Re: [nysbirds-l] question Purple Finches

[Thomas Rhindress]

Small flocks of juncos have arrived in Ulster County, along with both
kinglets.  Larry, a friend of mine who lives in Ossining saw his first of
season junco today.

Tom Rhindress
High Falls, NY

On Tue, Oct 20, 2020, 11:14 PM Jonathan Perez 
wrote:

> I had about three purple finches at greenwood cemetery, in Brooklyn New
> York. Likely more.
>
> Please excuse my brevity.  Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 20, 2020, at 10:59 PM, Isaac Weiss  wrote:
>
> 
> I had last Thursday in kakiat park in Suffern 3-4 males and 6-7 female
> purple Finches.
> I had at my feeder 2 males about 5 weeks ago
>
> On Tue, Oct 20, 2020, 10:44 PM Jennifer Wilson-Pines 
> wrote:
>
>> I had my first male Purple today with his harem of 3-4 females.
>> Previously single females- this was the first flock also.
>> Jennifer Wilson PInes
>> North Nassau, Long Island
>>
>> On Tue, Oct 20, 2020 at 10:24 PM Larry Trachtenberg <
>> trachtenb...@amsllp.com> wrote:
>>
>>> For the first time in several years, consistent with the Finch
>>> “Forecast”, I am seeing a lot of purple finches in Westchester County,
>>> including four at my feeders each of the last three days  --  all of those
>>> are Females or young male types, as are almost all of the purple finches I
>>> have seen – just a very, very few adult males.  (And I can’t make any of
>>> the M house finches into purple.)  This seems to be what I am reading in
>>> other posts on e-bird or otherwise in the area.  Is it a known pattern that
>>> the adult male purple finches don’t like it downstate or is there a more
>>> scientific explanation available (or are others not seeing this imbalance)?
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Croton Point Park has had a few meadowlarks (up to 6 were seen last
>>> Saturday), still very good numbers of pipits, and some good sparrows in the
>>> last week or so (including vesper and clay colored, both photographed).
>>> (But where are the juncos??)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> L. Trachtenberg
>>>
>>> Ossining
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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[nysbirds-l] Belted kingfisher question

[Thomas Rhindress]

To the group, especially my fellow Upstaters,

I live in Ulster County, with approximately 1000 feet of frontage along
Roundout Creek. During the summers of 2017 and 2018, I would see/hear
kingfishers daily.
This summer I have observed them 2 or 3 times.

 Are others seeing a similar lack of kingfishers?

 We had way above average rain from August to early October last year.
Wondering if this may have had negative impact on prey availability, or on
last year's nest success.

Thanks for any input,  Tom Rhindress

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[nysbirds-l] Bald eagles during daily commute

[Thomas Rhindress]

31 bald eagles seen in Croton Bay (area between Croton Point Park's
southern tip and Metro North Hudson line tracks) while on 11 AM local
train to NYC.  25 on broken ice floes, plus 6 in one tree.   estimated at
2/3 juveniles.  This weekend's Eaglefest might not be a bust.

  Also two adults on nest in FDR State Park visible from Taconic State
Parkway. Pretty certain this is newish pair that was unsuccessful last
year.

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[nysbirds-l] Peregrine falcon, Yorktown Heights, NY

[Thomas Rhindress]

On my way commuting to work today, May 10, around 10:40 AM got an
unexpected surprise sighting. I was driving south on the Taconic State
Parkway on the bridge that crosses the New Croton Reservoir. Peregrine
falcon flew slowly over and along the bridge 20 feet above the car. Great
view from beneath and alongside the falcon.

The reservoir is the Yorktown Heights/Ossining border

Tom Rhindress

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Re: [nysbirds-l] Central Park Reservoir - Merlin

[Thomas Rhindress]

Patricia and others,

Saw perhaps the same merlin while walking from Mt Sinai to 96th St subway
stop around 11:30 AM today Wednesday 11/04.  It was in pursuit of small
birds in tree tops, perhaps titmice based on alarm call, moving north
toward The Pool.  I was within sight of Central Park West and on path just
north of Transverse Road #4.

