Black Dirt – Orange Birding

Christmas Eve Birding 2024

I can’t remember if I’ve ever had the opportunity to bird on Christmas Eve since I started seriously birding over 12 years ago. But this year, circumstances were such that I was able to get out for a couple hours in the evening. I went out to the black dirt region and drove around. Slowly, an interesting and enjoyable evening of birding began to unfold. I was seeing a fair number of Red-tailed Hawks around, which is pretty normal. But then one flew over my car with what looked like a snake in its talons. I saw where the hawk perched and got closer to explore. Sure enough, the raptor had a live snake and was starting to consume it. Where does a Red-tailed Hawk find a snake in the dead of winter?

~Red-tailed Hawk enjoying a meal in the black dirt, 12/24/24.~

I started seeing more and more raptors; mostly Red-tails (~10) and Northern Harriers (~8), but I also had a Peregrine Falcon and 4 Adult Bald Eagles. The icing on the cake was finding 3 Short-eared Owls. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a shorty, so I really enjoyed it.

~Short-eared Owl in the Black Dirt Region, 12/24/24.~

I saw and heard many, many Horned Larks flying around, and I heard at least 2 Lapland Longspurs among them, but no Snow Buntings. As the sun was setting, many, many Canada Geese were flying in, looking for a place to roost for the night. I had a small flock of 7 Snow Geese with them. I had a brief moment t of excitement- in a distant field I spotted a lone swan. I figured for sure it would be either a Tundra or a Trumpeter, but unfortunately it turned out to be a Mute Swan! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Mute Swan sitting out in a field before. I guess you just never know what you will find if you get out and go birding.

~Mute Swan in a field!?! What the heck? Black dirt region, 12/24/24.~

Good Birding in the Black Dirt, 11/17/24

This weekend I enjoyed some really good “winter” birding in the Black Dirt Region. Horned Larks are currently present in good numbers; among them, at a couple different locations, I was able to locate a total of at least (5) Lapland Longspurs and (8) Snow Buntings. There are very likely more than that, as the birds were quite active and I was hearing both species calling in flight quite a bit. American Pipits are still around, but I heard and saw fewer birds this weekend than last weekend. I also saw my first Rough-legged Hawk of the season, as well as my first Cackling Goose of the year.

~I don’t know what it is about this species, but I just love finding them, seeing them, and photographing them. Lapland Longspur in the black dirt 11/17/24.~

~Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region, 11/17/24.~

~This is a sharp looking individual, in my opinion. Horned Lark in the black dirt, 11/17/24.~

~American Pipit in the black dirt, 11/16/24.~

~I’ve come to expect to see hot air balloons over the black dirt on calmer days. These Canada Geese were probably not enjoying it quite as much as the passengers. BDR 11/17/24.~

~This bird has not been confirmed on eBird just yet, but I think it’s good for Cackling Goose. Breeze Hill Road, New Hampton 11/17/24.~

First thing Saturday morning, I really felt like I needed a break from everything, so I took a 5 mile hike around Reservoir 3. It was windy and cold, and I really enjoyed my walk. The birding was what you would expect, with just the usuals being seen and heard. My best birds were Brown Creeper and my final bird of the day, an adult Bald Eagle circling over the reservoir as I neared my car in the parking area.

~An acrobatic White-breasted Nuthatch at Reservoir 3, 11/16/24.~

~One of three Hairy Woodpeckers I saw at Res 3 on Saturday morning, 11/16/24.~

~There is a wonderful network of trails around Reservoir 3, just outside of Port Jervis. That’s Reservoir 2 in the upper right corner.~

Sunday Shots, 11/10/24

I had a family commitment first thing this morning, so I didn’t get out until later in the morning. I was able to relocate a couple of the Lapland Longspurs from yesterday, but once again, photos were not in the cards. The birds were associating with a large flock of Horned Larks and they were just too distant and too flighty. I also located a couple of decent sized flocks of American Pipits; one was located just off the road and I was able to get some nice shots of one of my favorite birds. Aside from that, there was not much going on in the black dirt – after all the Canada Geese skeins I saw yesterday from Mt. Peter, I was hoping for some flocks of geese to sift through but I only found a couple of smaller flocks.

~American Pipit on the move in the Black Dirt Region, 11/10/24.~

~American Pipit in the black dirt, 11/10/24.~

~American Robin at Mount Peter Hawkwatch 11/09/24.~

Saturday Shots, 08/24/24?

