Day 137: May 16th – Shawangunk Grasslands NWR

A sunny, warm 78 degree, breezy day

       Destination:  The Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge in Ulster County, NY

       Target Species:  Bobolink and Upland sandpiper

       The Shawangunk Grasslands NWR lies on what used to be a WWII air base known as Galeville Military Airport.  The site was decommissioned in 1994 and formally ceded over to the United States Fish and Wildlife Services in 1999.  Today, it serves as a refuge for migrating grassland birds.

Bobolink

       Just recently, this 565 acre refuge has undergone extensive reclamation as the old concrete runways were demolished and covered with soil and vegetation.  While quite barren right now, it will eventually be returned to its native state.  Grassland birds such as sparrows, Eastern meadowlarks, Bobolinks, Horned lark, Northern harrier, Short-eared owl, Upland sandpiper, and Rough-legged hawks will frequent the site during various seasons of the year.  Today, we came here specifically looking for the Bobolinks and the more elusive Upland sandpiper.

       We ended up batting .500 as we failed to hear or sight any of the “Uppies”.  The Bobolinks were a different story, however.  At times, these handsome birds with the creamy crowns will draw near to you providing you remain in your vehicle.  Today, they preferred to keep their distance, but we did manage to get a few respectable photos for documentation purposes.

       Leaving the property, we headed southeast, back towards home.  As we drove along, we realized that we were going right past an area that was slated for development, but which now lies dormant for lack of financing.  Within the property lies a large sand bank which Sharon and I recalled visiting in the past.  This bank serves as a great habitat for Bank swallows. 

  

A Bank swallow peers from its nest cavity

     These swallows are pretty difficult to find in Southeastern New York because of habitat loss and if it were not for this development going “belly-up”, we probably would not be able to find these small swallows here today.  But, as luck would have it (for the birds and the birders, anyway), here we were looking at and photographing a new and unexpected “year-bird”.  While not on the target list for today, these birds were very well received, I assure you.  Sometimes you expend a great deal of time and energy looking for that special bird, and other times, they seem to be dropped into your lap.  Beautiful day and some beautiful birds!