Nesting Behavior
December 4, 2016 | 
Author Species lists from September 2016 tours are below. Many photos from the trips are posted at https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian
September 24, 2016
Field Trip on the Low’s Ridge – Upper Dam Trail sponsored by the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department and Northern NY Audubon Society. Here is our list of 33 species (including some migrants):
Canada Goose
American Black Duck
Hooded Merganser – 2
Common Merganser – 2
Common Loon – 2 (one juvenile)
Great Blue Heron – on the drive
Bald Eagle – 4 (3 adults and 1 sub-adult)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 3
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (migrant)
Hermit Thrush – several
American Robin
Black-and-white Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler (migrant)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
*****
September 16, 2016
Fishing Brook paddle for a ROOST (Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism) blog. Here are the 25 species found along the brook:
Wood Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 (1 female observed)
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird – 4 (1 and 3)
Amer. Goldfinch
I also spent a long time with the largest Snapping Turtle I have ever encountered! There were many Moose paths along the brook. (This is also the location where I took all the Bull Moose photos posted to my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian.)
*****
September 12, 2016
A half-day tour at Massawepie Mire with a mother and her remarkable 6 year-old daughter (a very serious birder and artist!) from Georgia. Here is our list of 44 species found:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ruffed Grouse – on the dirt road on our drive out of Massawepie
Common Loon – in flight over Massawepie
Great Blue Heron – marsh in Tupper Lake along the causeway
Great Egret – marsh in Tupper Lake along the causeway
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Belted Kingfisher – outside the Long Lake Diner at lunch!
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel – scope views of a perched bird at Massawepie
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5 at Massawepie!
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren – brief view at Massawepie
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush – nice views through the scope of 2 birds!
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler – singing
Palm Warbler – many; including singing birds
Pine Warbler – singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler – viewed along the drive out of Massawepie
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird – 1
American Goldfinch
We also found an American Toad, Painted Turtle, and Black Bear scat!
*****
September 5, 2016
A tour with 3 birders (2 from East Hampton, NY and 1 from Colorado) in the boreal areas of the central Adirondacks including Massawepie Mire. Here is our list of 50 species:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Wild Turkey
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe – Shaw Pond
Great Egret – at the Tupper Lake marsh; an unusual bird in our central Adirondack region!
Bald Eagle – 1 adult
Cooper’s Hawk – 1
Broad-winged Hawk – 2 different birds
Ring-billed Gull
Barred Owl – 4! (3 along Tarbell Hill Lane in Long Lake and 1 at Massawepie)
Belted Kingfisher – Shaw Pond
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – juvenile
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 different birds (1 female and 1 male)
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Kestrel – 2
Merlin – 2
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 10! (two groups of 3 at Massawepie, 3 at Sabattis Bog, and 1 flyover along Sabattis Circle Road)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler – many!
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
We also found an Ermine, Fox (too far away to determine Red or Gray), and a lot of Black Bear scat!
Species lists from August 2016 tours are below. Many photos from the trips are posted at https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian
August 25 & 26, 2016
Two early morning walks with guests at a privately rented Great Camp. Here is our list of 33 species by day:
Thursday, August 25, 2016 (24 species)
Common Loon – 3 adults
Great Blue Heron
Osprey – at least 2
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe – singing
Blue-headed Vireo – singing
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – at least 2!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Amphibian: American Toad
Mammals: Red Squirrel and a couple of Black Bear scats!
Wildflowers:
Labrador Tea
Pearly Everlasting
Yarrow
Goldenrod
Meadowsweet
Spatulate-leaved Sundew
Friday, August 26, 2016 (28 species)
Common Loon – 2 adults with a chick!
Osprey – calling
Belted Kingfisher
Hairy Woodpecker – family group
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – 2 (one singing)
Blue-headed Vireo – singing
Red-eyed Vireo – singing
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – at least 2!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler – several singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
American Goldfinch
Amphibian: American Toad
Reptile: Red-bellied Snake
Mammals: Red Squirrel and a couple of Black Bear scats!
Wildflowers:
Labrador Tea
Pearly Everlasting
Dewdrop
Goldenrod
Spatulate-leaved Sundew
*****
August 12, 2016
Early morning walk with guests at a privately rented Great Camp. Here is our list of species:
Birds:
Osprey – 3 (2 juveniles (one in the nest and one out) and an adult)
Belted Kingfisher
Black-backed Woodpecker – 1 heard calling
Eastern Phoebe
Red-eyed Vireo – singing
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren – singing
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Canada Warbler – singing
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow – singing
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Amphibians:
American Toad
Wood Frog
Reptiles:
Common Gartersnake
Red-bellied Snake
Wildflowers:
Bunchberry – already in berry mode!
Spatulate-leaved Sundew – carnivorous bog plant
Yarrow
Wintergreen
Turtlehead
Pearly Everlasting
Meadowsweet
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
Steeplebush
Common St. Johnswort
Goldenrod
Cow Vetch
New England Aster
Dewdrop
Labrador Tea
Arachnid:
Fishing Spider
*****
August 9, 2016
Roosevelt Truck Trail Field Trip sponsored by the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department and Northern NY Audubon Society. Here is our list of 22 species:
Ruffed Grouse
Broad-winged Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 heard calling
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 6 (groups of 3, 1, and 2)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren – several
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
Purple Finch
Amer. Goldfinch
Species lists from July 2016 tours are below. Many photos from the trips are posted at https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian
July 28, 2016
A half-day tour with a family from Maryland in the Moose River Plains complex. Here are the 30 species found:
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker – views
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – singing
Alder Flycatcher – singing; nice view!
Blue-headed Vireo – views
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – at least 5! Nice views of this flock!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet – views
Hermit Thrush – views
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing – nice views!
Black-and-white Warbler – views
Common Yellowthroat
Magnolia Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler – nice views!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler – views
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow – views
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
*****
July 24, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with 2 people from Westchester, NY. Here is our list of 53 species:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck – young at the marshes
American Black Duck – at the marshes
Osprey – nest in Long Lake
Bald Eagle – perched in a White Pine over Tupper Lake
Broad-winged Hawk – several heard and observed
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker – on the summit of Whiteface! (unusual!)
