We went on a field trip with the Linnaean Society of New York. I got to see many of my old friends. It was below freezing on Saturday, March 6 at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR in Ulster county, New York. Formerly the Galeville Military Airport, it was decommissioned in 1994 and turned over to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999. It serves as a waypoint for grassland-dependent migratory birds. Area: 0.84 sq mi (2.2 km²).
The hawks were seen at great distance. More to come…
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Northern Harrier (Circus cyanus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) and Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) and House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Northern Harrier (Circus cyanus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Northern Harrier (Circus cyanus), Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021 Shawangunk Grasslands NWR 3/6/2021
A good collection of sightings – redpolls still on my list to track down!
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Most years I never get to see redpolls. This year I missed out on crossbills and a winter owls. Doesn’t matter to me. I am happy seeing birds of any sort.
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These pictures are a beautiful memory of the trip. The redpolls , bluebirds, chickadee and more bring it to life. No other trip posted has E Bluebirds and C Redpolls, unique to this trip. The other pictures are lovely also.
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Thank you Anne. You are such a good trip leader.
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We’re sharing Chickadees just now; they’re one of my favorite birds. The House Finch stays here, although the Goldfinches move on in spring. (The Kestrel didn’t load for me, either.)
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Thanks. This is the last of the winter birds this month. I reloaded the kestrel.
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There it is! We have these in winter (at least, I’ve only seen them in winter). They’re a beautiful bird. I think I read that they’re the smallest of our falcons.
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A good set. The American Kestrel didn’t load on mine
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Thanks Derrick. Fixed it.
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Wonderful!
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Thanks Sue.
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