Survey says so! The survey, developed by Cupper and Lab of O web master Steve Kelling, is an online web site created specifically to track the southward movement (from Canada and the northern U.S.) of Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills, White-winged Crossbills, Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Hoary Redpolls, and Common Redpolls into more southerly locales across the continent. The irruption is proving to be quite a show--literally! The site features animated maps that reflect where each species has been seen since October as well as images of the different finches (and examples of their songs and calls), range information, and interesting facts about the 1997-98 invasion. If you'd like to see what's going on--or better yet, be part of it by submitting your winter finch sightings--you can access it at http://birdsource.cornell.edu. STORKING STUFFER: Winter finches aren't the only ones making appearances lately. The stork made a special delivery to Cupper Kurt Fox and his wife Jeanine on December 4, just after midnight: "We named her Olivia Rose," says the DC's latest proud papa. "She was a huge baby 9 lbs, 11 oz. and 23 inches long." Both mom and baby are doing fine. As for signs of Cupperhood, Kurt reports, "She responds well to spishing." Congratulations, Kurt and Jeanine! A DOUBLE-CRESTED CRUNCH: A recent flurry of activity regarding the perceived impact of Double-crested Cormorants on Great Lakes sports fisheries has raised concern among many in the bird conservation arena. Assemblyman Bragman held his own public meeting to hear constituents'-- primarily sport fishermen--opinions on this matter. A few weeks later, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held an open house to share information with interested parties. Despite evidence to the contrary, a number of legislators have expressed their view that the cormorant population should be reduced. Legislators need to hear the views of those in the birding community regarding the issue. For more detailed information, contact Cup coeditor Jeff Wells at jw32@cornell.edu. Send letters to: Thomas Cahill, Commissioner, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12233. Send cc's to Assemblyman Michael Bragman, LOB 926, Albany, NY 12248 AND Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, LOB 625, Albany, NY 12248. MEGAN UPDATE: So, how has little Megan kept Papa Michael Runge "puffin" along this month?: "Meg picked up Common Redpoll on her lifelist this month; unfortunately, it was outside of the Basin (in Vermont). We were disappointed that no Wild Turkey walked brazenly across the backyard, as it did last year, after the Thanksgiving feast was finished. Two big developments this month: (1) Meg started walking, which means that it won't be much longer before she can carry her own weight on birding strolls, and (2) her new favorite book is *The Bird Alphabet Book* (by Pallotta & Stewart), a good sign if I ever saw one. Clearly, the favorite page is P is for Atlantic Puffin,' although Q is for Quetzel' is a close second. If she can pick out the rare Quetzal that blows into Sapsucker Woods during migration, I will be a proud father indeed." BIRD CUP BLUES AND ALL THAT JAZZ: Finally, our relentless promotion of classical music here in the pages of The Cup has paid off! Classical connoisseur Karl David filed this report: "There was an extraordinary sighting of several vagrant bluesbirds at the United Methodist Church in Ithaca on December 6, a common site for classical music concerts and hence one where this species is rarely reported. Various theories to account for this remarkable sighting have been proposed and discounted, in particular a rather far-fetched one involving ship-assisted transport. The real facts in the matter are that Wife-of-(Kevin McGowan) Cupper Kim Kline was singing in the chorus, thus attracting the McGowan and Wells clans to the event. The concert was an all-Brahms affair. Though quite a few sevenths were flatted, the composer was still unable to make it sound much like the blues, which explained a lot of the fidgeting, fussing, and general displacement activity on the part of the bluesbirds in the balcony. The Father of the Madness, who actually loves Brahms (though there were zero bird references in the texts), sitting in the orchestra, tried mightily to ignore the distraction and enjoy the music. He threatens to crash the next Ithaca Ageless Band gig in retaliation and disrupt it with his rendition of I Can't Give You Anything But Lovebirds, Baby". vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote CUPPER'S CHOICE AWARDS vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote vote With another year nearly over, what better time to think deep thoughts about saving the rain forest, global warming...and who you think should win the "Family Time Prize" in the 2nd Annual Cuppers' Choice Awards! Copy the ballot below, paste it into a new email message to jw32@cornell.edu, and cast your vote. Will voting qualify you to win a fabulous prize? No. In fact, we may not even count your vote in the final tally, depending upon where you might have penciled in "Allison Wells" or "Jeff Wells". (On the other hand, go ahead and plug Matt Medler's name wherever you so choose.) We'll announce the "winners" at the Cupper Supper. So get out the vote--and feel free to give examples whenever you wish! Return your ballot to us ASAP. Have fun! 2nd Annual Cupper Supper Official Voting Ballot QUICK DRAW AWARD (fastest Cupper to post sightings): SLOW GIN AWARD (slowest Cupper to post): STRIKE OUT PRIZE (Cupper who tried--and failed--for the most birds): UNDYING PATIENCE PRIZE (for Cupper who put in most effort offering insights, answering questions, etc. on Cayugabirds): BEST DRESSED AWARD (not necessarily most appropriate for the weather...): BIRDMOBILE PRIZE (most unique Cupper vehicle--please describe how you perceive this vehicle as being unique): FAMILY TIME PRIZE (who demonstrated the best example of birding time as "family time"): THOREAU (or DICKINSON, or ...) AWARD (for most creative postings- -poetic, humorous, outrageous, etc.): TREKIE AWARD (most number of miles Cupped): HOMEBODY PRIZE (least number of miles Cupped): MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED NEXT YEAR AS DAVID CUP CHAMP: MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED NEXT YEAR AS MCILROY CHAMP: MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED NEXT YEAR AS EVANS CHAMP: MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED NEXT YEAR AS YARD STICK CHAMP: :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> :> BASIN BIRD HIGHLIGHTS by Tom Nix "Nothing that lives is without wide margins of adaptability that cause me to look up and find a rootedness that I thought long buried." --from "Margins," by Mary Parker Buckles This is it, the long awaited Winter Finch Invasion Year. All the species collectively called "winter finches" have been observed in decent numbers, save Hoary Redpoll. Well, there was only that single Summerhill Pine Grosbeak, but it was a very cooperative Pine Grosbeak. Evening Grosbeaks have become commonplace. Flocks of Common Redpolls, reported early on by those intrepid lakewatchers, have been reported from many Basin locales, some flocks numbering close to 100. Siskins seemingly have been more elusive, although Sara Jane Hymes reported them firmly in McIlroy territory at her feeder on Vine Street, and the Wells had their first in two years--on Thanksgiving Day! But the really exiting news thus far has been the appearance of both crossbills. For the first time in a decade there have been many sightings of White-winged Crossbill, and Red Crossbills have appeared as well. Andy Farnsworth's South Hill sighting back in October has been followed by multiple fly-overs and a few observations of stationary birds, especially in the Beam Hill area. The largest Red Crossbill group sighted, I think, was Andy's at Taughannock on the 17th. So check out Steve's winter finch web page at http://birdsource.cornell.edu for some really cool maps and information. Calls and songs of the various winter finches are also included. During the first couple of weeks of November, Cuppers picked out passing Red-throated Loons and Red-necked Grebes from among the flocks of Common Loons and other waterfowl heading south. Stephen Davies noted three of the former species at the lighthouse jetty on the 18th, while Geo Kloppel reported a "fine" Red-necked Grebe at Varick on the 16th. This year the Brant seemed to manage their Cayuga Lake passage without leaving behind a youngster with the Canadas at Stewart Park. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull has taken up residence with the Herrings and Ringbills on the Stewart Park shoreline, and a first winter Iceland has been a somewhat less regular visitor there. November is also a month of last sightings. Many people noted Fox Sparrows, and on the 14th, a nice flock of Rusty Blackbirds were seen a the Lab of O. Andy Farnsworth reported a late Eastern Phoebe the 17th on the west side of the lake. Numerous observers reported what might have been the Common Snipe's last gasp of Basin air on or around the 18th. Late Dunlin were reported "on ice" at Montezuma and from Myers Point on the 20th. A flock of both Black and White-winged Scoters were noted at Myers on the 20th. It's interesting how things change from year to year: last year the hard scoter to find was the Black. This year it seems to be the Surf Scoter that's missing from many lists (mine included). But then again, challenging this assessment, the Wells had all three scoters off Stewart Park on the 6th and Stephen Davies (of course) had all three at the lighthouse on the 29th. And so, as we move into the waning moments of 1997, those of us who once again have slid far behind the front runners must look to next year. It looks like a good winter to pick up not only the winter finches, but Northern Shrike, and maybe, just maybe, Bohemian Waxwing. The former has been seen already, of course, first on the IC campus, and the latter.... Those who would make a run for the roses next year should stake out a shrike for the turn of the year, locate the best stands of cone trees where finches might show, and follow Kurt Fox's tracks deep into the marshes to where the rails linger. (Tom Nix is a Liberal Arts grad-turned-carpenter, now a Code Inspector for the City of Ithaca. Last year he was Mr. January. Will he be going for the Big January 100 in the new year? Stay tuned!) 