Saturday, May 23, 2015

May 23 - Ulster/Sullivan County birding

Our group took it's annual pilgrimage to the Ulster County, New York hotspot of Blue Chip Farms this morning.  The target here is the Upland Sandpiper.  We saw 2 birds from Hoagerburgh Road, and then later saw 3 individuals from Bates Lane within the horse paddock.  




Also seen were Grasshopper Sparrow, and a Bank Swallow seen above the pond which is on Old Fort Road (the location of this past winter's Gyrfalcon).

Afterward we headed over to Bashakill Wetlands in Sullivan County.  The target here was marsh birds and we were able to see the Common Gallinule.  Other goodies were Yellow-Throated Vireo on it's nest, Cerulean Warblers, Bald Eagle, and Least Flycatcher.

Finally on the way home I saw a posting of a Red-Necked Phalarope being seen on Orange Lake, which is near Stewart Airport.  We made the slight detour into Orange County and after a short wait I was able to briefly see the Phalarope once it lifted up from the water and took a short flight.
You can read more about this bird and view a distant photograph on John Hass's Blog