Publication of the North Country Bird Club, Inc. Since 1948

May / June 2016 Volume 57 No. 3

The Upland Plover

ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday, May 11 - 7:00 pm

Stone Presbyterian Church - 140 Chestnut St, Watertown

(please see the full notice on page 3)

Program: Ducks - True Originals

FIELD TRIPS - 2016 Season Upper & Lower Lakes WMA: Sat, May 7 - 8:30 am

Red Lake: Sat, May 21 - 8:30 am

Limerick Cedars: Wed, May 25 - 8:00 pm

Chaumont Barrens: Sat, June 4 - 8:30 am

Marlowe Camp, Beartown: Sat, June 25 - 8:30 am (please note change of date)

Annual Picnic (Brouse Preserve): Sun, July 10 - 1:00 pm

Marlowe Camp, Beartown: Sat, July 23 - 8:30 am

Perch River WMA: Sat, August 20 - 8:30 am

(please note change of date)

Montezuma South: Sat, Sept 17 - 8:30 am

Montezuma North: Sat, Oct 15 - 8:30 am

FROM ONONDAGA AUDUBON

On Wednesday, May 18, at 6 pm, Onondaga Audubon will sponsor a program at Flower Memorial Library, 229 Washington Street, Watertown. Ornithologist Gerry Smith will give an overview of species of high conservation concern in the North Country, with focus on how we can meet conservation needs of those species in our area.

SPRING BIRD CENSUS

The Spring Bird Census continues through June 19. If you need a Survey Form for the Census, please contact the Editor. Complete instructions are included on the form. You are encouraged to join in this effort to catalog the wide variety of birds which can be seen in our area.

Please note: All sightings must be from Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence County (NYSOA Region 6).

NORTH COUNTRY BIG DAY

A New Club Event

In recent years, the American Big Day event has given birders the opportunity to use their skills in a friendly competition, with teams seeking to identify the greatest number of bird species in a 24-hour period. Last year the event was expanded to a Global Big Day.

In an effort to provide this type of opportunity for birders in our area, and to create yet another setting in which our members and friends can share their enthusiasm for birding with one another, North Country Bird Club will sponsor a North Country Big Day event this spring. Teams of two to four birders are to work together to identify as many species as possible between midnight and midnight of a day in mid-May. To allow for wider participation, we are not specifying a particular day for the event, but ask teams to choose any single day between Saturday, May 14th, and Friday, May 20th. While team members may bird individually and record species at their feeders on the team’s chosen day, the intent for the event is that the team will bird together for much of the time spent in the field. To encourage all North Country birders to take part, we will list the members of all teams, as well as all species recorded, but note the number of species recorded only for the team which finds the most.

A checklist for this event with detailed instructions is included with this issue. Plan to be a part of this new and exciting event!

FALL MEETINGS

Remember to note the dates of our fall meetings on your calendar. Meetings are held at Stone Presbyterian Church (140 Chestnut St, Watertown) and begin at 7:00 pm. Meeting dates are:

Wednesday, September 14

Wednesday, October 12

Wednesday, November 9

Please note two changes of date for our field trips. The first of our two field trips to Corky Marlowe’s camp in Beartown has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 25th. The Perch River WMA Field Trip has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 20th.

For detailed info about birds,

visit the website of

the Cornell Ornithology Lab

and of Cornell’s renowned

Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary

at http://www.birds.cornell.edu

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OFFICERS

President

Corky Marlowe 782-4705

Vice-President

Bill Haller 639-6848

Treasurer

Kathleen Killeen 646-6007

Secretary

Christine Bourquin 649-5403

DIRECTORS

Richard Brouse To 5/2017

David Prosser To 5/2016

Mike Shepard To 5/2016

June Walker To 5/2017

Robert Walker To 5/2016

Field Trip Coordinator

Richard Brouse 788-6778

Census Coordinator

Bill Haller 639-6848

Historian

Robert Walker 649-2161

Newsletter Editor

Bill Haller 639-6848

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, to provide extra incentive for members to keep memberships in good standing. We would like to congratulate Connie Mason of Dexter, selected as this issue’s recipient.