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 CLUB 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 [Overheard inside the 100 Club] "I think we can close this door now. I don't see anyone else coming, do you?" "Nah, go ahead and close it. And lock it, too, while you're at it." "But then it won't be so easy to kick Bill Evans out." "That's true. Leave it unlocked. Better yet, leave it open." 200 200 200 200 200 200 2 0 0 200 200 200 200 [Voices overheard inside the 200 Club] "Well, then, let's at least close this door. There's no way anyone's gonna make it in this late in the game." "Yeah, go ahead--no, wait! Who's that coming? Good heavens, it's Geo Kloppel! And what's that he's carrying?" Geo Kloppel's BIRD 200: White-Winged Scoter WHAT HE THOUGHT OR HOPED IT WOULD BE: "I expected it to be one of the winter waterfowl, since I hadn't nabbed those during the early months of '97, as most Cuppers presumably had. My last winter waterfowl census was decades ago, but after devoting 175 gallons of gasoline, 5 quarts of motor oil and numberless hours roaming Cayuga's shores, not to mention undertaking a lengthy indenture to a certain Austrian telescope maker, I'm happy to say that most of those hardy birds fell right at my feet. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< PILGRIMS' PROGRESS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> by Matt Medler And they're heading down the homestretch!!! 1997 David Cup November Totals 240 Stephen Davies 240 Kevin McGowan 240 Allison Wells 238 Steve Kelling 237 Ken Rosenberg 234 Jay McGowan 234 Jeff Wells 229 Karl David 229 Tom Nix 224 John Greenly 222 Chris Hymes 221 Andy Farnsworth 221 Matt Medler 215 Meena Haribal 210 Bill Evans 210 Bard Prentiss 209 John Bower 207 Geo Kloppel 205 Anne Kendall-Cassella 199 JR Crouse 195 Chris Butler 181 Martha Fischer 158 Michael Pitzrick 151 Anne James 150 Marty Schlabach 149 Margaret Launius 141 Jim Lowe 141 Michael Runge 126 David McDermitt 118 John Fitzpatrick 111 Caissa Willmer 106 James Barry* 96 Andy Leahy 92 Casey Sutton 81 Cathy Heidenreich 68 Jane Sutton 68 Diane Tessaglia 64 Sarah Childs* 61 Rob Scott* 59 Dave Mellinger* 46 Larry Springsteen* 42 Sam Kelling 40 Mira the Bird Dog* 37 Taylor Kelling 11 Kurt Fox 5 Ralph Paonessa* 0 Ned Brinkley* *Currently living out-of-state but anticipate or have made a temporary return to Basin within the 1997 David Cup year. You should see their holiday wish lists! Evans Rules!???? How about Wells rules!!!? After watching Steve Kelling lead the McIlroy standings for most of 1997, Allison Wells is back where we found her at the end of last year-- at the top of the McIlroy list. Will she retain her Ithaca bragging rights, or will Steve or Stephen emerge victorious? 1997 McIlroy Award November Totals 206 Allison Wells 203 Stephen Davies 203 Steve Kelling 190 Jeff Wells 185 John Bower 178 Andy Farnsworth 168 Bill Evans 167 Kevin McGowan 156 JR Crouse 155 Karl David 150 Martha Fischer 148 Ken Rosenberg 144 Jay McGowan 142 Matt Medler 136 Tom Nix 124 Chris Butler 122 Michael Runge 117 Anne Kendall-Cassella 113 Jim Lowe 70 Casey Sutton 57 Jane Sutton 57 Dave Mellinger* 51 Rob Scott* 50 Sarah Childs* 46 Larry Springsteen* 40 Mira the Bird Dog* 0 Ralph Paonessa* 0 Ned Brinkley* *Currently living out-of-state but anticipate or have made a temporary return to Basin during the 1997 David Cup year. You should see their holiday wish lists! THE EVANS TROPHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Named in honor of the late Dick Evans--beloved local birder, Cayuga Bird Club president, and friend to many--the Evans Trophy will be awarded to the Cupper with the highest Dryden total. Guess who our money is on! By Bard Prentiss November October 204 Ken Rosenberg 199 Ken Rosenberg 193 Kevin McGowan 188 Kevin McGowan 191 Bard Prentiss 188 Bard Prentiss 182 Jay McGowan 180 Jay McGowan 127 Anne Kendall-Cassella 127 Anne Kendall-Cassella 111 Matt Medler 111 Matt Medler Kevin McGowan's Lansing total: November: 161 October: 156 THE YARD STICK ---------------------------- By Margaret Launius Only one month to go in our first ever yard list competition! Can Mr. Enfield keep the Dryden boys at bay?? Stay tuned! A Mystery Dove, Northern Goshawk, displaying Ruffed Grouse, and lots of Common Redpolls enlivened the yards of our erstwhile yardbirders this month. To get all the juicy details, watch for the year-end summary newsletter coming to an e-mail near you in January! 137 John Bower, Enfield, NY 135 Ken Rosenburg, Dryden, NY 134 Kevin & Jay McGowan, Dryden, NY 122 Sandy Podulka, Brooktondale, NY 120 Ken Smith, Groton, NY 118 John Fitzpatrick, Ithaca, NY 114 Bill Purcell, Hastings, NY 109* Mary Gerner, Macedon, NY 106 John Greely, Ludlowville, NY 94 Nancy Dickinson, Trumansburg, NY 93 George Kloppel, Ithaca, NY 85 Joanne Goetz, Fredonia, NY 82 Sara Jane & Larry Hymes, Ithaca, NY 78 Jim Kimball, Geneseo, NY 76 Margaret Launius, Mansfield, PA 76 Allison & Jeff Wells, Ithaca, NY 70 Darlene & John Morabito, Auburn, NY 68 Nari Mistry Family, Ithaca, NY 44 Cathy Heidenreich, Lyons, NY *Mary's jump from 45 to 109 species in one month was not the effect of incredible bird fortune but a slight misunderstanding of how the list count worked! LEADER'S LIST LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL By Karl David A three-way tie going into the final month! Most compilers would be tearing out their hair at the task of tabulating and checking this list, but it gives me the opportunity to put on my "Stat's All" hat and remind you that there will thus be eight (two-cubed) categories of birds based on who of the three has or hasn't seen them. To be precise, it breaks down like this: 227 species have been seen by all three leaders (call them S, K, & A); 4 by only S & K; 5 by only S&A; 8 by only K&A; 4 by S only; 1 by K only; 0 by A only. Thus for S, K & A respectively we see 227+4+5+4 = 227+4+8+1 =227+5+8+0 = 240. And, the number of birds seen by at least one of S, K, & A is 227+4+5+8+4+1 = 249. S, K, & A species: R-t & C loons,P-b,Horned & R-n grebes, D-c Cormorant, A Bittern,G B Heron,G & C egrets,Green and B-c Night herons,Tundra & Mute swans,S Goose,Brant,C Goose,W Duck,G-w Teal,Am Black Duck, Mallard, N Pintail,B-w Teal, N Shoveler, Gadwall,AmWigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, R-n Duck,G & L scaup,Oldsquaw,Black,Surf & W-w scoters, Common Goldeneye,Bufflehead,Hooded, Common & R-b mergansers, Ruddy Duck, T Vulture,Osprey,Bald Eagle,N Harrier,S-s & Cooper's hawks, N Goshawk,R-s,B-w,R-t & R-l hawks,Am Kestrel,Merlin,Peregrine Falcon, R-n Pheasant,Ruffed Grouse,Wild Turkey,VA Rail,Common Moorhen, Am Coot,B-b, Am Golden & Semipalmated plovers,Killdeer,Am Avocet, G & L yellowlegs,Solitary,Spotted & Upland sandpipers, Sanderling, Semipalmated,Least,W-r & Pectoral sandpipers,Dunlin,Stilt Sandpiper, S-b & L-b dowitchers,Common Snipe,Am Woodcock,Franklin's,Bonaparte's, R-b,Herring,Lesser B-b,Glaucous & Great B-b gulls,Caspian,Forster's & Black terns,Rock & Mourning doves,B-b Cuckoo,EScreech, G H, Barred,S-e & N S-w owls,Common Nighthawk,Chimney Swift,R-t Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher,R-h & R-b woodpeckers,Y-b Sapsucker, Downy & Hairy woodpeckers, N Flicker,Pileated Woodpecker, E W-Pewee, Alder,Willow & Least flycatchers,E Phoebe,G C Flycatcher,W & E kingbirds, Horned Lark,Purple Martin,Tree,N R-w,Bank, Cliff & Barn swallows, Blue Jay, Am & Fish crows,Common Raven,B-c Chickadee, T Titmouse,R-b & W-b nuthatches,Brown Creeper,Carolina,House,Winter, S & M wrens,G-c & R-c kinglets,B-g Gnatcatcher,E Bluesbird,Veery, G-c, Swainson's,Hermit & Wood thrushes,Am Robin,Gray Catbird, N Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher,Am Pipit, Cedar Waxwing,European Starling,W-e,B-h,Y-t,Warbling & R-e vireos,B-w,TN & Nashville warblers, N Parula,Yellow,C-s,Magnolia,Cape May,B-t Blue,Y-r,B-t Green, Blackburnian,Pine,Prairie,Palm, B-b,Blackpoll,Cerulean & B&w warblers, AmRedstart, Prothonotary Warbler,Ovenbird,N & L waterthrushes, Mourning Warbler,Common Yellowthroat,Hooded,Wilson's & Canada warblers,Scarlet Tanager, N Cardinal,R-b Grosbeak,Indigo Bunting, E Towhee, Am Tree, Chipping, Field,Vesper,Savannah,Grasshopper, Henslow's,Fox,Song,Lincoln's,Swamp, W-t & W-c sparrows,D-e Junco, Lapland Longspur,Snow Bunting,Bobolink, R-w Blackbird,E Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, C Grackle,B-h Cowbird, Orchard & Baltimore orioles, Pine Grosbeak,Purple & House finches, Common Redpoll,Pine Siskin,Am Goldfinch,Evening Grosbeak, H Sparrow. S&K species: Least Bittern,Iceland Gull,G-w Warbler,Y-h Blackbird. S&A species: Wilson's Phalarope,L-e Owl,O-s & Y-b flycatchers, Red Crossbill. K&A species: Golden Eagle,Ruddy Turnstone,Baird's Sandpiper, R-n Phalarope, Thayer's Gull,Acadian Flycatcher,P Vireo, W-w Crossbill. S only species: Eurasian Wigeon,Common Tern,Y-b Cuckoo,W-e Warbler. K only species: Sora. A only species: "DearAllison: To really rub in the fact that you have no birds that Stephen and/or Kevin don't also, you should add a +0' to the end of the calculation that yields 249 birds that one or more of you have seen in the Leader's List. I took every other opportunity of highlighting that fact, as you can see :), but forgot to there. Karl" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FATHER KARL'S COMPOSITE DEPOSIT Okay, I said there were eight categories and you only counted seven. Well, how about the birds not seen by any of our three leaders, but by one or more of the rest of us laggards? Others only species: Am White Pelican, Snowy Egret, G W-f & Ross' geese, Barrow's Goldeneye, Black Vulture,Western & B-b sandpipers, jaeger sp., Laughing,Little & Sabine's gulls, Snowy Owl, Whip-poor-will, N Shrike, O-c & KY warblers, Dickcissel. That's 18 species added to 249 for a grand total of 267: one less than last year! Come on, we can tie that. Most likely candidate for tying species: Bohemian Waxwing. For tie-breaking species: who knows, but I hope I see it! It should be good, because there's nothing even half-way expected left. (Karl David teaches mathematics at Wells College in Aurora and is spending a sabbatical year at Cornell. Look for him (still) in his summer shorts and "tennies" [fide Stephen Davies].) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! KICKIN' TAIL! