Hudson Mohawk Birds

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Recent Postings from
Hudson Mohawk Birds

Updated on Friday, November 20 at 04:19 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

20 Nov Northern Shrike still present [David Martin ]
19 Nov Red-throated loon Tom Res. ["Richard Guthrie" ]
19 Nov Two warblers/Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/19 ["Thomas Williams" ]
19 Nov Re: Bird feeders at Five Rivers ["CurtM" ]
18 Nov Vox-Pop Friday ["Richard Guthrie" ]
15 Nov Northern Shrike [David Martin ]
15 Nov Tomhannock Reservoir, 11/15 ["jw.kent" ]
14 Nov Goin' to Kissimmee FL next week ["CurtM" ]
14 Nov Crepuscular Activity at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve ["dpimainl" ]
13 Nov Raptor Superior ["CurtM" ]
13 Nov Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/13 ["trwdsd" ]
13 Nov RE: Bluebirds [Brian Smith ]
13 Nov Bluebirds [Alan French ]
12 Nov Merlin - New Baltimore ["Richard Guthrie" ]
12 Nov Tomhannock Reservoir - Red Throated Loon and Barrow's Goldeneye ["John" ]
11 Nov Re: Black Vultures [David Martin ]
11 Nov Tomhannock Reservoir - WHITE-EYED VIREO, Red-throated Loon, Am. Pipits ["Penny and Larry Alden" ]
11 Nov Black Vultures ["Penny and Larry Alden" ]
11 Nov SAAS program Nov 18 - "Hawaii" ["ConserveBirds" ]
11 Nov Update on the big white bird ["jw.kent" ]
11 Nov HMBC November Meeting ["goodness.gary" ]
10 Nov Tom Palmer 1943-2009 []
11 Nov Peregrine Enforces Her Territorial Boundaries ["CurtM" ]
10 Nov Mohawk River, Rexford- 11/10 ["trwdsd" ]
10 Nov eBird Report - RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary , 11/9/09 ["LARRY FEDERMAN" ]
10 Nov Two Bald Eagles and a GBH at the Tomhannock ["CurtM" ]
09 Nov Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/9 ["trwdsd" ]
09 Nov Re: Bug question ["LARRY FEDERMAN" ]
09 Nov Re: Bug question ["CurtM" ]
09 Nov Re: Bug question []
9 Nov Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 []
08 Nov Bug question ["LARRY FEDERMAN" ]
08 Nov Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 ["LARRY FEDERMAN" ]
8 Nov Stanton Pond 11/8 [Will Raup ]
8 Nov Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 ["Penny and Larry Alden" ]
8 Nov Saratoga and Loughberry 11/8 ["Ronald L. Harrower" ]
8 Nov RE: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 ["lnmp" ]
9 Nov Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 []
08 Nov Woodpecker's ["flipsbliss50" ]
08 Nov Northern Harrier @ Five Rivers- 11/8 ["trwdsd" ]
08 Nov The big white bird - still there ["jw.kent" ]
08 Nov "Hey Hairy, Can I Get Chips With That?" ["CurtM" ]
08 Nov A Happy Thanksgiving... ["CurtM" ]
7 Nov Brant - Stanton Pond ["Richard Guthrie" ]
6 Nov FW: Black Vultures over Ravena ["Richard Guthrie" ]
06 Nov FOS Fox Sparrow [Alan French ]
05 Nov Sightings ["grossman.bernard" ]
05 Nov Black Creek Marsh- 11/5 ["trwdsd" ]
05 Nov Ruddies, G-eyes, & Hoodies ["CurtM" ]
4 Nov RE: Female HMergs Bad Wing in Cohoes [Will Raup ]
05 Nov Female HMergs Bad Wing in Cohoes ["CurtM" ]
4 Nov Purple Finches ["Penny and Larry Alden" ]
04 Nov Vischer Ferry waterfowl- 11/4 ["trwdsd" ]
3 Nov Red-throated Loon Tomhannock Reservoir ["Richard Guthrie" ]
03 Nov Re: Snowy owl ["CurtM" ]
3 Nov Albany and Greene Counties 11/3/09 [Will Raup ]
03 Nov Re: Snowy owl ["John Kent" ]
03 Nov Re: GBB Gull size comparison ["CurtM" ]
03 Nov Snowy owl ["John Kent" ]
3 Nov Fox & Am. Tree Sparrows Coxsackie ["Richard Guthrie" ]
03 Nov GBB Gull size comparison ["cpkbh1" ]
02 Nov Coot In Crescent ["CurtM" ]
02 Nov Saratoga Lake Waterfowl ["John" ]
2 Nov FW: eBird Report - Ravena, NY Grove Cemetery , 11/2/09 ["Richard Guthrie" ]
2 Nov RE: Snowy Owl [Will Raup ]
02 Nov Snowy Owl ["John Kent" ]
2 Nov Snow Geese - New Baltimore ["Richard Guthrie" ]
02 Nov night flight [Elayne Ryba ]
1 Nov Saratoga Battlefield 11/1/09 []
02 Nov Austerlitz Snow Bunting ["Nancy Jane K" ]
1 Nov Golden Eagle - Heldebergs ["Richard Guthrie" ]
01 Nov Saratoga NHP and Saratoga Lake- 11/1 ["trwdsd" ]
01 Nov Captain Michael Van Durme Presents "Operation Shellshock" ["jenny_murtaugh" ]
1 Nov Amer. Bittern - Coxsackie ["Richard Guthrie" ]
1 Nov Saratoga and Loughberry Lakes ["Ronald L. Harrower" ]
1 Nov FOS American Tree Sparrow ["Gerry Colborn" ]

Subject: Northern Shrike still present
From: David Martin <david AT naturebits.org>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:19:19 -0500

The immature Northern Shrike was still present in the same area of Black Creek Marsh WMA late this afternoon (11/20). It was spending a good deal of time moving around low in the shrubbery under the power lines, and would pop-up to a high perch occasionally. We found it about 10 min after we arrived in the area. Also an American Tree Sparrow and other more common birds. David Martin
Subject: Red-throated loon Tom Res.
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:43:23 -0500

There was a RED-THROATED LOON at Tomhannock Reservoir today. Although it was in the same general location that the previously reported one was, this one appeared in full "winter" plumage. You may recall that the one reported only a week or so ago showed a fair amount of red on the throat, representing fading "breeding" plumage. I don't know how quickly this species molts from its breeding plumage to winter plumage. So, this one may be the same bird that was there earlier - but by now having completed its molt. It was on the eastern half of the reservoir, close to the Rt. 7 causeway. The best viewing spot was from the east side of the reservoir from a pull-off on the southbound side of Reservoir Road near Phillips Road. Also present: a huge number of Canada Geese, no Snow Geese, many Hooded mergansers, several Common (but no Barrow's) Goldeneyes, three Bald Eagles, Brown Creeper, and other expected unmentionables. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore gaeltic AT capital.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Two warblers/Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/19
From: "Thomas Williams" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:37:33 -0000

