Saturday, 1/24/15

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~Cooper’s Hawk at the Newburgh Waterfront, 1/24/15.~

I got out a little late on this Saturday morning because I was waiting for the roads to clear from the fresh snow which had fallen overnight and continued to fall into the morning. I spent a little time in the New Hampton area of the black dirt. From Celery Avenue I could see many Canada Geese over the river in the fields that run along Onion Avenue. I stopped to scan them and from there I could see that there were approximately 20 SNOW GEESE among them. The Snow Geese were difficult to make out – there was plenty on the ground and it was still falling. I hustled around to Onion Avenue and spent some time scanning a large group of geese; I estimate over 1200 Canada Geese and maybe 100 Snow Geese. I did not find any other types of geese in with them. I birded my way up to Turtle Bay Road before turning back (I wanted to get to the Newburgh Waterfront for  late afternoon to try for gulls again). Along the way I came across what is likely the same Merlin I have had before, as it was perched in the same spot on a wire along the road. I saw a couple of distant flocks of Horned Larks and then a small group landed briefly on the road. Among them was a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR, which was awesome to see.

I tried for gulls from the old Torches parking lot on the Newburgh Waterfront. There were many present, mostly riding the ice floes up the Hudson River. Herring Gulls seemed most numerous, followed by Ring-billed Gulls and then Great Black-backed Gulls (which I had nearly 30 of). I had one distant first winter Iceland Gull, but no sign of the bird I had yesterday and believed was a Lesser Black-backed Gull. I guess a better, confirmed look at that bird will have to wait until another day. When I have seen a bird that I am not very sure of, I really like to have a photo, because as time passes, doubts start to creep into my mind. I had a couple of raptor highlights while I was there as well. Out on the ice I had 8 Bald Eagles. In the parking lot, a woman stopped her car to tell me there was a hawk perched on a post. It ended up being a Cooper’s Hawk that posed nicely for me. For a day where I wasn’t sure if I would even get out, it was a really good day.

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~A Red-tailed Hawk leaves a snowy perch on a snowy morning in New Hampton, NY 1/24/15. 
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~This certainly seems to be a favorite perch for this Merlin. I have seen it there before, and if you look to the left of the bird there appears to be some remains of prey stuck to the wire. I waited for ages for this bird to fly but after 20 minutes I had to move on. I passed the same spot on my way back, nearly 45 minutes later and the bird was still there! Merlin in New Hampton, NY 1/14./15.~
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~Snow Geese in the snow. Onion Avenue, 1/24/15. 

Newburgh Gulls, 1/23/15

QUICK POST: I went to the Newburgh Waterfront this evening after work to look for gulls. I parked in the old Torches parking lot and just as I got out of the car an adult Bald Eagle flew over. I scanned a large number of gulls floating in the river with my scope because most birds were rather distant. I walked a couple hundred yards south where most of the gulls were located and saw a bird that I believe was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Bruce Nott had arrived with his friend Rob, I walked back to get them to have a look at the bird. Meanwhile, they were looking at a first winter Iceland Gull, which I got a good look at through Bruce’s scope. We made our way back to my scope and relocated my bird. We kept walking south to keep up with the floating gulls. The bird had a slate gray back, gray smudging on the head and was slightly smaller than the Herring Gulls nearby. At one point I had the bird in the same scope view as a Great Black-backed Gull and the size difference was considerable. I am confident that it was a Lesser Black-backed Gull, but I would certainly like to go back for a better look and of course get some photos.

Black Dirt Snow Geese, 1/20/15

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~Snow Geese coming in for a landing, New Hampton NY, 1/20/15.~

Tonight I spent some time at Pierce Circle in New Hampton, NY going through approximately 2,500 Canada Geese. I scanned the geese a bunch of times but was unable to find anything other than Canadas. I was just starting to pack it in when I saw another group of geese coming in – it was SNOW GEESE! Approximately 150 birds circled over the fields a couple of times and then settled in among the Canada Geese. It was awesome to see them, and to think I came so close to missing them!

~Snow Geese above the fields on Pierce Circle, 1/20/15.~
~Snow Geese above the fields on Pierce Circle, 1/20/15.~
~Snow Geese in New Hampton, NY 1/20/15.
~Snow Geese in New Hampton, NY 1/20/15.

Waterfowl Count, 1/18/15

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~A male Ring-necked Pheasant at Pierce Circle, 1/18/15.~

Karen Miller and I attempted to participate in the Mearns Bird Club Waterfowl Count yesterday, but we were thwarted by the weather. We started out alright, covering a small part of the Black Dirt Region and counting nearly 3,000 Canada Geese, over two dozen Mallards, and 6 Common Mergansers. Then the rain began in earnest, and the roads quickly became very icy and downright treacherous. At the first sign of icy conditions, we called it and headed home, and I’m glad we did. We both made it home safely, thank goodness. The highlight of the day was seeing a male Ring-necked Pheasant on Pierce Circle and getting some photos.