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – several heard with views of 2 (Whiteface Mountain and Route 30 in Long Lake)
Alder Flycatcher – many heard with views of one
Least Flycatcher – one heard singing
Eastern Kingbird – views in Tupper Lake at the marshes
Blue-head Vireo – including one on Whiteface’s summit!
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 3 at Sabattis Bog including a juvenile
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven – including a curious juvenile on the summit of Whiteface!
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 16!!! On the summit area of Whiteface – a new record for me (both for numbers found in one day and number found on the summit of Whiteface!)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren – many
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – several heard on Whiteface with views of one
Eastern Bluebird – adults with young
Bicknell’s Thrush – many heard calling in the fog at dawn! (A beautiful moment!) One nice perched view and several flying views. A couple of distant songs heard, but the birds were mostly calling at dawn.
Swainson’s Thrush – many
Hermit Thrush – several
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Nashville Warbler – on Whiteface and in lowland habitat
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler – on Whiteface and in lowland habitat
Blackpoll Warbler – many with views of a few on Whiteface
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler – view at Sabattis Bog
Yellow-rumped Warbler – on Whiteface and in lowland habitat
Black-throated Green Warbler – on Whiteface and in lowland habitat
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – singing at Sabattis Bog!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow – many; on Whiteface and in lowland habitat
Dark-eyed Junco – many
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
We also saw a Snowshoe Hare on the summit area of Whiteface!
*****
July 20, 2016
A half-day tour in the central Adirondack boreal habitats with a couple from Ohio. Here is our list of 44 species:
Wood Duck – Shaw Pond
American Black Duck – Shaw Pond
Ruffed Grouse – female with at least 3 young in Minerva
Wild Turkey
Pied-billed Grebe – 1 at Shaw Pond
American Bittern – flyover along Route 30 in Long Lake
Great Blue Heron – Shaw Pond
Turkey Vulture
Osprey – adult soaring over its nest area (Minnow Pond along Route 30) and at least 2 young in the nest
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – marsh in Newcomb
Merlin – flyover
Alder Flycatcher – singing/calling – several at the marshes
Least Flycatcher – singing/calling at the intersection of Blue Ridge Road and Route 28N
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2 along Route 30 near a marsh
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2 birds heard
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren – several singing birds
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush – several singing and calling birds
Hermit Thrush – several singing and calling birds
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – singing bird at Sabattis Bog – it had a very unusual vocalization!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow – many
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill – calling as they flew over Sabattis Bog!
American Goldfinch
*****
July 17, 2016
A birding tour in the central Adirondack boreal and marsh habitats with a birder from Rochester, NY. Here is our list of 64 species:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck – with babies!
American Black Duck
Mallard
Pied-billed Grebe – Shaw Pond
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 1 male observed with another heard nearby
Northern Flicker – 3
Pileated Woodpecker
Merlin – likely nest site at the entrance to Massawepie
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Sabattis Bog
Alder Flycatcher – inlet of Little Tupper Lake
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5 (2 along Route 30 and 3 at Sabattis Bog including a juvenile)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing – many; views
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat – nice view!
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler – views at the inlet of Little Tupper Lake
Chestnut-sided Warbler – views of a juvenile
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler – Sabattis Bog; nice view!
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler – nice view!
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Sabattis Bog
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting – several along Massawepie Rd.
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch – nice view!
*****
July 12, 2016
Spring Pond Bog Field Trip sponsored by the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department and Northern NY Audubon Society. Here is our list of 36 species:
Ruffed Grouse
Spruce Grouse – observed by some!
Wild Turkey
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Merlin
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2 (one juvenile)
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Canada Warbler – male and female with food for young!
Savannah Sparrow – 2
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
We also found a Red-bellied Snake!
*****
July 11, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with a couple from North Carolina. Here is our list of 74 species found:
Canada Goose
Wild Turkey – with young
Common Loon – 2 observed on Simon Pond in Tupper Lake, and some heard during the night
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey – at its nest
Broad-winged Hawk – nice view!
Virginia Rail – heard vocalizing at the Tupper Lake marsh during the night
Wilson’s Snipe – several calling and winnowing
American Woodcock – 1 heard vocalizing
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Black-billed Cuckoo – 2! One heard at night by the Little Tupper Lake inlet and one observed foraging along River Road.
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher – Route 30 marsh in Long Lake
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 4! (2 observed – a male and a juvenile, with 2 more heard calling)
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher – at Sabattis Bog in Long Lake
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher – one heard at night at the Little Tupper Lake inlet
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird – near its nest on the Raquette River
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 14! (2 along Route 30 in Long Lake, 3 at Sabattis Bog, 3 off the Round Lake Trail, 5 at Bloomingdale Bog – 3 adults and 2 juveniles, and 1 observed on Bigelow Rd.)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 6!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bicknell’s Thrush – many! It was one of the best mornings on Whiteface all season!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – lovely views!
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler – many on Whiteface
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting – Sabattis Circle Road
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
*****
July 8, 2016
A tour in the boreal habitat of the central Adirondacks with a birder from Washington, DC. Here is our list of 73 species:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck – Shaw Pond and Tupper Lake (with young)
Amer. Black Duck – with young on Tupper Lake
Ring-necked Duck – 2 on Tupper Lake
Hooded Merganser – 2 females on Upper Cat Pond
Ruffed Grouse – 5 young!