On The Web:

NORTH COUNTRY

BIRD CLUB

ON FACEBOOK

FIELD TRIP: UPPER & LOWER LAKES WMA

Saturday, May 7th - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am

Upper & Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area is located between Rensselaer Falls and Canton in central St. Lawrence County and includes the Indian Creek Nature Center. The WMA has extensive woods and wetlands and a number of observation sites. The Nature Center features an elevated boardwalk through a marsh, as well as extensive trails through woodlands. We will visit during the spring migration to look for birds in a variety of habitats. The trails are well maintained and level, but appropriate footwear is strongly recommended, as spring rains may result in wet or muddy areas.

After all local field trips, participants whose schedule permits are invited to join for lunch at a nearby restaurant. These gatherings always prove to be most enjoyable (and entertaining) events.

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.

TREASURER’S REPORT

from the April 13th Meeting

Checking account balance .... $1165.95

Savings account balance ...... $1776.02

Kathleen Killeen, Treasurer For info on Onondaga Audubon field trips & programs: http://onondagaaudubon.com/

FIELD TRIP: RED LAKE (Theresa)

Saturday, May 21st - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am

This is a must trip for adding birds to your Spring Bird Census list. The setting includes woodlands, fields, wetlands, and the lakeshore environment, so a wide variety of species is possible. This always rewarding field trip is an easy walk along a level gravel road.

FIELD TRIP: LIMERICK CEDARS

Wednesday, May 25th at 8:00 pm

Meet along the Ransom Road

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.

FIELD TRIP: CHAUMONT BARRENS Saturday, June 4th

Meet at Nice-n-Easy, Rt 12E in Chaumont, at 8:30 am

FIELD TRIP: MARLOWE CAMP (Beartown) Saturday, June 25th - Meet at Arsenal St Wal-Mart at 8:30 am

We will travel to Club President Corky Marlowe’s 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 early afternoon. Please bring a lunch or dish to pass. Salad and dessert will be provided.

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.

The Cornell Lab now offers predic t ions of b i rd migration patterns. Track spring migrations through our area at http://birdcast.info

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 Y ahoo 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 Y ahoo 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).

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Information about programs of the Department of Environmental Conservation, conservation news, and regulation updates are distributed by a targeted e-mail system. Subscribers select from 100+ topics. To subscribe:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/subscriber/new

BIRDING HOTSPOT: WESTCOTTS BEACH - UPPER CAMPGROUND

SPRING RAPTOR MIGRATION

LEE ELLSWORTH

Some of you might remember Lee B. Chamberlaine. Lee was a Biologist with the NYSDEC. Birding was one of his many passions. The Upper Campground at Westcotts Beach State Park was one of his favorite Spring Raptors viewing sites. It was close to his home in Henderson, and Lee would often stop on his way to or from work when conditions were favorable for Raptor flights. The same conditions that are good for Derby Hill in Oswego County are just right for Westcotts. In fact, you are probably seeing some of the same birds that made their way from Derby earlier in the day. A light South-Southwest wind is very favorable.

All species of Raptors – Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, Vultures – are a possibility. Bring Binocs and, if you have one, a Spotting Scope.

Directions: From NYS Rt 3 at Westcotts Beach State Park, turn east onto Ridge Road. The first right (just after the turn from Rt 3) is the entrance road to the Upper Campground.

If time permits, take a quick trip to the Park’s Boat Launch. You never know what waterfowl might be in the basin or just outside in the lake. No fees until the Park opens for camping. Good Birding - Lee Ellsworth

We continue our series on birding hotspots in our area with a contribution from Club member Lee Ellsworth. This is the sixth article in the series (and Lee’s second contribution). 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 detailed information about the location, and the Editor will prepare the article. For now, please enjoy this continuation of our series.

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB ANNUAL MEETING Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - 7:00 PM

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION AT THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING

Listed below are the members who have been nominated for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting as Officers of the North Country Bird Club. Officers are elected to one-year terms.

President: Corky Marlowe Vice President: Bill Haller Secretary: Christine Bourquin Treasurer: Kathleen Killeen

The following members have been nominated for election to three-year terms as Directors of the Club:

David Prosser - Mike Shepard - Robert Walker

We will also vote on the ratification of a revision of our By-laws. The By-laws currently in force have not undergone a major revision in a very long time and are in many ways no longer appropriate for the current operations of our Club. A copy of the proposed revision of the By-laws is included with this issue. The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 11th, at 7:00 pm, at Stone Presbyterian Church. All members are urged to attend and participate.

