[nysbirds-l] Western Tanager - Athens, Greene County +++

2012-11-30 Thread Will Raup


At 8:45 this morning, I arrived at the house with the Western Tanager in 
Athens, Greene County.  There I met Anthony Collerton and the two of us were 
invited inside to view the bird from the home owners dining room.  The bird fed 
on the feeder near constantly the entire time I was there.  

The home owners were spectacular and very gracious, however keep in mind that 
they do live in a "gated community", there is very little parking and not all 
of their neighbors may be as welcoming.  Again the homeowners (Peter and Hope) 
asked that visitors please call before coming (518-844-8011).  The feeders the 
bird is frequenting is not visible from the street.

As the bird was feeding frequently photos were not hard to obtain, I've posted 
one photo here:  http://flic.kr/p/dxynPE

After I left, I hit Vosburgh's/4 Mile Point which was dead quiet (save for Deer 
Hunters), the Coxsackie Boat Launch, which had nothing but a few Ring-billed 
Gulls.  The Coast Guard was doing something on the river, likely keeping things 
quiet.

I next hit the Greene County IDA Grasslands by the Serta Factory off 9w.  It 
too was very quiet, with American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, 
American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-tailed Hawk and a Hairy 
Woodpecker.

Just as I was leaving a group of COMMON REDPOLLS landed in the weeds right near 
the cul-du-sac, and I could hear many more going over head.  About a dozen or 
so birds foraged very close to me, with one bird in particular getting to about 
2 feet from me for some more photos.


http://flic.kr/p/dxynSy

http://flic.kr/p/dxyo1C

>From there I did a sweep of the local water areas, the Coxsackie Reservoir 
>held the most variety with about 500 Canada Geese, 200 Ruddy Ducks, 75 Common 
>Mergansers, 12 Hooded Mergansers, 4 American Black Ducks and a few Mallards.

Stanton Pond in Albany County was 90% frozen, but still held a handful of 
Canada Geese, American Black Duck, Gadwall and American Wigeon.  The fields 
going into the Holt Preserve in Coeymans held about 500 American Crows and 40 
Wild Turkey.

>From there I still had more time, until it was time to pick up my wife... so I 
>rode around the back roads of New Baltimore, Greene County not finding more 
>than about 1 billion Dark-eyed Juncos (conservative estimate).  

However, I did find this nice adult Red-shouldered Hawk, a difficult bird to 
find in Region 8 and even more so in late fall/winter.

http://flic.kr/p/dxynWJ

For those visiting the Western Tanager, please post your sightings positive or 
negative - Thank you!

Good Birding!

Will Raup

Albany, NY

  
--

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http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
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http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--



[nysbirds-l] Western Tanager - Athens, Greene County +++

2012-11-30 Thread Will Raup


At 8:45 this morning, I arrived at the house with the Western Tanager in 
Athens, Greene County.  There I met Anthony Collerton and the two of us were 
invited inside to view the bird from the home owners dining room.  The bird fed 
on the feeder near constantly the entire time I was there.  

The home owners were spectacular and very gracious, however keep in mind that 
they do live in a gated community, there is very little parking and not all 
of their neighbors may be as welcoming.  Again the homeowners (Peter and Hope) 
asked that visitors please call before coming (518-844-8011).  The feeders the 
bird is frequenting is not visible from the street.

As the bird was feeding frequently photos were not hard to obtain, I've posted 
one photo here:  http://flic.kr/p/dxynPE

After I left, I hit Vosburgh's/4 Mile Point which was dead quiet (save for Deer 
Hunters), the Coxsackie Boat Launch, which had nothing but a few Ring-billed 
Gulls.  The Coast Guard was doing something on the river, likely keeping things 
quiet.

I next hit the Greene County IDA Grasslands by the Serta Factory off 9w.  It 
too was very quiet, with American Tree Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, 
American Goldfinch, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-tailed Hawk and a Hairy 
Woodpecker.

Just as I was leaving a group of COMMON REDPOLLS landed in the weeds right near 
the cul-du-sac, and I could hear many more going over head.  About a dozen or 
so birds foraged very close to me, with one bird in particular getting to about 
2 feet from me for some more photos.


http://flic.kr/p/dxynSy

http://flic.kr/p/dxyo1C

From there I did a sweep of the local water areas, the Coxsackie Reservoir 
held the most variety with about 500 Canada Geese, 200 Ruddy Ducks, 75 Common 
Mergansers, 12 Hooded Mergansers, 4 American Black Ducks and a few Mallards.

Stanton Pond in Albany County was 90% frozen, but still held a handful of 
Canada Geese, American Black Duck, Gadwall and American Wigeon.  The fields 
going into the Holt Preserve in Coeymans held about 500 American Crows and 40 
Wild Turkey.

From there I still had more time, until it was time to pick up my wife... so I 
rode around the back roads of New Baltimore, Greene County not finding more 
than about 1 billion Dark-eyed Juncos (conservative estimate).  

However, I did find this nice adult Red-shouldered Hawk, a difficult bird to 
find in Region 8 and even more so in late fall/winter.

http://flic.kr/p/dxynWJ

For those visiting the Western Tanager, please post your sightings positive or 
negative - Thank you!

Good Birding!

Will Raup

Albany, NY

  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--



[nysbirds-l] Western Tanager - Athens, Greene County

2012-11-29 Thread Will Raup


Greetings All!

Rich Guthrie confirmed a WESTERN TANAGER coming to a feeder at 63 Castle Point 
Road in Athens, Greene County (about 25 miles south of Albany, or due west of 
Hudson, NY).  The bird has been very active coming to a feeder and has been 
present for a couple of days now.

The homeowners Peter and Hope are OK with birders visiting, but ask that you 
please call ahead of time.  Their number is 518-44-8011.

Good Birding!


Will Raup
Albany, NY

  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--



[nysbirds-l] Western Tanager - Athens, Greene County

2012-11-29 Thread Will Raup


Greetings All!

Rich Guthrie confirmed a WESTERN TANAGER coming to a feeder at 63 Castle Point 
Road in Athens, Greene County (about 25 miles south of Albany, or due west of 
Hudson, NY).  The bird has been very active coming to a feeder and has been 
present for a couple of days now.

The homeowners Peter and Hope are OK with birders visiting, but ask that you 
please call ahead of time.  Their number is 518-44-8011.

Good Birding!


Will Raup
Albany, NY

  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--