Year 8, Issue 5

***************************************************************** *^^^^^^^   ^     ^    ^^^^^^        ^^^^^^^    ^     ^    ^^^^^^^ *   ^      ^     ^    ^             ^          ^     ^    ^     ^ *   ^       ^^^^^     ^^ ^          ^          ^     ^    ^ ^^^^^ *   ^      ^     ^    ^             ^          ^     ^    ^ *   ^      ^     ^    ^^^^^^        ^^^^^^^      ^^^^     ^ *The electronic publication of the David Cup/McIlroy competitions. *  Editor-in-Chief:  Jay McGowan *  Guest Editors:  Tringa and Martin McGowan ******************************************************************   Hello, and welcome to the reinstatement of The Cup.  Enthusiasm was  running low with former editors, so I decided to take charge to keep  the competition going.  It may not be as fun or as fancy as former Cups  have been, but at least it will get the standings out there.   ------------------------- Columnists? If anyone would like to write a column for (or contribute in any way  to) The Cup, please let me know at peregrine77@email.com.   -------------------------   <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< PILGRIMS' PROGRESS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   May 2002 David Cup Totals  210 Jay McGowan 206 Tim Lenz 202 Steve and Susan Fast 196 Kevin McGowan 193 Bruce Tracey 192 Pete Hosner 190 Ken Rosenberg 189 Steve Kelling 187 Bard Prentiss 186 Meena Haribal 176 Matt Medler 158 Jeff Gerbracht 152 Eric Banford 141 Mark Chao 111 Tringa (the Dog) McGowan 77 Martin (the Cat) McGowan  Jay McGowan's 200th bird: Alder Flycatcher  Tim Lenz's 200th bird: Ruddy Turnstone   May 2003 McIlroy Award Totals  183 Tim Lenz 173 Ken Rosenberg 146 Jeff Gerbracht 143 Jay McGowan 130 Kevin McGowan   May 2003 Evans Trophy Totals  172 Jay McGowan 165 Kevin McGowan 144 Bard Prentiss 111 Tringa McGowan 77 Martin McGowan   May 2003 Yard Totals  129 Steve Kelling 114 McGowan/Kline Family 84 Nancy Dickinson   Here's an idea:  How about a "Most Species Photographed in the Basin"  category?  You just have to get an identifiable picture of the bird for  it to count.  Probably not too many Cuppers are active photographers,  but it's a thought.    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  COMPOSITE DEPOSIT The total number of species seen in the Cayuga Lake Basin up to the end  of May is: 241 -- eight fewer than at this time last year.  Notable  misses for the year are Long-eared Owl, Acadian Flycatcher, Henslow's  Sparrow, and the Winter Finches.  Here is the list of species as I see it:  R-t Loon, PACIFIC LOON, C. Loon, P-b Grebe, Horned Grebe, R-n Grebe,  EARED GREBE, D-c Cormorant, Am. Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Blue  Heron, Great Egret, CATTLE EGRET, Green Heron, B-c Night-Heron, GLOSSY  IBIS, Turkey Vulture, Tundra Swan, Mute Swan, Snow Goose, ROSS'S GOOSE,  Canada Goose, Wood Duck, G-w Teal, Am. Black Duck, Mallard, N. Pintail,  B-w Teal, N. Shoveler, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, R-n  Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, L-t Duck, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter,  W-w Scoter, C. Goldeneye, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, Bufflehead, Hooded  Merganser, C. Merganser, R-b Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Osprey, Bald Eagle,  N. Harrier, S-s Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, N. Goshawk, R-s Hawk, B-w Hawk, R- t Hawk, R-l Hawk, Golden Eagle, Am. Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon,  GYRFALCON, R-n Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Virginia Rail,  Sora, C. Moorhen, Am. Coot, Sandhill Crane, B-b Plover, Semipalmated  Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary  Sandpiper, WILLET, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Ruddy  Turnstone, Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, W-r  Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, S-b Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe,  Am. Woodcock, Wilson's Phalarope, FRANKLIN'S GULL, LITTLE GULL,  Bonaparte's Gull, R-b Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, Lesser B-b  Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great B-b Gull, Caspian Tern, C. Tern, Forster's  Tern, Black Tern, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, B-b Cuckoo, Y-b Cuckoo, E.  Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, SNOWY OWL, Barred Owl, S-e Owl, N. Saw- whet Owl, C. Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, R-t Hummingbird, Belted  Kingfisher, R-b Woodpecker, R-h Woodpecker, Y-b Sapsucker, Downy  Woopecker, Hairy Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, O-s  Flycatcher, E. Wood-Pewee, Y-b Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, Willow  Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, E. Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, E.  Kingbird, N. Shrike, B-h Vireo, Y-t Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Philadelphia  Vireo, R-e Vireo, Blue Jay, Am. Crow, Fish Crow, C. Raven, Horned Lark,  Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, N. R-w Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff  Swallow, Barn Swallow, B-c Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, R-b Nuthatch, W- b Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Winter Wren,  Marsh Wren, G-c Kinglet, R-c Kinglet, B-g Gnatcatcher, E. Bluebird,  Veery, G-c Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Am.  Robin, European Starling, Gray Catbird, N. Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher,  Am. Pipit, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Cedar Waxwing, B-w Warbler, G-w Warbler,  Tennessee Warbler, O-c Warbler, Nashville Warbler, N. Parula, Yellow  Warbler, C-s Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Cape May Warbler, B-t Blue  Warbler, Y-r Warbler, B-t Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Pine  Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, B-b Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler,  Cerulean Warbler, B-&-w Warbler, Am. Redstart, W-e Warbler, Ovenbird,  N. Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mourning Warbler, C.  Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Canada Warbler, YELLOW- BREASTED CHAT, Scarlet Tanager, E. Towhee, Am. Tree Sparrow, Chipping  Sparrow, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah  Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's  Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, W-t Sparrow, W-c Sparrow, D-e Junco, Lapland  Longspur, Snow Bunting, N. Cardinal, R-b Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting,  Bobolink, R-w Blackbird, E. Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, C. Grackle, B- h Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Purple Finch, House Finch,  Am. Goldfinch, House Sparrow.   LEADER'S MISS LIST  Here are the many things I have missed so far this year:  Least Bittern, CATTLE EGRET, B-c Night-Heron, GLOSSY IBIS, ROSS'S  GOOSE, Sandhill Crane, B-b Plover, Semipalmated Plover, L. Yellowlegs,  Solitary Sandpiper, WILLET, Ruddy Turnstone, W-r Sandpiper, Pectoral  Sandpiper, S-b Dowitcher, Wilson's Phalarope, LITTLE GULL, C. Tern,  Forster's Tern, SNOWY OWL, Barred Owl, S-e Owl, C. Nighthawk, R-h  Woodpecker, N. Shrike, G-c Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, BOHEMIAN WAXWING,  G-w Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$   BASIN BIRD HIGHLIGHTS by Jay McGowan   Here's an abbreviated recap of this year's highlights to date:  As usual, the Ithaca Christmas Bird Count was conducted on January 1st,  tallying a total of 73 species.  Highlights included Green-winged Teal,  White-winged Scoter, Red-shouldered Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and  Chipping Sparrow (several Chipping Sparrows were around this winter).   The EARED GREBE that has been present on Cayuga Lake for the last four  years was seen on the 1st also, and later in the year, TWO Eared Grebes  were seen in the Aurora area.  A SNOWY OWL (possibly the same one seen  in December '02) was seen in the Savannah Mucklands by Gerard Phillips  on January 5th.  On the 11th, Steve Kelling, Wes Hochachka and Ann  Redelfs saw an immature gray-phase GYRFALCON at Farleys Point near  Union Springs on the east side of Cayuga Lake.  Kevin and Jay McGowan  ran into the Gyrfalcon on the 12th, and also found a drake BARROW'S  GOLDENEYE at Union Springs on the same day.  Later in the month, an  adult Gyrfalcon was seen, making two Gyrfalcons on Cayuga Lake in 2003.   A PEREGRINE FALCON was also seen.  On the 16th, Tim Lenz found a first  winter LITTLE GULL at Stewart Park.  Also, an out-of-Basin rarity this  January was a first-winter ROSS'S GULL found at Irondequoit Bay near  Rochester on the 9th.    In late February and early March, a Red-necked Grebe invasion took  place on Cayuga Lake; over 260 individuals were counted on the lake on  one day.  