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09 Feb Greater White-fronted Goose - Fort Miller ["John" ] 09 Feb Namibia [Alan French ] 9 Feb Raptor sightings [Rico Birdo ] 9 Feb Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? [Jim Macione ] 09 Feb HMBC Trip to Mohawk River- Cohoes to Crescent ["Don" ] 9 Feb Re: Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? [Jim de Waal Malefyt ] 8 Feb Panama question [Steve ] 8 Feb Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? ["Mona Bearor" ] 08 Feb oriole still here [Elayne Ryba ] 8 Feb Merlin in Cohoes [Alan Mapes ] 7 Feb Bluebird nest [Priscilla ] 07 Feb Bald Eagle-Peregrine Falcon Face-off ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 07 Feb Bald Eagle-Peregrine Falcon Face-off ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 07 Feb Falcon Eagle Face-off And More ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 06 Feb Snow Geese - Fort Miller Road ["avocet751" ] 6 Feb PIWO, BEKI and cavorting eagles [Steve ] 06 Feb Sawtooth Flight and Brown-eyed Bird ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 06 Feb Re: Lots of "zzzrrreeeees"- Saratoga County ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 5 Feb reminder - HMBC program Monday evening, on Namibia [] 05 Feb Lots of "zzzrrreeeees"- Saratoga County ["Jeff Nadler" ] 5 Feb No Snowy Owl in Kingston [] 05 Feb Re: RFI waterfowl in area ["rita" ] 5 Feb RFI waterfowl in area ["Mona Bearor" ] 5 Feb Re: Crow Games [Alan Schroeder ] 05 Feb Re: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 05 Feb Re: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River ["Jeff Nadler" ] 5 Feb RE: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River ["Richard Guthrie" ] 05 Feb Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River ["Jeff Nadler" ] 05 Feb Re: ducks on the hudson ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 05 Feb Hudson- Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture ["Nancy Jane K" ] 4 Feb Merlin - Coxsackie + ["Richard Guthrie" ] 05 Feb Re: Vultures & Pileated Woodpeckers ["rita" ] 05 Feb Vultures & Pileated Wdpkers ["Liz Neill" ] 04 Feb ducks on the hudson ["jimmy_rivers_edge" ] 4 Feb Capital Region Audubon Annual Meeting Feb 12 at Pine Bush Discovery Center [] 3 Feb Blackbirds and Vultures [Steve ] 03 Feb Crow Games ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 2 Feb RE: Short tailed hawk [Nancy Jane Kern ] 2 Feb Short tailed hawk [marlene vidibor ] 2 Feb Turkey Vulture, Coxsackie [Alan Mapes ] 02 Feb "Snow Cute"@ Ft. Miller ["Jeff Nadler" ] 01 Feb Ft. Edward, Rt 4 ,, No Golden Eagle but found these others ["Ken" ] 1 Feb Big Flock of Blackbirds - Mead's Lane [Alan Mapes ] 01 Feb Fort Miller- Female Barrow's Goldeneye below the Dam ["Nancy Jane K" ] 01 Feb Turkeys [Alan French ] 1 Feb Out of area report on Superbowl of Birding [Steve ] 30 Jan HMBC program Monday Feb 6 - Namibia [] 30 Jan Ft edward grasslands yesterday ["scottjstoner AT aol.com"] 30 Jan Trip to Fort Edward ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 30 Jan Re: "Snow on Ice" ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 29 Jan A few Greene County sightings ["Richard Guthrie" ] 29 Jan Bald Eagle - Averill Park - Nassau NY - Burden Lake [Brian Smith ] 29 Jan Salem eagle [Priscilla ] 29 Jan "Snow on Ice" ["Jeff Nadler" ] 29 Jan Article on Snowy Owl invasion ["ann2bird" ] 29 Jan Journey to Fort Miller ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 28 Jan Golden Eagle still around ["Mona Bearor" ] 27 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Ken" ] 27 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Jeff Nadler" ] 26 Jan RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Mona Bearor" ] 26 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Stephen" ] 26 Jan RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller [Will Raup ] 26 Jan Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["John" ] 25 Jan West side of the Hudson from Catskill to Coxsackie [Steve ] 25 Jan Re: Berries/seeds wanted ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Re: Berries/seeds wanted [Alan Mapes ] 25 Jan Berries/seeds wanted ["markclaydon.rm" ] 24 Jan Re: Great Blue in icy water ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Vantage Point ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Vantage Point ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 23 Jan Winter Surprises ["Mona Bearor" ] 23 Jan Great Blue in icy water ["Ken" ] 23 Jan Re: Snow Geese [Jim de Waal Malefyt ] 23 Jan Re: Snow Geese photos from last week ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 23 Jan Snow Geese photos from last week ["Ken" ] 23 Jan Rustys [Steve ] Subject: Greater White-fronted Goose - Fort Miller From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:53:17 -0000 This morning I spotted what I believe was an adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE in the River near the intersection of Green St. and Fort Miller Rd. It was generally close to the Snow Geese that continue in this same area (I counted almost 100 of the Snows). It appeared to be the same length as Snow Geese that were along side. I took several close-up shots of the Greater White-fronted Goose before I lost track of it. Unfortunately, later I accidentally erased all of the images. Anyway, add this one to the recent list of elusive Fort Miller species including a female Barrow's Goldeneye and a Golden Eagle. Maybe they will all turn up again soon. John Hershey ------------------------------------Subject: Namibia From: Alan French <adfrench AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:35:54 -0500 I enjoyed Gregg Recer's "On Safari in Namibia" at the Monday HMBC meeting. It was a very nice look at birds and wildlife in Namibia, and gave a good preview of travel in Namibia. I hope to visit Namibia someday, but not just for the birds. As Gregg mentioned, Namibia has the second lowest population density of any country. The low population density, combined with the extremely dry climate, makes the night skies of Namibia among the darkest on Earth. As illustrated by Gregg's photo that captured the Southern Cross, Namibia is also far enough south to show many celestial sights invisible from our northern latitudes. If you plan a birding trip to Namibia, consider spending some time enjoying its marvelously dark and beautiful skies. To insure the best conditions, avoid times around full Moon, if possible. You'll need some dark moonless time to see the night sky it all its glory. Since you're birding, you'll have binoculars along - and binoculars are marvelous instruments for star gazing, especially under exceptionally dark skies. You can