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What better way to prove October is a tail-kickin' month than by being part of a record-setting three-way tie interview exclusively for The Cup? "Kickin' Tail" brings well deserved honor and recognition to the Cupper who has glassed, scoped, scanned, driven, climbed, dug, three-way tied or otherwise made his/her way to the top of the David Cup list. No kidding, this month's interview is a three-way doozy (we at The Cup were tempted to knock either Kevin or Stephen--okay, both--down a notch, literally, in an attempt to keep a handle on the madness such an interview was sure to bring. But at the last minute, we suspected they might notice--240 to 239 is a giant step indeed, particularly if that 240 ties you for the lead. So, we went ahead with the three-way interview...and then checked into the local mental health institute with Leaders' List compiler Father Karl. THE CUP: So, it's the Three Stooges! Congratulations on being part of the David Cup's first three-way tie. Are you surprised that the DC ended the month this way? MCGOWAN: Well, I'm surprised that Allison has worked her way up to the top [Voice in the background]: Same to you, buddy! THE CUP: What was that? Did you hear something? Nevermind. You were saying? MCGOWAN: I'm not surprised that there are multiple people here. It's a pretty tight race this year. Just look at all the people right behind. DAVIES: Well, I wasn't surprised to see McGowan ranking highly, but I think we were all taken aback at the unprecedented change of fortunes experienced by the indomitable Ms. Wells. How do you expect us to believe, er, I mean... how do you explain your meteoric rise to kicking taildom in recent weeks, Allison? WELLS: The writing was right there on the David Cup wall, boys. If you go back and read the Pilgrims' Progress in the last issue, you'll note that I was at 235--tied with Dr. McGowan, and both of us were only four behind the Brit. Before that, I was 227--two behind the Brit, four behind McGowan, with many obvious misses. I'm still missing an obvious bird: Iceland Gull. Of course, Davies is making sure it's not so obvious anymore. Someone (and I point no finger at John Bower here) told me he saw Davies throwing McDonald's Breakfast Burrito wrappers at the one that showed up briefly a few weeks back at Stewart Park. DAVIES: [Please note no denial here. Notice how he changes the subject, too.] Interesting change of tactics from last year, too, if I remember correctly. DC '96 saw you starting strongly, with a period of frenetic activity during spring migration, followed by an unglamourous nosedive toward the latter part of the year. Care to comment? WELLS: Unglamourous? But I was wearing my best taffeta gown! THE CUP: Yeah, but it was the wrong color for you. Where did you all spend your time birding this month? DAVIES: Err, there was the jetty of course, particularly early on, but desertion by Evans and Farnsworth kinda disbanded the Jetty Badboys until next year. I decided to vary the routine a little, a tactic which payed dividends on the 5th, when a quick stop at Myers Point produced a Franklin's Gull. THE CUP: Yes, the interest rate on that little investment went sky high. MCGOWAN: Stewart Park and Dryden Lake have been about it for me. The farthest away from home Jay and I went birding this month (in the Basin) was Myer's Point. I was out of town two of the five weekends, so we never made it up and around the lake. I picked up two birds on Beam Hill behind the house, though, so I've been pretty successful staying put. THE CUP: A candidate for the "Homebody Prize"? WELLS: Jeff and I put in a serious Saturday morning and a few late afternoons at Stewart Park, hoping for good looks at scoters. We got all three species and Red-throated Loon early in the month, but we were selfish and wanted a better look at Black, since neither of us saw one at all last year. I picked up a fly-over Red Crossbill while walking back from the Lab one morning. Same thing with Common Redpoll on another occasion. It was quite a thrill to hear them, but I would still love to see one at a feeder, or sitting sweetly in a conifer somewhere. DAVIES: Winter finches, Bohemian Waxwings, etc. were on everybody's minds, of course, so I spent a little time working the conifers and remoter recesses of the Basin. Not much success on that front, I'm afraid, since the lack of cones has discouraged these northerners, particularly crossbills, from lingering. Despite having heard White-winged on almost half a dozen occasions now, I've decided not to count it until I get a decent look--being a European, this would be a life bird for me. THE CUP: Absolutely, you shouldn't count it. In fact, why don't we say you're at 239, just to be safe? WELLS: Stephen, I hope you're a little embarrassed that you let not one but two Cuppers catch you. MCGOWAN: Well, it's all his own fault. Stephen has been the one out there looking for birds, braving the cold jetty every day, cruising around the lake. But then he goes and tells people about the birds, and the rest of us swarm up and get them, too. If he had just kept his mouth shut, he'd be far out in front. DAVIES: I'm delighted to be sharing the limelight with two such top-class birders and splendid sports. Particularly at this season of peace on earth and good will to all birders. THE CUP: Hmm. Santa's surely got some fabulous gifts for you this year, with an attitude like that. DAVIES: I have a new mantra for the month: "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never going to keep me down". THE CUP: Hmm. More words of wisdom from people with green hair. (With a name like Chumbawamba, can you really take them seriously?) Speaking of gifts, if, heaven forbid, you were forced to bird anywhere outside the Basin that you wanted to, where would it be? MCGOWAN: Jay and I actually had a great morning birding down on Long Island the day after Thanksgiving. Jay picked up four lifers THE CUP: Congratulations, Jay! (But remember, though, these were OUTSIDE the Basin.) MCGOWAN: --and I got a new state bird. I think Jay's life list (326) has just passed my New York State list (322) for all time; they've been just about tied all year. Jay is clamoring to go to Arizona, and I would love to do that. He has never been to the Southwest, and I could still pick up a bunch of new birds there, too. WELLS: That's where I would go, to Arizona. Jeff visited there last year on business and has been raving about it since. Tom Nix's Arizona tales a few issues back have also put me in an Arizona state of mind. I've also always wanted to visit the arctic. True, you don't get the mind-boggling numbers of species you get in the tropics (you don't get the nasty parasites, either, right Stephen?), but it just seems so vast and mysterious. And the idea that the creatures that live there--not just the birds, mind you--are so perfectly adapted to live in such a place just blows my mind. For that matter, I'd love to visit the penguins in Antarctica, too. THE CUP: And you, Stephen? (Remember, the lighthouse jetty is IN the Basin...) DAVIES: Just so happens I've been coerced by Katherine's parents to join them for a week in Key West at the beginning of the New Year. (How much did you pay them?) I finally succumbed when I heard that frigatebirds are frequently visible from their outdoor hot tub. To capitalize on the opportunity, I decided to invest in a brand-new pair of top-flight waterproof binocs and a sizzling new bathing suit. So I guess I'm all set for some serious "Tubthumping". Yeah. I'll let you know how I get on. THE CUP: "Sizzling," huh? That must be how they keep the hot tub hot. Kevin, if you win, what will you do to celebrate, and will your home brew be involved? MCGOWAN: Alas, I have been remiss in brewing this year. I have not brewed anything for about a year and a half. Maybe I will celebrate by starting a new batch: Cup-kicking Stout. DAVIES: Home brew? Could this explain the rash of Pink-backed Pelican sightings (hic) from the Beam Hill area? WELLS: I've tried Kevin's home brew, and let me say this: I've never once seen a Pink-backed Pelican. A Rainbow-billed Barking Duck, maybe... THE CUP: Can you speculate for us about what happened to last year's Kickin' Tail King, Karl David? MCGOWAN: Burnout, obviously. It just goes to show the intense pressures on the David Cup leaders and the level of competition involved here. It's rough at the top, and he just couldn't handle it a second year, especially not without his beloved Elaine nearby to support him. It's not for the faint of heart. DAVIES: I last sighted Karl back in early November. Bill, Andy and I were huddled together next to the lighthouse, fighting exposure and watching the loons hurtle by on a 40 mph northerly tailwind. It was so cold that nose drips were freezing in mid-air before they hit your rainguard. Karl arrived in his usual winter attire: t-shirt, shorts, and tennies. We marveled at this inspiring display of ironmanhood from our fearless Father Karl. Here he was, tweaking the nose of Old Man Winter, laughing in the face of hypothermia. We guessed this might be some sort of preparation for a bare-chested birding adventure along the Niagara River later in the month. I believe Karl is still out there, somewhere, roaming the snow-covered countryside, equipped only with his optics and a thong to protect him from the elements. I thought I caught sight of him a week ago, performing a leisurely freestyle out in the middle of Aurora bay, doubtless in search of an Eared Grebe or something. But the swell was too great for me to be absolutely sure. I bet he'll surface again soon, with some stellar sightings to report. By the way, is it true he was kicked out of the Seals when, during a mid-Atlantic training exercise, he wilfully disobeyed his commanding officer and swam off to confirm the identification of the Northern Hemisphere's first Yellow-nosed Albatross? WELLS: It's absolutely not true. He didn't swim, he took a jet ski. THE CUP: How will you bird these last few weeks of David Cup 1997? MCGOWAN: Either haphazardly, whenever I can get out there, or determinedly with a grand plan. And maybe with a shotgun. I am allowed to take two Iceland Gulls on my collecting permit, and rumor has it that one of my competitors is lacking this species. ;^) WELLS: Didn't you hear? Your permit was revoked. In fact, I heard you and Stephen both have been fined one Yellow-headed Blackbird, for driving too fast on the MNWR auto loop. So that means... JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ BIRDBITS By Jay McGowan JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ Welcome to Birdbits! Here is a chance to test your knowledge of the world of birds. This month is about raptors (the word "hawk" that is used here means any raptor except for owls.) Answers next month. (But if you happened to find me a Glaucous Gull or a White-winged Crossbill...) 1. Which North American hawks are sexually dimorphic in plumage (males and females look different)? 