Birds this weekend 4-17/18 2021

[david nicosia]

All,

I actually had some time to do some birding this weekend. Work has been quite busy of late so it was great getting out this weekend. I focused on CVSP yesterday with the hopes of getting the BLUE HEADED VIREO and some of the early warbler species. I had 3 singing BLUE-HEADED VIREOS which was awesome. This is one of my all-time favorite species. I had one close enough to get a decent recording( it is in the ebird report below). I also noticed PINE WARBLERs all over singing.  I had a flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOs of which I counted 21 feeding on the grass by the road. There was one spot past the golf course right before all thoses pines before you come back down the hill where I had PALM, PINE, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERs which was really neat. I got some great photos of which are in the ebird report below.  I have had all of the eastern race "Yellow" PALM WARBLER so far this spring. They must be earlier than the duller western race as I recall from previous years.  I also had a surprise raptor flying north. It was a NORTHERN HARRIER female-type. If I didn't get it in my scope I am not sure I would have been able to make the ID. It was flying pretty high and looked odd. White rump and facial pattern with orangish underneath clinched the ID. I also heard the FOY BROAD-WINGED HAWK that seemed to be circling around by the bog area. I didn't see this bird but later by the Chenango River above the hillside, there was another BROAD-WINGED HAWK riding a thermal. I also had a FOY pair of BLUE-GRAY GNATCATHERs here too in the brushy area between the parking area and the river. 

Here is my ebird list from CVSP  https://ebird.org/atlasny/checklist/S85726419

Then I did Upper Lisle Today, I got no new annual birds but it was chock full of birds up there. 

I had three more BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, COOPERS HAWK, and RED-TAILED HAWK all migrating. I thought I heard an OSPREY too but it was a "heard only once" bird so I didn't count it. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have made a big push into the area calling and singing from all over. There really wasn't that much waterfowl or gulls. I did have 5 BONAPARTE'S GULL flying up the reservoir when I begin. I got nice scope views of this neat species. I walked out on the northwest wide of the reservoir in the woods to get a better look at the upper reservoir, there really wasn't that much waterfowl which isn't surprising giving the fair weather. I did have LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEADS and one gorgeous male breeding plumage RUDDY DUCK. This bird was distant and likely easily seen from the end of Keibal Road. In the woods, I heard the call notes of PALM WARBLERs. So I phished for a bit and not only did one pop out, but I had 4 PALM WARBLERS in one hawthorne within the canopy!  They were all the yellow or eastern race.  I managed a couple decent photos of one of these birds. I also had a singing YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and a singing PINE WARBLER.  Then I heard two BLUE-HEADED VIREOS too. These woods can often have a lot of warblers, vireos etc and you have a great view of the upper reservoir. It is quite great spot and worth the hike. I spent a bit over 4 hours at upper lisle today and it was worth it.  List is here  https://ebird.org/atlasny/checklist/S85824778

I have a 3 day weekend, so more birding tomorrow!  Love this time of year. Hope many of you can get out and enjoy! 

Best,
Dave Nicosia