4/30/16 – Pochuck Mountain and 6 1/2 Station Road

~Ovenbird at Pochuck Mountain SF, 4/30/16.~
~Ovenbird at Pochuck Mountain SF, 4/30/16.~

It’s that time of year when new birds are not very hard to come by. Migration is getting into full swing, and many new birds are moving into and through the area. I spent the morning and into the early afternoon birding at the above locations, and added 14 new species to my Orange County year list.

First thing this morning, I met Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris at Pochuck Mountain State Forest, which was quite birdy. We had a nice long walk with 33 species and I added 8 personal first of year (FOY) birds:

Wood Thrush
Gray Catbird
Ovenbird
Blue-winged Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Baltimore Oriole

Ovenbird was the bird of the day for sure; we heard them calling all along the trail as we walked. It was a nice outing, although at the end we had to cut it short and hustle back to our cars as both Linda and Maria had other obligations.

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~This was one very accommodating  Field Sparrow, on the Heritage Trail at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/30/16.~

Afterwards, I headed over to 6 1/2 Station Road with the main goal of trying for some shorebirds. I started at the Citgo Pond, and although it was not a great success, I did see a several Killdeer, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs (FOY in Orange County), and 2 Spotted Sandpipers (FOY). The habitat looks good there right now for shorebirds, so I will be checking in for sure. I also walked a portion of the Heritage Trail, and ultimately I had 32 species. Other new year birds for me included: Green Heron, several Chimney Swifts, 2 Warbling Vireos, and a House Wren. I was bummed out about the Warbling Vireos because they were down low and in good light, but for some reason I was never able to get a good focus while I was trying to photograph them.

While I wouldn’t categorize it as amazing, it was certainly a good and enjoyable day of birding.

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~An acrobatic looking House Wren at 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/30/16. ~
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~With all the Brown-headed Cowbirds I’ve seen in recent days, I finally got a decent photo of one. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 4/30/16.~
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~Blue-winged Warbler at Pochuck Mountain SF, 4/30/16.~
My FOY Green Heron, which is always exciting to me. Love this bird. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 5/30/16.~
My FOY Green Heron, which is always exciting to me. Love this bird. 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, 5/30/16.~

10 thoughts on “4/30/16 – Pochuck Mountain and 6 1/2 Station Road”

  1. Great pictures! I hope i see a green heron this year—I saw my FOY Baltimore Oriole this week at wickham lake – he took my breath away he was so beautiful!

    1. Thanks Keri! Nice to have all these amazing birds coming back. Good luck getting a Green Heron. Matt

  4. Hi Matt!
    I’m new to birding and always thoroughly enjoy your posts and pictures. My reaction is usually, “Wow! I need to go there!”
    I’m on the Heritage Trail often at 6 1/2 Station Road and always wondered how to get closer to the pond on the right (as you are heading into Goshen). Is that the Citgo Pond you speak of? If so, how do you get there? Thanks so much!
    Lisa

    1. Hi Lisa, I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. Yes, that is the Citgo Pond, you can get to it by parking at the gas station on Route 17M (on the same side as the Ford dealership). Once parked, head back (on foot) on Route 17M towards Goshen for about 35 yards and you will see the trail on the left. I should mention that this trail is typically loaded with ticks – please take precautions before walking it (long pants tucked into socks, long sleeves, tick repellent etc..,) and make a thorough check once you are done. Good luck with it. Matt

    1. Glad you like them Liza! That Field Sparrow was a sweet and accommodating bird. Matt

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