The

Upland Plover

Publication of the North Country Bird Club, Inc.

May / June 2015

Since 1948

Volume 56 No. 3

MAY MEETING
Wednesday, May 13 - 7 pm
Stone Presbyterian - 140 Chestnut St, Watertown

Program: Mute Swan Management

At our May meeting, Andy MacDuff, a DEC Wildlife Biologist,
will share with us details of the DECs newly revised Mute
Swan Management Policy and its implementation in our area.

FIELD TRIP: COMMON NATURE CENTER

Saturday, May 16th
Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am
The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center at Wellesley Island
State Park is the finest facility for nature study in our region.
Extensive trails take the visitor through a variety of habitats rich in
wildlife. We will visit the Nature Center on a Saturday in mid-May
to see and hear a wide variety of spring birds. While the trails are
well maintained and not terribly rugged, be sure to wear
appropriate footwear, as they may still be muddy in places.

FALL MEETINGS
Please note the dates of our fall meetings on your calendar.
Meetings are held at Stone Presbyterian Church, 140
Chestnut St, Watertown, at 7:00 pm. Meeting dates are:

Wednesday, September 9
Wednesday, October 14
Wednesday, November 18
SNOW GEESE with BLUE MORPHS

Pt Peninsula - April 2, 2015

Thanks to Kathy Killeen for this fine photo

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE!

MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT
RENEWED BY JUNE 1st WILL BE
REMOVED FROM OUR ROLLS
A Membership Form is included
on the last page of this issue
FIELD TRIPS - 2015 Season
Common Nature Center: Sat, May 16 - 8:30 am
Limerick Cedars: Wed, May 27 - 8:00 pm
Red Lake: Sat, May 30 - 8:30 am
Chaumont Barrens: Sat, June 6 - 8:30 am
Marlowe Camp, Beartown: Sat, June 20 - 8:30 am
Rodman Trails: Sat, June 27 - 8:30 am
Annual Picnic (Brouses): Sun, July 12 - 3:00 pm
Marlowe Camp, Beartown: Sat, July 25 - 8:30 am
Perch River WMA: Sat, August 22 - 8:30 am
Upper & Lower Lakes WMA: Sat, Sept 19 - 8:30 am
Montezuma NWR: Sat, Oct 17 - 8:30 am

SPRING BIRD CENSUS

Participants are reminded that we have expanded the time frame
for our annual Bird Census this year, taking the Census throughout
the spring, from March 20 through June 20. You are asked to use
a slightly more detailed system than in the past to record sightings
on the Census form: if a species was sighted before May 1, place
the numeral 1 in the blank beside the species name (indicating a
sighting during the first part of the season). If a species is sighted
on or after May 1, place the numeral 2 in the blank. Any species
sighted both before and on or after May 1 would therefore have
12 entered in the blank. Sightings are to be only from Jefferson,
Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties, and northern Oswego County
(north of Sandy Creek). Please forward forms to the Editor by mail
or e-mail as soon as possible after June 20, using the contact info
on the last page. For a Census form, please contact the Editor.

ONONDAGA AUDUBON - May Meeting in Watertown

The second spring program offered by Onondaga Audubon for the Watertown area is scheduled for 6 pm on Wednesday, May 20, at
Flower Memorial Library, Watertown. Michael Schummer of SUNY-Oswego will share his experiences working with Waterfowl in the
Great Lakes Region, including information concerning waterfowl ecology and conservation in our area.

OFFICERS

Vice-President
Bill Haller
639-6848

We will meet in the evening at the Limerick Cedars Preserve to look

and listen for Whip-poor-wills, American Woodcock, Prairie Warblers,
and other spring birds. Come and enjoy the enchanting sights and
sounds of twilight in the Cedars.

Treasurer
Kathleen Killeen
628-5874

FIELD TRIP: RED LAKE (Theresa)

Sat, May 30th - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am

Secretary
Christine Bourquin 649-5403

This is a must trip for adding spring birds to your Spring Bird Census
list. The setting includes woodlands, fields, wetlands, and the
lakeshore environment. As many as 50 species are possible. This is
an easy walking trip along a level gravel road.

