Sussex County – Page 4 – Orange Birding

Even More Loop Birding, 7/18/15

~Ah! Finally got a decent shot of one of the Lesser Yellowlegs out at the Liberty Loop, 7/18/15.~

Since my last post on Monday, I’ve made it back out to the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge three times, including a brief visit today. The biggest development was when Linda Scrima contacted me on Wednesday to let me know she had a GLOSSY IBIS in the back pond at the loop. I did not get out there to see the ibis on Wednesday because I was playing in my golf league, but I did get out there to see it on Thursday, when I was accompanied by Kyle Dudgeon who got his lifer Glossy Ibis. The bird was still present this morning when I stopped by; both times I’ve seen the bird it has been in the very back of the back pond. The bird can be seen well with a scope (or even binoculars), but photos were pretty much out of the question. On Wednesday, when Linda first saw the bird, it was closer to the trail and she has provided great shot of the bird for this post – thanks Linda!

~Glossy Ibis in the back pond of the Liberty Loop, 7/15/15. Photo by Linda Scrima.~

The back pond continues to be the best spot in the area (that I know of) for shorebirds. This is what I had there this morning:

Least Sandpiper 15+
Lesser Yellowlegs 6
Greater Yellowlegs 2
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Killdeer 12

The remainder of the loop also continues to be birdy with the expected species, with a family of Great-crested Flycatchers on the eastern side of the loop being a nice highlight and providing plenty of photo ops. Really, I should have gotten better photos, but sometimes that’s just the way it goes.

NOTE: I’ve checked the Camel Farm a couple of times for shorebirds (I had several Killdeer and 2 Least Sandpipers today finally), and I checked the Citgo Trail at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary today (4 killdeer and 2 Least Sandpipers). Also, please note that the Citgo Trail is VERY overgrown and ticks are a problem. I do not recommend going there.

~Great-crested Flycatcher on the Liberty Loop Trail, 6/16/15.~

~This one made me happy – Red-eyed Vireo at the Liberty Loop, 7/16/15.~

~On Tuesday, Kyle and I entered the loop from Owen’s Station Road, where I photographed this Killdeer while waiting for Kyle to show up. 6/14/15.~

More Good Birding at the Loop, 7/13/15

~It was pretty exciting to see this BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON at the Liberty Loop Trail, Wallkill River NWR, 7/13/15.~

QUICK POST: It’s getting late, so I will have to make this a quick post. I met Kyle Dudgeon out at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge’s Liberty Loop Trail, and the good birding on that trail continues. Most of the action seems to be happening in what I call the back pond – the southernmost pool on the trail. On our way back there, at least 2 Sora could be heard calling in the marsh; they sounded like they were pretty deep into the marsh, much farther out than they were on Saturday. As we approached the back pond, we inadvertently flushed a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that was in the ditch to the right of the trail. The bird did not fly far and we got some photos. This is my first BCNH sighting at the loop this year.

In the back pool we saw my first 2 GREAT EGRETS of the year out in the distance, in the company of nearly 10 Great Blue Herons and one Green Heron. Green Herons flew overhead several times while we were there. Most excitedly, shorebird numbers and variety both increased:

Least Sandpiper 20+
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Killdeer 6

~A LEAST SANDPIPER at the Liberty Loop, 7/13/15.~

~Lesser Yellowlegs in the back pool at the Liberty Loop, 7/13/15.~

~Solitary Sandpiper at the Liberty Loop, 7/13/15.~

Good Birding at the Liberty Loop, 7/11/15

~Orchard Oriole on Liberty Lane, 7/9/15.~

I woke up with no real plans for birding, so I decided to head out to the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. I wanted to check on the Blue Grosbeak that has been out on Liberty Lane and I was hoping for some southbound migrating shorebirds. I walked out Liberty Lane (which was loaded with Orchard Orioles, Song Sparrows, and Indigo Buntings) to try for the Blue Grosbeak. I heard the bird, but off in the distance and I was not able to locate it.

~One of many Indigo Buntings out on Liberty Lane, Wallkill River NWR, 7/11/15.~ — ~One of many Indigo Buntings out on Liberty Lane, Wallkill River National Wildlife Reserve, 7/11/15.~

I made my way back to the parking lot where I met up with Linda Scrima and we walked the Liberty Loop Trail. We walked the west side of the loop first; we were nearly at the southwest corner of the loop when we heard a SORA calling! As we got closer to where the bird was calling from, the bird went quiet. We scanned for a while but then decided to move on – there are a lot of hiding places in that marsh. We continued down the trail and when we got maybe 100 paces away, the bird started calling again. We decided to try one more time and I’m glad we did. We moved very slowly back towards where the bird was calling from, this time it continued to call and it sounded relatively close. Finally, we saw some movement and across the open water, perhaps 150 yards into the marsh we saw both an adult and a single young SORA tucked away in the vegetation! It was very exciting to seem them, but photos were tough because of the distance, the grasses, and the birds were backlit. Here are a few, for documentary purposes:

~An adult **SORA** stays mostly hidden in the southwest corner of the Liberty Marsh at Wallkill River NWR, 7/11/15.~

~The adult SORA flushed when a trail walker approached us. Liberty Loop, 7/11/15.~ — ~The adult **SORA** flushed when a trail walker approached us. Liberty Loop, 7/11/15.~

~A young SORA at the Wallkill River NWR, Liberty Loop, 7/11/15. Photo by Linda Scrima.~ — ~A young **SORA** at the Wallkill River NWR, Liberty Loop, 7/11/15. Photo by Linda Scrima.~

When we reached the pool at the southern end of the loop, we were pleasantly surprised to find 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and 4 LEAST SANDPIPERS – my first southbound migrating shorebirds of the season. And, after just talking about the dearth of Green Herons this year, we saw two of them there as well.

~One of five **LESSER YELLOWLEGS** at Wallkill River NWR, 7/11/15.~

We finished the loop, with more of the usual suspects being seen, then went out to try for the Blue Grosbeak once again, but this time we didn’t even hear the bird. It was a good day with over 40 species seen or heard, and the first shorebird migrants that I’ve seen this summer.

Note: I was at the refuge on Thursday the 9th as well – two of the photos in this post are from that day.

~Great Blue Heron in flight, shot from the viewing platform at the Liberty Marsh, 7/9/15.~

~It’s always good to see a Northern Harrier! Wallkill River NWR, 7/11/15.~

A Common Yellowthroat surrounded by leaves, Wallkill River NWR, 7/11/15.~

Sussex County Yellow-breasted Chat – YES! – Times 2!!

~One of two (!) YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS at Canal Road in Vernon Township, NJ 6/28/15.~

After getting so close to seeing the Yellow-breasted Chat this morning near the Canal Road bike path in Vernon Township, New Jersey, I had try again this afternoon while the rain had stopped for a little while. I guess third time’s a charm and I finally got lucky, getting to see the bird this time. It was a brief glimpse at first, but eventually I got several good looks and some photos too. The best part is that at some point I realized that there were definitely two chats present, just as Marianne and I were suspecting on Friday afternoon. First, I had both calling simultaneously from two sides of an open area to the left the trail. Then, I was looking at one bird while the second was calling from behind me! It was very exciting! Kyle Dudgeon eventually joined me and picked up an easy lifer YBCH; we got on one of the birds just moments after he arrived! Good birding!

~YBCH with a meal, Canal Road in Sussex County, NJ 6/28/15.~

~There are many Blue-winged Warblers on the trail. Canal Road AT, Vernon Township, NJ 6/28/15.~

~A young BWWA waits for a meal, Canal Road AT, Sussex County NY, 6/28/15.~

Challenging Chat

~Yellow-breasted Chat at Canal Road in Vernon Township, captured by Linda Scrima on 6/26/15.~

On Thursday evening, I received word from Marianne Ofenloch that she had a Yellow-breasted Chat along the Appalachian Trail, off the Canal Road bike path in Vernon Township, New Jersey. I tried for the bird on Friday after work and ran into Marianne while I was there. The bird was heard for sure, and we were actually contemplating the possibility of there being two chats; there seemed to be one calling from either side of the trail, but the calls were never close enough together to be 100% sure there were two birds rather than the one moving around. Since I never got a look at that bird, I went back this morning to try for it again, in spite of the steady rain that was falling. Once again the bird was heard but not seen. At a couple of points, I could hear the bird, no more than 25 feet in front of me, but it stayed hidden from view! This is what I should have expected from a chat; I should have known it would not be as easy as when I went to Hopeland Sanctuary in Staatsburg for my lifer YBCH. On Friday morning, while I was working (poor me, ha ha!), Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris went for the chat and had great success, as witnessed by the super photograph of the bird at the top of this post, provided by Linda.

It’s worth mentioning that this is a really good birding spot. In my two visits this weekend I had a total of 41 different species. The trail has a very wild and lush feel to it, but with enough open spaces to allow for good bird viewing and photographing. I am putting it on my list of places to frequent. Highlights included a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos that I was just a little slow on the draw for photos, a Scarlet Tanager family which included a young Brown-headed Cowbird, and Blue-winged Warblers. I should also mention that on Thursday Marianne also had a Golden-winged Warbler there.

~A young Scarlet Tanager with what looks like some sort of seed on it’s bill. Canal Road Appalachian Trail, 6/28/15.~

~Male Scarlet Tanager just off the AT at Canal Road, Vernon Township, NJ, 6/26/15.~

~A busy female Scarlet Tanager, Canal Road, Vernon Township, New Jersey, 6/28/15.~

Appalachian Trail – Vernon, NJ

~Ah, one of my favorites – Grasshopper Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, 6/19/15.~

I met up with Kyle Dudgeon today after work and we hit a couple of spots. Our first stop was the Appalachian Trail – Pochuck Creek Boardwalk, which was pretty much a bust. Swamp Sparrows were heard but only seen at a distance. Marsh Wrens were heard but not seen. We had distant looks at Wood Ducks and a Great Blue Heron that flew over a couple of times.