2. Which North American owls are sexually dimorphic in plumage? 3. Which North American hawks have only one word in their names? 4. Which North American hawks are also found in Europe? 5. Which North American hawk has a yellow bill? 6. Which North American forest hawk is becoming a common breeder in cities and towns in North America, including Ithaca? 7. What is the largest hawk in the world? 8. What is the "Mexican Eagle" on the Mexican flag? 9. Which North American raptor has spiny processes on its feet to help it hold its prey? 10. Which North American hawk is a cooperative breeder? ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S BIRDBITS: 1. What type of bird is a dikkop? An African thick-knee (stone-curlew), an odd kind of shorebird. 2. In Britain, what is the Lapland Longspur called? The Lapland Bunting. 3. What are the largest South American waterfowl? The Black-necked Swan. 4. Why do crossbills have crossed bills? To get seeds out of pinecones. 5. What do Townsend's Solitaires like to eat in the winter? Juniper berries. 6. Which bird has to be removed from the New York checklist with the recent changes by the AOU, and which bird will be put in its place? A Marbled Murrelet was seen a few years ago. This year the AOU split the Marbled Murrelet two species: the Marbled Murrelet of North America and the Long-billed Murrelet of Asia. The bird seen in New York, like most "Marbled Murrelets" seen away from the west coast, was a Long-billed Murrelet. 7. In Florida, which icterid (in the blackbird family) feeds extensively on snails? The Boat-tailed Grackle 8. Which bird's genus means rain? Any of the Pluvialis plovers (Black-bellied and golden-plovers). Latin pluvialis, relating to rain (pluvia, rain). 9. Which bird's trivial (species) name means snow? The Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis. Latin nivalis, snowy, of snow (nix, nivis, snow). 10. Which large wading bird preys on penguins? The Sacred Ibis preys on Jackass Penguin eggs and chicks, as well as cormorant chicks, in South Africa. (Jay McGowan, age eleven, is home-schooled. He has the finest collection of Nerf dart guns ever to be seen...or shot with.) 492x837-48576+5764.679/4905%8677-34566.578+0486940 STAT'S ALL, FOLKS By Karl David 6879403+58673.6978/4857694~58674%x98458.6059679+697 For those of you anxious about the "never-missed" list I wrote about last month, some good news and bad news: I finally located a Ruffed Grouse (at Monkey Run South), but I came up empty looking for Short- eared Owl. That bird is now my final priority (besides "nosing out Nix") for the year! The flurry of Fox Sparrow sightings during the snow flurries of mid-November had a statistical moral of sorts to them. I thought they were a bit late for this bird, but Steve Kelling informs us it's just about the peak time for them. My perception was clearly colored by the fact that once we locate a bird we're looking for, we tend to stop looking specifically for that bird. As often as not, I've missed Fox Sparrow in the spring, so it then becomes basically the last regular passerine migrant to pick up in the fall. That's never happened for me later than the first week in November, whence my mild surprise at Steve's pronouncement. ***************** Well, most of you have probably heard by now that because "my beloved Elaine" found a tenure-track job at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we will almost certainly be leaving the area sometime next summer. Thus, it's time to get nostalgic and retrospective about my career as a Basin birder, if you will bear with me. I don't think anyone was ever successful in getting Dorothy McIlroy to add up her lifetime Basin list (or to reveal it if she has). I would be most curious to know if she has seen 300 species. That number seems about right to me for a lifetime achievement award, which of course she is the leading, if not the sole, candidate for. Her data would make a refreshing change from my own in this column, I realize. But I don't have it, so once again I'll use my own experience to explore the question: how hard is it to see 300 birds in the Cayuga Lake Basin? First, what are the rules? Going by what I count personally, I now have 289 species. However, eight or nine of those are birds whose reports NYSARC rejected or for which I never bothered submitting reports, knowing they wouldn't pass muster. Remember, rules committees don't usually reject reports because they believe you're wrong, but because your report isn't convincing enough to make them believe you're right. However, for the sake of argument, I'll go with the higher number, it representing what I believe I've seen. Only God knows the precise number, of course, but even if yours is a very skeptical deity, the true number is surely at least halfway between 279 and 289. Since I've been at it for 13 years, just subtract about 2/3 bird per year from the data below if you're a strict constructionist. If you're looking for a coffee-table book to give (or ask for) as a holiday present, may I suggest "The Commissar Vanishes" (yes, I will tie this in with birds in a moment!) This book would be highly amusing if its subject matter weren't so grim: the airbrushing out of photographs of persons who subsequently became non-persons in the Soviet Union. Well (back to birds), I am happy to say that I too can now rewrite my personal Basin birding history. It's always annoyed me slightly that that history did not begin on a January 1, but on a September 1 (could you guess I'm an academic from that if you didn't already know so?). September 1, 1984 to be precise. Well, I recorded 145 species for the remainder of that year: interestingly, it's taken me (almost) 13 years to (almost) double that number! However, with this fall's Western Kingbird, I have now "recovered" all the 1984 birds (which explains IN PART why I kissed Allison in gratitude for relocating it ... the other part's just between her and me, heh heh). Thus I can present a doctored list of accumulated new species year by year for the full years 1985 through 1997 (well, almost the latter), and here it is: 1985 - 213 1991 - 5 1997 - 4 1986 - 18 1992 - 10 1987 - 2 1993 - 3 1988 - 7 1994 - 4 1989 - 5 1995 - 3 1990 - 9 1996 - 6 No huge surprises in the distribution, I would think, but it doesn't completely go the way you might expect. For example, the third year has the least number of added birds. However, we didn't have Brinkley, Byrne, or Cayugabirds back then, and I was fairly isolated from the Ithaca birding community, anyway. Still, that hardly explains why it should jump back up to seven the next year; my level of intensity was about the same both years. The "10" for 1992 sticks out of course: what betting person would have thought I'd ever get back into double digits that late in the process? That year was the Brinkley/Byrne annus mirabilis, of course, which explains a lot ... the rest of us benefitted greatly by drafting off their birds. I think what surprises me most, though, is the persistence of numbers higher than 0,1 or 2 through the years. The numbers clearly have to asymptotically approach zero, but I would perhaps not have guessed beforehand that they would take so long to get to those levels. Which brings me back to the original question of reaching 300 birds. Unless I return to the Basin for another protracted stay, I obviously won't make it. But it might only take another 5-6 years, to be conservative, to get 11 more birds for 300. Even if you knock 10 off my list, it might still be only 10 more years. So, I would conclude that 20-25 years of active Basin birding (and with a community such as ours that shares sightings) should produce a list of 300 birds. (Did we mention Karl David is a mathematics professor?) """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SCRAWL OF FAME """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Since we have a three-way tie for Kickin' Tail Leader this month, why not a "tie" for the Scrawl of Fame, too? No kidding, for only the second time in David Cup history, we have two--count 'em TWO--Scrawl of Fames. In fact, don't just count 'em, read 'em... "The Truth About Linda's Junkyard Diner" by Stephen Davies "KELLING: ...Ken Rosenberg realized there might be a problem, and very few people know this but in fact several years ago we tried to get rid of the UK upstart. Remember Linda's Junkyard Diner? It's the gas station-turned- restaurant near MNWR. Ken and I took Stephen there and made him eat three WRECKER's SPECIALS. We did not see him for about three years, but I guess he eventually got over it." --McIlroy Musings, The Cup 2.10 I've been extremely wary of Kelling and Rosenberg ever since that fateful day, and it's about time the truth came out. First of all, its a real stretch of the imagination to call this place a 'restaurant'. I knew I'd gotten into a bad situation when I noticed the bullet holes in the front window and the portrait of John Wayne hanging crookedly on the wall. The 'waiter' came over to take our order: 6' 4" of snarling, tattooed muscle in a sawn-off T-shirt (it was November.) I ordered the special with everything, not wanting to look like a fish out of water, but I think my accent gave me away. A deathly hush fell over the place. The two hunters seated in the corner looked up from their game of poker and scowled in our direction. It was like a bad smell had filled the whole room, and that bad smell was me. The waiter growled something unintelligible at me. I looked blank. Ken translated: Did I want white bread or white bread? I opted for white bread. Five minutes later, the special arrived: the Wrecker Sandwich (spelt 'Recker' on the menu)--a warm conglomeration of cheese, egg and bread, held together with engine grease. Somewhere in the background, a banjo started playing and the waiter told me I sure did have a purdy mouth. It was then I suddenly remembered I had a date with a Eurasian Wigeon, so I swallowed the Recker Sandwich whole, slammed some cash down on the table and bolted for the door. What happened next is a blur. I remember a scuffle, and I chinned this guy who was wearing some funky leather headgear--was that you, Steve? I finally burst out into the crisp, November air, dived into the car and made a quick getaway down 5 and 20. I guess Steve and Ken survived the experience, too, but it's taken Steve three years to finally get to the point where he can talk about it. As for silent Ken... "De-coding for A Big January" By Kurt Fox In the Scrawl of Fame (see "A Basin Big January, Part II: Strategies", The Cup 2.3), I suggested that "Many of the strategies for a Big