DIRECTORS
Richard Brouse
David Prosser
Mike Shepard
June Walker
Robert Walker

To 5/2017
To 5/2016
To 5/2016
To 5/2017
To 5/2016

Field Trip Coordinator

Richard Brouse
788-6778

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da
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ic er
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m re
Li P

President
Corky Marlowe
782-4705

FIELD TRIP: LIMERICK CEDARS

Wednesday, May 27th at 8:00 pm - Meet along the Ransom Road

FIELD TRIP: CHAUMONT BARRENS

Saturday, June 6th - Meet at Nice-n-Easy, Rt 12E in Chaumont, at 8:30 am
We will look for Prairie Warblers and other songbirds, plants such as prairie smoke and wood lily, and
much more at this unique Nature Conservancy site. The two-mile walk through the Barrens is on a
level trail through a variety of habitats.

FIELD TRIP: MARLOWE CAMP (Beartown)

Saturday, June 20th - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am

Census Coordinator
Bill Haller
639-6848

We will travel to Club President Corky Marlowes camp in the town of Croghan to look for warblers
and other woodland birds, and butterflies. This event involves a moderate walk along a gravel road
and will last into the early afternoon. Please bring a lunch. Salad and dessert will be provided.

Historian
Robert Walker
649-2161

FIELD TRIP: RODMAN TRAILS

Saturday, June 27th - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart - 8:30 am

Newsletter Editor
Bill Haller
639-6848

Over the past several years, DANC has created a system of trails at its Regional Landfill in Rodman.
The trails extend through a variety of habitats on the western edge of Tug Hill. They are an easy walk
through woodlands and fields. Join us for a scenic stroll to view a variety of spring birds.

ON THE WEB:

Bring insect repellent and water on all field trips. A field trip may be cancelled due to
bad weather. Call Dick Brouse at 788-6778 with any questions about our field trips.

NORTH COUNTRY
BIRD CLUB
ON

FACEBOOK

For detailed info about birds,

visit the website of
the Cornell Ornithology Lab
and of Cornells renowned
Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary
at http://www.birds.cornell.edu

After all local morning field trips, participants are invited to

join for lunch at a nearby restaurant, if their schedule
permits. These gatherings always prove to be most
enjoyable (and entertaining) events.

TREASURERS REPORT
from the April 8th Meeting

Checking account balance ....$1155.39

For info on Onondaga Audubon field trips & Savings account balance ......$1771.52
Kathleen Killeen, Treasurer
programs: http://onondagaaudubon.com/

Ontario Bays Initiative is a land trust working to conserve significant habitat in western and
central Jefferson County, including the Lake Ontario shoreline. To learn about the important work
of this organization and to join in its efforts, visit the OBI website at https://www.obilandtrust.org/

A beautiful set of bird-themed notecards is given by random selection, each time the Plover is issued, to a member of our
Club whose dues are current. This is intended to provide extra incentive for members to keep memberships in good
standing. We would like to congratulate Cheryl Weller of Watertown, selected as this issues recipient.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR REGIONAL SIGHTINGS

A list of birding organizations and list serves for New York (and other states) is available at http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/
Northern New York Birds List Serve: Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Northern_NY_Birds.
Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Yahoo account.)
Oneida Birds List Serve (sightings in Central New York): Subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/Oneidabirds.
Click on the Join This Group button and follow the on-screen instructions. (You will need to have or to set up a Yahoo account.)
Cayuga Birds List Serve: Sightings of birds in the Finger Lakes Region with a focus on the Cayuga Lake Basin.
E-mail Cayugabirds-L-Request@cornell.edu. In the message body put JOIN Your name (first and last name in quotes). 2

ANNUAL PICNIC: AT THE BROUSES (Watertown)

