Tufted Puffins

Matt and Tricia’s wedding trip to Maine also includes a trip to see the Atlantic Puffins.  So in honor of their wedding, I am sharing the Tufted Puffins that I saw in Washington State.  I hope this posts brings them luck in their quest to see Puffins and all the best for a happy marriage.

These birds seemed to appear on the water out of the morning fog.  I decided to keep the fog in some of the pictures just because it’s reminiscent of it rolling across the bay in a way that was almost eerie. The first Puffin caught a small fish for breakfast  These birds were definitely the highlight of the day!

– Karen C Miller

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VACATION!

Tomorrow morning I am going on a two week vacation to Maine, where Tricia and I will get married! I’m not entirely sure if I will be posting while I’m gone, but it’s not likely. In the meantime, KAREN MILLER will be doing some guest posts. Right now she is on a birding trip in Seattle, so I look forward to seeing what birds she had while she was out there. Huge thanks to Karen – can’t wait to see your posts!

-Matt

Liberty Loop – Shorebird Update

This Solitary Sandpiper was the only shorebird close enough for decent photos. Liberty Loop, 7/24/14.
This Solitary Sandpiper was the only shorebird close enough for decent photos. Liberty Loop, 7/24/14.

QUICK POST: I made a brief stop at the Liberty Loop after work – shorebird numbers were slightly down but still considerable. The big news was the addition of a Pectoral Sandpiper, my FOS. Here’s my list for the day, more guesstimates than counting as I did not have tons of time:

Killdeer: 15
Spotted Sandpiper: 2
Solitary Sandpiper: 2
Lesser Yellowlegs: 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper: 1
Least Sandpiper: 25
PECTORAL SANDPIPER: 1

I have these birds as (from left to right):
A distant shot, but I have these birds as (from left to right): Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper, and  (2) Least Sandpipers. Liberty Loop at Wallkill River NWR, 7/24/14.
I came and went via Owens Station Road in hopes of finding these Virginia Rails (with young!). Thanks to Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris for giving me the heads up.
I came and went via Owens Station Road in hopes of finding these Virginia Rails (with chick!). Another distant photo, but great to see – this was my best look at Virginia Rail yet. Thanks to Linda Scrima and Maria Loukeris for giving me the heads up.

Least Feast 7/23/14

Least Sandpipers in flight at the Liberty Loop this afternoon, 7/23/14.
Least Sandpipers in flight at the Liberty Loop this afternoon, 7/23/14.

QUICK POST: Shorebirds are on the move now! Observed on the southern end (the back pool) of the Liberty Loop this afternoon:

Killdeer: 20+
Spotted Sandpiper: 1
Solitary Sandpiper: 3
Lesser Yellowlegs: 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper:5
LEAST SANDPIPER: 48

One of 48 (!) Least Sandpipers at Wallkill River NWR, Liberty Loop, 7/23/14.
One of 48 (!) Least Sandpipers at Wallkill River NWR, Liberty Loop, 7/23/14.
I have these as three Least Sandpipers with one Semipalmated Sandpiper (nearest to front center). Liberty Loop, 7/23/14.
I have these as three Least Sandpipers with one Semipalmated Sandpiper (closest to front center). Liberty Loop, 7/23/14.

Liberty Loop, 7/21/14

My FOS in Orange County Black-crowned Night Heron. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
My FOS in Orange County Black-crowned Night Heron. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.

I had two sets of birding plans for this morning that were foiled. I was initially going to go down to New Jersey to chase the European Golden-Plover that had been reported, but all the reports I read and received indicated that it was likely that this bird had moved on. My second plan was to get out to Sullivan County with Linda Scrima to try for the Stilt Sandpiper that Karen Miller found yesterday – you can read about it at the Bashakill Birder. That plan was cut short with a couple of phone calls this morning from John Haas, letting me know that the bird had not been relocated. With a change of plans, we decided meet up with Maria Loukeris and walk the Liberty Loop at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. What a good decision that turned out to be; it was a very active morning with wading birds stealing the show. It started with Linda locating a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON from the viewing platform moments after our arrival. This was my FOS BCNH in Orange County so that was a bonus for me. In the distance we could see three Great Egrets in flight and as we began to walk the loop, it was apparent that Great Blue Herons were present in numbers. We eventually caught up with the egrets and they were quite accommodating, allowing for many photos. I am not thrilled with my results, but still it was great to see them.

I love how thin this bird looks from this perspective. Great Egret at Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
I love how thin this bird looks from this perspective. Great Egret at Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
Deuces wild! Two Great Blue Herons fly over two Great Egrets. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
Deuces wild! Two Great Blue Herons fly over two Great Egrets. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
A pair of Great Egrets in flight on the Liberty Loop, 7/21/14.
A pair of Great Egrets in flight on the Liberty Loop, 7/21/14.

The big news of the day, however, was a nice collection of shorebirds:

2 Solitary Sandpipers
3 Lesser Yellowlegs
1 Semipalmated Sandpiper
8 Least Sandpipers
12 Killdeer
1 Wilson’s Snipe

One of three Lesser Yellowlegs at Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
One of three Lesser Yellowlegs at Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.

It was exciting to see that some shorebirds are moving through and it was a great morning of birding with a large variety of species being seen and heard – we had 47 birds on our list for the walk.

We had many Orchard Orioles while we were out. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.
We had many Orchard Orioles while we were out. Wallkill River NWR, 7/21/14.

Playing Catch Up

A Green Heron strikes a pose at Denning's Point in Beacon NY, 7/20/14.
A Green Heron strikes a pose at Denning’s Point in Beacon NY, 7/20/14.

So, I have gotten out a number of times this week but have not had time to post. For the most part it was the expected cast of characters, but there were some exceptions. My best bird of the week was the PURPLE MARTIN, four of which were observed at Stewart State Forest on both 7/17 and 7/20. A close second place was a single HORNED LARK in the black dirt region on 7/16, and it was also really great to see some shorebird movement with  three LEAST SANDPIPERS and two LESSER YELLOWLEGS at the Camel Farm on 7/15 and three more LESA out in Sullivan County on 7/18. So, things are starting to happen, which is exciting. Here are my shots from the week:

BLACK DIRT REGION, WEDNESDAY 7/16/14

I don't normally crop this tightly, but it seems to hold up for me with this shot. Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region, 7/16/14.
I don’t normally crop this tightly, but it seems to hold up for me with this shot. Horned Lark in the Black Dirt Region, 7/16/14.
HOLA in the Black Dirt, 7/16/14.
HOLA in the Black Dirt, 7/16/14.

STEWART FOREST, THURSDAY 7/17/14 & SUNDAY 7/20/14

Purple Martins in flight overhead at Stewart Forest, 7/17/14.
Purple Martins in flight overhead at Stewart Forest, 7/17/14.
COYE at Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.
COYE at Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.
Eastern Wood Peewee, a bird that I don't get many photos of. Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.
Eastern Wood Peewee, a bird that I don’t get many photos of. Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.
Eastern Towhee in the tree tops at Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.
Eastern Towhee in the tree tops at Stewart Forest, 7/20/14.

BASHAKILL WMA, FRIDAY 7/18/20

I flushed this (and many more) Wood Duck while kayaking the Bash in the early morning fog. The heavy fog pretty much prohibited any good photos.
I flushed this (and many more) Wood Duck while kayaking the Bash in the early morning fog. The  fog was so thick that it pretty much prohibited any good photos for most of the morning. Later this week, however, I will be posting a series of Great Blue Heron shots taken as the fog started to lift.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, FRIDAY 7/18/14

Least Sandpiper in Sullivan County, 7/18/14.
Least Sandpiper in Sullivan County, 7/18/14.
This Killdeer kept looking skyward, I'm not sure why. Sullivan County 7/18/14.
This Killdeer kept looking skyward, I’m not sure why. Sullivan County 7/18/14.

DENNING’S POINT, SATURDAY 7/19/14

Two Great Blue Herons spar just off of Denning's Point, with Bannerman Castle in the background, 7/19/14.
Two Great Blue Herons spar just off of Denning’s Point, with Bannerman Island Arsenal in the background, 7/19/14.

Eastern Screech-owl Release!

