Volume 53 Number 1 January 2021

Coming Florida Reflections Activities January Virtual Program with Rick Bunting Please check for changes at https://doas.us/events/ The January program features bon Society in Florida. everyone’s favorite naturalist/ Since his retirement from SUNY January photographer, Rick Bunting. Rick Potsdam and the Crane School of will present “Florida Reflections.” Music, Rick Bunting pursues his January 3 – Delaware County Particpants will get to view and passion for photography full time. Christmas Bird Count hear about photos of some of Rick’s Also an accomplished and well- January 5 – Climate Action Panel favorite birds found in the Fort known musician, Rick photographs Discussion Meyers/Sanibel area where he has wherever he travels. January 15 – Virtual Program, visited for many years. “Florida Reflections” Quoting Rick, “It is the kind of Join us on Zoom, January 17 – Waterfowl Count program that will hopefully be a January 15th at 7:30 p.m. January 19 – DOAS Board Mtg mid-winter, Covid 19 pandemic Pre-Registration is required. January 23 – Eagle Trip CAN- spirit-lifter, at least for me!!” The REGISTER TODAY AT CELLED program was originally put togeth- https://bit.ly/2Wsfh0m February er for the Sanibel-Captiva Audu- February 19 – Virtual Program, “Great Gray Owls” March March 2 – DOAS Board Mtg March 19 – Virtual Program, “Highlights from Down Under” April April 16 – Virtual Program, “Members and Friends Photo Share” April 20 – DOAS Board Mtg Roseate Spoonbill Great Egret Photos by Rick Bunting More information on page 7

doas programs Save the date: February 19, 2021 are free and open to “Great Gray Owls” with wildlife photographer Kyle Dudgeon the public

Like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/DelawareOtsegoAudubonSociety The Delaware - Otsego President’s Message Audubon Society Looking to the Future Founded 1968 by Co-president Andy Mason Newsletter Editor: Janet Potter

Will we be seeing each other on Board of Directors bird walks this Spring? That seems Co-Presidents Becky Gretton like a dream in this Covid era, and Andrew Mason Susan O’Handley realistically it will probably remain Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch just that. As health experts and the Photo by Landa Palmer Treasurer Charlie Scheim media emphasize, even with the Secretary Dorian Huneke Trees on the Sanctuary property advent of vaccines, social distanc- Directors have been cut, but the main prob- ing and avoiding group gatherings lem is trees on adjoining property. Jane Bachman will be necessary for the foresee- We have had excellent relations Kathryn Davino able future. Bird walks and other and cooperation from our neigh- Landa Palmer field trips result in clusters of bor, and are exploring agreements Pamela Peters observers, despite good intentions, to clear an area here, but need to Janet Potter so will have to wait a while for the be very thoughtful and consider- Tom Salo all clear. Maybe Spring 2022! ate with any additional work on Rod Sutton Despite the inability to meet this property. face-to-face, our Chapter has Committee Chairs* In July, DOAS purchased an continued to function remote- and Assignments approximately 13-acre parcel that ly, and the board of directors is Conservation*: Andy Mason also contains blocking trees; trees addressing issues and challenges. Education*: Susan O’Handley that will likely become more prob- One major concern has been loss Fundraising*: Dorian Huneke lematic in the future. This land of view at the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch*: Andrew Mason was available at a reasonable price Hawkwatch, due to tree growth. Tom Salo and this was an opportunity to act This has been an ongoing prob- Hospitality*: Kathryn Davino proactively, as well as protect the lem for a number of years, and Membership*: Andy Mason parcel. now threatens the viability of this Programs*: Becky Gretton Another hawk watch option popular and important activity. Publicity*: Susan O’Handley considered has been constructing The hawk watch is our greatest Sanctuary*: Andrew Mason a viewing tower. However, such a contact with non-members and Bird Counts: Sandy Bright structure would be expensive, un- is a large part of our identity with Charter Dinner: Kathryn Davino sightly, a liability risk, and unlikely other Audubon groups, birding Finance: Gray Mason to provide space for all visitors to organizations and the general Historian: Rod Sutton have a clear view. public. In addition, it represents Sales*: Jane Bachman We continue to move cautiously a decades-long research effort, Address Correspondence to: in our considerations of the best providing data on raptor popu- Delaware Otsego Audubon Society solution to this dilemma, but the lations and movements, and has P.O. Box 544 board has decided that the hawk led to outgrowths including our Oneonta, NY 13820 watch is a key part of our Chapter wintering Golden Eagle and sat- Email: [email protected] and worthy of saving. We will ellite-tracking projects, as well as keep you informed of activity On the web: www.doas.us efforts to reduce lead poisoning of regarding this effort. www.facebook.com/DelawareOtse- eagles, and impacts from large- goAudubonSociety Meanwhile, let’s keep our fingers scale wind facilities. crossed for a return to enjoying To contribute notes or articles for There are no easy solutions to those Spring warblers in each oth- The Belted Kingfisher, email: the view issues on the mountain. er’s company! [email protected] Volume 53 Number 1 THE BELTED KINGFISHER January 2021 Page 2 Conservation and Legislation by Andy Mason