Sunday, July 12th - 3:00 PM (rain or shine)
Dick and Marion Brouse have generously offered to host the Clubs annual picnic at their home on Hazelhurst
Avenue in Watertown. The property includes extensive lawns and gardens, woodlands, and a marsh along
Kelsey Creek, which flows through the grounds. As many Club members are aware, a great variety of birds of
all types find their way to the Brouses remarkable preserve. Hazelhurst Avenue runs eastward from Bradley
St (NY 12) on the north side of Watertown, near the city line. The Brouses is the last house on the street.
Further details about the event will be supplied in the next issue of the Plover.

A NEW SERIES and A NEW CLUB PROJECT

Following the program at our April meeting, at which we shared our favorite places to bird in the area, Club member Lee Ellsworth
suggested that we begin a series of articles in the Plover on birding hotspots in the region, which would eventually lead to the publishing
by the Club of a guide to key area birding locations. Lee offered to contribute the first article, which appears below. We offer our sincere
thanks to him for initiating this series so effectively. If you are interested in contributing an article for a future issue, please contact the
Editor. If you would like to see a favorite birding hotspot included, but prefer not to put together an article, forward information (as
detailed as possible) about the location, and the Editor will prepare the article. For now, enjoy this excellent beginning to our new series:

BIRDING HOTSPOT: HORACE FORWARD TRUCK TRAIL

Location: Town of Worth, Jefferson County. Length: 3.3 miles
Directions: Take 7 by 9 road from Barnes Corners, NY. Road is 3nd turn on the left.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC truck trail.
Seasonal, well maintained gravel road. Except at the far eastern end
all the land on both sides is NYS DEC forest land. Approximately
halfway across is the Jefferson County - Lewis County line. A road
sign marks the boundary. No ATV's are allowed on the Jefferson
County end. There is one road that intersects from the north, at the
county line. From here to the east I believe ATV's are allowed. The
Trail ends at the McDonald Rd. Deer River crosses near the corner.
The road is not plowed and is part of the Tug Hill snowmobile trail
system. The area receives a major amount of snow and in some
years is not passable until May. Be cautious of the shoulders in early
spring. The road is crowned for drainage. This has a tendency to pull
your vehicle to the shoulders on curves or when you hug the shoulder meeting another vehicle. The shoulder may be soft.
Spring birding is excellent along the Trail. There is little traffic - you can proceed as slow as you want and if seasonable with
your windows down.
Habitats: Northern hardwood forest of Beech, Maple, Birches and Cherry. Several beaver flows (active and inactive) border
the Trail. There is Hemlock, White Spruce and White Pine interspersed in some of the wetter areas.
Best time to bird, in this writers opinion, is from when the road is passable in the Spring to the end of June. My special time
to bird here is a quiet dewy morning. So many birds singing makes it difficult to pick one out from the other. Not far in from 7
by 9 Road is an old beaver flow on the left. This a great spot for Flycatchers, Woodies and Great Blue Herons.
The complete list of birds migratory and summer breeding, as one might expect, is too long for this article.
A few that I consider special to the area are: Thrushes (Hermit and Swainson), Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Pileated
Woodpecker, Ovenbird, Raven, Grouse. Warblers: Chestnut-sided, Yellow, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Pine,
Black-and-White. Vireos: Red-eyed, Philadelphia. Flycatchers: Willow, Alder. Eastern Wood-Peewee, Brown Creeper.
On the ponds: Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Black Duck, Mallard.
Spring time is also flower time. Red and Painted Trilliums are abundant along with Trout Lilies, Dutchman's Breeches, Ferns
and Fiddleheads, and flowering shrubs such as Hobble Bush.
On warm still mornings Dragonflies and Butterflies are abundant, using the Trail as their personal highway. Deer are always a
good possibility.
Horace Forward is a nice scenic birding drive. Good Birding, Lee
3

