photos – Orange Birding

Coyote Pup, 07/04/26

Early Saturday morning, on my way to Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, I came upon a super cute and very accommodating coyote pup. I’ve never seen a young coyote before, so it was pretty special for me. He/she was definitely aware of my presence, but did not get spooked and allowed me to take a bunch of photos before it made its way off the road and back towards the woods. I am really impressed with the size of its paws! It looks like it’s going to be a big beast some day. All photos were taken in Ulster County on 07/04/26.~

Regarding the birding at The Grasslands, it was enjoyable. I took a long walk and it was really birdy enough to keep me interested. All birds were the expected species, of note was what appeared to be (3) pairs of American Kestrels (it was hard to keep count, but that’s where I landed). Also of interest was the fact that I didn’t observe any Savannah Sparrows nor Grasshopper Sparrows. I’d be curious to know if any of the regulars there have been observing those two species this spring and summer.

On Sunday I went to Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area. My target was Ruffed Grouse, but unfortunately I didn’t have any luck. I was a birdy walk with most birds being heard and not seen – typical summer birding. I had a total of 29 species; birds of note included Blackburnian Warblers, Winter Wren, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. I really enjoyed hearing the Winter Wren song and also the song of the Hermit Thrush.

Sunday Shots, 06/28/26

On Saturday morning I hike the Sterling Lake Loop at Sterling Forest State Park. It’s an approximately four and a half mile easy hike which is typically pretty birdy. As expected, most birds were heard and not seen; highlights included a couple of Hooded Warblers, a single Acadian Flycatcher, and a couple of Worm-eating Warblers. My best sighting of the day, however, was not bird related. I found what I’m pretty sure was a Common Five-lined Skink; see photo below.

~I have this as a Common Five-lined Skink. Sterling Forest SP, 06/27/26.~

On Sunday I wasn’t able to find any inspiration, so I just took a cruise in the Black Dirt Region to see if anything was going on. There really wasn’t much going on, but I did get lucky and found a super cute Spotted Sandpiper chick. Probably the cutest thing about this sighting is that, even at this very young age, this little Spotted Sandpiper was bobbing its tail just like we see the adults do all the time.

~Spotted Sandpiper chick in the black dirt, 06/28/26.~

~An adult Spotted Sandpiper was nearby, keeping a close eye on the chick. Black Dirt Region, 06/28/26.~

~Barn Swallow fledglings at Silver Mine Lake on 06/24/26. Look at that hairdo!~

~Barn Swallow fledglings at Silver Mine Lake, 06/24/26.~

~Quick stop at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary on Saturday morning after my hike yielded a young Brown Thrasher, 06/27/26.~

Cliff Swallows, 06/24/26

After work on Wednesday evening, I went to Silver Mine Lake in Harriman State Park. I was following up on an eBird report of Cliff Swallows being observed there. It was quite an evening – I located the Cliff Swallows almost immediately, and I was able to observe and photograph behavior that I’d never seen before – they were nest building. I estimate there were (6) individuals, and they were all collecting mud from the bank of Bockey Swamp Brook and taking it to the underside of the footbridge right near the parking area. I was able to stand on the bridge and watch as they went to work; going to the bank of the brook an returning to the underside of the bridge repeatedly. It was a cool experience, and I am really pleased with the photos I got – they definitely exceeded my expectations. It was species #187 for me in Orange County for 2026.

All images are Cliff Swallows taken at Silver Mine Lake, 06/24/26. I used my Canon 7d Mark II with the EF 100-400mm IS II lens.

Sunday Shots, 06/21/26

Summer birding is in full swing, so there is not really all that much happening. On Saturday morning I spent some time in the Black Dirt Region, and then enjoyed a nice walk at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge’s Winding Waters Trail. I got my first look for the year at a Grasshopper Sparrow in the black dirt; otherwise it was just the usuals. At Winding Waters it was more of the usuals, but with loads of bugs – little tiny flying insects that were seemingly everywhere but somehow were not bothersome at all.

