Date: 1/11/26 3:19 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] Upcoming Grasslands field trip and Deadline for Cape Ann
The weather looks promising for this weekend. I'm scheduling the Grasslands evening trip for Saturday 1/17, weather permitting. Please respond by Friday 1/16 if you want to attend - trips is limited to 16 participants. Details below:
With almost 500 acres of protected fields and meadows, the Washington County Grasslands WMA is a winter treasure. We will meet in the early afternoon and search for Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Rough-legged Hawks and other diurnal species. Snowy Owl is always a possibility in an irruption year. As the afternoon wears on, we can hope to see the changeover from day to night shift, as Short-eared Owls displace Northern Harriers from their hunting grounds. The exact date of this trip will depend upon weather conditions, snow depth, etc.
Because we will be birding from the road, it will be necessary to share vehicles and to limit the number of participants to 16. A maximum of five vehicles would be best. Contact the coordinator for reservations and other information. If there is interest the trip will be repeated in February.
Date: 1/10/26 1:26 pm From: zach schwartz-weinstein via groups.io <zachsw...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Taiga Bean-Goose, Rensselaer County
Sorry, I neglected to credit Jim de Waal Malefyt for finding this bird in
my initial email.
Zach Schwartz-Weinstein
203 500 7774
On Sat, Jan 10, 2026 at 4:25 PM zach schwartz-weinstein <zachsw...>
wrote:
> An apparent Taiga Bean-Goose was photographed today at Swartz Farm in
> South Schodack. It looks very similar to the bird that spent much of early
> 2025 between Saratoga and Washington counties (and which itself had a short
> sojourn into Northern Rensselaer county.) most recently seen at
>
> https://maps.app.goo.gl/nRpW9P23UkWrQj4T6?g_st=ipc >
>
> Zach Schwartz-Weinstein
> 203 500 7774
>
Date: 1/10/26 1:26 pm From: zach schwartz-weinstein via groups.io <zachsw...> Subject: [hmbirds] Taiga Bean-Goose, Rensselaer County
An apparent Taiga Bean-Goose was photographed today at Swartz Farm in South Schodack. It looks very similar to the bird that spent much of early 2025 between Saratoga and Washington counties (and which itself had a short sojourn into Northern Rensselaer county.) most recently seen at
The 15th annual Ulster/Dutchess (NYUD) ChristmasBird Count was conducted on Saturday, December 27th just as asubstantial snow storm that started in the late afternoon Friday wound down.   Thisweather event was characterized by varying bands of intensity and as a resultdropped between 8 and 12 inches of powdery snow within the circle. So much snow that it necessitated the use ofsnow shoes in two sectors! Pre-dawn owling was definitely abbreviated by manyfield parties and aborted all together by others. Road conditions were addressed promptly andreally served no impediment during the day but all that early morning plowing didmake roadside parking a challenge and access to some areas difficult ordelayed. The diurnal portion of the survey saw overcast skies and rawconditions not exceeding 26 degrees. Even though some diurnal efforts wereshortened, coverage of the NYUD circle was nonetheless thorough and muchappreciated. There was approximately 85 percentice coverage on a still and quite Hudson River.  Smaller standing bodies of water were iced overcompletely with river tributaries nearly frozen as well.
Â
45 birders in 19 field parties along with five feederwatchers contributed in the ten sectors of the NYUD circle that includes partsof the Towns of Hurley, Woodstock, Ulster, Kingston, Saugerties, Esopus, andthe City of Kingston in Ulster County, parts of the Towns of Rhinebeck and RedHook in Dutchess County, parts of the Towns of Clermont and Germantown inColumbia County, and the tiniest slice of Greene County near Cementon.
