Sunday, 02/10/19

~Black-capped Chickadee at Goosepond Mountain, 02/10/19.~

I guess I’m feeling a little blasé about today’s birding, I’m not sure why; maybe I’m just tired. First thing this morning, I went to the Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary in Rye, New York. This is a favorite spot of mine at this time of the year, particularly for waterfowl. I looked back at visits from years past at this time, and today was just a little on the low side of my average – I had 11 species of waterfowl. Highlights included Common Goldeneye, 30+ Long-tailed Ducks, and at least 15 Horned Grebes (I can’t remember ever having that many there before). Unfortunately, most birds were quite distant so I didn’t do much as far a photos go. And, the pier at Rye Playland was closed for some reason; I typically can get more photo ops from the pier than at the sanctuary. I was also hoping I might get lucky with the Greater White-fronted Goose that has been at the sanctuary recently, but no such luck.

~One of my few photo ops with waterfowl today: Red-breasted Merganser in nice light at Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 02/10/19.~

Back closer to home, I made a few quick stops, including Glenmere Lake since it’s one of the few spots in southern Orange County with open water right now . It was nice to run into birding bud Kathy Ashman and we had some decent waterfowl among the medium sized flock of Canada Geese on the lake: 2 Northern Pintails (funny to see them walking around on the ice!), a dozen or so Ring-necked Ducks, and a single Lesser Scaup.

~Northern Mockingbird at the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 02/10/19.~
Northern Cardinal perched near the feeder station at the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary, 02/10/19.~

4 thoughts on “Sunday, 02/10/19”

  1. It was good to see you today, Matt. I know what you mean about the February doldrums, but seeing the Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks and the Lesser Scaup in their beautiful breeding plumage brings me hope that things will soon be picking up. I love the way you captured the little Chickadee performing a lateral hold on the pine needles. They are so agile.

    1. It’s always great to see you Kathy, and really, sharing those birds with you was the highlight of my day. Glad you like the chickadee. Matt

  2. Matt,
    Surprised to see we both visited Rye today. I wish we had run into each other, but our times were off. I had 21 Horned Grebe off Rye Town Park today, so you were absolutely right about the numbers. Who knows what the unsettled weather will bring in this week, lets hope something good. Lets keep the faith! Best, John

    1. Oh, that’s a shame, John, we could have gone together – that would have been a blast. Nice to have the HOGR numbers confirmed. I’m going to check your blog to see what else you had. Matt

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