Birds are on the move! A good soaking rain, some normal temperatures, and a few sunny days got things going in earnest. In our backyard in Colonie, we even had an American Woodcock calling on consecutive nights, but it didn't stick around. Many reports of waterfowl were received from throughout the region, the river ice has broken up for the most part, and shallow ponds and lakes are melting, too. The inch+ of rain that we received led to some flooding in low-lying areas, and dabbling ducks quickly took up temporary residence.
Flooded field at north end of Wright's Loop in Stillwater, Saratoga County.
Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, and Gadwall are all being seen now. Ring-necked Duck numbers are increasing rapidly, and Bufflehead more slowly. Pied-billed Grebe are still in short supply. I found three Northern Shovelers in a wetland pond across from the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail in Niskayuna on April 3rd. Both Great and Double-crested Cormorants have finally moved north up the Hudson River corridor, and Great Blue Herons have subtly moved back into our wetlands.
Osprey returned right on schedule; I observed one at Collins Lake in Scotia on April 2nd. That was also the return date of Hermit Thrush apparently, as I found one in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve- Madison Avenue Pinelands that day. At Five Rivers EEC, in Delmar, Tree Swallows, Eastern Phoebes, and Fox Sparrows are present. Colleen and I walked the M-H bikepath in Niskayuna on the evening of April 3rd, and as we returned to the parking lot at Lions Park, a Caspian Tern flew by heading downriver, patrolling the shoreline. A bit early for that one, and a nice surprise, seeing the river was covered by ice just last week.
At Restifo Preserve in South Westerlo, Albany County, the ice is partially melted right along the road that splits the wetland in two, allowing close up viewing of waterfowl.
Kiosk at Restifo Preserve in South Westerlo
Wood Ducks and Hooded Merganser drake at Restifo Preserve
At Five Rivers EEC in Delmar, I encountered the most cooperative Hermit Thrush that I have ever observed. It flew up to a low branch to check me out, as they are wont to do. But as I slowly moved past it and turned to put the sun at my back, instead of fleeing farther into the underbrush, it hopped up on a fallen limb and stood motionless. Thanks, dude.
Photogenic Hermit Thrush at Five Rivers
Tree Swallows, Five Rivers Apt. 19A, Delmar, NY, 12054
The morning of April 4th I ventured up to the area around the Crescent Power Plant in Cohoes, hoping to (re)-find a Caspian Tern, or some other gull goody. No tern, but after scanning an estimated thousand gulls, loafing on the remaining ice-shelf just upriver from the power station, I found an Iceland Gull, and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. There was also a Northern Rough-winged Swallow perched on a wire by the parking lot at the power plant.
Iceland Gull (2nd cycle?) at Crescent Power Plant, Cohoes
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Crescent Power Plant, Cohoes
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Crescent Power Plant, Cohoes
Lesser Black-backed Gull (lower left), Great Black-backed Gull (upper right)
Lesser Black-backed Gull, Crescent Power Plant, Cohoes
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Crescent Power Plant, Cohoes
What's Next:
April 5- 11: Now it starts to get interesting, with new species expected every day. Barn Swallows will show up this week, and the aforementioned Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Red-throated Loon will join Common Loon on large rivers; still waiting for the first Common Loon report. Bonaparte's Gulls and Caspian Terns will use the river corridors to head back towards their breeding grounds. Greater Yellowlegs might be seen in shallow waterways or flodded areas.
Woodland, field, and shrubland arrivals may include Hermit Thrush (yep), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Towhee, Winter Wren, Brown Thrasher, and Chipping Sparrow. At the very end of the period Savannah Sparrows may arrive in numbers, supplementing the overwintering birds in the southern part of the region. Cattail marshes will see Virginia Rails on the return, their calls greeting early morning visitors.
Warbler additions this week should be Palm Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush.
Next week: Wrens, bitterns, and vireos.
TW
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