08 April 2010 - Ashokan Reservoir - Ulster County As a birthday challenge we set out to the Ashokan Reservoir hoping to find the number of bird species equal to my age. Unfortunately, we didn't reach that lofty goal, but we did manage to scrape up 50 + species. Temperature reached an astounding 85 degrees F, possibly higher, and the shadbush (also known as Juneberry but may be changed to Mayberry) was in full blossom - about three weeks earlier than usual. Gotta wonder what effect this will have on the later migrants ?
Highlights included two Palm Warblers which are nice to see anywhere, anytime; a Red-shouldered Hawk calling close to its nest; one Louisiana Waterthush singing along Dug Hill Rd; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; two Horned Grebes on the Ashokan; the first Common Loon in breeding plumage off the West Hurley dike; Bufflehead and Ring-necked Ducks near the Spillway Dam; two Sapsuckers and a Raven at the "donut;" a single Towhee; Kestrel; and several Brown Creepers. The water is cascading over the Spillway Dam and quite spectacular. Down the road a bit the water is gushing under the bridge at my favorite place where Carlos Santana and friends used to swim before going to a local festival in 1969. The reservoir itself is also very muddy from all the runoff, which might explain the seeming lack of waterfowl. Good Spring birding, Frank Murphy NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
