Big Flocks

A flock of mixed blackbirds in flight at Onion Avenue in New Hampton NY, 3/14/14.
A flock of mixed blackbirds in flight at Onion Avenue in New Hampton NY, 3/14/14.

I spent Thursday and Friday afternoons of this week in the Black Dirt Region looking for geese. I spoke to John Haas on Thursday during the day and he had located a Greater White-Fronted Goose out on Onion Avenue and a very large flock of mixed blackbirds. On Thursday evening I made it out and I found the flock of blackbirds easily enough; I estimate maybe over 5,000 birds in the flock? Also present were perhaps 2,000 Canada Geese, but I was not able to relocate the GWFG. It was a VERY cold night, which made it tough for me to stay out and sort through thousands of geese!

I went back on Friday and the flock of Canada Geese had grown to maybe 3,500 birds. Out in the fields, within the flock, I had what appeared to be one leucisitic Canada Goose, one Canada Goose hybrid (maybe with a greylag?), many Mallards and American Black Ducks, 3 Wood Ducks (!), and I had 2 Snow Geese that flew over, circled, but never joined the flock. Still no sign of the Greater White-fronted Goose though. Additionally, the number of black birds was down (perhaps 800?), but they were still present as well.

A Common Grackle flies over Onion Ave., 3/13/14.
A Common Grackle flies over Onion Ave., 3/13/14.
The flock of Canada Geese out at Onion Avenue were spooked a couple of times and took flight. The first time I looked up and didn't see a cause, the second time I noticed a small dog in the field giving chase....
The flock of Canada Geese out at Onion Avenue were spooked a couple of times and took flight. The first time I looked up and didn’t see a cause, the second time I noticed a small dog in the field giving chase….
I struck out with the Greater White-fronted Goose that John Haas found, but I did have 2 Snow Geese do an extended flyover. Onion Avenue, New Hampton NY, 3/14/14.
I struck out with the Greater White-fronted Goose that John Haas found, but I did have 2 Snow Geese do an extended flyover. Onion Avenue, New Hampton NY, 3/14/14.

 

 

 

5 thoughts on “Big Flocks”

  1. Good spot on the Snow Geese, I had none. I’m sure the good geese are still in the area, good luck, hope you find them again. I will be down again at the beginning of the week.

    1. John – Curt McDermott located 5 Greater White-fronted Geese today. When I joined him, we also had one Snow Goose. Good luck when you go back.

  2. Matt
    what a thrill to see that many blackbirds in a flock!!!! Are the ones with the blue heads grackles? It is so amazing to see the colors so well.

    I went to my photography reception in Newburgh today. A person from near ulster park said that the cranes are building a nest there!! So maybe they are staying in that area.

    Wilma

  3. The reception was great, and of course I had to get to the river front again to shoot birds!!! I saw a flock of grackles and redwings at Bashaakill today. Otherwise not too many birds yet at least not late afternoon when I was there.

    Wilma

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