Bird Report, Sat Feb 4

Bird Report CUUC
Sat Feb 4
Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner

Though it was a chilly 20 degrees outside, the sun was out and the wind was down making for fairly pleasant birding.

A surprise was the flock of 6 American robins that perched in the tulip and larch trees, and then went up top to bask in the sun with a northern flicker. They were puffed up and not budging from their sunny spot when I passed underneath.

Also nice to see was the chipmunk scurrying around up near the front door in the gravel by the parking lot.

I was moving a big quick myself, only lasting from about 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Here's the list of 9 avian species below:

1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
4 Blue Jay
3 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
6 American Robin
1 White-throated Sparrow
1 Northern Cardinal

Days in Place Fauna List

Days in Place Fauna List

Could there have been a more beautiful day with the sun moving in an arc to paint all the colors of the trees?  In one tree, a nearly leave-less tulip tree, we spotted cardinals, house finches, robins, starlings, dark eyed-juncos, and a chickadee, many of them going to town on the seeds that rained down on our heads as we looked up.

Today marked the most species we have ever seen in one day - the place was hopping! 

So tomorrow when you come, look up, look down,  look far, for there is beauty all around you.

3 Grey squirrels (1 was black)

1 Red squirrel

5 Canada goose

2 Red-tailed hawk

1 Gull species

8 Mourning dove

2 Red-bellied woodpecker

1 Hairy woodpecker

1 Northern flicker

1 Pileated woodpecker

2 Blue Jay

3 American crow

1 Fish crow

1 Black-capped chickadee

1 Tufted titmouse

2 White-breasted nuthatch

30 America robin

4 European starling

1 Yellow-rumped warbler

5 Dark-eyed junco

1 White-throated sparrow

3 Northern cardinal

2 Red-winged blackbird

1 Common grackle

120 Blackbird species

13 House finch

CUUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Dec 20

 

Today's theme was the solstice, which means in its Latin roots, "stand sill."

The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come.  At the darkest moment comes the light. – Joseph Campbell


Today was just one day before the solstice, so we reflected upon the themes of light and dark, and the day's turning once again to length.  Not until January 13th though do the days began to warm up again.  For today, and for the rest of this holiday week, the weather remains reasonably warm. Despite the mild weather, the birds, perhaps to honor solstice, were quiet and still today.  A flock of Canada geese did greet us at one point as they flew over, but mostly the birds took their cues from one another, being led perhaps by the puffed up very still blue jay to the quite cold looking downy woodpecker at the end of the walk.  By the time of the service, however, the birds had started moving and we had a nice flock of chickadees, titmice, and juncos foraging around the western windows.

Our next bird walk on the grounds is January 17th, Sunday,  at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Parsonage.  Even if you can't make the earlier bird walk, we record sightings of all birds seen on CUUC grounds until 1 p.m. on each Sunday.  For more information, or to report bird sightings on the grounds, please do contact me.

In hope for all life,

Rev. LoraKim Joyner

amoloros@gmail.com

Here's the species list for the day: - 51 individuals of 12 avian species, 1 rodent species, and one ape species.

Canada Goose	11
Cooper's Hawk	1
Mourning Dove	15
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	1
Blue Jay	1
Black-capped Chickadee	4
Tufted Titmouse	2
American Robin	4
European Starling	3
Dark-eyed Junco	3
Northern Cardinal	5

4 Gray squirrels (except they were all black)

4 Humans

CUUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Nov 15

Today's theme was gratitude, and so we began our walk with this reading:

When we feed the birds, they teach us their language in gratitude. Then we come to understand them, and when we do, they feed us.

There was much to be grateful for today, including our highest ever count of total individuals for our walk - 413 birds!  This was mostly due to the icterids flying over (blackbirds, orioles, and grackles).  We also saw 15 different species, and not one of these was at the solitary bird feeder at the parsonage. This shows us that just by slowing down, and then looking around and looking up there is life ever before us.