Wild Turkey – with young
Pied-billed Grebe – feeding 4 young on Shaw Pond
Amer. Bittern – heard at the marsh along Route 30 in Long Lake (location with 2 Grays Jays, and 1 Boreal Chickadee heard)
Turkey Vulture
Osprey – young in nest
Sharp-shinned Hawk – 1 carrying prey at Sabattis Bog
Broad-winged Hawk – 1 carrying prey
Sandhill Crane – 4 (Pair with 2 young)
Wilson’s Snipe – several calling and winnowing along Raquette River Drive
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 drumming back and forth (1 called) at Sabattis Bog
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird – including one at its nest along Raquette River Drive
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo – heard singing in the Spring Pond Bog complex
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 8
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Amer. Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – Sabattis Bog
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
Amer. Goldfinch
*****
July 5, 2016
A half-day walk at a privately rented Great Camp. Here is our species list:
Birds:
Common Loon – 2
Osprey – 2 adults w/young in a nest
Broad-winged Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – heard (& observed by a couple people)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-White Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Also:
Amphibians:
American Toad
Wood Frog
Reptiles:
Common Garter Snake
Wildflowers:
Spatulate-leaved Sundew
Bunchberry
Blue Flag (also known as Wild Iris)
Common Fleabane
Common Wood Sorrel
Sheep Laurel
Yellow Pond Lily
Orange Hawkweed
Cow Vetch
*****
July 2, 3, & 4, 2016
A 3-day tour with a group from NYC Audubon in many different Adirondack habitats (bogs, boreal forest, marshes, etc.) including a Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain. Here is our list of 86 species (by day):
July 2, 2016 (65 species):
Ruffed Grouse – 2 different adults and chicks (1 with 1 chick, and 1 with 3 chicks)
Wild Turkey
Common Loon – on Deer Pond along Massawepie Rd.
Turkey Vulture
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Down Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – male
Northern Flicker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo – singing; observed by a couple
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush – observed
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – nice views!
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill – 4! (calling and observed flying over us during a stop to view a Ruffed Grouse with young)
Amer. Goldfinch
July 3, 2016 (70 species):
Canada Goose
Ruffed Grouse – with young!
Wild Turkey
Common Loon – 7 (4 on Simon Pond, 1 flyover at the Tupper Lake causeway, 1 on Tupper Lake, and 1 on Long Lake)
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk
Sandhill Crane – 4 (including 2 juveniles)! (First confirmed breeding record in the Adirondacks!)
Wilson’s Snipe
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – at a nest along Sabattis Circle Road
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 1 male along Route 30 (where we stopped to feed Gray Jays and heard & observed Boreal Chickadees) and 1 flyover at the marsh in Newcomb (near a nest area where the young recently fledged)
Olive-sided Flycatcher – heard calling at Sabattis Bog
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird – several, including one at a nest location
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5 (3 at Sabattis Bog and 2 along Route 30)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow – with young!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 6
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – at least 2 heard singing along Sabattis Circle Road in Long Lake
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler – several at Sabattis Bog
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – views at Sabattis Bog
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill – heard calling at Sabattis Bog (where they nested this winter)
Amer. Goldfinch
July 4, 2016 (51 species):
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 1
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 6
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – at their nests!
Barn Swallow – including fledglings!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – nice views, including a bird collecting food; lots of calling birds and a few songs
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – singing
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler – several views
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Species lists from June 2016 tours are below. Many photos from the trips are posted at https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian
June 25, 26, & 27, 2016
A 3-day tour with a group of 5 people from NYC, including a Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding, a second day in boreal habitat, and the third day in the St. Lawrence Valley. We found a total of 126 species! Here are our species lists by day:
Saturday, June 25, 2016 (73 species)
Canada Goose
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse – adult with 4 babies!
Common Loon
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Wilson’s Snipe
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – several including a nest site
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 3; pair at nest hole feeding female baby
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 6
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – adorable birds at their nest!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – foraging bird on the summit of Whiteface Mt.!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – wonderful views of several!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – nice views!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
And a Black Bear at Bloomingdale Bog!!!
Sunday, June 26, 2016 (76 species * additional species from Saturday)
Canada Goose
*Ring-necked Duck
Ruffed Grouse – several with young!
Common Loon
*Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
*Spotted Sandpiper – by the causeway in Tupper Lake
*American Woodcock
*Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – several including a nest site
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – adult heard calling and seen flying from a nest site across Rock Pond – babies were also heard
Northern Flicker
*Pileated Woodpecker
*Merlin
*Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
*Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
*Philadelphia Vireo – male singing in its nest tree (no activity noted at the nest)
Red-eyed Vireo – many, including a bird working on a nest
Gray Jay – 5
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
*Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
*Wood Thrush
American Robin
*Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
*Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – many heard singing; nice views of a singing male!; views of a female along the short trail to the bog boardwalk at Massawepie
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
*Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
*Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
*Scarlet Tanager
*Rose-breasted Grosbeak
*Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Monday, June 27, 2016 (90 species, * for additional 33 species from Sat.-Sun.):
Canada Goose
*Trumpeter Swan – 4 (including 2 at a nest site!)
*Wood Duck
*Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
*Hooded Merganser – family
*Wild Turkey – families!
*Pied-billed Grebe
Great Blue Heron
*Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture – 26 in one spot!
Osprey – active nests
*Sharp-shinned Hawk
*Killdeer – active nest
*Ring-billed Gull
*Caspian Tern
*Black Tern
*Common Tern
*Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
*Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
American Kestrel
*Olive-sided Flycatcher – heard singing at Wanakena
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
*Horned Lark – 2
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
*White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Winter Wren
*Marsh Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
*Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
*Golden-winged Warbler
*Blue-winged Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
*Cerulean Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Canada Warbler
*Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
*Clay-colored Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
*Grasshopper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
*Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
*Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
*Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
*Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
*House Sparrow
*****
June 20, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with a couple from Texas. Here is our list of 55 species:
Canada Goose
Common Loon – family!
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Wilson’s Snipe
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – male and female feeding young at their nest site!
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 6!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – a couple nice views and lots of early singing!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
June 18, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with a birder from Schenectady, NY. Here is our list of 62 species:
Mallard
Common Loon – family
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 3 (pair at their nest site feeding young, and another adult female at a bog)
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – nice views!
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 6 friendly birds!
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 5!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – many!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – several heard
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
June 16 & 17, 2016
A two-day tour with a couple from Pennsylvania that included a Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain and birding in lowland boreal habitats. We found 79 species. Species lists by day:
June 16, 2016 (64 species)
Ruffed Grouse – family!