NY Takes Big Step Forward in DiNapoli announced that the Halting Fossil Fuels—The move- $226 billion NY State Common ment to reduce the world’s reli- Retirement Fund had adopted a A Big Step in Washington too— ance on fossil fuels and resulting goal to transition its portfolio to Also in the climate change are- climate change takes a number of net zero greenhouse gas emissions na, the pending inauguration of forms—political, scientific, grass- by 2040. This process will include Joseph Biden on January 20 looks roots, and perhaps most effective- completion within four years of a to bring a major reversal of the ly—economic. As long as there review of investments in energy Trump administration’s unrelent- is money to be made exploring, sector companies, with divest- ing attack on science and global drilling, producing and selling ment of companies failing to meet efforts to address CO2 and other coal, gas and oil, there will be minimum standards of climate-re- greenhouse gas emissions. Biden companies willing to do it, regard- lated investment risk. The aim is has vowed to immediately return less of the larger consequences. for these firms to transition to a the US to the Paris Climate Agree- One pressure point is invest- non-carbon future or lose NY’s in- ment, has appointed John Kerry ments in these companies. With- vestment dollars. As the third larg- as special presidential envoy for out value in their stocks, they est public pension fund in the US, climate, and has repeatedly prior- are less able to raise capital for this action will be viewed widely itized the issue both in his cam- increasingly expensive and de- and used as an impetus for others paign and since election. creasingly competitive operations. to consider similar divestment. What You Can Do—The Presi- A push has developed for colleges, What You Can Do—Comptroller dent-elect has a daunting list of churches, non-profits, and other DiNapoli deserves kudos for this Trump environmental wrongs to institutions to divest from the bold action. He has been a careful, address, but this is a good place to fossil fuel industry. Another target cautious trustee of the retirement start. He should be encouraged for is government investment funds, fund, but clearly sees this as a facing the issue head-on and be and in this department, NY State necessary environmental and fi- assured of our support going for- Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli duciary step. A note of thanks is in ward. Joseph R. Biden, 918 Penn- has set an example for other states order: Office of the State Comp- sylvania Avenue S.E., Washington, and municipalities to follow. troller, 110 State Street, Albany, DC 20003; www.facebook.com/ In December, Comptroller NY 12236; www.osc.state.ny.us. joebiden; www.joebiden.com.

Oneonta Christmas Bird Count Highlights

made up for the frigid tempera- reported were the flock of Red tures that heralded this year’s Crossbills observed by Peter Oneonta Christmas Bird Count Fauth and a lone Fox Sparrow on December 19th. Hardy partic- discovered by Bill Ehmann. Bob ipants bundled up and ventured Donnelly reported Winter Wrens out despite the cold and the record and a Brown-headed Cowbird, snowfall from two days earlier, and Marilyn Leahy found several Snowy Day which affected bird activity and American Robins. These and the Photo by Rick Bunting limited access to some areas of the Eastern Bluebirds seen near the Sun sparkling off fresh white count circle. county jail may have regretted not snow. Bushes bejeweled with hoar The most uncommon species flying further south. Watch for the frost. Blue skies. These factors full report in the next Kingfisher. January 2021 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Volume 53 Number 1 Page 3 Choosing equipment for Wildlife Photography by DOAS Director Rod Sutton