This morning I was able to relocate a Common Yellowthroat first seen by John Hershey yesterday. It was along the towpath west-bound from the bridge, about halfway down the waterway. Just after it ducked into the low grass, up popped a Yellow-rumped Warbler, who stayed put for a while as I walked past. Highlights from 11/18 VFNHP- Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Marsh Wren Common Yellowthroat eBird report from 11/19- Location: Vischers Ferry Preserve Observation date: 11/19/09 Number of species: 25 Canada Goose 100 Gadwall 6 Mallard 150 Northern Pintail 1 Green-winged Teal 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 2 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Eastern Bluebird 3 American Robin 24 European Starling 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Tree Sparrow 2 Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 4 Dark-eyed Junco 6 Northern Cardinal 1 American Goldfinch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: Re: Bird feeders at Five Rivers
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:35:06 -0000

Nice photos Sarah. That is a big bird for the feeder! I think that I may have gotten a photo of the same bird... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/10334217/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Sarah" wrote: > > This week we've had a new visitor at the feeders at Five Rivers. I have added a couple pics to the photo album section. > > Happy Thanksgiving! > > Sarah Conley :) >
Subject: Vox-Pop Friday
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:59:07 -0500

I was asked today to be on WAMC's "Vox=Pop" radio call-in show Friday afternoon from 2 to 3. Topic will be "Birds, etc" Thought some might be interested and might listen in. Call in questions and comments are welcome. Or if you have something to be mentioned, please feel free to contact me via e-mail reply here. I'd be especially interested in club programs scheduled in the next few weeks. Rich Guthrie gaeltic AT capital.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Northern Shrike
From: David Martin <david AT naturebits.org>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:07:15 -0500

This afternoon (11/15) Sandy and I found a Northern Shrike in juvenal plumage at Black Creek Marsh WMA. No confusing this bird with a Mockingbird. It was brownish overall (lighter brown underneath) light buffy vent, brownish-black folded wings and tail. The tail feathers were tipped with white. There was barely a hint of a black mask (more of a hardly visible smudge). No white wing patch. It was hunting actively and at one point it was close enough to see the hooked bill through binoculars. Typical shrike behavior; it would perch near the top of shrub, fly out or down to nab an insect and then swoop up to land at the next perch. To look for it, park at the railroad tracks and walk north on Hennessey Road about 0.25 mi and take the trail that goes east into WMA near the corner DEC sign. The bird was hunting all over the area under the powerlines and also in the trees and brush near the ponds. Otherwise, it was very quiet at Black Creek. We did not see or hear a Canada Goose. That may be a first for us there. Did see some Bluebirds and the Shrike flushed a Downy Woodpecker. David Martin
Subject: Tomhannock Reservoir, 11/15
From: "jw.kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:47:42 -0000

I birded at Tomhannock this morning with John Hershey and Tom & Colleen Williams. The highlight was a red-throated loon, a lifer for me. We had been looking at it for a while and decided it was a red-throated, then it swam right up next to a common loon and the size difference was obvious. That gave us added confidence. We also had three horned grebes and four red-necked grebes. We searched through a lot of common goldeneyes trying to find a Barrow's, but had no luck with that. There were also some ruddy ducks, common and hooded mergansers, cormorants, a couple of bald eagles, a golden-crowned kinglet, and a bluebird. BTW, Jackie B. got a good look at the white bird by I-90 and I-787 the other day and said it is definitely a leucistic red-tailed hawk, not a snowy owl. John Kent Albany
Subject: Goin' to Kissimmee FL next week
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:09:24 -0000

I usually visit Viera Wetlands (west of Melbourne) and Merritt Island NWR, but was considering adding Three Lakes and Joe Overstreet Reserves to the list. Any thoughts? I am just going to be there Mon-Fri.
Subject: Crepuscular Activity at Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve
From: "dpimainl" <larry.main AT cengage.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:46:27 -0000

I squeezed in two quick walks at Vischer Ferry on Friday the 13th. It was frosty and crisp as the sun was coming up before work. I walked the main trail south from the bridge and spotted a Fox Sparrow along with Song, Tree, and singing White-Throated Sparrows. I was happy to finally see a Fox Sparrow and it is my first since the one I had under my feeders in April 2007. It was much warmer after work as I walked the same route and enjoyed a colorful sunset. As I made my way north back to the parking lot I spotted a small shape sitting on a tree branch over-hanging the path. It turned out to be an Eastern Screech Owl. This was by far my best look at this little owl as it sat for about 30 seconds before it flew off to the east. I was able to re-locate it when it started calling from some trees next to the path. It was nice to get such good looks at an owl that is usually heard rather than seen. This is nearly the same spot where I saw a Great Horned Owl on another twilight Friday after-work walk on November 6th. Both owls were about 150 yards south of the bridge and quite close to the path. Larry Main Clifton Park, NY P.S. I had an enjoyable and productive birding trip to Southeast Arizona in mid-October. I saw a total of 134 species and added 65 new birds to my life list. Thanks to all the HMBC members who provided advice and tips. I'd be happy to return the favor to anyone planning a similar trip.
Subject: Raptor Superior
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:51:20 -0000

Eventually the juvi RTH will learn that you just don't hang out in this falcon's territory. If there is anything she despises it is an RTH near her bridge; in fact she displaced an RTH from its nest on the bridge when she arrived 2 1/2 years ago. In the photo below she is just returning from hammering that pesky RTH. Believe me when I tell you that the baby buteo got the picture! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/268554723/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/13
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:04:43 -0000

I did an imppromptu waterfowl survey of all the open water inside the preserve; there was a thin sheet of ice on many of the shallow areas. Here's what I came up with: Canada Goose 190 Gadwall 1 American Wigeon 1 American Black Duck 30 Mallard 350 Northern Pintail 3 Green-winged Teal 2 In addition, these regulars were also present: Great Blue Heron 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 3 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Marsh Wren 1 American Robin 4 American Tree Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 1 American Goldfinch 8 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: RE: Bluebirds
From: Brian Smith <brijsmith AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:38:57 +0000

Good morning, We don't get a whole lot of bluebirds at our place in Averill Park, especially when nesting season is over. We'll get a small group of them every once in a while. Every few weeks or so. So when we do see them. They are highly appreciated. Brian Smith Averill Park, NY To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com; birdline AT hmbc.net From: adfrench AT nycap.rr.com Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:35:45 -0500 Subject: [HMBirds] Bluebirds Six Bluebirds have been flitting around the boxes out front. Clear skies, Alan Western Glenville _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: hmbirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com hmbirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: hmbirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Bluebirds
From: Alan French <adfrench AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:35:45 -0500

Six Bluebirds have been flitting around the boxes out front. Clear skies, Alan Western Glenville
Subject: Merlin - New Baltimore
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:33:52 -0500

