Potsdam. On 7 October a heavy frost and a low of 21° at Watertown indi¬ 
cated perhaps winter was again on the way. A thunderstorm with rain 
and wind occurred on 13 October, with 1.5" of rain overnight at 
Henderson and snow in Watertown the next day, followed by a very 
strong cold front. The high rose to 61° on the 15th, then headed back 
down to the 20s on the 19th. The 22nd of October brought rain, wind, 
lightning and hail. Temperatures seesawed about the 50° mark with 
windy, overcast days through the last two days of the month when day¬ 
time highs hovered about 64°. 
November began rainy and windy, with another strong cold front on 
the 3rd. Rainfall on the Ontario Lake Plain from the cold front amount¬ 
ed to about 1", while at the same time 6" of snow fell at Montague on Tug 
Hill. On the 5th, the high spiked to 62°, to be followed by two sunny and 
rather windy days with snow flurries, then a plunge to 18° on the 8th. 
Rainfall for the month included 1" on the 11th, 1.75" on the 26th, and 
another 0.5" on the 27th. Light snow fell on the 30th, ending the report¬ 
ing period. All the rain, and what little snow fell and melted, was not 
enough to make up for the summer precipitation deficit and Lake Ontario 
water levels continued to drop. 
Observers for the period contributed some excellent field records. It 
was evident that being in the right place at the right time was very impor¬ 
tant. Waterbirds and waterfowl were well represented. Raptors made a 
good showing and a fair number of winter visitors might be at hand. 
With a large amount of shoreline exposed, shorebirds and gulls were well 
reported. Gerry Smith discovered both the elusive Three-toed and 
Black-backed woodpeckers near Monteola, Lewis County in the heart of 
Tug Hill. Northern Shrikes showed up in good numbers at many loca¬ 
tions, mostly along Lake Ontario. The Blue Jay migration through the 
area was extensive and very interesting to observe. Common Raven con¬ 
tinued widespread in the Region. Tree Swallow numbers were impres¬ 
sive but the birds impossible to count as they skimmed just above the 
water, feeding and gathering before leaving for warmer climes. Eastern 
Bluebird numbers were very impressive. Warblers in numbers hung 
around later than normal. Winter finches provided some early evidence 
of an influx, but counts for some species were less than desired. 
Highlights included: good numbers of Red-necked Grebes, all scoter 
species observed. Ruddy Ducks in higher numbers than usual, a number 
of Northern Goshawk and Merlin sightings, a Golden Eagle, an American 
Golden-Plover, the Marbled Godwit lingering into fall. Purple 
Sandpipers seen at El Dorado after a long absence - evidently it was a 
Purple Sandpiper year, a Parasitic Jaeger along the barrier beach at 
78 The Kingbird 2000 March; 50(1) 