We also saw high flying gulls passing over throughout the walk, as well as the icterids. The robins continue to enjoy the many berry and crab apple trees on the grounds, though we will probably see ever less of them as winter approaches.  It was nice to see the area resident red-tailed hawk. They are frequent visitors to CUUC, and surely one day we will discover where they nest.

Our next bird walk on the grounds is December 20th, Sunday,  at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Parsonage. There will also be a Bird Retreat on Saturday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and then a bird walk at Tarrytown lakes Sunday,  November 23, from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Please let me know that you are coming by emailing me at amoloros@gmail.com  so I know whether to cancel the event or not.  For more information, or to report bird sightings on the grounds, please do contact me.

In hope for all life,

Rev. LoraKim Joyner

amoloros@gmail.com

Here's the species list for the day: - 413 individuals of 15  avian species, 2 rodent species, and one ape species.

6 Herring gulls

1 Red-tailed hawk

1 Turkey vulture

5 Mourning doves

1 Red-bellied woodpeckers

1 Pileated woodpecker

12 American robins

3 Cardinals

2 Black-capped chickadee

3 Blue jays

2 American crows

3 White-throated sparrows

1 Dark-eyed juncos

202 Common grackles

170 blackbird species

8 Gray squirrels

2 Eastern chipmunks

2 White-tailed deer

3 Humans

CUUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Nov 1

Bird Report November 1, 2015

Today is All Saints Day, and to accompany the theme of the service this morning, we highlighted death.   The opening reading was:

All the birds of the air

fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,

when they heaed the bell toll

for poor Cock Robin

This comes from the nursery rhyme, "Who Killed cock Robin." One meaning of this poem identifies that "Cock Robin" is a metaphor for spring, and that extended winter weather is upon us.  That certainly is not the case this fall, although last Sunday when I came out of the Sanctuary it was snowing!  Today though was mild with raining orange and red marvels carpeting our walk around the CUUC grounds.

Though we pondered death today, based on the numbers and kinds of birds we saw, the better question was, "Who invited Cock Robin?"  There were at least 68 of them, and probably more but we didn't want to double count any individuals.  The ground were thick with them as they were enjoying the cherries, crab apples, and hack berries that they can find here. 

Another important question that is for all of us here at CUUC, "Who is killing the birds we find dead around the building?" The answer is, our building is.  Over the last two years I have found several dead birds that have died upon impact on our windows and just in the last month, 2 injured birds were seen - one hit the front window by the door, and another the sanctuary window near the piano. We are not alone in having wonderful windows with a view, for scientists estimate that up to 1 billion birds die a year hitting windows in the USA.

Several concerned individuals, including the 4th/5th and 6th/7th grade Religious Education classes, desire to reduce the harm caused to birds on our grounds.  Several of us met with the Building and Grounds Committee today to discuss the "bird plan," which will probably involve testing various kinds of visual barriers on our windows. You may have noticed some very experimental films placed on some of the sanctuary windows as we test what might work best for our community.  These films have also been placed on all the lower Parsonage windows, as birds have been hitting there rather frequently.  Stay tuned for further developments, and if you have any ideas or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Our next bird walk on the grounds is November 15th, Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Parsonage. There will also be a Bird Retreat on Saturday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and then a bird walk at Tarrytown lakes Sunday,  November 23, from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

For more information, or to report bird sightings on the grounds, please do contact me:

In hope for all life,

Rev. LoraKim Joyner

amoloros@gmail.com

Here's the species list for the day, including a new one for the property - a Northern Harrier. In total we had 104 individuals of 11 avian species, 3 rodent species, and one ape species.

1 Mourning dove

68 American robins

15 Cedar waxwings

4 Black-capped chickadee

1 White-breasted nuthatch

3 Blue jays

2 crows

1 Northern harrier

2 Red-bellied woodpeckers

2 Downy woodpeckers

5 White-throated sparrows

2 Gray squirrels

1 Chipmunks

2 Red squirrels

2 humans

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun May 24

"Birds are the life of the skies, and when they fly, they reveal the thoughts of the skies."
- DH Lawrence

To go along with CUC's Journey Groups theme of the month and the holiday weekend, we reflected on transcendence and remembering loss. We shared silence, heard poetry and quotes, and discussed the events in our lives.