see far more stars with binoculars than you can by eye. The Milky Way is a lovely sight, and you can see many star clusters, nebulae, and even some galaxies. Any spotting scope opens up even more possibilities. Here are a few things you could see, some depending on the timing of your trip... Stars going right down to the horizon, with more stars visible than from almost any other location on Earth. Southern constellations that are below the horizon and invisible from here. The Milky Way arcing across the entire sky. The Small and Large Magellanic Clouds: Satellite galaxies of our Milky Way not visible from here (too far south and always below our horizon). The Zodiacal Light: A roughly triangular glow extending upward from the western horizon after sunset or from the eastern horizon before sunrise. Best seen about one half hour after the end of evening twilight or one half hour before the beginning of morning twilight. It is sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust. A lovely sight under dark skies. The Gegenschein: A faint brightening of the night sky at the point opposite to the Sun. Best seen around midnight. Also sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust, which is more strongly concentrated in the orbital plane of the planets (along the ecliptic). For anyone inclined to do some research on the night sky there (or anywhere else) on particular dates, Stellarium is an excellent, user friendly planetarium program that can be downloaded at http://www.stellarium.org/. Even without any preparation, the Namibian skies are worth some time. Not many people have seen the Zodiacal Light or the Gegenschein, so they are worth seeking. Think of them as two life birds. Clear skies, Alan ------------------------------------Subject: Raptor sightings From: Rico Birdo <ricobirdo AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 06:55:05 -0800 (PST) Day before yesterday - mature bald eagle soaring over BJ's Wholesale Club in Rotterdam. Three days ago - Northern Harrier hunting over a field near the intersection of routes 30 and 20 in Esperance. This bird seems to be a regular there this winter. Four days ago - Juvenile Cooper's Hawk walking on the ground for several minutes near our back yard bird feeders. It was looking around as if it had lost a contact lens. Any thoughts on this behavior? Do they scavenge if they're hungry enough? From out in the western boonies, Gabrielle Isenbrand Esperance ------------------------------------Subject: Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? From: Jim Macione <james.macione AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 09:33:06 -0500 was there sunday there is about 10 acreas of open water near route 7, thats it. there was a ring bill(necked) duck there sunday, that was it. people are still ice fishing in some areas but the ice is a little thin for my liking. with current temps dropping, it will refreeze within a few days. ------------------------------------Subject: HMBC Trip to Mohawk River- Cohoes to Crescent From: "Don" <dgresens AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:56:49 -0000 Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 8:30am This area, including Cohoes Falls and Simmons Island, offers a great opportunity to study gulls and waterfowl that winter along the Mohawk River. We will look for Glaucous, Iceland and Lesser Black-backed Gulls often present in small numbers in the winter. This trip will be a good introduction to the many fine vantage points along the Mohawk. Meet at the NY State Dam Recreation area behind the U-Haul Rental in Cohoes at 8:30 a.m. From I-787 going north, turn right onto Route 470 (Ontario Street) in Cohoes. Then turn left onto Clark Ave. and proceed to the end. Bill Lee is the trip leader has led this trip a number of years. There will be minimum walking, but a lot of "out of car" exposure. Please dress for the weather. Predictions for Saturday are cold (20's) and breezy.. Don Gresens Field Trip Chairperson dgresens AT nycap.rr.com (518)370-3923 ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? From: Jim de Waal Malefyt <dewaalmalefyt AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2012 07:53:28 -0500 I was up there a few weeks ago and it was frozen with ice fisherman on it. Otter Creek was flowing open. The only open water where I saw waterfowl was at the north end outlet with a Bald Eagle, several C. Mergansers, and some Canada Geese. Jim de Waal Malefyt Poestenkill [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Panama question From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 21:52:14 -0500 (EST) Hey has anyone been birding in Panama before - if so can you contact me off list? Thanks, Steve M in Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Ducks on the Tomhannock Reservoir? From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:02:32 -0500 Anyone know if there are any ducks on the Tommanhock? Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: oriole still here From: Elayne Ryba <eryba AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:23:50 -0500 the female Baltimore Oriole is still coming to my feeders for fruit, jelly & muffins -- Elayne Niskayuna [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Merlin in Cohoes From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:32:24 -0500 I stopped at Kings Pool behind the U-Haul in cohoes this afternoon. Two adult Bald Eagles and a few gulls. Across the road from the U-Haul was a Merlin in a tree top. It was chased off by a crow. Could it be the same bird we had nearby on the Christmas count? Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Bluebird nest From: Priscilla <greenmtbluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:35:17 -0800 (PST) Yesterday I spotted some pine needles sticking out of one of my bluebird nesting boxes that was cleaned last fall. Today when I opened the box, there was a perfectly formed bluebird nest. I hope the bluebirds are using the nest to keep warm at night and aren't getting any ideas about an early brood. Priscilla Leonard Jonesville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Bald Eagle-Peregrine Falcon Face-off From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:37:38 -0000 Thanks to Steve Messick I went down to one of my favorite places to watch eagles too. I took this photo of the male Bald Eagle (BE:) leaving his mates side and flying to this tree. It wasn't until I processed the photo that I realized the reason--he went to challenge the Peregrine Falcon (PF). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1901132157/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Dusk Togetherness (before the PF challenge) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1481787842/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Cumin 4 U http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1269922399/view\ ?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Post Birding Full Moon http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/879289720/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc All together I saw 6 BEs and the PF. ------------------------------------Subject: Bald Eagle-Peregrine Falcon Face-off From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:34:02 -0000 Thanks to Steve Messick I went down to one of my favorite places to watch eagles too. I took this photo of the male Bald Eagle (BE:) leaving his mates side and flying to this tree. It wasn't until I processed the photo that I realized the reason--he went to challenge the Peregrine Falcon (PF). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1901132157/view\?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Dusk Togetherness (before the PF challenge) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1481787842/view\?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Cumin 4 U http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1269922399/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Post Birding Full Moon http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/879289720/view?\picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc All together I saw 6 BEs and the PF. ------------------------------------Subject: Falcon Eagle Face-off And More From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:30:44 -0000 Thanks to Steve Messick I went down to one of my favorite places to watch eagles too. I took this photo of the male Bald Eagle (BE:) leaving his mates side and flying to this tree. It wasn't until I processed the photo that I realized the reason--he went to challenge the Peregrine Falcon (PF). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1901132157/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Dusk Togetherness (before the PF challenge) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1481787842/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Cumin 4 U http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1269922399/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&count=20&dir=asc Post Birding Full Moon http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/879289720/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc All together I saw 6 BEs and the PF. ------------------------------------Subject: Snow Geese - Fort Miller Road From: "avocet751" <blu.e75.jay AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:26:05 -0000 We came upon a good size flock of snow geese yesterday on the Hudson River along Fort Miller Road. Photos at: http://blog.catbirdnotes.com/2012/02/06/snow-geese/ -- Clint and Naomi ------------------------------------Subject: PIWO, BEKI and cavorting eagles From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 09:30:00 -0500 (EST) Stopped at my favorite eagle watching spot today on the way home from work on 9J (just north of Schodack Landing opposite the cemetery). I often see 2 or 3 eagles here but today there were six. Five youngsters cavorting around chasing each other and one adult sedately watching from a tree branch. At one point four of the juveniles were on the ice within a few feet of each other - unfortunately it was at a place where there were a lot of branches to shoot through so I did not get a good picture. After watching a while a Belted Kingfisher flew into the field of view and within a minute later a Pileated Woodpecker flew by. It was a nice stop. Steve Mesick, Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Sawtooth Flight and Brown-eyed Bird From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:31:35 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/485865169/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1622617661/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Lots of "zzzrrreeeees"- Saratoga County From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:43:37 -0000 Nice capture, Jeff. Thanks for sharing it! --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Nadler"Subject: reminder - HMBC program Monday evening, on Namibia From: ScottJStoner AT aol.com Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:59:01 -0500 (EST) On Safari in Namibia Programs Leader or Speaker: Gregg Recer Location of Event: Colonie Public Library Date: February 6, 2012 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm On Safari in Namibia In this travelogue program, Gregg Recer will share photos from self-guided travels he, along with his wife Cathy and son Bryce, took through northern Namibia in 2010. Namibia, in southwestern Africa, is predominantly an arid country, famous for the skeleton coast and the huge sand dunes of the namib desert. However, the northern part of the country includes extensive savanna and riparian corridors that abound with not only "charismatic megafauna" similar to east Africa, but a tremendous variety of birds, including many southern-Africa endemics and old-world families such as ostrich, rollers, hornbills, bee-eaters, guineafowl, babblers, weavers and waxbills. The program will explore several of Namibia's excellent national parks, including the Namib-Naukluft, Etosha, Mahango and Mudumu. Gregg Recer is a former HMBC president. He and his wife Cathy have been birding for nearly 25 years. They have travelled and birded over much of North America and have recently focused on exploring tropical birding locations. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Lots of "zzzrrreeeees"- Saratoga County From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:28:09 -0000 Just got back from a hike on a mixed woods trail off the higher-elevation Lake Desolation Road in Saratoga County. To my suprise, perhaps 4-8 inches of hard packed snow covered the trail. I wore Microspikes. For the entire hour of the walk, the vocals and views of pine siskins were overwhelming. I don't remember seeing so many during the previous invasion winter. Of course, this winter, they don't seem to have come as far south-at least none at my feeders. In fact, wherever there were conifers vs. hardwoods all along Lake Desolation-Fox Hill Road, there were pine siskins. There were numerous siskens all along the road as well eating grit. I know this finch is not as exciting as either crossbill or evening grosbeak, so I've posted this observation due to the volume of birds vs. just the species. The usual abundance of ravens and one Coopers hawk were also present. With a 500mm F4 and 1.4x with fill flash, one of the hundreds of pine siskins was captured here: http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3831/0902012175.