5/11/14 – Pochuk Mountain State Forest and Wallkill River NWR

A Beautiful Blackburnian Warble at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
A Beautiful Blackburnian Warble at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.

POCHUK MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST

I got a little bit of a late start this morning, arriving at Pochuk Mountain State Forest at just after 8:00. I headed up the trail, and not too far along, I ran into Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris. They were kind enough to let me join them and we had a very productive morning with many birds and plenty of photo opportunities. I particularly enjoyed getting some decent Scarlet Tanager and Blackburnian Warbler photos. I struggled as usual with many warbler identifications, but with the help of looking at photos later, I compiled my list of birds:

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We got some amazing looks at Scarlet Tanagers, a bird that has evaded me up until today. Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.

 

Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Baltimore Oriole

 

Additionally, I am pretty sure that Maria had a Blue-winged Warbler as well; she sent over a photo that looks like a pretty good ID for the bird. Linda and Maria – let me know what other species I’ve left off the list! Thanks.

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
Chestnut-sided Warbler at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
Magnolia Warbler at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
Magnolia Warbler at Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
Blackburnian Warbler in flight, Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
Blackburnian Warbler in flight, Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
One more Scarlet Tanager shot - what a gorgeous bird. Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.
One more Scarlet Tanager shot – what a gorgeous bird. Pochuk Mountain State Forest, 5/11/14.

WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Maria headed home and Linda and I continued over to the Winding Waters Trail at Wallkill River NWR. It was getting a bit late and there were not as many warblers present, but we still did pretty well, particularly with raptors, seeing: Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and Red-shouldered Hawk! Here’s my list, which includes a couple of birds I got when I walked out Liberty Lane briefly afterwards:

My FOS Orchard Oriole at Winding Waters Trail, 5/11/14.
My FOS Orchard Oriole at Winding Waters Trail, 5/11/14.
Great-crested Flycatcher at Winding Waters Trail, 5/11/14.
Great-crested Flycatcher at Winding Waters Trail, 5/11/14.

 

 

Canada Goose
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Great Crested Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch

 

 

A female Common Yellowthroat in the shade. Wallkill River NWR, 5/11/14.
A female Common Yellowthroat in the shade. Wallkill River NWR, 5/11/14.

7 thoughts on “5/11/14 – Pochuk Mountain State Forest and Wallkill River NWR”

  1. Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    These are GORGEOUS!!!!

    Just when I think you have the best you outdo yourself yet again!!!

    I can’t wait til I can get that good!!!!

    where is pochuk state park? how do you get there?

    Wilma

  2. Wow, thanks Wilma! We really had an enjoyable day – so many birds! Pochuk is not far from the Liberty Loop. Take a right out of the LL parking lot until the road T’s. Take a left and Pochuk is maybe a 1/2 mile on the right.

  3. That’s what I tho’t, I remember the sign now. I’m off tomorrow, I think I’ll head there early am!!!

    Wilma

  4. “kind of us to let him join”?, more like grateful we met up with him. Wilma, watch out for a bent sign post on left at entrance.

    1. It was a fun morning of birding, wasn’t it? Plenty of birds and good company too.

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