Today the bird world was much like the human world, a time of young ones leaving the nest. In this season of graduation and coming internships and college, the youth turn to independence as do the birds. The 2 robin chicks left their nest near the parsonage only yesterday, and the robin nests under the eaves of the sanctuary all are empty. Not all chicks are convinced that being on one's own is a good idea, as we noticed when one chickadee kept following her parents around, flapping her wings with beak agape. Perhaps this behavior reminds you of those humans you know.

Towards the end of the walk we stood talking under the Parsonage bird feeder, the good weather tempting us to stay outdoors as long as possible. There, one looked up to see a mature red-tailed hawk flying over the Parsonage, the sun shining through the bright red tail to fall on our smiling faces. Not everyone was in a smiling mood, for the hawk was being mobbed by 3 blue-jays. Mobbing occurs when smaller birds attack and swoop at a predator as a warning and signal - "We see you and we won't let you get away with it!"

And so ended our walk, seeing the beauty around us, transcending our stories by sharing our thoughts with those who inhabit the skies.

Here's the species list for the day: - 30 individuals of 17 avian species.

3 Mourning doves
6 American robins
3 Black-capped chickadee
1 European starlings
1 White-breasted nuthatch
2 House finch
1 Carolina wrens
1 Northern cardinal
4 Blue jays
1 Fish crow
1 Starling
1 Common grackle
1 Red-tailed hawk
1 Cowbird
1 House sparrow
1 Northern flicker
1 Mockingbird
2 Gray squirrels
3 chipmunks

5 humans

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Mar 1

Red-bellied woodpecker

Today's bird reports comes to CUC through the 4th-grade class that accompanied me on a short bird walk to the Parsonage, and then more comfortable birding within the Parsonage where there was an ample fire going. There were 11 of us in total, and many more birds. Armed with bird books, binoculars, and a lot of energy we compiled our species list for the morning. So invigorated by the beauty of these birds so close to home, the 4th-grade class has agreed to put together a bird guide with the birds seen so far on CUC grounds. The group finished the event by watching a music video, "Feed the Birds." 

My heartfelt thanks to the students and the teachers for participating and making us a bird guide!

Below is our bird list for the day: 46 individuals of 17 species!

Interdependently webbed,
-Rev. LoraKim Joyner

Bird List, Sun Mar 1
4 Canada geese
1 Titmouse
4 Mourning doves
4 American robins
3 Black-capped chickadee
3 European starlings
1 White-breasted nuthatch
1 House finch
2 Carolina wrens
2 Northern Cardinal
4 Blue jays
2 Downy woodpecker
1 Hairy woodpecker
1 Red-bellied woodpecker
3 White-throated sparrow
2 Song sparrows
8 Dark-eyed juncos

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Dec 21

The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment, comes the light. – Joseph Campbell

Today we reflected on light and dark given that it was the winter’s solstice. The birds must have known it was a holiday, for they were not going about their usual routines. The cloudy and dark day might also have influenced the avian activity. We only had 9 species this morning, and though it was a bit cold, 6 human birders. As we walked around the grounds we paused and shared what the shortest day of the year means to us (other than there having so few birds!).
We did have one another, and even with so few birds (did I mention there weren’t many birds?), we could find gratitude in the chance to see the light of our shared time together.

In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
– Albert Camus

Please join us for our next bird walk, Sunday, January 18th, 2015 – it’s Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Accordingly our theme will be justice in a multispecies world. The bird walk will go on regardless of the weather, for we have the Parsonage, a fire, and each other as we watch the birds at the feeder.

LoraKim

Today’s sightings:

11 Mourning doves
2 House Sparrow
3 Black-capped Chickadee
33 Canada Geese
1 White-breasted nuthatch
1 House finch
1 Hairy woodpecker
6 Cardinals
3 White-throated sparrows

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Nov 23

Bird Walk Report

November 23, 2014

When we feed birds, they teach us their language in gratitude.

