On this cold, windy Saturday morning, I left the house without much of a game plan. I wandered around, hitting several spots in southern Orange County before ending up at the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area.
GLENMERE LAKE: Highlights included 42 Ring-necked Ducks and 4 Common Mergansers.
SCHERVIER PAVILLION, WARWICK: 10 Hooded Mergansers, 2 Common Mergansers, Canada Geese, and Mallards.
WARWICK TOWN HALL PONDS: Ring-necked Ducks too spread out and numerous to count (maybe 60+?), Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canada Geese, and a single American Coot
SANFORDVILLE ROAD, WARWICK NY: 1 American Kestrel and 2 Red-tailed Hawks (including the one pictured below with some super markings).
LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY, PORT JERVIS NY: Highlights included 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Common Goldeneyes, and over 40 Tree Swallows, my first ones of the year!
BASHAKILL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, SULLIVAN COUNTY NY: I got my best bird of the day here – a pair of FOX SPARROWS located at the Deli Fields. I tried desperately for photos because I haven’t had a Fox Sparrow since sometime in 2013! The birds would not cooperate and in the end this was my best shot:
Other highlights included 9 (!) Bald Eagles including one cooperative one that seemed to be playing while flying above Haven Road. And I also had 4 Tree Swallows and I able to get a decent photo of an Eastern Bluebird.
I’m new to the Bashakill. Can u tell me where the deli fields are? I’m coming from Port Jervis. BTW I was at the cemetary the other day and saw hooded mergansers and wood ducks. What a treat!
Jean – The Deli Fields are located on route 209 on the southern end of the Bashakill. Coming from Port Jervis the entrance is on the right just north of County Route 163, across the street from the deli. Enjoy it if you go! Matt
Great shots Matt
The Eagles at Bashakill were awesome today. I saw 7 immatures at one time. It is amazing how different they are from one another in development. All their tails were different in color. Even their heads were different and the wing patterns, too.
The feathers on your Redtail are so interesting.
Wilma
Too bad we didn’t run into each other out there today. The Eagles were certainly putting on a show today, I was loving it. Matt
I went early this morning. beautiful sunny day, but they weren’t as active this morning before I went to church.
Still an enjoyable day.
Wilma
Agree that the Red Tail’s coloration is very interesting and pretty. Any thoughts as to why?
Love the Hooded Mergansers in first photo.
Although I don’t comment very often I totally enjoy your blog And photos.
Chris – I’m really not sure about that Red-tail, I may have to ask around. I really liked how that photo of the Hooded Mergansers worked out, the composition is pleasing to me. Glad you are enjoying the blog, please comment as much as you want – it makes my day! Matt