Blog #338 Microburst to the Heart

 

Massive willow toppled at Stewart Park in yesterday’s storm, courtesy of Kevin Ernste.


Strong thunderstorms ripped across Upstate New York on the first day of summer, uprooting trees, pulling utility lines to the ground, and knocking out power. The storm cut a path of destruction from Western New York to the Adirondacks, and Ithaca was 

not spared. Late afternoon yesterday, powerful thunderstorm hit the southern end of Cayuga Lake with a wallop. The City of Ithaca closed Stewart Park, Newman Municipal Golf Course, and a portion of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail until further notice due to extensive tree damage. NYSEG reports that more than 7,500 of its customers are without power. No humans were hurt, but the storm took a heavy toll on the local Osprey population.


Dark thunderheads, 65 mph winds, hail, lightening, and a curtain of rain marched down the lake yesterday causing a swath of destruction. When the storm hit the parks at the end of the lake, it flattened several stately, old willows and wrecked the tennis courts at Stewart Park. Fortunately, the Stewart Park Osprey nest by the Youth Bureau was missed by flying limbs. Despite limbs and tree falling on the suspension bridges, the 

More storm damage near the Osprey nests at Stewart, courtesy of Kevin Ernste.


Newman Suspension Bridge nest was miraculously unscathed. Several greens on the golf course were damaged, but the Osprey nest along the Inlet remained intact with all chicks accounted for, as were the Treman Marine Park and the Hangar Theatre nests. 


The Osprey nest at the Union Fields Baseball Fields was not as lucky. A microburst must have ravaged the nest platform, which stands fully exposed at the ballfield. A mother Osprey during such a storm would have laid as tightly possible over her three chicks to protect them. The father might have also joined in to help the female cover the chicks. After the storm had passed, a work crew inspecting the damage to the field found the three nestlings, all in their fourth week, dead on the ground next to half the nest materials.


Losing an entire brood is a huge blow to a breeding pair, and this pair is familiar with loss. Two years ago, the female lost here clutch of 3 eggs to a hail storm. Heroically, she quickly laid a replacement egg enabling the pair to fledge young that year. This year, they won’t fare as well.


What is left for the bereft family? Yes, the breeding pair grieve the loss of their young. Osprey have this capacity. Hopefully, the pair will stay at the ballfield and work on their 

The Union Fields nest before the storm, courtesy of Karel and Cindy Sedlacek.


nest. Alternatively, they may build a frustration nest nearby. After spending the summer on Cayuga Lake, the pair will likely migrate south early in August and hopefully return to the ballfield next year although they could return to a newly constructed frustration nest.


A quick survey of the other nests around the lake indicates that most are intact, but a thorough account will be required. Summer presents many dangers to the Ospreys. More people are outdoors, and the chances of human disruptions increase. The Fourth of July is a perilous night and anything but a holiday for birds and other wildlife. Fireworks terrify pets, domestic, and wild animals. Most Osprey young are ready to


Nestling peeking out of nest.


fledge when the country’s birthday rolls around. They are almost fully feathered, but unable to fly. The celebratory fireworks, which are often exploded near water (Osprey nesting habitat), frequently terrify the birds causing the pre-fledgling Ospreys to get so excited that they fall from the nest. Around Cayuga Lake, people set off fireworks starting on Memorial day and continue all summer to the terror of wildlife.


Thank goodness the Salt Point nestlings, Rosie, Olan, and Lilibit, survived the storms. I checked out the nest as soon as I could and the Salt Point Nest Cam showed them sleeping. Summer storms along the water can be unpredictable and cause much destruction. I am sure that many other nesting birds in the parks suffered from the storm. 


Eyes to the sky!

Candace 


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point 

Cayuga Osprey Network

Lansing, NY 

cec222@gmail.com 

EYES ON OSPREYS

WATCH!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam 2021

READ!
On Osprey Time—A Blog  on the Ospreys of Salt Point


VISIT!
Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail



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HELP PROTECT OSPREYS

  • Avoid getting too close to nesting sites during the breeding season. If an animal vocalizes when you're near, you are too close! Back off Immediately.

  • Carry binoculars to view wildlife from afar.

  • Restore, clean, and preserve lakeshore and wetland habitat. 

  • Recycle used fishing line, which can be hazardous to Osprey. 




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