Thomas Rhindress

On Wed, Nov 4, 2015 at 1:32 PM, Patricia Pollock 
wrote:

> 11/4/15, Wednesday morning
> Pat Pollock
>
> A Merlin spotted northeast end of Reservoir about 10 am or so and was
> still there after I'd circled the loop.  I told a couple of birders about
> it.  Walking east keep a lookout on north side past the pumphouse.  It was
> sitting high up on left edge of a tall tree north side of Bridle Path - I
> had long good looks.  Nice to get a different bird while we await the
> change in wind direction.
> 5 or 6 Hooded Mergansers
> 3 Buffleheads
> Coot sw
> 12 Gadwalls
> Pied-billed Grebe nw
> Cormorants
> No. Shovelers
> Ruddy Ducks
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Re: [nysbirds-l] Unknown mammal - escaped illegal pet @ Jamaica Bay East Pond Trail

[Thomas Rhindress]

Agree, It is a kinkajou - *Potos flavus *- native to Central America and
northern South America.  Member of the raccoon family Procyonidae*. *Also
illegal to keep in NYC according to the ASPCA website*.*  Who would one
contact to attempt a capture?

Tom Rhindress - Yorktown Heights, NY
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[nysbirds-l] Croton-Harmon osprey

[Thomas Rhindress]

The osprey pair that nests on the cell tower at the Croton-Harmon train
station are back on the nest.  One is currently tearing apart a fish atop
the tower as I write this (waiting on the Track 4 platform)

Tom Rhindress
Yorktown Heights

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[nysbirds-l] Any gyrfalcon sightings today? Feb 14?

[Thomas Rhindress]

Wondering if it is worth the 1.5 hour drive to search the back roads near.
Blue Chip Farms for the gyrfalcon. Haven't seen any updates here or on
ebird since yesterday.

Thank you in advance

Tom Rhindress and Sarah Galbraith


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[nysbirds-l] Bald Eagles at Croton-on-Hudson 1/27

[Thomas Rhindress]

I commute to NYC via the train that runs along the Hudson River from
Croton-Harmon station. Today, the day of "the blizzard that wasn't", was
the first day this winter I have seen more than a single bald eagle. Eight
bald eagles, both immature and adult, perched in trees above phragmites on
north shore of Croton Bay (southeast of Croton Point Park's capped
landfill).

Still no permanent river ice so will be curious of numbers increase. Did a
run by George's Island (Montrose, NY) last week at the time they typically
come into roost for the night and saw none. Are people north of Peekskill
seeing greater numbers?

Tom Rhindress
Yorktown Heights, NY

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[nysbirds-l] After Work Wander through Central Park

[Thomas Rhindress]

In full disclosure, we are not a regular Central Park birders, since my
wife and I live in northern Westchester County. As a result my pinpointing
of park landmarks will be shaky at best. However, after this weekend's
reports we decided to try our luck after work in Times Square.

We entered the park at W 81st Street and worked our way to The Ramble,
around the Turtle Pond and back through The Ramble.

Bird Sighting List (in rough order)
American Redstart - Male and Female (East shore of Bank Rock Bridge)
Magnolia warbler - Ramble - near Rustic Stone

*Tupelo Meadow - Western edge*

B&W warbler
Northern Parula
Lots of Ruby Crowned Kinglets (everywhere in park)

*Eastern end of Tupelo Meadow, near Iphegene's Walk*

Orange-crowned Warbler - *seen by many*
Warbling Vireo - 3

Northern Oriole

Veery
Hermit Thrush (multiple)
Ovenbird - Ramble

Northern Shoveler (pair) - northwest end of The Lake

Black throated Blue - East shore of Bank Rock Bridge


Tom Rhindress and Sarah Galbraith

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Re:[nysbirds-l] Feather ID and Spring yard birds in Yorktown Heights, NY

[Thomas Rhindress]

Thanks everyone. The overwhelming consensus seems to be ring-necked
pheasant. I had eliminated that as an option due to it being listed as rare
and declining in Westchester County and my impression that pheasants are
field/pasture birds which are also lacking in the area it was found.

Then again I had a bluebird sighting in my backyard, also inappropriate
habitat.

Tom Rhindress

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[nysbirds-l] Feather ID and Spring yard birds in Yorktown Heights, NY

[Thomas Rhindress]

I'm in need of some assistance in IDing a feather. A friend sent me this
photo and asked what it was. My first couple of guesses seem to be way off
given habitat and a quick search of online bird images. I won't share my
thoughts on ID so as to not influence the masses or embarrass myself :)

Found in Ossining, NY (Westchester County) in friend's backyard. Yard
surrounded by woods, no water adjacent. Small woman's fingers for scale.
___

On a different note, my wife and I just returned from a short trip to view
the sandhill crane migration in central Nebraska. Highly recommended to any
birder. Seems that the spring bird activity has really increased while we
were away. In the last 24 hrs our yard in Yorktown Heights (northern
Westchester County), the backyard sightings include:  fox sparrows actively
digging through leaves; a lone woodcock living in the hedgerows; an
immature yellow-bellied sapsucker digging for insects in a maple; and a new
"life" bird for the yard, an eastern bluebird (very atypical habitat, even
for a tired migrant).

