Orange County Sunday, 11/15/15

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~This made my morning; Snow Bunting in the Black Dirt, 11/15/15.~

Between the time change and just being very busy lately, today was the first time in a while that I’ve spent any amount of time birding in Orange County. I started out in the black dirt just after sunrise this morning, looking for the Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspurs. I found a flock of probably over 100 birds; they were mostly Horned Larks with over 20 Snow Buntings and I was happy to see a handful of American Pipits. I had no luck with longspurs. Two Northern Harriers, a male and a female were keeping the birds on their toes and moving around pretty good. I spent some time with the birds and eventually some landed close enough for some decent photos which made me happy. When falconer showed up and started to fly a Gyrfalcon in the next field, I figured it was a good time to move on.

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~One of many Horned Larks in a mixed flock in the Black Dirt, 11/15/15.~
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~American Pipit in the Black Dirt, I first noticed this bird because it was pumping its tail up and down, 11/15/15.~

I was also hoping for some waterfowl today. I went to Glenmere Lake and struck out. There were a good number of boats out on the lake, so I figured that was the reason. I also stopped by Wickham Lake two times, which a little more productive:

Mallard (2)
American Black Duck (3)
Bufflehead (17)
Lesser Scaup (1)
Ruddy Duck (7)

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~Seventeen Buffleheads at Wickham Lake, 11/15/15.~

Between the two Wickham Lake stops, I spent a couple of hours at Mount Peter helping official counter for the day, Tom Millard. It was the final day of the hawkwatch season, and although it was slow day for migrating hawks, I did manage to get some decent photos. Just after I arrived, a Sharp-shinned Hawk appeared just over the trees and continued directly over the viewing platform. Not long after that, a Cooper’s Hawk shot in front of the platform and disappeared into the woods. I wasn’t quick enough on the draw to get photos of the Coop, but when a young Red-Shouldered Hawk took the same line a little while later I was able to get a few shots. I should mention that Saturday’s count was super (of course it was, I was supposed to count but had to work!). They had a total of 160 migrating raptors, including 130 Red-tailed Hawks and an immature GOLDEN EAGLE, the final bird of the day.

On my way home, I made one final stop at the Citgo Pond. I had a hunch there might be some interesting waterfowl present, but my hunch did not come to fruition, as I only found: Mallard (9), Northern Shoveler (4), and Green-winged Teal (18). It felt good to back in action here in Orange County!

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~A migrating Sharp-shinned Hawk flies directly over the view platform at Mount Peter Hawkwatch, 11/15/15.~
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~An immature Red-shouldered Hawk found something interesting in the woods in front of the platform, and darted in! Mount Peter Hawkwatch, 11/15/15.~
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~And one final Turkey Vulture shot from the hawkwatch, Mount Peter 11/15/15.~
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~Nine Snow Buntings and one Horned Lark in flight, Black Dirt Region, 11/15/15.~

6 thoughts on “Orange County Sunday, 11/15/15”

    1. Thanks, it was Jeff. It’s been ages since I’ve gotten any photos, so it was good break out of a mini slump. Matt

  2. Hi Matt,

    Where did you see the Snow Buntings?

    That Vulture head was so CONDORESQUE that I had to blow it up and have a good look. Looks like a young bird.

    Thanks.

    1. Ken,
      I’m glad to hear someone is actually looking at the vulture pics. I enjoy them and they help at the hawk watch for two reasons: 1. They help pass the time when it’s slow, and 2. looking at them often leads to finding other migrating Hawks. matt

  3. Nice shots, Matt

    I’ve been too busy to bird lately,too and I’m having severe withdrawal. Hopefully I’ll be able to get out next week. Have you heard of any SEOW yet???

    Wilma

    1. Thanks Wilma, I’ve been busy too – it’s been tough to get out much. I had a single SEOW at the grasslands last week and one was reported there two days ago as well. Matt

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