Grasslands, 03/06/21

In spite of less than ideal conditions, I decided to head out to the Grasslands for sunrise this morning. By less than ideal conditions, I mean it was partly to mostly cloudy with a pretty strong northwest wind. Ideally I would prefer the steady morning sun and a south wind (so that the raptors hunt facing south, keeping the sun on their face and at my back). Anyways, I got there quite early and I was able to get into the only blind that’s open on the weekends (southernmost blind). While the strong winds seemed to keep the birds from flying quite as much as I would have liked, I had some decent opportunities and some nice birds. Raptors included Northern Harriers (4), Rough-legged Hawks (3), Red-tailed Hawks (3), a couple of Turkey Vultures, and a single American Kestrel. One other highlight was my first Eastern Meadowlark of the year.

~Gray Ghost getting ready to go down. Grasslands 03/06/21.~
~Male NOHA in flight with some snow flurries at the Grasslands, 03/06/21.~
~Boy I wish this bird would have come closer – how beautiful is this beast?!? Rough-legged Hawk over horizon at the Grasslands, 03/06/21.~
~American Kestrel at the Grasslands, 03/06/21.~
~Gray Ghost over the trees. Grasslands, 03/06/21.~
~NOHA, Grasslands 03/06/21.~
~One more of the Gray Ghost, Grasslands 03/06/21.~
~After the Grasslands, I headed up to Rhinebeck to chase the two BARROW’S GOLDENEYES which have been seen there. I dipped on the female, but did catch up with the male (above) on River Road, where I joined Karen Miller who got me on the bird shortly after my arrival.~

6 thoughts on “Grasslands, 03/06/21”

  1. You always capture the beauty and grace of the birds. You show their personalities.

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