Orange County Weekend

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~I love this pose! A super cute Pied-billed Grebe at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 4/15/16.~

I birded in Orange County all weekend, starting at the Winding Waters Trail at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge on Friday afternoon. I met Linda Scrima out there, we were following up on a tip from Rob Stone; he’d had Vesper Sparrows there earlier in the day. VESP is a nemesis bird for  Linda. Or should I say WAS a nemesis bird for her. We relocated at least two, with a possible third Vesper Sparrow present and got great looks at the birds. Congratulations to Linda on the lifer, and what a super looking bird.

~Vesper Sparrow at Winding Waters Trail, Wallkill River NWR, 4/15/16.~
~Vesper Sparrow at Winding Waters Trail, Wallkill River NWR, 4/15/16.~

Saturday morning I walked out at Goosepond Mountain State Park. I had never walked the entire trail before, so that’s what I did. I started at Laroe Road and walked to route 17M and then back. It was a nice walk which was very birdy. I had 35 species on the day, which included 6 personal first of the year birds: Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, HERMIT THRUSH, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Broad-winged Hawk, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Sunday morning I decided to try something a little bit different and go on a hike that would not necessarily be loaded with birds. I walked the loop at Storm King State Park. It was probably not a difficult or strenuous hike by most people’s standards, but I quickly learned how out of shape I am these days! I started at the trailhead on route 9W north, and I huffed and puffed my way up to the summit of Storm King. The views were pretty great and there were some raptors flying as well (Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vultures, Sharp-shinned Hawk). I had more birds than I would have expected, tallying 17 species, the most interesting to me being a Hermit Thrush I saw about 100 yards into the trail. Thankfully, the back end of the loop was a little bit easier going. Afterwards, I made a quick stop by Kenridge Farm where I saw many of the usuals and also picked up my FOY Barn Swallow.

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~At the top of Storm King, I ran into a small group of birds: Mourning Doves, a Northern Flicker, a couple of Chipping Sparrows, and a couple of Black-capped Chickadees.~
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~My FOY Hermit Thrush at Goosepond Mountain SP, 4/16/16.~
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~A Chipping Sparrow singing in the spotlight at Storm King State Park, 4/17/16.~
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~A nice look at an American Coot, Wallkill River NWR, 4/15/16.~
The view from the highest point of Butter Hill at Storm King State Park, 4/17/16.~
The view of the Hudson River from the highest point of Butter Hill at Storm King State Park, 4/17/16.~

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