Our first stop today was along Ironwood Drive in Sterling Forest. Here we saw the expected, yet quickly diminishing, specialties of Golden-Winged Warbler.
We also had point-blank views of a lovely male Cerulean Warbler after he had come down to bathe.
Next we headed up to Ulster County, New York to visit the Shawangunk National Wildlife Refuge.
Here for several days have been two rarities and fortunately I was able to catch up with them before their departure !
The first rarity is the Dickcissel. Typically this species breeds in the Central US, so to have a singing male that is defending it's breeding territory in NY State is unusual.
Click on the maps/images below to enlarge.
Here's the Dickcissel:
credit: Bill Elrick
The other rarity was also present, and just about 100 yards away ! This species is the Henslow's Sparrow. This species can & does breed here in New York State however there is a very small population of these birds on the eastern edge of their range as they require large tracts of grassland.
Here is the Henslow's Sparrow:
Note the greenish nape/neck & the dark spot on the cheek.
credit: Bill Elrick
