Yesterday during the waterfowl count, Linda Scrima spotted an interesting hawk. She was thinking it was a perhaps a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk, took some photos to check out later and continued with the count. It ends up the bird was a FERRUGINOUS HAWK! There were many birders out trying to relocated the bird this morning, but it was of course John Haas who found the bird on Celery Avenue (click here to see John’s post with some fantastic photos). I rushed over and joined several other birders to view the bird. It was a little distant and in the trees, so scope views of this gorgeous bird were fantastic, but photos were tough. The bird eventually flew and was relocated by Bruce Nott on Lynch Avenue. The bird was in the air tangling with a couple of Red-tails, but then put down in a field. The bird moved around after that, and as of this writing had been relocated two more times, with many, many birders going for it. From what I’m told, this is a first New York State record of Ferruginous Hawk; super exciting birding! Nice job and congrats to Linda on an amazing find.
So cool.
I tried but no luck when the large group was looking but limited on time as usual. I was on way to church when John posted so couldn’t go then.
Thursday my husband was driving past the area around 4:30-5 and actually called and said he is looking a redtail that has a lot of white. I told him maybe a Leucistic redtail or a rough legged (he actually knows this one) Now I am wondering if it’s this guy/gal he saw.
Hopefully it will stick around for a bit.
I really hope the bird sticks around and you get to see it. Nice job by your husband too! Matt