Yes, it’s Saturday Shots this week. Tomorrow, very excitingly, I head to Cape Cod to go on a two-day pelagic trip, so I will not be able to post.

As you might expect, locally my focus remains on shorebird migration. After work on Thursday I went out to the black dirt; I found very few shorebirds but I had a nice experience with a Northern Harrier in the beautiful evening light. This morning was a little more successful regarding shorebirds – just as I was leaving the house, Kyle Knapp texted me to let me know he had three American Golden-Plovers in the black dirt. The birds stuck around for my arrival, but unfortunately they were quite distant, so while I enjoyed decent scope views, photos were out of the question.

~Northern Harrier in flight, Black Dirt Region, 08/22/24.~

I also tried 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary later in the morning. Conditions are still poor for shorebirds, and probably for waders as well (I had just a handful of Great Blue Herons). My highlight was running into a mixed flock of songbirds on my way back to the car. Birds included: Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Gray Catbirds, and a couple of Black-capped Chickadees.

~Red-eyed Vireo at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/24/24.~

~I have this as a Blackburnian Warbler. I can’t remember if I’ve ever had this species during fall migration before. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/24/24.~

~Northern Harrier in the black dirt, 08/22/24.~

~Red-tailed Hawk at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/24/24.~

~One more shot of the Red-eyed Vireo, 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary 08/24/24.~

Sunday Shots, 08/18/24

On Friday evening, Jeanne Cimorelli found a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER in the black dirt. Early Saturday morning, I joined forces with birding bud Bruce Nott, and we relocated the bird. In fact, we were able to find (2) BASAs. Unfortunately, the birds did not cooperate for photos, but, on Saturday I had one come closer to the road and I was able to finally get some halfway decent shots of this beautiful bird. It was my 200th species in Orange County this year. I was happy to reach that milestone, after not doing so last year.

~Baird’s Sandpiper in the black dirt, 08/18/24

I spent the weekend looking for shorebirds, but did not add any new species besides the Baird’s. My observations were limited to: Killdeer, Semipalmated Plovers, a single Pectoral Sandpiper, and Least Sandpipers. Bruce did have a Black-bellied Plover on Saturday morning, but I was unable to catch up with that bird.

I tried my luck one more time at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, but conditions remain poor for shorebirds, and in fact I did not have many waders either (3 Great Blue Herons and a single Great Egret).

~Great Egret at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/17/24.~

~A Baird’s Sandpiper shaking off the rain on Sunday morning in the Black Dirt Region, 08/18/24.~

~If you throw a rock in Orange County these days, there is a good chance you’ll hit a Great Egret. These dudes are seemingly everywhere right now. This one was at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/17/24.~

More OC Shorebirds, 08/10/24

I left the house before sunrise this morning to get out to the Black Dirt Region to see how many of yesterday’s shorebirds stuck around. Although many of the shorebirds seemed to have departed, early on a decent amount of shorebirds were still present. My list included the following species:

Killdeer
Semipalmated Pover
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs

~Semipalmated Plover in the black dirt, 08/10/24.~

Jeanne Cimorelli briefly located an UPLAND SANDPIPER, but unfortunately it flew almost immediately after she found it. By mid-morning, as the sun started to get higher and the temperature rose, things had pretty much dried up (both literally and figuratively). I stopped by 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary on my way home, and due to the rain, shorebird conditions are basically nonexistent. BUT! I did see a Glossy Ibis, thanks to a friendly photographer couple’s tip. Interestingly, the bird was clearly not the same individual I’d located last weekend.

~Pectoral Sandpiper in the BDR, 08/10/24.~

~Red-tailed Hawk on prey in the black dirt, 08/10/24.~

~I like this shot for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it looks like the bird’s head is backwards on its body. Another Red-tailed Hawk in the Black Dirt Region, 08/10/24.~

~One more Semiplover pic. BDR 08/10/24.~

Good Birding, Sunday 08/04/24

This morning, at my first stop in the black dirt, I found a nice collection of shorebirds in a field which had substantial puddling. I had a total of 6 species, and it made me very happy:

Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper

Later in the morning, I stopped by 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, hoping for more shorebirds. I didn’t have any luck with shorebirds, but I was able to locate a Glossy Ibis. It was a bonus that the bird was close enough for excellent scope views and some decent photos. I spent some time with the bird, put the word out, and then continued my search for shorebirds. Later, I saw the Glossy Ibis flying across the marsh to the far shore.