May 13, 2015 - 7:00 PM

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION AT THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Listed below are the members who have been nominated for election at the 2015 Annual Meeting as Officers of the North
Country Bird Club. Officers are elected to one-year terms. The Annual Meeting will be held on May 13th at 7:00 pm at
Stone Presbyterian Church. All members are urged to attend and participate.
President: Corky Marlowe
Vice President: Bill Haller
Secretary: Christine Bourquin
Treasurer: Kathleen Killeen
If you have further nominations, please contact Nominating Committee Chairman Betty Prosser before the Annual Meeting.
The OSPREY have returned: Our thanks to Lynn Chavoustie for this remarkable
photo of an Osprey pair attempting to construct a nest on a utility pole in Three Mile
Bay. Lynn reports the pair were having real difficulty preparing a foundation for the
nest on the poles small top. The photo was taken on April 16. We have received no
recent word as to whether the pair have been successful in their efforts.
Among many known Osprey nesting sites in the area, activity has been observed on
the nest platform in Stone Mills Pool at Perch River WMA, as well as at sites on the
Vaadi Rd, on Route 180 north of Limerick, on Cty Rt 57 near Hardscrabble Rd, on Cty
Rt 6 in Cape Vincent, and at a new platform on the upper end of Fish Island in Dexter
(three Osprey were seen flying to this platform on April 28). This is, of course, just a
sampling of the numerous active Osprey nesting sites in the region.
River Parks Field Trip - April 18: On Saturday, April 18, eight members of NCBC visited several birding sites in northern Jefferson
County. The group observed 38 species during the trip. We began at Grass Point State Park, near the 1000 Islands Bridge,
continued to a marsh along the Rivergate Trail near Clayton, then to Cedar Point State Park, west of Clayton. From there we
proceeded to the village park along the river on the eastern edge of Cape Vincent, then to Wilsons Bay Marsh along the Lake
Ontario shore in the Town of Cape Vincent, and finally, appropriately, to the Blue Heron in Chaumont where, joined by two more
members of the Club, we enjoyed an excellent lunch and the customary fine conversation and hilarity. After lunch, most of the
group continued to bird along the Weaver and Case-Ransom Roads on their way back to Watertown.
Species observed during the day included Canada Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, Mallard, Lesser
Scaup, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue
Heron, Caspian Tern, Great Black-backed Gull (immature), Ring-billed Gull, Wilsons Snipe, Bald Eagle (mature), Northern Harrier,
Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, Merlin, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin,
Eastern Phoebe, Brown Creeper, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Rusty Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Raven, American
Crow, and Common Grackle. We also heard Northern Flicker, Swamp Sparrow, and Song Sparrow.

FUERTES PAINTING

LONG-TAILED DUCKS Cape Vincent - April 18, 2015

Thanks to Lynn Chavoustie for this charming photo taken on the River Parks Field Trip

MIGRATION FORECASTS
The Cornell Ornithology Lab now offers predictions of bird migration patterns. Track
migrations and determine what birds will be moving through our area as the season
progresses at http://birdcast.info

