I was on vacation last week; we rented a large house up in the Catskills with members of Tricia’s family. I took the opportunity to mostly relax poolside and while I didn’t actually do all that much birding, I did get out a couple of times. I’ll go through my pics and put together a post in the next day or so. Meanwhile, here are some shots of Green Heron siblings in the pond near my house from before I left. I’ve been in the area for 10 years now, and I think this is the second time that Green Herons have bred in that little pond.
It was a mostly uneventful weekend of birding for me. On Saturday I birded in my NYS Breeding Bird Atlas priority block and was able to confirm three additional species: Northern Mockingbird, Red-tailed Hawk, and House Sparrow. On Sunday I decided to change it up a little and I headed to Sullivan County, where I birded Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area. I was hoping for the outside chance at seeing/hearing Ruffed Grouse, but had to settle for seeing and hearing some species I don’t see very often in Orange County: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warble, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Magnolia Warbler.
~Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Hickok Brook MUA, 07/11/21.~ ~Although most were heard, it’s always good to see a Hermit Thrush. Hickok Brook MUA, 07/11/21.~ . ~A recently fledged Red-tailed Hawk waits for a parent to bring a meal, Sugarloaf NY 07/10/21.~ ~I initially thought this was a new species confirmed, but it turns out that Chipping Sparrow had already been confirmed in my priority block. Sugarloaf NY, 07/10/21.~
I birded along the railroad tracks north of Sugarloaf again this morning – it’s turning out to be a very productive spot in my NYS Breeding Bird Atlas Priority Block (Warwick_CE). I confirmed (8) species this morning, (3) of which were new confirmations: Song Sparrow, House Finch, and Downy Woodpecker. Other highlights included watching a family of Barn Swallows during feeding time, and a rather charismatic Gray Catbird. I’ve actually always thought they were quite a photogenic species, I even included a shot of one in my top ten photos of the year back in 2016.
~Gray Catbird in Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~ ~Gray Catbird in Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~~Gray Catbird in Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~~Gray Catbird in Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~~A young Barn Swallow anticipating being fed by a parent…~…and the parent doesn’t disappoint. Barn Swallow in Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~ ~A different Gray Catbird – this one is a newly fledged bird. Sugarloaf NY, 07/04/21.~
I did most of my birding this weekend in my NYS Breeding Bird Atlas priority block, Warwick_CE. I was able to confirm several species, but unfortunately only one new species for the block: Yellow Warbler. Yesterday was pretty much a dud of a morning, but today was much better. I made a quick stop by 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary to try for the Least Bitterns which have been reported there (I still need them for OC this year). I had no luck with the bitterns, but I did find a cooperative Swamp Sparrow, which was a nice treat.
~A singing Marsh Wren at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 06/27/21.~
Afterwards, I birded a new spot in my priority block. I walked along the train tracks in Sugarloaf, heading north. The block continues for nearly a mile along the tracks; the birding was pretty much non-stop and I had a total of 37 species in a one mile span, which I didn’t think was too bad at all. It was at this location that I confirmed Yellow Warbler, and I feel like it will be a good spot to confirm other species in the future.
~A young Yellow Warbler at the Sugarloaf RR Tracks, 06/27/21.~ ~I had a pair of Killdeer at Knapp’s View on Saturday morning. I thought they might have young nearby but no such luck. I’ll be going back to keep an eye on these birds.~ ~Garter Snake along the Sugarloaf RR Tracks, 06/27/21.~ ~Wood Duck duckling at Wallkill River NWR, on Tuesday 06/22/21.~ ~Today on my way home I spotted this Green Heron in the pond around the corner from my house~
Early Saturday morning I went to Black Rock Forest and hiked up to Jupiter’s Boulder. I was trying for Ruffed Grouse, but unfortunately I had no luck. I did pick up my first Acadian Flycatchers of the year; it’s always nice to see and hear that bird. Afterwards, I went to Newburgh to follow up on an eBird report of a pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves, but again I had no luck. On my way home a played a hunch and went to the OC Airport to see if the Killdeer there had a second brood. They did, there was one young bird with two adults; the bird was so small it kept tipping over, lol.
~A young Killdeer seemingly mimicking its parent, OC Airport 06/19/21.~
This morning I went to the south end of the Liberty Loop. I’ve been meaning to get out there to try for Least Bitterns, so I finally did today and they did not disappoint. Once again, the southernmost compound at the loop is loaded with good birds during the summer. Least Bitterns were the big draw, but I also enjoyed seeing a young Pied-billed Grebe, many Common Gallinules, Killdeer, and loads of Wood Ducks.
~Least Bittern at the Liberty Loop, 06/20/21.~ ~What a cutie. Killdeer chick at OC Airport, 06/19/21.~ ~Least Bittern in flight at the Liberty Loop, 06/20/21.~ ~A nice look at a female Red-winged Blackbird. Liberty Loop 06/20/21.~ ~LEBI at the Loop, 06/20/21.~ ~One of many Common Gallinules at the back pond of the Liberty Loop, 06/20/21.~Killdeer chick with parent, 06/19/21.~ ~LIBI at the Loop, 06/20/21.~ ~Wing flap from a young Pied-billed Grebe, 06/20/21. ~And one final Least Bittern shot, Liberty Loop 06/20/21.~
It’s the time of year when birds are heard more often than seen. It’s also the time of year, especially now that things are opening up on the tail end of the pandemic, when there are things going on that are not birding. I know, it’s true sometimes I do things other than work and bird, lol. Anyways, last weekend was a bust in spite of a full morning of birding the Port Jervis area on Saturday, hence no post. This weekend was only slightly better in terms of photos. I spent Saturday morning birding my NYSBBS priority block Warwick CE; I was able to confirm Cedar Waxwing and Common Grackle. The block now has 29 confirmed species; I have to thank Jarvis Shirky who has been birding the block often and has confirmed 10 species. Photo ops were few, thank goodness for the Bobolinks at Knapp’s View, otherwise this weekend would have been another photo bust.