Â
This year 14,912individuals representing 80 specieswere identified on count day with one additional species (Common Loon) for thecount week (12/24/25-12/30/25) and a near miss of a Sandhill Crane on the 31st.  The NYUD has averaged 84 species/ 18,759 individualswith highs of 95 species/ 32,277 individuals and lows of 75 species/12,143individuals. No new species were addedto the composite NYUD list which now stands at 134 species.Â
Â
Sector C had a productive day in the field with just thesecond NYUD record of Northern Shrike,a flock of 150 Snow Geese (setting acount record), and a Peregrine Falcon(helping to set a count record along with Sector G’s sighting).  AmericanWoodcock in Sector I was just the second record in the count for thisspecies. Rough-legged Hawk in SectorJ was a good addition for the dayand served as just the fifth record of this species on the count. Sector E discovered a Catbird, Sectors D and G observed Rusty Blackbirds and G also had the circle’s only Great Blue Heron.  Purple Finches observed inSectors B and J were the only winter finch representatives and a disappointmentafter the hopeful autumn forecast.
Â
High counts were set for 5 species; Common Merganser, Cooper’sHawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Common Raven, and Dark-eyed Junco. With exceptional showings from CommonMerganser (396) and Dark-eyed Junco (2478), both species doubling their averagenumbers,
Â
A lone Herring Gull in Sector I was the only species that experienceda low historical count.
Winter vagrant wanderers like Snowy Owls, rarer winterfinches and gulls went undetected this year.
Many thanks to all who birded, brought food and drink to thecompilation, and helped clean up too!
Once again a big thanks to our Dean of Ulster CBC’s SteveChorvas who, once again held my hand and tidied up the data to something even Icould understand.
I wish you all a healthy and bird-filled New Year.
Mark DeDea
Co- Compiler Ulster/Dutchess (NYUD) Christmas Bird Count
Save the date:Â NYUD CBC 2026, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26TH
Sector A (West Saugerties) (1)Robert Miller, George Moxham, Mary Moxham, Wes Finger (fw) (2) Erica Obey, GeorgeBaird
 Sector B (Saugerties) (1) SteveChorvas, Alan Beebe (fw), Doreen Beebe (fw), (2) Nick Martin, Charlie Baran,Mark Baran, Todd Martin (fw) Â
 Sector C (Cheviot) Marian Sole,George Steele
 Sector D (Kerleys Corners)Peter Schoenberger, Susan Fox Rogers, Ryan MacLean, Zade Pacetti, Chip Blake
 Sector E (Woodstock) (1) DixonOnderdonk, Loren Quinby, Diane Nowicki (2) Debbie Carney, Paul Carney  (3) Dave Hayes
 Sector F (Lake Katrine) (1) AllanBowdery, Lynn Bowdery, Charlotte Adamis, (2) Jeff Schlabach, Duncan Woolston,Keith Woolston, Timothy Woolston (3)  Ben Osborn, Scarlett D’Arcy
 Sector G (Annandale-On-Hudson)(1) Jessica Cukrovany, Michael Cukrovany, Matthew Rymkiewicz, Tim Whitney,Valerie Whitney
 Sector H (Red Hook) (1) AdriennePopko (2) Jim Closs, Roberta Dapson, Susan Gulnack (fw)
 Sector I (Kingston) (1) MarkDeDea, (2) Roddy Greaves,Travis Greaves
 Sector J (Rhinebeck) (1) DebWeltsch, Evelyn Leigh (2) Madeleine George Â
Date: 1/8/26 7:03 am From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Iceland
It’s been putting on quite the show over there. I believe this is it.

> On Jan 6, 2026, at 4:50 PM, Jeffrey Schoonmaker via groups.io <j.schoonmaker...> wrote:
>
> Happy New Year to all!
>
> Doris and I just saw a 1st year Iceland Gull standing on the top of the low building ledge nearest the cliff and closest to the lookout railing at Cohoes Falls. While remembering to bring my spotting scope, I totally forgot to bring my zoom camera. Aaaugh! I could have gotten a world-class, frame-filling, tack-sharp photo of its beautiful light tan markings throughout! Still, the close-up scope views were thrilling!
