QUICK POST: It’s getting late, so I will have to make this a quick post. I met Kyle Dudgeon out at the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge’s Liberty Loop Trail, and the good birding on that trail continues. Most of the action seems to be happening in what I call the back pond – the southernmost pool on the trail. On our way back there, at least 2 Sora could be heard calling in the marsh; they sounded like they were pretty deep into the marsh, much farther out than they were on Saturday. As we approached the back pond, we inadvertently flushed a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON that was in the ditch to the right of the trail. The bird did not fly far and we got some photos. This is my first BCNH sighting at the loop this year.
In the back pool we saw my first 2 GREAT EGRETS of the year out in the distance, in the company of nearly 10 Great Blue Herons and one Green Heron. Green Herons flew overhead several times while we were there. Most excitedly, shorebird numbers and variety both increased:
Least Sandpiper 20+
Lesser Yellowlegs 5
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Killdeer 6
Sounds like your having a great time! I hope some of the shore birds come up our way, thanks for keeping us posted!
I am John! It’s been a pretty good summer of birding with just enough going on to keep it interesting. Matt
Beautiful BCNH shot!
Thanks Marianne! Matt
Great images, Matt! We were there all morning and had better luck with dragonflies than posing birds! Only had one Solitary/1 Yellowleg so the shorebirds are on the move!
Thanks Deb. It’s funny how some days just seem to work out and others don’t. Also interesting about the shorebird movement. In addition to my list, we had another 20 or so birds that I’m pretty sure were shorebirds flying high and far across the marsh. It’s starting to get interesting! Matt