~Male Bobolink at Knapp’s View in Chester, 06/11/21.~ ~A female Bobolink with a mouthful. Knapp’s View 06/11/21.~ ~BOBO at Knapp’s View, 06/11/21.~ ~Female BOBO going for it. Knapp’s View, 06/11/21.~ ~Mute Swan Cygnet learning the ropes. Beaver Pond, 06/12/21.~ ~The Great Blue Heron Rookery in Central Valley NY, just east of the Woodbury Commons, is active again this year. You can see the rookery from the Route 6 rest area lookout. I counted at least a dozen herons in the above photo, taken this afternoon, 06/13/21.~
I’m going to keep it short this evening. I’m absolutely exhausted after a seriously hectic work week and a busy but excellent weekend. I stayed local all weekend, birding primarily in south/southwest Orange County with a couple trips to the Sussex County side of the Liberty Loop for shorebirds. Birds were certainly plentiful, it’s that time of year, and I added 15 species to my OC year list. It was a weekend of near misses for me – I seemed to be slightly off my game and missed some really nice opportunities for photos. Fortunately the birds were abundant and so were the photo ops. Enjoy the pics.
~A pair of Spotted Sandpipers at Wickham Lake earlier this week, 05/12/21.~ ~Great Crested Flycatcher at Elks Brox, 05/15/21.~ ~Baltimore Oriole at the Liberty Loop, 05/15/21.~ ~Prairie Warbler at Elks Brox, 05/15/21.~ ~Orchard Oriole at Winding Waters Trail, 05/16/21.~~This Broad-winged Hawk was being relentlessly bothered by a flock of American Robins. Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/15/21.~ ~Female Scarlet Tanager at Elks Brox, 05/15/21.~ ~Typical Ovenbird shot under the green lights of the nearby leaves. Pochuck Mountain, 05/15/21.~
I woke up early this morning and headed to Port Jervis. I stopped at the Camel Farm on my way, to check for shorebirds. I got lucky and along with several Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, and a Killdeer, I found a single DUNLIN. Definitely worth the stop.
In Port Jervis, my first and most productive stop was at Laurel Grove Cemetery. I enjoyed 9 species of warbler, several of which, including a single Cape May, were accommodating for photos. The cemetery was birdy, and I had 38 types of birds, mostly expected species.
~A single singing Cape May Warbler at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 05/09/21.~
From there I headed over to Elks Brox Memorial Park, which was less birdy, but I did get some fantastic looks at one of my favorite warblers – BLACKBURNIAN. The bird actually seemed very aware of my presence, and never really allowed for any close photos. I also watched a Black-capped Chickadee with presumed nesting material (see below), and a Pine Warbler with nesting material, so that was helpful for the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas.
~Yellow-rumped Warbler at LGC, 05/09/21.~~Black-and-white Warbler at LGC, 05/09/21.~ ~Blackburnian Warbler at Elks Brox Park, 05/09/21.~~Black-capped Chickadee with a mouthful, Elks Brox 05/09/21.~~Chestnut-sided Warbler at LGC, 05/09/21.~~Peregrine Falcon in flight, Port Jervis NY 05/09/21.~
I’ve been wanting to see a Porcupine for ages, but for some reason or other, I never crossed paths with one since I’ve been in the area (11+ years now!). Well, this weekend I saw three, lol. The first one was on a seasonably cold and windy hike at High Point State Park with my brother-in-law Bill on Saturday morning. We hiked for just over 9 miles; the views from High Point were impressive, the number of birds, not so much with just 18 species tallied. The Porcupine was far and away the highlight.
~Blue-winged Warbler at the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area, 05/02/21.~
On Sunday morning I headed out to the Bashakill to try my luck there. It’s been ages since I’d been there and it did not disappoint. I immediately ran into John Haas and Scotty Baldinger with a couple other birders when I parked at the front of the Stop Sign Trail. I figured the smart money was on sticking with them – they attract warblers and birds in general like nobody’s business. I wasn’t wrong, the place was hopping with birds, but the first thing that got my attention was not one, but two Porcupines sleeping up in trees! What a weird coincidence! As for the birds, I covered some good territory and counted just under 60 species for the morning, eleven of which were warblers. There were also many birders out and about – too many to mention by name. It was good to catch up with some folks I haven’t seen in a while. Birding highlights for me included excellent looks at Blue-winged and Black-throated Blue Warblers at the Stop Sign Trail, decent looks at a high, singing Cerulean Warbler and a Yellow-throated Vireo at the Horseshoe Trail, and a calling Virginia Rail at the Deli Fields.
~Porcupine at High Point State Park, 05/01/21.~~Black-throated Blue Warbler at the Bashakill, 05/02/21.~ ~Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the Bashakill, 05/02/21.~~Porcupine at the Bashakill, 05/02/21.~ ~Orange County Sandhill Crane from earlier in the week.~ ~Not a great shot, but I wanted to include one more shot from High Point State Park. Black-and-white Warbler 05/01/02.~
As most of you probably know already, spring migration hit our area in a serious way this week, particularly on Wednesday. I was out of commission all day and evening, so unfortunately I missed out on all the fun. You can click John Hass’ post here to read how the Bashakill had 15 species of warbler that morning. Not to be completely left out, I noticed an interesting bird in the backyard while working at my desk this morning. I got my bins on it, and it was an Ovenbird! It was my first of the season as well as a new yard bird for me.
