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This week's destination: 12/19
Naomi Lloyd
This week's destination: Saratoga Christmas Bird Count. If you're participating, a big thank you! If you're not and you want to, contact Jean Holcomb at jeanh46@... Otherwise, see you next week! Naomi
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, 3:25:53 PM EDT, Naomi Lloyd via Groups.Io <naomi_kestrel@...> wrote: Hello birders - and welcome to the new additions to the list! I was pretty certain last week that I wanted to take our annual trip to Ames, Montgomery County, for Upland Sandpipers. But hey, they've been seen closer to home in Washington County! So let's meet at the Saratoga battlefield parking lot at 8:00am (google maps below) and head up to Dowmont Rd and the Grasslands trail. There have also been reports of Acadian Flycatcher on the Surrender March trail just south of Schuylerville, so we could make a stop there on the way back if we have time. Fingers crossed the drizzle will be over by then. The Grasslands trail is usually mowed short but take tick precautions just in case. Here's hoping last year's Clay-colored Sparrow and Sedge wren have returned (no reports yet of either). Naomi
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Hermit Thrush, Guilderland
Earthday49@...
Finically able to get a photo of the Hermit Thrush that has been present since late Nov. - Guilderland
Alan Schroeder
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Great Horned Owls, Salem
Scott Varney
I was putting up my Christmas Tree tonight and was "interrupted" again by 2 Great Horned Owls in my back yard...hooting up a storm! A very plain, deep-sounding woodsy the owl call (Hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo) but reminds me of how amazing this very large, avian predator really is! Stoked to still have the same pair in my yard for over a month now! Scott Varney Salem NY
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Hermit Thrush
Earthday49@...
A Hermit Thrush was seen again in Guilderland on E. Lydius St. on Dec. 11, 2019. This bird has been seen three times in the past two weeks.
Alan Schroeder Guilderland
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This week's destination: 12/12
Naomi Lloyd
Happy CBC season! Let's start at Tibbits Ave and move on for gulls along the Mohawk and check Flight Lock Rd. Meet in the big parking lot at the end of the road AT 9:00AM. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tibbits+Ave,+Green+Island,+NY/@42.748106,-73.6924087,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89de0fb5d98c7d49:0x2575c1037542c1eb!8m2!3d42.748106!4d-73.69022?hl=en&authuser=0 Naomi
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Christmas Bird Counts fast approaching
forsythnature
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HMBC program info - Jan, Feb, March 2020
scottjstoner
Please note the following program information:
The January, February, and March programs will be held at the Colonie Town Library, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. the library closes at 8 PM Sharp and we need to be out of the building by 8. Thus, the earlier start time.
Monday January 6: :Program: Aerial Insectivorous Birds, with Joe Corra of Capital Region Audubon, this evening will also include the Holiday Party (rescheduled from December). Feel free to arrive as early as 6:00 PM and bring a dessert to share. Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed at the Library.
Monday February 3. NYSDEC Grassland Bird Studies and Conservation in NYS, with Paul Novak of NYSDEC
Monday March 2, The Changes I've Seen in 60 Years of Birding, with Rich Guthrie
and please mark your calendars for Monday April 13 for the 2020 Annual Banquet and meeting. Location and program info to be announced soon.
If the weather is questionable, check the HMBC website and check your email for a note on HMBirds or from HMBC before heading to the event.
Happy Holidays to all -Scott Stoner, Program Chair
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8 Yellow-rumps, Selkirk
John Kent
Around noon today I found eight Yellow-rumped Warblers near Henry Hudson Park in Selkirk. They were foraging along a small stream that goes under Barent Winne Road at Cedar Drive. There is wet ground along the stream that is clear of snow. The warblers were
accompanied by Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, and American Tree Sparrows.