~American Goldfinch in the Black Dirt Region on Saturday morning, 06/20/26.~

On Sunday, I walked the Mongaup River Trail, which has always been a good summer birding location. Highlights included: a couple pairs of Louisiana Waterthrushes, a glimpse of a single Magnolia Warbler, and a frustrating experience with a calling Blackburnian Warbler – the bird called, and called, and called, but I was never able to locate it. Still, it was a pleasant walk on a cool morning along the river.

~Flying insects at Winding Waters Trail, 06/20/26.~

~My attempt at a close up – bugs at Winding Waters Trail, 06/20/26.~

~Singing Grasshopper Sparrow in the black dirt, 06/20/21.~

~Red-winged Blackbird in the BDR, 06/20/26.~

~Young Killdeer in the black dirt, 06/20/26.~

Monhegan Island 2026

Last weekend, Tricia and I spent five days on Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine. It was our third time on the island, and I have to say that it is probably my all-time favorite vacation spot, which is a little bit ironic because the birding consists largely of songbirds, which readers may know is not my most favorite type of birding. But the island is such a refreshing place to be – I love getting on the ferry, leaving the car behind, and having this small, beautiful, birdy island to explore on foot for the the next several days.

~Magnolia Warbler, Monhegan Island 05/23/26.~

It was our first visit to the island in the springtime, and the birds did not disappoint. Including three additional species from ferry rides, I had a total of 74 species -I’ve included my list of all species observed on the island at the bottom of this post. Over two thirds of all species were songbirds, with (16) of them being warblers. I felt pretty good about the number of birds I observed – I know I missed several species through word of mouth and also birds that the Merlin app heard but I did not pick up on, but overall I thought I did pretty well.

~This is among my favorite warbler species – Blackpoll Warbler on Monhegan Island, 05/23.26.~

In a twist, the highlight of the trip was not songbird related. On Saturday afternoon, after a full morning of birding, I went to the Monhegan Brewery to enjoy a cold beer and some deep-fried pickles. While I was enjoying my lunch, I noticed a distant, interesting bird in flight. I grabbed my binoculars and got on the bird – it was a raptor with a striped wedge-shaped tail. Almost as soon as I got on the bird, my view was obstructed by a building. I jumped up, camera in hand, and tried to pick it up again on the other side of the building, but did not have any luck. The only bird (to my mind) that fit the bill was Mississippi Kite, but that seemed very unlikely – we were on an island ten miles off the coast of Maine! I finished up my lunch quickly and headed in the direction I’d seen the bird. I ran into another birder (Emily) and asked if she’d seen any interesting raptors, and she had, and described a light colored raptor with a white head! We were both floored at the possibility. I mentioned that I was pretty sure on a small island chock full of birders, someone else would have seen that bird and gotten some photos. The next day I ran into Emily again, and she confirmed my suspicions – the bird had been reported with photos! I couldn’t help but feel the pangs of disappointment of not getting any photos, but it was still a very exciting development. Fast forward to Tuesday – the day we were leaving the island. I took a break from packing my bags and went out on the side porch of the Monhegan House hotel where we were staying. I saw an interesting bird flying south and asked Tricia to grab my camera from the room while I tried to stay on it. The bird eventually turned around and flew nearly directly overhead allowing for some terribly backlit, but still very exciting photos:

~Wow! Mississippi Kite on Monhegan Island, 05/26/26.~

I was thrilled to get a second chance to document the bird. I don’t love the photos, but what can you do. From what I heard, the initial sitings on 05/23/26 were the first ever report of Mississippi Kite on Monhegan Island.

Other excitement for me included seeing and hearing plenty of Red Crossbills. For us in the Hudson Valley, it’s a rare treat to get a Red Crossbills, but I think the locals consider this a garbage bird for Monhegan Island, lol. I was excited to get the opportunity to see and photograph them up close.

