Registrar: Debbie Mullins Participants: 22 Weather: 56–68 degrees F, clear, winds ENE at 15 mph Bird Species: 34
With spring migration winding down, the number of species we saw today was the lowest for any Tuesday walk of the season. They included only one warbler, but it was exciting to see nesting Wood Thrushes and Eastern Kingbirds as well as our resident Great Horned Owl, Geraldine. Many thanks to Kevin, who led all the spring migration walks this season and to all our other volunteer leaders.
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Blue Jay European Starling Gray Catbird Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch White-throated Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Blackpoll Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal
The final walk of the season took place on a sunny and mild morning. Birds of several species, including a Baltimore Oriole, were quietly building nests, while Warbling Vireos laid claim to territories with their songs. Among the highlights were a surprise flyover by an Osprey, an Eastern Kingbird at Turtle Pond, and Wood Thrushes in the Ramble. At the Point, a Blackpoll sang out, perhaps the last warbler of the season to leave.
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Osprey Red-tailed Hawk Downy Woodpecker Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Carolina Wren European Starling Gray Catbird Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Blackpoll Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Mary Beth Kooper Participants: 10 Weather: Clear sky, 50 – 71°F, light breeze from the North Bird Species: 64
We were granted a beautiful day for our Linnaean Society of New York trip to the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge! And from the start, the birds showed up: Within the first few minutes in the parking lot and walking to the viewing platform, we heard and saw our chief grassland targets: singing Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, and Grasshopper Sparrows (singing both song types), along with a lone singing Savannah Sparrow, several pairs of American Bluebirds, and a nearby Killdeer. Grassland bonuses included a busy house of Purple Martins, nesting Tree Swallows, and several pairs of cooperative American Kestrels. As we wandered the grassland trails and then headed to the pond and forest habitat near the park’s entrance, we also got nice views of singing Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Willow Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, House Wren, American Redstart, and Field Sparrow, and heard the sounds of more elusive Blue-winged Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher. Large raptors were also on hand, soaring above: Both Turkey and Black Vulture, along with Red-tailed Hawk.
After a quick ride through Blue Chip Farms did not yield any extraordinary findings, we were on to our third stop, Liberty Marsh, straddling the NY/NJ border. This vast wetland also provided our target birds… but we had to work a bit harder! An initial scanning of the marsh failed to localize our principal quarry–nesting Sandhill Cranes–but did yield a small family of Wood Ducks, and the eerie cackle of a (hidden) Common Gallinule. A forced march around the Liberty Loop trail yielded several new birds for the day, as we crossed the state line: Swamp Sparrow (giving us a tally of six sparrow species for the day), Indigo Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Yellow-throated Vireo, along with a much larger family of Wood Ducks. Our spirits rose and fell several times as we sought the elusive cranes and found only Great Blue Herons… until finally, we spotted several rusty blobs far in the distance. Thankfully, at least one rusty blob raised its head to reveal the telltale red forehead and long bill of the Sandhill Crane. As our tired and thirsty group ended back at the Liberty Loop parking lot, we enjoyed a final treat of a pair of Common Gallinules, cooperatively feeding in the low marsh.
Registrar: Kristin Ellington Participants: 11 Weather: Friday, May 26th, in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, it was sunny and warm with a high of 70, winds from the north at 7.4 mph, and 23% humidity. Saturday, May 27th, in the Adirondacks, it was a high of 78, a low of 30, little to no winds from 0 to 6 mph from the southwest, and 23% humidity. Sunday, May 28th, in the Adirondacks, it was a high of 82 and a low of 44, little to no winds from the southwest of 3 to 9 mph, and 13% humidity. Monday, May 29th, at Visher Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve in Saratoga County, it was sunny and warm with a high of 81, northeast winds at 6 mph, and 27% humidity. Bird Species: 116
Friday, May 26th, at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Great Dune Trail
On a gorgeous Friday morning, a very excited group of Linnanean Society members embarked on a newly designed trip to explore the birds of the Adirondacks. Our first destination was the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (“Pine Bush”), located between the Catskill and Adirondack mountains, covering 3,350 acres. The Pine Bush is one of the largest of the world’s 20 inland pine barrens, characterized by an open landscape of shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, and scattered trees, most of them pitch pine. This area is also home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.
