Longspur longshot

A Smith's Longspur was discovered at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, Ulster County, on Sunday. This is an extremely rare sighting for New York State, the normal winter range is in the Southern Plains states, and the migration range is from the Dakotas north and west to Alaska. The bird was relocated the following day and seemed reliable, so that could mean only one thing: ROAD TRIP.  

Purple Martin colony, and guests, New Paltz (click to enlarge)

Shawangunk Grasslands parking lot at 11:30AM (click to enlarge)

Savannah Sparrow singing (click to enlarge)

American Kestrel eyeing a meal (click to enlarge)

Observers blind, north end (click to enlarge)

The Shawangunk Mountain ridge (click to enlarge)

Eastern Meadowlark perched up and singing (click to enlarge)

Midday at the Oasis... (click to enlarge)

distant Northern Harrier, I think (click to enlarge)

"It's just to the left of the rusty colored rock!..." (click to enlarge)

Money shot...just right of center (click to enlarge)

TW

HMBC Field Trip, RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary- 4/28

On a dazzling late April morning, seven birders joined Audubon Education Coordinator Larry Federman on a trek around RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary in Catskill, Greene County. After a cool start to the day, temperatures warmed nicely under clear blue skies, and light winds. By early afternoon it was downright warm, and the birds kept on singing. We identified 53 species, including seven warblers.

 

Right at the parking area, there were Yellow-rumped Warblers in the trees. A Black-and-white Warbler was checking out tree trunks and limbs, and a Blue-winged Warbler, singing an alternate song, gave splendid views to the group. As we headed down the old farm road towards the marsh, we noticed many groups of Blue Jays heading north. Our semi-carefully recorded count of them was 119 for the day. An Osprey made a few circles over the marsh and then slid out of sight.

At the boardwalk to the observation tower, a small kettle of raptors was riding a thermal overhead. It consisted of two Broad-winged Hawks, two Sharp-shinned Hawks, and a Cooper's Hawk. It was instructive to watch the three accipiters soaring together, and their respective flapping behaviors when coming out of a glide.

From alongside the marsh, the nest of a Bald Eagle pair can be observed to the west at some distance. A closer view can be obtained from a different angle along the woodland trail, and we could see two eaglets popping their heads up and moving around. A parent would come off the nest occasionally to soar near
the marsh. 

Catskill Mountains from RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary (click to enlarge)

Two Yellow Warblers showed off their striking color in the willows where the trail runs into RamsHorn Creek, which is tidal here along the Hudson River (the tide was going out.) From that point, a series of loop trails circle the pine-hardwood hillside habitat. A Black-throated Blue Warbler made an appearance, a Pine Warbler was very well seen, and we later heard a Black-throated Green Warbler in the central upland section.

Probably the most remarkable sighting of the day was spotted at the edge of the marsh on the west side of the property. When Larry uttered a phrase normally associated with finding a hundred dollar bill lying on the ground, we knew he had found something good. Two Great Egrets were perched in a most unlikely spot,
about five or six feet off the ground in shrubby, fallen-tree habitat. They were in full breeding plumage, one was showing off its aigrettes as it preened on one leg.

Pair of Great Egrets through the trees (click to enlarge)

Thank you to all of today's participants, we had a great day, and special thanks to Larry for guiding us around the place and sharing his wealth of local knowledge. A wonderful time spent in the field!

 

 


TW

Saratoga National Historical Park and Wright's Loop

Saratoga NHP is a unique location for birders to explore, in that it offers a one-way tour loop road that covers much of the park. There are ten official stops with parking areas, each related to a particular physical setting or event of historical significance. The roadsides also have occasional pull-offs, and a vehicle can be safely pulled off on the left shoulder (out of the bike lane) in most places. This allows exploration of a variety of locations, from grassy fields to rolling woodlands. From one stop a magnificent view of the Hudson River is afforded as well.

On Saturday morning we stopped at the Visitor Center to obtain our seasonal pass ($10), and to check the edges around the building, which is on high ground in the NW corner of the park. There was an Eastern Phoebe, a Field Sparrow, and a Chipping Sparrow present.

