Registrar: Evelyn Huang
Participants: 20
Weather: 33–35° F; mostly cloudy, 12 mph N wind
Bird Species: 31
The group met at 9:00 am at the parking lot of the Croton-Harmon train station and proceeded to search the riverside from the train station. Right away, three Bald Eagles were sighted on the muddy far shore, and another one could be seen flying overhead shortly after. In the water were Canada Geese, Buffleheads, Mallards, and American Black Ducks.
We proceeded to Croton Point Park, where the strong wind may have deterred several birds from showing themselves, but where we had flyover views of more Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk, saw Tree Sparrows foraging in the grass, and caught sight of an American Kestrel in some locust trees by the maintenance shed near the RV lot. A beautiful perched Bald Eagle gave us good views from a pine tree, and toward the end of the walk, sharp-eyed birders found Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks in distant trees.
After lunch at the parking lot of Croton Point Park, we returned to our cars and drove to the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, arriving mid-afternoon. We were disappointed to find that the feeders had been taken down, as had the feeders at the Croton Point Park visitor’s center; we speculated that this may have been done as a precaution against bird flu. The group split into two, with some keeping vigil on the viewing platform while others explored the two winter trails that remain open. Those on the platform had better luck, seeing a Red-shouldered Hawk, an Eastern Meadowlark, and a Red-winged Blackbird. Neither group found the Loggerhead Shrike that had been reported there by others.
Around 4:30 pm, as if on schedule, the first Short-eared Owl appeared just as the group was about to decamp due to the cold temperature and dimming light. In total, two owls were seen, the first perched in distant trees across the parking lot, and another swooping over the grassland. This was a life bird for many birders, and served as our sign to head for the warmth of our cars and the drive home.
Many thanks to Gordon Lam for stepping up to lead this enjoyable and informative walk on short notice.
Species Lists
Birds
Canada Goose
Mallard
American Black Duck
Bufflehead
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Short-eared Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Northern Mockingbird
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Meadowlark
Northern Cardinal
