Cliff Swallow credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtepke/2601703522/
Later we stopped at Walker Avenue in Wayne, NJ and I was able to show Simon the Baird's Sandpiper there.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August 29 - Pine Island & Oil City Road
With Simon K. today. We visited Pine Island Turf Farm but had no luck with either Baird's Sandpiper or Buff-Breasted Sandpiper. We did have quite a few Cliff Swallows, along with Barn & Tree Swallows. Also seen was a Kestrel, Harrier, Solitary Sandpiper, and wonderful views of Bobolink.
Cliff Swallow credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtepke/2601703522/
Later we stopped at Walker Avenue in Wayne, NJ and I was able to show Simon the Baird's Sandpiper there.
Cliff Swallow credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtepke/2601703522/
Later we stopped at Walker Avenue in Wayne, NJ and I was able to show Simon the Baird's Sandpiper there.
August 27 - Baird's Sandpiper at Walker Avenue
A quick check here after work produced my second Baird's Sandpiper seen here this season. I was able to call a few folks and Dan was able to make it down to see the bird as well.
Credit: http://www.towhee.net/gallery/lou1.html
Also about 25 feet behind me a Green Heron was taken by a Red-Tailed Hawk. Very cool for me to see, for the Green Heron not so much..
A return here on Sunday with friend Simon also produced the bird, so its good to see that it has stayed for a few days. Will check again tomorrow night
Also about 25 feet behind me a Green Heron was taken by a Red-Tailed Hawk. Very cool for me to see, for the Green Heron not so much..
A return here on Sunday with friend Simon also produced the bird, so its good to see that it has stayed for a few days. Will check again tomorrow night
Sunday, August 22, 2010
August 22 - De Korte
During a break in the morning rain I decided to get out & as luck would have it I ran into friend Rob F. at the Richard W De Korte Park in Lyundhurst. Rob phoned me to say he was looking at the Avocet which had been reported yesterday. This Avocet was my first being seen here in Bergen County.
credit: kiwiphoto.com
Later I was able to get some quick views of a Sora rail, unfortunately I could not return the favor to Rob and get him on this bird as my sighting was too brief.
However together we did see White-Rumped Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Short-Billed Dowitchers, Semi-Palmated Sandpipers and Plovers, Spotted Sandpipers, Osprey, both species of Yellowlegs, and a Peregrine falcon chasing the shorebirds.
Later I was able to get some quick views of a Sora rail, unfortunately I could not return the favor to Rob and get him on this bird as my sighting was too brief.
However together we did see White-Rumped Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Short-Billed Dowitchers, Semi-Palmated Sandpipers and Plovers, Spotted Sandpipers, Osprey, both species of Yellowlegs, and a Peregrine falcon chasing the shorebirds.
August 7 - Connecticut Chase
No, I wasn't chasing a Connecticut Warbler but rather chasing into Connecticut for a White-Tailed Kite at Stratford Beach and Short Beach. With friends Bill E., Simon K, and Purple Chickadee Steph S. we took the ride up I-95 to Stratford, CT.
We saw the kite from 3 sites today - Stratford, Short Beach, and Milford Point. These sites are all within 10 minutes of each other. We also saw Peregrine Falcon, Black-Bellied Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Yellow-Crowned Night Herons, Whimbrel, Eastern Kingbird, Purple Martins
August 1 - Massawepie Mire
In search of the elusive Spruce Grouse, today I drove the hour west of Lake Placid to visit Massawepie Mire. This site is an old railroad bed that cuts straight through a large boreal bog.
And here people take their privacy seriously:
And here people take their privacy seriously:
July 31 - Bigelow Road
The next morning, Saturday, saw a return to Bigelow Road and I got fantastic views of a male/female pair of these beauties. At times the birds were too close for bins!.
I also got to see 3-4 Boreal Chickadees, a species I had only seen once before back in the winter of 2007. The views this time were much better, and it was much warmer too!