View from behind the Visitor Center at Saratoga NHP (click to enlarge)

The south end of the park (and alternate "walking" entrance off Rt. 32) is a series of short grass fields with scattered trees and shrubs. It is terrific sparrow and open field-bird habitat. Eastern Meadowlarks frequent the fields, Savannah Sparrows are numerous, and American Kestrels hunt from on high.  

 Savannah Sparrow perched up singing (click to enlarge)

Wright's Loop is a road that "loops" from Rt. 4 next to the Saratoga Sod Farm, down to the Hudson River, turns north for maybe a half-mile, then returns west to Rt. 4 alongside a farmer's field that is frequently flooded. The flooded field has historically hosted a wide variety of waterfowl and shorebirds. It contained about forty Green-winged Teal, two Pectoral Sandpipers, five Killdeer, and two Greater Yellowlegs late this morning.  

 Flooded field at Wright's Loop (click to enlarge)

 Greater Yellowlegs (click to enlarge)

 Greater yellowlegs mirror image (click to enlarge)

 Greater yellowlegs foraging (click to enlarge)

Poor iPhone-through-scope image of Pectoral Sandpipers (click to enlarge)

TW

Right this way, please...

Hello, Mr. Yellow Warbler, welcome to the Insect Buffet at the Leaf-Out Restaurant, glad that you could make it. Immediate perching is available, you are one of our first guests...

 Yellow Warbler (male) at Vischer Ferry NHP (click to enlarge)

 

Ah, Mr. Yellow-rumped Warbler, what a handsome outfit you're sporting, looking good...

Yellow-rumped Warbler (male) at Vischer Ferry NHP (click to enlarge)

Muskrat, nice to see you, why don't you wash up first...

Muskrat at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)

TW

Week 9: The first wave

Most of the neotropical migrants arrive in our area over a period of three weeks or so, from the last week in April until the middle of May. The week 9 first wave includes a dozen species of warblers. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will appear at feeders at the end of the period, and you'll find Gray Catbirds and Baltimore Orioles in your backyard.


What's Next:

April 26th- May 2nd

Warblers-

• Blue-winged
• Black-throated Green
• Ovenbird
• Northern Waterthrush
• Prairie
• Black-and-white
• American Redstart
• Blackburnian
• Nashville
• Northern Parula
• Chestnut-sided
• Black-throated Blue

Warbling and Yellow-throated Vireo

Solitary and Least Sandpiper

Chimney Swift and Cliff Swallow

Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Great Crested Flycatcher

White-crowned Sparrow, Eastern Whip-poor-will, and Bobolink.


The weather is forecast to be remarkably favorable for the next week, so get out in the field at every opportunity. Evening birding can be fruitful in the 5-7PM period, too.


Capital Region Bird-Finding Calendar is here


TW
 

Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve

Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve is located on Riverview Road, east of the hamlet of Vischer Ferry in the southern part of Clifton Park. It offers some of the best birding in the region, with diverse habitat and access to the Mohawk River. The trails are well maintained, and Clifton Park Water Authority personnel and Animal Control officers are frequently on the premises.

 Main pool at Vischer Ferry NHP (click to enlarge)

 Signage (click to enlarge)

I walked a clockwise western loop this morning, listening for marsh species, and hoping for some new arrivals. Virginia Rail and Sora both called briefly. A Hermit Thrush was seen along the southwest portion of the loop. I counted 21 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and 8 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Neither one sits still for any length of time, but I was able to capture some fleeting images of a gnatcatcher.

 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (click to enlarge)

 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in flight, notice the white outer-tail feathers (click to enlarge)

 Signage/Target

At home in Colonie yesterday afternoon, an adult Cooper's Hawk paid a visit, perching next door after terrorizing the feeder birds.

 Cooper's Hawk (click to enlarge)

TW

Snipe Hunt

Tuesday dawned sunny, crisp, and calm, but clouds quickly moved in and slowed down what had been an active morning of birding. At Five Rivers EEC in Delmar, no new arrivals were detected. Looking at the weather forecast for the next seven days, only Wednesday night and Thursday morning would offer conditions unfavorable for migrant birds, and people that wish to observe them. The weekend looks especially good, for once, so get out and see some birds!

Eastern Bluebird at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)

House Wren at Five Rivers (click to enlarge)

Wilson's Snipe at Five Rivers

Can't see the snipe in the above picture? Me neither, but I watched it fly in and land in the green vegetation. It called briefly, but never showed itself. They are tough to find, and tougher to follow.

