A likely Cackling Goose does a flyover at Wallkill River NWR, 1/30/14.
I spent the evening at Wallkill River NWR, the light was really nice and I was hoping to get some hawk photos or that maybe the Short-eared Owls would get up early. Neither of those happened, but there was a steady stream of Canada Geese flying over, so I was checking them out, wishing for a Barnacle or Greater White-fronted Goose. Instead, I saw a smaller goose and took several shots. To me this looks like it is good for a Cackling Goose, mostly because of the small stubby bill and the small squarish head. Please comment if you have thoughts on this ID.
The past two evenings after work, I made my way out to the Black Dirt Region hoping to relocate one of the Snowy Owls that has been seen out there. I was successful on both nights and was rewarded with distant but extended views of the bird. It is very enjoyable for me to watch from such a great distance – I can spend some time watching the bird’s behavior and there is no risk of bothering the bird. I can still snap a few distant photos, and sitting in my car, I can entertain the thought that the bird might decide to come a little closer for better looks and photos. This, of course, didn’t happen (this time!), but I like the idea that it might.
Meanwhile, I think I can now identify Snow Buntings by ear. While looking through my binoculars at the Snowy, I heard some birds passing overhead and I immediately thought they sounded like Snow Buntings. My suspicions were confirmed when the flock landed not too far from my car, revealing approximately 15 Horned Larks and 10 Snow Buntings.
Ten Snow Buntings in the Black Dirt Region, 1/28/14.I love these Snow Buntings, they’re so sweet to watch. Black Dirt Region, 1/28/14.
SNOWY OWL in the Black Dirt Region, Orange County NY, 1/16/14.
Huge thanks to Rob Stone once again for alerting me that he had located a SNOWY OWL in the Black Dirt Region today. As far as I know, this is the first Snowy Owl reported in Orange County since early December. Additionally, in the same field, not far away, were 5 TUNDRA SWANS. I saw Ken McDermott while I was there and he told me that Judy Cinquina had seen 21 (!!!) Tundra Swans there earlier in the day. Another great day for birders in Orange County!
One of 5 Tundra Swans that I saw in the Black Dirt Region today (1/16/14).
Five Tundra Swans did a fly-over at the Wallkill River NWR while I was walking the Liberty Loop today (1/15/14).
I got out of work a little bit early today and took the opportunity to walk the Liberty Loop at the Wallkill River NWR. It was a nice walk around the loop where I had 16 species identified. Highlights included 6 Short-eared Owls being very vocal and putting on quite a show, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and on my way back to the car I had 5 TUNDRA SWANS fly over. The birds were heading south along the west side of the loop. They followed the loop into New Jersey and eventually headed back north, this time on the east side of the loop (which is where I was located), flying right over me, and back into New York State. I could tell from the shape of the head/bill that the birds were not Mute Swans, and I was thinking Tundra. Fortunately one of the birds was calling periodically, which lead me to conclude that they were indeed Tundra Swans. Of course, I had to listen to the call on my phone app to know this! What a nice surprise on an unplanned trip around the Liberty Loop!
Sorry for the super grainy photos, but it was just too dark to do any better. TUSW at Wallkill River NWR, 1/15/14.
Greater White-fronted Goose on Onion Avenue, 1/6/14.
Rob Stone texted me this afternoon to let me know he had located four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE on Onion Avenue in New Hampton, NY. When I got there later in the afternoon, just after 4 pm, I could only locate one GWFG among approximately 1200 Canada Geese. I spoke to John Haas after I had left, and he let me know that while he was there, a total of five Greater White-fronted Geese were present. Huge thanks to both Rob and John, what a “great” way to make my day!
One of two Snowy Owls seen from Dune Road, Suffolk County NY on 12/26/13.
Tricia and I were back on Long Island this week to spend Christmas with our families. The day after Christmas, I went birding out east with with Tricia’s Brother-in-law Bill. We basically started out at Cupsogue County Park (a spot I’ve been wanting to get to, having seen many reports of good birds there), and then we headed east on Dune Road. The highlight of the day was locating two (!!!) SNOWY OWLS. Both owls could be seen easily from the car on the beach side of Dune Road and the light was nice which made for some nice photos. Aside from the Snowies, we did pretty well, identifying 28 species and seeing a few more than that; I did not have my scope with me which meant leaving some of the more distant birds unidentified. The birding on Long Island is pretty amazing, the birding hotspots seem endless. Thanks once again to Bill for showing me around; it was a super day of birding.
Here is my species list for the outing:
I have this as a Red-throated Loon, Eastern Long Island 12/26/13.
