A Couple Good Birds Close to Home

My first stop on this icy, cold, morning with freezing rain was at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, which thankfully is only a mile or so from our house. Peter and Joe Chernak reported a couple of Canvasbacks there late yesterday, and I was hoping the birds were still around. When I first arrived, I was not having any luck with my targets, but I did locate a pretty darn good bird for the county – a single Common Goldeneye. Then, partially hidden by Canada Geese, I located one and then two CANVASBACKS. Canvasback is a really good bird for Orange County – I checked my personal records and I’ve only had them in the county two times prior to today. Huge thanks to Peter and Joe for finding and reporting the birds.

~Two Canvasbacks with a trio of Ring-necked Ducks, a Mute Swan, and some Canada Geese. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary 01/09/22.~
~A pair of Black Vultures on Lower Wisner Road, 01/09/22.~
~It was slim pickins for photos today, so I’m throwing in a shot of the Franklin’s Gull that I took last week and never processed. Newburgh Waterfront, 12/31/21.~

2 thoughts on “A Couple Good Birds Close to Home”

  1. Hey Matt,
    Thanks a lot for the kudos in your post! My brother and I had the best looks at the canvasbacks by walking down to the lower trail from the parking lot. I didn’t know that canvasbacks are a great bird for OC. I wish I could have seen the rough-legged hawk too. Great pictures!

    Joe

    1. You guys deserve it, Joe! Good job, it seems like you and Peter are both full on birders now – I’m happy to say! Matt

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