~GLIB at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/04/24.~

~The Glossy Ibis was being hassled by a Great Egret, and so it kept taking short flights to keep its distance. GLIB at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 08/04/24.~

~I’ve been trying to not take Indigo Bunting photos this summer – I’ve taken so many over the years and they are just everywhere. But, I couldn’t resist this dude in his colorful perch. Black dirt, 08/03/24.~

~I photographed this same bird a couple weeks back, on a nearby similar perch. Red-tailed Hawks are generally not very confiding, but on both occasions this bird did not seem to mind my presence. Here the bird took a glance my way, but immediately afterwards, it went right back to scanning for prey. Missionland Road, 08/04/24.~

~This bird never said a word, but I believe it’s a Willow Flycatcher, Black Dirt Region, 08/03/24.~

~Some quick Googling tells me that these are likely a type of Meadowhawk Dragonfly. If anyone knows more about them, please feel free to weigh in. Black Dirt Region, 08/03/24.

Sunday Shots, 07/28/24

I wish I was reporting on a fabulous bird today, but alas, it wasn’t in the cards this weekend. I birded both mornings, staying local, and trying mostly for shorebirds. Killdeer, Least Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers were all I could come up with. I heard (but did not see) the Blue Grosbeak in the black dirt on Saturday morning. Anyways, here are several shots from the weekend, a couple from the black dirt, couple from the backyard, and I’m even throwing a selfie in.

~Northern Cardinal in our yard, o7/26/24.~

~A young Horned Lark in the black dirt, 07/28/24.~

~Killdeer enjoying a snack. Black Dirt Region, 07/28/24.~

~House Finch cuteness in our backyard, 07/27/24.~

~Beautiful morning in the black dirt, 07/28/24.~

Sunday Shots, 01/28/24

I enjoyed a pretty full weekend of birding. Saturday was definitely the more productive of the two days:

First thing, I went to Greenwood Lake and saw the Redheads which have been reported there recently. Redhead used to be a very good bird for Orange County – there was no guarantee that you would get one. In recent years, however, for some reason it’s been a little bit easier to observe in the county.
Later in the morning, I went to Winding Waters trail, where the Northern Shrike continues. The bird was distant, so I did not get any photos, but the bird was calling in the distance, which was really cool.
Also at Winding Waters – I observed my first Rough-legged Hawk of the season. This is far and away the latest I’ve ever gotten my first of season for this species.
I enjoyed my first multiple-owl day in a LONG time. I was in the black dirt in the morning when some American Crows kicked up and then mobbed a Short-eared Owl, my first of 2024. Then, around 10:30 on Saturday night, our cat Fern let me know there was a Great Horned Owl calling in the yard – she was growling, and growling, and growling, until I finally turned down the volume of my movie and heard a GHOW calling right outside. I went on the back porch and saw the bird fly out of the evergreens, across the street, where it perched for a short time in a deciduous tree.

Sunday was less productive and less fun. The weather was terrible; just cold and rainy for the whole day long. Often bad weather = good birds, but that was not the case for me on this day. I had very few birds in the black dirt (I was trying to relocate the Greater White-fronted Goose that Kyle Knapp found earlier in the week). Then I went to the Newburgh Waterfront and had only the expected (3) species of gull. I tried for the Glacucous-winged Gull both afternoons, with no luck., which wasn’t all that surprising since the bird had been relocated on Friday in Ulster County.

~It’s always good to see a Shorty. Short-eared Owl in the black dirt 01/27/24.~

~One of many Red-tailed Hawks observed in the black dirt over the weekend.~

~Herring Gull up close and personal. Newburgh Waterfront, 01/27/24.~

~Cooper’s hawk in the black dirt, 01/27/24.~

More Catch-up, 01/25/24

With all the GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL excitement from last Sunday, I did not have time to do my usual end-0f-weekend post.

On Saturday morning, Karen Miller and I left Goshen before Sunrise and headed to Rye, New York. We birded the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary as well as the Rye Town Park. It was bitterly cold out, with a strong cold wind which made it even worse, but still we had an enjoyable morning. I felt good about our total of 37 species for the morning. Highlights included a giant flock of Long-tailed Ducks way out in the LI Sound – perhaps 65 birds or even more. Other highlights included a single Horned Lark and a couple of Purple Sandpipers.

~White-throated Sparrow at Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 01/20/24.~

On Sunday morning, I knew it was too early to try for gulls, so I made the rounds in the black dirt. I found only the usuals, but I had some really good photo ops, and the light was really nice. It was another cold morning of birding, even though I was in the car for the most part.