I am often asked what photo- to-use design similar to point-and- equipment, I select- graphic equipment I use to photo- shoot models. The capabilities of ed a 600mm super graph wildlife. Never in the history these are amazing. Before . This of photography has there been so digital cameras became available was mounted on a many choices, from cell phones, most wildlife photography was DSLR . This point-and-shoot pocket cameras, done using 35mm film cameras. camera can pro- mirror-less cameras, bridge camer- For these cameras, a telephoto duce large display as to consumer and professional lens started with (focal) length prints. My daughter Camera on left: digital single lens reflex (DSLR) measurements around 70mm and Ally chose to use a DSLR with 150mm cameras. There are 35 mm film included super telephoto lenses up super zoom bridge to 600mm cameras still in use. Choosing the to 800mm or longer. Today, , which is telephoto zoom lenses set at best option depends on what will cameras of all sizes frequently use smaller and less 150mm. Camera be photographed and the desired 35mm film camera lens equiva- expensive. Ally’s on right: Super- zoom with 25 to end result. lents, even though the number super zoom bridge 600 millimeter 2020 turned into a year of used may not be the digital cam- had a 600mm equivalent postponed travel plans with my era’s actual focal length. There are equivalent. A zoomed to 600 family. I had planned a trip to the many sites on the Internet ex- disadvantage of using this camera Florida Everglades to photograph plaining camera types and uses. A would be a greater limitation on wildlife. With traveling no longer site that gives a useful overview of the degree of enlargement while an option, finding local wildlife bridge cameras can be found at: maintaining quality. So, which is proved equally enjoyable. Photo- https://fixthephoto.com/best-bridge- better? It depends on the desired graphing birds in the yard at home camera.html end result. For posting on the is rewarding. In this environment, A trip to Saranac Lake offered an world-wide-web, placing images in one of the challenges is how to opportunity to photograph Com- presentations, or creating modest get close enough to the subject to mon Loons (Gavia immer). For enlargements, super zoom bridge compose a good picture. One solu- “Photography” Continued on page 5 tion would be to use a telephoto lens. Telephoto lenses narrow the Super-zoom bridge camera with lens set at DSLR and at 600mm angle of view causing the subject 60 Photo by Rod’s daughter, Ally Photo by Rod Sutton to be magnified on the camera’s sensor, resulting in the subject seeming closer. However, telepho- to lenses can be very expensive, large, and heavy. Another option that has become recently available are super zoom bridge cameras. Bridge cameras resemble the more complex DSLRs, but feature fixed, telephoto zoom lenses in an easy- Volume 53 Number 1 THE BELTED KINGFISHER January 2021 Page 4 family groups to use this for their Eagle Trip Cancelled own eagle viewing adventure. The best viewing times for seeing In light of the continuing risk so it is not an easy string to break! concentations of Bald Eagles are from the Covid virus, we have We hope to resume the trip next January through mid-March. decided to cancel the Delaware winter. Get the map and description at County eagle trip scheduled for As an alternative, we have pre- https://doas.us/self-guided-ea- January 23. This trip has been held pared a map and written descrip- gle-trip/ . For more information annually for nearly three decades, tion of the route usually taken on contact Andy Mason, (607) 652- and is our most popular field trip, the trip, with good eagle viewing 2162, [email protected]. locations marked. We encourage

Chickadees—Did you Know?

strategy is called scatter hoarding, more important; it grows large in as the birds simply tuck food away the fall to accommodate multiple in any crevice where it will fit—in storage locations, and then shrinks a cluster of spruce needles, in a again the in the spring.” bark crevice, and so on. Incredibly, Black-capped Chickadee the bird can remember where each From: What It’s Like to Be a Audubon Photo by Gail DuBois item is stored, and at least some Bird, From Flying to Nesting, information about which ones are Eating to Singing—What Birds “Chickadees that live in areas with the best quality and which ones are Doing, and Why, written and harsh winters are very diligent have been eaten already. The hip- illustrated by David Allen Sibley, about storing food for the winter, pocampus—the part of the brain published by Alfred A. Knopf, and a single chickadee can store involved in spatial memory—is 2020. up to a thousand seeds in a day, or larger in birds that live in colder eighty thousand in a season. This climates, where storing food is

DOAS Reusable Bags $5.00 each Bag dimensions are 12” front x 5” side x 13” high. There is an insert included for base stabilization. Contact Jane Bachman - [email protected] or call 607-431-9509 Also contact Jane if you want to order bird-friendly coffee. More information at http://doas.us/bird-friendly-coffee/

“Photography” Continued on page 5 and disappear. Ally’s super zoom when zoomed in on the quick bridge camera had an advantage birds. The loons did not appear to cameras are hard to equal. over my 600mm lens. On the lake be bothered by us at the distances When photographing loons, I in a kayak, the weight saving was a made possible with the telephoto found the biggest challenge to be plus and her camera’s smaller size lenses. Looking at the pictures framing and focusing on them in made handling easier. Holding the from each camera that evening the , combined with camera steady while keeping con- showed a comparable quality on a how quickly they can appear trol of the kayak was a challenge computer screen.