EASTERN
BLUEBIRD

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB SIGHTINGS

Please forward notable sightings for the next issue by June 15, using the contact info on the last page.
The long winter of 2014-15 seems finally to have come to an end. Winter
birds have departed, waterfowl have appeared in abundance, and the
songbirds of spring have begun to arrive.
Snowy Owls remained in our area through most of March, but departed as
the spring season began. Lee Ellsworth reported 2 Snowy Owls along Dog
Hill Rd on 3/12 and 1 on 3/14. Corky Marlowe and Bill Haller sighted 5
Snowy Owls in the Pt Peninsula-Cape Vincent area on 3/12 and 5 more in
the Town of Pamelia on 3/13, finding 4 in that same area on 3/15. Bill
sighted a Snowy Owl along Waddingham Rd on 3/18 and on 3/20 sighted
3, 2 along the Jenkins Rd and 1 along Rt 11 just north of Evans Mills. Lynn
Chavoustie reported a Snowy near Chaumont on 3/23. On 3/24, Corky
and Bill birded with Dick and Marion Brouse. The four found 2 Snowy Owls
in the Chaumont area, as well as 5 Killdeer in an ice-covered field along
Old Swamp Rd, the first reported this year, 2 Trumpeter Swans near Perch
River Village, and a female Northern Harrier near Chaumont. Lynn sighted
a Snowy Owl on the southern edge of Chaumont on 3/25, the last one
reported to us this season. Lynn also sighted a Short-eared Owl on Cty Rt
5 near Millens Bay Rd on 3/25.
Snow Geese moved through rather quickly this spring, reports indicating
sightings spanned only a week. The first reports came on 3/25 from Susan
Favreau, who saw 6 Snow Geese flying over Watertowns south side, and
from Lynn Chavoustie, who saw about 50 Snow Geese in a field along Rt
12E near Moffatt Rd. On 3/26, Doris Gibson sighted about 30 Snow
Geese flying over her home near Perch Lake, and Corky sighted a flock
flying over Coffeen St Rd. Corky and Bill sighted Snow Geese in a field
along Rome State Rd near Rt 12E on 3/27. Kathy Killeen reported seeing
hundreds of Snow Geese flying northward over her home near Theresa on
3/31. On that same day, Corky and Bill found hundreds of Snow Geese
spread across the fields beyond the western end of Fields Rd in
Hounsfield, while Dick and Marion found large numbers in fields along the
Military Rd just outside of Brownville. Doris sighted about 500 Snow
Geese along Perch Lake Rd on 04/01. The last report received came from
Kathy, who sighted Snow Geese on Pt Peninsula on 4/02 (see photo p 1).
Waterfowl have been migrating into and through the area, of course. Lee
reported a pair of Wood Ducks and 2 Common Goldeneye drakes near the
bridge on Cty Rt 54 near Perch River Village on 3/17. Kathy sighted 2
Trumpeter Swans at Perch River WMA on 3/18 (see photo p 7). On 3/25,
Bill saw a male Ring-necked Duck at the Dexter Boat Launch. Lee sighted
30 Green-winged Teal from the north overlook on Allen Rd on 4/04. On
4/05, birding on Pt Peninsula, Lee sighted many Scaup, Common
Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Common, Red-breasted, and Hooded
Mergansers, Mallards, Black Ducks, and Long-tailed Ducks. Corky and Bill
reported Long-tailed Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye,
Red-breasted Merganser, and Lesser Scaup along the north shore of Pillar
Point on 4/07. The River Parks Field Trip report on p 4 provides additional
indication of the variety of waterfowl now in the area.
Great Blue Herons are also returning. Corky and Bill sighted one flying low
in Sulphur Springs on 3/15. Janet Burrows reported a Great Blue Heron
along the St. Lawrence River in Clayton on 3/31. On 4/04, Corky and Bill
saw 2 Great Blue Herons flying over Vaadi Rd. On 4/29, Bill sighted one
standing in the reeds at Sherwins Bay. Common Loons have been
reported since early April. Lee sighted one along Pt Peninsulas south
shore on 4/05. Corky and Bill first saw one along Pillar Pts north shore on
4/09 and have recorded several more sightings there since. Caspian
Terns have returned to Perch River WMA. Corky and Bill sighted about a
dozen on the Stone Mills Pool dike on 4/21 and have recorded sightings at
the refuge almost daily since. On 4/29, Bill saw 2 Caspian Terns flying
over the marsh at Sherwins Bay. On 4/16, Bill sighted a Belted Kingfisher
at Sherwins Bay.

