Saturday 1-19-13

 

Northern Harrier at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge 1-19-13.
Northern Harrier at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge 1-19-13.

I feel like it has been forever since I got out for a full day of birding with any success. Karen Miller and I met out at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge right around sunrise this morning. It was really cold out, 25 degrees Fahrenheit with a substantial wind chill. We sat in the car for a while and then on the platform for a bit until it got too cold. There were many raptors to be seen – Red-tail Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, a juvenile Bald Eagle, and several Northern Harriers. We decided to follow up on a post seen on the Mearns Bird Club site; we went to Greenwood Lake.

Neither one of us had ever been birding at Greenwood Lake, so it was a bit of an adventure for us as we drove around and explored the lake. We ended up having a great visit with many birds. The highlight for me was a large raft of Common Mergansers that we estimated at approximately 500 individuals:

There was no good spot to get a clear photo of these Common Mergansers. It was really a thrill to see all these birds at once. Greenwood Lake 1-19-13.
There was no good spot to get a clear photo of these Common Mergansers. It was really a thrill to see all these birds at once. Greenwood Lake 1-19-13.

We stumbled upon Browns Point Park, in West Milford NJ. I totally missed the sign, but Karen saw it and had me turn around. Thank goodness too, because the park provided the best look at ducks that we had all day. We got very good close looks at: Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks and Mallards.

Ring-necked Duck at Browns Point Park 1-19-13.
Ring-necked Duck at Browns Point Park 1-19-13.
A female Bufflehead makes her way down the canal at Browns Point Park, 1-19-13.
A female Bufflehead makes her way down the canal at Browns Point Park, 1-19-13.
Buffleheads at Browns Point Park.
Buffleheads at Browns Point Park.

After Greenwood Lake, Karen and I headed back to Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge. We decided to walk the Liberty Loop trail; it had warmed up considerably but it was still really windy. Walking through the wind and snow was tough but we were rewarded by seeing many sparrows, Northern Harriers, and a surprise showing of a Short-eared Owl at 12:45 pm. What a great day of birding! Pretty good for January nineteenth.

Evidence of the high winds out at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, a wind blown song sparrow on the Liberty Loop.
Evidence of the high winds out at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, a wind blown song sparrow on the Liberty Loop.
I am still trying to get a good photo of a "gray ghost". This is the best I could do today...
I am still trying to get a good photo of a “gray ghost”. This is the best I could do today…
One more Northern Harrier out at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, 1-19-13.
One more Northern Harrier out at Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, 1-19-13.

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Saturday 1-19-13”

  1. Great pictures, Matt, and I really appreciate them since I left my camera at home … ugh!! It WAS a fun day, albeit really, really cold! The adventure at Greenwood Lake was awesome, and rewarding. Loved the barge of common mergansers.

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