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


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