Osprey have returned to the area to nest. Lee reported one on the nest on
Rt 180 north of Limerick on 4/03. Corky and Bill saw an Osprey there on
4/07. Osprey have been seen regularly since there and at several other
locations (see article p 4). As reported in the last issue, Bald Eagles have
been seen in the area throughout the winter. Activity on the nest across
from the north overlook on the Allen Rd was first reported on 1/24 by Corky
and Bill. Throughout late April, an Eagle was seen in the nest, with a
second often nearby. On 4/29, Bill saw a mature Eagle standing on the rim
of the nest. It appeared the bird was feeding young. Corky and Bill again
observed this behavior on 4/30. Lee reported 3 Bald Eagles on the ice on
Pt Peninsula on 4/05, along with 2 Rough-legged Hawks and 2 American
Kestrels. Lee also sighted a Bald Eagle from the Chaumont Bridge that
day. Turkey Vultures are again circling in the skies of Northern New York.
Corky and Bill first spotted one along Rt 12E near Favret Rd in Cape
Vincent on 3/20. On 4/06, after seeing 2 Turkey Vultures flying above her
home, Doris sighted a Black Vulture along Rt 37 near Ostranders Corners,
certainly a very noteworthy sighting.
Common Redpolls remained in the area through early April (see report on
p 6). Steven Guy reports having had 10 to 30 daily from 1/10 through 3/20
at his home in Watertown. On 3/14 he recorded 30 Common Redpolls and
a Hoary Redpoll, a notable sighting of a rare bird. Dark-eyed Juncos
remained through late April. Kathy reported Dark-eyed Juncos were still
coming to her feeders on 4/20. Doris last reported them at her feeders on
4/26. Bill last saw a Dark-eyed Junco at his feeders in Dexter on 4/29.
Spring birds are returning to the Ransom Rd. Corky and Bill first heard
American Woodcocks there on 4/04, and they continue to be present.
Corky and Bill have heard Eastern Towhees there since mid-April, as well
as Field Sparrows. American Robins are also there in force, of course. As
of yet, the much anticipated Whip-poor-wills have not been heard.
The return of Red-winged Blackbirds is seen by many birders as a sure
sign of the coming of spring. The first report of a Red-winged Blackbird in
our area came from Kezia Sullivan, who saw one at her feeders in Sackets
Harbor on 3/13. Dick and Marion first heard Red-wings at their home on
Kelsey Creek in Watertown on 3/15. Doris reported several at her feeders
near Perch Lake for the first time on 3/16. Kathy sighted several at her
feeders near Theresa on 3/16, also. Another, possibly less welcome,
harbinger of spring is the Brown-headed Cowbird. Doris reported that 3
visited her feeders on 3/20. Kathy first saw them at her feeders on 4/02.
Kezia first sighted an American Robin in her yard in Sackets on 3/16, along
with 2 American Kestrels. Kathy reported a first sighting of Tree Swallows
at her feeders on 4/03. On that same day, Lee sighted 30+ Tree Swallows
from the north overlook on the Allen Rd. Kathy reported that, on 4/08, she
saw a Tree Swallow diving repeatedly at a Red Squirrel on the ground
below her feeders, while a Song Sparrow made its first appearance the
same day. Kathy reported the first White-throated Sparrows at her feeders
on 4/20, along with Hairy Woodpeckers and American Goldfinches.
Doris Gibson reported an explosion of birds at her feeders near Perch
Lake on 3/14, recording 4 pairs of Northern Cardinals, 20 Tree Sparrows, 4
American Goldfinches, 5 Dark-eyed Juncos, 2 Mourning Doves, a pair of
Hairy Woodpeckers, a male and 2 female Downy Woodpeckers, a
White-breasted Nuthatch, 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 2 House Sparrows,
2 Blue Jays, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a Purple Finch. As noted
above, Red-winged Blackbirds first appeared at her feeders on 3/16. On
3/17, Doris reported that 2 Common Grackles and an American Robin
visited her yard. On 3/20, along with the Brown-headed Cowbird noted
above, Doris reported a Tufted Titmouse, then on 3/26 a Song Sparrow.
On 4/06, she reported a Pine Siskin and a Boat-tailed Grackle. Doris noted
that many of the species seen on 3/14 returned on subsequent days in
addition to these new arrivals.
5