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – male and female feeding young at their nest site!
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo – nice views!
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 4 friendly birds!
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2; nice views!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – fantastic views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin – nice views!
American Goldfinch
June 17, 2016 (65 species)
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Ruffed Grouse – with 8 young!
Wild Turkey – with 8 young!
Common Loon
Broad-winged Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – calling
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher – singing! We also had a view through my scope.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird – 2 birds at a nest site on a dead snag in the Raquette River
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo – 2 birds at their nest site (one on eggs)
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2 different birds heard
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler – nice views!
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
*****
June 15, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with two birders, from Quogue and Saranac Lake. Here is our list of 67 species:
Canada Goose
Common Loon – heard
Broad-winged Hawk
American Woodcock
Black-billed Cuckoo – wonderful vocalizations and brief views!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – male and female at their nest!
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo – on its nest and one singing nearby
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 4 (2 adults and 2 juveniles)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
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 – nice views!
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Bobolink
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
June 10, 11, & 12, 2016
Adirondack Birding Festival weekend (June 10, 11, & 12) field trips. The dinner cruise Friday night on the WW Durant on Raquette Lake was fun as usual! Nina Schoch gave a fascinating presentation on Common Loons at the Adirondack Museum on Saturday. Friday’s weather was fine, but Saturday and Sunday were rainy – particularly on Saturday.
Mary Beth Warburton and I led a trip to Sabattis Circle Road, Sabattis Bog, and a hike on the Round Lake Trail on Friday. We found 54 species. Highlights included:
Ruffed Grouse – standing in the Round Lake Trail
Osprey – at its nest
Broad-winged Hawk – pair interacting over Sabattis Bog
Amer. Woodcock – flushed from the Round Lake Trail
Olive-sided Flycatcher – heard at Sabattis Bog (they appear to be nesting again at Bog Stream)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Gray Jay – pair that came out for food near the Round Lake Trail
Hermit Thrush – feeding young at its nest at the edge of the road!
16 warbler species including Palm and Canada
Pine Siskin
Mary Beth Warburton and I led a trip to Ferd’s Bog on Saturday in the rain (with temps in the mid 40s!). The rain was too heavy to be out on the boardwalk, so we stayed in the forest, but the trip was finally cut short by the weather. The trip on the rail bed along Brown’s Tract Inlet was canceled since it was pouring rain. We were still able to observe warblers and other species through the rain drops! Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were vocal, as were Brown Creepers, Winter Wrens, and a Swainson’s Thrush. Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were also heard.
I led a trip to Moose River Plains on Sunday. We stopped at the Red River, hiked a short distance on the Mitchell Pond’s Trail, hiked to Helldiver Pond, and hiked to Icehouse Pond. We had some rain and strong winds on this trip (with temps in the 40s again!), but not downpours. Highlights included:
American Woodcock – adult in the road and then we spotted a young bird with it!
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – pair feeding young at a nest site
Northern Flicker
Merlin – heard by a likely nest location at camp site #74
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Boreal Chickadee – 6! (We found at least 4 Boreal Chickadees as we pulled up to our first stop of the morning by the Red River. We had nice views of the birds who were in a mixed flock with Black-capped Chickadees. We also found at least 2 Boreal Chickadees near the entrance to the short drive to the Helldiver Pond Trailhead. They were also in a mixed flock with Black-capped Chickadees.)
Winter Wren
Veery
Hermit Thrush
13 warbler species including nice views of Canada Warblers
Scarlet Tanager
Purple Finch
It was nice to see familiar faces at the Festival! Hopefully, the weather will work out better next year!
*****
June 5, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain followed by lowland boreal birding with two birders from North Carolina. (Beautiful dawn weather, but heavy rain later in the day.) Here is our list of 61 species:
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Ring-necked Duck
Wild Turkey
Common Loon – heard near the Mourning Warbler location
Osprey
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Merlin – flying by the Whiteface toll road
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5! (Family group with 3 juveniles at Sabattis Bog)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush – many nice views of singing birds! Also, many singing and calling birds during our 2.5 hours on the summit.
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
We observed 2 different Ermine! We also observed a Porcupine waddle past our car on the summit of Whiteface Mountain!
*****
June 4, 2016
A day spent in the central Adirondack boreal habitat areas with a couple from Vermontville, NY. Here is our list of 60 species found:
Canada Goose
Ruffed Grouse
Common Loon – heard
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
Black-billed Cuckoo – vocalizing!
Chimney Swift – buzzing us at Sabattis Bog (likely for the insects we attracted!)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 4!
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher – a surprise at Sabattis Bog!
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 5! (2 adults and 3 juveniles at Sabattis Bog!)
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager – nice view!
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
We also found an Ermine and a brand new fawn!
Species lists from May 2016 tours are below. Many photos from the trips are posted at https://www.facebook.com/adirondackavian
May 31, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface (in high winds!) with two birders, one from Newcomb, NY and one from Arizona. We also visited lowland boreal habitat. Here is our list of 61 species:
Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Broad-winged Hawk
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 4 (2 adults and 2 adorable juveniles!) – They came to our hands for raisins and bread!
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow – adorable!
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bicknell’s Thrush – singing & calling; one view at dawn, and several flyby views
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
(Mammals observed on my drive to meet clients: Gray Fox, 2 different Red Fox kits, and a Raccoon.)
*****
May 29, 2016
Young Birders Enjoy Bicknell’s Thrush and More!
by Eamon Freiburger, age 16
With great anticipation, eleven young birders and their parents made their way to Wilmington, the town at the base of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. Joan Collins, NYSOA president and professional birding guide, had set aside two days of her busy May calendar (in case the weather didn’t cooperate the first day) to offer the young birders a chance at seeing Bicknell’s Thrush and several hard-to-find boreal specialties of the area. The trip was a tremendous success! Here is a report written by 16-year-old Eamon Freiburger, who joined both NYSOA and NYSYBC at age 12 and has already served the young birders as club President and Records Chair. – Carena Pooth, NYSYBC Adult Chair
Early Sunday morning, the NYSYBC met at the tollhouse at Whiteface Mountain with Joan Collins, our trip leader and guide for the day. The toll road up the mountain normally opens at 9, but we were allowed to go up earlier for this trip because Joan has special access. Everyone was excited, because the target bird on Whiteface Mountain was Bicknell’s Thrush, a very rare and local bird that is increasingly endangered by climate change and many other threats.
