March 9 - Ross' Goose

Fortunately just before leaving home today for some errands a friend called with news that a Ross' Goose was begin seen up at Orange County's "Camel Farm" among 1,000 Snow Geese.  Since I had not seen this bird since 2008, I was able to adjust my plans and got there within an hour.  Pretty quickly I was able to locate the diminutive Goose amongst it's larger cousins.  Also 3 Tundra Swans were on the pond too.  

See John Haas's birding blog of Orange & Sullivan counties for more images and info.

March 9 - Redpolls again !

For the last two weeks some Common Redpolls have been frequenting my backyard feeder.  Today was a nice bright day & their caps seemed to glow like a hummingbird's gorget !!

March 3 - Common Redpolls ay my feeders again

The group of Redpolls continues at my thistle feeder today !!

March 2 - Gyr Redux

A return trip was in order and the Gyrfalcon was seen again today.

Later a female Barrow's Goldeneye was enjoyed over at Oak Beach.

Finally a Red-Necked Grebe at Captree Marina.

February 24 - Gyrfalcon

Without plans today I decided to visit Jones Beach, but first I decided to stop at Gilgo Beach as rumor had it that a rare arctic visitor had been found earlier this week & re-seen on Saturday.  As luck would have it as soon as I parked my car and took a look at a Peregrine perched on an Osprey nesting plalform Tom Burke pulled alongside and said the Gyrfalcon was being seen on the other side of the parking area.

Once in the right spot the Gyr was seen on another Osprey nesting platform farther out.

While viewing the bird it eventually flew up high and while still in my scope view I saw it kill a Black Duck.  We then watched the Gyr have lunch before flying onto a closer still platform.

Here's a few smartphone pics...click images to enlarge...but they'll get very blurry   :(

For images taken with a real camera, See Corey Finger's pics too !

View some amazing Images from South Dakota taken by Terry Sohl

Here is a range map, prepared by Terry.  Click to enlarge.

February 23 - Redpolls

I had a first-time visit to my bird feeders today with a six-pack of Common Redpolls on this day-long rain storm

click to enlarge

February 10 - Somerset County & Great Swamp NWR

I started out with Cackling Goose on a nearly frozen Amwell Pond, but I dipped on the nearby Lapland Longspur.  Later I has Rough-Legged Hawk along Rattlesnake Road.

Lastly, I stopped at the Great Swamp and had another Rough-Legged Hawk and the regular Barred Owl.