Other highlights today were Yellow-Bellied and Alder Flycatchers, Gray Jays, Red-Breasted Nuthatch and warblers of Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-Rumped, American Redstart, Canada ( a NY State bird for me) and sparrows of Lincoln's, White-Throated, and Dark-Eyed Junco, plus Purple Finch .
I also got to see 3-4 Boreal Chickadees, a species I had only seen once before back in the winter of 2007. The views this time were much better, and it was much warmer too!
Other highlights today were Yellow-Bellied and Alder Flycatchers, Gray Jays, Red-Breasted Nuthatch and warblers of Nashville, Parula, Magnolia, Yellow-Rumped, American Redstart, Canada ( a NY State bird for me) and sparrows of Lincoln's, White-Throated, and Dark-Eyed Junco, plus Purple Finch .
July 30 - Lake Placid weekend
My wife and I drove the 4+ hours north to Lake Placid this weekend so I could enjoy birds of the boreal region of the Adirondack Mountains. First up was a visit to Bigelow Road in the town of Bloomingdale where I was able to get a brief view of a Black-Backed Woodpecker in flight across the road.
July 24 - Cape May ducks
Alternating weekends between my Scottish and English friends, today saw the return of scotsman Bill E. as we drove down to Cape May for the trio of Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks that had been found the prior Sunday. We were able to get on the birds immediately and at very close distance. This rare east coast vagrant was a New Jersey State bird for the both of us.
We also saw a summering Surf Scoter, Royal Tern, Black Skimmers, Purple Martins, and Prairie Warbler.
On the drive home we stopped at Forsythe NWR and saw Glossy Ibis, Western Sandpiper, and Eastern Meadowlark.
We also saw a summering Surf Scoter, Royal Tern, Black Skimmers, Purple Martins, and Prairie Warbler.
On the drive home we stopped at Forsythe NWR and saw Glossy Ibis, Western Sandpiper, and Eastern Meadowlark.
July 18 - Jamaica Bay Refuge
Friend Simon K. and I met here to view the American White Pelican that has spent some time on the bay. We had the Pelican straight away, and that was very good news for Simon because it represents a life bird for him, as he is here on work assignment and normally resides in Winchester, England.
The Pelican was good news for me too as it was the first time I have seen this species in New York State.
Also seen today while in the Refuge were Blue-Winged Teal, both species of Night-Heron, several Stilt Sandpipers and Short-Billed Dowitchers along with American Oystercatchers, and terns of Least, Common, and Forster's.
The Pelican was good news for me too as it was the first time I have seen this species in New York State.
Also seen today while in the Refuge were Blue-Winged Teal, both species of Night-Heron, several Stilt Sandpipers and Short-Billed Dowitchers along with American Oystercatchers, and terns of Least, Common, and Forster's.
July 5 - Pine Island, New York
My friend Bill and I made the trip up to Orange County this morning to look for a Dickcissel.
We did not see that bird but did have nice views of summer breeders like Blue Grosbeak and Orchard Orioles. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing more Orchard Orioles in one place ever!
Also seen in the area was Eastern Bluebird, Bobolink, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe, and Horned Lark.
We did not see that bird but did have nice views of summer breeders like Blue Grosbeak and Orchard Orioles. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing more Orchard Orioles in one place ever!
Also seen in the area was Eastern Bluebird, Bobolink, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe, and Horned Lark.
June 28 - Lacey Township Game Farm
Before visiting nearby family today I made a brief stop at a new section of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. This area was formerly a wild game farm but has now laid fallow for several years. The area is being rehabilitated into upland habitat as this is one of the few remaining places in the state where Northern Bobwhite still re-produce in the wild.
The area was full of Blue Grosbeaks and Orchard Orioles, Field and Chipping Sparrows. Hopefully when the rehab is done more of this 100+ acre area will be open.
The area was full of Blue Grosbeaks and Orchard Orioles, Field and Chipping Sparrows. Hopefully when the rehab is done more of this 100+ acre area will be open.
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