Trip Report, Rockland Audubon Society

01/31/09 Oil City Road, Wallkill River NWR   

 

Led by: Jim Previdi

 

Participants: Dan Albantides, Zenon Bachir, Nigel Bark, Ron Conzo, Elyse Fuller, Tom Fuller, Veronika Krause, Sona Jones, Vince Jones, Frank Kemmer, Gloria North, Perry “the cat” North, Alan Wells, Della Wells, and Suzanne Wong.

 

Weather: Clear and cold, reaching a high of about 29°F. Wind gusts to approximately 20 mph.

 

Trip Highlights:  Great hawk activity! Seeing at least three Short-eared Owls after receiving several reports that none had been seen during the previous week. Letting Perry sleep through all the “birdy” activity. Watching the muskrat digging in the snow banks for snacks! Finally finding the Barnsider Restaurant in Sugarloaf after wandering around in the dark. And taking some satisfaction in seeing the Jolly Onion for sale after last year’s dismal experience.

 

 

Common Name

Comments

American Robin

Fly-over

Black Vulture

Circling overhead

Canada Goose

Several flocks seen flying

Common Merganser

Several groups seen flying overhead

European Starling

Many at Dawn Agency farm

Great Blue Heron

1 fly-by

Merlin

1 seen hunting

Mourning Dove

a group of 3 in fly-over

Northern Cardinal

1

Northern Flicker

3 in far tree

Northern Harrier

several hunting

Northern Mockingbird

1 in yard of residence along Oil City Rd

Red-bellied Woodpecker

1

Red-tailed Hawk

several, one perched on wires

Rock Pigeon

common at Dawn Agency farm

Rough-legged Hawk

Light and Dark morphs

Sharp-shinned Hawk

1 seen and photographed by Alan prior to group arrival

Short-eared Owl

at least three hunting at dusk

Song Sparrow

several

Turkey Vulture

several flying over far ridge

White-throated Sparrow

at Dawn Agency farm

 

 

RAS at Wallkill River NWR

RAS plus a few others at Wallkill River NWR. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Muskrat

Muskrat so engrossed in feeding that is was nearly oblivious to surrounding events. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Light Phase Rough-legged Hawk

Light morph, adult female Rough-legged Hawk at Wallkill River NWR. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Dark Phase Rough-legged Hawk

Dark morph, juvenile Rough-legged Hawk at Wallkill River NWR. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Northern Harrier

Juvenile Northern Harrier at Wallkill River NWR. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk fly-by at Wallkill River NWR. Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tail Hawk spots a rodent and starts an attack! Photo: © Alan W. Wells

 

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tail Hawk makes a grab for the mouse. Photo: © Alan W. Wells