Registrar: Debbie Mullins
Participants: 12
Weather: Overcast, mid to high 30s F
Bird Species: 22
Twelve birders finally made it up to the Shawangunks Grasslands N.W.R. after the January 16 trip had to be rescheduled. Immediately after we arrived we found a cooperative Rough-legged Hawk perching in a tree on the periphery of the grasslands, allowing participants good views through spotting scopes. After introductions, we started the day on the observation platform, keeping an eye out for raptors on the hunt and early arriving spring passerines. At least five Northern Harriers (including a grey ghost), a Turkey Vulture, a Red-tailed Hawk and another Rough-legged Hawk were observed, as well as a large flock of Canada Geese. The feeders near the entrance to the Refuge were quite active. We city slickers were thrilled to see eight Eastern Bluebirds and two Common Redpolls, species not commonly seen in Manhattan. A sharp-eyed participant spotted a muskrat in the small pond near the feeders, and two White-tailed Deer grazed on the eastern side of the grassland.
We left the Shawangunks around 2:30 and drove to the bridge over the Wallkill River on the Albany Post Road. Unlike our 2020 trip, when we saw many duck species here, this area was almost a bird-free zone this year, with only a single Red-tailed Hawk present. After observing the grasslands from Galeville Town Park on the north side of the Refuge, we returned to the observation platform in hopes of spotting a Short-eared Owl. To our disappointment, none were seen. However, the Eastern Bluebirds and the Common Redpolls were year birds or even life birds for most of the group.
Species Lists
Birds
Canada Goose
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
House Finch
Common Redpoll
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal
Mammals
Muskrat