January are just large-scale versions of a Big Day, but are on a lesser scale than a Big Year." In "Kickin' Tail" (The Cup 2.9), leader Kevin McGowan states "In my list of difficulty codes for Basin birds, the 3's are those that are predictable each year but are difficult to find. Every fierce competitor should have all of the 1's and 2's, but will probably miss some 3's." Thinking about those two lines, I think Kevin's difficulty-rating scale needs a little re-adjustment for a Big January. Birds that are a "1" (easy) rating for the year (such as a Am. Robin) are not necessarily a "1" rating in January. They may be bumped up to a "2" or "3". A Yellow Warbler (a former "1") would be a "5". It may be hard to get excited and exert effort to find a Robin in January when you'll know that there will be hundreds come spring. But, it is that sort of mindset that is needed to succeed in a Big January. I spent a rainy weekend and a few weeknights reading the past 31 Region 3 winter issues of The Kingbird. I charted and tracked which species were seen in January and winter in Reg 3. In the past 31 years, there has been a total of 166 (!!!) species recorded in the Cayuga Lake Basin in January. Add the other Region 3 and winter possibilities and that number stretches to almost 200! That's a super starting number. You'd only need to get just over 50% of those to break 100. If only it were that easy. Of course, you are not going to get them all in one year. From that chart of 31 January's, I broke them down into Kevin's difficulty scale. I am reminded of Father Karl's words in "Stat's All, Folks" in The Cup 2.8 when he so wisely says: "Of course, as estimates of probabilities, these need to be taken with lethal doses of salt. For example, for a 12/12 bird like Wilson's Phalarope, using this principle means I can never miss it! But alas, I'm on the verge of doing so [every] year. Again, I use these numbers for illustrative purposes only." In short, what Karl is saying is that those estimates of probabilities are somewhat based upon EFFORT. Without the effort, those probabilities would certainly be less. Given Karl's effort, here is what ** I ** came up with for things that have already been seen in the CLB in Jan. Note 1: if considering all of Reg 3, or all winter, more species get more common and more predictable). Note 2: "Winter" is a subjective term, since I would consider an early December Bonaparte's Gull as a fall migrant, or a mid- to late-Feb Killdeer, C. Snipe, TV or RS Hawk to be an early migrant. Nevertheless, the list below are (facts!) ONLY CLB in Jan. Note 3: Birds like Rock Dove were NOT mentioned in The Kingbird every winter, so some obvious things (not founded in print) are assumed. Note 4: The actual numbers for Reg 2 is higher than Reg 3 for two reasons: a) Region 2 has a bonus called Lake Ontario, and b) several teams of observers have gone gangbusters in the past decade and regularly gave a substantial effort to break 100. Asking them about this list, many of these species would be bumped up a notch or two (it gets easier with time - in just 1 year TNix jumped 8 species). ***** The Difficulty Codes ***** A total of 19 "1" birds (impossible to miss--everybody with a feeder and one stop at Stewart Park, plus normal driving to/from work should get these): C Goose, Am B Duck, Mallard, R-t Hawk, R-b, Herring, G B-b gulls, R & M Doves, D Woodpecker, B Jay, Am Crow, B-c Chickadee, E Starling, N Cardinal, D-e Junco, House Finch, Am Goldfinch, House Sparrow. A total of 31 "2" birds (impossible to miss with reasonable effort--a trip or two around Cayuga Lake, and a walk or two in the woods, plus owling): C Loon, P-b & H Grebes, G B Heron, Gadwall, Canvasback, Redhead+, Gr+ & L Scaup, Com Goldeneye+, Bufflehead+, Cmn Mergansers, N Harrier, Am Kestrel, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Am Coot+, E Screech-Owl, G Horned Owl, R-b+ and Hairy Woodpeckers, N Flicker, P Woodpecker, T Titmouse, W-b nuthatch, B Creeper, G-c kinglet, E Bluebird, C Waxwing, Am Tree & W-t Sparrows A total of 25 "3" birds (predictable each year but are difficult to find--you should get almost all of these): R-n Duck, Hooded & R-b Mergansers, B Eagle, S-s & Cooper's Hawks, N Goshawk, R-l Hawk, R-n Pheasant, B & S-e Owls, B Kingfisher+, R-b Nuthatch, Horned Lark, Co Raven, C Wren, Am Robin, N Mockingbird, N Shrike, Song & Swamp Sparrows, S Bunting+, B-h Cowbird, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak. Of the "4" birds (not seen every year, but much more regular than "5"), I broke this into two parts. First, I believe some trends are occurring in which some of the following may now occur more often. Secondly, The Kingbird facts 16 out of 20 years is NOT every year [aka: not a "3"], but it certainly beats the 6 or 7 of 20 years like the others on the list. Given a concentrated effort, many of these should be found more often than the literature suggests.) More common "4" birds (list 4A)--you should get over half of these 43 species: D-c Cormorant, Tundra+ & Mute+ Swans, S Goose+ & W Duck+, G-w Teal, N Pintail+, Am Wigeon+, Oldsquaw, W-w Scoter, Ruddy Duck, R-s Hawk, Merlin, Killdeer, Iceland+, L B-b, & Glaucous+ Gulls, Snowy, L-e+, S-e+ & N S-w+ Owls, R-h Woodpecker, Y-b Sapsucker, F Crow+, W Wren+, R-c Kinglet, H Thrush+, G Catbird, Y-r Warbler+, C Yellowthroat+, E Towhee, Field+, Savannah+, W-c+ Sparrows, L Longspur+, R-w Blackbird+, E Meadowlark+, C Grackle+, Rusty Blackbird+, Pine Grosbeak, Pine Siskin+, Common Redpoll Less common "4" birds (list 4B)--you should get only a few of these 15 species: R-n Grebes, N Shoveler, Va Rail+, Cmn Snipe, Bonaparte's Gull, BB Woodpecker, E Phoebe, Boreal Chickadee, B Thrasher, Chipping, V & Fox Sparrows, Baltimore Oriole, R & WW Crossbill. A total of 33 "5" birds (not seen every year, rarer than "4"--you CAN NOT count on ANY of these, but you CAN expect that something odd to show up every winter): R-t Loon, E & W Grebes, Am Bittern+, Grn Heron, G W-f Goose, B-w Teal, King Eider, Bl. Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye, T Vulture, Osprey, Sora, S Crane, Dunlin, Am Woodcock, Thayer's Gull, Ross' Gull, Barn Owl, Hawk Owl, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Gray Jay (25 Jan 1958 and 15 Jan 1973 - KB:23,2 D. Kibbe, and 20 Feb 71-- MNWR--Gene Hocutt), H Wren, V Thrush, B Waxwing, L Shrike, Am Pipit, Pine Warbler, Dickcissel, R-b Grosbeak (some regional immatures questioned by editor as being Black-headed!), Ghopper Sparrow (D. McIlroy), Harris' Sparrow. **** Note words of wisdom by Bill Evans: "Of course, one needs to carefully sift through the reality of past records." The Cup 1.8 - COACH'S CORNER += birds that might be (questionably) bumped up into an easier category. ***** Topping 100 ***** Doing some homework, I found that in the past 31 years, the Basin has produced 166 different species in January (that's a nice base line to start with.) Kevin's prediction of getting all the "1" and "2" birds and "most" of the "3" birds (say 90%), should add to a total of 72. You should pick up over half (60%) of the 4A birds, and a few (15%) of the 4B birds. You should be lucky and pick up one or two of the ultra-rare "5" birds that occur each winter (recall, nobody said that you had to *FIND* all these solo--remember to draft). That should give you 100, regardless of the the type of winter it is as the half-hardies, waterbirds and winter finches are all scattered across the difficulty range. Jan Total =(100% * "1") + (100% * "2") + (90% * "3") + (60% * "4A") + (15% * "4B") + (15% * "5") Jan Total =(100% * 19) + (100% * 31) + (90% * 25) + (60% * 43) + ( 15% * 15) + (5% * 33) Jan Total = 19 + 31 + 22 + 25 + 2 + 1 = 100 ! ! Note: when percentages calculated to fractions, I pessimistically rounded down; otherwise, it would be 104. I firmly believe that I have been rather fair with percentages, but perhaps lean to the pessimistic side for grouping in the "1" to "5" range. I welcome all comments in this regard. ***** To the test ***** The above rating scale was a subjective rating based on factual Kingbird data. I thought I'd stack that up against the 1997 totals presented in The Cup 2.1. I put in leader Tom Nix's total as a baseline comparison of the best 'published' January list so far. (Karl David alludes to a higher total in The Cup 2.1: "Sorry, Tom, but I did once (1995) have 86 at the end of January." Perhaps Karl will stack his 1995 list against the above rating?). I think the collective Cup effort and CLB 100 Track are closely aligned. As Kevin predicts, the leader will have more of the "3", "4" and "5" birds. This is especially true in January when the largest grouping is in the "4A" range. CLB 100 Track The Cup Effort Tom's Excellent Solo Effort 1997 1 19/19 (100%) 19/19 (100%) 19/19 (100%) 2 31/31 (100%) 31/31 (100%) 30/31 ( 97%) 3 22/25 ( 90%) 23/25 ( 92%) 19/25 ( 76%) 4A 25/43 ( 60%) 28/43 ( 65%) 15/43 ( 35%) 4B 2/15 ( 15%) 3/15 ( 20%) 0/15 ( 0%) 5 1/33 ( 5%) 2/33 ( 6%) 1/33 (3-5%) Total: 100/166 106/166 84/166 (or 79% of CLB 1997 total) ***** Needful things ***** The following is a list of birds seen in Region 3 in January, or in the Region or the CLB in winter, or some combination of that. These were not considered in the calculations above, but are all "4" or "5" birds. It is provided here as things to look forward to: [For the following, to give a sense of regularity, I abbreviated CJ: Cayuga Lake Basin in January; BW: Cayuga Lake Basin in Winter; RJ: Region 3 in January; RW: Region 3 in Winter] Those species that have been recorded in the Cayuga Lake Basin in winter (right spot, wrong month) and also recorded in Region 3 in Jan (right month, wrong spot in Reg 3)--5 species: Brant (RJ '72, RJ '78, BW '83, BW '87, RJ '89) Eurasian Wigeon (RJ '67, RW '70, BW 5 Feb 87, BW '97) Surf Scoter(RJ '95, BW/RJ '96) Hoary Redpoll (RW '72, RJ '78, BW/RJ '82, RJ '94) YH Blackbird (RJ '76, BW '96) Those species that have been recorded in Reg 3 in Jan, but not recorded in CLB that same year--11 species: Harlequin Duck, Common Eider, Peregrine Falcon (seen several times in the region in winter, should be seen in CLB in winter soon), Marsh Wren (see note on Peregrine), [Red] Phalarope, Veery (RJ '77, RJ '83), (Arctic/Northern) Three-toed Woodpecker (RJ '73, RW 78), O-c Warbler (RJ '69, RW '80), Cape-May Warbler (RW '76, RJ '83), Brewer's Blackbird (RJ '77), Lark Sparrow (RJ '77). Those species that have been recorded in the Cayuga Lake Basin in winter, but not recorded elsewhere in Reg 3 that same year--9 species: Ross's Goose (11 Feb 96), King Rail (29 Dec 79, MNWR), Sora (17 Dec 71, 5 Dec 96), Laughing Gull (Dec 96), Swainson's