Sterling Nature Center 9/5/26

9 members arrived on a beautiful morning at Sterling Nature Center. Steve & Lori, Dave & Joan, Lyn, Inga, Allyn, Linda and I. We turned our attention to the Monarch butterflies that were present in good numbers, while also noting bird species. Butterflies seemed unusually flighty and didn’t settle in one spot for long. Still, we caught and tagged 6 of these ‘not as fragile as they look’ beauties. As for our avian friends, 29 species for a late summer day is just fine. Less vocalization, this time of year makes IDs a bit more challenging. We had a number of sparrows to keep us on our toes.

Some of us went to Daphne’s Diner for Brunch.

And thanks to Lyn for list and details

Sterling Nature Center, Cayuga, New York, US

Sep 5, 2026 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Protocol: Traveling

1.03 mile(s)

Checklist Comments:     Plentiful sunshine and little wind invited Monarch butterflies to stop at this location on the shores of Lake Ontario on their migration south. Our group had the privilege of assisting with tagging some of them. Following the instructions and materials from MonarchWatch.org, Steve and Linda Benedict hosted this special experience.

29 species

Canada Goose  22

Mute Swan  5

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1

Ring-billed Gull  2

Green Heron  2

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  3

Cooper's Hawk  2

Bald Eagle  2

Belted Kingfisher  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  2

Downy Woodpecker  5

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker  1

Eastern Wood-Pewee  3

Blue Jay  1

American Crow  6

Black-capped Chickadee  1

Tufted Titmouse  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

Northern House Wren  1

Carolina Wren  1

Gray Catbird  3

Cedar Waxwing  5

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  3

Chipping Sparrow  13

Song Sparrow  6

Northern Cardinal  1