Sunday 1-27-13

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This was such a pretty bird to see – Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk in Warwick NY 1-27-13.

Sunday afternoon I had to resist the urge to go back to the Shawangunk Grasslands and sit in the blind. I decided instead check a few spots in Orange County and see what I could find. My first stop was in Warwick to look for a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk that my friend  and fellow hawk counter Carol Linguanti had recently told me about. I was thrilled just to  find the bird and see it, but what was really exciting was to be able to get some photos of this incredible bird. It was amazing to see this bird in flight; what a beauty. Huge thanks to Carol for helping me out with this one.

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It really was something to see this hawk in flight.

There was one Northern Harrier that was flying low and hunting and so many Red-tailed Hawks that this one had to find a perch on the top of a house:

A Red-tailed Hawk perched on the roof of a McMansion in Warwick, NY.
A Red-tailed Hawk perched on the roof of a McMansion in Warwick, NY.

My next stop was Missionland Road. I drove the length of the road and tallied 7 Red-tailed Hawks, 8 Black Vultures, many crows and one American Kestrel (which, of course, was on a wire).

I also got some photos of this bird in flight, but they were all silhouettes. Male American Kestrel at Missionland Rd.
I also got some photos of this bird in flight, but they were all silhouettes. Male American Kestrel at Missionland Road 1-27-13.
I really enjoyed seeing these Black Vultures at Missionland Rd.
I really enjoyed seeing these Black Vultures at Missionland Rd.

For my final stop I figured I would hit my favorite – Wallkill River NWR. I had an enjoyable walk around the Liberty Loop; I did not see anything out of the ordinary but I did get a good showing of “regulars” and took the opportunity to take some photos:

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One more Junco. They were kind enough to sit for some photos.
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I’m still in search of a good one of these – Downy Woodpecker at Wallkill River NWR 1-27-13.
These guys are never too shy. Song Sparrow at Wallkill River NWR 1-27-13.
These guys are never too shy. Song Sparrow at Wallkill River NWR 1-27-13.

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Sunday 1-27-13”

    1. I have been told that this is the fourth year the bird has been seen there. There are some photos on facebook and the bird was more predominantly white on the first year.

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