Weekend Wrap Up – 6/9/13

A Marsh Wren builds its nest at the Appalachian Trail Pochuck Creek Section, 6/9/13.

I was out of town for work this week, so I did not have the opportunity to do much birding (actually the hotel we stayed at had a nice swampy area surrounding it and I walked the perimeter a number of times). I made up for it by doing quite a bit of birding this weekend, hittting five spots in two days.

Saturday Morning – Sterling Forest State Park, Sterling Lake Loop.

Highlights: Although I had 31 species for the walk, I did not see anything extraordinary. I was lucky enough to get a decent photo of my first of season Red-eyed Vireo:

I spent some time with this bird, waiting for it to get into some sunlight. Red-eyed Vireo at Sterling Forest SP 6/8/13.

Saturday Afternoon: Basha Kill WMA

Highlights: My latest favorite bird, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo made an appearance at the Nature Trail again. I also had a brief but good look at a male Scarlett Tanager there as well.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Basha Kill WMA, 6/8/13.

I had to include this shot of an Eastern Kingbird snagging a dragonfly from its perch. Deli Fields at Basha Kill WMA 6/8/13.

Sunday Early Morning: Appalachian Trail near Route 94 in Sussex County NJ

Highlights: I was fortunate enough to be invited to join Judy Cinquina, Tom Millard, B.A. McGrath and Gene for a day of birding. It was certainly good company and I felt like I learned quite a bit. My best bird for the morning (for the whole day really) was the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW! This was a life bird for me, and although we got several very good looks, I was not satisfied with any of my photos. The light was on the harsh side for some reason and most of my photos where overexposed. Here is my best effort:

Grasshopper Sparrow at the Appalachian Trail near Route 94, 6/9/13.

Sunday Late Morning: Appalachian Trail Pochuck Creek Section

Highlights: Watching a Marsh Wren build its nest was amazing I was really happy to get the photo at the top of this post. I also really enjoyed the Swamp Sparrows perching on cattails and singing.

Swamp Sparrow at the Appalachian Trail Pochuk Creek Section, 6/9/13.

Willow Flycatcher at the Appalachian Trail Pochuck Creek Section, 6/9/13.

Sunday Afternoon: Wallkill River NWR

Highlights: For the heat of the day, we saw many birds while we walked the east side of the Liberty Loop. I really enjoyed the distant but good looks at four male Bobolinks, and I managed to get a photo of a male Orchard Oriole that I like:

Orchard Oriole at Wallkill River NWR 6/9/13.

Cedar Waxwing at Wallkill River NWR, 6/9/13.

I finally got a shot of a Common Yellowthroat - for some reason I have not gotten good looks this year. Wallkill River NWR, 6/9/13. — I finally got a shot of a Common Yellowthroat – for some reason I have not gotten good looks this year. Wallkill River NWR, 6/9/13.

WILSON’S PHALAROPE AT WALLKILL RIVER NWR!

I only have time to post a quick photo right now, huge thanks to Rob Stone and of course Danny Messina who found the bird.

3-8-13, Looking for Geese

I went out yesterday and today looking for geese. The Ross’s Goose that Rob Stone and John Haas found yesterday was at the top of my list, but anything out of the ordinary would do. Last night there were nearly a thousand Snow Geese at the Camel Farm, but I did not locate a Ross’s among them. Tonight I had nothing but Canada Geese, but I did get this shot of a Killdeer.

One of several Killdeer I found on Pierce Circle, Orange County NY, 3-8-13.

Nick Cave – To Be By Your Side

This is a really good song with a video that I thought was very appropriate for all the geese that I’ve been seeing lately. I watch this and I am reminded of how badly I want to see a Barnacle Goose! Click the link below:

Nick Cave – To Be By Your Side

Snow Geese Put on a Show at the Camel Farm 2-27-13

After work today, I made it out to the black dirt region of Orange County to look for the Pink-footed Goose that was found yesterday by Curt and Ken McDermott. I did not have any luck with the PFGO, but I did enjoy the amazing show put on by what I estimate was approximately 3500 Snow Geese. Please click HERE to see a 30 second clip that I got with my iPhone – not the best quality, but it really gives and idea of what it was like to be there. I have of course seen Snow Geese on videos and in photos, but this was the first time I have ever witnessed anything like this and it was thrilling. None of these photos are very good as it was sunset or later when this all happened. They were all shot with an ISO of 1600 or higher, which results in very “noisy” photos with my camera. Good birds, bad photos. Amazing birding. Happy Birder.