When I arrived home after today's unsuccessful attempt at finding the White-eyed Vireo, I noticed a flock of pigeons perched in a tree across the river from the house. That's unusual. They don't go there - until now and they had a good reason: a MERLIN was perched in another tree right near by them! That's Merlin aka Pigeon Hawk! My guess is that the merlin caused the pigeons to pull up into the tree. So he decided to sit it out and they weren't about to take off until the Pigeon Hawk gave up and left. After a while, the hawk moved on. So did the pigeons - back to my neighbor's roof top where they belong (not according to my neighbor thought) I took a series of photos from this great distance. After I download them, I'll see if any are worthy of posting. If so, I will. Rich Guthrie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tomhannock Reservoir - Red Throated Loon and Barrow's Goldeneye
From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:02:26 -0000

The Thursday Morning Group met at Tomhannock Reservoir this morning. The first highlight for me was a close-up look at a RED-THROATED LOON. I digiscoped a few photos which are not as clear as I'd like but they do show traces of the breeding plumage which I have never seen before. I posted 3 photos in my folder (VFP). They show the gray head and traces of the red throat (now more brown). These links may work: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1222183167/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&count=20&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/319225262/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1815406398/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&dir=asc While I was trying to get photos of the RL Loon, some in the group found a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in with a group of Common Goldeneye from along Rt. 115 on the east side of the Reservoir. I didn't see it, and it took off with the others before we could all see it. I then peeled off from the rest of the group to look for the White-eyed Vireo reported yesterday. I followed Larry Alden's coordinates on Ford Rd. and found Rich Guthrie who was also looking for it. We found an area of tangled vegetation but no vireo. A more complete report of the whole group's findings should come later on Birdline. John Hershey Clifton Park
Subject: Re: Black Vultures
From: David Martin <david AT naturebits.org>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:59:17 -0500

No Black Vultures for us this AM, sorry to say. Saw nothing but the usual neighborhood birds during our walk. We did have a Belted-Kingfisher at our place a week ago. We see them at some point every year, even though we are half a mile or so from any substantial water. I think they fly back and forth between the Normanskill River (>half a mile N&E) and a millpond on Vly Creek (~half a mile SW). David At 05:35 PM 11/11/2009, you wrote: > > >On my way to Tomhannock Reservoir this morning >(more on this in a bit), I had a group of maybe >8 vultures circling near Johnston Road (just >over the Guilderland border) by the Normanskill >flats. I had a car behind me, and was only able >to positively ID 2 Black Vultures in the bunch. >I couldn't say that they were not all BVs, so I'll leave it at that. > >Perhaps David and Sandy Martin got that far and >got a longer view, as I saw them out for a morning walk heading that direction. > >Larry Alden >Meadowdale >(on the border of southern Guilderland >and northern New Scotland) > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tomhannock Reservoir - WHITE-EYED VIREO, Red-throated Loon, Am. Pipits
From: "Penny and Larry Alden" <overlook AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:54:34 -0500

Frank Murphy, Jackie Bogardus, and I did our traditional Veteran's Day trip around Tomhannock Reservoir and environs and scooped up a total of 57 species. We started at about 8:45 a.m. and ended at 3:35 p.m. and took the customary route counter-clockwise around the reservoir with two excursions on side routes away from the reservoir (for the sole reason of padding the list). Temperatures ranged from about 40 to 48 degrees. The wind was a relatively calm through the day. It was mostly sunny and pleasant. Our bird-of-the-day was undoubtedly a first year WHITE-EYED VIREO, seen well by the three of us in good light at a distance of 20 feet. The vireo was on Ford Road about halfway between Piser Hill Road and Cushman Road. (Specifically, it was at 42* 51' 4.8"N 73* 33' 23.3"W) Also seen was a Red-throated Loon, previously reported from the reservoir and still in breeding-type plumage. We saw it from the intersection of Nortonville Road and Reservoir Road. Other good birds were a flock of American Pipits and a White-crowned Sparrow on Sproat Road, two Hermit Thrushes, two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. We missed Belted Kingfisher and Bald Eagle, both of which we had there Saturday on the HMBC trip. Surprisingly, we had one and only one White-throated Sparrow. Recent year's totals are as follows: 2009 - 57 2008 - 57 2007 - 47 2006 - 51 2005 - 57 2004 - 58 2003 - 48 2002 - 52 2001 - 48 2000 - 46 1999 - 47 The e-bird report follows: Location: Tomhannock Reservoir Observation date: 11/11/09 Notes: First fall White-eyed Vireo (dark eyes) had bright yellow spectacles, belly and sides with a gray-white throat. Number of species: 57 Snow Goose 10 Canada Goose X Wood Duck 8 American Black Duck 3 Mallard 9 Green-winged Teal 4 Ring-necked Duck X Lesser Scaup 2 Bufflehead 4 Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser X Common Merganser X Ruddy Duck 25 Red-throated Loon 1 Common Loon 4 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk X Ring-billed Gull 5 Rock Pigeon X Mourning Dove 6 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Downy Woodpecker X Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 3 White-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay X American Crow X Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 White-breasted Nuthatch X Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 7 Eastern Bluebird X Hermit Thrush 2 American Robin 7 European Starling X American Pipit 25 Cedar Waxwing 8 American Tree Sparrow X Song Sparrow X White-throated Sparrow 1 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco X Northern Cardinal 5 Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Brown-headed Cowbird X House Finch 4 American Goldfinch 8 House Sparrow X Larry Alden [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Black Vultures
From: "Penny and Larry Alden" <overlook AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:35:50 -0500

On my way to Tomhannock Reservoir this morning (more on this in a bit), I had a group of maybe 8 vultures circling near Johnston Road (just over the Guilderland border) by the Normanskill flats. I had a car behind me, and was only able to positively ID 2 Black Vultures in the bunch. I couldn't say that they were not all BVs, so I'll leave it at that. Perhaps David and Sandy Martin got that far and got a longer view, as I saw them out for a morning walk heading that direction. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: SAAS program Nov 18 - "Hawaii"
From: "ConserveBirds" <conservebirds AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:35:01 -0500

Don Polunci, past President of Southern Adirondack Audubon, and local nature photographer, will present a PowerPoint program on Hawaii, November 18, 7pm, in the Crandall Library, Glens Falls, NY. More info here: www.southernadirondackaudubon.org/programs.html -Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Update on the big white bird
From: "jw.kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:21:59 -0000

This morning I brought my scope out to the spot under the Patroon Island Bridge (I-90 over the Hudson River) to try to get a better look at the big white bird that has been hanging around on the east shore just north of the bridge. When I arrived it wasn't in sight. After about 15 minutes I saw it in flight and got a brief scope view. It then landed in a distant tree where it was mostly obscured, and didn't move for the next hour and a half. From the look I got at it in flight, I now think it is more likely a leucistic red-tailed hawk than a snowy owl. I still can't be sure, though. While I was there, two peregrine falcons stopped by and hung around on the bridge for about 15 minutes, then continued upriver. At least I got a good view of those. On an unrelated note, my mother in Maine had a yellow-throated warbler at her feeders two days this week. She is a long-time birder and had enough good looks at it to be confident of the ID. John Kent Albany
Subject: HMBC November Meeting
From: "goodness.gary" <goodness.gary AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:09:36 -0000

