Will winter ever let go?

Bright sunny skies barely took the edge off a morning that felt more like late February. Strong, gusty winds were blowing down the Mohawk River in Niskayuna, making it difficult to observe distant objects in the scope. There wasn't much to see at Lock 7 other than a group of Common Mergansers and gulls. A Belted Kingfisher was rattling around the breakwater, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was giving its "mew" call as it poked around a tree trunk.

Cement pier at Mohawk River Lock 7 in Niskayuna

Boat launch and fishing area at Lock 7

Further upriver at Blatnick Park, the sun angle and howling winds made viewing from the hillside a challenge. Fortunately, there is a shelter with benches that made it almost comfortable to scan the river. There were some Scaup present, a low-riding Common Loon, two flyby Bald Eagles, and a few Tree Swallows.

There was a pair of American Kestrels frequenting the area. At times they perched close together, allowing side by side comparison of plumage differences.

Fair quality iPhone-thru-scope photo of American Kestrel pair

At Lions Park in Niskayuna, we used the downwind side of the railroad station building as a screen. There were at least 55 Green-winged Teal foraging in the shallow cattail areas, a few more Scaup, and a "Gray ghost" Northern Harrier.

TW