The Pine Bush was designated an IBA because this globally rare ecosystem hosts several at-risk birds, including the American Woodcock, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Prairie Warbler. It has proven to be an essential staging area for many shrubland and forest birds during migration. The preserve also provides an essential breeding habitat and staging area for a large variety of declining young forest shrubland birds.
The participants gathered at the visitors center at 11:30 am and prepared to hike the Great Dune trail, considered the best birding trail in this preserve. Much of the trail is currently undergoing restoration, but we found the existing trail to be a delightful habitat filled with birds and butterflies. During our two-hour walk, we observed twenty-seven bird species, including the Prairie Warbler, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Pileated Woodpecker. Additionally, we were delighted by the many butterfly species we encountered, including the federally endangered Karner Blue.
Saturday, May 27th, Long Lake, New York, and Surrounds
Long Lake (Town Beach | Route 30) We arrived in Long Lake on Friday evening and woke up bright and early on Saturday morning for a 4:45 meet-up with our excellent local guide, Joan Collins. After sighting a Spotted Sandpiper and Belted Kingfisher along Town Beach at dawn, our first target bird was the Canada Jay. To find our target, we drove down Route 30 with windows down and ears attuned. While driving, we heard the song of the Boreal Chickadee, but they stayed out of our line of vision. At a critical stop along the route, we were delighted to see several Canada Jays, who amazingly appeared to recognize Joan and her vehicle. Joan explained that due to climate change, Blue Jays are now overwintering and encroaching on the Canada Jays’ land and food sources, leading to a decline in their numbers.
Sabattis Road (Little Tupper Lake | Round Lake Trailhead | Sabattis Bog | Shaw Pond) We continued birding all of the Long Lake hotspots. Our stops along Sabattis Road included the inlet of Little Tupper Lake, featuring American Black Ducks and the Alder Flycatcher. At the Round Lake Trailhead, we saw Canada Jays. At the Sabattis Bog, we saw the gorgeous Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and many warblers, including the Northern Parula, Ovenbird, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. We also had a great view of a lovely Mourning Warbler and an Indigo Bunting. On Shaw Pond, we were treated to sightings of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Wood Duck, and Ring-necked Duck, in addition to the unmistakable call of the Virginia Rail.
Newcomb (Overlook Park) Later in the day, we headed to Newcomb, where we visited Overlook Park and saw several Chimney Swifts in flight.
Minerva (Route 28N) Along the Route 28N railbed in Minerva, we spent time admiring a courting pair of Olive-sided Flycatchers and sighted both the Alder Flycatcher and Least Flycatchers. We were also delighted to see our first Black-backed Woodpecker (male) and hear its distinctive ke ke call. Other birds seen in abundance were Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, and Red-winged Blackbirds.
North Hudson (Blue Ridge Road | Sand Pond Marsh) In North Hudson, we hiked along Blue Ridge Road near Sand Pond Marsh, where we finally had good looks and lots of songs from one of our main targets, the Boreal Chickadee. We were also treated to the lovely songs of the Nashville Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and Blackburnian Warblers.
Sunday, May 28th, at White Face Mountain, New York, and Surrounds
Hamilton County (Little Tupper Lake | Sabattis Bog | Tupper Lake Marsh Deck) On Sunday, May 28, we began bright and early with a 2:15 am pickup from our guide, Joan Collins. Our morning of nocturnal birding began with a star-filled sky at the Inlet of Little Tupper Lake, where we heard a Barred Owl hooting. Upon arrival at the Sabattis Bog on Sabattis Road in Long Lake, we were thrilled to hear three more Barred Owls and a distant Northern Saw-whet Owl, which Joan describes as the sound of a truck backing up. While walking along the lake, we heard the distinct sounds of an American Woodcock hiding in the marsh grasses. At the Tupper Lake Marsh Deck, we heard several Wilson’s Snipe, displaying and calling, two American Bitterns, a Common Loon, and three more Barred Owls. Several participants spotted a Gray Fox trotting along the road along the way to our next stop.