The November meeting of the HMBC will be; Tuesday Nov 17, 7:15PM in the Pinebush Discovery Center on New Karner Road. Members as well as non-members are welcome. Gary Goodness / President
Subject: Tom Palmer 1943-2009
From: ScottJStoner AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:32:08 EST

Sad news. Longtime active HMBC member, board member, trip leader. Passed away this week. Obituary at _http://www.tributes.com/show/Thomas-Palmer-87153353_ (http://www.tributes.com/show/Thomas-Palmer-87153353) (scroll all the way down) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Peregrine Enforces Her Territorial Boundaries
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:29:41 -0000

I saw this falcon driving away a large flock of RbGulls that had gotten too close to her territory today--awesome stoop! Underscoring her seriousness I discovered a dead, uneaten gull near the Collar City bridge and in her immediate territory. The reason I believe that she killed it was the tell-tale sign (get a grip)--it was headless. This is a pretty clear indication of a falcon kill. Eventually she will have that entire flock of RbGulls trained to stay clear of the falcon-zone. I have seen her enforce the same with crows last year. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/198025885/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: Mohawk River, Rexford- 11/10
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:25:27 -0000

The water levels are quite low right now as crews are removing the flashboards off of Locks 6 and 7. With all the exposed mudflats it would be great for some kind of shorebird activity, but it's a bit late for that. From Ferry Dr. to the power plant, the river had: Canada Goose 110 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 6 Common Merganser 3 Ring-billed Gull 20 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: eBird Report - RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary , 11/9/09
From: "LARRY FEDERMAN" <birderlarry AT verizon.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:34:09 -0500

Note the 11 Rusty Blackbirds. They were in a mixed flock with mostly female Red-wings. Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries Location: RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary Observation date: 11/9/09 Number of species: 22 Wild Turkey 3 Turkey Vulture 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Mourning Dove 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 3 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 15 American Crow 37 Black-capped Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 45 Cedar Waxwing 12 White-throated Sparrow 24 Northern Cardinal 2 Red-winged Blackbird 19 Rusty Blackbird 11 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Two Bald Eagles and a GBH at the Tomhannock
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:35:49 -0000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1335775326/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/821468203/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/233279316/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: Vischer Ferry NHP- 11/9
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:22:56 -0000

Highlights were a Northern Mockingbird(first one I've seen here) along the towpath, a very active Winter Wren across the canal, a few American Tree Sparrows, and a Fox Sparrow. Many bluebirds around as well. Location: Vischers Ferry Preserve Observation date: 11/9/09 Number of species: 29 Canada Goose 80 American Black Duck 1 Mallard 30 Green-winged Teal 12 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 6 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 10 American Crow 50 Black-capped Chickadee 8 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 1 Winter Wren 1 Eastern Bluebird 15 American Robin 6 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 1 American Tree Sparrow 3 Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 4 White-throated Sparrow 4 Northern Cardinal 5 Red-winged Blackbird 1 House Finch 3 American Goldfinch 15 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: Re: Bug question
From: "LARRY FEDERMAN" <birderlarry AT verizon.net>
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:35:57 -0500

Cool! Nice page. Funny, when I did the research, Leaf-footed Bug came up with the same scientific name as Western Conifer Seed Bug, but reading further indicated subtle differences between a couple of species. I think the names describe 2 different attributes of the critter - what it looks like and the host food. Thanks! Larry Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries ----- Original Message ----- From: redravencc AT aol.com To: birderlarry AT verizon.net ; hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com ; marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 9:20 AM Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Bug question Yes. Conifer Seed Bug. My Backyard Naturalsit book spread on it attached, should you be interested. Carol Coogan -----Original Message----- From: LARRY FEDERMAN To: hmbirds Sent: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 9:57 pm Subject: [HMBirds] Bug question Or, specifically it could be Western Conifer Seed Bug. See: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/western-conifer-seedbug Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries ----- Original Message ----- From: Penny and Larry Alden To: hmbirds Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) ----- Original Message ----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Bug question
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:33:11 -0000

I third the motion; bugguide.net says Leptoglossus occidentalis (Western Conifer Seed Bug) --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Redravencc AT ... wrote: > > Yes. Conifer Seed Bug. My Backyard Naturalsit book spread > > on it attached, should you be interested. > > > > Carol Coogan > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: LARRY FEDERMAN birderlarry AT ... > > To: hmbirds hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 9:57 pm > > Subject: [HMBirds] Bug question > > > > > > > > > Or, specifically it could be Western Conifer Seed Bug. > > See: > > http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/western-conifer-seedbug > > > > Larry Federman > > Education Coordinator > > Audubon New York > > Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Penny and Larry Alden > > To: hmbirds > > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM > > Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 > > > > Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. > > > > Larry Alden > > Meadowdale > > (on the border of southern Guilderland > > and northern New Scotland) > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: marne-esq AT ... > > To: hmbirds > > Cc: lnmp > > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM > > Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 > > > > I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ > > > > Would anyone know what this is? > > > > As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ > > > > Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect > > > > I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, > > > > Marne > > > > PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
Subject: Re: Bug question
From: Redravencc AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:20:19 -0500

Yes. Conifer Seed Bug. My Backyard Naturalsit book spread on it attached, should you be interested. Carol Coogan -----Original Message----- From: LARRY FEDERMAN <birderlarry AT verizon.net> To: hmbirds <hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 9:57 pm Subject: [HMBirds] Bug question Or, specifically it could be Western Conifer Seed Bug. See: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/western-conifer-seedbug Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries ----- Original Message ----- From: Penny and Larry Alden To: hmbirds Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) ----- Original Message ----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09
From: <marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 7:10:32 -0500

Thanks to all for the ID help! You all know your bugs :) Marne ---- LARRY FEDERMAN wrote: > I Googled the brown marmorated stink bug and the pix show a different critter. > I think the bug in question is a Leaf-footed Bug. See the info at: > http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?shapeID=1015&curGroupID=4&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=8 > > Best, > Larry > > Larry Federman > Education Coordinator > Audubon New York > Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Penny and Larry Alden > To: hmbirds > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM > Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 > > > > Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. > > Larry Alden > Meadowdale > (on the border of southern Guilderland > and northern New Scotland) > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com > To: hmbirds > Cc: lnmp > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM > Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 > > I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ > > Would anyone know what this is? > > As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ > > Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect > > I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, > > Marne > > PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >
Subject: Bug question
From: "LARRY FEDERMAN" <birderlarry AT verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:57:11 -0500

