Category: Uncategorized

Saturday Birding Bonanza 4/12/14

Horned Grebe at Glenmere Lake, 4/12/14.
Horned Grebe at Glenmere Lake, 4/12/14.

Glenmere Lake, 8:00 am

I was hoping that some additional waterfowl might have been grounded by the overnight rain. This proved not to be the case, but there was still a decent showing of waterfowl, including:  Canada Goose (15), Lesser Scaup (9), Bufflehead (6), Wood Duck (4), Common Loon (1), Double-crested Cormorant (1), and the highlight of the stop, (6) Horned Grebes, two of which swam right up to me while I was looking through my scope. I was shocked because while Glenmere Lake is a great spot for birds, it is typically not very good for photos. I was pleased to have those grebes so close.

Pine Warbler, Glenmere Lake 4/12/14.
Pine Warbler, Glenmere Lake 4/12/14.

Other birds of note at the lake included a couple of Pine Warblers, my first of the year Palm Warbler, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker works the shady side of a tree. Glenmere Lake, 4/12/14.
A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker works the shady side of a tree. I never did get a shot of the bird in the sun.  Glenmere Lake, 4/12/14.

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge – Liberty Loop, 9:45am

I found a half dozen Turkey Vultures enjoying some roadkill on Pumpkin Swamp road, on my way to Wallkill River NWR, 4/12/14.
I found a half dozen Turkey Vultures enjoying some roadkill on Pumpkin Swamp road, on my way to Wallkill River NWR, 4/12/14.

I walked the Liberty Loop next, with my main goal to see if the Eurasian Wigeon was still present. I was unable to locate the bird, or any wigeon at all, so I am thinking that maybe these birds have moved on. The wigeon may have moved on, but there were still many waterfowl present:

IMG_6308

Canada Goose
Snow Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Mute Swan
American Coot
Peregrine Falcon at Wallkill River NWR, 4/12/14.
Peregrine Falcon at Wallkill River NWR, 4/12/14.

Two Snow Geese were a pleasant surprise, as was my first Peregrine Falcon of the year. I finally located a Peregrine (it had been ages!) and the bird was not only severely backlit, but it had the fullest crop I’ve ever seen!

Bashakill Wildlife Management Area, 3:30 pm

Osprey at the Bashakill, 4/12/14.
Osprey at the Bashakill, 4/12/14.

I spent the afternoon at Haven Road in the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area. I ran into a birder from New York City, Lee, and we enjoy some really good birds. Many raptors were seen, some local and others that seemed to be moving through. We had: Turkey Vulture (12), Bald Eagle (1), Osprey (1), Red-tailed Hawk (4), Red-shouldered Hawk (1), Peregrine Falcon (1), and flying very high overhead, I believe that I had a pair of Broad-winged Hawks.

Waterfowl numbers were way down from last week when I was there. Most migrants seemed to have moved on with the exception of small flock of Ring-necked Ducks. A Pied-billed Grebe was seen on the north side of Haven Road:

Pied-billed Grebe seen from Haven Road at the Bashakill, 4/12/14.
Pied-billed Grebe seen from Haven Road at the Bashakill, 4/12/14.

Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, 6:00 pm

I had a single Short-eared Owl at the grasslands tonight, 4/12/14.
I had a single Short-eared Owl at the grasslands tonight, 4/12/14.

My final stop of the day was the Shawangunk Grasslands. I recently looked back at my posts from last April and I did pretty well with a pair of American Kestrels during the first week of April last year. I didn’t have any good photo ops, but I did have 4 kestrels out there. It looks like two pairs using the nesting boxes at the refuge. I also had 3 Northern Harriers, one Short-eared Owl, and my first of the year Eastern Meadowlarks.

 

 

 

 

Saturday 4/5/14

At Orange & Rockland lake there were three Ring-necked Ducks that were very accommodating, 4/5/14.
At Orange & Rockland lake there were three Ring-necked Ducks that were very accommodating, 4/5/14.

I made it out to three locations this morning. My first stop was a quick ride around the Orange & Rockland Lake. There was not too much going on there really, but I was able to get some photos of three Ring-necked Ducks that for some reason did not mind my presence. My best bird was a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew over as I was pulling away. Here’s my list:

Canada Goose  6
Green-winged Teal  2
Ring-necked Duck  3
Bufflehead  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk  1
Mourning Dove  1
Tree Swallow  8

My second stop was at Glenmere Lake, in hopes that the Long-tailed Ducks that had been seen there were somehow still around. I had tried for them unsuccessfully the night before. Well, I struck out again with the LTDUs, but it was still a worthwhile stop. Photos were really not an option between the grey rainy weather and most birds being quite distant.