Thrush (27 Dec 80--W. Benning), Say's Phoebe (13 Dec 77), Yellow Warbler (Dec 86), Ovenbird (Dec 87), Y-T Warbler (twice in Dec) Those species that have been recorded in Reg 3 in Winter, but not recorded in CLB that same year--6 species: B-c Night-Heron (RW 76), B-L Kittiwake (RW 31 Dec), Bl Guillemot (RW 23 Dec 78), Nashville Warbler (RW 77, RW 80), Am Redstart (RW 68), YB Chat (RW 75) Note: Because I sped through this exercise, somewhere along the lines I lost a few birds than are likely in CLB and in Jan (ie Gyrfalcon?) In summary: Cayuga Lake Basin - January 166 species Region 3--January : 11 Cayuga Lake Basin/Region 3 Jan: 5 Cayuga Lake Basin--Winter: 9 Region 3--Winter: 6 Total Reg 3 in winter: 197 (!) Hypothetical: 2 (Mtn Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee) Exotics/Escapees: 5 (Trumpeter, Cmn Crane, Monk Parakeet, etc) ***** ***** ***** ***** Several Cuppers have been asking me: "Are you busy planning for your Big January'? Actually, no, I am not. I could whine about living so far out of the Basin, or whine about not knowing the birding sites intimately, but I will use that time with the family' card as Jeannine has just delivered Olivia Rose on December 4th. As Kevin McGowan (The Cup 2.9) says, "Those of you without a newborn baby don't have acceptable excuses." So, I guess I will have an acceptable excuse. Is 100 possible in the Basin in January? Sure! Am I brilliant or bonkers? I plead the fifth. (Kurt Fox is a Software Engineer at Eastman Kodak Company. He spends his free time imagining that he lives in the Basin, or at least close enough to compete in a Big January.) (If you have an opinion--or insider information--about the art, science, and/or esthetics of birding or birding-related topics, write it up for the Scrawl of Fame.) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < COACH'S CORNER < < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < < < < < < < < What do you do when someone writes up a Coach's Corner and parks it in front of your front door and vows not to vacate the premises until it sees the light of The Cup? You run it...especially since it means less work for the editors! This month's Corner, from Kurt Fox, leaves you no excuse to not get 100 in January, especially in light of his recent Scrawls of Fame. Just don't expect him to set the example. He has a new baby. Yeah, that's it the newborn... COACH FOX: If you recall the "Scrawl of Fame" in recent (and not so recent) issues of The Cup, you know how to tackle a "Basin Big January". Well, that month is just around the corner. It's time to reread all of those pieces, especially the strategies in The Cup 2.3. Above and beyond that, here is what I've added and summarized to tackle a Big January (which is sometimes, but not necessarily always, the best tack for a Big Year in the David Cup). (As I re-read what I have written, I was amazed at how much of it has been said before. It bears repeating! Much of it has been repeated again and again as Coach Evans so eloquently states in The Cup 2.8, "I'll try to educate the greenhorn but youth rarely listens to experience." So, I included quotes from "Coach's Corner"s of past issues of The Cup as gentle reminders for naysayers.) Key things to think about beforehand: * Plan. "Think about where you are going birding and why. Don't just go out hoping to find birds" (1) and "the key to planning [...] is knowing exactly where to go, when to go, and what birds to look for" (2). * Research. "So where do you want to begin?...Go get a map, NOT THE DELORME." (3). "Read old Kingbird issues" (4) and your old notes, and especially "Scrawl of Fame" in The Cup 2.2 and 2.3. "Past avian occurrence patterns can be mined for big year rewards" and there is a "secret knowledge of bird distribution in the C. Basin that one [has] to sort of be initiated into. Keep digging!" (5). * Plan. "Pace yourself and look for birds in the most productive ways" (6). * Scout. Stake out those birds. Start scouting in the last half of December. Get to know those areas now. Be forewarned: "Birding is best close to home. ...When I range too far in unfamiliar territory, especially alone, my birding success seems to drop significantly" (7). * Plan. Try for those staked out birds before they move on. "Spend time maximizing your chances of finding birds that are present only now; don't waste your time looking for things that will be common later." (8) * Network. Get help: Let the others know that you are "going for it." Be the first on everybody's list to call when something "good" shows up. This is especially good for feeder birds. "Tiny minds working together can accrue more species" (9). "And what about the real vagrants? Check those feeders" (10). "I'm hoping for some interesting feeder visitor this winter. Something like a Harris's Sparrow or Varied Thrush" (11). * Plan. Try to get most of the meat-and-potato birds (scale "1"s and "2"s) early on. Circling the lake once and a walk in the woods should net many of the regulars and alleviate some pressure. Do not worry if you miss a few. Once you have the majority, you can more easily concentrate on the "3" and beyond birds. You will have a whole month to tick the "regulars." * "Draft". Many birders will be looking in the "obvious" places. Like NASCAR racing, let the lead [birders] do some of the work for you. Let networking kick in. "In a maneuver something like "drafting" in a bicycle race, one could shadow the David Cup leaders, letting them break trail and do the heavy lifting" (12). Go somewhere else. Search nooks and crannies. Predict. Imagine. Get something "good" to return the favor. "After all, if normal rounds haven't yielded up a Sedge Wren or Dickcissel yet, they probably won't, so your only chance is to go somewhere [they] haven't been" (13). * Plan. Search nooks and crannies. Cover all the habitats. This includes the outlandish stuff like marshes and cattails that might normally be considered "barren" in winter. "The more you know about the habits of birds in the area, the better you can spend your time when you're out looking for birds" (14) and "Skulking treasure (not just hidden but skulking) lurks among the weeds and rotting potatoes" (15). * Predict. Pick some target birds, consider habitats and predict where they will be. Talk to others (especially Andy Farnsworth and Bill Evans) about their "top picks" and predictions. Take notes. "When they speak, it pays to listen" (16). * Plan. Try for half-hardy passerines, and warmer weather ducks early on. * Dream. Imagine. Envision. Being top dog means going beyond the "1" and "2" birds. Aim high. "The rule for rarities: assume they're in there" (17). Bentam Basham (An ABA Big Year specialist) says to target the "good" birds and the easy ones will fall into place. Do not plan to seek out a starling. It will be found when looking for something else. For example, "Check those small pine groves, looking for whitewash [of Boreal Owl] and listening for mobbing chickadees. Maybe you'll find a consolation Northern Saw-whet Owl instead" (18). Key things to think about during: * Keep focused. Try this mantra: "Only the Big January counts." * Keep a positive mindset. "Predictable things, weird birds do turn up. So keep hoping and keep watching" (19). * Contact BOTH basin CBC compilers (Ithaca AND Montezuma) and tackle the most difficult birds from those counts. * Go owling. Wind and weather may hinder progress. Plan to do some owling on several weeknights (not just one). * Keep a positive mindset. "Try to set a standard you may never equal again!" (20). Getting 100 **IS** possible. * Have fun. * Every bird counts. Tick it now. Do NOT take the alternate attitude of "I can easily get that in spring". "An intrinsic factor in big [January] competition is that one can't compete successfully without chasing the good sightings of others" (21). * Time. Recall the immortal words of Kevin McGowan in the "Coach's Corner" from The Cup 1.1 !!! "Spend time in the field looking for birds" !!! * Plan. Evaluate. Re-plan. Evaluate. Re-plan. You will have a holiday (January1st) and four weekends. Consider progress and seasonal progression of weather. If you get all your target birds early, readjust your plans for the following weekends. If you have all your target birds, target some more. "The strategies in this last [hour] have to be fairly individual-specific. Ask yourself, "What species am I missing that are still around?"" (22). * Plan. Spend your "free" time and last weekends trying for a homerun (the ultra-rarity). Get connected with BirdEast and see what trends are developing nationwide, especially the northeast and at inland sites. "Know when to take advantage of a local irruption" (23). Consider the birds and search all likely habitats. Food, water and shelter will likely be key. "There are about 20 times more possibilities for water-associated oddballs than landbirds" (24). "Here's to a strong kick at the finish!" (25). * Keep focused. Try this mantra: "I am the Master of January." "Persistence ... can turn up a bird or two" (26). * Stick with it. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Maybe you will not break 100 this year, but you will gain ground and knowledge for next year. Take notes. "So now that you've done it once, you should be better prepared to do it again. Go over your notes and see where you missed out" (27) and "keep notes on sightings, locations and weather conditions. This helps ... plan birding activity accordingly" (28) and "Consider the lost sweat and blood an investment for the future" (29). * Keep a positive mindset. Getting 100 **IS** possible. * HAVE FUN. All Quotes from _The Cup_ "Coach's Corner" (1) Kevin McGowan, 1.1 (16) Bard Prentiss, 2.2 (2) Ken Rosenberg, 2.1 (17) Ned Brinkley, 1.2 (3) Steve Kelling, 1.5 (18) Kevin McGowan, 1.11 (4) Ned Brinkley, 1.2 (19) Kevin McGowan, 1.11 (5) Bill Evans, 1.8 (20) Karl David, 2.4 (6) Kevin McGowan, 1.1 (21) Bill Evans, 1.8 (7) Bard Prentiss, 2.2 (22) Kevin McGowan, 1.11 (8) Kevin McGowan, 1.1 (23) Kevin McGowan, 1.1 (9) Bill Evans, 1.8 (24) Ned Brinkley, 1.2 (10) Kevin McGowan, 1.11 (25) Jeff Wells, 1.10 (11) Kevin McGowan, 2.9(26) Ned Brinkley, 2.6 (12) Tom Nix, 1.7 (27) Kevin McGowan, 1.11 (13) Karl David, 1.6 (28) Bard Prentiss, 2.2 (14) Kevin McGowan, 1.1(29) Stephen Davies, 2.5 (15) Andy Farnsworth, 1.9 (Kurt Fox is...aw, heck, you remember him by now, don't ya?) mmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmm McILROY MUSINGS mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmm Dear Santa: Last year, I was very good, and you brought me a McLaughing Gull for McBird 200, just as I'd asked. Well, this year I've been very, very good, and I'm asking for even less. I won't list any birds for you to bring me; you can send on down the chimney any species I don't already have on my McIlroy list, and I promise I won't complain. All I'm asking for this year, Santa, is to beat Steve Kelling. You remember him, don't you? He's the one that tried to run over Rudolph last year so he could serve him for Christmas dinner. I'd also like to place higher than Stephen Davies--he's a *really* bad boy! Santa, what were you thinking, giving him that leather jacket (not to mention the stilettos!) Another part of my teensy-weensy wish this year is to score better than my husband, Jeff. He hasn't been too bad, but he still hasn't bought me a new surround-sound stereo system with dual cassette tape deck and programmable 5-CD player and turntable for all my vintage vinyl. I know, Santa, as a giving kind of guy yourself, you would have expected him to do so by now. Andy Farnsworth has been an okay guy about the only McGood Boy this year--but he didn't bird hard enough, Santa, you must agree. According to your elves, you have a very strict work ethic, so you wouldn't want to look like a hypocrite, right? Bill Evans and John Bower have never really been a threat to anyone except each other, but Santa, I would like to remind you that they spent a lot time fighting.