Or, specifically it could be Western Conifer Seed Bug. See: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/western-conifer-seedbug Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries ----- Original Message ----- From: Penny and Larry Alden To: hmbirds Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) ----- Original Message ----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09
From: "LARRY FEDERMAN" <birderlarry AT verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:50:37 -0500

I Googled the brown marmorated stink bug and the pix show a different critter. I think the bug in question is a Leaf-footed Bug. See the info at: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?shapeID=1015&curGroupID=4&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=8 Best, Larry Larry Federman Education Coordinator Audubon New York Rheinstrom Hill, Buttercup Farm, RamsHorn-Livingston Audubon Centers and Sanctuaries ----- Original Message ----- From: Penny and Larry Alden To: hmbirds Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:37 PM Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) ----- Original Message ----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Stanton Pond 11/8
From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 21:30:34 -0500

Following up on Rich Guthrie's report yesterday, Danika and I were able to locate the 2 Brant feeding with the hoard of Canada Geese on the grassy areas surrounding the ponds. Also present was every size variation of Canada Goose, about a dozen Northern Pintails, a few American Wigeon and a bunch of American Black Ducks. Mallard was oddly missing... A quick drive by the Alcove Reservoir, yielded more Canada Geese and American Black Ducks by the Causeway, a single Drake Common Goldeneye was with a group of Ring-necked Ducks along Rt. 143. Good Birding, Will and Danika Raup Albany, NY _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09
From: "Penny and Larry Alden" <overlook AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 20:37:19 -0500

Coincidentally enough, I believe the bug in question is mentioned in today's Times Union, Real Estate section, page 7 - or at least this is what I take it to be. Without looking for another source, the paper says it's a brown marmorated stink bug. I've got them on my house and around the yard - they seem to fit the description.. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) ----- Original Message ----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:08 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Saratoga and Loughberry 11/8
From: "Ronald L. Harrower" <rlharrow AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 20:13:56 -0500

A quick synopsis of Saratoga and Loughberry Lakes. At least 14 Common Loons and 1 Red-throated Loon. At Silver Beach a Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Green-winged Teal, 2 Lesser Scaup, 7 Bufflehead. 1 Hooded merganser. Large, mixed raft of Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and scaup in middle of lake. Fisherman spooked them. Usual problems with safe viewing spots. Two adult Bald eagles chasing each other over Southern end of Lake. Had very close look at a an immature Red-tailed hawk eating a mouse. Neat in the raw nature way, but.... the details will be spared. Loughberry has even more Ring-neckkeds with 700+. Highlight for me there was a lone White-winged Scoter in with Ring-neckeds opposite intersection of Loughberry lake Road and Howe Street. Farther up were 20+ Hooded Mergs, 15 Common Mergs, 1 male Gadwall, and pockets of Wood Ducks, Mallards, Black Ducks and Canada Geese. Not rare, but great to see was a Brown Creeper working a tree by the shore, down to th bottom and allthe way up. Kingfisher rattled along the Lake. Ronald Harrower Saratoga Springs [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RE: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09
From: "lnmp" <lnmp AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 19:32:39 -0500

Marne and I enjoyed a gorgeous outing at Vischer's Ferry today, on what is probably one of the last warm, sunny days of 2009. Bird species that we saw included: Great Blue Heron - see photos; it was fascinating to watch this bird snag, repeatedly stab, and eventually swallow a huge fish Canada Goose - many American Black Duck Mallard - many Green-winged Teal - 2 males and 2 females or juveniles (a lifer for Marne) Red-Tailed Hawk Mourning Dove Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker - several; active and noisy Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker - heard Blue Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren - loud Golden-Crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebirds - many feeding on berries along the towpath American Robin Cedar Waxwing Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow White-throated Sparrow - many Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird House Finch American Goldfinch We also saw two garter snakes, several huge wasps' nests, and a couple of leftover birds' nests in the bare trees. Ellen P. -----Original Message----- From: marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com [mailto:marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com] Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 7:09 PM To: hmbirds Cc: lnmp Subject: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09 I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair!
Subject: Vischer's Ferry NHP 11/8/09
From: <marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 0:08:58 +0000

I met up with Ellen P. today for a cruise around Vischer's Ferry NHP....I think she was going to post about all of our great sightings today???! In the meantime, I did post some pictures on my Flickr page. One of them (I know I am going astray) has to do with a bug that we could not ID: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/4087871622/sizes/l/ Would anyone know what this is? As we finished our tour, we witnessed a great blue heron snag a huge fish from the canal and ensure its demise before chugging it down (very cool. not for the fish, though). On the second page of the flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emlo38/page2/ Click on picture, then "all sizes" to get the full effect I hope everyone got to enjoy a gorgeous day today! Happy fall birding, Marne PS Nikon replaced (gratis) my broken ones so I was very happy to have a new pair!
Subject: Woodpecker's
From: "flipsbliss50" <pseward AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:19:05 -0000

Sat and Sun had a visit from a red bellied wood pecker at my feeder. It appeared that he would take some seed and fly to a nearby tree and hide it in a crack of the bark. He flew back and forth for 20 minutes. Sat also went to the Reist Preserve in Niskayuna. Saw a male and female Hairy woodpeckers but the highlight was a very loud male Pileated as we arrived back near the car. We got great looks at him above us as he didn't pay any attention to us. If you would like to see him, enter at the Morgan Rd. entrance walk about 25 to 50 ft. in and look to the right. We saw him enter a fresh dug hole in a tree about 30-40 ft. high. Good Birding Phil
Subject: Northern Harrier @ Five Rivers- 11/8
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:58:27 -0000

There was at least one Northern Harrier at Five Rivers this morning; we saw one over the Wild Turkey Trail, and also flying across Wood Duck Marsh. A surprise was a Winter Wren on the boardwalk near the Beaver Pond. Top ten weather day of the year, hope everyone was out enjoying it. Location: Five Rivers Observation date: 11/8/09 Number of species: 22 Mallard 5 Wild Turkey 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 3 Blue Jay 12 American Crow 15 Black-capped Chickadee 18 Tufted Titmouse 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Winter Wren 1 Eastern Bluebird 3 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 8 Dark-eyed Junco 6 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 1 American Goldfinch 12 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: The big white bird - still there
From: "jw.kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:12:09 -0000

Today while crossing the Hudson on I-90 westbound I saw the big white bird again, this time at the top of the second power-line tower north of the bridge. Once again, I was unable to confirm whether it is a snowy owl or a leucistic red-tailed hawk, but again it looked more like an owl to me. John Kent Albany
Subject: "Hey Hairy, Can I Get Chips With That?"
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:49:30 -0000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/245776176/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: A Happy Thanksgiving...
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:46:09 -0000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/10334217/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: Brant - Stanton Pond
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:27:22 -0500

There were 2 BRANT feeding on the grass border of Stanton Pond this morning (Nov 7) Also present: 300 +/- Canada Geese Northern Pintails; Gadwalls; Mallards; American Wigeon. Rich guthrie gaeltic AT capital.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: FW: Black Vultures over Ravena
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:42:09 -0500