John Kent
Selkirk
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Great Horned Owl Salem
Scott Varney
I just woke up (A phenomenon known as Birding ADD) after hearing the sounds of a Great Horned Owl in my back yard. I feel very fortunate to have observed 4 different Owl species in my own yard, all within the last year. I went outside to record the sounds and on cue, it stopped vocalizing. Also this week, the Battenkill River has had its own winter resurgence of waterfowl. I found 2 Cackling Geese near the Town Beach. Several Hooded Mergansers and 4 Bufflead (2 males and 2 females). For anyone searching for waterfowl species, the Hudson River on River Road in Stillwater has been booming with waterfowl. Yesterday, I observed a drake Redhead and a drake Canvasback side by side...that was awesome! Also, I had quick glances at a Goose species that was not Canada...I had a science conference to get to...but first thoughts were of a Barnacle Goose...I wish I had more time...what a dilemma! It's worth birding the area. While heading North, take a right turn across Stillwater Bridge Road and then a left onto River Road. The river will be on your left. Look at the river opposite the first big white farmhouse. Waterfowl seem to be congregating on this side of the river in the AM. Happy Birding, Scott Varney Salem NY
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Great Horned Owl
Scott Varney
I just woke up at Midnight because I heard a Great Horned Owl in my backyard (12/7)...I refer to this phenomenon as Birding ADD. It's been over a month since I last heard this species in my yard and is a reminder that this is still a great time of year to listen for owl species. I am very fortunate to have seen and/or heard 4 different owl species on my own property. I love my new property in Salem (4 years new now)! I'm looking forward to my new birding adventures and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my newfound friends (last year), the Pine Grosbeaks. While travelling the Battenkill River today, I found a group of 4 Buffleheads. Another cool sighting this week were 2 Cackling Geese on the Battenkill, near the Greenwich Town Beach. For the record, the Hudson River along River Road in Stillwater is hosting a large amount of waterfowl with a great diversity of species. In the morning, they seem to be congregating on the Eastern side of the river. For anyone interested, travelling south on Route 4 from Stillwater and heading North, take Stillwater Bridge Road (on the right while heading North) and then take a left onto River Road. Just past the big white farmhouse, there is a huge congregation of waterfowl in the AM. (River is on your left). Today, I picked out one Redhead drake and one Canvasback Drake, and one strange-looking Goose species. I was time constrained, but first observations were of a species different than Canada Goose...I actually considered Barnacle Goose....oh, I wish I didn't have to get to a Science Conference! Anyway, it's worth some more observation time. Happy Birding, Scott Varney Salem NY
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SoRensCo CBC - Saturday 12/28
Naomi Lloyd
It's the most wonderful time of the year -- only 22 days until the Southern Rensselaer Christmas bird count! Please get back to me if you're unable to lead a team this year, or if you need more participants.
A Team: Tristan Lowery, I've reached out to Rich, Zach, and Will and will keep an ear open for other folk on the west side. B Team: Naomi Lloyd and my awesome all-girl team! 7:30 at Defreestville P&R B.2 Team: Ken McGrath, will you and your party cover RPI Tech Park again? It was great having that area get the attention it deserves. C Team: Ted Keyel, can you take your sector again? Phil, your feederwatch was productive last year. E Team: George Steele is unavailable this year, so I'll give this team to Jim de Waal Malefyt. Last year Scott Fackenthall and Gabrielle Isenbrand were on the ream - are you available this year? G Team: Steve Mesick, I assume Jackson, and friends? If not I'll assign some others to you. Can you move that Lark Sparrow north a bit? H Team: Bill Lee, I can give you Neal Reilly for sure. Is Jamie available? If not I have David Di Siena and friend, who is willing to drive. J Team: Deb, I assume you've got your stomping grounds. Do you need anyone else? Nancy, I hope you're able to get out! Compilation dinner is at the Lakeview Inn in Averill Park. Please let me know by Christmas-ish if you're coming to dinner. If not, please send me your count forms asap. Contact me if you have A Situation or if I have something egregiously wrong. And good birding! Naomi Lloyd
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Lapland Longspur - Northumberland
jhershey2
I drove past some of the dairy and horse farms in Northumberland this morning in search of field birds. Snow was on the ground but there were few if any fresh manure spreads. Nevertheless I eventually did find about 15 Horned Larks on Purinton Rd. and then about 5 more on Williams Lane. After looking at my pics I discovered one Lapland Longspur with the Larks on Williams Ln. but no Snow Buntings. I also watched about 7 Black Vultures breeze by on Williams Lane. I posted a pic in the photo section. https://groups.io/g/hmbirds/photo/76888/0?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0
John H.