ANNUAL PICNIC: AT THE BROUSE’S (Watertown)

Sunday, July 10th - 3:00 PM (rain or shine)

Dick and Marion Brouse have again generously offered to host the Club’s 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 Brouse’s remarkable preserve. Hazelhurst Avenue runs eastward from Bradley St (NY 12) on the north side of Watertown, near the city line. The Brouse’s is the last house on the street. Further details about the event will be included in the next issue of the Plover.

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH

Watertown – April 3, 2016

Photo by Dee Piiparinen

Snowy Owls remained in our area through late March. Corky Marlowe and Bill Haller sighted two on March 21, one along NY 12 north of Gunns Corners, the other sitting in an Osprey nest along NY 180 south of Gunns Corners. The last Snowy Owl sighting reported this season was made along NY 12 north of Gunns Corners by Corky and Bill on March 26. The last reports of Snow Buntings came on March 1. Doris Gibson reported several in her yard on Keyser Road. Corky and Bill were birding with Dick and Marion Brouse later that day, and the four sighted 12+ Snow Buntings along Hart Road near Gunns Corners. Nearby, they saw 20+ Tree Sparrows, the first reported this season.

As the spring migration progressed in our area, with Snowy Owls and Snow Buntings moving out, the Tree Sparrows were only one species of many to move in during March and April. Other First Of Season sightings: On February 28, Dick and Marion reported 3 Red-winged Blackbirds at their feeders in Watertown. Kathy Killeen reported the first Red-wings at her feeders in Sackets on March 1. On March 12, Corky and Bill sighted 4 Killdeer along Smith Road. Doris reported 4 Song Sparrows at her home on March 15, and on March 19, a Brown-headed Cowbird (along with a pair of House Finches). The first report of a Great Blue Heron came on March 26 from Dick and Marion, who sighted

one along Kelsey Creek behind their home. Bill saw 3 Great Blue Herons at Perch River WMA on March 30. On the same day, Corky and Bill sighted an Eastern Meadowlark, singing from the top of a shrub along Dog Hill Road. On March 29, Corky and Bill heard several American Woodcocks along the Ransom Road; Corky saw the display flight of one of the birds against the evening sky. Corky and Bill sighted two Osprey at the nest along NY 180 north of Limerick on March 31. Since then, Osprey have been seen on nests throughout the area. On April 10, Corky and Bill sighted 6 Common Loons while rounding Pillar Point. They first saw a Caspian Tern at Perch River WMA on April 11. That same day, they sighted a Black-crowned Night Heron at Fish Island, Dexter, with 2 pair of Wood Ducks nearby. Also on April 11, Doris Gibson reported a White-crowned Sparrow at her home, then on April 13, a White-throated Sparrow. Corky and Bill sighted 2 Belted Kingfishers on Point Salubrious on April 16, then, on the same day, a Savannah Sparrow on Pillar Point and a Brown Thrasher along the Ransom Road. They first heard an Eastern Towhee on April 17, also along the Ransom Road. On April 21, Corky and Bill heard a Wilson’s Snipe at Perch River WMA. Earlier that week, Dick and Marion had sighted several in a flooded ditch along Woodard Road. On April 25, Corky and Bill sighted a flock of Purple Martins at the Isthmus. Later that day, Bill heard an American Bittern at Wilson’s Bay Marsh.

Waterfowl have also appeared in great numbers since early March. At Perch River, Ring-necked Ducks seem to be the most numerous, with a substantial number of American Wigeon. Mallards, American Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, and Hooded Mergansers had also returned to the refuge before mid-March. Doris’ son reported a pair of Mallards in Pamelia on March 8. Lee Ellsworth reported on March 20 that he had sighted 8+ Green-winged Teal at the end of the Cook Road. Both Trumpeter Swans and Mute Swans have also been sighted at Perch River. On April 3, Bill was on the Vaadi Road and, in a single roadside pool near the bridges, sighted first a pair of Blue-winged Teal, then a pair of Wood Ducks, and finally a pair of Mallards. Returning past the spot, he found a Great Blue Heron standing in the pool just off the edge of the road. Around Pillar Point, Red-breasted Mergansers are numerous, as are Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, and Common Goldeneye. On March 3, Bill sighted 2 Long-tailed Ducks there. On March 31, he watched a Double-crested Cormorant fly upriver from Fish Island.

