09/05/20: Hawkwatch Begins and Ulster Co. Brown Booby

It’s hard to believe it, but it’s already time for the start of another season at Mt. Peter Hawkwatch. Today was my first day as official counter, and as early as it is in the season, it was expectedly slow with only 10 migrating raptors. But, there were some highlights – (8) Bald Eagle sightings, four of which migrated, a quick look at a couple of Cape May Warblers, a couple of lingering Black-throated Green Warblers, and my favorite part of the day: a messy ball of 11 Double-crested Cormorants flying high south of the viewing platform. You can see my report for HawkCount at the bottom of this post.

~A local Red-tailed Hawk makes a pass over the platform at Mt. Peter Hawkwatch, 09/05/20.~

Yesterday I got out of work a little bit early, so I decided to head up the the hottest hotspot in Ulster County: Ashokan Reservoir. There has been a White Pelican present for some time, and now there is a BROWN BOOBY. I took a nice drive up to the reservoir, and with some guidance from a quick call with John Haas, I was able to locate the bird easily. It’s quite a bird to see, and I had nice looks in my scope, but unfortunately it’s preferred perch is just a bit out of range for good photos. Consolation prize (in the photography dept) was a young Bald Eagle perched close to the road. I enjoyed the booby, and I was glad to add it to my NYS list – # 310.

~ Brown Booby at Ashokan Reservoir, 09/04/20.~
~A young Bald Eagle was unphased by all the folks walking along the road. Ashokan Reservoir, 09/04/20.~
~Black-throated Green Warbler at Mt. Peter Hawkwatch, 09/05/20.~

8 thoughts on “09/05/20: Hawkwatch Begins and Ulster Co. Brown Booby”

  1. Went last Saturday and saw the white pelican. A lifer for me. And my first time there and wow it was beautiful even in the dreary, drizzly weather. Missed the Booby by one day.
    My son and I are going back up tomorrow morning to hopefully see the Booby. Which would be another me lifer.

  2. Darn – my wife and i went biking on the Ashokan trail yesterday – wish we knew. But a lovely area. More important – any news on Carson?? Let us know when you hear something.

    1. Too bad Jeff, I wish you’d known too. I have been having a hard time getting an update on Carson, but I’ve put plan B into action, so stay tuned.

      Matt

Comments are closed.