Slow northward March...

There was finally some northward movement of birds this past week. Long overdue Turkey Vultures finally arrived, their numbers increasing to the point that they are now seen daily. Canada Geese have also suddenly joined the waterfowl mix, but in low numbers for now. Still very little in the way of dabbling ducks, just a few reports of Wood Ducks, mostly. Several more sightings of Barrow's Goldeneye were made, amongst large groups of Common Goldeneyes along the Hudson River north of the Capital District.

Killdeer made a big push to the north on Tuesday, March 11th. Multiple observers throughout upstate NY and New England had first-of-season (FOS) birds on that day, which featured above-normal temperatures and southerly winds early in the day to help propel migrants. Common Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird numbers are also increasing every day, their calls and songs have suddenly become a welcome part of the background noise again. There were even a couple of reports of Tree Swallows along unfrozen sections of the Hudson River, these pioneer birds will need to use all their survival skills for the next day or two.

The best birds of the week were two Tundra Swans that showed up on the Hudson in Stillwater. This is a species whose eastern residents spend the winter in the mid-Atlantic region, and return to their breeding ground in the tundra of Northern Canada via the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay. Our area averages a sighting nearly every year, as a few birds use the Hudson River corridor to head north and south.

Tundra Swans, Stillwater, NY

What's next:

March 15-21: Northern Shoveler should join the dabbling ducks arriving this week, and Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, and Greater/Lesser Scaup will augment the brigades of diving ducks. Look for Horned Grebe as well; in alternate (breeding) plumage they are one of the best looking of our waterfowl.

This is the week to search the sky for Golden Eagles heading northward to their breeding grounds in Quebec and Labrador. Regional hawk watches are already reporting them.

Field Sparrow, Eastern Phoebe, and Rusty Blackbirds may start to appear at the end of the period. Please report all Rusty Blackbird sightings through eBird, or other methods available at this website. Their population has declined dramatically over the last quarter century, and scientists are trying to understand their distribution, movement, and habitat in order to develop a response.

Double-crested Cormorants would normally start heading up the Hudson River by the end of the period, but as a diving, fish-eating bird they will await the break up of the river ice before proceeding. 

Next week:  A lull in the action.

Capital Region Bird-finding Calendar is here

TW