As the sun started to rise, the caravan went up higher and higher until Joan heard a Bicknell’s Thrush singing at the Lake Placid overlook. It stopped singing as soon as we got out, but we also heard several Blackpoll Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Our next stop was just a little further up the road and this is where some lucky young birders were treated to a glimpse of a Bicknell’s Thrush perched on a dead snag! Unfortunately it only gave a fleeting look, but there were more to come as we drove higher. We pulled off at another turn, where we all enjoyed the morning sun rising over the Adirondacks. More Bicknell’s Thrushes sang around us, and it was a frustrating but exciting game to locate them. Sometimes they would be calling only about 10 feet away from us, but the forest was so thick that they remained hidden. Eventually, every young birder and most of the parents were able to get a glimpse at a Bicknell’s. Two Yellow-bellied Flycatchers gave us great looks, and many Blackpoll and Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen as well. We descended back to a spot where Boreal Chickadees were building their nest, but we got only a brief look at one of them.
Leaving the mountain around 8:45, we continued on to Bloomingdale Bog for more boreal specialties. We made several stops along the road that we traveled to reach the bog, and we got great looks at a Black-throated Blue Warbler, two Red-eyed Vireos, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and a Mourning Warbler that flew over. We also heard several Northern Waterthrushes, a Cerulean Warbler, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and a Common Loon! At another spot, we were lucky enough to see a female Black-backed Woodpecker peek out of a nest hole that Joan had previously discovered. Unfortunately, these woodpeckers have a very high nest predation rate, and Red Squirrels, one of the top culprits, were seen in the area. Hopefully this nest will be a success!
At Bloomingdale Bog, we heard three Lincoln’s Sparrows and a Palm Warbler, two of the special birds that nest in the bog. Another boreal specialty that everyone enjoyed watching (and feeding!) was Gray Jay. More than half a dozen of them followed us on the trail. Joan had brought some raisins and chunks of bread, and if you held these out in your hand and remained still, the Gray Jays would land on your hand and feed. The looks on everyone’s faces were priceless when the jays landed on them! It was also interesting to see the juvenile jays which had just fledged, because they are a very sooty gray and don’t look like their parents, which are a much lighter gray and white. Another treat was a female Black-backed Woodpecker that flew over us and landed on a dead snag, which everyone got great looks at. Some people also saw the male Black-backed foraging out in the bog. The thunder clouds rolled in at this point, so we headed back to our cars to escape the oncoming storms. The rain held off though, starting only about fifteen minutes after we left.
This was an incredible day of birding in some very cool and unique places. Joan Collins is a truly amazing trip leader and knowledgeable bird guide. A huge thanks from all who attended and enjoyed a wonderful day of birding!
*****
May 27 & May 28, 2016
Two days with a birder from Washington DC that featured a Dawn Tour up Whiteface and lowland boreal birding in forests and bogs. Here is our list of 84 species by day:
May 27, 2016 (71 species)
Canada Goose
Common Loon – 1
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle – 2 adults
Northern Harrier – male
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – male at nest hole
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 3 (2 juveniles!)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Veery
Bicknell’s Thrush
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Cape May Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
White-winged Crossbill – 4 to 6
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Also, a Porcupine and Snowshoe Hare on Whiteface!
May 28, 2016 (66 species; * for new species from prior day)
Canada Goose
*American Bittern
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
*Olive-sided Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
*Philadelphia Vireo – 2 (watched one building their nest!)
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 4 (3 juveniles!)
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
*Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
*Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
*Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
*Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
*Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
*Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
*Scarlet Tanager
*Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
*Common Grackle
Purple Finch
*Red Crossbill 3 flyover flocks
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
May 23, 2016
A Dawn Tour up Whiteface Mountain and lowland boreal birding with two birders from Arkansas. Here is our list of 60 species:
Canada Goose
American Black Duck – family group with 11 young
Ruffed Grouse – several including one dust-bathing
Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Chimney Swift (first of the season for me)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 (foraging & calling female; and male at its nest site on eggs)
Northern Flicker
Merlin
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2 on Whiteface – nice views!
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Bicknell’s Thrush – nearly 30! – nice views of 2
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
Amer. Robin
European Starling
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
Amer. Goldfinch
Also – Snowshoe Hare and Moose tracks!
*****
May 22, 2016
A half-day tour at Massawepie Mire with a group of birders from Ogdensburg. Here is our list of 52 species:
American Bittern
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush – 2
American Robin
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
We also saw Snowshoe Hares and found Moose tracks!
*****
May 21, 2016
Northern NY Audubon Field Trip to Massawepie Mire. Here is our list of 55 species:
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk – 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 2 heard calling
Pileated Woodpecker
Merlin
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – 2 (first-of-the-season)
Alder Flycatcher – 2 (first-of-the-season)
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Gray Jay – 2
Blue Jay
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Veery – 2 (first-of-the-season)
Swainson’s Thrush – 1
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush – 1
American Robin
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Mourning Warbler – many (first-of-the-season)
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Scarlet Tanager
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
May 11, 2016
A half-day tour at Massawepie Mire with two birders from Glens Falls. Here is our list of 54 species:
Ruffed Grouse – several drumming
Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Broad-winged Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Merlin – heard on our drive in (nesting near Deer Pond)
Least Flycatcher – many!
Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Gray Jay – 4
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush – several
Wood Thrush – 1 singing!
American Robin
Ovenbird
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow – many with nice views of several!
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – several
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
*****
May 10, 2016
Tour in the central Adirondacks in mostly boreal habitat with two birders – one from Syracuse and one from North Creek, NY. Here is our list of 62 species:
Canada Goose – with adorable young along the Raquette River in Tupper Lake!