Forwarding for Jim Coe: Subject: Black Vultures over Ravena Hi guys - Saw 2 black vultures circling over Ravena this afternoon [Nov 6th] - at about 3:30pm. Jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: FOS Fox Sparrow
From: Alan French <adfrench AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:14:11 -0500

I finally had a Fox Sparrow under the feeders. Clear skies, Alan Western Glenville
Subject: Sightings
From: "grossman.bernard" <grossman.bernard AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:19:36 -0000

We just had a brown creeper working the trees in our backyard in Rexford as well as a re-bellied woodpecker visit the suet.
Subject: Black Creek Marsh- 11/5
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:22:29 -0000

West from Hennessey Rd. to the creek culvert and back; still one Marsh Wren singing, it followed me along for awhile. Many Rusty Blackbirds here as well. Location: Black Creek Marsh Observation date: 11/5/09 Number of species: 25 Canada Goose 2 Mallard 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 20 Black-capped Chickadee 7 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Marsh Wren 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 8 European Starling 2 American Tree Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 6 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Rusty Blackbird 18 American Goldfinch 6 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: Ruddies, G-eyes, & Hoodies
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:29:58 -0000

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1029181589/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/795863417/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1259110803/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/509635235/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: RE: Female HMergs Bad Wing in Cohoes
From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:29:10 -0500

Lets give this bird some credit. She has survived months in the same location, with numerous Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles and Great Black Backed Gulls in the vicinity, any of whom would have no trouble making a meal out of her. Ice up would be her biggest problem and she has a few weeks at least to worry about that, plus with all the hydro-electric plants, there are usually always pockets of open water. Will Raup Albany, NY http://hoaryredpoll.wordpress.com To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 04:11:47 +0000 Subject: [HMBirds] Female HMergs Bad Wing in Cohoes Will she survive the winter? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc _________________________________________________________________ Find the right PC with Windows 7 and Windows Live. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/pc-scout/laptop-set-criteria.aspx?cbid=wl&filt=200,2400,10,19,1,3,1,7,50,650,2,12,0,1000&cat=1,2,3,4,5,6&brands=5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16&addf=4,5,9&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: hmbirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com hmbirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: hmbirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Female HMergs Bad Wing in Cohoes
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:11:47 -0000

Will she survive the winter? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/1022772302/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=141&dir=asc
Subject: Purple Finches
From: "Penny and Larry Alden" <overlook AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:36:15 -0500

I had a trio of Purple Finches (2 males, 1 female) joining a pair of House Finches at my feeders this morning. Larry Alden Meadowdale (on the border of southern Guilderland and northern New Scotland) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Vischer Ferry waterfowl- 11/4
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:37:59 -0000

Nice variety this morning; thanks to John Hershey for picking out the Gadwall and the shoveler. Had a seasonal high count of 22 Rusty Blackbirds along the towpath and over the old canal. Location: Vischers Ferry Preserve Observation date: 11/4/09 Number of species: 33 Canada Goose 100 Gadwall 2 American Black Duck 4 Mallard 30 Northern Shoveler 1 Northern Pintail 1 Green-winged Teal 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 6 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 30 European Starling 6 Cedar Waxwing 3 American Tree Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 3 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Rusty Blackbird 22 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: Red-throated Loon Tomhannock Reservoir
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:03:51 -0500

Bill Lee and I did an afternoon drive around Tom. Res. Today (Nov 3rd). The highlight was an adult RED-THROATED LOON, still sporting much of its breeding plumage. I've rarely seen the red on Red-throated Loons around these parts. There were also 3 Common Loons, more than a thousand Canada Geese - but no other species noted. Where are the Snow Geese? Other waterfowl: Double-crested Cormorants; Wood Ducks; Mallards Am. Black Ducks; Ring-necked Ducks; Common Goldeneyes; Common Mergansers; Hooded Mergansers; And Green-winged Teal in a nearby farm pond. A hundred or so Ruddy Ducks; Plus" Belted Kingfisher; Great-blue Herons; I'll put numbers to the names when I post to eBird - which I won't copy to this list. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Snowy owl
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:07:23 -0000

John, At about 4:30 PM today I stopped at St Anthony On the Hudson property on the east side of the Hudson River near the intersection of I90 and exit 7. As I scanned the valley westward through the trees almost immediately I saw a large raptor and I was thinking Snowy Owl from the look at the underside of the wing, but then it banked and I could see that it was an RTH. The topside of the wing also looked whitish grey, and although the light was not very good, my second impulse was that this was a leucistic (whitish) RTH*. Hopefully I will get a better look tomorrow, but for now I would say from that quick experience not a snowy, but a leucistic RTH :-). Curt Morgan * http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/61044533/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=121&dir=asc --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John Kent" wrote: > > I checked again today for the snowy owl along the Hudson by the I-90 bridge I am about 95% certain that I saw it on the first power line pylon north of the bridge, on the east shore. A red-tailed hawk was at the top of the pylon and the snowy was about 40 feet lower. The only reason for uncertainty was the distance from my vantage point on the west shore - with a scope I would have been able to tell for sure. > > John Kent > Albany >
Subject: Albany and Greene Counties 11/3/09
From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:13:46 -0500

Did my normal route from Albany to Coxsackie and back again. All in all, it was pretty quiet. Stops at Henry Hudson Park, Coeymans Landing, Cornell Park and Coxsackie Boat Launch yielded little, except a few Ring-billed Gulls floating by. 4 Mile Point/Vosburgh's Marsh had a nice mixed flock, which included Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breated Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, Red-bellied Woopecker, Northern Flicker and Downy Woodpecker. A flock of Cedar Waxwings was also present. Interestingly a Common Raven was heard, unusual at that location. Vosburgh's Marsh added little except for about 13 Green-winged Teal and a Pileated Woodpecker. The River was silent, there weren't even any Eagles at Stockport! From there I headed up through the Coxsackie area, but found little. Development has taken its toll there. At the Greene County IDA Grasslands, I was a bit surprised to find the Grasslands mowed, while much easier to walk through, sparrow and over all bird abundance was way down. Taking advantage of the shorter grass however were 4 juvie Northern Harriers and a Red-tailed Hawk. One of the Harriers, managed to flush a lingering Wilson's Snipe. In one of the non mowed areas I was able to coax a Savannah Sparrow into view. The Coxsackie Reservoir is getting more active. Easily 100 or more Ruddy Ducks were present, some quite close to shore. Always a treat to get good looks at these ducks. I was also able to find a few Ring-necked Ducks and there were some Canada Geese. Hundreds of Juncos were along the Road and surrounding woods, not usual at this location. Stanton Pond was the most active spot with the most variety. In the fields, hundreds of Canada Geese, American Crows and several Common Ravens worked the recently manuered areas. Dozens of Gulls were present, including both Ring-billed and Herring. In addition to the Geese on the Pond was also Gadwall (5), American Wigeon (8), Green-winged Teal (1), Northern Pintail (8), Mallard and American Black Duck. Try as I might, no unusal Geese. After that dark skies and rain showers followed me around and I headed on home. Total of 39 species for the day, not too bad for early November! Will Raup Albany, NY _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Snowy owl
From: "John Kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:48:00 +0000