>
> Jeff Schoonmaker
>
Date: 1/7/26 11:01 am From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] This week's destination: 1/7
Hey Thursday birders! Looks like all the local action is Gulls Along the Mohawk, so let's meet at the Tibbets Ave lot and circle around towards Crescent bridge and back. Remember winter hours are in effect and we meet at 9:00! Temps should be above freezing by then but be cautious of road conditions.
Doris and I just saw a 1st year Iceland Gull standing on the top of the low building ledge nearest the cliff and closest to the lookout railing at Cohoes Falls. While remembering to bring my spotting scope, I totally forgot to bring my zoom camera. Aaaugh! I could have gotten a world-class, frame-filling, tack-sharp photo of its beautiful light tan markings throughout! Still, the close-up scope views were thrilling!
Date: 1/4/26 2:59 pm From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: [hmbirds] Reminder- HMBC Zoom Program on Magee Marsh tomorrow (Monday) evening
Zoom only! Hope you can join us!Details and Zoom link below! -------- Original message --------From: Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club <admin...> Date: 12/31/25 17:00 (GMT-05:00) To: Scott Stoner <scottjstoner...> Subject: HMBC -- Zoom Program Invite Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club HMBC January Program Notice Monday, January 5th 2026, 6:30PM, Remotely via Zoom only Hello HMBC Members: On Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 6:30PM EST, the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's January Program meeting will be held remotely via a Zoom meeting. Use the link below to join the Zoom meeting. NOTE: The first time you use Zoom on a device, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app when you click on the meeting link below. Follow the prompts to download the app and then launch the meeting using the meeting ID from the invite. (The app is recommended, but if you prefer, there is also an option when you open the link below to join the meeting via a web browser window, but with limited capabilities.) Audio connections can be through the app on your device or through a separate dial-in phone number given below. The program topic is:   Birding Magee Marsh and Beyond Speaker:  Rob Ripma Join Rob Ripma for an in-depth look at one of North America’s premier birding experiences: migration in Northwest Ohio. From the world-famous Magee Marsh to hidden local gems, Rob shares what makes this region so remarkable during peak migration and what you can expect when birding here. Experience the excitement, diversity, and beauty of spring along Lake Erie through Rob’s expert perspective. Full details: https://www.hmbc.net/event-6421396 Topic: HMBC January Program meeting Time: Jan 5, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89087648274 Meeting ID: 890 8764 8274 --- One tap mobile +16465588656,,89087648274# US (New York) +16469313860,,89087648274# US Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89087648274/invitations?signature=oe28ob7eeAI0YMrRrTZuaXNGSZUGN6F-ZO0FosJ7CjE Scott Stoner, Program Chair Gregg Recer, Membership Chair UnsubscribeSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Date: 12/31/25 2:33 pm From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: [hmbirds] HMBC -- Zoom Program Invite - Monday January 5, on Magee Marsh!
Happy New Year everyone, and good birding in 2026! Monday's program is ZOOM ONLY. Details below! Hope you can join in!Scott Stoner. Program Chair, Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club -------- Original message --------From: Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club <admin...> Date: 12/31/25 17:00 (GMT-05:00) To: Scott Stoner <scottjstoner...> Subject: HMBC -- Zoom Program Invite Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club HMBC January Program Notice Monday, January 5th 2026, 6:30PM, Remotely via Zoom only Hello HMBC Members: On Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 6:30PM EST, the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's January Program meeting will be held remotely via a Zoom meeting. Use the link below to join the Zoom meeting. NOTE: The first time you use Zoom on a device, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app when you click on the meeting link below. Follow the prompts to download the app and then launch the meeting using the meeting ID from the invite. (The app is recommended, but if you prefer, there is also an option when you open the link below to join the meeting via a web browser window, but with limited capabilities.) Audio connections can be through the app on your device or through a separate dial-in phone number given below. The program topic is:   Birding Magee Marsh and Beyond Speaker:  Rob Ripma Join Rob Ripma for an in-depth look at one of North America’s premier birding experiences: migration in Northwest Ohio. From the world-famous Magee Marsh to hidden local gems, Rob shares what makes this region so remarkable during peak migration and what you can expect when birding here. Experience the excitement, diversity, and beauty of spring along Lake Erie through Rob’s expert perspective. Full details: https://www.hmbc.net/event-6421396 Topic: HMBC January Program meeting Time: Jan 5, 2026 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89087648274 Meeting ID: 890 8764 8274 --- One tap mobile +16465588656,,89087648274# US (New York) +16469313860,,89087648274# US Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/89087648274/invitations?signature=oe28ob7eeAI0YMrRrTZuaXNGSZUGN6F-ZO0FosJ7CjE Scott Stoner, Program Chair Gregg Recer, Membership Chair Unsubscribe
Date: 12/31/25 12:15 pm From: Cynthia Edwardson via groups.io <Cjredwardson...> Subject: [hmbirds] New Year's Day Birding at Five Rivers tomorrow
Happy New Year. Hope to see you tomorrow morning at 8:45 am at Five Rivers Environmental Center in Delmar. Dress for the cold weather. If you want to share any of your leftover holiday cookies, I'm sure they will be appreciated.