January 2021 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Volume 53 Number 1 Page 5 October—December Bird Sightings By Sandy Bright

Irruption [ih-ruhp-shuhn]: Bachman saw a Brown Creeper a breaking or bursting in; a violent at Wilber Park, Oneonta. Becky incursion or invasion; a sudden Gretton observed small groups of increase in an animal population Common Redpolls at the Hawk (Merriam-Webster dictionary) Watch, and more feeding on seed This promises to be a good year heads a few days later in the town for irruptive species, and hordes of Otsego. About twenty Red- of Pine Siskins or Evening Gros- winged Blackbirds dropped by beaks raiding feeders demonstrate Stan Salthe’s feeders in Deposit. Evening Grosbeak Dorian Huneke was struck by how how apt the above definitions Audubon Photo by Mick Thompson are. It began here with about 50 small Red-tailed Hawks look while Siskins passing over the Franklin (10/24). He also spotted a Rough- harassing a Golden Eagle (Tread- Mountain Hawk Watch (Becky legged Hawk. Andy Mason found well). Gretton, 10/7). A week later they Cedar Waxwings and American Later in the month, Mitch Light settled into feeders in Delhi (Kath- Robins feeding on crab apples in discovered a Northern Shrike near ryn Davino), Cobleskill (Susan Oneonta’s Neawha Park, and two Cooperstown; David Diaz found a Carver), Maryland (Linda Pearce), adult Bald Eagles soaring over the second shrike north of Fly Creek. Jefferson (Barb Palmer), and Mil- nearby river. Tom Salo reported a Carolina ford (Gerianne Carillo). Evening Becky Gretton went to Otsego Wren at the high altitude of over Grosbeaks first descended near Lake to check a report of a Pere- 1600 feet in West Burlington. A Milford at Dave Kiehm’s feeder grine Falcon and Black Scoter. She Merlin in the Town of Springfield (10/17), then Milford (Gerianne arrived in time to spot both birds, was spotted by Becky Gretton. Carillo), Delhi (Kathryn Davino), then watched the Scoter dive in an Accipiters have been busy lately: Richfield Springs (Becky Gretton), attempt to avoid a pair of Bald Ea- one spotted by Marilyn Bailey Middlefield (Dick deRosa, who gles looking for a meal. The Eagles in Oneonta left several piles of also reported Purple Finches and won. feathers as evidence of successful Red-breasted Nuthatches), and In early November, Suzanne hunting; Stan Salthe found a pile Treadwell (Linda Burkhart and Gaynor didn’t mind when a Sharp- of dove feathers one day, then Pam Peters, who spotted the first shinned Hawk visited her feeders, subsequently found the lucky-but- Fox Sparrows on 10/31). which ravenous Blue Jays had been now-tailless Mourning Dove. White-throated Sparrows flitted emptying every day (East Mere- Early December brought a flock about Linda Pearce’s yard in Jeffer- dith). Cindy Bauer discovered a of Eastern Bluebirds to Middle- son. Kathryn Davino enjoyed the Greater Yellowlegs at the pond be- field, seen by Kelly Branigan, acrobatic flight of a Northern Har- hind her house in South Valley. A who also reported a still-present rier after their field was mowed in Great Horned Owl hooted in Susan resident Great Blue Heron. A Delhi. Barb Palmer photographed Brunswick’s yard in Oneonta. Red-breasted Nuthatch visited an Eastern Phoebe (Jefferson), In mid-November, Gold- Suzanne Gaynor’s feeder in East and found Great Blue Herons, a en-crowned Kinglets flitted about Meredith. Barb Palmer managed raucous Kingfisher, and six Brants Silas Lane in Oneonta. Several to get pictures of the red(-ish) bel- in Portlandville. It was no exagger- Hooded Mergansers visited Barb ly of a Red-bellied Woodpecker. ation when Tom Salo noted “liter- Palmer’s pond in Jefferson. Julene Rick Bunting’s post of 80+ Siskins ally tons of Brant” migrating near Waffle watched a female Northern verifies that the irruption contin- West Burlington; one of the several Harrier hunting near Morris. Jane ues, so keep your eyes peeled for flocks contained over 800 birds those winter visitors! If you have bird sightings to report, contact Sandy Bright, [email protected] or 607 287-4465. Volume 53 Number 1 THE BELTED KINGFISHER January 2021 Page 6 Upcoming Activities