So, from there we headed over to the Appalachian Trail on Route 94 in Vernon Township. The first half a mile of this trail is a good spot for Grasshopper Sparrows, Prairie Warblers, and Field Sparrows. We did well with all three, getting very good looks in nice light. I don’t think this is a great spot to see a large variety of species (we had just over 10 tonight), but you can certainly get good looks at a few.

~Prairie Warblers were numerous and easily spotted at the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, 6/19/15.~

~Field Sparrow on the Appalachian Trail in Vernon Township, NJ, 6/19/15.~

~I haven’t photographed many Eastern Phoebes this year. This one was at the Appalachian Trail – Pochuck Creek Boardwalk, 6/19/15.~

Sussex County Painted Bunting 2/6/15

~Painted Bunting in Andover, NJ, as seen from the Sussex Branch Trail, 2/6/15.~

QUICK POST: I bolted out of work to run for the PAINTED BUNTING that had been reported in Sussex County, New Jersey. Since it was Friday, the traffic was miserable and I got to Andover a little on the late side (I didn’t think I would ever get there!). I located the bird with the help of Denis, the only other birder present. It was his first time seeing the bird in New Jersey, and for me it was life bird #316. And what a beautiful bird at that, really it’s hard to believe this bird unless you see it. The bird only came to the feeder one time while I was there, but he spent a good amount of time there before finding a nearby perch. I wish the light had been better for photos, but that’s the way it goes some times. What a super bird and a very nice way to end the week. Thanks to Linda Scrima, Maria Loukeris, and Marianne Ofenloch for the heads up about the bird and for the details on how to locate him.

~Grainy shot of the Painted Bunting perched, not too far from the feeder. Sussex Branch Trail in Andover NJ, 2/6/15.~

Orange County Cackling Goose 12/28/14

Cackling Goose with Canada Geese at the Camel Farm in Orange County NY, 12/28/14.

I made the rounds in southern Orange County on this gray, drizzly, Sunday morning. I was a little cranky due to the poor weather and not sleeping well, so I was pretty happy to find a single Cackling Goose among approximately 500 Canada Geese at the Camel Farm in Orange County, NY. I put the word out, and luckily both Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris were close by and ran for the bird. It was a lifer for both of them, so that was exciting. Another highlight was 8 Snow Buntings in with a large flock of Horned Larks in the Black Dirt Region. Aside from that, I had 34 species for the morning, all birds you would expect to see.

American Tree Sparrow off of Onion Avenue, 12/28/14.

A female Common Merganser in the Wallkill River in Pine Island, NY. It was funny because, although not in this photo, the merganser was hanging out with a Wood Duck. They were the only birds that I saw in this location and they were never more than a few yards from one another.

I was eating my lunch, contemplating my next move, when I I received a text from Maria -She had located a Barred Owl in Vernon NJ! I hustled down and got super looks at the bird and some photos too (in spite of large number of branches in the way). I have no idea how she located this bird, the pics don’t do justice to how well it was hidden. Huge thanks to Maria for the heads up.

It's always awesome to see a Barred Owl. Appalachian Trail in Vernon NJ, 12/28/14. — Awesome bird – Barred Owl. Appalachian Trail in Vernon NJ, 12/28/14.

Glossy Ibis Continue, 8/16/14

As of Saturday morning, the three GLOSSY IBIS continue in the back pond of the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. The light was much better and the birds a touch closer which made for some decent photo ops. Other highlights of my walk around the loop this morning included an adult Bald Eagle, 40+ Bobolinks, and a Peregrine Falcon that whizzed through and caused all the shorebirds to pick up. Here’s my photos from the morning:

One of at least 40 Bobolink at the Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.

I haven't posted an Indigo Bunting shot in a while - really I haven't taken any, but I couldn't resist this one. Liberty Loop, 8/16/14. — I haven’t posted an Indigo Bunting shot in a while – really I haven’t taken any, but I couldn’t resist this one. Liberty Loop, 8/16/14.

Liberty Loop Glossy Ibis – 8/14/14

One of three GLOSSY IBIS at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 8/14/14.

The back pond at the Liberty Loop is certainly the local birding hotspot right now. Only one day after having a Willet there, today there were three GLOSSY IBIS present. The birds were in close, providing super looks and good photo ops. Linda Scrima joined me after a little while and we really enjoyed watching and photographing the birds as they fed nearly non-stop. Gorgeous and exciting birds! Here are some more shots:

This bird took a very thorough bath and then spent some time trying to dry off. Glossy Ibis at Wallkill River NWR - Liberty Loop, 8/14/14. — This bird took a very thorough bath and then spent some time trying to dry off. Glossy Ibis at Wallkill River NWR – Liberty Loop, 8/14/14.

The birds were feeding heavily. From what I could tell, they were eating small frogs and I think in this photo it's a large beetle. — The birds were feeding heavily. From what I could tell, they were eating small frogs and I think in this photo it’s a large beetle.

All three Glossy Ibis at the Liberty Loop today, 8/14/14.