And when we understand them, they feed us.

Today we reflected on gratitude and practiced it as we walked through the woods and over creeks.  Much gratitude was given for the calm weather, one another, and the abundant birds on the walk. We didn't have a great variety of species (that we could identify) but there were a lot of birds, including flocks of gulls and sparrows flying over that we couldn't identify.

Our gratitude practice included:

What we are grateful for in our lives

What we are grateful for about birds

What we are grateful for when others do something for another

What we might be grateful for in loss and discomfort

What we might be grateful in the short, cold days of winter

What we are grateful for during our walk this morning

There was great delight in the tree full of mourning doves as we pondered that they are the only group of birds (along with pigeons) that take in water through suction, and not through gravity.

Please join us for our next bird walk, Sunday, December 21st, 2014 - It's solstice!  If there is inclement weather, join one another inside for warm tasty beverages and watching the birds at the feeders.  As usual we will have time for reflection and sharing.

LoraKim

Today’s sightings:

4 Titmouse

33 Mourning doves

4 House Sparrow

3 Black-capped Chickadee

11 European starling

4 Canada Geese

2 White-breasted nuthatch

4  House finch

5 Blue jay

2 Downy woodpecker

2 Cardinals

1 Red-bellied woodpecker

16 gulls

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Oct 26

On our bird walk today kept with the theme of death as this was also the morning of our Dias de los Muertos service. As we reviewed the species on the grounds, we also took stock of the meaning of death, and of life. Birds are so often metaphors of both.

"One man looks at a dying bird and thinks there's nothing but unanswered pain. The death's got the final word, it's laughing at him. Another man sees that same bird, feels the glory, feels something smiling through it." (Film: "The Thin Red Line")

To bring this question to light I had a stuffed (taxidermied) skin of a female starling to show the group. European starlings are tied to death - they have very high annual mortality in the wild, and are often given credit for the demise of native species (they are introduced from Europe and Asia). We spoke of how some see the beauty in starlings, and others not. Crows too are linked to death and bad luck, and as if to offer their opinion of this, a murder of 33 crows flew over during the walk (for crows, a flock is called a "murder").

During the walk we also saw an immature red-tailed hawk. These juveniles have a very tough go of it their first year as they learn to hunt and face the winter. Some studies show over 50% of first year birds never make it to their second year.

During our walks we always stop by the memorial garden, where thanks to someone special, it is being refurbished. There we spoke of those we had known and lost over the years.

The stillness and sadness did not last for long, for the sun and colors of the leaves were bright, as was the company we kept.

Please join us for our next bird walk: Sun Nov 23.

LoraKim

Today’s sightings:

1 Titmouse
4 Mourning doves
4 American robins
1 House Sparrow
1 Yellow-rumped warblers
1 Black-capped Chickadee
2 European starling
4 Canada Geese
2 White-breasted nuthatch
1 House finch
1 Blue jay
1 Downy woodpecker
1 White-throated sparrow
7 Pine siskins
33 Crows
1 Turkey vulture
1 Red-tailed hawk
1 Downy woodpecker

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Sep 28

In these early days of Fall we gathered on Sun Sep 28 to welcome these golden orange days of leave turning. As we walked around the grounds, we could see the thinning of the tree cover, making the light of the sky reflect invitingly off our smiling faces as we observed the birds and other animals. Though it was our lowest species count yet, we did add new species to our bird walk list, including a mockingbird, fish crows, a garter snake, and a red squirrel.

Our birding was a time not just a of observation, but also of reflection and meditation. Being in the middle of the Jewish High Holy Days, we thought on the themes of repentance and atonement. In the world of nature we may see approach this as thinking of that which separates us from one another and the reality of existence, and that which keeps us from a sense of assured belonging and joyous welcoming to others on this earth. Being in the beauty of the birds, we practice ways to affirm our wholeness, which leads us into compassionate action towards the many others.

Below is a list some of the many others we saw this day.

Next bird walk is Sun Oct 26, 8:30am at the Parsonage. Our theme will be following the theme of the month, death. Come join us.