Date: 12/30/25 8:23 am From: Alan French via groups.io <adfrench...> Subject: [hmbirds] Evening Grosbeak (Glenville)
A check of numerous usual suspects under the feeders revealed a single,
female Evening Grosbeak. Alas, I spotted her just as everyone departed.
They will be back, hopefully Evening Grosbeak included, perhaps with
friends, and the feeders and under-feeder area are well stocked.
Date: 12/26/25 8:19 am From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] Troy Market Outreach Rescheduled
Hi everyone,
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the holiday season. Just a quick update that our outreach booth scheduled for tomorrow at the Troy Farmers Market will be rescheduled to a later date. More details to come, most likely for late January if possible. Thanks everyone, and enjoy the rest of the holiday week.
David
Date: 12/24/25 11:27 am From: Cynthia Edwardson via groups.io <Cjredwardson...> Subject: [hmbirds] New Year's Day Bird Count At Five Rivers EEC
Happy Holidays everyone. Just a reminder that everyone is welcome to come
to Five Rivers on New Year's Day to participate in our 43rd annual bird
count. No need to preregister. Hope to see you there.
Cindy Edwardson
*Thursday, January 1, NEW YEAR’S DAY BIRD COUNT AT FIVE RIVERS EEC (Albany
County; morning)*
*Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, located on Game Farm Rd. in
Delmar NY, is a large area of fields and forest and is one of the premier
birding locations in the Capital District. This year marks the 43rd Annual
New Year’s Day Bird Count at Five Rivers. The goal of the count is to
identify all the bird species present on January 1st. This also marks the
start of Five Rivers’ annual bird list. HMBC joins the event again this
year and encourages members to participate. Groups will go out at 9:00
a.m., but birders are welcome to come earlier to get a head start. Everyone
will meet up at the Visitor Center at 11:00 a.m. for a compilation of
species observed. *
*Call ahead to Five Rivers in case of inclement weather.*
Date: 12/23/25 6:06 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Sad duty
Hey folks,
I was informed yesterday that another of our lifetime club members passed away Sunday night. Â Carl George, Â Professor Emeritus, Union College Department of Biology passed away at the age of 95.
Carl was a club member for 70+ years, Past President, Board member, and fierce champion of the Reist Preserve.
Date: 12/22/25 11:34 am From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: [hmbirds] Glaucous and Iceland Gulls at Cohoes Falls today
Midday today we had an Iceland Gull flying over the Mohawk River below Cohoes Falls, from the end of School St. A Glaucous Gull was standing on the ice in the ponded area just west of school street (at North Mohawk Street). About 15 Bald Eagles were visible as well, above and below the falls. Scott Stoner, HMBC Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Date: 12/22/25 7:50 am From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] Holiday Outreach / Troy Market 12/27
Hi everyone,
Season’s greetings! I hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday season and enjoying some good winter birding out there.