~Red Crossbill on Monhegan Island, 05/24/26.~

~One more RECR on Monhegan Island, 05/24/26.~

Another interesting thing about birding on Monhegan Island is that the place is loaded with Ring-necked Pheasants. The birds breed there, I’ve photographed their young before and again during this trip. It’s curious to me that eBird still lists them as Exotic/Escapee; I’m not sure how that works.

~Ring-necked Pheasant chick on Monhegan Island, 05/23/26.~

~A female Ring-necked Pheasant takes a snooze. Monhegan Island 05/25/26.~

~These guys are all over the island, usually finding a high spot to perch on and vocalize. Ring-necked Pheasant on Monhegan Island, 05/24/26.~

The ferry ride back to the mainland proved to be exciting and was the icing on the cake for the trip. First I had a distant, unidentified shearwater. I could not get on the bird with my camera unfortunately, so a little bit frustrating, but also pretty exciting. And then, a little bit later, I was able to locate and photograph a single Atlantic Puffin! This was a fantastic way to end a great trip.

~Wow! Atlantic Puffin on the ferry trip from Monhegan Island to Port Clyde, 05/26/26.~

As always, I took loads of photos, so enjoy a sampling:

~Northern Parula on Monhegan Island, 05/26/26.~

~Red-eyed Vireo on Monhegan Island, 05/23/26.~

~Common Yellowthroats were all over the place. Monhegan Island, 05/23/26.~

~There were loads of Northern Yellow Warblers as well. Monhegan Island 05/26/26.~

~I think is was one of my better birds from the trip. Olive-sided Flycatcher on Monhegan Island, 05/26/26.~

~Another birder told me that the American Herring Gulls nested between Whitehead and Blackhead, so I took a hike out there and checked it out. Monhegan Island, 05/25/26.~

~I always enjoy seeing the seals when I’m on the island. I like how this crew almost seems to be posing for the shot. Monhegan Island, 05/25/26.~

Sunday Shots, Long Island Edition 05/17/26

Tricia and I attended a Friday wedding on Long Island. We rented a place on the water in East Patchogue, right on Patchogue Bay, with her family. On Saturday morning I was able to do some birding at small park right that was a couple doors down, before heading home. One of the neighbors has Purple Martin houses on his property, so I enjoyed plenty of Purple Martins that were flying around. Birds of note at the park included Forster’s Terns, Least Terns, and a relatively cooperative Snowy Egret.

~Snowy Egret in East Patchogue, Long Island, 05/16/26.~

~Snowy Egret in East Patchogue, 05/16/26. The Great Egret in the background serves as a nice comparison to the two most common egrets on Long Island.~

On Saturday evening I birded 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary and added Semipalmated Plovers to my Orange County 2026 year list. This morning (Sunday), I birded the Middletown Reservoir Trails again – this is a place that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine – it always seems to be extremely birdy. My best bird was a Canada Warbler, which is not a bird I get very often in the county. Photos were tough this morning, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.

~My only usable photo from this morning. Pileated Woodpecker at Middletown Reservoir Trails, 05/17/26.~

~Purple Martin, East Patchhogue 05/16/26.~

~Least Sandpiper in East Patchogue, NY 05/16/26.~

~Greater Yellowlegs wading in the Patchogue Bay, 05/16/26.~

~One more Purple Martin shot – this one with nesting material. East Patchogue, NY 05/16/26.~

An Accommodating American Bittern, 05/12/26

I joined birding bud Linda Scrima out at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary this evening after work. We were going there to try for the Snowy Egret that had been reported there a day earlier. We both were pretty sure it would not be around, as it had not been reported all day, but it provided a good excuse to get us out of our houses on a Tuesday evening. We were sorting through shorebirds, and I had just located a single Dunlin. I figured it would be the best bird of the day until moments later Linda got my attention and had me look down at the near shore. To my surprise, it was an AMERICAN BITTERN, out in the open, right below us. We watched and photographed as the bird caught two crawfish just yards away. If you know the typical behavior of bitterns, you will understand how amazing this was. The bird then took a short flight and landed among the vegetation – a much more familiar way of seeing an American Bittern. All photos were taken tonight at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 05/12/26.