Whiteface Mountain Just before dawn, we arrived at Whiteface Mountain, home of one of North America’s rarest and most localized songbirds, the Bicknell’s Thrush. The high-elevation boreal habitat includes mostly Balsam Fir and a few Red Spruce, Paper Birch, and Mountain Ash trees, all nestled on a carpet of moss and igneous rock. Bicknell’s Thrush is a neotropical migrant and winters in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. It is the only endemic species in the northeastern U.S. and has one of any North American bird’s most restricted breeding and wintering ranges. This rare, mountaintop-dwelling bird has one of the smallest populations of any migratory songbird in North America and will likely lose half its habitat to climate change, according to a 2017 study by the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
We joyfully spent several hours walking along the summit road, listening, looking, and taking in the majestic mountaintop views of the surrounding Adirondacks. Our first sightings were of the relatively easy-to-see Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Blackpoll Warbler. A Pine Siskin flew overhead, and we saw a few Boreal Chickadees. We finally located Bicknell’s Thrush via its distinctive song, described as a four-phrased, fluting song with a whirling quality. Joan played a recording of their call, and they answered in response. Eventually, and with great excitement and triumph, most of the group could visually locate one of the singing males deep in the dense tangles of the Balsam Fir. Joan noted concern that we only heard two Swainson’s Thrush calling, as there are typically multiple sightings by the first of June. Other notable birds were the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and the Golden-crowned Kinglet, the Winter Wren, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Purple Finch. At the base of the mountain, we also heard a Veery.
Norman Ridge Road & Keese Mills Road After the excitement of Whiteface Mountain, we headed back down the mountain in search of Bobolinks. Along the way, we saw Wild Turkeys and many Barn Swallows. Finally, on Norman Ridge Road, we spotted three Bobolinks in addition to several Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds.
Paul Smith’s Area (Madawaska Trail | Blue Mountain Road) After some delicious lunch and a rest, we headed to Blue Mountain Road in Paul Smith’s area with a hike along the Madawaska Trail. This lovely trail provided even more views of some of the same birds, and we heard another Black-backed Woodpecker calling. Walking along the moist path, we noticed many frogs and toads jumping away from our boots. We also heard and saw many warblers, including the Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Canada Warbler.
Middle Pond | Tupper Lake | Simon Pond Road A quick stop along Floodwood Road on Middle Pond showed us nesting Common Loons and a Great Egret. We then searched along Middle Pond on Raquette River Dr., Tupper Lake Marsh Deck, and Simon Pond Road for nesting Sandhill Cranes. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side, and we did not see the birds. However, we enjoyed a fantastic view of Tupper Lake Marsh, saw a Pileated Woodpecker flyover, and listened to the loud singing of many Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles.
We ended the evening with a lovely dinner, reminiscing the highlights and excitement of our two days with Joan. After a long two days, we all went to sleep early!
Monday, May 29th, at Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve in Saratoga County
On our way back to New York City, we stopped in Clifton Park to experience the Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve, which is a 740-acre site along the Mohawk River featuring wetlands, a floodplain, and a fantastic bird and amphibian habitat along remnants of the 1800’s Erie Canal towpath. The preserve is primarily owned by the New York State Canal Corporation, features over 200 bird species, and is a Bird Conservation Area designated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and an Important Bird Area recognized by Audubon New York.
Upon arriving at the Whipple Bridge entrance, we proceeded to see thirty-six species of birds, including a family of Hooded Mergansers and Blue-grey Gnatcatchers building a nest. Amid the snow-like beauty of the falling fluff of the Eastern Cottonwood Trees, we heard a Black-billed Cuckoo and saw several Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, and Hairy Woodpeckers. We identified several flycatchers, including the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, and the Great Crested Flycatcher. There were Yellow-throated Vireos, Warbling Vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, and many warblers and sparrows.