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Black Duck
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Black-bellied Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Mourning Dove 9
Snowy Owl
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling
Snow Bunting
Always a favorite, we had a large flock of Snow Buntings on Dune Road. There were close to 100 birds in the flock, by far the most I’ve ever seen.This was the first Snowy Owl of the day, located on Dune Road, just east of Tiana Beach, 12/26/13.I was happy to see some shorebirds! It’s been a while. We did alright at Cupsogue County Park for shorebirds getting these Sanderlings……a single Ruddy Turnstone……and several Black-bellied Plovers. All at Cupsogue County Park, 12/26/13.
Tricia and I went to Long Island on Saturday afternoon to attend my sister’s annual Christmas Caroling Party. We left a little early to beat the worst of the snow that was coming, so we joined up with Tricia’s brother-in-law Bill to do some birding on the south shore. Bill has a nice “birding by car” loop that he does, which includes Robert Moses Park, Captree Island, Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach, Cedar Beach, Cedar Beach Marina, and various other stops. We did the loop while the snow got heavier and the winds started to pick up. I think due to the high winds, it was not overly birdy; our best birds where several Northern Harriers and a Merlin fly-by. We went to Cedar Beach Marina to look for the Gyrfalcon that had been reported there, but had no luck.
A Northern Harrier that had recently had a meal – look at the size of that crop! I think this bird was at Oak Beach, 12/15/13.
The party was a blast on Saturday night, but we were still up relatively early, ready to try Bill’s loop again in some better weather. Tricia’s sister Carolyn and her niece Cameron also joined us. The highlight of the day was, without a doubt, finding a SNOWY OWL on Captree Island. It was really exciting because this was a life bird for Bill, Carolyn, and Cameron. Although the bird was very distant (see photo!), we got some decent looks in binoculars and in the scope as the bird changed perches from time to time.
SNOWY OWL on Captree Island, 12/15/13. I can’t get enough of the Snowies, this is my fourth!
Other highlights of the day included: 2 Peregrine Falcons, Several Northern Harriers, a flock of Brant, many Buffleheads, a handful of Northern Shovelers, several Common Loons, 3 Red-throated Loons, and my personal favorite birds of the day – 4 Long-tailed Ducks. We struck out on the Gyrfalcon once again, but really it was a great day of birding. Huge thanks to Bill and Carolyn for taking us around and showing us all the spots; it’s so good to have the local knowledge and good company too.
I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve gotten close enough to a Great Blue Heron for a photo. This one was on Captree Island, 12/15/13.I have this as a first winter Herring Gull. Oak Beach, 12/15/13.Where am I? Here’s a shot of me taking a shot of the Long-tailed Duck. Photo by Bill Martocci – thanks Bill. And a close-up. Photo by Bill Martocci.
The Snow Owl invasion continues. It was just before 3:00 pm and I had just gotten home. I thought my birding for the day was done when I received a phone call from John Haas: He was looking at a Snowy Owl in Bethel, NY. Tricia and I jumped into the car in hopes of getting a look at the bird. When we arrived, the bird was still present, and what a beauty! The markings on this bird were darker than the two I had seen in Orange County and the effect was striking. Many birders were present or on their way to see the bird. I was particularly happy for all the Sullivan County birders to finally get a Snowy Owl for the county. Thanks once again to John Haas for the call. You can go to The Bashakill Birder to see John’s account of the events.
This bird was actively hunting while we were there, and seemed to have success at one point. SNOW in Bethel NY, 12/1/13.
Northern Shrike Update
I also did some birding in Orange County in the morning and I wanted to add that the Northern Shrike on Lower Wisner Road in Warwick, NY continues. I located the bird working the old fence line between Upper and Lower Wisner between 10:00 and 11:00 am. I’m still working on a good photo…
The second Snowy Owl in as many days. Black Dirt Region, Orange County NY 11/27/13.
I got home early from work today, and as I was walking in the door I got a call from Rob Stone: A second SNOWY OWL had been located by Ken McDermott! In case you are thinking this is perhaps the same owl, Rob was out looking at the first Snowy Owl when Ken called him to say he had a second one! Incredible birding days in Orange County! I zipped right over to check out the bird and snap some photos. Thanks again to Rob and of course, Ken who located the bird.
I also went to check on the first owl (which I did not locate), but thanks to fellow birder Maria (sorry I did not catch her last name), I was able to finally get some decent Snow Bunting photos:
Snow Bunting in the Black Dirt Region, Orange County NY, 11/27/13.Snow Bunting in the rain. Black Dirt Region 11/27/13.
Northern Shrike in the distance. Lower Wisner Road in Warwick, 11/11/13.
I was happy I ran into Judy Cinquina this evening. It’s always good to see Judy, she is one of my favorite people, but tonight it was especially nice because she relocated the Northern Shrike while we were out on Lower Wisner Road in Warwick NY. What a great bird, I was so happy to get a better look and to be able to at least take some documentary photographs of the bird. I’ve said it before, but, I REALLY hope this bird sticks around!
The bird was located in the two taller trees a 150-200 yards south of the parking pull over area on Lower Wisner Road.
