|
HMBC program - Monday Feb 3 at the Colonie Library - Grassland Bird Monitoring
scottjstoner
Program -- NYSDEC Grassland Bird Studies and Conservation in NYS
|
|
|
|
More half-hardies by the Hudson
John Kent
I have been at Hannacroix Creek Preserve in New Baltimore for twenty minutes. So far I've seen Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and Gray Catbird, and heard a singing Winter Wren.
John Kent
Selkirk
|
|
|
|
Dark Morph Rough-legged Hawk
Scott Varney
Observed very well on Dowmont Road off Route 197 in Fort Edward at approximately 2 pm today. A very, very dark Ruffy! Scott Varney Salem NY
|
|
|
|
Beautiful Rough-legged Hawk. eBird Report - Westline Rd. & Western Ave., Charlton, Jan 21, 2020
Ronald Harrower
Westline Rd. & Western Ave., Charlton, Saratoga, New York, US
|
|
|
|
Tons o Horned Larks, Tons on Snow Buntings 1 Lapland Longspur e Bird Report - West River Road, Jan 23, 2020
Ronald Harrower
West River Road, Saratoga, New York, US
|
|
|
|
Re: Northumberland Field Birds
gregg_recer
ps. group of nearly 70 wild turkeys on Williams ln now
-- gregg recer malta NY
|
|
|
|
Re: Northumberland Field Birds
gregg_recer
Cathy Graichen and I out here in Northumberland right now. found about 150 horned larks in several places including w. river Rd near welcome stock farm. 2 Lapland longspurs in that group. one adult peregrine falcon near the wall st and king st intersection. finding no snow buntings out here today.
-- gregg recer malta NY
|
|
|
|
Northumberland Field Birds
jhershey2
Field birds were putting on a show yesterday in Northumberland mostly at the Welcome Stock Dairy Farm on River Rd. a little north of the intersection with Rt. 32. Ron H. and I saw about 300 each of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings there yesterday along with 1 or 2 Lapland Longspurs. They were on both sides of the road and sometimes flew by us as we were standing along the road. I went back this morning and found maybe half as many as we saw yesterday at the same farm. I usually can spot the Lapland Longspurs in a photo because of the dark frame on their cheek. I posted 4 pics mostly for i.d. purposes from yesterday and today in the photo section of this group. Click the right arrow to see each of them. https://groups.io/g/hmbirds/photo/76888/0?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0
John H.
|
|
|
|
Re: Niskayuna Bike Path today
Craig Driggs
Yesterday around noon I found a group of at least 30 snow buntings in the same farm fields next to the bike path west of Ferry Rd. Sparrows were active also with song, white-throated and probably american tree sparrow. Craig Driggs
|
|
|
|
Grasslands wanderings
Naomi Lloyd
After striking out last week, the Thursday group had somewhat better luck this time. We started on the Northumberland side checking manure spreads around King Farm where we found a single flyover Snow Bunting and a few Horned Larks. More small flocks showed up as well as American Tree Sparrows. Raptors were limited to a Cooper's Hawk and almost a dozen Redtails.
After noon most of the group went their way and I decided to try the Washington County side. Not many waterfowl and the river is starting to freeze up. In the fields I found more buntings and parks, and three Rough-legged Hawks. I wandered until 4pm when I stopped at Fitzpatrick Rd. Despite watching until 5:25, no Short-ears or Harriers appeared. I did find a Mockingbird which I tried hard to turn into a shrike (didn't work) and a pair of Great Horned Owls hooting sweet nothings to each other. Naomi Lloyd
|
|
|
|
Pileated Woodpeckers
Alan
On today's walk we saw a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.
Clear skies, Alan Glenville
|
|
|
|
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Niskayuna- 1/22
I walked the Mohawk-Hudson bike path from Lions Park towards Lock 7 in Niskayuna this morning. At the Ferry Rd. bridge a short stretch of the Lisha Kill was open just wide enough for a Great Blue Heron to be fishing in the shallow water. I didn't find any field birds at Burger's Farm, but there was a large flock of Song Sparrows feeding along the grassy edges there. On the way back to Lions Park I heard, and then viewed, two Ruby-crowned Kinglets foraging in the tangled brush and vines along the frozen backwater adjacent to the bike path. The Mohawk River is almost completely frozen over after the last few days of very cold weather, so there were no waterfowl around.
Later in the morning I drove around Altamont and Knox looking for roadside birds, to no avail. There was a male Belted Kingfisher perched on a branch over Beaverdam Creek at the Knox Wetland on Street Rd. Tom Williams Colonie
|
|
|
|
This week's destination: 1/23
Naomi Lloyd
Bill and I were the only birders last week and got skunked on grasslands birds, despite others finding good stuff later that day and in the week. So let's try the Washington/Saratoga grasslands again and hope for better luck (and more eyes!) Meet at Hudson Crossing park at 9:00. I might spend the rest of the day up there and look for SEOW in the afternoon. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hudson+Crossing+Park/@43.113797,-73.579937,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89de2ebeef77c4ef:0xcdfc181530ee1425!8m2!3d43.113797!4d-73.577743?hl=en&authuser=0 Naomi
|
|
|
|
Southern Rensselaer CBC report (belated)
Naomi Lloyd
The Southern Rensselaer Christmas Bird Count was conducted Saturday December 29 2019. Thirty participants in nine field parties tallied 63 species and 13,786 birds. This is the third-highest number of species in the past 20 years, topped only by 2001 and 2007 with 68 species both years, and well above the 20 year average of 57 species.
All major bodies of water were mostly open, with creeks and rivers flowing at a moderate rate while most still water was mostly frozen. The weather was more pleasant than it had been for the past few years, with no precipitation, light winds, and temps in the mid-30s to mid-40s. Only an inch or so of snow remained. With lakes frozen and running water moving fast, we didn't have any surprises in the waterfowl department. Single Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal were the only standouts. Some half-hardy species hung out in the mild weather -- Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Hermit Thrush, and Gray Catbird. A single Iceland Gull stood out in the flocks. Early owling parties found Eastern Screech and Great Horned Owls. Good numbers of raptors were seen, including all three falcons and the usual Black Vulture roost at HVCC. Six species of sparrows were found. Given the bleak Finch Forecast, it was not surprising to strike out on Purple Finches, Common Redpolls, and Pine Siskins. Red-Breasted Nuthatches are still lingering up in the hills and were not seen on the count. We wrapped up with our usual congenial compilation dinner at the Lakeview. I'm looking for quieter quarters for next year! Thank you to everyone who participated in field parties or feederwatching. I hope to see you again next winter on December 26 2020 - mark your calendars! A more detailed report will appear soon in FEATHERS. Naomi Lloyd compiler
|
|
|
|
Re: Mystery Bird in Galway
Scott Varney
If nothing else makes your friend feel better, there's this...It's a great decoy! Scott Salem, NY Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone
On Jan 20, 2020 7:51 PM, Heidi <hocka1@...> wrote:
|
|
|
|
Re: Mystery Bird in Galway
Scott Varney
If nothing else makes your friend feel better, there's this...It's a great decoy! Scott Salem, NY Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone
On Jan 20, 2020 7:51 PM, Heidi <hocka1@...> wrote:
|
|
|
|
Re: Any ideas?
How about a Ferruginous Hawk.
|
|
|
|
Re: Any ideas?
Richard Guthrie
The dark brown helmet, and blotchy spots on the side view of a belly band say immature Red-tailed Hawk to me. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore The Greene County NY
On Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 9:40 PM Jane McCloskey <janemccloskey@...> wrote:
-- Richard Guthrie
|
|
|
|
Any ideas?
Jane McCloskey
Begin forwarded message:
|
|
|
|
Mystery Bird in Galway
Heidi
From: "Heidi via Groups.Io" <hocka1@...>
|
|
|