Species List:
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Birds Red-tailed Hawk Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Northern Mockingbird Eastern Bluebird American Robin Cedar Waxwing American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Eastern Towhee Baltimore Oriole Brown-headed Cowbird Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Magnolia Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Prairie Warbler Northern Cardinal Rose-breasted Grosbeak Indigo Bunting
Butterflies Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Cabbage White Eastern Tailed Blue Karner Blue Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur American Copper Pearl Crescent Common Ringlet
Other Eastern Chipmunk Gray Squirrel American Bullfrog
Adirondacks Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard American Black Duck Ring-necked Duck Common Merganser Wild Turkey Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Virginia Rail American Woodcock Wilson’s Snipe Spotted Sandpiper Herring Gull Common Loon Double-crested Cormorant American Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Turkey Vulture Osprey Broad-winged Hawk Barred Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Belted Kingfisher Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Black-backed Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker Olive-sided Flycatcher Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Alder Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Eastern Phoebe Blue-headed Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Canada Jay Blue Jay American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Boreal Chickadee Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Winter Wren Gray Catbird Eastern Bluebird Veery Bicknell’s Thrush Swainson’s Thrush Hermit Thrush American Robin Purple Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Bobolink Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Nashville Warbler Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Palm Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Scarlet Tanager Indigo Bunting Butterflies Canada Tiger Swallowtail Hoary Elfin Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Cabbage White Clouded Sulphur Orange Sulphur
Moths Northern Petrophora
Odonata Bluet species Common Whitetail
Other Wood Frog Grey Fox Eastern Chipmunk Gray Squirrel
Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve Birds Mallard Hooded Merganser Mourning Dove Black-billed Cuckoo Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Phoebe Great Crested Flycatcher Yellow-throated Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Carolina Wren Gray Catbird Veery Wood Thrush Cedar Waxwing American Goldfinch Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Common Grackle Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Northern Cardinal
Odonata Blue Dasher
Other Common Garter Snake Eastern Chipmunk Gray Squirrel
Most spring migrating birds had passed through Central Park by this date, and few birds were singing in the Ramble. Nevertheless, the participants persevered and were rewarded with sightings of an Eastern Kingbird, two Green Herons, two Black-crowned Night-Herons, and thirteen warblers. It was mellow morning enjoyed by all.
Species List
Birds Canada Goose Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Double-crested Cormorant Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay European Starling Gray Catbird Swainson’s Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Northern Cardinal
Registrar: Richard Davis Participants: 45 Weather: 55 F–66 F, beginning partly cloudy, changing to mostly sunny. East wind 5 mph. Bird Species: 58
Forty-five Linnaean members and friends joined group leaders on a mild May morning that had a slow-build theme. While many areas of the park seemed deceptively quiet, for the patient observer there were winged discoveries to be made, as well as patches of decent activity, and the challenges of female/immature warbler identification. Many robins’ nests with hungry young were observed. At Turtle Pond, the groups were delighted to see an Eastern Kingbird pair building their nest once again over the dock. And two Green Herons flew sporadically over the water to hideaways under the brush on the far shores.
Species Lists
Birds Canada Goose Wood Duck Northern Shoveler Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Barn Swallow European Starling Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow House Finch American Goldfinch White-throated Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal Mammals Eastern Chipmunk Eastern Cottontail
A lovely spring morning in Central Park produced twenty migrating warblers, including the elusive Mourning Warbler that was seen by one of our participants. The Ramble echoed with the flute-like songs of Swainson’s and Wood Thrushes, while nesting Downy Woodpeckers, American Robins and Blue Jays were mostly silent. Turtle Pond was busy with breeding Red-winged Blackbirds and Eastern Kingbirds as a lone Great Egret sporting its fine white plumes rested on a rock.
Species Lists Birds Canada Goose Gadwall Mallard Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Chimney Swift Herring Gull Double-crested Cormorant Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay European Starling Gray Catbird Veery Swainson’s Thrush Wood Thrush American Robin Cedar Waxwing House Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Lincoln’s Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Tennessee Warbler Mourning Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Cape May Warbler Northern Parula Magnolia Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Prairie Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Canada Warbler Wilson’s Warbler Scarlet Tanager Northern Cardinal