Just a quick Monday morning reminder that the Bird Club signed up to attend the Troy Farmers Market this coming Saturday, which is indoors and runs roughly from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. These winter markets have been going really well, and we’ll have some great materials on hand — new business cards, new stickers, common backyard bird posters, and a few other nice things to share and talk about with folks.
Here’s the one catch: we could really use 2–3 people to step up for a couple of hours to help staff the booth and chat with the public. No experience is needed at all — truly. You can be a total beginner. It’s really just about sharing your enjoyment of birding and what being part of the Bird Club has meant to you.
I’ve been able to cover all of our Sunday Schenectady outreach events, which fits my schedule, but unfortunately I’m not able to make this Saturday’s market due to work. I was hoping this date might be workable for some folks since it falls a few days after Christmas — especially for anyone who’s in town and looking for something low-key and fun to do that weekend.
If you might be able to help out at all on Saturday (the 27th), please email me back and let me know what kind of availability you have. I’ll compile a list and keep tabs on coverage. As usual, it would be really helpful to hear back by Wednesday so we have a clearer picture heading into the weekend.
The outreach booths have been going great overall — we’re seeing new members as a result, and in almost every conversation people are asking about our website and social media. It’s been a really positive way to get the word out about the club and what we do.
Thanks so much for your consideration, and for being part of the journey. Hope to see you out there soon.
Some good news. HMBC has taken a position supprting horseshoe crab protection dating back at least a couple of decades. Scott Stoner Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Andrew Mason <andymason...> Date: 12/20/25 13:50 (GMT-05:00) To: nysBIRDS-L <nysBIRDS-L...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Gov. Hochul signs legislation to protect NY's horseshoe crabs Good news for NY's shorebirds:
Yesterday--at the deadline--NY Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation to phase out the taking of horseshoe crabs from New York waters for commercial and biomedical purposes over a three-year transition period, with a full prohibition taking effect in 2029.
This species is critical to the well-being of a number of birds, most notably Red Knots, which are in serious decline. Thanks to all who supported the effort to get this bill through the state legislature and to garner the Governor's signature after last year's veto.
Andy Mason, Conservation Chair NY State Ornithological Assoc., Inc. -- Andrew Mason 13 Boylston St. Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 267-8491 <AndyMason...>
Date: 12/20/25 7:02 pm From: Larry Alden via groups.io <overlook...> Subject: [hmbirds] Schenectady CBC Sector D
I don’t usually post the results of my particular sector unless I get something good - and today we got something good, then something even better!
I covered my territory in the area between Voorheesville and Altamont with Cindy and Chris Edwardson.
Outside of Black Creek Marsh WMA, we had a bird fly out of a roadside tangle and off into the adjacent field. It looked about the size of a mockingbird, but instead turned out to be a northern shrike! It was a ways off, but actively flicking its tail and acting shrike-like.
Later in the afternoon we encountered a group of black-capped chickadees and other species in a brushy area beneath some power lines, and in with them was a boreal chickadee!! This species was completely off our radar, but the three of us all saw it very well, without requiring our binoculars, at a distance of about 15 feet. We easily saw the chocolate-brown cap and orange-buff sides. Chris went back to the car to get his camera, but the bird flew away before he got back and we couldn’t relocate it.
I checked the count composite list and see that boreal chickadee is NOT new to the count, so that’s a tiny letdown, but otherwise we were completely stoked over the sighting.
Overall we ended up with a respectable (for this territory) 40 species.
Date: 12/18/25 5:49 pm From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: [hmbirds] Rusty Blackbird - Five Rivers today; belated reports from Sunday as well
About 7:45 AM today, three birders saw a long Rusty Blackbird in a large tree on the lawn area of Five Rivers EEC, Albany County. Photos are included in my ebird report.Â
In a belated report from our sector ("A") of the Albany County CBC on December 14, four birders had 8 Savannah Sparrows along Onesquethaw Creek Road, and a flock of 75 Horned Larks in a plowed area of the field on Winne Rd off State Rt 32 near LaGrange Rd. photos in my ebird report.
Scott Stoner, Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club