(This has nothing to do with my wish, I just wanted to remind you of that in case you can't decide if you should give that Gyrfalcon to Bill, John, or me.) Santa, since my wish is so unselfish, so pure in heart, and so easy to give, I'm already working on my McIlroy Award acceptance speech for the Cupper Supper, and you'll be the first one I thank. speech for the Cupper Supper, and you'll be the first one I thank. Sincerely, Sincerely, Allison Wells P.S. I'll be sure to leave out milk and cookies for you again, and this time you won't have to worry about my cats, Teddy and Mimi, drinking your milk before you get here. They still don't believe in you, they're just really tired of those "Got milk?" ads. ==================================================== BIRD BRAIN OF THE MONTH By Caissa Willmer ==================================================== "Wow, these sorts of things take on a life of their own!" exclaimed this month's Bird Brain when he returned the answers to my e-interview, and a great life it is, too. Kevin McGowan's passion for birds has become both his vocation and his avocation. "I have been watching birds and other animals in some fashion for as long as I can remember. I cannot remember ever being very interested in anything other than animals, but where this obsession came from, I cannot say. No one in my family, close or extended, had any interest in similar things. They were all interested in the humanities, my least favorite subject." I think that anyone who reads "the list" regularly can attest to the fact that, although Kevin may have little interest in the humanities as such, there's a family of humans that engages much of his attention and cherishing concern. He spoke of the Christmas when he was thirteen as the point when his interest in animals became focused on birds. "That year, my parents gave me three things that changed my life: a pair of decent binoculars (not like the frustrating toy binoculars I had gotten before when I had requested binoculars), a membership in the local Audubon Society, and, most important, a copy of Robbins, Bruun, Zim, and Singer, *The Golden Guide to Birds of North America*. "My older sister and I knew where our parents hid the presents, and it was our ritual to sneak looks at them whenever our folks were out of the house. I remember the awesome feeling I had when I first laid eyes on that book. My jaw dropped open! I didn't know something like it existed, and I was extremely excited. When I opened it up, I was confronted with the vastness of my ignorance (a constantly reoccurring feeling in my life, I might add). "I had thought that there was The Hawk, The Duck (which looked a lot like a Mallard), and The Sparrow. Now I was presented with what seemed like hundreds of totally unfamiliar birds, but also an incredible profusion of variation in what I had previously considered well known and familiar birds. Every chance I got I returned to that closet and looked at that book. By the time Christmas came and the book was actually mine, I had read the entire thing. I kept it beside my bed and looked at it every single night for, gosh I don't know, years, I guess. Almost as important, says Kevin, was the local chapter of the Audubon Society--a "friendly bunch of folks" for whom lunch, after birding excursions, "was just about as important as were the birds." The Sunday trips every spring and fall "became the highlight of my week. The members of the club were helpful and encouraging, although not nearly the high-powered and skilled birders we have here. It was a rather relaxed bunch, but I am proud to say that that group produced from my cohort of young birders three Ph.D. ornithologists, another professional biologist, and one of the top birders and tour leaders in the world. Not bad for a group that sort of discouraged finding rarities." Kevin was one of those Ph.D.'s, and currently he is the associate curator of birds and mammals at Cornell, and is responsible for 48,000 bird specimens and about 20,000 mammals. "I got a Master's Degree working with the ecology of small mammals on reclaimed strip-mines," he explains, "then turned to bird behavior for my Ph.D. Although I am not nearly as knowledgeable about mammals as birds, I do know quite a bit, enough to consider myself a mammalogist of sorts. I think of myself as having a major in birds and a minor in mammals." When asked what his special interests are in ornithology, he said, "I am interested in just about anything that has to do with birds, from behavior to systematics to ecology to physiology. I work mostly, however, with behavioral ecology, and especially social behavior. My Ph.D. thesis concerned the social behavior of young Florida Scrub-Jays. My current work with crows is related; crows have similar social systems to jays: many offspring remain with their parents for several years and help them raise subsequent broods. I am gathering data on nest success, survival, social interactions, and life history strategies. I couldn't help asking what his studies are revealing, and he replied, "Ah, there is not enough room to go into it very deeply. I can talk about crows for hours. OK, the basics are that American Crows have incredibly complex social lives. Young crows can remain with their parents for up to six years before they find a breeding place of their own. While they wait, they help their parents defend the home territory and raise more young, making for families of up to 15 individuals. The youngsters come and go from the home territory, sometimes spending weeks or months away and then returning. Unlike the vast majority of birds, crows maintain long-term family bonds, interacting for years and years. Sometime they join siblings that have found breeding spaces and help them raise families, and then find their own mates; other times the may go home to their parents. I've found lots and lots of other things too, about their eggs, about their nestlings, nest success movements, behavior, vocalizations! I think I'd better stop. And, of course, I had to ask him about his data-collecting adventures. "I guess the tree climbing part is the most exciting. I love being above all of Ithaca in some of the huge white pines that the crows nest in. Getting to each nest is kind of a puzzle that must be solved. Some are easy, others impossible, and some have just enough difficulty to make it challenging and fun. Although I've been in some scary situations, I've never had even a small accident, and I want to keep it that way." I was also curious about what his curatorial work entails, and he said, "You can think of me rather like a reference librarian and the collections kind of like a library. The bulk of my job involves making information about the collections available to other people and enhancing the value of the collections themselves. I answer questions, loan specimens, prepare specimens, identify specimens, and make sure that they are all properly housed and taken care of. I guide classes around the collections and try to assist people who are interested in using them for whatever purpose (from local bird identification to scientific research to class projects to bird art to computer animation)." And then I asked my pet question about how birding influences his daily life, and Kevin insisted, "I get out birding less than I would like, and perhaps less than most people might expect. I am, however, constantly on the lookout for birds. I have managed to structure my day such that I can do a little birding in the morning, depending on whether I get up before my alarm or laze around in bed a little after it goes off. Usually this just means checking Dryden Lake before I head to work (it takes 10 minutes). Sometimes I take the long way to work and check out the fields around the airport. Only occasionally do I do something intense like go to the jetty or Myer's Point before work, and I usually get up early to do that. Saturdays my daughter takes music lessons and, happily for me, my son is an avid birder, so we end up going birding somewhere nearly every weekend. If Jay was not birding with me, I would do considerably less birding than I manage now." I had been wondering about Kevin's daughter. Faithful "list" readers know Jay McGowan well as someone who keeps well up with the leaders in the David Cup Competition, but we don't hear so much about Jay's sister. "Perri is not becoming the birding demon that Jay is, but she is interested and knows quite a lot. Because she is five years younger than Jay she is placed somewhat at a competitive disadvantage and feels a bit overwhelmed by Jay's and my enthusiasm. She decided last fall that she wasn't going to be a birder. She is reconsidering right now and wants to do more. I don't know if she will ever be as avid as Jay, but she will always have the knowledge that birds are there to be enjoyed, at whatever level she chooses to enjoy them." And then I plied him with questions about his most memorable Basin birding adventures. "I've had so many that are special and memorable it's hard to choose. Things that come to mind involve people as much as birds. [Please note that; he's a humanitarian after all!] The big hunt for the Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hog's