Canada Goose  20
Mute Swan  2
Wood Duck  6
American Black Duck  5
Mallard  3
Ring-necked Duck  45
Greater Scaup  4
Lesser Scaup  8
Bufflehead  12
Common Merganser  1
Common Loon  2
Turkey Vulture  1
Ring-billed Gull  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
Tufted Titmouse  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
American Robin  10

Downy Woodpecker at Wallkill River NWR, 4/5/14.
Downy Woodpecker shot through the branches, Wallkill River NWR, 4/5/14.

After grabbing a quick bite to eat, I headed over to my third stop of the day – the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. I wanted to walk the Liberty Loop to see if there were any new waterfowl present. I had walked about halfway up the west end of the loop and was scanning the waterfowl when Linda Scrima and two other folks caught up with me. Linda introduced me to her friends and fellow birders, Jean and Ray, and the four of us continued down the trail for a while. We all got our first RUDDY DUCKS (2) of the season before Ray and Jean headed back. Linda and I continued walking the loop where we eventually ran into another birder named Mike, who was having trouble identifying a bird that he had seen in the back pond along the trail to Owens Station Road. He was sure it was a grebe, but it was diving at all. We eventually relocated the bird, which ended up being my first PIED-BILLED GREBE of the year. Mike continued back to the parking lot and Linda and I  ended up walking that trail all the way to Owens Station Road and birding the pond over there as well. The sun had come out and it warmed up a bit as we headed down the east side of the loop back to our cars. It was a nice walk and in the end I totaled 32 species for the refuge and Owen Station Road combined:

This Red-tailed Hawk was harassing the ducks for a short time, making many of them pick up. Wallkill River NWR, 4/514.
This Red-tailed Hawk was harassing the ducks for a short time, making many of them pick up. Wallkill River NWR, 4/514.
Canada Goose  85
Wood Duck  8
American Wigeon  12
American Black Duck  10
Mallard  25
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler  3
Northern Pintail  90
Green-winged Teal  85
Ring-necked Duck  100
Bufflehead  1
Common Merganser  15
Ruddy Duck  2
Pied-billed Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  2
Black Vulture  2
Turkey Vulture  12
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Killdeer  2
Ring-billed Gull  3
Downy Woodpecker  1
Eastern Phoebe  1
American Crow  14
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Eastern Bluebird  3
American Robin  15
European Starling  20
Song Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  60
Common Grackle  8
Belted Kingfisher 1

Waterfowl Wednesday

One of 43 (!!!) Horned Grebes at the Bashakill WMA today, 4/2/14.
One of 43 (!!!) Horned Grebes at the Bashakill WMA today, 4/2/14.

It started with a phone call from Karen Miller today while I was at work today. She had taken the day off and was birding with John Haas and Scott Baldinger. She called to rub in the fact that they had seen 43 (!!!) HORNED GREBES at the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area. I headed towards the Bashakill after work and when I arrived at Haven Road, I immediately located group of 8 Horned Grebes in the distance. I was able to get some decent shots of a couple of the birds, but then I moved on, heading back to Orange County. For more details on birding at the Bashakill today, go to the Bashakill Birder to read John Haas’ post.

After the Bash, I hustled over to Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge to see if we had had any similar luck in Orange County. I was going to meet Karen at the refuge, and when I arrived, Karen was already there and Joyce DePew was there as well. From the viewing platform we got a good look at a trio of American Coots – my first of the year.

My FOY American Coot, one of three at the Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.
My FOY American Coot, one of three at the Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.

We also had a Killdeer fly over in good light:

Killdeer at Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.
Killdeer at Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.

We walked the loop, and the marsh was loaded with waterfowl:

Canada Goose  80
Mute Swan  4
Wood Duck  2
American Wigeon  35
Mallard  30
Blue-winged Teal  5
Northern Shoveler  2
Northern Pintail  75
Green-winged Teal  85
Ring-necked Duck  100
Bufflehead  4

I was very conservative with these numbers because for me, it becomes difficult to keep track of all the bird numbers when you are also having conversations. I had a great time –  good company, perfect weather, and plenty of birds – very hard to beat it.