If it is visible from I-90 (and if it is still in the same place), it would be on the right as you come on to the bridge westbound. I don't think it would be visible from I-90 eastbound. I haven't figured out if there is any way to get down there. The spot I have been looking from on the west shore is about 3/4 of a mile walk north from the Corning Preserve boat launch parking area in Albany. John Kent Albany ------Original Message------ From: To: Date: Tue, Nov 3, 1:21 PM -0500 Subject: Re: [HMBirds] Snowy owl As I drove my son to school at Doane Stuart this morning, I nearly went off the road straining to see if I could spot the Snowy as I drove up the right ramp and took the overpass to the bridge, going east on I-90 to cross the Hudson. I saw nothing at 8:10 am this morning, nor upon my 8:20 am return west over the bridge. Where should I be looking? To my right as I go up the ramp to head east on I-90? Or as I cross the bridge towards the Rennselaer extit??? Carol Coogan http://www.directoryofillustration.com/CarolCoogan http://members.upstateartistsguild.org/CarolCoogan -----Original Message----- From: John Kent <jw.kent AT yahoo.com> To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tue, Nov 3, 2009 12:33 pm Subject: [HMBirds] Snowy owl ? I checked again today for the snowy owl along the Hudson by the I-90 bridge I am about 95% certain that I saw it on the first power line pylon north of the bridge, on the east shore. A red-tailed hawk was at the top of the pylon and the snowy was about 40 feet lower. The only reason for uncertainty was the distance from my vantage point on the west shore - with a scope I would have been able to tell for sure. John Kent Albany
Subject: Re: GBB Gull size comparison
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:10:54 -0000

Ken, nice to see you at the HMBC meeting last night. Good shot of the gulls. Have you checked out JHershey's sightings on Saratoga Lake yet? Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "cpkbh1" wrote: > > I took this pic the other day down near the Cresent Bridge on the Mohawk. I think it gives a good comparison of the size of the GBB vs the Ringbill Gulls. > http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2141477270065162350LFoqqJ?vhost=good-times >
Subject: Snowy owl
From: "John Kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:33:20 +0000

I checked again today for the snowy owl along the Hudson by the I-90 bridge I am about 95% certain that I saw it on the first power line pylon north of the bridge, on the east shore. A red-tailed hawk was at the top of the pylon and the snowy was about 40 feet lower. The only reason for uncertainty was the distance from my vantage point on the west shore - with a scope I would have been able to tell for sure. John Kent Albany
Subject: Fox & Am. Tree Sparrows Coxsackie
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:18:26 -0500

There was an influx of sparrows at Coxsackie Grasslands this morning. Among them: Fox Sparrows 4 Am. Tree Sparrows 6 Savannah Sparrows 2 A large group of Rusty Blackbirds flew over. Rich guthrie gaeltic AT capital.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: GBB Gull size comparison
From: "cpkbh1" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:02:00 -0000

I took this pic the other day down near the Cresent Bridge on the Mohawk. I think it gives a good comparison of the size of the GBB vs the Ringbill Gulls. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2141477270065162350LFoqqJ?vhost=good-times
Subject: Coot In Crescent
From: "CurtM" <pcmjr54 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:39:55 -0000

Not used to seeing Coots in the Capital Region, but saw four today in Crescent north of the power plant there. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/451306631/pic/769288807/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=121&dir=asc
Subject: Saratoga Lake Waterfowl
From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:13:06 -0000

I made one stop at Saratoga Lake late this afternoon at the sliver of pavement at the entrance to the pump station on the south end. (It's very difficult to find a legitimate, public access spot anywhere around the Lake.) From here I spotted the following waterfowl: Horned Grebe 5 White-winged Scoter 2 Long-tailed Duck 25 Scaup species 12 Redhead 1 Somewhat earlier I found a lone AMERICAN PIPIT perched on a wire on Callahan Rd. in the Town of Northumberland. It was flicking its tail. I saw 2 small flocks of songbirds flying over the fields along this road which could have been Pipits as well. John Hershey Clifton Park
Subject: FW: eBird Report - Ravena, NY Grove Cemetery , 11/2/09
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:17:36 -0500

Location: Ravena, NY Grove Cemetery Observation date: 11/2/09 Number of species: 4 Bald Eagle 3 tandem flying adults overhead Hairy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
Subject: RE: Snowy Owl
From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:06:05 -0500

Danika and I checked the area out as well around 1:30pm and didn't find anything of note. I don't think we went up as far as John did at the Corning Preserve, but we did go over the bridge a few times to see if we could find anything. We could see a whitish 'Blob', but whether it was a plastic bag in a tree or a bird was unclear. Access is difficult, the only viewing that I'm aware of would be from the Corning preserve. I don't think there is any access to the east side of the River at that location. Perhaps someone with a Scope would have better luck. Will and Danika Raup Albany, NY To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: jw.kent AT yahoo.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:56:36 +0000 Subject: [HMBirds] Snowy Owl I just went and looked for the snowy owl that was reported this morning on NYSbirds-L, on the east shore of the Hudson about 400 feet north of the I-90 bridge. I was looking from river level on the west shore, under the bridge. I saw what appeared to be a snowy owl in tree, but the view was partially obscured so I couldn't be 100% certain. I think you need to be on the east shore to get a good view. The initial report was from someone who saw it while driving west on I-90. John Kent Albany _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Snowy Owl
From: "John Kent" <jw.kent AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:56:36 +0000

I just went and looked for the snowy owl that was reported this morning on NYSbirds-L, on the east shore of the Hudson about 400 feet north of the I-90 bridge. I was looking from river level on the west shore, under the bridge. I saw what appeared to be a snowy owl in tree, but the view was partially obscured so I couldn't be 100% certain. I think you need to be on the east shore to get a good view. The initial report was from someone who saw it while driving west on I-90. John Kent Albany
Subject: Snow Geese - New Baltimore
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:29:03 -0500

I had a flock of about 150 SNOW GEESE fly over my house this morning. They were very high up, and had I not heard them, they would have gone by unnoticed It took a while to find them up against the sky. Rich Guthrie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: night flight
From: Elayne Ryba <eryba AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:18:27 -0500

-- Last night (Nov 1st) around 9 pm, a small flock of Canada Geese flew over my yard. I heard them first, but was able to observe them due to an almost full moon. They headed SSW, and it was a lovely sight! Elayne Niskayuna
Subject: Saratoga Battlefield 11/1/09
From: <marne-esq AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:10:17 -0500

