Date: 7/10/25 12:05 pm From: adir46er via groups.io <rita.reed2819...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] White Ibises Coeymans
None seen when we checked at 1:15p.
Rita and Robert Reed
> On Jul 10, 2025, at 11:20 AM, Richard Guthrie via groups.io <richardpguthrie...> wrote:
>
> Coeymans Landing Park at 11:15 AM July 10.
>
> Rich Guthrie
>
>
>
>
>
The Golden Wing Warblers at Tim’s Trail in West Haven did not disappoint us this morning. Heard what may have been two pair, and had another pair ( male and female) come check us out less than 10 feet away ( I assume the nest was near). No fledges or juvies observed.
Date: 7/8/25 2:50 pm From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Thursday July 8
Hey Thursday Birders:
There is no group trip planned for this week. However, a group of us are heading up to Moose Bog and Silvio Conti NWR in northeast Vermont to look for Canada Jay, Spruce Grouse, Black Backed Woodpecker, and other Boreal specialties.
We are headed up there tomorrow morning and will be stopping to bird at Tim’s Trail on the poultney River near Whitehall. The Nature Conservancy website says this property has the largest breeding population of Golden-Winged Warblers in New England. we hope to see some. Canada and Mourning Warblers in residence also.
Anyone who cares to join us tomorrow is welcome. meet at 9 am at the Galick Road parking area in West Haven,VT.
This weekend trip on the northern coast of Massachusetts will feature migrant shorebirds, waterfowl and an opportunity for some common pelagic birds. We plan to spend time at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (aka Plum Island) looking for many migrant shorebirds that pass through there each year. The list of potential species is long, but highlights could include species such as Hudsonian Godwit, and perhaps some lingering Piping Plovers. Additional shorebirding opportunities exist nearby such as at the Hampton/Seabrook saltmarshes in New Hampshire. We also plan to join one of the regular half-day whale-watching cruises that depart out of Newburyport. In addition to several species of whales seen regularly on these trips, common pelagic species such as Greater and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson's Storm-petrel, Northern Gannets, phalaropes, and the occasional jaeger are possible.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Contact Gregg Recer by July 27 to reserve a spot and for hotel reservation information.
Date: 6/27/25 10:44 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Puffins!!!
For anyone needing Atlantic Puffin, or just love to see em, the breeding colony at the Petite Manan lighthouse in Frenchman’s Bay, accessible from Bar Harbor, is growing every year. We had a glorious 75 degree and mostly sunny morning on Tuesday for our trip out to the island. We had at least 250 Atlantic Puffin in the water around our boat and along the rocky shore with many close encounters and flybys at less than 30 yards.
In addition to the Puffins, Black Guillemots were abundant, many Razorbill, and a pair of Common Murre were also seen.
There is also a large Mixed Colony of Common and Arctic Tern on the island that also put on a show with numerous flybys of both species at close range. Sadly, none of the Storm Petrals known to be nesting on the island showed themselves.
Date: 6/22/25 3:31 am From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] Grasslands 6/22 Sunday CANCELLED
Trip Canceled Due to Weather
Unfortunately, due to the timing and severity of widespread thunderstorms this morning—particularly in the Glens Falls area—we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel today’s trip out of an abundance of caution. The forecast calls for heavy thunderstorms in the area through at least 8 AM, and lingering storms, heavy rain, and wet field conditions pose safety concerns, especially in open areas.
We understand this is a last-minute change, but it’s likely the right call given the circumstances. We’ll look to reschedule for another time.
Date: 6/19/25 10:37 pm From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] 6/19 Thursday Birding Grasslands
Six birders set out into the vast meadows of Alfred Z. Solomon Grasslands on what felt like the muggiest morning of the year. Rolling fields and distant hills lay under a heavy gray sky. As we walked, the clouds slowly broke, sunlight warmed the trail, and a thick breeze carried the sounds of summer birdsong. The trail was mostly dry with just a few damp spots, and we paused at boardwalks, benches, and one shady tree along the way.
Early on, a vocal Northern Mockingbird amused us with a series of mimic calls, including a convincing Indigo Bunting. On a nearby power line, a Common Yellowthroat sang alongside several American Goldfinches. A short while later, on a different stretch of power line farther out across the meadow, we spotted an American Kestrel perched above a nest box. A striking scene against the parting clouds. Tree Swallows and flycatchers were near-constant companions. We observed both Willow and Alder Flycatchers, confirmed by vocalizations when possible, and a potential Least Flycatcher as well. A standout moment was a Willow Flycatcher delivering its signature call from a perch.
Other highlights included a fidgety Swamp Sparrow, a distant Bobolink on the horizon, a ghostlike Northern Harrier, circling Turkey Vultures, and Great Blue Herons soaring overhead. A Yellow Warbler made a brief appearance toward the end, though warbler activity overall was low. A peaceful, rewarding morning to close out Thursday birding before a short summer break. A beautiful walk, great company, and solid sightings to send us off.