Saturday 1/17/15

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~A Northern Harrier cruises by my blind, Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, 1/17/15.~

The big news this week was the eBird report of a Snowy Owl at the Liberty Marsh in Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday 1/14/15. I, of course, spent Thursday and Friday evenings after work going for the bird, but with no luck. I left the house this morning with the Snowy Owl being the most important bird on my mind. I did some running around in the Black Dirt and even followed a lead that took me to Chester, NY but had no luck with the Snowy. The Chester bird was likely a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk; I saw photos from the couple that had given me the lead, and I got a very distant look at the bird through my scope. I would like to get back there to get a better look one of these days.

In the afternoon I decide to just try for some photos, so I headed to the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. The north blind that is furthest out was free, so I spent the afternoon shooting raptors. I love spending time in the blinds out there; you can get such great looks at the birds.

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~This one made me happy. Rough-legged Hawk in the Black Dirt, 1/17/15.~
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~Adult Bald Eagle in the Black Dirt, 1/17/15.~
~I was sitting in the blind thinking that it would be nice if a Red-tailed Hawk would fly towards me rather than away. Moments later this bird flew in. Red-tailed Hawk at Shawankgunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
~I was sitting in the blind thinking that it would be nice if a Red-tailed Hawk would fly towards me rather than away. Moments later this bird flew in. Red-tailed Hawk at Shawankgunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~The harriers were pretty active today at the grasslands. Northern Harrier at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15~
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~Northern Harrier at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~I was happy with how this photo turned out. Northern Harrier just before sunset at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~The Short-eared Owls got up pretty early today, just after 4:00 pm. None came close enough to my blind for photos while the light was still good. I took this one just as I was preparing to head back to the car. Short-eared Owl at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
~A deer checks things out at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15.~
~A deer checks things out at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15.~

Saturday 1/10/15 – From Refuge to Refuge

Northern Harrier
A Northern Harrier takes a turn in the early morning sunlight. Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, 1/10/15.

I started my day off this morning heading out to the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. I was meeting Wayne Hall out there, he wanted to talk to me about a column he is putting together about myself, birding, and bird photography. It was a very cold morning, but Wayne and I walked the trails a bit and talked. We took refuge from the wind in the south blind for a little while, continued our conversation and had a couple of nearby Northern Harriers. Back in the parking lot, I spotted, in the distance, our first Rough-legged Hawk of the day.  Shortly after I first noticed the RLHA, it swooped down and flushed 10 Short-eared Owls. The owls did not stay up for long, but it was good to see them. Wayne and I sat in my car for a while and, as we talked, I had an adult Bald Eagle fly over in the distance. It was a pleasure to meet Wayne, and I will be curious to see how his column comes out. It was also nice that we did so well for birds while we were there. I should also mention that on my way out to the grasslands I made a quick stop by Lippincott where I was happy to find what I was looking for: Eleven Common Goldeneyes.  

This Rough-legged Hawk stirred up 10 Short-eared Owls
This Rough-legged Hawk stirred up 10 Short-eared Owls before coming in close enough for photos. RLHA at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/10/15.
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I shot this Northern Harrier from the south blind at the Shawwangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/10/15.

In the afternoon, I did a quick driving tour of parts of the Black Dirt Region. My main goal was to hopefully located a large group of geese to sort through, which I did on Onion Avenue in New Hampton, NY. Unfortunately, just as I started to look through them, in a large and loud wave, every last Canada Goose picked up. I estimate that there were approximately 2000 birds present. Most of the geese seemed to relocate to the Wallkill River, right along Celery Avenue; I did not follow them over there, I will try my luck with them again tomorrow.

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I really like these types of photos – Canada Geese taking flight at Onion Ave, 1/10/15.

I ended up with 23 species in the black dirt, all expected species, and I took photos along the way. I was particularly happy to run into this young Cooper’s Hawk:

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-Cooper’s Hawk on Breeze Hill Road, 1/10/15. 
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-MODO on Lynch Avenue, 1/10/15. 

My final stop of the night was the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. I met up with Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris by the Liberty Loop platform where we enjoyed the White-crowned Sparrows that have been hanging out there. Maria headed home, Linda and I walked out on Liberty Lane. We had a super surprise when we came upon a large flock of American Tree Sparrows; I estimate that there were close to 60 birds present. They would perch on the trees and bushes along Liberty Lane, then fly off into the refuge and disappear into the grasses. Then they would all return and perch briefly before heading back out to the refuge. They did this at least a half a dozen times before we headed back to the parking lot.

American Tree Sparrow at Wallkill River NWR, 1/10/15.
A sunset shot of an American Tree Sparrow at Wallkill River NWR, 1/10/15.

