Orange County – Page 64 – Orange Birding

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.~

A Couple More Orange County Birds

~Female Bobolink at Knapp’s View in Chester, NY 6/29/15.~

Recently, I was looking over my 2015 list of Orange County birds and noticed it was lacking a couple of birds that figured I would have seen in the county before now – Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark. With that in mind, Monday after work I headed over to Knapp’s View in the town of Chester, a spot where I have never birded but heard both birds could be seen. I did very well with Bobolinks, with plenty being seen and they were close enough for some decent photos. I walked the mowed trails, but did not have any luck with Eastern Meadowlarks, so I decided to head Upper Wisner Road in Warwick where I’ve seen them in the past. Not long after my arrival, as I scanned I found a single meadowlark perched in the distance. Too far for photos, but still nice to get the bird. Before leaving, I had a nice photo opportunity with a Northern Mockingbird, a bird that I have not photographed in quite some time.

~And a male Bobolink strikes a pose with some nice colors in the background. Knapp’s View 6/29/15.~

~Northern Mockingbird off Upper Wisner Road in Warwick, NY 6/29/15. Barbed wire is one of the man-made elements that I don’t mind in a bird photo for some reason.~

~Northern Mockingbird taking off, Upper Wisner Road in Warwick NY, 6/29/15.~

Orange County BLUE GROSBEAK

~Blue Grosbeak at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 6/23/15.~

QUICK POST: Yesterday evening I finally caught up with the Blue Grosbeak that was reported out at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge (it was my third try in two days). Tonight I went back and managed to get some post-able photos of the bird (I was brain dead last night and blew a pretty good opportunity by not having my camera on the right settings). I’ve included a couple additional shots that I took along the way while out at the refuge.

~BLGR with a Song Sparrow, Wallkill River NWR, 6/23/15.~

~Red-winged Blackbird in flight, Walkill River NWR, 6/22/15.~

~Another bird I haven’t photographed in a while – American Goldfinch at Wallkill River NWR, 6/22/25.~

Orange County Birds

*Click on photos to enlarge.*

~I have this as a Bank Swallow and a Northern Rough-winged Swallow flying in tandem, Cedar Swamp Road 6/11/15.~

QUICK UPDATE: Boy, last week was a busy one for me, with tons going on at home and at work as well. I did manage to get out and get a couple of county birds for the year, but I never had the opportunity to process the photos and make a post. On Monday I went to Elks Brox Memorial Park to try for the RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS which had been reported there. Huge thanks to Karen Miller for the heads up on those birds. Then on Thursday I went to Cedar Swamp Road to go for the Bank Swallows that have been there for at least the last couple of years. I had a blast trying for photos of those birds, and though nothing amazing, I was happy to get some decent shots of those birds.

This weekend I went up to the Adirondacks to bird for the weekend. I have loads of photos to go through, so I will get a post together in a couple of days. Meanwhile I have included a teaser shot at the bottom of this post.

~BASW in flight, Cedar Swamp Road 6/11/15.~

~A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER checks things out, Elks Brox Memorial Park, 6/8/15.~

~RHWO, Elks Brox Memorial Park, 6/8/15.~

~Adirondack Appeteaser - Common Loon at Follensby Clear Pond, 6/13/15.~ — ~**Adirondack Appeteaser** – Common Loon at Follensby Clear Pond, 6/13/15. Full post to follow in the next couple of days.~

Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15

*Click on photos to enlarge.*

~Male Bobolink perched at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 5/30/15.~

I got up really early this morning and headed over the the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge. It was a little bit overcast as I arrived at just around 6:30, but it quickly cleared up and turned into a gorgeous morning. I parked my car out by the road in an effort to see as many species as possible, it can be quite birdy on the road into the refuge. It was towards the end of that road that I had my first Brown Thrasher of the year. As I entered the refuge, I could immediately hear one of my target birds, the Grasshopper Sparrow. I really like this bird for some reason, it is certainly not the most attractive bird, but I love its behavior and its call as well. I walked the Red Trail out to the furthest blind and then back; I saw 3 and heard an additional 3 Grasshopper Sparrows which seems like more than I had in that area last year at this time.

