Date: 6/8/25 8:17 am From: gregg_recer via groups.io <gregg_recer...> Subject: [hmbirds] field trip report - Stillwater School Trail & Lock 4
After another deluge of rain washed out the original date, 6 of us birded the Stillwater School Trail and nearby areas a day later (June 8). The School Trail had standing water across it in a few spots, but we were able to make our way down to the far end just at the forest edge. Highlights on the way in included green heron perched high in a snag near the trail, and a pair of orchard orioles bringing food to a nest. A male baltimore oriole was also carrying food and being pursued by a new fledge. As we started back toward the parking we heard a couple of very faint least bittern calls. It eventually got more regular, and we tried for 15 minutes or so to get a visual on the bird, but never could locate it. More cooperative was a virginia rail that came out onto the trail for several minutes unprompted, foraging along the edge of the flooded areas and giving everybody great views.
From the School Trail, we made a quick foray north to Wrights Loop, where there was very extensive flooding in the fields north of the loop, but nothing of particular note was seen there. Returning south, we crossed the Hudson to check out the Lock 4 park. Water was also very high on the Hudson, and the Hoosic was running very strong, with very little open shore edge anywhere. Eventually we had brief looks at 2 spotted sandpipers flying across the Hoosic and then upriver on the Hudson. Good looks at a few northern rough-winged swallows there were another new bird for the morning. Gregg Recer Cathy Graichen
