From: ebird-checklist@... Date: July 5, 2020 at 6:38:05 PM EDT To: rharrower@... Subject:eBird Report - Zim Smith Trail, Oak Street to Underpass Road starting at Ballston Spa US-NY (42.9973,-73.8396), Jul 3, 2020
Zim Smith Trail, Oak Street to Underpass Road starting at Ballston Spa US-NY (42.9973,-73.8396), Saratoga, New York, US Jul 3, 2020 7:05 PM - 7:50 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.5 mile(s) Checklist Comments: I went to the end of Zepko Road and parked near where the Zip Smith Trail parallels the railroad tracks. I walked to the beginning of the ZST and back, noting birds, but keeping to original purpose of collecting wildflowers for my art projects. My focus changed completely when I heard the unmistakable hoot of a Great-horned Owl and an answering call. I joined in the "conversation" and we all hooted for 20 minutes. The wind was blowing a bit as showers got started and stopped and some thunder was heard a ways off. One of the owls took off from a tall Pine tree in the forest about 1000 feet away across a large field. It flew to a tree about halfway up on the side of the field, seemingly checking me out. I got a dim view of hime or her just as it flew back to the woods. I was finally able to see the white throat patch and aimed my camera towards it. I was pleasantly surprised that I got something recognizable as an owl. I recorded the calls as well.It is cool that this spot is about a mile from my house, so I plan to go back. Very cool. 27 species
Mourning Dove 2 Great Horned Owl 2 One higher voice, one lower, suggesting male and female in that order. I thought I heard other owls calling farther away, but couldn't verify that. I will come back to this spot to "talk" and listen again. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 4 Fish Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 House Wren 2 Gray Catbird 2 Eastern Bluebird 1 Veery 2 Wood Thrush 4 American Robin 6 American Goldfinch 3 Chipping Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 1 Common Grackle 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 Scarlet Tanager 2 Northern Cardinal 4 Indigo Bunting 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S71174010
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)
