Spent the day in Orange County photographing grassland birds and scouted some old territory. No shots of the Upland Sandpiper, since it was too far from my lens. The bird was seen on the "Big Island" hill, while parked at the corner of Big Island Road and Pulaski Hwy. The bird was almost near the top of the hill at the mow line adjacent to large oaks. The Dickcissil was seen at the end of Indiana Road. It was singing from the tops of many perches. All private property around here!!! Also of note are possible nesting Harriers. I saw two birds frequent the center of the grassland. Furthermore a short hike up into the Pochuck State Forest yielded a Kentucky Warbler. Parking for this forest preserve is down by Oil City Road on the left when going south. I would estimate the hike into the forest is probably 1.5 miles before it flattens out and thickening understory becomes apparent. The bird was heard on the south side of the trail. Further investigation will tell if this is a breeding bird. This site is just west of where I had Kentucky Warbler breeding for 2 years on the eastern side of the Pochuck ridge (5 years ago) At the time I had permission back then to access the private lands from Glennville Road when working as an ornithologist for the Metropolitan Conservation Alliance. Other birds of note Orchard Orioles Indigo Buntings Grasshopper Sparrows American Kestrel James Vellozzi _www.JamesVellozzinaturephotography.com_ (http://www.JamesVellozzinaturephotography.com) No Dickcissil photos are up yet...
-- 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/ --