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------Subject: No Snowy Owl in Kingston From: birderlarry AT verizon.net Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 18:23:09 +0000 Many birders have been looking but as of 1:30 it's a no show. Good luck if you go, and please post with your results. Larry Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry ------------------------------------Subject: Re: RFI waterfowl in area From: "rita" <abradicap AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:18:37 -0000 There's probably waterfowl all along the Hudson - but Stillwater, around Blockhouse Park, is the spot we've found most reliable this time of year. As for shrikes, there was one seen yesterday on Blackhouse Rd. in Ft. Edward - not sure if anyone's been there since. Steve & Brett Abrahamsen ------------------------------------Subject: RFI waterfowl in area From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 10:56:44 -0500 I have a birding friend arriving tomorrow from North Carolina who would like to see a diversity of waterfowl. We know this is early for migrants, but is there anywhere in the HM area other than the Hudson at Fort Miller that we should visit this week? Also, any "reliable" shrikes north of Albany? Mona Bearor So Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Crow Games From: Alan Schroeder <earthday49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 10:41:02 -0500 Very funny. Nice video Curt. Sent from my iPad ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:10:05 -0000 Very nice capture of the BE juvi, Jeff. It is hard to get good photo definition, especially eye clarity, under those conditions, but you did well. --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Nadler"Subject: Re: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:19:18 -0000 Rich/all, Since I do not personally know the people at the Stockport overlook/boat launch, I would have no ability to judge their sighting reliability. They do live near the river but were probably not birders. However, since there were so many immature bald eagles in the area flying around, I suspect they would have said numerous osprey vs. just one if they thought they were all ospreys. Jeff Nadler --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Richard Guthrie"Subject: RE: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 07:33:49 -0500 Hi, Jeff; Thanks for the post. How confident were you with the report of Osprey? Sometimes the 3rd year BAEA can be taken for an Osprey because of the eye line that shows. I've seen experienced birders, apparently unfamiliar with this plumage, call Osprey on a Christmas Bird Count when it was in fact an immature Bald Eagle. I agree with you that an Osprey would be very early. But, some have been seen well into this unusual winter just to our south, in Westchester County. So with so much open water, an early returning Osprey would be remote, but possible, I guess. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Nadler Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 7:17 AM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River Yesterday morning, I counted 15 bald eagles, where Stockport Creek meets the Hudson to a couple miles north at Nutten Hook. All but 2 were sub-adults. While most were perched fairly distant from shore, several flybys offered at least this posted image. A few were right along 9J along a creek area nut no safe spot to pull over. A resident there said an osprey had been around at Stockport boat launching area on the creek, which seems pretty early yet to me. http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6288/020412007.jpg Jeff Nadler [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Eagles-Columbia County, Hudson River From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:17:02 -0000 Yesterday morning, I counted 15 bald eagles, where Stockport Creek meets the Hudson to a couple miles north at Nutten Hook. All but 2 were sub-adults. While most were perched fairly distant from shore, several flybys offered at least this posted image. A few were right along 9J along a creek area nut no safe spot to pull over. A resident there said an osprey had been around at Stockport boat launching area on the creek, which seems pretty early yet to me. http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6288/020412007.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------Subject: Re: ducks on the hudson From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:14:30 -0000 Jim, Nice variety of birds in your photos. Thanks for sharing them. Your Ring-billed Duck is actually a Ring-necked Duck (named for a chestnut colored ring around its neck that is often hard to see), and your Snow bunting is a Northern Mockingbird. I agree that you may have a black duck hybrid or perhaps just a young male mallard. The Bald Eagles are very nice--both a mature and an immature. The falcons are still present in your neighborhood, so that sight you saw on Wednesday was probably one of them--keep your eyes pealed. Curt Morgan --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "jimmy_rivers_edge"Subject: Hudson- Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture From: "Nancy Jane K" <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:18:34 -0000 Nancy Kern Hudson, Columbia, US-NY Feb 4, 2012 4:15 PM - 4:35 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) Comments: Vultures observed flying over, or to the east of Cedar Park Cemetery. 4 species Black Vulture 2 Turkey Vulture 14 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Crow 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) ------------------------------------Subject: Merlin - Coxsackie + From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 20:02:21 -0500 There was a very dark MERLIN at the Coxsackie Grasslands this afternoon. I got a few photos of the bird which I will post on the HMBirds Yahoo site soon. At twilight, I watched 7 Northern Harriers cavorting over the far fields. There was also a lone American Wigeon in with about 30 Mallards and one Amer. Black Duck. Also, The Coxsackie Boat Launch Canada Geese numbers dropped from over 2000 last weekend to about 150 today. I did not stay around to see if there were any owls. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Vultures & Pileated Woodpeckers From: "rita" <abradicap AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:33:36 -0000 The 8 vultures with gray heads would either be juvi Turkey or Black Vultures. Any clue as to which they were? Steve & Brett Abrahamsen ------------------------------------Subject: Vultures & Pileated Wdpkers From: "Liz Neill" <neille AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:07:44 -0000 Yesterday about 5pm, over 15-minute period, 9 vultures (1 with red on its beak, 8 with gray beaks) landed on top of the trees in our yard. Tram and I thought maybe they were going to roost there but they all moved on, flying low, when it got darker. In the last month, I have noticed 6 turkey vultures flying here in Guilderland; they may have wintered over. This morning, one vulture perched in that same spot for about ten minutes. Also, several times this week in my neighborhood I have seen a pair of pileated woodpeckers and possibly a third. - happy birding, Liz ------------------------------------Subject: ducks on the hudson From: "jimmy_rivers_edge" <james.macione AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:28:35 -0000 heard some splashing from my apartment today, went out onto the green island bridge on the green island side/channel of the starbuck island, and saw alot of activity from some ducks. Looks like mostly mallards, around 70, maybe a few black ducks, were also 2 common mergansers (never seen on hudson) and 4 canadians. The mallards were really active today, doing a lot of diving and splashing, guess they were just playing or something. I took some photos and posted them in the album below. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100444699350821.2611692.9029266&type=1&l=53a3a979fd Whats weird is how inconsistent the coloring on teh ducks are. Look at the heads of the male mallard, some have more of a green stripe than a whole green head. Are they hybrid with black ducks. Are some of the photos just black ducks, ie, the ones with yellow bills. ok, my bird ID skills are not the best. id swear i saw a falcon fly 10ft above my car while leaving for work on wednesday, but when i walked around the island today, there was nothing. It woudl be weird as the family left a few months ago where as i use to see them daily. ------------------------------------Subject: Capital Region Audubon Annual Meeting Feb 12 at Pine Bush Discovery Center From: ScottJStoner AT aol.com Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:15:55 -0500 (EST) FYI: Sunday, February 12, 2011, 2 pm to 6 pm. Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany.Silent Auction, Guided Snowshoeing, Children's Activities, Educ Displays, Food, Drink. SUZIE GILBERT, bird rehabilitator/author of FLYAWAY & HAWK HILL will speak AT 4 PM. Free to Mbrs. Nonmembers are encouraged to donate $5 toward programming costs. For more info please see http://www.capitalregionaudubon.org/programs.php Email: > president AT capitalregionaudubon.org or call 518.598.3025 with questions. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Blackbirds and Vultures From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:10:41 -0500 (EST) Jackson and I both had Turkey Vultures in Columbia and Renssalaer counties today traveling to and from work in Hudson and he just called and told me there are at least two Black Vultures perched on Columbia Memorial Hospital at the moment. In the meantime on Mead's Lane today there were at least two large flocks of blackbirds one made up of almost all Red-winged Blackbirds. The other had at least 300 birds close to half of which were Grackles and the rest were split between Brown-headed Cowbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. Could have had some Rusty's there - did not get enough of a look to check them all. Also met Al Mapes there - fellow blackbird watcher! Anybody who wants to see an eagle should go down 9J between Castleton-on-Hudson and where it meets route 9. I have seen eagels nearly every day that I travel it in daylight for the last month. My record is three pairs of adults but Jackson had 9-10 eagles on the way to work yesterday at about 3 PM including 5 in one tree at one point! Steve Mesick, Slingerlands, [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Crow Games From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:16:03 -0000 I saw a massive number of American Crows at The Crossings in Colonie yesterday and they were playing their own version of "King of the Hill." Maybe it's called King of the Pine. Check it out at http://youtu.be/oL-maSoGJ8Y Curt Morgan ------------------------------------Subject: RE: Short tailed hawk From: Nancy Jane Kern <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:51:30 -0500 This would be a great find, but highly unlikely in this area. A more likely possibility would be a color variant or young Red-tailed Hawk. I will try to get over your way and look in that area. I often see Red-tails over there. Nancy Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:43:31 -0800 From: mvidibor AT yahoo.com Subject: Short tailed hawk To: kernscot AT hotmail.com; marionulmer AT taconic.net; cook AT sunycgcc.edu; cjtrapper AT yahoo.com; hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Driving on Schnackenberg yesterday spotted w profile of a black headed bird with a white breast in tall roadside bushes of our northern neighbor. It had a pronounced raptor beak. Had a hard time finding a pic as google did not come up with any useful.suggestions. Today sat down with Marion's trusty Peterson's guide to Eastern birds and flopped until I found it: a short tailed hawk. As I backed up the car to get a good look it took off and I could see the black back and white breast below. It was a first for me and being able to id it so well was quite a thrill. Thanks Marion for the book. Marlene Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Short tailed hawk From: marlene vidibor <mvidibor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:43:31 -0800 (PST) Driving on Schnackenberg yesterday spotted w profile of a black headed bird with a white breast in tall roadside bushes of our northern neighbor. It had a pronounced raptor beak. Had a hard time finding a pic as google did not come up with any useful.suggestions. Today sat down with Marion's trusty Peterson's guide to Eastern birds and flopped until I found it: a short tailed hawk. As I backed up the car to get a good look it took off and I could see the black back and white breast below. It was a first for me and being able to id it so well was quite a thrill. Thanks Marion for the book. Marlene Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Turkey Vulture, Coxsackie From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:11:43 -0500 Driving between New Baltimore and Coxsackie yesterday afternoon, we had a Turkey Vulture fly up from the ground along River Road. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: "Snow Cute"@ Ft. Miller From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:21:01 -0000 Another intimate portrait of a single snow goose on the Hudson River at Fort Miller, Washington County. Photographed from parked vehicle as blind using a photo bean bag on door. http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/2445/012912021.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------Subject: Ft. Edward, Rt 4 ,, No Golden Eagle but found these others From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:50:36 -0000 Took another ride the other day to Ft.Miller/Ft. Edward area just on chance the GE might still be around. No site of it on my trip but found this Bald Eagle in the tree across from Blackhouse Rd. where someone had seen the GE perched... http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2188766910065162350XkMHlJ?vhost=outdoors ...and found this Red-tailed hawk a little further up Rt. 4 on a roadside pole http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2217416990065162350ndIXQk?vhost=outdoors Take care and good birding to all. Ken H. ------------------------------------Subject: Big Flock of Blackbirds - Mead's Lane From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:53:51 -0500 This morning on Mead's Lane in Delmar, I had a flock of about 250 blackbirds - estmated 150 Red-winged Blackbirds, 100 Brown-headed Cowbirds, 2 Rusty Blackbirds, 1 Common Grackle. Also in the cornfields - 100 Canada Geese, 21 Wild Turkeys. No sparrows found. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Fort Miller- Female Barrow's Goldeneye below the Dam From: "Nancy Jane K" <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:13 -0000 Fort Miller, Washington, US-NY Jan 31, 2012 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) Comments: Mild day in the 40's. Many waterfowl concentrated below the lock and dam on the Hudson River. 10 species Snow Goose 120 Canada Goose 3500 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 70 Common Goldeneye 120 Female Barrow's Goldeneye 1 Common Merganser 28 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 Dark-eyed Junco 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) ------------------------------------Subject: Turkeys From: Alan French <adfrench AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:23:22 -0500 I have seven Turkeys under my bird feeders. Clear skies, Alan Glenville ------------------------------------Subject: Out of area report on Superbowl of Birding From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 03:26:56 -0500 (EST) I posted a couple weeks ago about looking for team members for the Superbowl of Birding held annually in northeastern MA and southeastern NH. Quite an enjoyable event in some of the most starkly attractive winter landscapes around. I know other folks have posted about Plum Island but it is also a breathtaking place in the winter. Jackson and I teamed up with 3 local birders to do 12 hours of coastal and land birding. We do not play to win as we are very unlikely to win against the best regional birders of that area but we had a great time. Highlights included great views of Snowy and Short-eared Owls, a Townsend's Warbler that has found its way to NH and has been wintering at a feeder in Ipswich, a falcon sweep with good views of all three but especially the Merlin, and 28 species of waterfowl of various kinds. I went out a day early and had a couple other highlights - a Yellow-breasted Chat that has been visiting a feeder in Hampton for much of the winter and a Cape May Warbler(!!) that has been foraging along the seaweed wrack of the Atlantic shore at Odiorne State Park. This bird is showing an incredible adaptation to survive in the NH winter, mild though it has been. He has been seen since the 12th in the same spot, but he has presumably been there all winter. The bird should be in Cuba right now. IHe has made it through at least 2 very cold snaps since the 12th. I have posted some pix of the Snowy and the Cape May: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/146345878/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/223434674/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/1539974626/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc Also we are entered in the Team-in-Action Photo contest - if you can in good conscience vote for a picture that is probably not the best please do so at: http://www.greatblue.com/superbowlofbirdingphotocontest (We are the Unflappables) Steve Mesick, Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: HMBC program Monday Feb 6 - Namibia From: ScottJStoner AT aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:35:11 -0500 (EST) On Safari in Namibia Leader or Speaker: Gregg Recer Location of Event: Colonie Public Library Date: February 6, 2012 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm On Safari in Namibia In this travelogue program, Gregg Recer will share photos from self-guided travels he, along with his wife Cathy and son Bryce, took through northern Namibia in 2010. Namibia, in southwestern Africa, is predominantly an arid country, famous for the skeleton coast and the huge sand dunes of the namib desert. However, the northern part of the country includes extensive savanna and riparian corridors that abound with not only "charismatic megafauna" similar to east Africa, but a tremendous variety of birds, including many southern-Africa endemics and old-world families such as ostrich, rollers, hornbills, bee-eaters, guineafowl, babblers, weavers and waxbills. The program will explore several of Namibia's excellent national parks, including the Namib-Naukluft, Etosha, Mahango and Mudumu. Gregg Recer is a former HMBC president. He and his wife Cathy have been birding for nearly 25 years. They have travelled and birded over much of North America and have recently focused on exploring tropical birding locations. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - ALL ARE WELCOME For directions to the library, please see http://www.colonie.org/library/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Ft edward grasslands yesterday From: "scottjstoner AT aol.com"<ScottJStoner@aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:10:27 -0500 Sunday afternoon january 29 we had 11 No. Harrier, 4 red-tails , 2 rough-legs and 1 Am kestrel. Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Trip to Fort Edward From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:40:46 -0000 I made the 50 mile trip to Fort Edward today, but no Golden Eagle was seen along the way. Like Rich and Jeff, I saw a number of Bald Eagles* (2 over Rt 4 in North Troy; a second pair along Rt 4 north of Fort Miller). Between the second pair of Eagles and Blackhouse Rd. I saw two swans flying south along the river, but could not confirm their species. At Blackhouse and Rt 4 I saw a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, and a Red-tailed Hawk**. In Fort Miller I saw the 1000s of Canada Geese, but didn't spot the Snow Geese. In Fort Edward it was too early for the SEOs on Fitzpatrick Rd (3:20 pm). In addition to the above I saw a Red Fox in Fort Edward and a Coyote in Colonie. Curt Morgan * http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1621829678/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ** http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/224613324/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------Subject: Re: "Snow on Ice" From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:08:07 -0000 Beautiful shot, Jeff. You did great on white balance which is a challenge for a sunny morning. Curt Morgan --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Nadler"Subject: A few Greene County sightings From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:58:40 -0500 I made a few stops around The Greene County today and was able to find these highlights: BALD EAGLES: 3 at New Baltimore; 1 at the Coxsackie Boat Launch; and 2 at 4-mile Point (they were gathering sticks for their new nest - the old one must have been blown off the tree over the last year); NORTHERN HARRIERS: 5 at the Coxsackie Grasslands (viewed from both the west side and the River Road side); BELTED KINGFISHER: 1 at the Hannacroix Creek Preserve in New Baltimore; RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS: a flock of about 25 at the Coxsackie Grasslands; 1 at 4-mile Point; The Cardinals, Titmice, Chickadees, and a couple of pairs of Red-tailed Hawks were displaying various signs of courtship such as spring song, and - in the case of the hawks - aerial displays. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net (I'll be joining Bob Cudmore on WVTL 1570AM at 9:05 tomorrow (Jan 30) morning) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Bald Eagle - Averill Park - Nassau NY - Burden Lake From: Brian Smith <brijsmith AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:28:30 +0000 Hi, Spotted a bald eagle flying over Burden Lake in Averill Park as it just was getting dark yesterday. There was little activity on the lake yesterday since it was mild and the ice was not very solid. It seemed to be looking at spots of open water. Brian Smith Averill Park, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Salem eagle From: Priscilla <greenmtbluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:36:06 -0800 (PST) Spotted an eagle on Route 153 in the Town of Salem today. It was in the vicinity of Beattie Hollow and seemed to be following the White Creek. Priscilla Leonard [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: "Snow on Ice" From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:59:38 -0000 My wife and I did not have success finding the Ft. Miller area golden eagle this morning but hope others there did. We found a hunting rough-legged hawk on Cary Road, 4 adult bald eagles in one view (2 in a tree and 2 soaring) along Route 4, and common goldeneye at numerous river stops. And with only a couple dozen snow geese among the thousands of canada geese, I decided to just focus in on one to practice white exposure. As I took this, a beaver emerged from under the ice and swam by. After breakfast in Greenwich, we checked the fields and river south of Schuylerville for the golden eagle again without success. Here is a portrait of one snow goose on ice. http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8937/012912022.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------Subject: Article on Snowy Owl invasion From: "ann2bird" <ann9br-junk AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:39:45 -0000 Thought you might be interested in this article about the invasion of Snowy Owls. Ann http://www.dawn.com/2012/01/29/snowy-owls-soar-south-from-arctic-in-rare-mass-migration.html ------------------------------------Subject: Journey to Fort Miller From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:32:45 -0000 As I cruised the unpaved River Road just south of Fort Miller today I got excited when I saw a brownish eagle perch on the west side of the river, but alas it was an immature Bald Eagle. On the way there I saw a male Peregrine Falcon (Troy), mature Bald eagle (Stillwater), three RTHs, a common Golden Eye & Common Merganser (in the same neighborhood as the Eagle). Here is a proof shot of the Eagle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/99253657/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Curt Morgan 28January2012 ------------------------------------Subject: Golden Eagle still around From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:57:51 -0500 I was talking to a couple birders this afternoon in Fort Miller. They said they saw the Golden Eagle perched in a tree on the bank of the Hudson at the intersection of RT4 and Blackhouse Rd. It was being harassed by crows, and finally to the south. I did not see the bird. If you are birding the Hudson in the Fort Edward - Fort Miller - Northumberland areas tomorrow, keep your eyes open! Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Ken" <kharper AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:08:29 -0000 John, Nice photo, great bird. Boy am I kicking myself for not going with the group this AM. thanks for posting Ken H --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John"Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:53:28 -0000 What a great find and great digiscoped images. Congrats John! Thanks for sharing with us! --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John"Subject: RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:43:42 -0500 Nice find! Congratulations! Great photos, too. Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls -----Original Message----- From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 1:49 PM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] Golden Eagle - Fort Miller The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/v iew?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc John Hershey ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Stephen" <smp928s AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:11:22 -0000 That is one awesome bird. Thanks for sharing these! --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John"Subject: RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:50:48 -0500
Wow! No question about that one!