Please reply directly to me with feather ID so as to not clog up NYSBIRDS

Thanks, Tom Rhindress

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[nysbirds-l] Eagles from the train, Part II

[Thomas Rhindress]

Seen from 10:50 train from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central; conditions
clear/sunny, windy, temp ~6°F, very low tide

6 immature bald eagles on ice in Croton Bay

4 immature, 3 adults (2 were in air above group) in a group together on
outer edge of ice between Tarrytown and Scarbourough

13 total, looks like Eaglefest on Feb 8 could be good. Little ice on Croton
Reservoir yet, just in the inlets and bays

Thomas Rhindress

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[nysbirds-l] Snowy owl east of Piermont

[Thomas Rhindress]

While on the Metro-North Hudson line 10:50 from Croton, I just spotted a
snowy owl flying south being mobbed by crows on east bank of Hudson just
south of Tapanzee Bridge

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[nysbirds-l] Pileated WPs mating

[Thomas Rhindress]

While out doing yard work, my wife and I were treated to quite a show in
our backyard this afternoon in northern Yorktown Heights, NY.

A single pileated called nearby, then an answering call from much further
away.  A few minutes later we had a pair of pileated woodpeckers doing a
short vocal courtship routine in a big willow. This was followed by a quick
coital moment.  The male flew off immediately upon finishing, while the
female stayed behind for a minute or two. She then joined him on the same
tree in our neighbor's yard.

Hope to see more of this pair this summer.

Does anyone know there preferred nest tree type/location and hole height?

Tom Rhindress and Sarah Galbraith

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[nysbirds-l] Woodcock - Yorktown Heights

[Thomas Rhindress]

A new backyard bird sighting. Curious as to environmental conditions needed
for woodcock.  Our backyard is one acre, square shape, probably the only
chemical-free lawn in the area and is surrounded by a perimeter of ~50 ft
hardwood and underbrush before acres of suburban development sprawl.  I
have heard this woodcock in flight for the past three nights while out
walking the dogs and finally got a good extended looks at it this morning.

Is this one that just settled on its way north? Or a male destined for
membership in the lonely hearts club? Our backyard has some wet areas in
the spring and has a VERY healthy worm population. There are some
undeveloped wet, wooded areas about 1/2 mile away.

Any ideas as to why this bird has settled here and whether it may stay the
season?

Thanks in advance

Thomas Rhindress


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[nysbirds-l] Snow geese in Yorktown Heights, NY

[Thomas Rhindress]

Was out in the yard stacking wood and had a flock of ~70 snow geese fly
over the yard.  All white morph as far as I could see (no binocs and
misty). Flock was in a broken V, behaving as though they were searching for
a landing site.  Flying very low, came in from NE and circled yard heading
NW.  There are a couple of water bodies nearby that may be the intended
landing spot.  Birders in northern Westchester/Putnam County might want to
keep a lookout for where they land.  I live just south of the Taconic/Rte
132/Rte 6 intersection

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[nysbirds-l] Bryant Park NYC 5-6 pm 5/1/12

[Thomas Rhindress]

Bright sun, no clouds.  First time urban birder.  I work in Manhattan, but
have never brought binocs. Birded south side along 40th, mostly in corner
nearest library (activity greatest in areas where canopy was still in the
late afternoon sun) All in plane trees unless otherwise noted.

Male orchard oriole - feeding on plane seed pods at top of canopy "neck
breaking angle"
Palm warbler, also feeding on lawn
Catbird
Brown thrasher - in lower branches and shrubbery
Eastern kingbird - actively hunting in tops of trees
Probable blue-headed vireo.  Strong white eye ring, never saw sides of
wings for barring. Size right, behavior right
Ovenbird - heard not seen

B&W warbler , NE corner near library in trees amongst tables, very active,
perhaps more than one it was moving so fast.



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[nysbirds-l] Buttercup West Audubon Dutchess County 4/29

[Thomas Rhindress]

Birded the western section this afternoon (first time visit):  Sunny, windy
(10-15 mph)  Few leaves have emerged in comparison to NYC and Westchester
County (2-3 weeks behind those southern lats).

