Date: 5/1/26 12:33 pm From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: [hmbirds] today's HMBC field trip - Five Rivers
Five birders spent about 2 hours exploring several of the variety of habitats at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar, Albany County on this pleasant sunny morning.as we welcome the month of May. As a beginning birder trip, we focused on common and (for the most part) more easily seen and heard species, identification, and behaviors as we tallied about 30 species. Highlights included good views of both male and female Red-winged Blackbirds, flyover/flyby Great Blue and Green Herons, Red-tailed Hawks, and Turkey Vultures. Several recent arrivals were heard-only, such as Gray Catbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Eastern Warbling Vireo, while Northern Yellow Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler offered reasonably decent looks. Chipping sparrows abounded at the site of the recent removal of Building 6 as they foraged for seeds. The Canada Goose nest on an island in Wood Duck Marsh was still occupied, but at least three tiny young were reportedly underneath the parent, who might have still been sitting on additional eggs. Perched Northern Rough-winged Swallows offered good comparison to the more abundant Tree Swallows. As we wrapped up the trip near the visitor center, we enjoyed good views of a pair of Eastern Bluebirds. A mixed group of blackbirds on the lawn provided first look at Cowbirds for the morning, with an opportunity to discuss their breeding strategy. Thank you to all who participated! Scott Stoner, Coordinator.