Snow Geese have moved through our area over the past two months. On March 8, Corky and Bill sighted 200+ along the Martin Road in Hounsfield. Doris’ son reported 50 Snow Geese at Westcotts Beach SP on March 10. That same day, Corky and Bill found Snow Geese at three locations along NY 12E near Chaumont and Three Mile Bay, along Smith Road, and at several locations in Hounsfield near Fields and Jericho Roads. Doris sighted 300+ Snow Geese along Beckwith Road on March 25. On April 19, Corky and Bill sighted 4 Snow Geese, including a Blue Morph, still “in residence” along Smith Road. They found two still there on April 24.

Bald Eagles are back on the nest across the marsh from Allen Road, seen there throughout March and April. On April 21, Corky and Bill sighted two mature Bald Eagles there, one standing on the edge of the nest, the other perched well above it, very possibly an indication of young in the nest. But what is most probably even more exciting news is the discovery of an active Eagle’s nest along NY 12E between Limerick and Chaumont. The nest was first located by Christine Bourquin, whose son had seen a mature Eagle fly to the nest tree earlier in the day. Town of Lyme authorities were quickly notified, and they passed the news along to the DEC, which had not previously known of the nest’s existence. Unlike the readily visible nest at Perch River, this nest is well concealed in a tall tree. Only an Eagle flying to it would reveal its location to an observer.

In other sightings of note, Doris reported a female Evening Grosbeak at her home on March 3, along with 4 Purple Finches. She reported 9 Purple Finches there on March 5. Doris reported long flocks of Canada Geese flying over on March 9, along with several Wild Turkeys in the fields near her home. By March 12, 12 Purple Grackles were at Doris’ feeders, along with 25 Red-winged Blackbirds. On March 13, Doris reported 5 American Robins there, as well as 4 Dark-eyed Juncos, 5 Blue Jays, 3 Downy Woodpeckers, and 4 Black-capped Chickadees. On April 4, she reported 8 Pine Siskins at her feeders. Bill has also had a number of Pine Siskins at his feeders in Dexter. This seems to be an especially good year for that species. On March 17, Corky and Bill sighted a Great Black-backed Gull at Grass Point SP. Bill sighted two Great Black-backed Gulls on Point Salubrious on April 8. The same day, Bill also sighted 2 American Kestrels, one at Fish Island, the other at Perch River WMA. On April 21, Corky and Bill sighted a large flock of Cedar Waxwings, numbering well over 50, in two leafless trees along the Ransom Road. We now await the return there of the Whip-poor-wills to assure us that spring is finally here.

FUERTES PAINTING From the State Museum in Albany

Published in Birds of America, 1917

The Editor offers sincere thanks to Mrs. Rena Young

for the gift of a copy of this magnificent volume

BELTED KINGFISHER

NORTH COUNTRY BIRD CLUB SIGHTINGS

Please forward notable sightings for the next issue by June 15, using the contact info on the last page.

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SONG SPARROW Sackets – April 14, 2016

Photo by Kathy Killeen

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WHY ISN’T A GALLINULE GALLINACEOUS?

The Common Gallinule, found throughout the Americas, was long called the Common Moorhen, a familiar bird from the Old World long thought to be identical. In 2011, the AOU determined, based on extensive studies, that the American bird is a separate species and renamed it. (For the same reason, the Western Hemisphere’s Common Snipe was renamed Wilson’s Snipe in 2003.) Although now known as a Gallinule, the bird is a Rail, not a Gallinaceous bird, the group which includes Turkey, Grouse, Pheasant, Quail, Partridge, and Ptarmigan. What is the reason for this admittedly confusing terminology? The terms Gallinule and Gallinaceous come from related Latin roots, but in a sense indicate differences between the birds. Gallinaceous is derived from the Latin gallus, meaning rooster, so it is an appropriate description for this group of generally large (at least compared to most songbirds) wildfowl. Gallinule is derived from the Latin gallinula, the term for a pullet - a young female chicken. So Gallinule is an appropriate name for the bird long known as the Moorhen. The Common Gallinule, therefore, while perhaps reminiscent of a chicken, is not Gallinaceous, as it is not actually a fowl bird. (Nor is it, as far as we know, a foul bird, for that matter.)