Rev. LoraKim Joyner
CUC Community Ministry

4 Mourning Dove
3 European Starling
2 House Sparrow
1 Hermit Thrush
3 Robin
3 Carolina Chickadee
4 Blue Jay
11 Canada geese
2 Red-breasted nuthatch
1 Mockingbird
2 Fish crow
1 Cardinal
1 Gartner snake
3 Grey squirrels
1 Red squirrel
4 Chipmunks

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Aug 24

House Finch

Our theme today was journeys, and journeying light in honor of the fall migration of birds that is well underway. At night you can see flocks of small warblers passing in front of the moon as they head south and during the day see them feeding up in the trees. They fly high so as to avoid the lower, thicker resistant air, but by flying at higher altitudes, they have to have all kinds of physiologic adaptations that make them supreme flying athletes. They also have hollow bones, air sacs, and no bladder to lighten their load.

The eight of us heard poetry and contemplated many facets of traveling. One of the poems we shared was Mary Oliver's, "The Journey."

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
‘Mend my life!’
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognised as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save.

To save ourselves, and the world, most of us went to morning service where the theme was also journeys as Rev. Garmon spoke of the Beatniks and the book, On The Road. After the morning's service, a few of us put up ultraviolet stickers on the sanctuary windows so the birds would not hit the windows. We have found a number of dead birds around the building and our hope is to decrease these accidental deaths caused by hitting our windows. We hope to make our congregation a safe home for the many.

Today's bird count was the lowest yet, but we did enjoy the close sighting of several birds, and spending a wonderful morning with one other.

Next bird walk is September 28, 2014, 8:30 a.m. behind the Parsonage.

4 House sparrows
12 American robins
9 Mourning doves
2 Tufted Titmice
1 White-breasted nuthatch
1 Red-bellied woodpecker
1 Downy woodpecker
6 Common grackles
2 Black-capped chickadees
2 House finches
1 Red-tailed hawk
2 Northern cardinals
1 Blue jay

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun May 11

By LoraKim Joyner

A koan from the Zen tradition:

The disciple was always complaining to his master, "You are hiding the final secret of Zen from me." And he would not accept the master's denials. One day they were walking in the hills when they heard birds calling and singing.
"Did you hear the bird sing? said the master.
"Yes" said the disciple.
"Well, now you know that I have hidden nothing from you."
"Yes."

Nature as Spiritual Practice means connecting with all of nature, which includes humans. Spirit means that we keep nothing hidden from ourselves, and try to see what is normally hidden.

We are all that is around us: the tree, the bird. We are the world.

They who bind to themselves a joy
Do the winged life destroy
They who kiss the joys as it flies
Live in eternity's sunrise. (William Blake)

I once asked a bird, "How is it that you fly in this gravity of darkness?"
She responded, "Love lifts me."

On our bird walk today we were reminded that every day is Mother's day. We know this generally from the nesting activities of the birds around us, and in particular because one mother robin chided us relentlessly when we passed under her nest on one of the ladders behind the sanctuary. Later during the service the choir and Rev. Garmon were accompanied by a pair of particularly noisy wrens building a nest in one of the nest boxes right outside the sanctuary.

It is not just the reproductive fervor of the fauna on the grounds that tells us it's spring, but also the sudden splurge of color, leaves, and ground cover everywhere you look. Yes, new life is before us, but so is the ending of life. This too was part of our bird walk, for we encountered a black-throated blue warbler who apparently had died after hitting one of our large sanctuary windows. This motivated several bird walk attendees to make a plan to put up stickers on the windows so birds will be less likely to hit them and become injured. Nearly a billion birds die each year from hitting building windows in the US. We hope we can save a few lives from being lost this way. Though there was sadness, we enjoyed the fine weather, conversation, and song as we engaged in avian spiritual practices to nourish us so that we can in turn heal the world.

Please join us for our next bird walk, Sun Jun 11, 2014.