It was 4:40 and the light was getting low when the Short-eared Owls got up. There was just enough light to get some grainy photos; it was a great way to end a super day of birding from one National Wildlife Refuge to another.

Short-eared Owl
 A super grainy Short-eared Owl shot, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 1/10/15. 

 

Sunday Shots, 1/4/15

QUICK POST: It was a long weekend for me with a lot of birding; here are a few shots that didn’t make it into previous posts:

This is the first bird that I photographed this year. What a great way to start the year. Eastern Screech-Owl in Sullivan County on New Year's Day.
This is the first bird that I photographed this year, what a great way to start the year. Eastern Screech-Owl in Sullivan County on New Year’s Day.
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-I’ve been trying to get a photo of an American Tree Sparrow that I like; I like this one. ATSP on Lynch Avenue in New Hampton, NY 1/4/14.

 

Northern Harrier at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, New Year's Day. Conditions were perfect for photos that evening, but unfortunately I did not get many opportunities with the harriers, and the Short-eared Owls got up after dark.
Northern Harrier at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, New Year’s Day. Conditions were perfect for photos that evening, but unfortunately I did not get many opportunities with the harriers, and the Short-eared Owls got up after dark.

Rye, New York, 1/3/15

- Male Hooded Merganser at Edith G Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye NY, 1/3/15.
– Male Hooded Merganser at Edith G Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye NY, 1/3/15.

Karen Miller and I got an early start this morning and headed to the Edith G Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, New York. It was a cold morning, but also a productive one, as we had 36 species for the day:

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One of many Buffleheads seen today at Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Rye NY 1/3/15.

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Black Duck
Mallard
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Mourning Dove
Downy WP
Red-bellied WP
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Fish Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
American Robin
European Starling
American Tree Sparrows
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch

Karen and I had an enjoyable morning, Rye is a super location that I would certainly recommend, especially at this time of year. One of the highlights of our day was running into John Haas and Lance Verderame, who joined us briefly before we headed our separate ways. John and Lance are both excellent birders and just nice guys to spend time with. I found out later in the day that it was John’s birthday, so Happy Birthday John!

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-Lance Verderame and John Haas, prepared for both  the cold weather and the birds at Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, New York 1/3/15.

 

A pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers at Edith G Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, New York 1/3/15.
A pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers at Edith G Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, New York 1/3/15.

 

A Ring-billed Gull in flight, Rye NY, 1/3/15.
A Ring-billed Gull in flight, Rye NY, 1/3/15.

 

 

 

Good Birding in Orange County, 1/2/15

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-It was a shame to have this Merlin on a wire as far as photographs go. I was hoping to get a shot of the bird as it flew, but I missed out when the bird was  flushed by a truck that drove by between myself and the bird. Merlin on Onion Ave in New Hampton, NY 1/2/15. 

I was lucky enough to have the day off today, and the weather was perfect, so it made for a great day of birding. I started the morning by taking a tour of the black dirt region, where I had 23 species. Highlights include a MERLIN on a wire seen on Onion Avenue and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR in a large flock of Horned Larks on Mission Land Road in Pine Island.

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-I saw these two first winter White-crowned Sparrow from the viewing platform at the Liberty Loop Trail, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 1/2/15. 
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-Gray Ghost in flight. A male Norther Harrier at Skinner Lane, 1/2/15. 
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-One of several flocks of Horned Larks that I had in the black dirt region. It was disappointing that I had no Snow Buntings among them, but I did locate a single Lapland Longspur in a large flock on Mission Land Road. Horned Larks in flight on Mt. Eve Road, 1/2/15. 

I also made quick stops at Glenmere Lake and Warwick Lake – I added 5 species to my list, and I had a pair of adult Bald Eagles at both locations. My final stop was the Newburgh Waterfront; I stopped first at the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry parking; Fish Crows were calling from the trees as I sorted through the gulls there but found only Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gulls present. From there I went to the parking lot of the old Torches. Immediately, as I got out of the car, I saw a first winter ICELAND GULL on the edge of the parking lot among the other gulls and Rock Pigeons. I was able to get much better photos than I did earlier in the week, but I failed to get any flight photos. Once the gulls picked up, it was very chaotic and difficult to follow where the the Iceland Gull went. I eventually relocated the bird on a piling in the water, but just as I located it, all the gulls picked up again. Ken McDermott joined me shortly after that, but when I decided to head home, we still had not relocated the bird. I added an additional 5 species to my list for the day, giving me a total of 33 species for the day.

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-I love this bird, what a pretty gull. Iceland Gull at the Newburgh Waterfront, 1/2/15. 
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ICELAND GULL alongside a Ring-billed Gull, Newburgh Waterfront, 1/2/15. 
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-One more shot of the Merlin on a wire in New Hampton, NY 1/2/15.