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck – 8
Common Merganser
Ruffed Grouse
Wild Turkey
Common Loon – 2
American Bittern – 4
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey – 3 (2 at a nest)
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Broad-winged Hawk – several including mate feeding along Sabattis Circle Road in Long Lake!
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker – 5
Least Flycatcher – 4
Eastern Phoebe – several
Blue-headed Vireo
Gray Jay – 6 in Long Lake
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee – 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Black-and-white Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak – at least 2 in Newcomb with nice views of a female!
A Night Out in the Adirondack Wilderness
On Friday, October 11, 2013, my husband George and I camped at the “Island House” lean-to along the remote, north-end of 14-mile Long Lake (this lean-to has views across the lake of an island of the same name). We motored over 8 miles from our beach to this spectacular location about ¾ of a mile from the north end of the lake. This end of Long Lake is surrounded by Adirondack wilderness, with mostly boat-access-only camps, and lovely views of the High Peaks. In spring and fall, you can often have this end of the lake completely to yourself. It feels like paradise!
As we slowly motored north in our pontoon boat, a young Bald Eagle was also heading north and it flew parallel to our boat over the shoreline. Common Loons were numerous and molting into their duller winter plumage. Female Common Mergansers were diving for food. We passed Round Island, Camp Islands, Pancake Islands, and Island House before pulling up to our camp location. The lean-to was hidden up on a knoll of mature White Pine, Hemlock, and Birch trees.
As we pulled up to the shoreline, I noticed an Osprey perched about 75 feet away on a dead snag over the water. It was drenched from fishing. The bird took flight and actively fished for several minutes, dragging its feet and body across the lake in continuous, futile dive attempts to catch fish.
The sun was beginning to set, so we quickly set up the lean-to with our camping gear. As the light faded away, a Bald Eagle began to vocalize on the island across from our camp. This is the same island where Bald Eagles now nest each year. I found it interesting that they were still roosting at the nest location in October. Nearly dark now, a shorebird silhouette quickly flew along the shoreline.
Island House lean-to toward the north end of Long Lake on October 11, 2013.
Island House lean-to toward the north end of Long Lake on October 11, 2013.
Looking out at Long Lake in front of the Island House lean-to on October 11, 2013.
Looking out at the island with nesting eagles from Island House lean-to on October 11, 2013.
George built a fire. The sky was clear and it was going to be a cold night.
Memories…
**********
I began to think about all the places I’ve camped around Long Lake in over a decade and a half. This location was the 12th different place, with well over 40 different camping trips across all four seasons. Some of the trips were at lean-to locations or designated tent areas, but many were bushwhack trips to wetlands or mountain summits along the lake. Many of the trips were with our two sons and their friends as they grew up. There were many humorous moments…
One time we camped in a lean-to location and found a large group of Girl Scouts in a nearby lean-to that sang non-stop until 1 a.m.!
Another time, I took my two sons and two Golden Retrievers to a lean-to location where a couple thru-hiking the 136-mile Northville-Placid Trail (which runs along Long Lake) showed up and used their tent so we could have the lean-to. Just as we were all heading to bed, the young man said, “Hey, one of my boots is missing”! Anyone who has spent time with Golden Retrievers knows exactly what happened! We all searched for hours with headlamps, and I finally offered to boat to town in the morning and buy the man a new pair of hiking boots (he still had 36 miles of wilderness to hike through). I imagined that my dog Max had dumped his boot in the lake! But by some miracle, Max got up at 3 a.m. and ran off into the woods, and returned with the missing boot! Phew!
On a solo camp trip to the very north end of the lake at Turtle Beach, I arrived at sunset to find a family of 3 (plus their son’s friend) with 3 large tents (one for the parents, one for the boys, and one for their toys…lots of toys!), furniture (tables, chairs, etc.), and enough lamps and lights that the place was lit up like a church. I stood speechless wondering how they fit it all in their boat. It felt as if they had brought suburbia to the wilderness! The next morning, as the family slept, I had coffee while watching an actively hunting Mink at the edge of the water!
During one of my difficult trips bushwhacking up Kempshall Mountain for the annual June Mountain Birdwatch survey, I found an older man and his son setting up a bivouac camp because they had been lost all day finding the summit and ran out of light to get down. They broke branches all night to keep a fire going, so I didn’t really sleep. I got up at 4 a.m. and began the survey at 4:30. I am sure they wondered what on Earth this woman was doing in the middle of nowhere counting birds at dawn! After the survey, I offered to lead them back to their campsite on the lake. They fell several times on the descent (1800’ of elevation over 2 miles) and I noticed one was in sandals and one in sneakers!
Another time, I bushwhacked to a wetland for the NYS Breeding Bird Atlas work. Something began to charge my tent in the dark, which I immediately imagined to be a Black Bear. I was thrilled to find an aggressive Ruffed Grouse in the light of my headlamp instead!
One winter, I camped without a tent near another wetland on top of several feet of snow, and 3 different coyote packs howled around me from the forest – all I could think about was whether they might accidently step on me in the night!
During a summer trip in August, with my sons, and a friend and her teenage daughter, we camped at Plumley’s lean-to. I forgot about insects at that time of year and the mosquitoes were horrendous! The teenage girl declared in a terse statement that she would sit up all night by the fire rather than deal with the bugs attacking her head in the sleeping bag!
Some trips turned into interesting learning experiences. On a bushwhack up Rock Pond Mountain (also for Atlas work), I first realized that jet plane noise really bothers birds during the night. I was awakened all night by vocalizing Common Loons, and songbirds actively moving and making small sounds in the dark – and a few seconds later, I would hear a jet plane go over. The birds were able to hear the jet a few seconds before my ears could pick it up. I’ve since noticed this correlation on other camping trips. I suspect that the huge 4th of July fireworks display over Long Lake each year is frightening to the birds, and no doubt to other wildlife too.
