click to enlarge
Afterwards we visited the Fort Edward Grasslands, where we had several Long-Eared Owls.
There were also a pair of Short-Eared Owls too !
Saturday, March 16, 2019
March 16 - Washington County Rarities
This morning we took the 175-mile trek up to New York State's Washington County. First stop was in the town of Salem where we had wonderful views of Pine Grosbeaks. I had not seen this species in 6 years so it was a treat. At one point the birds were having a drink of water practically at our feet !
click to enlarge
Credit: Scott Varney
Afterwards we visited the Fort Edward Grasslands, where we had several Long-Eared Owls.
There were also a pair of Short-Eared Owls too !
click to enlarge
Afterwards we visited the Fort Edward Grasslands, where we had several Long-Eared Owls.
There were also a pair of Short-Eared Owls too !
Saturday, March 09, 2019
March 9 - Shawangunk Grasslands
This evening I brought my wife along to meet up with my regular friends at the Shawangunk Grasslands in Ulster County's Galeville, NY.
Here we waited for and saw 3 of the Short-Eared Owls that are being seen each evening during the months of February and March. Very Soon they will be gone north.
Sunday, March 03, 2019
March 3 - Return to Merrill Creek
With only brief looks last weekend at the Boreal Chickadee, a return trip to Merrill Creek was on the docket today. I arrived and immediately had the bird at very close range, and at points it appeared on the feeding station.
Later I also saw the female Barrow's Goldeneye from the Hawkwatch Overlook by the I/O Tower.
Later I also saw the female Barrow's Goldeneye from the Hawkwatch Overlook by the I/O Tower.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
February 23 - Boreal Chickadee in New Jersey !
This morning began at Long Island New York's Jones Beach. We took the long walk from the West End 2 lot toward the jetty at Jones Inlet. Our walk was worth it as we enjoyed the three Harlequin Ducks from very close range. A surprise seen upon the jetty amongst the many Dunlin was a Red Knot, and it was in very nice plumage for a winter bird.
A stop at the Coast Guard Station yielded news of a nearby Northern Saw-Whet Owl that we viewed while eating a vole. We weren't eating the vole the Owl was !
On the way home we stopped at Orchard Beach. Here we saw lots of evidence of other owls but we could not locate any here today. Noteworthy here was a confiding male Pileated Woodpecker that gave very long looks as he searched for insects in a tree along the path by the beach.
Once home there was a report of a Boreal Chickadee being seen in New Jersey, something that hasn't occurred in about 35 years ! My wife was generous and took the ride out west one hour to the Merrill Creek Reservoir's Visitor Center. Alas, the bird had last been seen about 20 minutes before I arrived.
While others stood around looking at the feeders where it was most frequently being seen, I decided to watch the pines and brush about 150 feet away. After about 45 minutes I was able to get a couple of brief looks at the Boreal Chickadee !
click to enlarge
A stop at the Coast Guard Station yielded news of a nearby Northern Saw-Whet Owl that we viewed while eating a vole. We weren't eating the vole the Owl was !
On the way home we stopped at Orchard Beach. Here we saw lots of evidence of other owls but we could not locate any here today. Noteworthy here was a confiding male Pileated Woodpecker that gave very long looks as he searched for insects in a tree along the path by the beach.
Once home there was a report of a Boreal Chickadee being seen in New Jersey, something that hasn't occurred in about 35 years ! My wife was generous and took the ride out west one hour to the Merrill Creek Reservoir's Visitor Center. Alas, the bird had last been seen about 20 minutes before I arrived.
While others stood around looking at the feeders where it was most frequently being seen, I decided to watch the pines and brush about 150 feet away. After about 45 minutes I was able to get a couple of brief looks at the Boreal Chickadee !
click to enlarge
credit: Chuck H.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
February 17 - Coastal Connecticut
With not many rare birds being present in New Jersey this weekend we decided to head 2.5 hours north along the coast of Connecticut. Our first destination was in New London's Ocean Beach Park.
Here a long-staying King Eider has been present since December. The bird was seen eating lots of mussels and was incredibly close and on very calm water.
click to enlarge. Credit: Unknown
We then headed back towards home, with the first stop being at Madison's Hammonasset State Park.
Here we had great looks at a nicely plumaged Lapland Longspur. In most years this species can be seen in good numbers out at New York's Jones Beach and other coastal beaches. However this year has been bitterly cold but without much snow cover making this Lapland the only one I have seen at all.
Our final stop was at Greenwich Point Park, a return trip for me as I has been out here just 2 weeks ago. We easily found the Black-Headed Gull, and also the pair of Great_Horned Owls in the Holly Grove. Nearby we check some other pines and Andy was able to spot a Northern Saw-Whet Owl !
Here a long-staying King Eider has been present since December. The bird was seen eating lots of mussels and was incredibly close and on very calm water.
We then headed back towards home, with the first stop being at Madison's Hammonasset State Park.
Here we had great looks at a nicely plumaged Lapland Longspur. In most years this species can be seen in good numbers out at New York's Jones Beach and other coastal beaches. However this year has been bitterly cold but without much snow cover making this Lapland the only one I have seen at all.
Our final stop was at Greenwich Point Park, a return trip for me as I has been out here just 2 weeks ago. We easily found the Black-Headed Gull, and also the pair of Great_Horned Owls in the Holly Grove. Nearby we check some other pines and Andy was able to spot a Northern Saw-Whet Owl !
Sunday, February 10, 2019
February 10 - Townsend's Warbler
Today we went out southwest to Trenton to visit it's Sewage Treatment Plant. I'm not kidding !
Attracted to the continually flowing water and the insects that thrive here all winter long was a western vagrant in the form of Townsend's Warbler.
This is my first east coast sighting of this species, and it is quite the beauty:
Afterward we went to Assunpink Wildlife Management Area to see the pair of Trumpeter Swans.
On our way back home we spotted a large flock of over 5,000 Snow Geese. We scanned the flock for a bit and Andy was able to locate a Ross' Goose within the flock.
Attracted to the continually flowing water and the insects that thrive here all winter long was a western vagrant in the form of Townsend's Warbler.
This is my first east coast sighting of this species, and it is quite the beauty:
Afterward we went to Assunpink Wildlife Management Area to see the pair of Trumpeter Swans.
On our way back home we spotted a large flock of over 5,000 Snow Geese. We scanned the flock for a bit and Andy was able to locate a Ross' Goose within the flock.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
January 13 - Shinnecock Inlet seabirds
Today was an exciting morning. It's rare in this area to be able to enjoy so many seabirds from land. The inlet is hosting a Thick-Billed Murre for more than a week, and was recently joined by Common Murre. These birds were seen along with the more-likely alcid species of Razorbill.
We also saw Black-Legged Kittiwake, and some Red-Necked Grebes.
Thick-Billed Murre
My friend John's blog has more info on the day and some photos
Later we went east to Watermill, NY and saw the American White Pelican that was found recently.
We also saw Black-Legged Kittiwake, and some Red-Necked Grebes.
Thick-Billed Murre
My friend John's blog has more info on the day and some photos
Later we went east to Watermill, NY and saw the American White Pelican that was found recently.
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