Day 344: December 10th – Manitou Station Road

Overcast, 55 degrees, calm winds

       With the forecast for yet more rain this afternoon, Sharon and I get out and scramble for a place to bird which might be a bit different from what we’ve been doing lately…birding ponds.

         First, however, we spotted a trio of beautiful swans on Garrison's Pond as we drove south on Route 9W.  I pulled over and enjoyed the grace and elegance of these most elegant birds.  They struck some fine poses for me and I had to tear myself away from the swans to continue our quest.

         We headed across the river once again to the Garrison with the intent of heading over towards Kent.  En route, however, Sharon suggested we drop down off Route 9D in Garrison and check out Manitou Station Road.  We have not been down this road is probably 10 years, so figured what the heck. 

       As soon as we began driving down this narrow roadway which leads down to the river and the little community of Manitou, we began spotting birds.  First crows, then juncos, then titmice, then chickadees, and so on.  While there was nothing really out of the ordinary, there were very good numbers of the birds.  And it just kept getting better and better! 

       When we reached the bottom of the road where it intersects with the private access road into the community, we had plenty of birds on both sides.  There were a number of Northern cardinals flitting back and forth across the road and juncos lined the entire roadside.  White-throated and Song sparrows were found in the cattails and reeds along the road as were a pair of Downy woodpeckers. 

 

       Just at the bottom of the hill, there is a pull-off which is the end of Mystery Point Road.  It is a service road at this end and is closed off to vehicular traffic making it an ideal birding site.  This dirt road winds along the extensive marsh and promises to provide many hours of good birding throughout the coming year.  Red-bellied woodpeckers, more Downies, Eastern bluebirds, and of course Mallards were present here today.  I hiked in about a third of a mile before turning around to return to the car, but the next time I come down here it will be for an extended exploration of the site.  It’s great to be able to add to our list of winter birding venues.