New York: The Ornithology Lab at Cornell University

As mentioned in a previous post, when we visited Cornell in Ithica New York we spent time in three natural areas managed by Cornell, The Ornithology Lab, The Cornell Plantations, and the Fall Creek Gorge with it's multiple waterfalls.  Due to the length I'll deal with each in a separate posting.  Here I'll cover the Ornithology Lab area.

Finally, we get to see the labs!

We started at Sapsucker Woods, the Ornithology Lab, which thrilled me because I often use Cornell's online "bird book", AllAboutBirds.  To see the actual Lab and surrounding research site was a top priority.

My favorite birding site
All About Birds

First stop on the trip was the Johnson Visitor Center which provided an orientation, art work, a huge mural, bird identification tips, resource people, more exhibits than I wanted to read, and a gift shop.  This was also our last stop as we purchased a book from the gift shop and inquired about the best route to the Cornell Plantations.

A perfect habitat for ducks, grebes, wading birds,
and redwing blackbirds

Then it was out to door to the Sapsucker Woods.  With trail map in hand and were ready for the adventure of exploring the woods and the trail map is recommended as there are more than 4 miles of trails.  "The woods" is a 230 acre sanctuary of forests, ponds, ferny swamps, and abundant wildlife and birds.  The first stop on the route is the pond which features wading birds, ducks, grebes, and other water fowl.  Interestingly enough the birds here were similar to Florida birds.  Well, water birds are water birds and many migrate south in the winter only to return north in the summer... thus the term snow birds.  So we saw Great Blue Heron, American Egret, Snowy Egret, grebes, and ducks.  Now some of the ducks were different from those in Florida but not being a duck expert they are simply ducks.

Crossing the bridge to the trails in the woods
you encounter a delightful pond with
water fowl of all types

We proceeded across the bridge onto the trails which were rather damp.  To be honest, it had rained much of the time we were in New York so damp trails could be expected but like Florida, this area was probably swampy most of the time.  We were thankful the trails were elevated and mostly covered with mulch and/or pine straw.  There are several trails through the woods allowing for short and lengthy walks.  Being around 11 AM most birds were hiding or in the upper boughs of the trees by the time we tripped through the woods.  However, we did see warblers, woodpeckers (yes a sapsucker), owls, and hawks.  

Trails through the woods
or should I say mostly swamps
due to the recent rains

It was a delightful walk through a quiet and enchanted forest on the edge of Ithaca. This was also one of the farthest reaches of the Cornell Campus so private residences and businesses surrounded much of the woods.  Still it was extremely quiet, enough so that we encountered a deer crossing the woods.

A giant bird egg
Glad they have a sense of humor or art?

As we returned to the Visitor Center the trail became higher and drier.  Then suddenly we saw a giant egg!  Well, it wasn't really an egg but a sculpture created from flat rocks (see above).  Wonder how this would look when decorated for Easter?  Well, you'll have to visit in the spring to see if it becomes an Easter Egg.