To stay up-to-date about events, visit the DOAS website (https://doas.us/events/) or Facebook Page and sign up for our ENews at https://doas.us/sign-up-for-doas-news/. ENews is a monthly email notification and is dif- ferent from the Belted Kingfisher newsletter. January January 19 – DOAS Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. January 3 – Delaware County Chrismas Bird Count. January 23– Eagle trip CANCELLED. As an alter- Contact Pam Peters: [email protected] or 607- native, we have prepared a map and written descrip- 829-6545. tion of the route usually taken on the trip, with good January 5 – Climate Action Panel Discussion: Virtual eagle viewing locations marked. We encourage family Program. A special panel discussion from local and groups to use this for their own eagle viewing adven- regional experts about actions that can be taken to ture. reduce carbon emissions and begin planning for your Get the map and description at https://doas.us/self- step down program. Questions from our prior Climate guided-eagle-trip/ or contact Andy Mason, (607) 652- Action presentations in November/December will be 2162, [email protected]. answered here by our panelists. A snapshot view of what you can do to address electricity, home or business February heating, transportation, goods and services and more. February 19 – DOAS Virtual Public Program: “Great The program begins at 7p.m. More information at Gray Owls” with wildlife photographer Kyle Dudgeon. https://doas.us/event/climate-action-panel-discussion/ The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Register at https:// January 15 – DOAS Virtual Public Program: “Florida doas.us/events/. Reflections” with Rick Bunting sharing photos.The March program begins at 7:30 p.m. Register at https://doas. March 2– DOAS Board Mtg us/events/. March 19 – DOAS Virtual Public Program: “High- January 17– New York Statewide Waterfowl Count. lights from Down Under” with Dr. Pamela Lea, retired We cover the upper Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers local veterinarian, describing and showing photos and tributaries. Anyone interested in helping with this of her last big trip to Tasmania, Australia and New census, please contact Andy Mason, (607) 652-2162, Zealand in the fall of 2019. The program begins at 7:30 [email protected]. p.m. Register at https://doas.us/events/.

DOAS Membership Cost is $25 annually or $35 for two years; family memberships $30 annually or $40 for two years. Memberships can also be purchased online at http://doas.us or make your check payable to “DOAS” and mail payment to: DOAS Membership Chair, PO Box 544, Oneonta, NY 13820-0544. Support DOAS education and conservation programs with an additional donation!

Thank you to Rod Spangle, Antique Clock Repair in Unadilla for once again renewing a business sponsorship donation to support our Chapter’s Programs and Activities for the 2020-21 Year. SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT DOAS! We are very appreciative of our business sponsors. For information about becoming a business sponsor, please contact Susan O’Handley at [email protected]

January 2021 THE BELTED KINGFISHER Volume 53 Number 1 Page 7 Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, Inc. PO Box 544, Oneonta, NY 13820 www.doas.us

February 12-15, 2021 How many birds will you count?

For four days each February, tions before the spring migration. perts, and you can participate from the world comes together for the Participants are asked to count your backyard, or anywhere in the love of birds. To celebrate birds, birds for as little as 15 minutes (or world. Go to https://www.bird- participants watch, learn about, as long as they wish) on one or count.org/participate/ to learn how and count birds during the Great more days of the four-day event to participate. Backyard Bird Count, organized and report their sightings online at by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, birdcount.org. Each checklist helps National Audubon Society, and researchers at the Cornell Lab Birds Canada. Over the four days of Ornithology and the National from February 12th to the 15th, Audubon Society learn more about people are invited to spend time in how birds are doing, and how to their favorite places watching and protect them and the environment counting as many birds as they can we share. find and reporting them. These Anyone can take part in the observations help scientists better Great Backyard Bird Count, from understand global bird popula- beginning bird watchers to ex- Belize Audubon Society/ GBBCphoto