Date: 6/19/25 7:30 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Upcoming field trip: Note change of date! Sunday 6/22
David Massa has stepped up to lead the walk on SUNDAY 6/22. Same meeting place, same time. Hope you all find great birds!
Naomi
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 09:08:35 PM EDT, naomi lloyd <naomi_kestrel...> wrote:
This is the last of our spring field trips. Watch the calendar for possible summer walks!
A leader is needed for this trip. I have a potential leader for Sunday if no one volunteers to lead it Saturday.
In addition, I'm hoping someone more local would be able to take over this trip in the future. It's a bit out of my area and it would be nice to have more local experience. It's a breeding birds-focused trip, so the date can be more flexible if desired. Think it over!
Alfred Z Solomon Grasslands Trail
When
21 Jun 2025
8:00 AM
Location
Alfred Z Solomon Grasslands Trail
Coordinator:
Grassland Bird Trust’s Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area on the New York State Birding Trail, a premier destination for viewing wintering hawks and owls, is now open to the public! The newly-created trail has boardwalks allowing access to new areas to allow closer observation of breeding birds in this mixed open habitat. We will be looking to add species of breeding birds to the GBT’s data, including American Kestrel, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, and Savannah Sparrow as well as resident flycatchers and warblers. Upland Sandpipers have been recorded breeding here some years. The new trail wanders down from the viewing platform across the fields to wetland and stream areas.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area parking lot on County Rd 42, Fort Edward.
Date: 6/18/25 9:53 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Thursday June 19
Hey Thursday Birders (et.al.);
For Thursday June 19th (tomorrow), let’s scout the Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Trail in Fort Edward . Weather will be warm and cloudy. Maybe thunderstorms in afternoon.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area parking lot on County Rd 42, Fort Edward.
Date: 6/18/25 5:57 am From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Grand Tour
12 hours! That must have been really fun - thanks for sharing.
> On Jun 16, 2025, at 3:58 PM, Eve Waterman via groups.io <eve.m.waterman...> wrote:
>
> Sounds like a perfect day!!
>
>
>> On Jun 16, 2025, at 8:41 AM, KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Great day birding with my brother yesterday (visiting from Florida) 9J a grand tour of the Region searching for his “hitlist” of some of our summer residents. Starting at 6am in my neighborhood in Nassau, we went to Wrights Loop, the Saratoga Battlefield, Pitney Meadows, Lake Desolation, Asher Valley, Sacandaga, Caroga Lake, Fort Plains, West Ames Horse Farm, and back to Nassau Lake and home at 6:30 pm. Twelve hours, 180 car miles, 7 foot miles, and 72 Species for the day.
>>
>> The Clay Colored Sparrow at the battlefield, Grasshopper Sparrows (6-8 of them) at Pitney Meadow, Canada Warbler and Blackburnian near Asher Valley, and Mourning Warbler at Caroga Lake (bog on outlet road) were his main target list birds.
>>
>> Sadly, no Uppies were found at the horse farm or surrounding area (we spent several hours scouring the area).
>
>
Date: 6/17/25 6:08 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] Upcoming field trip: 6/21 and leader needed
This is the last of our spring field trips. Watch the calendar for possible summer walks!
A leader is needed for this trip. I have a potential leader for Sunday if no one volunteers to lead it Saturday.
In addition, I'm hoping someone more local would be able to take over this trip in the future. It's a bit out of my area and it would be nice to have more local experience. It's a breeding birds-focused trip, so the date can be more flexible if desired. Think it over!
Alfred Z Solomon Grasslands Trail
When
21 Jun 2025
8:00 AM
Location
Alfred Z Solomon Grasslands Trail
Coordinator:
Grassland Bird Trust’s Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area on the New York State Birding Trail, a premier destination for viewing wintering hawks and owls, is now open to the public! The newly-created trail has boardwalks allowing access to new areas to allow closer observation of breeding birds in this mixed open habitat. We will be looking to add species of breeding birds to the GBT’s data, including American Kestrel, Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Eastern Bluebird, and Savannah Sparrow as well as resident flycatchers and warblers. Upland Sandpipers have been recorded breeding here some years. The new trail wanders down from the viewing platform across the fields to wetland and stream areas.
Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Alfred Z Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area parking lot on County Rd 42, Fort Edward.
Date: 6/16/25 5:41 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Grand Tour
Great day birding with my brother yesterday (visiting from Florida) 9J a grand tour of the Region searching for his “hitlist” of some of our summer residents. Starting at 6am in my neighborhood in Nassau, we went to Wrights Loop, the Saratoga Battlefield, Pitney Meadows, Lake Desolation, Asher Valley, Sacandaga, Caroga Lake, Fort Plains, West Ames Horse Farm, and back to Nassau Lake and home at 6:30 pm. Twelve hours, 180 car miles, 7 foot miles, and 72 Species for the day.