The Northern Pintails were making a sound in flight that I don't remember hearing before. It was new to Joyce and Karen as well. NOPI at Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.
The Northern Pintails were making a sound in flight that I don’t remember hearing before. It was new to Joyce and Karen as well. NOPI at Wallkill River NWR, 4/2/14.

 

 

Sunday Shots 3/23/14

Some of my shots from the past week:

This Hooded Merganser took a back seat to the Red-necked Grebe at Algonquin Park, 3/22/14.
This handsome Hooded Merganser took a back seat to the Red-necked Grebe at Algonquin Park, 3/22/14.
Saturday afternoon I walked some of the trails at the Basha Kill and found this Eastern Bluebird.
Saturday afternoon I walked some of the trails at the Basha Kill and found this Eastern Bluebird.
These Snow Geese are from Thursday evening, 3/20/14. Today, 3/23/14, I had a small flock of 200 fly over when I was at the Camel Farm.
These Snow Geese are from Thursday evening, 3/20/14. Today, 3/23/14, I had a small flock of 200 fly over when I was at the Camel Farm.
At least one Snowy Owl continued in the Black Dirt as of Friday night, 2/21/14.
At least one Snowy Owl continued in the Black Dirt as of Friday night, 2/21/14.
One last shot of the sleepy Red-necked Grebe at Algonquin Park, 3/22/14.
One last shot of the sleepy Red-necked Grebe at Algonquin Park, 3/22/14.

Notable Observations

The biggest news of the weekend was John Haas locating TWO CACKLING GEESE at Haven Road at the Basha Kill. Visit his blog to get the full scoop – it is actually an amazing story.

For myself, the best bird of the weekend was definitely the Red-necked Grebe. Additionally I had a few first of season birds this weekend: Tree Swallows (Basha Kill 3/23), Sharp-shinned Hawk (Celery Ave 3/22) and Eastern Phoebe (Algonquin Park 3/22).

 

 

 

 

 

Ulster Early, Orange After

Red-headed Woodpecker, Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.
Red-headed Woodpecker, Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.

I headed up north this morning to Ulster County just for a change of pace. It was a gorgeous morning, sunny and warming up nicely. I took the back roads and had an enjoyable ride, scanning for birds all the while. My first stop was for the Red-headed Woodpeckers. I hadn’t been up to see them in a while, and never in the winter. When I arrived, the only birds present were the steady stream of crows overhead. I was beginning to think I might strike out with the RHWOs, when I finally spotted one in my binoculars. Eventually the bird worked its way closer to me and I was able to get some decent photos. Besides the crows, I did not have another bird in that swamp this morning besides the single Red-headed Woodpecker.

RHWO in Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.
RHWO in Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.
I kept waiting to try to get flight photos of the bird. This is the best I could do. RHWO in Ulster County NY 2/22/14.
I kept waiting to try to get flight photos of the bird. This is the best I could do. RHWO in Ulster County NY 2/22/14.

I finally left the Red-headed Woodpecker behind and headed to my favorite birding spot in all of Ulster County – the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. Although all the birds there were quite distant, I had an enjoyable stop there with 6 species: (6) Rough-legged Hawks, (4) Red-tailed Hawks, (1) Bald Eagle, several Turkey Vultures, a constant movement of American Crows going through, and (2) American Tree Sparrows.

On my way to the grasslands I happened upon this beauty of a Wild Turkey on the road. Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.
On my way to the grasslands I happened upon this beauty of a Wild Turkey on the road. Ulster County NY, 2/22/14.

My final Ulster County stop of the morning was at Lippincott Road in Wallkill. I was hoping for a new waterfowl species for the year, but it was not to be. It was still a good stop, highlighted by the presence of (15) Common Goldeneye, (5) Common Mergansers, and (2) Hooded Mergansers.

These Common Goldeneyes are very sensitive. As soon as my car slowed down they were moving out. This is the best shot I could muster through the trees. Lippincott Road, 2/22/14.
These Common Goldeneyes are very sensitive. As soon as my car slowed down they were moving out. This is the best shot I could muster through the trees. Lippincott Road, 2/22/14.