Club member Thomas Sherry of Gouverneur forwarded this most interesting

information related to the article on the Ivory-billed Woodpecker published in the
Jan-Feb issue:
Bird feathers were the big fashion craze in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Poachers could get a good price for as many Ivory-billeds as they could kill!
Also, Native Americans coveted the feathers for headdresses - just a couple
of more reasons for the Ivory-billeds decline. There is an interesting movie
on early bird slaughter for feathers titled Wind Across the Everglades. It stars
Burl Ives and a very young Christopher Plummer.
The Editor discovered that the movies cast also includes Gypsy Rose Lee, the
famous clown Emmett Kelly, and a young Peter Falk in his first appearance on
screen. This is quite a cast for a virtually unknown movie. The film is no longer
available on a DVD compatible with U. S. players, but it can be viewed by
streaming online.

AMERICAN KESTREL WITH LUNCH

Cape Vincent - April 18, 2015

Thanks to Lynn Chavoustie for this incredible photo

taken during the River Parks Field Trip

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER

Maybe Spring Is On The Way, After All

Submitted April 26, 2015

COMMON REDPOLL

Theresa - February 9, 2015

Thanks to Kathy Killeen for this striking photo

Thanks to Lee Ellsworth for this beautiful photo

It has been a very good year for Redpolls. A rare sighting during the
winter of 2013-14, these beautiful little finches returned in substantial
numbers this winter. Reports of groups of 30 or more visiting feeders in
the area were received throughout February and into March. Kathy
Killeen reported several still at her feeders in Theresa on April 8, and
Doris Gibson reported 15 Redpolls at her feeders near Perch Lake on
April 8 which then returned the next day.

I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves

going to heaven. - Emily Dickinson

AMERICAN TREE SPARROW AND FRIEND

Theresa - March 9, 2015
Thanks to Kathy Killeen for this charming photo

Information about programs sponsored by the Department of

Environmental Conservation, conservation news, and regulation
updates are now distributed to the public by a targeted e-mail
system. Subscribers select topics from over one hundred offered.
To subscribe:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/subscriber/new
I realize that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds
than airplanes. - Charles Lindbergh
6

Birds are indicators of the environment.

When a bird bears so prominent a name as Bonaparte, one has to wonder if there If they are in trouble, we know well
is some connection between that bird, the Bonapartes Gull, and the most famous soon be in trouble. - Roger Tory Peterson
Bonaparte, the Emperor Napoleon. One may especially wonder this if one is a
resident of Northern New York, which has a close connection with the Bonaparte
family. After the fall of Napoleon at Waterloo, the Emperors older and most trusted
brother, Joseph, spent nearly a decade in the United States. (Joseph had been for
a time, by Napoleons decree, King of Spain, much to the dismay of the Spanish
people.) While principally residing in Philadelphia and later New Jersey, Joseph
Bonaparte spent significant time on a large tract of land which he owned in Northern
New York, establishing a country residence in Natural Bridge and a hunting lodge
near a body of water which ever since has been known as Lake Bonaparte.
In fact, there is a close connection between the Bonaparte for whom the gull is
named and the Emperor Napoleon (and Joseph). Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte
was a naturalist of some accomplishment and fame who worked for several years
to extend the knowledge of bird species in the United States. He was also the
nephew of Napoleon and of Joseph, the son of their younger brother Lucien.
Did the presence of his Uncle Joseph in the United States bring Charles Lucien
here? It certainly did, and for a reason people of our time (but not of his) would find
remarkable (to use a polite term). In 1822, Charles Lucien married Josephs
daughter Zenaide, his first cousin thus becoming his wife, and his uncle his
father-in-law (not unusual for that eras European aristocracy). The couple decided
to come to the United States to live with Uncle-Papa Joseph, presumably since
being a Bonaparte in Europe at that time could be hazardous to ones health. As a
GREAT GRAY OWL WITH SNACK
result of Charles Luciens work here, the Bonapartes Gull was later named for him.
January 29, 2005
Did the nephew and noted ornithologist ever journey with his uncle to Northern New
Our thanks to photographer Diane Bowes
York? That we do not know at present (though there may be record of a visit to our
for
permission to publish this incredible photo
area in an obscure source somewhere - such a visit is certainly a possibility).
Charles Lucien is also remembered for his valiant but unsuccessful attempt to have Did St. Francis preach to the birds?
John James Audubon admitted to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Whatever for? If he really liked birds,
Philadelphia. Considered too little known, Audubon was refused membership. he would have done better to preach to
Apparently Charles Lucien was more prescient than his American associates.
the cats. - Dame Rebecca West

