That's more like it...

Wall to wall blue skies, and the sun warmed it up quickly this morning. Started out at RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary in Catskill.

Kiosk map at RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary

The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club is offering a field trip here on Sunday, April 28th. At the 28-foot high observation tower, we heard an Eastern Phoebe calling; they are known to nest at the tower every season. An adult Bald Eagle was sitting on the nest to the west of the marsh, and a sub-adult baldie soared overhead.

Three-story observation tower at the marsh.

We could hear geese migrating overhead almost constantly. As soon as one group passed, another would appear to the south. They were mostly Canada Geese, but one formation had 55 Snow Geese with five Canadas mixed in.

Cattail marsh looking west.

We heard at least one Fox Sparrow singing, and saw a couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets, which are almost common here.

Bridge over RamsHorn Creek, the marsh is tidal as it abuts the Hudson River.

At the IDA Grasslands in Coxsackie, a Tree Swallow was annoying an Eastern Bluebird that had previously claimed one of the bird boxes.

Tree Swallow eyeing a bird box...

Maybe, just maybe spring has awoken?

TW

Still on hold...

The weather conditions of the third and fourth weeks of March were very unfavorable to push migrating birds northward. Ducks and geese continued to move through in modest numbers, and there was a trickle of reports involving Pied-billed Grebe, Eastern Phoebe, Rusty Blackbird, and Eastern Meadowlark. Tree Swallows are yet to have been reported above Greene County, and only a few Double-crested Cormorants have reached our area. Nearby hawk watches have seen fair numbers of raptors migrating. In the past few days I've noticed many Turkey Vultures soaring in various parts of the region. This weekend finally promises a more favorable weather pattern, especially Sunday into Monday. Perhaps we can get a quick pulse of birds pushing into the Capital District, they must be piling up to our south.

What's next:

March 29th- April 4th

Blue-winged Teal begin to show up at the end of March, and it's also the time to expect the few reports of Long-tailed Duck and American Coot that we have each spring. Common Loons begin to show up in the rivers, and larger lakes and reservoirs; Red-necked Grebes are moving, too. Osprey return about this time as well.

Wilson's Snipe can be found in wet, grassy areas and along the edges of shallow ponds and marshes.

Eastern Meadowlarks should be back and singing on sunny mornings in their grassland habitats. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers will start making their presence known by drumming, squealing, and "mewing". The first Swamp Sparrows may be back on territory at the end of the period; they add a welcome counterpoint to the singing Red-winged Blackbirds.

The first Pine Warblers might be expected in the first week of April. Look for them in stands of pines at Five Rivers, the Albany Pine Bush, and the parks in Saratoga County.


Capital District Bird-Finding Calendar click here


TW

Blackbird fly...

Blackbirds sitting on the left and right
Take these suet cakes up to the tree
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to eat seed

(with apologies to Paul McCartney)

Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds in Colonie

At the Thacher Park hawkwatch site, one adult Bald Eagle migrated along the ridgeline, with two migrating Turkey Vultures, three resident TVs, and a Red-tailed Hawk.

 Hawkwatch site at Thacher Park Overlook

 Empire State Plaza from the hawkwatch

 Looking towards Albany

At Black Creek Marsh, a red morph Eastern Screech-Owl was in one of the Wood Duck boxes. The water is mostly frozen thanks to recent cold nights.

 The Thacher Park overlook in the distance, from Black Creek Marsh

Still winter at BCM

TW

Colonie Town Park

Colonie Town Park (Mohawk River Park) is located on Schermerhorn Rd., along the Mohawk River between Rt. 9 and the Northway. Five inches of snow on the ground made for some interesting overland hiking, but the shortcuts saved a lot of needless walking otherwise. On the river were some Common Mergansers, and Great Black-backed Gulls, but not much else. As I was setting up my scope, a bird flew over at treetop level making a distinctive call. It was an Evening Grosbeak, a species I hadn't seen since a few years ago at the Newcomb VIC. I couldn't find the bird with binoculars however.

The park offers one of the few points of public access, in Albany County, to the Mohawk west of Rt. 9. A return trip under more favorable weather conditions is in order.


TW
   

Waiting for the sun

"Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men."

~Chinese proverb

A very cold start to the day at 14 degrees. Sunshine fading behind high clouds worked in vain to loosen winter's grip on the season. No new arrivals at Hannacroix Creek Preserve this morning.

Bridge at Hannacroix Creek Preserve

Rt. 144, New Baltimore

Five Rivers in Delmar also had frozen ground and no sign of vernal aspirations.

Fields west of the Research Ponds at Five Rivers.

"Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day."

