June 2026 – Orange Birding

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.~

Sunday Shots, 06/14/26

I was busy last weekend and didn’t get out very much – just for a little while on Sunday morning. This weekend I got out both days, but with spring migration complete, there wasn’t all that much going on. This morning was definitely my favorite outing of the past couple of weeks – I took my yearly hike up to Jupiter’s Boulder in Black Rock Forest. It was waaaay back in June of 2018 that I finally observed Ruffed Grouse in Orange County. I’ve gone back every year since, hoping to get lucky again.

As expected, I dipped on the Ruffed Grouse, but it was still an excellent morning as I always find that hike enjoyable. I also added (3) species to my 2026 OC list – which is a little unexpected in mid-June. The first was a small flock of Wild Turkeys. I’ve had them in the county this year already, but never when I was doing an eBird report. The second was expected – Acadian Flycatcher. They are very reliable at that location. And the third was unexpected – Winter Wren – I’ve never had one at that location before. Photos were tough; I had very few opportunities, plus it was a bit overcast and very dark on most of the trail. I photographed a fledgling Louisiana Waterthrush, but due to the conditions, I shot it at ISO 4000 and the photos were terribly grainy. You can see my best effort to save it in post processing at the bottom of this post.