Sunday Shots, 05/10/26

I had another fantastic weekend of birding. It’s actually hard to remember when I’ve had a more birdy weekend. I added 26 species to my Orange County 2026 year list; I’m including a screenshot from eBird with the new birds and their locations at the bottom of this post. Notable birds included White-winged Scoters – four of them at Wickham Lake this morning – a very nice find by Kyle Knapp. It’s the first time since 2022 that I had all three scoters in Orange County (Surf, Black, & White-winged). Also at Wickham Lake, I had my first Wilson’s Warbler in several years. It was a crafty little stinker, but I managed to get a couple shots to at least document it. Also at Wickham Lake, I had a Northern Waterthrush – that’s a bird that’s not a guarantee for me on any particular year.

Here are my shots from the week – I’m starting off with one of my favorite shots of the year so far – of a young Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region. I was out on Monday 5/4/26, hoping for Lapland Longspurs, and although didn’t have any luck in that regard, this bird was an excellent consolation prize.

~I love this bird and this shot. Young Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region, 05/04/26.~

~Chestnut-sided Warbler at Middletown Reservoir Trails, 05/10/26.~

~Veery at Middletown Reservoir Trails, 05/10/26.~

~White-winged Scoters at Wickham Lake, 05/10/26.~

~Wilson’s Warbler at Wickham Lake, 05/10/26.~

~This bird would not come out into the open. Wilson’s Warbler at Wickham Lake, 05/10/26.~

~Brown Thrasher at Wickham Lake, 05/10/26.~

~It was a Brown Thrasher kind of weekend, this bird was at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/09/26.~

~One more shot of the young Horned Lark in the black dirt on 05/04/26.~

Sunday Shots, 05/03/26

It’s the time of year when there are plenty of birds around, so it made for a very pleasant weekend of birding. I added (18) new species to my 2026 Orange County year list. I had a decent showing of shorebirds on Saturday, with six species observed. At the Camel Farm, Linda Scrima and I had Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper and Killdeer. I added Spotted Sandpiper at the Liberty Loop platform. I did alright with songbirds too; I added (9) new species of wood warblers to my OC year list, including my favorite new species from the weekend, a beautiful Cape May Warbler.

~Cape May Warbler at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Jervis, 05/03/26.~

I also spent some time in the black dirt looking for and finding Lapland Longspurs. On Saturday I was pleasantly surprised to see the flock of Horned Larks was still around and although it took a while, I was able to locate a single LALO in non-breeding plumage. Today I was able to get on a couple of LALOs pretty quickly, and one was in breeding plumage. Unfortunately, the birds are moving around a lot, and the spots they have been favoring are distant enough to make getting photos very challenging, and I failed on both days. I was still pretty excited though, as these are my first observations ever of this species in the month of May.

~The flock of Horned Larks with the Lapland Longspurs remained uncooperative, but there are plenty of of larks which are not part of the flock and are going about their business of having young. This one landed on the road right in front of me; I couldn’t resist getting a few shots. Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region, 05/02/26.~

~Sandhill Crane in flight over Liberty Marsh, 05/02/26.~

~Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/03/26.~

~Cape May Warbler at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/03/26.~

~And one final shot of the CMWA at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/03/26.~

~I took this last weekend, Greater Yellowlegs on Lynch Avenue in the black dirt on 04/26/26.~

Sunday Shots, 04/12/26

I checked some local lakes and then birded the Newburgh Waterfront on Saturday morning; my best birds were a couple of distant Horned Grebes on Wickham Lake. This morning I took a hike at the Middletown Reservoir Trails. I find it a very enjoyable place to bird, it has some decent habitat and the trails are very easy to walk. It was a birdy walk this morning; I got fantastic looks at a Red-breasted Nuthatch, and I had over 30 species on my list. I also added couple of new birds to my OC year list – Eastern Towhee and Pine Warbler, which is always nice.