Hole and then the sociable brunch at the 3rd St. Caf afterwards last year is an outstanding memory. The single best birding event for me this year has to be discovering the first-year Thayer's Gull at Stewart Park in March at a great distance in a blizzard while my kids were feeding the ducks. Being able to get a dozen other people there to find it, too (and freeze along the way), made it even more special." And out-of-Basin birding adventures? "Again, so many to choose from. I think I'll pick last winter's trip to Amherst Island in Ontario where I saw six species of owl in one day (with killer looks at Great Grays and Boreals). I am still a little miffed, however, that Steve Kelling, Bard Prentiss, and Tom Nix conspired to keep me from seeing the Great Horned Owl, so that Jay could have a higher tally of owls in one day than I have ever had!" And, finally, anything else? "I am extremely fortunate to be able to mix my profession of ornithology with my hobby of birding. I am in charge of a fantastic reference source in the collections. Everyone else has to look things up in books; I get to go to the drawers to research the fine points of gull plumages. It is worth noting, however, that birding is simply my main hobby. It wasn't always this way. "In my final years of graduate school, after a number of avid years of birding (although somewhat tame by today's standards), I quit birding recreationally. Although I continued to keep daily records, I kept no lists other than my life list. I made no effort to chase rarities or to go out of my way to see common interesting birds. I didn't feel like I had time, but more importantly, it wasn't fun anymore. Having been trained to be a scientist, I came to view birding differently. I had always taken notes and kept records, thinking that I was taking data that I could use at some later time. As I became a better scientist I realized that my data were not worth much, that I had no protocols or consistency. I then felt the need to take more notes, be more rigorous, pay more attention. In short, it became work. It was hard enough work to take the data that I needed with the scrub-jays, I didn't need any more pressure. "When I came to Cornell I still was enjoying seeing birds, but I did not pursue any. (Looking back I kick myself for not having gone to look at relatively easy Blue Grosbeak and Harris's Sparrow.) It wasn't until I had been here three years that I saw my first Pied-billed Grebe in the Basin! After a few years, with the pressures of a new job, a new research project, and a young child, I realized that I desperately needed a hobby. The only hobbies I have ever had were sports and birding. I found it difficult, for various reasons, to do the sports I would have needed, so I took another long look at birding. I made a conscious decision to tally up a state list, a Basin list, and a year list, and start playing the game again. I decided that, to heck with the data idea, I was birding to have fun. I was serious about crows, but birding was a game I was playing for enjoyment and relaxation. It worked. I became much more relaxed and happy. Then Jay (aged 5) learned to look through my spotting scope, and he became interested in looking for birds. Suddenly going birding became time WITH family instead of time AWAY from family. Jay and I started going out regularly, although we were constrained by his inability to use binoculars very well and his unwillingness to walk anywhere more than 100 yards. Montezuma became our favorite spot: he could sit in my lap and look in the scope, he didn't need to walk very much, and we inevitably purchased some kind of fun (read junk) food on the way. When Perri got big enough to understand what we were doing, she started coming along, too. It took a while before she got the knack of looking through the scope, although she assured me that she could see those birds even though the eyepiece of the scope was firmly placed in the middle of her forehead. But when she did, she became a regular participant. At the same time that I was getting more interested in birding, the local scene was changing, too. More people, and perhaps more importantly, more energetic people were getting involved. Local birding was starting to become the energetic, highly social activity that it is around here today. The rest, as they say, is history. (Caissa Willmer is a senior staff writer for the Cornell Office of Development. She's also theater critic for Ithaca Times. She recently wrote and acted in a local theatrical show. She promises [right, Caissa?] to tell us all BEFOREHAND when her next performance is upcoming. ) BIRDBIRDBIRDBIRDBIRDBIRDBIRD BIRD VERSE VERSEVERSEVERSEVERSEVERSEVERSE (your birdverse here) @#$$%#%$^!(*$)%^@>(#?@<$&%^@( DEAR TICK @#%$^!)$(%*&^>$*%?<!>*%^#*%(*& Because birders suffer so many unique trials and tribulations, The Cup has graciously provided Cuppers with a kind, sensitive and intuitive columnist, Dear Tick, to answer even the most profound questions, like these... DEAR TICK: I heard a rumor that you, Dear Tick, are Santa Claus. Is this true? If so, I'd like a Barrow's Goldeneye (I'm not sexist, but could you make that a male?) for Christmas. --Making My List in Sapsucker Woods Dear Making Your List: I'm afraid you do not have security clearance that would allow me to tell you whether or not I am Santa Claus, but I will tell you this: Despite what you've heard about Cabbage Patch Kids and now that gawdawful Beanie Babies, Santa rarely delivers the same gift to more than one person in the same year. Barrow's Goldeneye was seen last January. You'd be better off asking for a David Cup-- or McIlory--victory. [Gales of laughter from what may or may not be elves.] (Send your questions for Dear Tick to The Cup at jw32@cornell.edu) """"""""" CUP QUOTES """""""" "Dear Editors: I'm quite tired of this. It seems that I get a request for a monthly total altogether too frequently. Certainly another month has not yet passed by. What calendar are you on? Has the power of being The Cup editors gone to your heads and you have now altered the calendar to the point where a month seems like just a few days? You just asked for the October totals. Why are you asking for the November totals already? Well, I'm not going to tell you my total. If you need a number, just put down my previous month total. And next time wait a month before asking again." --Marty (I thought basins were for washing hands)Schlabach "Yet another spectacular edition of The Cup. How do you keep doing it month after month? I especially liked the QuAC Team!" --Dave Mellinger "There is (or at least was) a beautiful Fox Sparrow visiting the feeders at the Lab of O Tuesday afternoon. Amazingly enough, this bird was not at Ken Rosenberg's feeder, but rather at the feeders by the Stuart Observatory." --Matt Medler "The Cayuga Bird Club witnessed the first major Ontario loon migration this morning (Sat.). Approximately 1100 loons were counted with a high of 445 between 7:30 and 7:45." --Bob Meade "Saturday went to loon count by the time reached it had started raining, so missed all the loons Bob Meade posted but did see quite few north bound loons. As it was raining we quit count, but once I left Tompkins county towards MNWR it was dry." --Meena Haribal "As well as being a big loon day, there are a lot of Horned Grebes in the neighborhood today. The little devils are hard to count, popping up among the coots off Myers." --John Greenly "Yes, I am still alive! The newfound girlfriend has cut down on the birding time, however." --Chris Butler "Arrgghh...I went to HH this afternoon hoping to find some of these great birds. What did I see? (1) Hairy woodpecker. Yup. That's it. Just a *&$% woodpecker." --Martha Fischer "Well, I happened to pick up Steve's e-mail this morning during a one-hour break between classes...so, I made a decision to go for the Gull. I went to see the Franklin's Gull because I have never seen one and thought this was a perfect opportunity." --Chris Hymes "My heart almost stopped Sunday (11/16) when I scanned a mixed flock of gulls and doves by the Triangle Diner in King Ferry and what appeared to be a hooded gull suddenly materialized in their midst. I looked hard for the eye crescent that would confirm Franklin's gull, delaying by a few seconds the slow realization that I was looking at an aberrantly plumaged Rock Dove!" --Karl David "This made my third disappointment at Summer Hill. The first time I missed the Pine Grosbeak by five minutes, the second time I got only an appropriately-sized streak of gray as the most-likely-P G flashed from the rearmost cranberry viburnum into the spruces and vanished. This time I watched and waited in vain..." --Geo Kloppel "It looks like it will be a good year for the redpolls. Yesterday, even *we* had one at our feeder. Fortunately I looked out at just the right moment and spotted it before it flitted off." --Sara Jane Hymes "We have also had a Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll, in with all of the Goldfinches." --James Manly "I had several Common Redpolls fly over my house this morning. Unfortunately, they did not join the goldfinches at my feeders." --Kevin McGowan "Just another morning in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I'm taking some classes. Imagine my surprise to turn on the radio and hear the voice of Kevin McGowan! I'm sorry to say that I didn't remember the name of the environmental/science program on public radio. But it was a very nice piece on the lives of crows and the dashing young men who risk life climbing limbs to study them. Congratulations, Kevin!" --Ralph Paonessa "This Am was uneventful at Dryden Lake but our feeders hosted a rare, for Dryden Village, visitor. We are being visited by the first Fox Sparrow to visit my yard in perhaps 10 years. Also in addition to the regulars was a female Purple Finch and a Common Grackle, and I don't get to report my Project FeederWatch counts till the 15th." --Bard Prentiss "Nothing new in November for the Cup. I'm still camped at the doorstep of the 200 Club." --JR Crouse "I saw a meadowlark yesterday, in Jacksonville. It was in a snowy field. I'll try to remember its forlorn look when I see one again next spring." --Nancy Dickinson "I'm at 96 through November and unlikely to get out that way again this year. I've collapsed right at the threshold of The 100 Club's door. So close I can hear the cackling inside--and smell the pizza!" --Andy Leahy "Goodbye, 100 Club...but there's always 1998!" --Cathy Heidenreich May Your Cup Runneth Over, Allison and Jeff |
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