TW

American Bittern

I went to Black Creek Marsh in Voorheesville at sunrise this morning, to listen for marsh birds calling. The temperature was around 30 degrees, but there was filtered sunshine through high clouds. Swamp Sparrows were numerous, Marsh Wrens were twittering, and there were both Tree and Barn Swallows flying about. New arrivals in the last few days were Eastern Towhee, two Brown Thrashers, and a House Wren. Marsh specialists included several Rusty Blackbirds, a Pied-billed Grebe, four Virginia Rails grunting and calling, an American Coot swimming, and the first Green Heron that I've seen this year.

About twenty minutes after sunrise, I was startled to hear an American Bittern calling close by. It was standing on a muskrat lodge, so it was quite visible. Always a thrill to encounter one close up.

American Bittern at Black Creek Marsh (click to enlarge)

American Bittern (click to enlarge)

American Bittern viewed from behind (click to enlarge)

At Five Rivers EEC in Delmar, it was pretty quiet, with no new arrivals noted. A curious Tree Swallow flew over to the observation deck on the west side of the property, trying to ascertain my intentions as I stood nearby. Well, if you are going to pose, then I have no choice...

Tree Swallow at Five Rivers

TW

Around Saratoga County...

We traveled to Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Park this morning, in part to attempt to relocate a Common Gallinule that had been reported there yesterday. After an unsuccessful search westbound along the towpath, we were able to find it on our return leg. There was also an American Coot present, and four Pied-billed Grebes.

Common Gallinule at Vischer Ferry NHP (click to enlarge)

Common Gallinule (click to enlarge)

Common Gallinule, you can see the yellow-tipped bill and red face shield (click to enlarge)

At the Saratoga County Airport, we found two Vesper Sparrows. One was foraging on the ground. The other was singing, first from on top of a chain link fence, then from atop a tall aviation sign. There were Savannah Sparrows, Horned Larks, an American Kestrel, and a Chipping Sparrow on the property also. The short grass is marked as a federal endangered species area, referring to the Karner Blue Butterfly in this case.

This means you...

Excellent foraging area for short grass sparrows

At Shenentaha Creek Park in Malta, we found numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a couple of Golden-crowned Kinglets, and heard two Blue-headed Vireos singing.

TW

Week 8 looks cool and dry...

New arrivals continue to funnel into the area each day now, along with increasing numbers of birds like White-throated Sparrow and Northern Flicker. It won't be long until the neotropical migrants arrive in full force, so study your bird songs and calls, crack open the field guides, and follow This Week In Birds for the latest information on what's next.

Brown Thrasher at Five Rivers EEC in Delmar (click to enlarge.)

Brown Thrasher singing (click to enlarge.)

An elusive Louisiana Waterthrush at Five Rivers, partially obscured by a branch (click to enlarge.)

What's Next:

April 19th-25th

House Wren will arrive, announced by its bubbling chatter.  

Purple Martin colonies will have returnees this week, in a few, scattered locations across our area.

Toward the end of the week, Yellow Warbler, and then Common Yellowthroat, should arrive. They are two of the more common and widespread of the wood warblers. Get to know their songs well now, so that you can pick out newer arrivals next week and in early May.

Spotted Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs will show up in the appropriate habitat, "spotties" along the shorelines on ponds and creeks, and the yellowlegs in flooded fields and shallow ponds and marshes.

Green Heron can be seen in shallow ponds, marshes and wooded wetlands. The last ten days of April is also the time to look for Black-crowned Night-Heron in our region as a few will pass through on the way to their breeding areas in the Champlain Valley and Great Lakes. Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve seems to be a favored stopover for them.

Broad-winged Hawks have begun to return north already, look for them soaring overhead in fairly tight circles. They are smaller than Red-tailed Hawks, have a black outline to the trailing edge of their wings, and have a single white band on their tail, which ends in a wide, dark terminal band.


Capital Region Bird-Finding Calendar is here


TW

Picture this...

Some random images to close Week 7:

Eastern Towhee singing at Five Rivers, Delmar

  Crowded house

Louisiana Waterthrush at Five Rivers. It is standing on a root in the upper left portion of the picture, facing left away from the viewer.

Pied-billed Grebe at Vischer Ferry NHP

TW