Archive for July 2013
July 18, 2013 | 
Author On July 18, 2013, I found an active Black-backed Woodpecker nest site in Minerva (western Essex Co., NY). The male and female were feeding the young inside the nest hole. This indicates the nest is six to seven weeks later than normal for our area.
I initially found this nest hole on May 4, 2013 when the male Black-backed Woodpecker was excavating the cavity. The hole is in a live, mature Tamarack tree approximately 25 feet off the ground. The male finished excavation of the nest hole, but I never found any subsequent evidence of nesting. I visited the location multiple times and spent several hours at the location on June 10, 2013, when I should have observed active feeding of young, as I was observing at other Black-backed Woodpecker nest sites in the Adirondacks. There was no activity near the nest hole that day, and I found a male Black-backed Woodpecker a good distance away. At the time, I wondered if something had happened to the female Black-backed Woodpecker. On other visits in May and early June, I observed the male Black-backed Woodpecker in the general area, but saw no sign of a female or any activity near the nest hole.
As I was hiking the trail in Minerva on July 18, 2013 around noon, a female Black-backed Woodpecker began to call non-stop and the male gave a rattle-call. As I observed the female calling, I also heard the chirring sound of Black-backed Woodpecker young coming from a nest hole. I was surprised to find that the nest hole was indeed used (after all that work on the part of the male in early May!). I made a huge circle around the nesting area so I would not be anywhere near the nest hole. I sat on the mossy ground and just observed the hole from a distance. The female continued to call for a few minutes, but never took the defensive position in the nest cavity. She flew off to forage after a couple minutes. As she came back with food, the male flew in and gave one rattle call as he went into the nest hole with food. After he left, she flew in to feed the young. Black-backed Woodpeckers feed the young inside the nest cavity during their first two weeks of life before the young are old enough to be fed at the hole. The young are typically 24 days old when they fledge. It is likely that the young at this nest will not fledge until the beginning of August! I typically see Black-backed Woodpeckers fledge just after the 3rd week of June. I have already observed family groups of Black-backed Woodpeckers moving around in other locations.
The Birds of North America account for Black-backed Woodpecker states that, “If eggs pilfered, female will lay a second set, often in same nest (Bent 1939).” This may indeed be the case for this nest site, but I never saw evidence of nesting after the male finished the excavation. I will never know exactly what happened earlier in the season. It was certainly quite a surprise to find such a late Black-backed Woodpecker nest today! I will continue to observe them over the next couple weeks.
- Male Black-backed Woodpecker excavating a nest hole in a live, mature Tamarack tree about 25 feet off the ground on May 4, 2013.
- Finished Black-backed Woodpecker nest cavity taken on June 10, 2013.
This blog post provides a list of species found for all Dawn Tours up Whiteface Mountain during June 2013. I have also included photos for some of the trips. All of the trips were full-day outings and included birding in low elevation boreal bogs and forests also.
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On a weekend tour with two birders from NYC, we spent June 1st in both high and low elevation boreal habitat in the Adirondacks, and June 2nd in the St. Lawrence Valley. We found 72 species on 6/1, and 80 species on 6/2 with a total of 115 different species for the weekend, including 20 warbler species, 11 sparrow species, and 8 flycatcher species. List below:
Saturday, June 1, 2013:
Wild Turkey
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
American Kestrel
Wilson’s Snipe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – at their nests!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bicknell’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Sunday, June 2. 2013:
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Wild Turkey
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Wilson’s Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Black Tern
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Alder Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Veery
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Blue-winged Warbler – song
Golden-winged Warbler – song
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow’s Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
We also saw a Mink (at Perch River WMA), a Snowshoe Hare, several Snapping Turtles, and many butterflies & moths, including the Arctic Jutta!
Dawn on June 1st up on Whiteface Mountain’s summit.
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On a June 5th tour with a couple from Long Island, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 62 species, including 17 warbler species:
Mallard
Common Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – both the male and female at their nest location
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2 juveniles and 1 adult eating raisins in our hands!
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – on Whiteface Mountain during our descent at about 3500’
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush (15 to 20) with a few, brief visuals
Swainson’s Thrush (~10)
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
A friendly juvenile Gray Jay eating raisins from a hand!
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On a tour with a young birder and his mother from NYC on June 13th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 71 species, including 17 warbler species:
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Common Loon – several
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – at least 4 adults, and young in a nest hole
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – at least 10! (2 family groups of at least 5 each)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – nest colony!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – including a scope view of a singing bird on an open perch!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
We also found a Porcupine, Snowshoe Hare, Painted Turtle, Deer, and Beaver crying.
Lovely sunrise viewed from Whiteface Mountain’s summit
Bicknell’s Thrush on Whiteface Mountain taken on June 13th
Male Black-backed Woodpecker feeding young on June 13th
Female Black-backed Woodpecker at her nest hole on June 13th
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On a tour with four people from Central NY on June 14th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 63 species:
Common Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
American Woodcock
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove – in the bog!
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 adults feeding young at a nest hole!
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – nesting colony
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bicknell’s Thrush – including views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler – nice views of a singing bird on a wire!
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – nice views!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Blackburnian Warbler on June 14th
A female Black-backed Woodpecker feeding young at her nest hole on June 14th
A baby Black-backed Woodpecker bill sticking out of the nest hole on June 14th
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On a tour with three people from Maryland on June 15th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 50 species:
Broad-winged Hawk – carrying a snake!
Barred Owl – calling near the toll gate
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 adults feeding young at a nest hole
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 1
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – nest colony – adorable!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – near the summit on Whiteface
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – lovely views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler – nice views!
