[Matt]

I saw a mute swan while passing through Braddock Bay, one of the few spots upstate they still inhabit. The thing was the size of a small boat, about 5 feet long. I may spend a day in the areas seeing if I can get a photo of the birds in the bay, supposedly they converted this from a WMA to a Park specifically for brid watching.

[Brenda]

Here's a link to the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (say that three times fast): http://www.bbbo.org/

and here's some more info on Mute Swans in NY: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7076.html

[Matt]

I had no idea Braddock Bay was such a big deal. I guess it's really the only protected Ontario Marsh left in the area.

[cbobcat49]

I was wondering if any of our in-house bird experts can take a stab at this one: A few moments ago there was a mourning dove sized bird perched on our telephone wire. It was the same color as a mourning dove - gray-tan. Except it had a splash of bright red on the back of its head. It flew off before I could get a picture of it. It's call was a high pitched 2 notes "EEEEE-ew". Something like that.

Chris

[Brenda]

My guess would be a Northern (Yellow-Shafted) Flicker.

[Matt]

Found this article:
Birds Help Trees Soar
http://www.livescience.com/environment/ ... trees.html

Majestic trees owe a sizeable chunk of their sky-high stature to tiny birds.
Birds boost tree height up to 33 percent by munching on pesky parasites that can literally suck the life out of the tall-growing plants, a new study shows.
"In a nutshell ... the presence of these birds in pine forests increased the growth of the trees by helping to rid them of damaging insects," said Kailen Mooney, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Birds remove harmful species of beetles, caterpillars, ants and aphids from branches, Mooney explained, increasing the vigor of trees. His findings are detailed in the August issue of the journal Ecology.
The avian activity also changes the chemical "flavor" of the trees by boosting terpenes—chemicals found to repel tree-eating pests such as bark beetles as well as porcupines and squirrels.
"More than anything, this study underscores the importance of preserving the ecological communities in the forest and not just the trees," Mooney said.

[Brenda]

Very cool! I never thought about it, but it makes total sense.

[Matt]

While at Holley Falls we found that watch the Bohemian Waxwings catch flying insects to be highly enjoyable. They seem to show off and you can get very close. They are very beautiful-looking birds.

[Matt]

Ok, maybe they are Cedar Waxwings. I checked anohter guide and the Bohemian ones seem to have a bit more color.
Plus Brenda and Shana also tell me they of the cedar variety.
The only way to know for sure though is to catch one and ask it myself.

[Brenda]

Be sure that Shana has a video camera when you attempt this (no mist nets allowed). I bet that we could raise some money for/interest in the site with that footage!

[ShanaD]

I knew that they were Cedar Waxwings, I stared/watched them for a very long time. They are very fun to watch, but I am sure watchin Matt try to catch one would be just as enjoyable. Their chirp almost sounds like a cricket.

[chris270]

I had 4 Juvenile Cedar Waxwings in my backyard making a racket the other day. The mother was bringing them berries. I couldnt get a shot of the feeding but here is one of the minors.

[champy1013]

Matt - what lenses do you have for your 4/3rds system? i definately need a better telephoto and a macro lense

Those cedar waxwings are everywhere in the gorges lately. We saw a ton last week in every gorge we were in

[Matt]

I just have the kit lenses for the 510. (14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko)

Save your money: Oly has a 12-70 and a 70-300 (!) coming out in october! The 70mm will be a high grade lens, the 300mm will be a standard (kit) lens.

Right now the $800 50-200 f2.8 is the best birding lens for Oly (under $3000)- a new version (better version is coming out in the next month or so). I'm getting this lens.

For macro, there are quite a few Sigmas for the 4/3, but the good ones are prime. If I needed one, I'd get the 105mm - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=olympus%20sigma%20lens%20macro&tag=nyfcom-20&index=photo&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Macro Lenses</a><

The 14-54 they have out now is great for macro too though. I'd expect the same from the 12-70.

There is also a 1.4x teleconverter that will work with all oly lenses.

[Matt]

I found this little piper-like guy hanging out on the pier at Sudus Point. He was alone and not very willing to fly away. This one I can't identify 100%. The back and mantle feathers are similar to the golden plover... but that's really all I can tell. Perhaps this is a juvenile.