July 2026 – Orange Birding

Sunday Shots, 07/26/26

Well, there is still not very much going on in the local birding scene. New post-breeding birds for me included a couple of Great Egrets (6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary and Middletown Reservoir Trails) and a single Solitary Sandpiper (also at 6 1/2). I did have a couple of interesting observations, however. I stopped by Knapp’s View on Saturday morning, just to see if anything was going on. As soon as I arrived, I heard and saw several Purple Martins. I feel like I might have known at some point that Purple Martin houses had been installed there, but I’d totally forgotten, so it was a pleasant surprise. I hadn’t had any PUMAs in the county yet this year, so I was able to add them to my 2026 Orange County list (#188).

~Great Egret hunting at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 07/25/26.~

~Purple Martin flying overhead at Knapp’s View, 07/25/26.~

Then on Sunday, while I was driving on the exit ramp from the highway into Goshen, I saw two Osprey perched in a tree; one of them was eating a fish. The timing made me wonder if maybe they weren’t a local breeding pair. When they flew, the one bird I stayed on eventually flew southwest, in the direction of Goshen Reservoir, which is pretty close as the Osprey flies. I’m going to nose around there one day this week and see if I can’t find a nest.

~One of two Osprey in Goshen NY, 07/26/26.~

~Purple Martin fledgling, Knapp’s View 07/25/26.~

~American Goldfinch with a mouthful, Middletown Reservoir Trails, 07/26/26.~

Barn Swallows, 07/18/26

It’s been a slow couple of weeks, but I’m optimistic that things will start happening pretty soon. The only birds of note that I had in the past couple of weeks was (8) or so Least Sandpipers at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary on Sunday 07/19/26. The highlight of the birding weekend for me, however, was spending some time with a pair of young Barn Swallows at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge’s Liberty Loop platform. Linda Scrima joined me as we observed and photographed this captivating pair of young swallows.

~Young Barn Swallows at Liberty Marsh, 07/18/26.~

~An adult comes in and feeds one of the young on the fly. Barn Swallows at Liberty Marsh, 07/18/26.~

~Tell me these two aren’t excited? Barn Swallows at Liberty Marsh, 07/18/26.~

~More young Barn Swallow excitement. Liberty Marsh, 07/18/26.~

~Barn Swallows at Liberty Marsh, 07/18/26.~

Coyote Pup, 07/04/26

Early Saturday morning, on my way to Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, I came upon a super cute and very accommodating coyote pup. I’ve never seen a young coyote before, so it was pretty special for me. He/she was definitely aware of my presence, but did not get spooked and allowed me to take a bunch of photos before it made its way off the road and back towards the woods. I am really impressed with the size of its paws! It looks like it’s going to be a big beast some day. All photos were taken in Ulster County on 07/04/26.~

Regarding the birding at The Grasslands, it was enjoyable. I took a long walk and it was really birdy enough to keep me interested. All birds were the expected species, of note was what appeared to be (3) pairs of American Kestrels (it was hard to keep count, but that’s where I landed). Also of interest was the fact that I didn’t observe any Savannah Sparrows nor Grasshopper Sparrows. I’d be curious to know if any of the regulars there have been observing those two species this spring and summer.

On Sunday I went to Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area. My target was Ruffed Grouse, but unfortunately I didn’t have any luck. I was a birdy walk with most birds being heard and not seen – typical summer birding. I had a total of 29 species; birds of note included Blackburnian Warblers, Winter Wren, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. I really enjoyed hearing the Winter Wren song and also the song of the Hermit Thrush.