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red Crossbill
American Goldfinch
We also saw a Snowshoe Hare on Whiteface and a probable Red-bellied Snake at the bog!
Female Black-backed Woodpecker in a defensive position on June 15th
Female Black-backed Woodpecker feeding young on June 15th
Female Black-backed Woodpecker feeding young on June 15th
Cliff Swallows in their mud nest!
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On a tour with two people, one from Georgia, and one from Pennsylvania, on June 18th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 61 species:
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 3 adults (one pair) and many young at two nest holes!
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2 adults
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – nest colony
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – wonderful view of a singing bird!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler – nice views!
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Bobolink
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
We also found a Porcupine and several Snowshoe Hare on Whiteface! It was a lovely sunrise with the rivers of fog below!
Bicknell’s Thrush on Whiteface Mountain taken on June 18th
Bicknell’s Thrush on Whiteface Mountain taken on June 18th
Bicknell’s Thrush on Whiteface Mountain taken on June 18th
Male Black-backed Woodpecker at its nest hole on June 18th
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On a tour with a person from New Jersey on June 21st, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 64 species:
Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 5 adults, many babies (2 nest sites)
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – adorable colony!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2 heard
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bicknell’s Thrush – with a visual!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
We also found a Porcupine on Whiteface Mountain and a Smooth Green Snake in Bloomingdale Bog!
Mourning Warbler on a wire taken on June 21st
Baby Black-backed Woodpecker head sticking out of its nest hole on June 21st
Lincoln’s Sparrow carrying food for young on June 21st
Smooth Green Snake taken on June 21st
Cliff Swallow babies in their mud nest!
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On a tour with two people, one from Florida, and one from NYC, on June 23rd, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 69 species:
Common Loon
Osprey
Northern Harrier – lovely male!
Broad-winged Hawk
Merlin
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – one was way up on Whiteface Mountain!
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 adults (sadly, a Red Squirrel was actively predating their nest site when we arrived) and we heard the loud young in another nest hole – hopefully, they will make it.
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5 (one family group of at least 4 – 2 adults and 2 juveniles; and 1 juvenile)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – nest colony – adorable!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Veery – one in boreal habitat
Bicknell’s Thrush – nice visual!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler – nice view!
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler – nice views at the bog!
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler – nice view!
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – nice views at the bog!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting – lovely view!
Bobolink – nice view
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
We also found Snowshoe Hares and Hummingbird Moths!
Lincoln’s Sparrow taken on June 23rd
Lincoln’s Sparrow taken on June 23rd
Lincoln’s Sparrow taken on June 23rd
Lincoln’s Sparrow taken on June 23rd
Lincoln’s Sparrow taken on June 23rd
After the rain on June 23rd, we found a wet, singing Nashville Warbler!
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On a tour with three people, two from Texas, and one from Pennsylvania, on June 26th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat. We found the following 64 species:
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 heard
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – at least 8 (groups of 3, 2, 3) – nice views, including juveniles
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush – nice scope views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler – quick view!
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Palm Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart
Ovenbird
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow –nice view!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink – nice scope view!
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Bicknell’s Thrush on Whiteface Mountain taken on June 26th
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On a tour with a person from Pennsylvania on June 30th, we visited both high and low elevation boreal habitat (including a very remote lowland boreal area). We found the following 71 species, including 18 warbler species:
Ruffed Grouse – hen with young (at least 3)
Osprey
Northern Harrier – female
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 (a nice view of a male)
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher – nice view and great vocalizations!
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – both high and low elevation boreal habitat
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 6 (2 juveniles, and a family of at least 4)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – heard at Bloomingdale Bog
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – 2 fly-by views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler – nice views!
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler – nice views!
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler – nice views!
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American Redstart – views!
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler – terrific views!
Common Yellowthroat
Canada Warbler – carrying food
Scarlet Tanager
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – nice views!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle – family group
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill – flyover bird vocalizing
We also found a Porcupine, 3 River Otters, a doe with a fawn, Snowshoe Hares, Red Squirrels, a Raccoon, and a possible Black Bear!
Cones provide food for many animals, including winter finches. Watching this developing food source across the northeastern U.S. and Canada can help us predict winter movements (irruptions) of certain species, particularly winter finches. If the cone crops are poor to our north, while our cone crops are good, then we can expect finch species to move into our area for the winter. Last winter (2012-2013), was a poor year for our area, and finches moved far to the south – with reports from as far away as Georgia! Crossbills filled Long Island and Central Park in NYC! Our resident Evening Grosbeaks, which form large flocks in our town during winter (I usually have over a hundred feeder birds) completely left the Adirondacks last winter.
Now that I have the iPhone-Kowa scope adapter, I have been able to take close-up photographs of this year’s cone crops. All spruce species (Black, Red, White, Norway), Balsam Fir, and White Pine look excellent! Tamarack and Eastern Hemlock look good. I have not yet been able to photograph White Cedar. Red Pine appears to have some maturing cones – tough to photograph this species. Scotch Pine has many new cones this year.
Here are the photos (if you click twice on each photo, you can view a larger image):
Balsam Fir cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Black Spruce cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Norway Spruce cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Red Spruce Cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Red Spruce cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
White Spruce cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Eastern Hemlock Cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Tamarack cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Tamarack cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Red Pine cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Red Pine cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
Scotch Pine cones photographed in Long Lake, NY
White Pine cones photographed in Long Lake, NY