River Parks Field Trip - April 9: On Saturday, April 9, nine members of NCBC visited several birding sites in northern Jefferson County. The group observed 37 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 on the eastern edge of Cape Vincent, then to Wilson’s Bay Marsh along the Lake Ontario shore, and finally, appropriately, to the Blue Heron Restaurant in Chaumont where, joined by two more members of the Club, we enjoyed an excellent lunch and the customary fine conversation and hilarity. Species observed during the day included Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Wild Turkey, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Killdeer, Wilson’s Snipe, Bonaparte’s Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird. The Eastern Phoebe, a First-of-Season for most of us, perched for several minutes in plain view on a dock at Cedar Point, sounding his characteristic call repeatedly, a sure harbinger of spring on a sunny, but very chilly, day.

Cornell Lab and Montezuma NWR - April 23: On Saturday, April 23, a cool spring day, nine members of the Club travelled to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca. The Lab of Ornithology, with its marvelous exhibits, extensive viewing area, and many trails (and well-stocked birding store), provides an experience that is in many ways unique in the world. After our visit to the Lab, we continued northward along the west shore of Cayuga Lake to the Montezuma NWR. Along the way, we stopped to view Taughannock Falls, highest in New York State and an awe-inspiring sight. Over the course of the day, 67 species were observed, a record number for a field trip over the five years this Editor has prepared the Plover. (The previous record over the past five years was 48 species, from last May’s Cornell-Montezuma Field Trip.)

Highlights of the Cornell visit included an excellent view of a Yellow-rumped Warbler, the first warbler of the season for most of us, as well as both a pair of Broad-winged Hawks and a Cooper’s Hawk flying above. But perhaps the most intriguing sighting came with a great view of two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, the bird for which Cornell’s Sapsucker Woods sanctuary is named. The highlight of our time at Montezuma NWR, even more than the multitude of waterfowl and shorebirds in the pools and marshes, was an excellent look at Rusty Blackbirds in the trees beside the Tschache Pool. This field trip certainly was a remarkable experience for all involved.

At the Cornell Lab and in the nearby area, we sighted 34 species: Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, American Crow, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, American Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, and American Goldfinch. At and near Montezuma NWR, an additional 33 species were sighted: Snow Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Wild Turkey, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Rusty Blackbird, and House Sparrow.

FIELD TRIP REPORTS

ARBOR DAY FESTIVAL

On Saturday, April 16, our Club was a participating organization in Arbor Day activities at South Jefferson High School in Adams, with six of our members present to provide information on birding and Club activities to the general public. This was our second year at the event. We staffed a table with Club newsletters, membership forms, and photos by our members and had the opportunity to meet and talk with many people. Discussions ranged over a wide variety of bird-related topics and hopefully heightened the interest of many in birding and the Club. At an adjoining table, Club President Corky Marlowe guided youngsters in the preparation of pine cone feeders coated with peanut butter and seeds. This turned out to be a very popular activity. The event provided an excellent opportunity to increase awareness in our area of birding and of our Club’s activities.

Club President Corky Marlowe Helps an Arbor Day Attendee Prepare a Pine Cone Feeder

Photo by Lynn Chavoustie

THE UPLAND PLOVER

P. O. Box 634 Watertown, NY 13601

On FACEBOOK: North Country Bird Club

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT PLOVER ARE DUE BY JUNE 15 If you have sightings, photos, or other items 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)

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The online Plover is the same as the printed, but in COLOR! Contact the Editor, Bill Haller, to sign up.

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: ___________________________________

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North Country Bird Club P.O. Box 634

Watertown, NY 13601

Please send Plover by e-mail

Meetings / Programs: March, April, May, September, October, November, (Second Wednesday of the month)

Field Trips: Spring - Summer - Fall

Spring Bird Census North Country Big Day Audubon Christmas Bird Count

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.

Consider joining the New York State Ornithological Association. Included are both a quarterly journal and a newsletter. Details at www.nybirds.org.

Onondaga Audubon’s annual Spring Bird Festival at Derby Hill Bird Observatory will be held on Saturday, May 14, from 10 am to 5 pm. The event will include live birds of prey, bird walks, activities for kids, and great food.

For the Birds, a set of events sponsored by the Thousand Islands Land Trust, is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, May 28, several educational stations will be open to the public from 10 am to 3 pm at Boldt Castle. On Sunday, May 29, birding trips and presentations about birding will be offered. Detailed information is available at TILT’s website, www.tilandtrust.org, as well as on their Facebook page.