Orange County – Page 3 – Orange Birding

What a Day!

QUICK POST: This evening I was out late birding until I couldn’t see anymore because the number of shorebirds in the black dirt region was off the charts. Earlier today Kyle Knapp texted me to let me know he had a good number and variety of shorebirds in the black dirt. A little later Bruce Nott let me know he had a Red-necked Phalarope at the Camel Farm. I was working, of course, so at 5 o’clock when I called it a week, I headed out to see how I could do. My highlight was finding two WILLETS – this is only the second time I’ve ever had them in the county, so I was pretty excited. Other shorebirds that I located in the black dirt this evening included: Black-bellied Plover, Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Greater Yellowlegs.

~One of two Willets in the black dirt tonight, 08/09/24.~

I’ll be curious to see how many birds stick around until tomorrow. I know that I’ll be out bright and early, looking. Thank goodness tomorrow is Saturday!

Also, one more note – there was some action at the Newburgh Riverfront today also: Jeanne Cimorelli reported at first a single Laughing Gull, and then later in the afternoon, a remarkable 21 Laughing Gulls! It will be interesting to see if the river provides any more gems tomorrow as well.

~Here they both are together. Willets in BDR, 08/09/24.~

~I was really trying to get a shot of their pretty wings, but unfortunately this is the best I could do. Willet in the black dirt, 08/09/24.~

~Pretty bird. Willet striking a pose in the black dirt, 098/08/24.~

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, 07/21/24

It was an uneventful weekend of birding for me; pretty much what you would expect in late July. My focus was looking for shorebirds in the county, but I was unable to turn up any new species. Good conditions continue at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, in spite of the recent rainfall, but I was only able to locate Killdeer, Least Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers. Bullville Pond looks pretty good too; I only had a couple Killdeer and and single Least Sandpiper there. And in the black dirt, I was only finding Killdeer as far as shorebirds go.

~This is a beautiful beast. Red-tailed Hawk on Missionland Road this morning, 07/21/24.~

~Peregrine Falcon in the black dirt, 07/20/24.~

~European Starlings in the black dirt, o7/20/24.~

Orange County BLUE GROSBEAK, 07/12/24

Yesterday evening after work I hit the black dirt, looking for shorebirds. I scanned a field containing about a half dozen Killdeer. Convinced that there weren’t any other shorebird species present, I packed up my scope and prepared to move on. I had turned on the Merlin app earlier – I don’t recall what made me put it on initially, but when I looked at it, it indicated that a BLUE GROSBEAK had been identified. As soon as I saw that, I heard the bird call again! I spent some time trying to get a look at the bird, but the bird was uncooperative and I only got a couple brief looks. I put the word out, and Jeanne Cimorelli joined me and got the bird as well – it was a county life bird for her.

I got word from Bruce Nott and Kyle Knapp this morning that the bird continued. I joined Linda Scrima, Kyle, and later Karen Van Dyke came as well and we all got the bird. The bird was still not cooperative for photos, but I did get to see it and to document it with some flight shots. Blue Grosbeak is a very good bird for the county and I haven’t had one for several years.

~Blue Grosbeak in the Black Dirt Region, 07/13/24.~

~One more shot of the BLGR in the black dirt this morning, 07/13/24.~

Wow! Orange County AMERICAN AVOCET, 06/30/24

I woke up this morning with shorebirds on my mind. My early stops (Camel Farm, Liberty Loop, & and Beaver Pond) didn’t yield any, with the exception of Killdeer. My final stop, 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, however, had a doozy in store for me – an AMERICAN AVOCET. After scanning for a while and only finding more Killdeer, I was shocked to see an American Avocet in my scope view. I put the word out, and several birders came and enjoyed the bird. Additionally, after I left, Jeanne Cimorelli located a Short-billed Dowitcher, another excellent bird for the county.

~Exciting stuff! American Avocet at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 06/30/24.~

~Another look at today’s bird of the day -American Avocet at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 06/30/24.~

In other news, on Saturday morning, I went to Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area to try for Ruffed Grouse. Historically a good spot for grouse, I did not have any luck yesterday. I enjoyed a pleasant 5.25 mile walk, which was birdy and I enjoyed seeing my first porcupine of the year.

~Porcupine chowing on a leaf at Hickok Brook MUA, 06/29/23.

~I heard MANY Black-throated Green Warblers at Hickok Brook on Saturday, 06/29/24, but only a few were actually seen. The lighting was terrible all morning so super high ISO for these photos.~

~A young American Robin at Beaver Pond, 06/30/24.~

~Great Blue Heron in flight at Liberty Loop, 06/30/24.~

Sunday Shots, 06/23/24

We are in the summer doldrums of birding. Especially with the heat wave that we are currently experiencing. That said, it didn’t stop Bruce Nott from finding two exciting birds this week at the Newburgh Waterfront: a Lesser Black-backed Gull and a LAUGHING GULL. I ran for the birds Saturday morning and while I was successful with the Lesser Black-backed, I dipped on the Laughing.