Red-breasted Merganser

_MG_2141 — Red-breasted Merganser at Skinner Lane 2-23-13.

Karen Miller and I birded the black dirt region in Orange County this morning. The highlight was undoubtedly this adult male Red-breasted Merganser. What a treat! Here’s a couple more shots:

6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary

I certainly heard this Carolina Wren before I saw it. 6 12/ Station Road 2-22-13.

I think it might be time to change my expectations of 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary. I’m not exactly sure why, but when I go there I am never expecting to see very many birds. Maybe it’s because it is the birding spot closest to home and I get out there pretty often. It is true that there have been many days when I have had hardly any birds, but there are also many days when there are numerous of birds to be seen, and some of them are unexpected.

I made a quick stop at the sanctuary yesterday after work. It was a gray dull day; it snowed for most of the time I was out there. It was not a very good day for photographs, none of the photos in this post are any good with maybe the exception of the Carolina Wren but I did want to document the day. Here is my species list from the forty-five minute stop:

Canada Goose 3
Mallard 11
Hooded Merganser 2
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Ring-billed Gull 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Peregrine Falcon 1
American Crow X
Black-capped Chickadee 3
Carolina Wren 1
European Starling X
Song Sparrow 3
Red-winged Blackbird 20

I really wasn’t expecting to see any ducks, but there was some open water on the sanctuary side of the Heritage Trail where I found eleven Mallards and an unexpected bonus of two male Hooded Mergansers:

These two were a pleasant surprise. Hooded Mergansers out at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary 2-22-13.

Three of the eleven Mallards out at the sanctuary, 2-22-13.

I had my first of season Red-winged Blackbirds; I guess spring will being coming this year after all:

Red-winged Blackbirds take flight. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary 2-22-13.

As far as raptors go, Red-tailed Hawks are nearly always present at the sanctuary, but I don’t normally see much else. On this day I had three Northern Harriers, one of which was an adult male “Gray Ghost”. Two years ago NOHA were regulars hunting at the sanctuary but I have not seen many this year. The male was flying low and hunting while the other two where soaring up high. All three eventually headed northeast of the sanctuary. Finally, on my way out I saw this Peregrine Falcon fly by with what looked like a Mourning Dove. I been visiting the sanctuary for just over two years – I checked on eBird, and this is my first record of a Peregrine Falcon at 6 1/2 Station Road.

Here's a terrible photo of what was fascinating to watch - a Peregrine Falcon hauls its prey across the sanctuary, 2-22-13. — Here’s a terrible photo of what was fascinating to watch – a Peregrine Falcon hauls its prey across the sanctuary, 2-22-13.

Here is a list of some of the more memorable birds that I have seen out at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary in the past couple of years:

Greater White-fronted Geese

Snow Geese

Common Loon

Bald Eagle

Peregrine Falcon

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

In 2011 I recorded observing 50 species in 25 visits to the sanctuary. In 2012 I had 87 species in 27 visits. I am curious to see how I do in 2013, I would certainly like to increase my recorded visits and, of course, my number of species.

Happy New Year!

Well, it is now officially 2013 and I figured I would take a quick look back on the year that was here at Orange Birding. Here are my final counts for 2012:

World: 199 Species
United States: 171 Species
New York State: 167 Species
New Jersey State: 85 Species
Orange County, NY: 126 Species
Sullivan County, NY: 112 Species

Favorite Bird of the Year: American Bittern At the Basha Kill:

I picked the American Bittern as my favorite bird of the year mostly because this is a bird that I was not very confident I would ever get a chance to see (much like the Least Bittern now!). I have for a long time been fascinated by this bird, and to finally get to see one and also get to take some photographs was really a special treat.

Favorite Photograph of the Year: Black-crowned Night Heron at Denning’s Point:

This is another case of finally getting to see a bird that I really wasn’t convinced I’d ever get a good look at, not to mention a decent photograph. Finding this bird out in the early afternoon was very fortunate for me indeed. The final result is a photograph that I think about often. I’m not sure it’s my best shot of the year, but it is definitely my favorite. Honorable mention goes to the Short-eared Owl shot I got just last week at the Shawangunk Grasslands. Again, this is a bird I did not see myself getting a good photo of any time soon:

Favorite Birding Location of the Year: The Cliffs Of Moher, Ireland:

Taking a small boat tour along the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland was an amazing experience. It’s not every day you get to see Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Razorbills, and of course Atlantic Puffins. It was an amazing day of birding!

