[nysbirds-l] Hoyt Farm redux: 4 vireo sp., including Philly V again!
I had more time to spend at Hoyt Farm early this afternoon (12:10-2:00) before work and the benefit was more birds, always a good thing. Based on yesterday's experience I headed straight for the pond. On the way I immediately noticed that the Barbara Hoyt Stokes memorial waterfall was flowing today, the first time I've seen it working in a long time. The running water had generated interest from several birds. The first one my binoculars fell on was a PHILADELPHIA VIREO (same bird as yesterday?), perched in a small cedar just behind the waterfall. It quickly retreated but not before giving clear looks at near eye level. In quick succession two other vireo species were seen—RED-EYED and WARBLING. When the birds dispersed, I moved on down the trail, but didn't get far before I spotted a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO in a tall oak, bringing the vireo total to 4 in just 10 minutes! I spent the rest of my visit hoping for a Blue-headed to make an appearance, but none did (a bit too early). Things were buzzing down at the pond again, the activity concentrated on the far side where an inflow pipe/seep makes for a great bathing spot for the birds. There were a few Catbirds and Red-eyed Vireos in view at all times and various other migrant passerines kept dropping down to the water and flitting through the overhanging foliage (Black Walnut, wild grape, bittersweet). Almost all of the species I reported yesterday made an encore (even Philly V), some by more than one individual (B Warbler-2-3, Redstart 5-6) and were joined today by the following: SWAINSON'S THRUSH (1), BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (1), CEDAR WAXWING (1), TENNESSEE WARBLER (1), CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (1), PRAIRIE WARBLER (1), MAGNOLIA WARBLER (2-3) and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (2). There were 2 hatch-year Rose-breasted Grosbeaks today, which spent an extended period foraging in the Jewelweed ringing the left side of the pond. The frenzy abated eventually and I spent most of the rest of my stay bouncing back and forth between the pond and waterfall, hoping a second wave would arrive at one or both spots, but that didn't happen. Still, it was a very rewarding visit, probably the best I've had at Hoyt, and I've been going there for years. The Philly V joins the ranks of "good" birds I've found there, including Acadian Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Warbler, and Black-billed Cuckoo. john Gluth Islip, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hoyt Farm redux: 4 vireo sp., including Philly V again!
I had more time to spend at Hoyt Farm early this afternoon (12:10-2:00) before work and the benefit was more birds, always a good thing. Based on yesterday's experience I headed straight for the pond. On the way I immediately noticed that the Barbara Hoyt Stokes memorial waterfall was flowing today, the first time I've seen it working in a long time. The running water had generated interest from several birds. The first one my binoculars fell on was a PHILADELPHIA VIREO (same bird as yesterday?), perched in a small cedar just behind the waterfall. It quickly retreated but not before giving clear looks at near eye level. In quick succession two other vireo species were seen—RED-EYED and WARBLING. When the birds dispersed, I moved on down the trail, but didn't get far before I spotted a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO in a tall oak, bringing the vireo total to 4 in just 10 minutes! I spent the rest of my visit hoping for a Blue-headed to make an appearance, but none did (a bit too early). Things were buzzing down at the pond again, the activity concentrated on the far side where an inflow pipe/seep makes for a great bathing spot for the birds. There were a few Catbirds and Red-eyed Vireos in view at all times and various other migrant passerines kept dropping down to the water and flitting through the overhanging foliage (Black Walnut, wild grape, bittersweet). Almost all of the species I reported yesterday made an encore (even Philly V), some by more than one individual (BW Warbler-2-3, Redstart 5-6) and were joined today by the following: SWAINSON'S THRUSH (1), BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (1), CEDAR WAXWING (1), TENNESSEE WARBLER (1), CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (1), PRAIRIE WARBLER (1), MAGNOLIA WARBLER (2-3) and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (2). There were 2 hatch-year Rose-breasted Grosbeaks today, which spent an extended period foraging in the Jewelweed ringing the left side of the pond. The frenzy abated eventually and I spent most of the rest of my stay bouncing back and forth between the pond and waterfall, hoping a second wave would arrive at one or both spots, but that didn't happen. Still, it was a very rewarding visit, probably the best I've had at Hoyt, and I've been going there for years. The Philly V joins the ranks of good birds I've found there, including Acadian Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Warbler, and Black-billed Cuckoo. john Gluth Islip, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
