I Got Birds! Rye, NY 2/21/15

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~A Gadwall stands on the frozen Long Island Sound at the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY 2/21/15.~

This extended cold snap has made for some difficult birding. The obvious reason is that the cold has made it uncomfortable to be outside for extended periods of time, but this I can handle. What I can’t handle is staying out in this cold for extended periods of time and not getting birds. Birds have been pretty scarce at the spots I’ve visited in Orange County this week, so with that in mind, I headed to the coast this morning to see if I could do any better there. The answer is a resounding YES! I got an early start this morning and birded the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary and the Rye Town Park and Beach. I finished the morning having seen 44 species, which for me is pretty good at this time of the year. Highlights for me included a half dozen PURPLE SANDPIPERS and 14 different species of waterfowl including distant but good looks at one my favorites, Long-tailed Ducks, of which I saw close to a couple dozen. I also did better with raptors than I have in Rye in the past: I had a Red-tailed Hawk just as I was getting off the highway, and then an adult Bald Eagle, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks at the sanctuary, and finally, I had a Turkey Vulture as I was getting back onto the highway heading home.

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~Female Bufflehead at the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 2/21/15.~

It takes just over an hour to get to Rye from Goshen, which is really not too bad at all, and it’s definitely worth the trip.

Here’s my list for the morning:

~A Lesser Scaup gets all tucked in. Edith G Read WS, 2/21/15.~
 ~A Lesser Scaup gets all tucked in. Edith G Read WS, 2/21/15.~

Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Lesser Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merg.
Great Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hk.
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Purple Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great B-b Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Wood.
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Black-cap. Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breast. Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sp.
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sp.
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

~Gadwall at the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY 2/21/15.~
~Gadwall at the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, NY 2/21/15.~
Brant are expected at this location, but for some reason I have always missed them. Edith G Read WS, 2/21/15.
Brant are expected at this location, but for some reason I have always missed them until today. Edith G Read WS, 2/21/15.
~One of a pair of Red-tailed Hawks that flew over while I walked the trails of the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 2/21/15.~
~One of a pair of Red-tailed Hawks that flew over while I walked the trails of the Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 2/21/15.~
~A pair of Lesser Scaup coming in for a landing. Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Rye NY 2/21/15.~
~A pair of Lesser Scaup coming in for a landing. Edith G Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Rye NY 2/21/15.~

4 thoughts on “I Got Birds! Rye, NY 2/21/15”

  1. This post makes me cold just thinking about it, but I really like the Gadwall. Beautiful bird.

    1. Oh Karen, it was COLD out there, especially on the beach scanning for ducks, the wind was whipping pretty good. I like the Gadwall too – I had one of those unusual days where the photos turned out way better than I though they would. Matt

  2. WOW
    What a great list.

    I really like the Gadwall that is sitting on the ice. The light is just great on it. The shot of the Bufflehead is really pretty, also.

    Wilma

    1. Thanks Wilma, I didn’t really realize the light was so nice when I was taking them for some reason; the day had a cold gray feel to it. Matt

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