**********
Anyway, our current camp trip was in perfectly calm winds, clear skies, chilly temps, with a waxing moon in the sky. During the night, I heard two Barred Owls vocalizing. Barred Owls, like Common Ravens, seem to have an endless array of vocalizations, and I had never heard this particular sound from them. In my sleep haze, I memorized a mnemonic so I could recall it for my friend Sean O’Brien who does recordings for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Of course, I couldn’t remember it in the morning! My husband said he also awakened to the owls. Throughout the night, we heard the haunting calls of Common Loons piercing the world.
George and I got up at 4:30 a.m. (our normal wake-up time) with over two hours of darkness before dawn! A Fox gave its scary scream across the lake. The stars were spectacular and mirrored in the smooth surface of Long Lake. Orion and the Big Dipper were visible. A couple different meteors streaked across the sky. I spent over 2 hours captivated at the edge of the lake with completely numb feet. I live for these moments. “Dawn is a feeling” kept going through my head as I watched all the fascinating changes as the Earth rotated east toward “day”. I could hear a few migrant voices flying over in the dark. By 6:15 a.m., migrant Hermit Thrushes and a few sparrows began their descent – this continued until about 6:25 a.m. Long before dawn, the Bald Eagle began to vocalize again on its island roost. A coyote pack howled somewhere at the north end of the lake. Two Barred Owls called across the lake, and a third started up across the lake behind the eagle island. Barred Owl vocalizations seem so much louder along the lake. Song Sparrows sang at dawn. Pileated Woodpeckers called. A Belted Kingfisher rattled. A migrant Greater Yellowlegs called. Migrant Ruby-crowned Kinglets filled the bushes. Hardy Yellow-rumped Warblers were numerous. Over 30 species were found between dusk and dawn on this trip.
I photographed the north end of the lake and the eagle island as my eyes began to detect light. I wanted to see what time my eyes would go from “gray” to sensing “color” (rods to cones) – it was 6:40 a.m.!
Looking north at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake, taken on October 12, 2013.
One: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Two: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Three: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Four: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Five: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Six: Looking out at the island with nesting eagles at dawn from Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
I spotted an adult Bald Eagle perched in a dead snag on the island. I got my scope to photograph it with my iPhone attachment, but a large bank of fog rolled in and obscured the bird. Later, as we began to break down our camp, we observed two other Bald Eagles flipping and latching talons over the lake! About 10 minutes after hearing several gun shots at the north end of Long Lake (duck hunting season), I spotted a white-headed, white-tailed bird in the water with my scope. It was in the fog about ¾ of a mile away. It quickly became apparent it was an adult Bald Eagle struggling in the water. I observed it for about 15 minutes using its wings as paddles to reach the shoreline. I was sick wondering if a hunter had shot it. Even on the shore, the bird was unable to take off. I called my husband to come to the lake, and we decided to take the boat to the bird to see if it was hurt. While we discussed this, I noticed the eagle was eating – it no doubt had a very heavy fish (out of our view in all the fog) that made it impossible for the eagle to take flight! I wish I could have seen that fish!
Looking north from Island House lean-to at dawn on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
Morning at Island House lean-to on Long Lake. Taken on October 12, 2013.
The morning view of Long Lake from Island House lean-to on October 12, 2013.
One of the many documented effects of climate change in our area is the ice-on and ice-off dates. Historically, October was a cold month, and major snowstorms were common. Now, falls are warm, and the ice-on date has moved out nearly two months to December. Common Loons stay two months longer now, and sea planes and boats remain on the lakes into December. Snow often does not arrive to stay until January. The spring ice-off date has moved back about a month. These are rapid, unprecedented changes with frightening impacts on both flora and fauna. I reminded my husband that back in the late 1990s, October 11th would have been cold and possibly snowy. But the October of a rapidly warming world in 2013, was in the 60s on the 11th and went up to the 70s on the 12th as we boated home. “Normal” no longer seems to apply because the climate just keeps changing year to year. Tourists and summer residents still focus on July and August for visiting. Those of us fortunate enough to live here year-round have gained several months of quiet boating time on the lakes. I would gladly trade this benefit of climate change if I could turn back the clock on atmospheric CO2 to pre-industrial revolution levels…
Views of the High Peaks, including Algonquin, from the north end of Long Lake on October 12, 2013.
View of the High Peaks toward the north end of Long Lake on October 12, 2013.
Kempshall and Blueberry Mountains taken toward the north end of Long Lake on October 12, 2013.
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.
In early May, I found a couple different Black-backed Woodpecker nest sites. The male does all the excavation of the nest hole, which can be in a live tree, dead snag, or even a telephone pole! I have observed nests that ranged from 15 feet above the ground to 65 feet above the ground. One particular nest location this year was in a dead snag about 15 feet above ground. I frequently observed this nest site with clients over the past couple months. It was discovered by many local birders and people frequented the location daily, including folks out walking their dogs.
The male not only does all of the excavation, but he does all of the nighttime incubation and almost all of the fecal sac removal to keep the nest hole clean once the young are born. It was lovely to see how hard both parents worked to constantly feed the very loud nestlings! Black-backed Woodpecker young vocalize non-stop with a constant churring noise coming from the nest hole. You wonder how they survive when they make so much noise. The vocalizations became louder as adults flew in with food – so we would spend time talking and as the young became louder, it would alert us to another feeding session. When the young are big enough, the parents feed them by leaning in the hole. I ended up with lots of photographs of the baby heads sticking out seeking food. I observed two heads, and one client saw three heads at the hole. (They typically have 3 to 4 young.)
I observed a couple of interesting behaviors to note. The parents would sometimes give a softer version of their “kyik” call note and the young would immediately fall silent in the nest hole. It was apparent that it was a signal to be quiet. Also, several times the female Black-backed Woodpecker entered the hole and stuck her head out – sometimes with the bill sticking straight out and sometimes with her head and bill pointed down. This behavior would usually last about 15 to 20 minutes and the young would be completely silent during this period. It appeared to me that she feared a predator and was in a defensive position. Larry Master also noted this behavior when he visited the nest site, and said that he, too, noticed it was the female that was in a defensive position. Larry said that a couple of Common Grackles tried to predate the nest and that the Black-backed Woodpecker adults chased them off. Sean O’Brien once observed a Black-backed Woodpecker in this defensive position inside a nest hole that nailed the face of a Red Squirrel attempting to predate a nest in the same area.