Honorable mention goes to the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River NWR. This is the location that I think I went to the most frequently last year – I always felt that it offered a good look at a wide variety of bird species.

Most Exciting Birding Experience: Great Horned Owl at Linear Park:

I think this was my most exciting birding experience of the year for two reasons. The first is obvious…It’s a GREAT HORNED OWL – what an incredible bird! The second reason is that Tricia, Karen, and I went out to Linear Park with no real expectations and no prior knowledge of the possibility of finding a Great Horned Owl there. So, to be out there and to find this owl was shocking and exciting.

Well, here’s hoping that 2013 brings as many (hopefully more!) awesome birding experiences. Happy New Year!

Photo Friday

I spent five hours yesterday in a photo blind out at the Shawangunk Grasslands. I feel like when it comes to bird photography when it rains it pours – the light was really nice all day, there were plenty of birds to be seen, and best of all, the Short-eared Owls came up early.

_MG_2299 — A Short-eared Owl banks nicely towards the photo blind. Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_2277 — SEOW at the Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_2316 — This was not the best shot of the day, but it was my favorite.

_MG_2325 — This is the only time I saw an owl perch the whole time I was out there.

_MG_2390 — SEOW at the Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_2300 — I was really happy with this shot.

_MG_1969 — I really wanted to get a good photograph of a Rough-legged Hawk, but this bird does not move around as much as the SEOW and the NOHA so there are much few opportunities. Rough-legged Hawk in the distance, Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_1917 — A close up look at a Northern Harrier as it passes the blind. Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_2369 — There seemed to be just one male Northern Harrier present. I would love to get a good shot of this bird!

_MG_1918 — My favorite Harrier shot of the day.

_MG_1992 — NOHA at the Shawangunk Grasslands 12-28-12.

_MG_1833 — A flock of about 30 Common Redpolls accompanied me as I made my way out to the blind. Looking at the field guides, it is tough to tell the Common From the Hoary Redpolls. I am pretty sure this is a Common.

_MG_1844 — These Common Redpolls were the 199th species of bird I’ve seen this year.

NORTHERN SHRIKE!

_MG_0968 — Northern Shrike off of Corbett Road in Montgomery NY 12-22-12.

Seeing the above Northern Shrike was the highlight of a great Saturday of birding. Huge thanks to John Haas and Bill and Jayne Fiero who found the bird during the Eastern Orange County Christmas Bird Count (see John’s blog post about it here). Also many thanks to Ken McDermott who was also out at Corbett Road and let me know exactly where he had seen the bird earlier in the day. And finally, congratulations to Jeff Goulding who was having a tough day. The Northern Shrike was a life bird for him and I’m sure it made his day just a little bit better.

I started the morning off with a quick stop at Orange-Rockland Lake. I have been stopping by there fairly regularly and finding good numbers of both Ruddy Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks. This morning was no different:

_MG_0924 — I can’t get enough of these Ruddy Ducks. This one was doing some serious grooming whenI was taking photos. Orange-Rockland Lake 12-22-12.

_MG_0911 — Ring-necked Ducks at Orange-Rockland Lake, 12-22-12.

My next stop was at Brown’s Pond, where I found an incredible variety of waterfowl in huge numbers:

_MG_0964 — Lesser Scaup, Brown’s Pond 12-22-12.

7 Canada Goose
11 Mute Swan
12 Mallard
4 Ring-necked Duck
2 Lesser Scaup
5 Bufflehead
7 Hooded Merganser
9 Common Merganser
63 (!) Ruddy Duck

I was also surprised by getting a few good songbirds:

_MG_0957 — Eastern Bluebird at Brown’s Pond, 12-22-12.

1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
4 Bluejay
2 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
3 Eastern Bluebird
1 Mockingbird

t was after Brown’s Pond that I went to Montgomery and saw the Northern Shrike. What a thrill, this is a bird that is very exciting to me. I became convinced that I was not going to see the bird when Ken had to leave, but about five minutes later I spotted the bird – exactly where Ken had seen it earlier in the day. I also had an adult Bald Eagle fly over in the distance while I was there. Here’s one more of the shrike:

_MG_1010 — The bird was pretty far from the road – these photos have been heavily cropped.

My final stop was the Shawangunk Grasslands. You can drive your car into the grasslands now and park on the old airplane runway. It was pretty cold today, so I was happy to have this as an option. The highlight was getting my best look ever at a Rough-legged Hawk. It was tangling pretty good with some of the Northern Harriers: