Orange Birding

Sooty Grouse of the NW

I think we saw four Sooty Grouses in the Pacific NW. Two were on a branch fairly high in trees. The Grouse in the bottom two pictures was a mama and was trying to shepherd her babies across the road. One cooperated; one didn’t have the nerve, apparently. We watched her try to coax it out of the brush for several minutes, but to no avail. When we left she was on one side with the timid young one and the other was across the road by itself. …. Karen C Miller

Spotted Towhee

Spotted Towhees were plentiful during the early part of our trip. I like our Eastern Towhees here at home and I like these Towhees in the northwest.

American Dipper

I was amazed that we drove way into the woods and our guide, Bob Sundstrum, knew right where to find an American Dipper in the stream below the road. While this is not a colorful bird, it stands out in its ability to wade and swim underwater in mountain streams to feed. Such a cute little guy!

– Karen C Miller

New to me! Here are some birds that made my Life List.

These birds are the female and male Black-headed Grosbeak. The male was preening his feathers, so he looks a bit ruffled!

Hope you enjoy these pictures of my trip to the Pacific NW while Matt is away. – Karen

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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