Whoops, I guess I missed running into Tom W today! I stopped by there this afternoon (the magnetic field of the couch evidently trapped Sherpa John, precluding him from joining me). I took a quick spin around the tour road, stopped by the Rockefeller Monument stop, then back to the Visitor Center to complete the Wilkinson Trail. All around, I was there for about 3 hours. Saw many of the same birds Tom did; I thought overall a very birdiful day for the 1st of November. Here's the tally of species: Northern Cardinal American crow BC chickadee Tufted titmouse Canada goose (flying overhead) Downy woodpecker Mourning dove Brown creeper Golden-crowned kinglet Fox sparrows--lots--I've only seen 2 ever, and both last year and at a distance. So today was a real treat. I easily "quished" several out (6-8) and one sang for me 3 times (at least I'd like to think that)! If you've never seen a fox sparrow, definitely head over to the battlefield. Dark-eyed juncos--en masse! Blue jay Red-tailed hawk--1 White breasted nuthatch Red-breasted nuthatch--so many--it was definitely a party. I watched one ferret out the seeds from inside pinecones on the trees and fly to another tree to eat them; he or she did this several times. Hairy woodpecker--nice views of one female Red-bellied woodpecker--2, nice views Song sparrow (1) White-throated sparrow American robin Pileated woodpecker--1 Northern flicker--many at edge of field Eastern bluebird--4-5 Common grackles: there must have been 250++ in treetops along the road Red-winged blackbirds: I saw a group of about 100+ flying overhead It was a popular day there for both bipedal and quadrupedal types. Lots of red squirrels, gray squirrels, a few eastern chipmunks and saw 2 bucks (it's rutting season, right?) and lots of does. I was surprised to see one butterfly, which looks like an orange or clouded sulphur (not being an expert, there is a helpful website, butterfliesandmoths.org). Along the Wilkinson trail, you also can't miss the remains of what appears to be a fox. Unfortunately, no barred owls heard (I was there til sunset). Happy fall birding, Marne
Subject: Austerlitz Snow Bunting
From: "Nancy Jane K" <kernscot AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:22:17 -0000

30 Canada Goose 1 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Mourning Dove 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker Took a short ride around the Town of Austerlitz, hometown, today. Saw my FOS Snow Bunting and got some photos, and saw other birds as follows: 1 Downy Woodpecker 5 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 2 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 Eastern Bluebird 40 American Robin 50 European Starling 5 Cedar Waxwing 1 Song Sparrow 15 White-throated Sparrow 25 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Snow Bunting 2 Northern Cardinal 25 Common Grackle 2 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow
Subject: Golden Eagle - Heldebergs
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:59:14 -0500

I stopped in at the hawk watch late this afternoon. I was hoping there would be others up there. But it was vacant. Given the weather and winds, I would imagine that a prime time sit would have produced a lot more variety and numbers of passing raptors. I did manage to time my visit right. A GOLDEN EAGLE flew over at 3 15. Also seen: 2 N. Harriers and a beautiful RED-SHOULDERED HAWK providing views from above and below. I didn't stick around much longer. Rich Guthrie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Saratoga NHP and Saratoga Lake- 11/1
From: "trwdsd" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:21:16 -0000

On Saratoga Lake, near Stony Point Rd., there were 3 pair of Bufflehead this afternoon. The Hudson River at Wright's Loop, the fields around Wright's Loop, and the sod farm were devoid of birds around midday. Location: Saratoga National Historical Park Observation date: 11/1/09 Number of species: 21 Canada Goose 46 (flyover) Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 4 Black-capped Chickadee 12 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 3 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 20 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 15 Dark-eyed Junco 10 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Common Grackle 300 American Goldfinch 5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/ny) Tom Williams Colonie
Subject: Captain Michael Van Durme Presents "Operation Shellshock"
From: "jenny_murtaugh" <agilityfastantics AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:19:31 -0000

This may be of interest to some members. Please see my invitation below. -Jen ------------------------------------------------------------------ The SUNY Cobleskill Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society invites you to attend a special presentation by Fisheries and Wildlife alumnus `75, Capt. Michael Van Durme, of the Region 8 Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations and Lead Investigator in "Operation Shellshock" on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7pm in Bouck Hall Auditorium at the college. Operation Shellshock began in 2007 when reports of black market trade of New York reptiles and amphibians, including some protected species, concerned DEC officials. The operation spread nationally and internationally to become the largest, most successful undercover wildlife operation that the DEC has ever completed. The SUNY Cobleskill Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society invites you to join us in welcoming Capt. Van Durme as he discusses his role in this momentous operation. A reception with light refreshments will follow. For more information on Operation Shellshock and on Capt. Van Durme's impressive career, please visit: http://news.cobleskill.edu/decalumnusspeaker09.php. Sincerely, Jenny Murtaugh, President SUNY Cobleskill Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Subject: Amer. Bittern - Coxsackie
From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:45:30 -0500

There was one AMERICAN BITTERN in one of the further back ponds at the Coxsackie Grasslands this morning. Also present: 15 SNOW BUNTINGS, 8 Mallards Amer. Black Duck Swamp Sparrow Rich Guthrie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Saratoga and Loughberry Lakes
From: "Ronald L. Harrower" <rlharrow AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:40:39 -0500

Did the quick tour of Saratoga Lake area and Loughberry Lake 7-9 am Sunday the 1st. Best land birds were all along Kaderroseras Road. Had 100's of Robins, 4-5 Bluebirds, at least 7 White-throated Sparrows, 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 House Finches, numerous Juncos and for me, the first Fox Sparrow in a long time. Saatoga Lake was quiet with 3 Common Loons, small flotillas of Canada Geese, Black Ducks and Mallards. For Gulls, mostly Ring-billed with a Greater Black-backed, and a couple of Herrings. Loughberry was more productive as it is more condensed and protected. 400+ Ring-necked Ducks, 6 Hooded Mergansers, 3 Buffleheads, 10 Wood Ducks, 2 female Lesser Scaups, 2 Pied-billed Grebes, a scattering of Canada Geese, Blacks and Mallards aplenty. With the sun after Halloween Rain, it was great to feel the energy of birds foraging along the road or a pair of ducks quacking at each otehr as they spun around, it reminds me that there is a whole world that goes on without reference to the daily worries we humans dredge up. It's part of hy I go out each week when I can. Ronald Harrower Saratoga Springs [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: FOS American Tree Sparrow
From: "Gerry Colborn" <gcolborn AT nycap.rr.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:10:13 -0500

Had my first American Tree Sparrow arrive yesterday at my feeders in Rensselaerville. Always a welcome sight. White-throated numbers are growing and White-crowneds are still around. Other birds included continuing Wilson's Snipe, Common Raven and Purple Finch. Here in Cohoes, Bald Eagles are becoming more and more noticeable with birds regularly over the flats and a juvenile twice on the snags next to 787 overlooking the Dyke Ave pond. Gerry Colborn Rensselaerville and Cohoes. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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