The Emperor, the King, the Prince, and the Gull

RUFFED GROUSE - Submitted April 26, 2015

Thanks to Lee Ellsworth for this stunning photo

TRUMPETER SWAN
Perch River - March 18, 2015
Thanks to Kathy Killeen for this beautiful photo

Consider joining the New York State Ornithological Association,

(our Club is a member organization). Membership includes a
quarterly journal (Kingbird) and a newsletter (New York Birders).
7
Details at www.nybirds.org.

THE UPLAND PLOVER

North Country Bird Club, Inc.
P. O. Box 634
Watertown, NY 13601
On FACEBOOK: North Country Bird Club

REMEMBER TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2015!

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Membership is for the calendar year. Dues are per individual.
Renewals are due by January 1st. To ensure that you receive Club
materials, be sure to give your correct mailing address below.

Name(s): _____________________________________________
E-mail: ___________________________________

Please send
Plover by e-mail

Address: ______________________________________________
City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip: __________
Regular at $10.00

Number _____

Total $______________

Sponsor at $15.00

Number _____

Total $______________

Patron at $20.00

Number _____

Total $______________

___ New ___ Renewal

Total Dues $______________

Make checks payable to: North Country Bird Club

P.O. Box 634
Year: 20____
Watertown, NY 13601

HELP THE BIRD CLUB SAVE MONEY!

RECEIVE THE UPLAND PLOVER ONLINE
Receive the Clubs newsletter via e-mail
(viewed with Adobe Reader - http://www.adobe.com/).
The online Plover is the same as the printed, but in COLOR!
Contact the Editor, Bill Haller, to sign up.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT PLOVER ARE DUE BY JUNE 15
If you have sightings, photos, or other submissions for the July/August edition,
please forward them to the Editor by June 15.
Contact info: Bill Haller, Editor - Mail: P. O. Box 6, Dexter, NY 13634
E-mail: haldex@twcny.rr.com - Phone: (315) 639-6848 (9 am to 9 pm)

Onondaga Audubons annual Bird Festival

at Derby Hill is scheduled for Saturday, May
9, from 10 am to 5 pm. The event includes
hawk watching, birding walks, live birds of
prey, craft vendors, and a barbecue. Derby
Hill, Onondaga Audubons hawk observatory,
is on Sage Creek Drive, the first right turn
from Route 104B after 104B diverges from
Route 3 south of Port Ontario.
We
encourage you to attend and enjoy this
excellent annual event.
DAVID SIBLEY TO SPEAK
IN BURLINGTON
Audubon Vermont is sponsoring an appearance
and book-signing by famed ornithologist David
Sibley, author of the widely used Sibleys Guides.
The program is scheduled for Friday, June 26, at
7 pm at The Film House at Main Street Landing,
Burlington, Vermont.

N ORTH C OUNTRY B IRD C LUB

A CTIVITIES
Meetings / Programs: September,
October, November, March, April, May
(Second Wednesday of the month)
Field Trips: Spring - Summer - Fall
Spring Bird Census
Newsletter: The Upland Plover
Website: North Country Bird Club
on FACEBOOK
The North Country Bird Club, Inc.,
is a member of the New York State
Ornithological Association, Inc.