On June 23, 2013, I was with a couple clients and we hiked to the Black-backed Woodpecker nest site. I was a bit concerned as we approached the nest and I did not hear the churring of the young. I set up my scope to view the nest hole, which is out in a swamp area, and I looked into the scope and viewed a Red Squirrel face looking out of the nest hole. I felt sick at the sight. After nearly two months of non-stop work by both parents, they were frantic. The male drummed non-stop on a dead snag next to the nest hole tree, and the female kept flying in to try and peck the squirrel, but she kept flying up as the squirrel would lunge at her. They called – both their short calls and the rattle call. It was an awful scene. We tried different things to get the squirrel to come out of the hole, but it was futile. My clients said they couldn’t stand to watch it any longer so we left. There were no sounds of the young. The young would have fledged in just a few days and they would have continued to be fed by the adults outside the nest. Young in a nest are so helpless, and it was so disturbing to see such a tragic end for these woodpecker babies. Some of the photographs I took over two months are below.
Female Black-backed Woodpecker in defensive position.
Female Black-backed Woodpecker in defensive position.
The Least Flycatcher has an unusual behavior among passerines. It forms “aggregations” or “clusters”. In the spring, males establish small territories among a dense cluster of Least Flycatchers, which is reminiscent of a lek mating system.
Least Flycatchers breed in deciduous, and mixed coniferous and deciduous, forests. The largest aggregations of Least Flycatchers that I have observed occur at forest openings. There is a large aggregation outside our house where there are several open acres surrounded by mixed forest, and on the way into Massawepie Mire where there is also a large, circular opening in the forest. Males give their loud “chebec” song all around the forest opening. They have a softer, almost “grumbled”, or also referred to as “guttural”, “speetz” call they give when changing perch locations.
Why do Least Flycatchers form aggregations when most other passerines do not nest in such social groups and establish their own, larger territories? There are several theories, some of which include: female preference for clustered males and pursuit of extra-pair matings, clustering may reduce nest predation, and one that I find intriguing, the open areas near forest aggregations may be neutral feeding grounds used by all the members of the cluster, which reduces conflict and allows for decreased territory sizes.
Least Flycatchers are often described as “pugnacious” and aggressive toward other species. They continuously attack other species when their territories overlap. This aggressive behavior in a cluster of birds may certainly support the theory of reduced nest predation among birds in aggregations.
Further study is needed to fully explain why Least Flycatchers nest in social clusters.
May is a fascinating month to be birding in the Adirondacks! The excavators are busy hollowing out tree space to raise young. In the past week, I have found two Black-backed Woodpecker nest sites, a Red-breasted Nuthatch nest, a Black-capped Chickadee nest, two likely Boreal Chickadee nest locations, and countless Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nests! The Jeopardy category would be titled “species that excavate nest holes”. Early to mid May is the best time to hear the sounds of the excavating activity.
Black-backed Woodpecker males do all the work of excavating a nest cavity. A male will change locations with the female long enough for her to inspect the nest hole before the male continues his non-stop work. Once the work takes him entirely inside the cavity, he occasionally sticks his head out to shake away the wood shavings.
The diversity of Black-backed Woodpecker nest site locations is remarkable. Last year, a pair nested 55 to 60 above the ground in a live Red Spruce tree on a hill. Two other nest hole locations observed that year were about 15 to 20 feet up in dead snags. These two other locations shared a commonality of a wet area filled with dead trees. Another birder observed a Black-backed Woodpecker nest hole in a telephone pole! This year, the first nest found is in a location with mature spruce trees on a hill. The nest is in a tall dead tree among live spruces. The hole is about 25 to 30 feet off the ground. The second nest found is in a wet area of dead snags. The nest hole is about 15 feet off the ground.
Late yesterday afternoon, on May 9, 2013, I ventured out at 4 p.m. to check the area where I had found the nest in a live Red Spruce last year. I immediately heard a Black-backed Woodpecker calling, and found a foraging female. I spent the next 3 hours sitting on the forest floor observing a pair that intermittently foraged and mated three times! They were continuously calling to each other as they foraged and then, as their vocal activity increased, I knew I would see mating again. The Black-backed Woodpeckers increase the frequency of their short calls and then start giving the longer rattle calls as the male flies in to mate with the female on a branch (usually close to the trunk). The male has a very distinctive flight as he approaches the female to mate – a slower, more fluttering, stiff flight pattern. After mating, the male flies away and the female remains on the branch for a short time before going back to foraging. Male Black-backed Woodpeckers actively mate with females during the course of excavating a nest hole. As I was noting the date, it suddenly occurred to me that it was the same date that I observed mating at this location last year – and it was likely the same pair! I have yet to find their new nest location.
On May 7, 2013, I heard a Boreal Chickadee calling at me, so I bushwhacked to the source of the sound. As I always do, I sat down on the mossy ground and tried to be inconspicuous (as much as a human can be…). The Boreal Chickadee continued to vocalize and I wondered if I would discover a nest hole. After awhile, a second Boreal Chickadee arrived and immediately began to inspect the dead trees around me. It continued to make its way closer and closer to me. I remained like a statue. I could hear it behind me a few feet, when suddenly I felt it attempt to land on me! I could feel the swoosh of the wings fluttering over my head. As much as I tried to stay still, it made me flinch, and the bird flew in front of me into a bush about two feet from my face! I have always found Boreal Chickadees to be extremely curious birds, but having one almost land on me was a first!
-
- Nest hole 25 to 30 feet off ground in dead conifer among live spruces.
-
- Closer view of the excavating male.
-
- Nest hole 15 feet off the ground in a dead snag.
-
- Live Red Spruce where a Black-backed Woodpecker excavated a nest hole 55 to 60 feet off the ground.
