Day 256: September 12th – Down at the farm(s)

High 70s, dry and sunny

       Another spectacular day to be out and about.  We had to be up in the Fishkill area today due to car problems.  So we headed up to Vassar Environmental Farm in the hopes of some migrants.  On the way, we decided to make a quick stop at Stonykill Environmental Farms to check on the fields and woodlands of that wonderful spot.  On the drive in, we encountered a number of Eastern phoebes which suddenly appear to be everywhere.  I think most are young ones as they have little fear of us approaching in the car or on foot.  We had a good number of them yesterday at Minnewaska and here again today. 

       Around the main building, near the parking lot, we spotted a Red-eyed vireo and met up with some birding buds who had already found Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and several other warbler species.  After spending a short amount of time checking on these birds, we moved back down towards the barns.  Here we found a nice young Red-tailed hawk perched above the fields.  I managed to get quite a few photos until a large group of European starlings decided to move the hawk out of “their” territory.  As the hawk took flight, a second joined him and both flew off together.

        On to our eventual destination, Vassar Farms up in Poughkeepsie.  The site is home to a community garden with a variety of vegetables and flowers growing in fenced in plots.  We often find sparrow of various kinds here, but today, the only sparrow in sight was the all-to-familiar House sparrow.  We can also count on American goldfinches, and they did not let us down.  One of my best subjects was a young one bathing in a puddle.  Again, the bird cared little about my presence and actually landed in the water not more than 10 feet from me and started to bathe.  He really looked as if he was enjoying the experience. 

 

        I also had a nice view of a Ruby-throated hummingbird which was trying desperately to  get to a beautiful patch of gladiolas.  He was on the wrong side of a mesh fence and could not get to the flowers.  All he had to do was go up and over the fencing material and the prize was his.  But, I never did see him take that course, and eventually he flew off in the opposite direction  in a fit of frustration.

       I then heard the high pitched cries of yet another Red-tail.  I looked up and saw the hawk approaching me.  I ripped off a few shots as he flew past soon to be followed by a kestrel flying at right angles to his path. 

       Tomorrow, we will head back down south to Jersey and perhaps Delaware if time permits for another short trip for shorebirds and whatever else we might run into.