~It was a frustrating day photographing Grasshopper Sparrows, I had ample opportunity to do better than this, but it was not to be today; lots of out of focus shots. GRSP at Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

Bobolinks were numerous and very busy calling and flying over. Meadowlarks were heard more than seen, but I did see ten or so, some perched and some in flight in the distance. Killdeer could be heard and seen on occasion and I saw three American Kestrels. One pleasant surprise was a female Northern Harrier that flew close to me; she had a Red-winged Blackbird in hot pursuit.

~I was not planning on this! NOHA at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

~A flying, calling Bobolink. Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 5/30/15.~

~I love the legs on this female Bobolink. Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

My only disappointment of the day is that I struck out with the Upland Sandpipers. I stopped by Blue Chip Farms after leaving the refuge and then I also tried the airport in Montgomery, but it was not to be. At the grasslands, I accumulated what I think is a respectable species list for the morning, with 35 species being seen or heard:

~Calling Bobolink at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

Canada Goose
Wild Turkey
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Killdeer
Red-bellied Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Willow Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Yellow-throated Vireo
American Crow
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

~I wanted to include this shot because you can see the yellow on the Grasshopper Sparrow’s wing. Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

~I love this shot! Northern Harrier being harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

~A nice look at a male Bobolink, Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 5/30/15.~

~Brown Thrasher, just off the road into the refuge, 5/30/15.~

~I went to Wallkill, NY to get Bank Swallows (no photos!), but this Red-tailed Hawk flew over with an Eastern Kingbird giving chase.~

6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 5/28/15

I made it out to 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary after work this afternoon. My primary objective was to check for shorebirds at the Citgo Pond; I was only moderately successful with 4 Killdeer (3 adults and one chick), 3 Least Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, and 1 Semipalmated Plover. The highlight of the afternoon was getting my first good look at a Green Heron for the season. Up until now, I only caught glimpses of them, including 2 flyovers on the highway during my commute to work. After birding the Citgo Pond, I continue over to the Heritage Trail side of the refuge. It was not terribly birdy, but it was a nice walk with enough birds to keep me occupied. It occurred to me that I have not included a complete list of species in a post in a while, so here’s a list of the 31 species I had for the day:

This photo was actually taken on Tuesday at Sterling Forest State Park where I walked the Sterling Lake Loop. It's a nice long walk and pretty birdy too - I had 41 species in a 2 1/2 hour walk. Red-eyed Vireo, 5/26/15. — This photo was actually taken on Tuesday at Sterling Forest State Park where I walked the Sterling Lake Loop. It’s a nice long walk and pretty birdy too – I had 39 species in a 2 1/2 hour walk. Red-eyed Vireo, 5/26/15.

Canada Goose 15
Wood Duck 12
Mallard 8
Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Semipalmated Plover 1
Killdeer 4
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Willow Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 5
American Crow 4
Tree Swallow 8
Marsh Wren 2
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling 14
Cedar Waxwing 2
Common Yellowthroat 6
Yellow Warbler 4
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle 4
Baltimore Oriole 3

Orange County Red-necked Phalarope, 5/23/15

*Click on photos to enlarge.*

~A heavily cropped photo of the Red-necked Phalarope on Orange Lake, 5/23/15.~

I was on my way out the door this morning when I I received a text from Bruce Nott saying he had a phalarope on Orange Lake. He had originally located the bird yesterday, but the bird was quite distant and it had not been determined if it was a Wilson’s or a Red-necked. I made my way over and I was luckily able to locate the bird pretty quickly (that’s a small bird on a big lake!). At first, the views were a bit distant but eventually the bird got a little bit closer for some better looks in my scope. I called John Haas to discuss the identification of the bird; he eventually joined me and arrived while the bird was still in relatively close. He immediately looked at the bird in my scope and identified the bird as a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, noting the completely vibrant red hind neck – it was totally red, there was no white stripe down the center as you would see in a Wilson’s Phalarope. In addition to this, the dark gray cap versus the pale gray cap of a Wilson’s was easily discerned. I managed to get some photos, which was tough because I struggled just to find that bird in the camera! The bird was still quite distant for photos and all the shots in this post are heavily cropped. Huge thanks and congratulations to Bruce!

Please Note: ORANGE LAKE HAS NO PUBLIC ACCESS! The lake is private and there are no public viewing areas.

