Day207: July 25th – Kenridge count

A beautiful sunny, warm and dry day

       For the past year, the bird club to which I belong, the Mearns Bird Club, has been conducting a survey in which we have been taking an inventory of the birds which are present at Kenridge Farm in Cornwall during the course of each month.   Today, five members walked the property and found a total of 34 species, many vocalizing.  Late July is not known for being very productive for birding.  Some birds on are the nest, some have already begun to head south, and some simply remain somewhat inactive in response to the heat of summer.

       And so, when we tally 34 species during a two hour walk, we are quite satisfied.  One of the most interesting bird sightings of the day was the high number of  barn swallows we found.  Some of the more than 40 individuals gave me a nice shot as they lined up along a metal bar along the side of the main barn on the site.  The shadows they cast upon the barn wall clearly displayed the feature which sets these swallows apart from all other local sparrows….their forked tails.  This has been a banner year for the barn swallows here at Kenridge (now officially known as the Outdoor Discovery Center of the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum) with many nest successfully fledging multiple young.

       In terms of abundance, the next most impressive bird species would have to be the American goldfinch.  We counted more than 50 individuals during the course of the morning.  Each year, when the Spotted knapweed comes into bloom, you can count on the goldfinches showing up in large numbers.  The knapweed, although being an invasive plant, is also relished by a number of butterflies.  The Tiger swallowtails were here in larger numbers than any of us recall seeing before and it was not uncommon to see a half dozen at a time flitting from one purple bloom to another.

       Thistles are a favorite nectar source for a number of butterflies.  This Monarch was seen taking advantage of a full-blooming thistle.  Unfortunately, much of the habitat of this native plant has been taken over by the knapweed which outcompetes the thistle for growing area.

       Finally, as one more bird species worthy of mention we had a female Common yellowthroat.  With sightings of both a male and a juvenile last week, I have to believe that these birds are breeding here at the Discovery Center.  In the future, we hope to have this area along with the surrounding environs declared an Audubon “Important Bird Area” and sightings such as this can only help the cause.