Few birds seen overall:

*Highlights*
1 black crowned night heron - hunting
1 blue grey gnatcatcher - great views, eye level "tame"
1 only one warbler seen - Palm warbler
1 broadwing hawk - calling, low overhead
*
The rest:*
~8 tree swallows
6 field sparrows
2 swamp sparrow
multiple song sparrows
1 white crowned sparrow
multiple goldfinch
multiple black capped chickadees
2 eastern phoebe
1 hairy woodpecker
1 flicker
pileated woodpecker - heard
red bellied - heard
4 Canada geese
4 mallards
multiple red winged blackbirds
1 brown headed cowbird
multiple TVs and crows overhead
*
Non-birding sightings:*
6 painted turtles sunning
2 eastern garter snakes
1 raccoon - sleeping in stick nest in tree
multiple grey and red squirrels
heavy beaver fresh activity evidence

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[nysbirds-l] Orange County Geese - Thursday report

[Thomas Rhindress]

In addition to what John Haas wrote, I went on my "goosechase" yesterday
(Thursday 3/9) with hopes of finding the snow geese flocks closer to the
road in order to get photographs.  The Wallkill is well over its banks in
most places.  Thus far this doesn't seem to have affected any paved roads.
Although it may by Friday afternoon and Sat/Sun.

The fields on the north side of  Skinner Rd and Skinner Tract were 1/2
flooded and contained ~1000 CANADA GEESE well spread out (NO barnacle or GWF
sighted), along with 3 MUTE SWANS, 3 TUNDRA SWANS, 100s of PINTAILS and
RINGNECK DUCKS (west end); also one NORTHERN HARRIER hunting the fields.
Water was washing across Skinner Tract on the west end where it joins Iris
Rd and with a few more inches of rain will probably be submerged on the east
end right where the pavement ends. My Subaru Outback made it through fine,
but others may think twice.  Thanks to the helpful birder in the dark Chevy
that directed me to the snow geese.

Found one flock of SNOW GEESE on Missionlands Rd, to far to see anything
other than that they were snows.  Very active flock, in flight circling
almost the entire time just south of DeBucks sod farm.  They were closest to
the west end of   Greenhouse Lane, but it is private and the mud was pretty
slippery and side dirt roads/levies pretty badly crowned.  Not worth the
risk.

Second flock of SNOWS were just north of the Onion Farm on Rte 12, east
side.  Again too far to see much detail.  Larger flock, huddled together.

The fields behind the Pine Island Turf Nursery are completely submerged, as
are the access roads behind the main buildings.

2 pairs of GW TEAL and 2 pairs of AMERICAN WIDGEON at Wallkill NWR parking
lot/viewing platform on Oil City Rd.

2 BLACK VULTURES in Warwick flying over the center of town.

Stay dry,
*Thomas Rhindress* - *Yorktown Heights, NY*
• Nature Photographer
• NY State Certified Earth Science & Biology Teacher
• Homemaker

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Re: [nysbirds-l] Bald Eagles/Hudson River

[Thomas Rhindress]

The lower Hudson Valley has become the eastern USA's Homer/Chilkat, AK in
many ways.  Can't think of a more reliable place to spot bald eagles in the
winter, or bring non-birders to introduce them to this rewarding activity.
I know all of the roosting/viewing spots along the eastern shore of the
Hudson.  Are there similar locales on the western shore?  My wife and I
recently spotted more than we could count kettling on the western shore as
viewed from George's Island County Park
*Thomas Rhindress* - *Yorktown Heights, NY*
• Nature Photographer
• NY State Certified Earth Science & Biology Teacher
• Homemaker
On Sat, Feb 26, 2011 at 5:14 PM, John Askildsen wrote:

> today, walt fowler, john and kirsten askildsen birded several spots on the
> Hudson River shore of n.westchester county, from peekskill bay to croton
> point park. this was a day of casual birding and we did not focus on
> covering every location possible.
>
> we were quite pleased with the outcome-about 200 bald eagles! there was an
> amazing 106 individuals at peekskill bay, as viewed from charles
> point/fleishman's pier, peekskill, alone. i have never witnessed such a
> congregation as we did today. "impressive", is an understatement.
>
> with my knowledge of the river and BE's haunts, i would imagine that a
> check of every nook and cranny, would have produced 230-250 individuals.
>
> JPA
>
> John Askildsen Millbrook, New York
>

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[nysbirds-l] Kinglets - Mt Beacon, Beacon, NY

[Thomas Rhindress]

100s of golden-crowned kinglets, along with a few scattered ruby-crowned
mixed in feeding in undergrowth.  Kinglets became abundant once we reached
an elevation where trees became shorter and canopy started to open up, this
change in habitat takes place just below the first large open viewpoint near
the tramway ruins.

Have also seen LOTS of golden-crowned kinglets at Harriman State Park over
the last few weeks.