Will Raup
Albany, NY
To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com
From: hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:54 +0000
Subject: [HMBirds] Golden Eagle - Fort Miller
The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd.
south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River,
actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle
before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point
south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a
few digiscoped pics in my folder.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc
John Hershey
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
Subject: Golden Eagle - Fort MillerFrom: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:54 -0000 The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc John Hershey ------------------------------------Subject: West side of the Hudson from Catskill to Coxsackie From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:53:51 -0500 (EST) Was headed home from work and took a little different route today gpoing up the west side of the river. Highlights include a stop at the boat launch area at the mouth or Murderer's Creek in Athens and was surprised to find one female WOOD DUCK steaming upstream. Downstream there were four COMMON MERGANSERS - one male and three females. The other highlight was a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at Coxsackie Grasslands. Both the Woodie and the Roughie gave good looks. Steve Mesick, Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Berries/seeds wanted From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:22:10 -0000 This site ought to keep you going for a while Mark. http://www.sialis.org/plants.htm Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "markclaydon.rm"Subject: Re: Berries/seeds wanted From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:56:57 -0500 I've seen them eat two varieties of fruits in the winter time, multifora rose hips and staghorn sumac fruit heads.The rose is invasive and will take over your land, if allowed to. It takes work to control the stuff, but it's a great wildlife food plant. In my yard, a No. Mockingbird guards the rose clumps and tries to keep the hips all for himself. Staghorn sumac is native, is beautiful in the fall, and not nearly as invasive like the rose (it's also native). I don't know how it is to cultivate - have not heard of people doing that, but you might find some information on a web search. You can find some sprouts along a roadside in the spring, if you want to try transplanting. A number of bird species use the fruits, including Wild Turkey. Many people consider sumac a weed tree, but it's a dandy wildlife plant. Alan Mapes New Scotland On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 8:29 PM, markclaydon.rmSubject: Berries/seeds wanted From: "markclaydon.rm" <markclaydon AT rocketmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:29:09 -0000 I would like to plant a berry producing tree that is attractive to bluebirds. If anyone has such a tree with berries on it now I would like to have some for planting if you're willing to share. I will gladly come and pick them up. Thank you! Mark Claydon Glenville, NY ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Great Blue in icy water From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:42:38 -0000 I like this shot, Ken. The GBH in a small open circle surrounded by ice--nyce! Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken"Subject: Vantage Point From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:44 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/555807280/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------Subject: Vantage Point From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:15:05 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1260242443/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------Subject: Winter Surprises From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:48:47 -0500 Yesterday I was surprised to see three immature Red-winged Blackbirds on New Swamp Rd in Hudson Falls. This morning from my porch I watched a Turkey Vulture as it gained altitude - possibly from a nighttime roost - and rocked off to the west. This afternoon I viewed three Song Sparrows, and about a dozen immature White-throated Sparrows on Washington county route 113, a little ways south of General Fellows Rd. I also saw a flock of about 50 Horned Larks on a manured field near there. My scope is in for repair so I was not able to check for Longspurs. I saw one Brown-headed Cowbird with a flock of European Starlings on RT32 on the backside of Saratoga National Historic Park. I returned home to find the Carolina Wren finally present on a Project Feeder Watch count day, and my all time high count of 11 Northern Cardinals. Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Great Blue in icy water From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:55:53 -0000 Came across this Great Blue Heron the other day down by the ClamSteam Tavern in frozen river estuary. Just a small slot of water was open and he was standing in it fishing. Guess they will stick around as long as there is some open water. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2367905040065162350JrKTsz?vhost=outdoors Ken H. ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Snow Geese From: Jim de Waal Malefyt <dewaalmalefyt AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:59:13 -0500 Last Friday around noontime there was a large flock of Snow Geese (several hundred +) in the ag. fields behind the farm buildings south of Callahan Rd and east of Rt 32 in Northumberland. Also saw 4 tail-bobbing American Pipits along Callahan. There was only about 20 Snows in with the thousands of Canada Geese on the Hudson at Fort Miller. Quite a bit less open water then when Ken took photos. It would be interesting to know the daily activity of these geese? Yesterday I saw about 100 Horned Larks on a maure spread at the corner of Rt 7 and John Synder Rd. in Brunswick. Jim de Waal Malefyt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------Subject: Re: Snow Geese photos from last week From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:37:20 -0000 Wow, Ken, those are awesome shots. I have never seen so many SG in one place. Are they still there, do you know? Glad to see that you are back out there. We have missed you! Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken"Subject: Snow Geese photos from last week From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:46:39 -0000 Sorry for posting this late but just trying to catch up on stuff. I was up in Ft. Miller on 1/10 and was lucky enough to view about 1200 snow geese on the river. They kept taking off, circleing around and then landing again. Along with the snow geese there were probably about 10,000 Canada Geese. What a sound they all made, it was amazing. Here is a link to some of the snowgeese photos I took. http://kenharperphotos.com/pelikenphotos_098.htm Ken Harper ------------------------------------Subject: Rustys From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:29:31 -0500 (EST) Jackson and I checked for sparrows on Mead's Lane and did not find much besides American tree Sparrows and juncos but we found some blackbirds as well in two flocks with closer to 8-10 Rustys. Steve Mesick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ |