2013: Week 1- Hudson Valley

       It’s been a really good start to the new year as we’ve been able to tone down the birding schedule (just a tad) and yet have come up with a nice beginning to the 2013 Year List.  We began with a New Year’s Day trip over to Westchester County and laid down a base of 33 birds.  The best of the new birds was the Fox sparrows we observed at the Marshlands Conservancy.  The were in exceptional plumage with a deep rusty hue….beautiful birds.

       We have also managed to score with the first Common redpolls we have ever had at our home feeders.  We’ve been feeding the birds for over 20 years and this was the first redpolls we’ve ever recorded.  We only had two, but other birding folks throughout the county have been reporting excellent numbers at their feeders as well, so we will keep our eyes peeled for more of the same.

       Today, we headed over to Washingtonville and the Orrs Mills Road area near the Moodna Trestle where there has been an active eagle’s nest in the past.  Sharon spotted a nice mature perched in a snag and we turned the RAV around to get a better angle.  Nice lighting provided some nice views even though the bird was several hundred yards off. 

       Suddenly a second mature bird flew onto the scene and chased the first one off its perch.  Hopefully, this is another resident pair that will bolster the numbers of breeding eagles here in the valley.

       Finally, we responded to reports of Glaucous and Iceland gulls which had been seen for the past several days on the Newburgh waterfront.  I had made several trips this winter to Newburgh and over to Beacon in search of these birds, but both had eluded me…..until today.  One out of two ain’t bad, and the Iceland which showed up for about 10 of the Mearns Club members who had assembled hoping for a look was well received.  No Glaucous, but the Iceland for a year bird this early in the season is great.

       After a year of pretty intense birding, we are taking it a little slower and easier pace this year, but already we have more than 40 year birds including several we don’t get every year.  So, we’ll take it and are thrilled to be out and about whenever the spirit moves.  Check back each weekend and hopefully, you’ll find more news about our birding adventures for 2013.