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
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