Saturday, 01/28/17

~I got a great look at a number of Ruddy Ducks at Piermont Pier, 01/28/17.~ 

First thing this morning I headed to Piermont Pier to see if could get any good ducks. It was a nice stop and I had 7 species of waterfowl:

Canada Goose (3)
Mallard (5)
Canvasback (27)
Bufflehead (5)
Common Goldeneye (2)
Common Merganser (1)
Ruddy Duck (43)

The Common Goldeneyes stole the show for me; I got great looks at one bird that spent some time close to the pier. The Canvasbacks were nice to get, but were very distant and a scope was needed to see them well.

~This is probably my closest look at a Common Goldeneye. I have this as a first winter male, Piermont Pier 01/28/17.~
~COGO in flight at Piermont Pier, 01/28/17.~

I left Piermont Pier and headed to State Line Lookout to join the hordes of birders/photographers/sheep that were present to try for the Gyrfalcon that has been reported recently there. It was quite a scene and I estimate that in the time I tried for the bird (4 hours), over 125 birders/photogs were there for the bird as well. Millions of photographs were taken of the local Peregrine Falcons (that might not be an exaggeration). The falcons did not fly much, but did spend much time on the closest perches. Other good birds included several Bald Eagles, Common Ravens, and a Cooper’s Hawk which was chased from the far side of the river to the Lookout by the local male Peregrine Falcon. As for the Gyrfalcon, it was of course a no-show. Hopefully it sticks and I’ll try for it another day.

~This bird is a beast, does she look mean or what? Local female Peregrine Falcon at State Line Lookout, 01/28/17. There is no doubt that the local PEFAs were extremely well-photographed today.~
~The resident male Peregrine Falcon – State Line Lookout, 01/28/17.~
~Top-down look at a Turkey Vulture; not a look I get very often. State Line Lookout 01/28/17.~ 

4 thoughts on “Saturday, 01/28/17”

  1. Nice shots, Matt. I thought I saw a vulture in Pine Island today and thought I was wrong, maybe not then.

    I didn’t find any Snow Geese today, but heard they were over by rt 84 yesterday.

    Wilma

    1. Thanks Wilma. I heard the SNGOs were still around, so that’s good. I may try and find them again. Matt

  2. Sounds like quite a scene! Love the Peregrine Falcon shots. Perhaps we will get lucky and the Gyrfalcon will turn up at Blue Chip Farms this year.

    1. Oh, it really was! I keep thinking about the Ulster Co. Gyrfalcon, maybe we’ll see that bird again… Matt

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