The Clay Colored Sparrow at the battlefield, Grasshopper Sparrows (6-8 of them) at Pitney Meadow, Canada Warbler and Blackburnian near Asher Valley, and Mourning Warbler at Caroga Lake (bog on outlet road) were his main target list birds.
Sadly, no Uppies were found at the horse farm or surrounding area (we spent several hours scouring the area).
Date: 6/14/25 8:16 am From: Kate Schnurr via groups.io <thekatwho...> Subject: [hmbirds] Costa Rica
A few of us our planning a bird tour of Costa Rica next February starting on the 14th. This is not a club trip but a privately organized trip. We are looking for others who may be interested in joining our small group. If you are interested contact me at <thekatwho...> or 518-253-6158. Attached is the locations we will be visiting.
Join us this September for a weekend of celebrating the birds and birders
of New York State! The 2025 *New York State Ornithological Association*
<https://nybirds.org/> Conference, hosted by the *Cayuga Bird Club*
<http://www.cayugabirdclub.org/>, will be held *September 19-21, 2025* in
Ithaca, NY. The conference dates coincide with Fall migration, and field
trips will be offered to a variety of area birding hot spots, including
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. There will be a variety of social and
educational activities, including tours at the Cornell Lab Visitor Center,
vendors, a silent auction, NY Breeding Bird Atlas celebration, a paper
session with short talks, and a Bird ID challenge presented by members of
the NYS Young Birders Club.
Friday’s Welcome Reception will be followed by a presentation by Dr.
Adriaan Dokter on *BirdCast -- A Large-scale Perspective on Bird Migration*
.
Saturday evening’s banquet will feature keynote speaker Peter Kaestner, who
will present a pictorial journey through his lifetime of birding to become
the first person to see 10,000 bird species around the world, *In Search of
the Orange-tufted Spiderhunter*.
The conference is open to the public and attendance is encouraged for
anyone with an interest in New York State birds, birding, and conservation.
Early Bird Registration before June 30th is $70. The conference
registration fee will go up to $85 July 1 – August 31. Young birders 21 and
under may register for $5, thanks to youth sponsorship provided by Visit
Ithaca <https://www.visitithaca.com/>.
For more information and a complete conference schedule, please visit
*www.nysoa2025.org* <https://www.nysoa2025.org/>.
Date: 6/12/25 8:07 pm From: David M via groups.io <davidpmassa...> Subject: [hmbirds] Thursday Birding 6/12 Pitney Meadows
Five birders set out on a warm, sunny Thursday morning with a steady breeze that kept things comfortable and surprisingly bug free - perfect conditions for early June.
Our main target for the morning was the Grasshopper Sparrow, and to our surprise, we didn’t have to wait long. Just a few minutes in, near the parking area and along the fence line heading into the trail, we heard its signature buzzy call coming from the field just beyond the fence. With a little back and forth between ears, eyes, and the Merlin app, we were able to lock in on one bird that matched both visually and audibly. It stayed low in the grass but popped up enough for everyone to get a look, and those with longer lenses were able to grab some decent shots from a distance. It wasn’t super close - maybe 20 to 30 yards out - but it was enough to feel confident in the sighting. Definitely the highlight of the day, and we were lucky to get it right at the start.
We were also joined by a new member, who recently signed up and fit right in - great energy, sharp ears, and helpful gear that definitely added to the experience. Always nice to have someone new on board who’s clearly passionate and knowledgeable.
The rest of the walk was mellow and easy - a big open field loop with wide views and lots of good bird activity. Overhead we had a trio of soaring Red-Tailed Hawks. Down in the brush and along the edges we spotted a nice mix of sparrows: Savannah Sparrows (including some great views of them riding the tall grass), Chipping Sparrows, and Song Sparrows. Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows zipped around throughout. There were plenty of American Goldfinches, some Cedar Waxwings, and an Eastern Kingbird that showed up briefly. We also had consistent audio from at least one Indigo Bunting, though it stayed out of sight the whole time. At one point near the beginning of the walk, we picked up a Bobolink calling with that classic, electronic sounding song.
Other notables included Red-Bellied Woodpecker and the usual crowd of Red-Winged Blackbirds, which were everywhere. All told, we tallied around 30 species, give or take a few we might’ve missed or misheard. After getting such a good look at the Grasshopper Sparrow right out of the gate, the rest of the walk like a bonus - and a beautiful one at that. The birds, the breeze, and the company made it a genuinely enjoyable morning from start to finish.
Date: 6/11/25 5:13 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Thursday June 12
Hey Folls;
Kate Schnurr will be leading the Thursday field trip this week. Destination is Pitney Meadows Community farm at 223 West Ave, Saratoga. Meet at 8 am at the main public parking area ot the site.