Ken Rosenberg saw a ROSS'S GOOSE at Stewart Park on the 16th,  and more Ross's Geese were seen in the Savannah Mucklands.  Also of  note, although probably not countable, were several TRUMPETER SWANS  that hung around near Myers Point in February and March.  One of these  had a yellow wing tag, and is thought to have been banded in Ontario.    On March 17th, Ben Clock and Thorsten Balsby found a BOHEMIAN WAXWING  in a flock of Cedar Waxwings at Sapsucker Woods.  It was subsequently  seen by others.  The SANDHILL CRANES that have been around for the last  few years north of Montezuma were seen again by many people.  [Editor's  Note: Although not in May, I think it well to mention that these cranes  were successful in breeding in this area, and raised one chick, first  seen on June 5th.]  Gary Chapin saw a LITTLE GULL on East Road near  Montezuma on March 30th.  Matt Victoria found a CATTLE EGRET in Ledyard  on April 2nd.  On April 28th, Jay McGowan and Bard Prentiss found an  adult breeding PACIFIC LOON (a first record for the Basin) with several  Commons and a late Red-throated off Varick, on the west side of the  lake.  A few other people got to see the loon that evening, but it was  not seen again.  On April 30th, Meena Haribal saw a WILLET fly off from  the lighthouse jetty from Stewart Park.  On the same day, Jody Hildreth  found 5 GLOSSY IBIS on Armitage Road near Montezuma.    The Hawthorns were fairly quiet this year compared with last, but many  warblers still passed through there, including BAY-BREASTED, GOLDEN- WINGED, and ORANGE-CROWNED.  Anne Marie and Tim Johnson found a singing  CLAY-COLORED SPARROW on Creamery Road in Caroline on the 10th of May.   Matt Medler found a breeding plumaged FRANKLIN'S GULL on the spit at  Myers Point on May 13th, then refound it the next day in Aurora.  Matt  Young heard a probable YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at the McIlroy Preserve in  Summerhill on May 17th, and it was confirmed on the 20th (and may still  be around now).  Tim and Anne Marie Johnson saw a WILSON'S PHALAROPE at  Benning Marsh on the 23rd.  Several OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen  around late in the month.  A KING RAIL was reported May 27th on the  sightings book at Montezuma, but this report has not been confirmed.   "CUP QUOTES"  The [Christmas Bird Count] compilation that evening was notable for the  ice storm that caused a small turnout and forced those hearty souls who  did attend to compile by candlelight.   --Kevin McGowan  There's a non-adult winter Glaucous Gull on the ice in front of the  tennis courts at Stewart Park this morning (~10:00). It's VERY white,  so when its head is tucked it looks just like a patch of snow on the  ice.  --Tim Lenz  The GLAUCOUS GULL at Stewart Park was still there at noon today (Fri).   As we left, it woke up, took flight and landed in the water offshore,  next to a 1st-yr Herring Gull. --Ken Rosenberg  Ken, WHICH 1st-yr Herring gull? --Jesse Ellis  The brown one with the black bill, with the big white gull next to it. --Ken Rosenberg  We didn't find a Yellow-rumped Warbler, but a second life bird for Jay  in one day was pretty good consolation. --Kevin McGowan  ...however, scanning through the gulls on the ice produced a 1st-year  ICELAND GULL.  It was sitting near the adult Herring Gull, Ken. --Jesse Ellis  Thanks Jesse.  I found the adult Herring Gull no problem, but not the  Iceland.  White-out conditions at noon:30 -- virtually impossible to  scope. --Ken Rosenberg  So it's not a Sl--y - b---ed G--l, but two Gyr's and Barrow's  Goldeneye ain't a bad start for a chilly winter in the Basin! --Jesse Ellis  Guess this is the winter of the Chipping Sparrow (forget the  Gyrfalcons).   --David Bonter  ...Then finally landed up in Geneva Movieplex to look for Hedwig, the  Snowy Owl of Harry Potter. --Meena Haribal  Wasn't the wind incredible this morning?  Sheesh...makes me glad that I  don't have to migrate. --Vanessa Lane  Last Friday, 14 Feb., at dawn I saw a congress of crows.  I mean the  collective noun, not the verb.  They were in the trees along Cascadilla Creek just upstream from the Hoy Road bridge by Route 366.  How many? Somewhere between a caucus and a quorum.   --Dave Nutter  You don't know what a hungry hawk will do. --Meena Haribal  A search for the Bohemian Waxwing at Sapsucker Woods late yesterday  afternoon was fruitless (although there was plenty of fruit). --Jay McGowan  On this gorgeous Easter Sunday I took a walk through the Jetty Woods  and was rewarded with a plump, beautiful easter egg of my own: an  AMERICAN BITTERN. --Tim Lenz  ...But the highlight of the morning was seeing an adult male MERLIN  swoop out of nowhere and snag a singing male Goldfinch from its perch.   The goldfinch sort of had it coming I think, it was singing so loud,  and it was right out in the open.   --Tim Lenz  So I was 10 minutes late for this bird [the Willet].  If only I'd  skipped breakfast, or woke up a bit earlier, or drove a little bit  faster.   --Tim Lenz  Boat traffic started to pick up as I left, which flushed a lot of the  birds on the jetty.  However, they may just be foraging out in the  middle of the lake, so it's possible they will retern. --Tim Lenz  The cemetery was deceptively birdy, but the migrants were a bit scarce.   --Mike Andersen  ...and, as I drove out, a Common Raven. My!...they ARE big when one's  just been watching warblers!! --Marie Read  They're finally back!  At least 3 GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were "pit-up zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"-ing in the field on W. King Rd. in south Ithaca.   One of them was very close to the road but I still never got to see it.  These birds are very secretive, like Lincoln's Sparrow X 3. --Tim Lenz    While walking the Dryden Lake Trail late this afternoon, I was  fortunately caught in a heavy rainstorm. --Steve Fast  It will be phenomenal in the Hawthorn Orchard over the next several  days. --Chris Tessaglia-Hymes  Neotropical migrants will continue to trickle in, but don't expect to  see the phenomenal numbers for several more days (until after the  hawthorns open up). --Chris Tessaglia-Hymes  There's a possibility of more birds tomorrow morning, and then a  trickle of birds over the next week, depending on weather. --Chris Tessaglia-Hymes  So, I have no idea what is in store for the Hawthorn Orchard giving the  forecasted weather conditions over the next week.   --Chris Tessaglia-Hymes  An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER!  Hey Tim, if I can find this drab little  flitter, have faith--you'll get it yet. --Steve Fast  He said it [the refound Franklin's Gull] is on the near shore perched  on a ladder or dock or something like that (the reception wasn't  great).  --Mike Andersen  Morgan Road, Town of Savannah (in Region 5, I believe): 2 singing VESPER SPARROWS 1 singing HORNED LARK 0 SHOREBIRDS 0 SHOREBIRD HABITAT--the area by the DEC building at the end of Morgan  Road is disappointingly dry and devoid of shorebirds --Matt Medler  I went to the Hawthorns early this evening to look for the Philadelphia  Vireo that everybody has been seeing.  Instead, I saw the PRAIRIE  WARBLER that everybody has been hearing.   --Tim Lenz  After our third winery, we found ourselves listening to a YELLOW- BELLIED FLYCATCHER, HOODED WARBLER and two MAGNOLIA WARBLERS at the  Cayuga Nature Center.  Having spit everything he tasted (as all  professional wine tasters do), Mr. Hosner was sharper than I on the  flycatcher ID. --Mike Andersen  P.S.  Since arriving home in downtown Ithaca, I've managed to hear two Yellow-billed Cuckoos--both singing at the Colonial Country Club in  Fort Worth, Texas, where Annika Sörenstam has just finished a nice  round of golf (+1). --Matt Medler  I spent a good part of the afternoon at the Ringwood Preserve where I  got lost, hence this late post. --Steve Fast  I birded alone, just me and my buddy Carl Zeiss.   --Matt Medler  As I headed out on the spit and started seeing birds, I felt like I was  singing a line from a George Thorogood song:  "One DUNLIN.  One  SANDERLING.  One TURNSTONE."  Then, of course, three bad-to-the-bone  SPOTTED SANDPIPERS had to arrive on the scene and ruin the whole theme. --Matt Medler  The highlight (literally) of the morning for me was a backlit Ovenbird  looking quite incandescent, raising his crown feathers while pealing  his song.   --Mark Chao  The highlight of the day for me yesterday, though, was seeing PURPLE  MARTINS in the Purple Martin box at Montezuma!  After participating in  the early Muckraces (where the money went to buy that box) and seeing  the box be used by Tree Swallows for several years, I cannot say how  excited I was to see a stunning male martin and at least two females in  the box.  It was great! --Matt Medler  The weather was excellent (if you like nice weather)... --Jay McGowan   May Your Cup Runneth Over, - Jay