Tom Rhindress
 *Thomas Rhindress*
*Nature & Landscape photographer
Educational Consultant - Visual presentation technology integration
NYS Certified Earth Science and Biology teacher*

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[nysbirds-l] Great blue herons in SE NY (or lack thereof)?

[Thomas Rhindress]

General query for the group.  My wife and I are both birders and have
noticed a lack of great blue herons this summer.  We both sighted our FOS on
the same day back in April.  Since then we have seen very few here in the
lower Hudson Valley (Westchester County).  My wife commutes daily into NYC
via MTA and has noted a severe lack of GBHs in any of the backwaters along
the east side of the Hudson River.  In a "typical" summer she would see a
couple at Croton-on-Hudson train station plus others standing in the
shallows of the Hudson.  We both kayak and have seen only one the entire
season.  A "normal" kayak trip would yield a half dozen.  Any thoughts or
confirmation as to what we are observing?  I have a hypothesis based on
wintering conditions in the mid-Atlantic coastal region, but it is just a
hunch since I don't know where NY's summer GBHs overwinter.

I drove up Rte 22 through Rensselaer and Washington Counties earlier this
week and saw many by comparison (`10 in a day not really spent birding) to
what we've seen here.
*Thomas Rhindress*
*Nature & Landscape photographer
Educational Consultant - Visual presentation technology integration
NYS Certified Earth Science and Biology teacher*
On Sun, Jun 20, 2010 at 10:21 PM, John Gluth  wrote:

> During a 3.5 hour visit to Connetquot River S.P. (Suffolk Co.) Sunday
> afternoon I tallied 50 species and observed several instances of breeding
> behavior, mostly by migrant passerines. The highlight of these was watching
> a pair of B&W Warblers feed a single fledged juvenile, each adult flying in
> with provisions a few times over several minutes. This was the first time
> I've seen this species engaged in raising young, and it was great to hear
> the juvenile's begging calls. Other nesting observations included watching
> a male Ovenbird sing with food in his bill (nice ventriloquism) before
> flying down to the forest floor, presumably to a nest with hungry young;
> a Great Crested Flycatcher in close proximity to a nest box, which it may
> have just exited; and hearing a Pied-billed Grebe call twice from Deep
> Water
> Pond just north of the fish hatchery. Given the date and the habitat,
> breeding by that species is a distinct possibility there.
>
>
>
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[nysbirds-l] Peregrine and Black Vultures - Bear Mountain Bridge

[Thomas Rhindress]

This afternoon while driving eastward on Rte 6/202 about a 1/2 mile from the
Bear Mountain Bridge, I sighted a large kettle of black vultures riding the
thermals rising up the west slope of Anthony's Nose; too numerous and active
to count on this particular stretch of winding road.  Chronic
birding-while-driving , the bonus was the peregrine falcon that flew
northward through the vulture kettle toward the bridge about 50 feet above
the road.

Birded Doodletown this past Saturday and it was strangely quiet, a few
redstarts, a pair of parulas, a rose-breasted grosbeak pair and not much
else.  Perhaps the northward passerine movement will happen this week.

*Thomas Rhindress*
*Nature & Landscape photographer
Educational Consultant - Visual presentation technology integration
NYS Certified Earth Science and Biology teacher*

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Re: [nysbirds-l] Eagle expedition

[Thomas Rhindress]

One has to know when and where to look.  The lack of ice has, I think, kept
the lower Hudson Valley bald eagles spread out.  With the onset of sustained
cold temperatures creating ice on the reservoirs, the bald eagles should be
more and more concentrated as they seek edges of open water/ice.

Yesterday, Sunday 2/7, my wife and I saw 1 immature at Croton-Point Park and
14 at the Croton Reservoir from the dam (3 adults and 11 immatures)  All
were sitting on the ice and most required viewing through a 20-60X scope to
be seen clearly.  We also spotted an adult coyote wandering around on the
ice.

On Mon, Feb 8, 2010 at 8:47 AM, Brien Hindman wrote:

> I live on Croton River, and haven't seen much eagle activity this
> winter.  I've only seen a few immatures.   Some years seem to be
> better than others.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 6, 2010 at 9:02 AM, Barry or Rita Freed 
> wrote:
>  which was
> > bursting with BE activity when we visited there two or three years ago,
> > contained but one eagle, perched in a tree at the far end. I hope this is
> > not a trend.
> >
> > Barry Freed,
> > Bronx, NY
>
>
>
> --
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> among us but how we treat the most questionable." - Ben Loeterman
>
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