I stopped home for a quick sandwich and then headed back out, this time in Orange County. I spent the afternoon into the evening hitting some of my usual spots and then finishing up at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge to go for the Short-eared Owls (who came up late, a couple minutes after 6:00 and only four birds). Generally speaking the county seemed a bit quiet to me, and the birds I did see tended to be a bit distant. Here’s my list for the afternoon:

Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Short-eared Owl
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
European Starling
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
Canada Geese in an awesome sunset at Wallkill River NWR, 2/22/14.
Canada Geese in an awesome sunset at Wallkill River NWR, 2/22/14.

 

 

A Pleasant Evening…

A SEOW does a fly-by at the Wallkill River NWR, 2/19/14.
A SEOW does a fly-by at the Wallkill River NWR, 2/19/14.

I took advantage of the foggy, misty weather by having a peaceful evening watching the Short-eared Owls out at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. The parking lot, which has been filled most evenings lately, was practically empty. The owls were up early, and plenty of other raptors could be seen from the viewing platform, including numerous Red-tailed Hawks, a couple of Rough-legged Hawks, and a single male Northern Harrier. Also noteworthy were the seven Northern Cardinals flew into a bush near the entrance to the parking area. It started to rain after a little while, but that didn’t put damper a pleasant evening.

A pair of SEOWs perched in the distance at Wallkill River NWR, 2/19/14.
A pair of SEOWs perched in the distance at Wallkill River NWR, 2/19/14.

Sunday Shots

Short-eared Owl at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 2/12/14.
Short-eared Owl at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 2/12/14.

I got out Saturday morning and again on Sunday afternoon and birded the Black Dirt and Pine Island areas. I had a decent list of 34 species, most of which are expected at this time of year. I heard my first Great Horned Owl of year just after sunrise on Saturday morning out at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge and I had a Common Raven out there as well. Later Saturday morning I had 3 Lapland Longspurs, so it was good to see they are still around. I struck out with photos for the weekend, so I’ve included a Short-eared Owl shot from Wednesday. Here’s my list for 2/15/14 and 2/16/14:

IMG_7672Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl 
Snowy Owl
American Kestrel
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
White-breasted Nuthatch
Horned Lark
European Starling
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
White-throated Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
House Sparrows on Celery Avenue, 2/15/14.
House Sparrows on Celery Avenue, 2/15/14.

Bashakill WMA, 2/2/14

An Eastern Bluebird dangled from a branch right in front us, not long after arriving at the Deli Fields. Bashakill WMA 2/2/14.
An Eastern Bluebird dangled from a branch right in front us, not long after arriving at the Deli Fields. Bashakill WMA 2/2/14.

It’s been ages since I’ve birded the Bashakill WMA, so I picked up Karen Miller early this morning and we headed over. The warm weather was still holding on, so I was looking forward to getting out of the car and doing a little hiking. Our first stop was the Deli Fields which were pretty active, with a nice flock of American Goldfinches and several Eastern Bluebirds being seen before we even got out of the car. We kept hearing a Pileated Woodpecker off in the distance and we finally got a good look in binoculars of the bird flying over the treetops in the distance.

I haven't seen any American Goldfinches in a while, so it was good to see a flock of 25 or so at the Deli Fields. Bashakill WMA 2/2/14.
I haven’t seen any American Goldfinches in a while, so it was good to see a flock of 25 or so at the Deli Fields. Bashakill WMA 2/2/14.

Next, we headed over to Haven Road. Karen showed me where the new Bald Eagle nest is located and we could also see an adult Bald Eagle perched in a tree in the distance. Some mallards flushed and we noticed that the adult as well as an immature Bald Eagle were both in flight. A small flock of Canada Geese came in for a landing in what I’m assuming is some recently opened water north of Haven Road. We also had a single Ring-billed Gull fly over the road.

If you've seen the winners from Audubon Magazine's Photography Awards, you know why I've been enjoying shooting birds on these stark backgrounds. I never really liked it much, but now it is appealing to me. Ring-billed Gull at Haven Road, Bashakill WMA, 2/2/14.
If you’ve seen the winners from Audubon Magazine’s Photography Awards, you know why I’ve been enjoying shooting birds on these stark backgrounds. Ring-billed Gull at Haven Road, Bashakill WMA, 2/2/14.

Our last stop was at the main boat launch, where we walked a good portion of the Birch Trail, in hopes of finding a Hermit Thrush. We didn’t have any luck with the thrush, but we did well with many of the expected songbirds: Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatch, Dark-eyed Juncos, Downy Woodpeckers, and Song Sparrows. We also saw and certainly heard my best bird of the day – a Common Raven flying over the Bash, making a racket while it did so.

I had almost forgotten how beautiful the Bashakill can be in all seasons. If you have not been out there in a while, or if you have never been there, do yourself a favor and visit the Bash in the winter. It’s gorgeous.

Here’s my list for the day:

Canada Goose  25
American Black Duck  2
Mallard  30
Bald Eagle  2
Ring-billed Gull  1
Mourning Dove  1
Red-bellied Woodpecker  1
Downy Woodpecker  3
Northern Flicker  2
Pileated Woodpecker  1
Blue Jay  8
American Crow  15
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  5
Tufted Titmouse  3
White-breasted Nuthatch  2
Carolina Wren  2
Eastern Bluebird  4
American Robin  5
American Tree Sparrow  1
Song Sparrow  5
Dark-eyed Junco  50
Northern Cardinal  3
American Goldfinch  30

Orange County Saturday

Song Sparrow on the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River NWR, 2/1/14.
Song Sparrow on the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River NWR, 2/1/14.

I woke up before sunrise this morning and headed out; I was going to spend the morning birding in southern Orange County. My first stop was at Wallkill River NWR, where I walked the Liberty Loop for the first time in a while. The weather had finally warmed up a bit after the extended cold spell, so it felt really good to be outside and walking the trail. During my walk I had many of the expected birds for this time of year, but the highlight of my hike was seeing a Coyote crossing the marsh.

It's amazing to me how easily this Coyote disappeared from view in the marsh. Still it was a thrill to see, Wallkill River NWR 2/1/14.
It’s amazing to me how easily this Coyote disappeared from view in the marsh. Still it was a thrill to see, Coyote out at Wallkill River NWR just after sunrise, 2/1/14.

After walking the loop, I did a car tour of Pines Island and the Black Dirt Region. I hit many of my usual stops as well as some of new ones, such as Cedar Swamp Road, where I saw a couple of falconers flying their birds way off in the distance, and not surprisingly, I did not have any luck with the pair of Snowy Owls that were reported there. I ended up with 26 species for the day which I don’t think is too bad for not being anywhere near open water all day. Species highlights for the morning included seeing the same Snowy Owl that I’ve been seeing all week and a pair of LAPLAND LONGSPURS in a flock of approximately 45 Horned Larks. The real highlight for me, however was running into several birders I know while viewing the Snowy Owl. It was good to spend time and shoot the breeze with fellow Mearns Bird Club members Gerhard and Tracey, as well as Jack Austin and Linda – they are all such nice folks.

A Rough-legged Hawk flies over, Black Dirt Region 2/1/14.
A Rough-legged Hawk flies over, Black Dirt Region 2/1/14.
American Kestrel in flight, Black Dirt, 2/1/14.
American Kestrel in flight, Black Dirt, 2/1/14.
I will keep posting Snowy Owl shots whenever I get them, not matter how distant. I can't get enough of this bird! Black Dirt Region, 2/1/14.
I will keep posting Snowy Owl shots whenever I get them, not matter how distant. I can’t get enough of this bird! Black Dirt Region, 2/1/14.

Here’s my list for the morning, the numbers are a bit rough since I totaled everything I saw while I was out, but I definitely was very conservative with my counts.

It's not very often an American Kestrel flies towards me. This one was flushed by another vehicle, Black Dirt, 2/1/14.
It’s not very often an American Kestrel flies towards me. This one was flushed by another vehicle, Black Dirt, 2/1/14.

 

Canada Goose  1000
Turkey Vulture  1
Northern Harrier  3
Red-tailed Hawk  8
Rough-legged Hawk  5
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  14
Mourning Dove  2
Red-bellied Woodpecker  2
Downy Woodpecker  2
Northern Flicker  3
American Kestrel  2
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  500
Horned Lark  60
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Tufted Titmouse  2
White-breasted Nuthatch  3
American Robin  18
Northern Mockingbird  1
European Starling  80
Lapland Longspur  2
American Tree Sparrow  10
Song Sparrow  20
Dark-eyed Junco  55
Northern Cardinal  2
House Sparrow  12

American Kestrel perched on some farm equipment. Black Dirt, 2/1/14.
American Kestrel perched on some farm equipment. Black Dirt, 2/1/14.
Red-tailed Hawk shot through the grasses at Round Hill Road, Florida NY, 2/1/14.
Red-tailed Hawk shot through the grasses at Round Hill Road, Florida NY, 2/1/14.