~Elizabeth Bowen

TW

Hudson River North

The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club and Southern Adirondack Audubon Society had a joint field trip on Sunday morning, covering the Hudson River from Schuylerville north to Ft. Miller. It was sunny but quite cold, with temperatures in the mid 20s, and gusty west winds. The river was ice-free, but the shallow backwaters and inlets were frozen over.

The first stop was Champlain Canal Lock 5/ Hudson Crossing Park. If first impressions are any indication, this is a great place to bird. It was very active on the river, in the trees and brush, and along the field edges. Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Great Blue Heron and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were along the water. In the wooded section was a singing Winter Wren. Around the edges a pair of Eastern Bluebirds warmed up in the sun, and a Northern Mockingbird entertained with quite a repertoire of imitations. 

Hudson Crossing Park

Along the Hudson up to Fort Miller were Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, and Common Merganser. There were at least four Killdeer in a grassy field just east of River Rd. Flyovers included Turkey Vulture, a sub-adult Bald Eagle, and most surprisingly, a croaking Common Raven. 

Hudson River in Fort Miller

Thanks to the trip leaders Joyce and Lindsey we had a terrific day of late winter birding!

TW

Waterfowl and short-distance migrants

New arrivals in the third week of March can be highly dependent on weather conditions in the Eastern United States. Days with southerly wind flow and above normal temperatures will promote early arrivals of some species. Prolonged periods of strong northwesterly flow and below normal temperatures keep the ice going on local water bodies, and temporarily discourage short-and-medium-distance migrants from making incremental jumps northward. Other than a brief respite on the 18th and 19th, expect unfavorable conditions for the third week of March this year.



What's Next:

March 15th- 21st

Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, and Ring-necked Duck numbers should increase. Canvasback, Redhead, and the Scaup speices can all be seen in small groups if they stop over on the way back to their breeding grounds. Great Cormorant numbers should be at their highest up the Hudson River during this period (look for them perched on channel markers), and the first Double-crested Cormorants should show up at the end of the week. River and lake watchers should keep an eye open for Horned Grebes; a male in breeding plumage is magnificent and the observation should be savored.

Any very large, dark-colored, soaring, "plank-winged" raptor should be carefully scrutinized as a potential Golden Eagle returning northward. They are already being reported at hawk watches to the west and south of our area. Study a raptor-in-flight book for diagnostic clues, but expect most all of your sightings to be Bald Eagles. 

A few passerines (perching birds) should return this week: Eastern Phoebe, Field Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird. The population of Rusty Blackbirds has plummeted over the last half-century. Please report any sightings of this species to your local bird club, online group, eBird, or other entity that can collect the data. Scientists are working hard to understand more about the Rusty Blackbird and its recent decline. Wet areas including flooded woods, swamps, marshes, and the edges of ponds are likely spots to find them. Their call, which sounds something like a "rusty hinge", will first alert you to their presence. Be sure to distinguish them from the Common Grackle, which has a somewhat similar appearance and sound from a distance.


Capital District Bird-Finding Calendar click here


TW

Albany County ducks, more signs of spring

 A scan of water bodies around Albany County this morning came up with the following observations:


Stanton Pond- Gadwall (4), American Wigeon (14), Hooded Merganser (8).

Vly Creek Reservoir- Wood Duck (3), Green-winged Teal (2), Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead.

Alcove Reservoir- still ice-covered

Basic Creek Reservoir- still ice-covered

Black Creek Marsh- one gray Eastern Screech-Owl in box west of Hennessey Rd., a couple of Song Sparrows singing. No new arrivals yet.

Five Rivers- Hooded Mergansers (5), many flyover groups of Canada Goose.

Soggy, squishy, swampy trails at Five Rivers.

Male Bluebird checks out Apartment 13A.

Vlomankill running high and fast.

Canada Geese on nest at Heron Pond.

TW

A lovely day for ducks...

At Collins Lake in Scotia this morning there was a good variety of ducks present. Much of the lake is unfrozen now, especially the north and east sides. From Quinlan Park on the east side all the following species could be viewed:

Gadwall (a pair), American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler (a drake pictured below), Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, and Hooded Merganser (across the road in the creek.)

(Click photo to enlarge.)

Poor "iPhone-through-scope" photo of Northern Shoveler drake standing on the ice.


Fifty degrees + rain showers = good birding!


TW

Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail

The Mohawk River is open in Niskayuna and can be viewed from various points along the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. The shallow back waters are still mostly frozen, but wherever a current is moving it's open. Numerous flocks of Canada Geese flew over this morning at migrating altitude, they are definitely on the move. Expect Snow Geese later this week. Plenty of Common Mergansers on the river, but not much else.