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This week's destination: 12/5
Naomi Lloyd
Winter is here! Let's meet at Hudson Crossing Park above Schuylerville to check out the river and either (or both) Ft Edward / Northumberland grasslands for winter birds that surely must be here at last. Remember, MEET AT 9:00am! Naomi Lloyd https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hudson+Crossing+Park/@43.1138009,-73.5799317,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89de2ebeef77c4ef:0xcdfc181530ee1425!8m2!3d43.113797!4d-73.577743?hl=en&authuser=0
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Henry Hudson half-hardies
John Kent
Yesterday morning in the snow at Henry Hudson Park in Selkirk, I found a mixed flock that included a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. There were large flocks of blackbirds flying east across the river, but I couldn’t identify them to species.
A Great Blue Heron came flying down the Vlomankill. This afternoon at the park, I found a Hermit Thrush and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The kinglet was not in the same area as the one I saw yesterday, so it may have been a different one. Last week an immature
Red-shouldered Hawk spent several days hanging around and feeding on a deer carcass. There have also been two Winter Wrens that I’ve seen or heard several times lately. I think I heard one today, but it was only doing single chip notes so I wasn’t sure. Last
week one was singing, and they have been calling frequently. There have also been two or more Winter Wrens at Five Rivers the past couple of times I’ve been there.
John Kent
Selkirk
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Bluebirds
Alan
Just looked out at the falling snow and discovered five Bluebirds sitting on the electric wire in the front yard.
Alan Glenville
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HMBC program and party Monday evening is CANCELED due to weather
scottjstoner
HMBC program and party Monday evening December 2 is CANCELED due to weather. Rich Guthrie will present his program at a later date, in the spring. Stay safe everyone! Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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Monday Dec 2 HMBC program and holiday party is CANCELED due to weather
scottjstoner
we will reschedule the presentation by Rich Guthrie for the spring. Happy and safe holidays everyone! - -Scott Stoner, Program Chair Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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HMBC Holiday party and program by Rich Guthrie - Monday Dec 2 at Five Rivers
scottjstoner
7:00 PM on Monday Dec 2 at Five Rivers, Game Farm Rd in Delmar.
Rich Guthrie will be speaking on the changes he has observed in 60 years of birding!
You are welcome to bring a dessert or non-alcoholic beverage to share
Be alert for DEER in and near the roads in the area
NOTE - WE ARE WATCHING THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR MONDAY AND IF WE DO NEED TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE THE EVENT, WE WILL SEND OUT A NOTE RIGHT HERE ON HMBIRDS,
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Collins Lake mergansers
Matthew Medler
I stopped by Collins Lake in Scotia earlier today (Thanksgiving Day 2019) and was excited to see good numbers of waterfowl on the water. I counted 170 Common Mergansers, including 51 males. There were also
five Hooded Mergansers mixed in amongst the Common Mergansers. Also of note was a calling Common Raven–only the second time I've heard/seen this species at this site, and just my third ever in Schenectady County.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Good birding,
Matt Medler
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NNYBirds has moved
Dana Rohleder
Hi all. FYI, NNYBirds has also migrated to io.groups. Have a nice Meleagris gallopavo day! -- Dana Rohleder Owner/moderator NNYBirds Port Kent, NY
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