I got out of work a little bit early today and took the opportunity to walk the Liberty Loop at the Wallkill River NWR. It was a nice walk around the loop where I had 16 species identified. Highlights included 6 Short-eared Owls being very vocal and putting on quite a show, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and on my way back to the car I had 5 TUNDRA SWANS fly over. The birds were heading south along the west side of the loop. They followed the loop into New Jersey and eventually headed back north, this time on the east side of the loop (which is where I was located), flying right over me, and back into New York State. I could tell from the shape of the head/bill that the birds were not Mute Swans, and I was thinking Tundra. Fortunately one of the birds was calling periodically, which lead me to conclude that they were indeed Tundra Swans. Of course, I had to listen to the call on my phone app to know this! What a nice surprise on an unplanned trip around the Liberty Loop!
Nice find Matt! I will try for these guys soon. I was there today and had basically nothing. Lots of geese at the camel farm. There were two short-eared Owls flying on Indiana Road at noon. Congrats again!
Thanks John, it made for a nice afternoon! Good luck if you go for them.
I was off today and was at mongaup but 5:45. I didn’t see much out of the ordinary. I sent you some pictures by email. Hopefully you can zoom them and tell what they are.
The second and third pics I think might be an eagle and Harriers on a wire, but not sure. Very cloudy and distant at the time.
I am just not able to identify them. Your pictures are great even if they are grainy. Makes me feel like I was there too!
Wilma – I look forward to seeing your shots, glad my pics made you feel like you were there!