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
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