- RBA * New York * Buffalo * 01/16/2003 * NYBU0301.16 - Birds mentioned (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Please phone in any rare sightings so they may be shared via the DAB telephone update system, and submit email contributions directly to dfsuggs@localnet.com. Thank you, David )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) VIRGINIA RAIL HARLEQUIN DUCK LITTLE GULL BLACK-HEADED GULL HERMIT THRUSH Red-necked Grebe Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Cooper's Hawk Merlin Pileated Woodpecker Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Eastern Bluebird American Robin Cedar Waxwing - Transcript Hotline: Dial-a-Bird at the Buffalo Museum of Science Date: 01/16/2003 Number: 716-896-1271 To Report: Same Compiler: David F. Suggs (dfsuggs@localnet.com) Coverage: Western New York and adjacent Ontario Transcriber: David F. Suggs Thursday, January 16, 2003 Dial-a-Bird is a service provided by your Buffalo Museum of Science and this answering system was donated by the Buffalo Ornithological Society. Press (2) to leave a message, (3) for updates, meeting and field trip information and (4) for instructions on how to report sightings and use this system. To contact the Science Museum, call 896-5200. Highlights of reports received January 9 through January 16 from the Niagara Frontier Region include VIRGINIA RAIL, HARLEQUIN DUCK, LITTLE GULL, BLACK-HEADED GULL and HERMIT THRUSH January 12, a VIRGINIA RAIL was reported at a second location this winter - at the outlet between the pond and marsh at Sinking Ponds in East Aurora. Back on January 4, a VIRGINIA RAIL was heard in the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, at the outlet of Cinnamon Marsh on Meadville Road. January 11 and 15, a male HARLEQUIN DUCK was found again on the Niagara River at Fort Erie, Ontario. The harlequin has been seen around the parking lot north of the marina off and on for several weeks. Also at Fort Erie, 3 LITTLE GULLS at the Peace Bridge. And the BLACK-HEADED GULL continues to be found on the lower Niagara River, seen from Queenston or Artpark in Lewiston. There were several wintering thrush reports this week. In the Town of Porter, January 9, a HERMIT THRUSH on Dietz Road at the east side of Four Mile Creek State Park. At the Iroquois Refuge on January 12, a record high winter count of AMERICAN ROBINS - 2395 in flocks of 20 to 150 birds passing over Sour Springs Road. It is likely these robins are part of an even larger roosting flock somewhere in refuge. In Lockport, 4 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS were reported to be seeking warmth by a heater exhaust. Suet is a good cold weather food for wintering bluebirds. Outside the region, in Rochester, a first winter ROSS'S GULL found at the south end of Irondequoit Bay on January 9 attracted many observers from many locations. The gull was last reported on January 13. The New York State annual waterfowl count was conducted on January 12. At the source of the Niagara River, an estimated 10,000 GREATER SCAUP were huddled together inside Donnelly's Wall off LaSalle Park in Buffalo. Between the ice-boom and the Peace Bridge, 3045 BUFFLEHEADS were counted. And a total of 90 HOODED MERGANSERS were recorded on the east side of the Niagara River between Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda and Niagara Falls. A single BALD EAGLE was also seen in this area. Other reports this week - RED-NECKED GREBE and 24 RING- NECKED DUCKS on the Lewiston Reservoir at Witmer Road. In Clarence, NORTHERN HARRIER at Strickler and County Road and a PILEATED WOODPECKER on Salt Road. In Buffalo, COOPER'S HAWK on Bryant Street and 2 MERLINS were perched in the trees at the front of the UB Medical School building facing Bailey Avenue. And on Bullis Road in Elma, TUFTED TITMOUSE, CAROLINA WREN, and small flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS and CEDAR WAXWINGS. Dial-a-Bird will be updated Thursday evening, January 23. Please call in your sightings by noon Thursday. You may report sightings after the tone. Thank you for calling and reporting to Dial-a-Bird. - End Transcript D Suggs <dfsuggs@localnet.com>