On Sunday I birded the black dirt, including Liberty Marsh, where I first heard, and then saw my first Least Bittern of the year. It sounded like the bird was pretty deep in the marsh, but when I eventually found it, while it was a little bit out there, it was in plain sight and scope views were excellent. Photos not so much, but that’s how it goes sometimes (I’ve included a doc-shot at the bottom of this post). Regardless, I was out and about and taking photos as usual this weekend, so I hope you enjoy this week’s Sunday Shots.

~Nice find by Bruce Nott – Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Newburgh Waterfront, 06/22/24.~

~Lesser Black-backed Gull in flight, Newburgh Waterfront 06/22/24.~

~I believe this is a young Orchard Oriole at Winding Waters Trail last weekend, 06/16/24.

~It’s that time of year again. Killdeer chick in the black dirt, 06/23/24.

~Killdeer close-up. Black dirt 06/23/24.~

~This was a first for me – a Grasshopper Sparrow singing on a perch on the ground. Black dirt region, o6/23/24.~

~Green Heron at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 06/16/24.~

~Least Bittern at Liberty Marsh, 06/23/24.~

Stewart State Forest, 06/15/24

Stewart State Forest is a spot in Orange County that, for no real reason, I don’t bird very often. After the enjoyable morning I had today, I think it will be a little bit more on my radar. I walked a 6 mile loop; the terrain was very flat, which made for easy walking and birding. Several of the trails were overgrown and very wet – which conversely made for some uncomfortable hiking and birding, as my hikers and pants were absolutely soaked through. One of my goals was to walk through the Great Swamp Boardwalk and Trail; it was nice out there because it opens up a bit and the gentle breeze kept the insects at bay for at least a little while.

I had a few noteworthy sightings – the first was running into a family of Barred Owls on the trail. I inadvertently flushed the birds, but one young bird was kind enough to stick around for a couple of minutes so I could get a photo. Another birding highlight was my first Alder Flycatcher of the year – this was very unexpected to me; this is a species that I don’t get every year. I first heard it calling and then located the bird up in the treetops and snapped a documentary shot.

~Not a great photo, but I was pretty happy to add this Alder Flycatcher to my 2024 Orange County list. Stewart State Forest, 06/15/24.~

Non-avian highlights include an Eastern Box Turtle, and a first for me – a crayfish walking across the trail! It was interesting, because it was quite aware of my presence and as I approached it immediately and quickly backed up off the trail. It was pretty cool. I did some Googling and watched a YouTube video, and I learned just enough to know I can’t identify the exact species. If anyone knows crayfish, please post in the comments of you know the species.

~Crayfish backing off the trail at Stewart State Forest, 06/15/24.~

I’ll mention one last observation from the morning: I SAW more birds today than I do on most hikes through the woods. As always, most birds were heard and not seen, but today I definitely got looks at way more birds than I would expect on a hike like this. I finished the day with a respectable 46 bird species.

~Field Sparrow at Stewart State Forest, 06/15/24.~

~A nice looking Yellow Warbler at Stewart State Forest, 06/15/24.~

Black Rock Forest, 06/08/24

Early June of 2018, I found my first (and only!) Ruffed Grouse in Orange County at Black Rock Forest, not far from Jupiter’s Boulder. Ever since then, I have gone back to that location at this time of the year in hopes of seeing another. Unfortunately, today’s hike did not produce any grouse, but I did have a excellent morning. It was cool and comfortable walk with plenty of birds. Highlights included my FOY (first of year) Acadian Flycatcher and Black-throated Blue Warblers. I watched a Red-tailed Hawk and a Broad-winged Hawk get into a tangle over Sutherland Pond. Ovenbird was the bird of the day – they seemed to be everywhere. My best observation, however, was not bird related. I got a fantastic look at beautiful Black Bear through some thick vegetation (which prevented photos). It was some really enjoyable summer-type birding and by the time I got back to my car, I had tallied 37 bird species.

~There were absolutely loads of Ovenbirds at Black Rock Forest this morning, 06/08/24.~

~One more Louisiana Waterthrush shot, Black Rock Forest 06/08/24.~

Sunday Shots, 06/02/24

The most exciting bird of the weekend was definitely yesterday’s KENTUCKY WARBLER. Aside from that, it was just the usuals as we start slipping into summer birding mode. Fortunately the mornings were still cool which made for very enjoyable birding conditions. I had one exciting sighting which was not bird related – I witnessed a Gray Fox run across the road as I was driving on Route 50 in New Hampton. It was the first time I’ve ever seen one. Here’s a handful of shots from the weekend.