Today’s sightings:

2 Common grackles
1 Titmouse
2 Carolina wren
4 Mourning doves
4 American robins
4 House Sparrow
2 Northern cardinals
3 Red-bellied woodpeckers
3 American goldfinches
1 Baltimore oriole
2 Yellow-rumped warblers
1 Black and white warbler
1 Black-throated blue warbler (dead)
1 Black-capped Chickadee
1 European starling
3 Canada Geese
1 White-breasted nuthatch
1 Northern flicker
1 unidentified swallow
2 House finches
1 Brown-headed cowbird
1 Blue jay
1 Downy woodpecker

Additional birds seen during the week on the grounds:

Ruby-throated hummingbird
Magnolia warbler
White-throated sparrow
Song sparrow

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Jun 15

By LoraKim Joyner

Today we walked in beauty. Well, actually during all our nature walks we are surrounded by beauty, but today we lifted up the practice of seeing beauty, both without, and within. Of human beauty, we had 8 individuals, and of avian beauty we beheld 17 species. We were especially on the lookout for parent birds with their fledged chicks, not because it was father’s day but because it is baby bird season. Have you noticed? The only family we could recognize were the young grackles being fed by their parents. In seeing them, we were fed as well. With so many alert sets of eyes we got to see a number of treasures, even though summer can be a slow time for seeing birds because migration has ended. But the summer residents are here, such as a new species we recorded for our grounds – a pair of chimney swifts flying high over the crowns of the trees. Swifts, one of the oldest of all bird species, are remarkable in that they spend most of their life on the wing, even to sleep!

Thanks to all, avian and non, who made this such a lovely, pleasant morning. We will take July off and meet again on Sun Aug 24.

Bird List:

American robin
Red-breasted nuthatch
English house sparrow
Song sparrow
House finch
Northern Cardinal
Chimney swift
Common grackle
European starling
Black-capped chickadee
Carolina wren
Red-bellied woodpecker
Mourning dove
Catbird
American goldfinch
Bluejay
Northern flicker

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Apr 20

Bird Walk Results
Sunday Morning Apr 20

Report filed by:
Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM

Time of observations: 8:30am - noon EST
Site: Grounds of Community Unitarian Church, 468 Rosedale Ave (approx. 8 acres)

In honor of Easter, our theme for this morning’s walk was birds arising, which we celebrated with these
opening words by Sufi poet Hafiz.

I once asked a bird, “How it is that you fly through this darkness of gravity?”
She responded, "Love lifts me."

Many are uplifted during the spring and Eastertide, for we are reminded of this fecund earth and the chance that hope and love may arise again and again despite the dark winter of our lives. We sought for glimpses of this truth as our morning’s adoration followed that known by many cultures for hundreds of years, though we were late by about 3 hours to make it a sunrise service. Like many during sharp turn of lengthening days, we were out looking for signs of fertility in the form not of eggs, but of egg-hatched birds. Though our list of birds was not super, we did add a new species for the year, a hermit thrush. This bird heralds the shifting bird populations, for in the last weeks we have said good bye to the dark-eyed juncos and hello to diminishing flock sizes as birds pair up for breeding season.

With relief we were finally able to do a bird walk where we could actually traverse off the pavement. With the undergrowth at a minimum we could walk with ease, well mostly, as we negotiated over stones, fallen trees, and creeks. Along the way we saw many budding bushes, trees, and the spring flowers arising along with the birds. We also paused in silence at the memorial garden, walked the maze, and idled at the pond.

There is so much to see and to share, and we are grateful that birds brought us together.

Do join us for our next walk – Sun May 11 at 8:30am at the Parsonage. Until then, happy birding.
- LoraKim

Today’s sightings:

2 Common Grackles
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Titmouse
2 Carolina Wren
1 Downy Woodpecker
3 Mourning Doves
2 Robins
2 White-throated Sparrows
2 House Sparrow
2 House Finches
1 American Crow
2 Northern Cardinals
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
3 Goldfinches
1 Hermit Thrush

Previous Bird Walk Reports (click on date)
Sun Mar 2
Sun Feb 9
Sun Jan 5

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Mar 2

Bird Walk Results
Sunday Morning Mar 2

Report filed by:
Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM

Time of observations: 8:30am - noon EST
Site: Grounds of Community Unitarian Church, 468 Rosedale Ave (approx. 8 acres)

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, immature

This morning's bird walk was simply balmy, more than 20 degrees warmer than the last walk. The nine of us didn't quite peel off the layers down to t-shirts, but I did begin to trust that soon we would be sipping lemonade on the porch after the walk instead of huddling in front of the fire and drinking hot tea. The swelling red maple buds do not lie - Spring is coming!