The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club is holding a field trip here on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The bike path travels alongside a variety of habitats including wetlands, farmlands, shoreline/mudflats, and woodlands.

Niskayuna Train Station building at Lions Park.

The Wide Waters at Niskayuna.

The bridge at Ferry Rd. to Niska Isle.

Wetlands at Ferry Rd.

The Ferry Road Bridge.

Hooded Merganser.

Northern Cardinal perched up and singing.

Wetlands (also good woodpecker habitat.)

Red-tailed Hawk teed up.

Burger's Farm at Niska Isle (good shorebird habitat in the spring.)

Vischer Ferry Power Plant from Lock 7.

Cement Pier at Lock 7.

Mohawk River Lock 7.



TW

Stockport Station, Columbia County

Stockport Station is at the end of Station Rd. in Columbiaville, NY. Stockport Creek empties into the Hudson River here. The tidal wetlands are very unique and are part of the Hudson River Estuary Program. The Hudson is entirely tidal freshwater at this site. 

Under azure blue skies, a variety of waterfowl were scattered about the mouth of the creek: Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Common Merganser, American Black Duck, Mallard, and Canada Goose. There were at least three Bald Eagles present, including an adult near a nest. Another eagle was terrifying the gull population with mock dives. A Pileated Woodpecker was elongating a hole in a nearby tree.  The bright sunshine was very welcome this morning.


TW

Sitting ducks

The persistent northerly wind flow, cool temperatures, and lack of sunshine for the past several days has done little to promote the melting of ice on local water bodies. Overnight snowfall averaging 6 inches will only delay the process further. There have been a few reports of ducks on the move, and Canada Geese are flying into marsh roosts each evening, along with dabbling ducks. There are several individuals of both Lesser Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser being observed on open portions of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. These species are among the harder to find in our area, as they mostly bypass the region on the way to and from their typical wintering areas in the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic coast.

Large group of Mallards at The Crossings in Colonie


What's Next:

March 8th- 14th:

American Woodcock will return and are best found at dusk making their "peent" call, followed by an aerial skydance (VIDEO).

Dabbling ducks will arrive as soon as they can find open water on shallow ponds, marshes and wetlands. Expect Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal first, and Gadwall will follow closely.

Bufflehead (VIDEO) can be found now where there is deeper water for diving, and at the end of the period we might expect to find the first Pied-billed Grebes back in town.

Snow Geese may begin to return northward about this time, often moving overhead in very large "skeins"; keep your eyes and ears open, their honking sound is a bit different from Canada Goose or Brant.

Red-shouldered Hawks should begin to turn up this week.

At the end of the period, the first Tree Swallows may start to appear along the rivers, and you might find a Fox Sparrow in dense, shrubby habitat, or even under a feeder doing the "hop-scratch" (VIDEO).

Next week: More water birds, and a few birds of field and marsh.

Capital Region Bird-Finding Calendar click here


TW

Killdeer here

Found Killdeer in three places this morning (3/3). One flying up and down Vosburgh Swamp in Greene County, one at the Greene County IDA Grasslands in Coxsackie (along the Serta cul-de-sac, pictured above), and at the power line cut along Rowe Rd. in Selkirk, Albany County. Temperatures dipped into the lower 20s overnight and put a hold on the thawing out process. Dabbling ducks are waiting just to our south for the shallow ponds and such to open up. Vosburgh Swamp was over 90% frozen, but ducks were still scattered throughout the small open water areas. Numerous Northern Pintail, and several each of American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal were present there, along with at least one Mute Swan, and three Bald Eagles. Thanks to John and Tristan for scouting the area yesterday.


TW

March 1st: The tide has turned...

A Turkey Vulture! It was the first returning species that I saw this year, on Feb. 20th. Most Turkey Vultures head to the southeastern US and Mexico for the winter, but some ride it out just to our south over southern New England and the lower Hudson Valley. In the middle of February they start to drift back northward. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are right behind; they will suddenly appear in your yard one morning under the feeders, or atop a tall tree. Many people associate the "O-ka-leeee" song of the RWBB as the true harbinger of spring's awakening. The bright red and yellow shoulder patches on the glossy black birds are a real crowd-pleaser  But just remember who is first, the dark, teetering "buzzard" soaring in the distance. What's Next:

March 1st-7th:

Mute Swan start to ease back into the area, along estuaries on the Hudson River, and eventually onto shallow reservoirs, lakes and ponds as the ice recedes.

Killdeer will show up in almost any short-grass or gravely area, and in agricultural fields. You will almost surely hear them before you spot them.  

Next week: Ducks and more

Capital Region Bird-Finding Calendar click here


TW