Last night, Tricia and I were fortunate enough to be present for the release of not one, but three EASTERN SCREECH-OWLS. The owls were all injured in the Warwick area and rehabilitated by Missy Runyan at the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center. Our friend Carol Linguanti, who is also a wildlife rehabber, was given the wonderful task of releasing the birds and invited me along to witness and take some photos. This, of course made me nervous about getting good shots, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity. Our first stop was at Homestead Village, where one of the birds was found on the lawn of a resident. Since the bird was brought in for rehabilitation a short time ago, it was released in the same spot where it was picked up. Here are some shots from the release:

An Eastern Screech-owl waits for its eyes to adjust to the light before being released. Warwick, NY 7/18/14.
An Eastern Screech-owl seems to be waiting for its eyes to adjust to the light before being released. Warwick, NY 7/18/14.
The EASO was out of the box before I knew it, but I did manage one silhouetted flight shot.
The EASO was out of the box before I knew it, but I did manage one silhouetted flight shot.
Tricia faired much better from the other side, getting this shot.
Tricia faired much better from the other side, getting this shot.
The owl perched on a nearby branch for probably less than a minute and then seemed to get its bearings and took off.
The owl perched on a nearby branch for probably less than a minute and then seemed to get its bearings and took off.

The second and third owls apparently had been in rehab for a longer period of time, during which, they bonded. They were to be released together on a large tract of land that Carol owns in Warwick. This release was made even more exciting with the sighting of TWO BEARS! How good can it get? Here are the photos from that release:

Getting ready to be free again, one rufous and one gray Eastern Screech-owls. Photo by Carol Linguanti, Warwick, NY 7/18/14.
Getting ready to be free again, one rufous and one gray Eastern Screech-owl.  Photo by Carol Linguanti, Warwick, NY 7/18/14.
This EASO behaved similarly to the first release, perching nearby for a short period of time before taking off into the woods.
This EASO behaved similarly to the first release, perching nearby for a short period of time before taking off into the woods.
The first bear we saw was relatively small, presumably a young bear.
The first bear we saw was relatively small, presumably a young bear.
The second bear was huge and Carol's husband Bobby was very excited when we watched the bear use the bridge that Bobby had built to get over a stream.
The second bear was huge and Carol’s husband Bobby was very excited when we watched the bear use the bridge that Bobby had built to get over a stream.

I really cannot thank Carol enough for inviting me to be part of this. It was so exciting to get to see these owls up close and fulfilling to know that they had been successfully rehabbed and now were back where they belonged.

 

 

Wolf Brook Multi-use Area and Neversink Unique Area

American Redstart at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.
American Redstart at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.

This morning I met John Haas out in Sullivan County and we birded Wolf Brook Multi-use Area and Neversink Unique area. We left my car at Katrina Falls Road Access and then took John’s car to the Wolf Brook Access. We hiked approximately 4 1/2 miles back to my car and I have to say that this place is loaded with birds. If you threw a rock you would certainly hit an Eastern Towhee as they were present in high numbers. Here’s a distant shot of a young towhee:

A young EATO at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.
A young EATO at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.

One highlight for me was seeing a mother Common Merganser with two young on the Neversink River. Our look was distant and partially obstructed, so no photos of those birds. Worth mentioning is that we did really well with warblers, with 12 species:

Yellow Warbler                                                Pine Warbler
Chestnut-sided                                               Warbler Prairie Warbler
Magnolia Warbler                                            Black-and-white Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler                           American Redstart
Black-throated Green Warbler                        Ovenbird
Blackburnian Warbler                                     Common Yellowthroat

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.
Chestnut-sided Warbler at Wolf Brook Multi-use Area, 7/11/14.
This Black-and-white Warbler found one patch of bright sunlight on the trail. Of course my camera was set for being in the low light of the trail so this shot is overexposed but I tried to salvage it. Neversink Unique Area, 7/11/14.
This Black-and-white Warbler found one patch of bright sunlight on the trail. Of course my camera was set for being in the low light of the trail so this shot is overexposed but I tried to salvage it. Neversink Unique Area, 7/11/14.

As birdy as the walk was, the best part of the hike was certainly seeing the falls. At about 30 feet high, they are really spectacular to see and my photos don’t do justice in the slightest. Also, it is wonderfully cool with a nice mist coming off the falls, accompanied with small rainbows. It’s really a great experience and I recommend it highly.

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This panoramic shot was taken with the Photosynth app on my iPhone.
This panoramic shot was taken with the Photosynth app on my iPhone.

I want to thank John for showing me this great hike, one that I will surely take for years to come, and also for all his help identifying birds by ear today. As we walked, I wondered from time to time just how many birds I would be able to identify if I was doing it on my own? I guess I’ll find out next time….