Saw-whet Success
Northern Saw-whet Owl
By: Pat Coate
Took advantage of my daughter flying into the Rochester airport to visit several birding spots in the area prior to her arrival. One stop was Owl Woods (part of Braddock Bay Fish & Wildlife Management/Braddock Bay Park) to search for migrating northern saw-whet owls. Success!
These owls are always a joy to see. They are only 7-8 inches tall and weigh in at a whopping 2-5 ounces.
Hurricane Sandy Relief Continues
Oceanfront home for sale in the Rockaways (NY)
By: Pat Coate
St. Bonaventure University has a wonderful service group called BonaResponds (http://bonaresponds.org/) that recently spent their spring break helping with Hurricane Sandy relief on Long Island and at the Jersey shore. The group is headed by a finance professor, was started shortly after Hurricane Katrina and has assisted at most national disasters since – as well as doing a lot of good work locally. I had the opportunity to join the group for the week.
I had been to Long Island with the Red Cross back in December. Though progress has been made there is still a tremendously long way to go. I was especially surprised by the amount of work to be done along the Jersey shore. We were in the Manasquan-Ortley Beach area and a good portion of this area looked largely untouched. There was a significant police presence and some utilities were not yet fully restored. We also noted that there were lots of billboards for lawyers offering their services to challenge insurance claim denials.
Elk of the Pennsylvania Wilds – Part 1
Pennsylvania Elk
By: Pat Coate
On my way home from a weekend trip to New Jersey I decided to stop by the Village of Benezette in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk country to see what I could find. I got very lucky and ran into a herd of about 25 elk just outside of the village.
Hunting, logging and a growing human population drove the Pennsylvania elk to extinction in the late 1800’s. However, in 1913 elk were brought in from Wyoming and released into the Pennsylvania Wilds. For the first 50 years there was minimal population growth, but the past 50 years has seen the Pennsylvania elk population grow from about fifty to over five hundred.
End of the week Highlights
End of the week we had some exciting birds arrive to the area. Had my first Rough-legged Hawk of the year (CHECK) and then Patty found our first of the year Turkey Vulture (CHECK).
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Turkey Vultures
Turkey Vultures
By: Pat Coate
Turkey vultures are very common in most states (though some only during breeding season) including New York. The black vulture is a more southern U.S. species and had rarely been seen here in Western NY. But over the past several years black vultures are being reported more often as their territory seems to be expanding northwards.
One local area where black vultures are now consistently being reported, roosting in the same area as turkey vultures, is the Village of Lewiston. We made a quick stop there on our Buffalo-area birding trip. Though we didn’t see the black vultures there were about 20 turkey vultures in the area.
Deer and Turkey Expo
Getting Excited . . . . . Two weeks from today we are Going to the Deer and Turkey Expo http://deerinfo.com/ohio in Columbus Ohio. This will be my first big hunting expo thing I have ever attended. Anyone have any tips or suggestions on things I should be looking for or be asking at the show? I do plan on attending a seminar or two and excited to see all of the new products that are being offered. I kind of hope my new compound bow will be in by then. Any vendors want me to visit their booth?
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Great Blue Heron
Saw 2 Great Blue Heron’s yesterday (wasn’t a year bird, saw one in Jan) but it was great seeing them because this means they are starting to move back into the area. Spring might be getting a little closer . . . . which I am ready for.
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Eastern Mole
Found an Eastern Mole dead in the road today. I forgot how big these guys are. It has been a few years since I can remember seeing one.
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Red Crossbill (LIFER)
3 Red Crossbill’s in the road.
Today while driving along the roads near Quaker Lake (Allegany State Park) . . . . I saw a some larger birds feeding on the salt in the road. I slowed the vehicle down and needed to take a closer look at these guys. I realized they were crossbill’s and quickly grabbed my binoculars (which I luckily had in the truck) to discover they were Red Crossbill’s (CHECK) 45 species for 2013. This wasn’t any ordinary check this was a LIFER CHECK!!!
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Eastern Skunk
I have been smelling them and also been seeing their tracks but last night was my first of the year Skunk running around! We probably saw 3 different ones out on the roads last night! (CHECK)
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Buffalo Area Birding
Long-tailed ducks
By: Pat Coate
Had a lot of fun on Monday birding in Buffalo with Joe and Bert. We started at the Erie Basin Marina where the focus was on gulls. Using their scopes, Joe and Bert picked out Glaucous and Iceland gulls from the more run-of-the-mill and abundant Herring and Ring-billed gulls; Great Black-backed were also present. Among the ducks were Canvasbacks, a life bird for me.
Tufted Titmouse
This week I had my first Tufted Titmouse of the year (CHECK). Wednesday I also had 2 White Winged Crossbills over on the Quaker side of Allegany State Park (CHECK). That takes me up to 44 species for the year.
Weather is changing and the birds should be rolling in here soon.
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Ice Rings around Trees along the Allegheny River
By: Pat Coate
A trek along the Allegheny River Trail earlier in the week yielded these unusual tree rings. Best guess is they formed as the partially frozen river receded after being swollen by recent rain and melting snow.
Jim A., aka Tree Master, if this guess is not right please let me know how these rings form – thanks!!
However they formed, they were beautiful to see.
American Goldfinch
The birds were up bright and early this morning getting ready for the huge storm that is going to hit us. Are you ready for this storm?
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American Tree Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
By: Pat Coate
Sparrows are often referred to as “LBJs”, or Little Brown Jobs, among birders. Many species can be difficult to distinguish due to subtle differences in field marks and others due to their skulking behavior making getting a good look hard to come by. So, when a firm ID cannot be made, the “LBJ” column gets checked.
The East Aurora Bird Club recently held a helpful workshop on identifying some of the more common species in our area. Shortly afterwards I came across this very photogenic American Tree Sparrow, which gave me a chance to try out my new found ID skills.
Northern Cardinal
Enjoying the sun . . . . after Ground Hogs Day the birds start singing. Today I heard my first Northern Cardinal singing its heart out.
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Early visitor to the Western New York area but this morning I had my very first of the year Yellow-bellied Sapsucker here in Allegany State Park (CHECK). That is species number 42 for the year.
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Ground Hogs Day 2013
To all my Blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2013 did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning. I predict that spring will come early this year!! I just love this holidays and on a side note . . . . Punxstawney Phil also did not see his shadow this morning!
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Tundra Swans along the Niagara River
Tundra Swans
By: Pat Coate
While driving along West River Parkway on Grand Island I saw several groups of tundra swans swimming and feeding near shore. In total, there were at least 30 swans – the most I have ever seen at one time.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Saw another year bird today . . . . Red-breasted Nuthatch (CHECK) #41 at the Administration Building here in Allegany State Park. They are stunning little birds and I was able to pish it in nice and close. I might have had some Red Crossbills today at the Adminstration Building today but wasn’t able to get a good look to confirm. However, I will be looking closely for them if they return. They would also be a lifer for me.
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Belted Kingfisher
Still keeping track of my big year and saw another year bird yesterday . . . .. Belted Kingfisher (CHECK) #40. Was on a power line with a minnow in its bill. Great to see they are still gettting food in the creeks.
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Bonaparte’s Gulls
Bonaparte’s Gulls, non-breeding plumage
By: Pat Coate
Another quick stop I made while up in the Buffalo area was Beaver Island State Park. The park sits on the southern edge of Grand Island, which is an island in the Niagara River. The park offers a number of habitats including wetlands, lagoon/pond, wooded, and beach areas. At the southern-most end of the park, there were mudflat and shallow areas on the river where hundreds of Bonaparte’s gulls had gathered.
american kestrel
Up to 39 species already. Had an American Kestrel on the telephone line yesterday (CHECK). Also, had 3 bluebirds out in the yard yesterday. Good times!
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Red-tailed Hawk with Squirrel
By: Pat Coate
With a few hours to kill while my daughter had an appointment up in Buffalo, I decided to make quick visits to a couple birding spots along the Niagara River. One stop was Goat Island, which is on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls. Just as I drove into the parking lot a red-tailed hawk carrying some prey flew over me then disappeared into the nearby woods. I thought the odds of seeing it again were low, so I headed down to see the falls and to walk along the pedestrian bridge to see what gulls were around. As I was returning I happened upon the hawk in a tree right along the road. My first thought was “how lucky”, followed immediately by “I’m glad I’m not a squirrel.”
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 