Our theme this morning was Avian Zen, using Zen Buddhism as a means to show the spiritual and health aspects of bird watching. During the walk we both intentionally listen and seek to identify birds, and then at other times we simply walk, or be, so that we in essence can grow our compassion for all beings. We also highlighted a few koans, which are Zen's way of puzzling the student so that they can see that there is no difference between themselves and others. The most challenging koan for the morning, however, was identifying certain birds. We will never know who the two high flying gulls were, but we did figure out that the brown woodpecker was an immature yellow-bellied sapsucker - a new bird species for CUC grounds!

While walking around we noticed several bird species sparring with one another, a sign of spring coming and male territoriality. Males will be quite driven by their hormones, as Spring brings on what is known as gonadal recrudescence. For example, the male robins' testicles will increase in size over 500 times. That's a lot of hormones!

We reached 23 species on this walk, an all time high. Each of these counts is entered in eBird and you can review these lists by going www.ebird.org and seeing what birds have been seen on our property. You can also come see the birds in person, learn fascinating facts about birds, experience a nature spiritual practice, and enjoy one another's company.

The next bird walk will be on Sun Apr 20.

See you there,
LoraKim

Here’s the complete bird list:

Species Seen Sun Mar 2

Dark-eyed Junco

1 Red-tailed hawk
3 mourning dove
1 red-bellied woodpecker
2 downy woodpecker
1 hairy woodpecker
1 yellow-bellied sapsucker
3 blue jay
2 black-capped chickadees
1 tufted titmouse
2 white-breasted nuthatch
1 Carolina wren
3 American robin
3 European starling
1 song sparrow
2 white-throated sparrow
5 dark-eyed junco
3 Northern cardinal
2 house finch
2 house sparrow
14 American goldfinch
8 Canada geese
2 gulls
5 common grackle

Previous Bird Walk Reports (click on date)
Sun Feb 9
Sun Jan 5

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Feb 9

Bird Walk Results
Sunday Morning Feb 9

Report filed by:
Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM

Time of observations: 8:30am - noon EST
Site: Grounds of Community Unitarian Church, 468 Rosedale Ave (approx. 8 acres)

red-bellied woodpecker

Today’s bird walk was a resounding success – success being defined that we saw more species of birds than the outside temperature this morning. White Plains reported a low of 13 degrees this morning and 18 avian species in total were seen by 5 intrepid bird watchers. Our hours for observing birds begin at sunlight at the parsonage bird feeders and end at noon, and include anywhere on CUC grounds. So even though the bird walk is 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. , late comers can still seek to observe birds before, during and after the service. Just report into LoraKim the birds you saw if not during the bird walk.

For instance today I saw two black-capped chickadees outside the sanctuary windows during the service (and yes I was paying attention to the sermon, really!) and when I stepped outside with the aroma of chili following me, I saw two red-tailed hawks flying over. They were engaging in aerial courtship displays causing my heart to quicken for indeed the promise of spring and the nesting season is coming upon us.

While in the parsonage supping on Russian tea and eating cookies, we talked about the species of birds that are dimorphic, meaning that you can tell the difference between the sexes, including cardinals, juncos, downy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, starlings, house finches, house sparrows, and goldfinches. This time of year, however, the male goldfinches resemble females in that they have not molted in their bright yellow breeding plumage. I swear, although perhaps it’s wishful thinking, that each week the male goldfinches are a little more yellow as the days march towards March.