~On more of the RNPH, Orange Lake 5/23/15.~

6 1/2 Station Shorebirds, 5/19/15

*Click on photos to enlarge.*

~One Dunlin (second bird in from the right) and twenty-five of the fifty-five Short-billed Dowitchers today at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 5/19/15.~

QUICK POST: Wow, it was a REALLY great afternoon for shorebirds at the 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary Citgo Pond. Here’s my list:

Short-billed Dowitcher (55!!!)
Dunlin (2)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (2)
Least Sandpiper (2)
Killdeer (1)
Spotted Sandpiper (2)

~Short-billed Dowitchers in flight and feeding, as well as a Dunlin, a Semipalmated Sandpiper, what I believe is a Least Sandpiper (bird furthest to the left that is not chopped in half), and a couple of Mallards. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 5/19/15.~

A Serious Case of PFBS

~Blue-winged Warbler at Sterling Forest State Park, Ironwood Road, 5/16/15.~

Since my return from Florida I have gotten out and done a lot of local birding whereI have seen and heard many birds, yet it has not felt overly fulfilling. I was thinking about it today and that’s when I realized that I am not well; I am suffering from a case of Post Florida Birding Syndrome. A while back, Linda Scrima warned me that this would happen. Who would have guessed that it would difficult to transition from taking super close-up photos of multiple life birds every day to trying to locate the smallest of birds among the leaves in the highest treetops?

The good news is that I think I’ve found a remedy: I’m thinking back on all the amazing first-of-the-year birds that I’ve had in the eight days since I’ve been back. The list is 50 species long just for Orange County! What better indication is there of all the great birding that is going on right now? And the Mearns Bird Club had their BREAK 100 event this weekend; every team but one had over 100 species in 24 hours! How awesome is that? Additionallhy, while they were not Florida-close, I did manage to get some decent photos during the week. It makes me think about what a great pastime birding is, how there are amazing birds at every turn and that you never know what the next big thing will be.

~Scarlet Tanager at Pochuck Mountain State Forest, 5/17/15.~

~An American Redstart sings his heart out at Pochuck Mountain State Forest, 5/16/15.~

~I got my lifer GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER on Thursday with no photos. When I went back on Saturday I managed to get at least a usable shot. Sterling Forest State Park, Ironwood Drive 5/16/15.~

For those that are interested, these are the new birds added to my Orange County List in the last eight days:

Orange County State Parks 5/10/15

~This crazy looking Eastern Towhee was one of many seen and heard at Goosepond Mountain State Park, 5/10/15.~

QUICK POST: I hit two state parks that are close to home this morning, Sterling Forest State Park and Goosepond Mountain State Park.

GOOSEPOND MOUNTAIN: I got here very early this morning and had the place to myself, which was very enjoyable. I walked the trails there for probably 4 miles or so and saw or heard 38 species. Highlights included: Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Scarlet Tanager, Spotted Sandpiper, and hearing a Black-billed Cuckoo. I tried to wait out that bird, I heard it call 3 times, but never close by and I never got a look at the bird.

STERLING FOREST STATE PARK: It was not the optimum time of day to go here after walking Goosepond for a while, but I figured I would give it a shot. I walked the power cut at the end of Ironwood Drive; I had a total of 20 species. Here’s a list of the more noteworthy birds: Prairie Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Yellow-throated Vireo. I also had one unidentified warbler that sounded vaguely like the squeaky wheel of a Black-and-white Warbler to me, but when I caught a glimpse of the bird and I thought I saw a flash of yellow.

~Probably the bird of the day for me – Louisiana Waterthrush at Sterling Forest State Park, 5/10/15.~

~An acrobatic Baltimore Oriole at Goosepond Mountain State Park, 5/10/15.~

~Wood Thrush in a web at Goosepond Mountain State Park, 5/10/15.~

Blue-winged Warbler at Goosepond Mountain State Park, 5/10/15. I was on the lookout for Brewster's Warblers (hybrid Blue-winged x Golden-winged) since I had them out there last year, but I did not see any today.~ — ~Blue-winged Warbler at Goosepond Mountain State Park, 5/10/15. I was on the lookout for Brewster’s Warblers (hybrid Blue-winged x Golden-winged) since I had them out there last year, but I did not see any today.~