Speaking of March, the next bird walk is March 2, Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. in back of the parsonage.
See you there,
LoraKim

Here’s the complete bird list:

Red-tailed Hawk

Species Seen Feb 9

2 red-tailed hawk
8 mourning dove
2 red-bellied woodpecker
1 downy woodpecker
6 blue jay
2 black-capped chickadees
2 tufted titmouse
2 white-breasted nuthatch
2 Carolina wren
1 American robin
1 European starling
3 song sparrow
2 white-throated sparrow
4 dark-eyed junco
2 northern cardinal
2 house finch
4 house sparrow
9 American goldfinch

Previous Bird Walk Report (click on date)
Sun Jan 5

Bird Walks at CUC

Bird Walk
Occasional Sundays (appox once a month)
8:30 - 9:40a
Starting at the Parsonage, back door
466 Rosedale Ave
White Plains, NY 10605

These walks are for nurturing nature -- human nature as we commune with one another, and other species -- and engaging in nature spiritual practice. We also provide scientific information about the birds we see to help conservation and ecological initiatives.

Goals:

• Learn to better identify birds
• Compile a bird list and contribute as citizen scientists by reporting to ebird
• Get to know others in our congregation and in our ecological communities
• Share the joy of birds and the rest of nature with one another
• Engage in nature spiritual practice
• Get some exercise

What We Will Do:

• Walk around parking lot and nature trails on CUC grounds looking for and enjoying birds, as well as enjoying silence and stillness at certain points
• Specifically reflect upon guided meditations offered by facilitator, Rev. LoraKim Joyner

What You’ll Need:

• Adequate shoes and clothing for the dirt trails (or mud or snow) and weather. We will meet no matter the weather as long as the roads are safe.
• Binoculars (we will have some extra pairs available)

For more information contact Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM at amoloros@gmail.com or 914-948-1696.

CUC Bird Walk Report: Sun Jan 5

Bird Walk Results
Sunday Morning Jan 5 (National Bird Day)

Report filed by:
Rev. LoraKim Joyner, DVM

Time of observations: 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Site: Grounds of Community Unitarian Church, 468 Rosedale Ave (approx. 8 acres)

Rusty Blackbird

The weather was great for our bird walk on Sunday. I mean, really. It was warmer than 10 degrees F, and there was no snow or freezing rain. As a recent transplant from Florida I’m pleased to see how mild the winters are here. To prepare for the walk we had beach blankets and coolers in hand.

Though a temperate clime, we couldn’t go on the trails due to the snow. Flip flops tend to get lost when there is more than 4 inches on the ground. So we stuck to the pavement for most of the time. Beginning at the parsonage we went up “on top” and went behind the church to enjoy the memorial garden. There we saw a mature red-tailed hawk fly over and observed many deer tracks. We also noticed a couple of robin nests on the beams outside the church, although no robins in the air. Blue jays staid in the tops of the trees and juncos stuck to the ground. In between were cardinals, a downy woodpecker, and mourning doves.

After the walk we went to the parsonage to enjoy good company and a warm fire and beverage to heat up. Poems were read and friends made. There we could see many of the birds up close at the new feeders installed on the outside porch. In total there were only slighty more humans present than species of birds - 16 of us, observing 14 species (see list below). It total, we have seen 23 species of birds on CUC grounds since the start of the year.

The bird species and numbers will be compiled for a running bird list for the year, and were also entered on ebird (www.ebird.org - a great place for citizen scientists to contribute to understanding and conserving birds).

Please join us for our next walk, Sun Feb 9 at 8:30am at the parsonage. Dress according to what the ground hog sees the week before.

Red-tailed Hawk

Species Seen Jan 5

1 Red-tailed hawk
2 mourning doves
1 downy woodpecker
2 blue jays
1 American crow
5 rusty blackbirds
2 tufted titmice
2 black-capped chickadees
1 white-breasted nuthatch
2 song sparrows
3 white-throated sparrows
4 dark-eyed juncos
4 northern cardinals
1 house sparrow

Subsequent Bird Walk Reports (click on date)
Sun Mar 2
Sun Feb 9