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3 Feb Blackbirds and Vultures [Steve ] 03 Feb Crow Games ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 2 Feb RE: Short tailed hawk [Nancy Jane Kern ] 2 Feb Short tailed hawk [marlene vidibor ] 2 Feb Turkey Vulture, Coxsackie [Alan Mapes ] 02 Feb "Snow Cute"@ Ft. Miller ["Jeff Nadler" ] 01 Feb Ft. Edward, Rt 4 ,, No Golden Eagle but found these others ["Ken" ] 1 Feb Big Flock of Blackbirds - Mead's Lane [Alan Mapes ] 01 Feb Fort Miller- Female Barrow's Goldeneye below the Dam ["Nancy Jane K" ] 01 Feb Turkeys [Alan French ] 1 Feb Out of area report on Superbowl of Birding [Steve ] 30 Jan HMBC program Monday Feb 6 - Namibia [] 30 Jan Ft edward grasslands yesterday ["scottjstoner AT aol.com"] 30 Jan Trip to Fort Edward ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 30 Jan Re: "Snow on Ice" ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 29 Jan A few Greene County sightings ["Richard Guthrie" ] 29 Jan Bald Eagle - Averill Park - Nassau NY - Burden Lake [Brian Smith ] 29 Jan Salem eagle [Priscilla ] 29 Jan "Snow on Ice" ["Jeff Nadler" ] 29 Jan Article on Snowy Owl invasion ["ann2bird" ] 29 Jan Journey to Fort Miller ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 28 Jan Golden Eagle still around ["Mona Bearor" ] 27 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Ken" ] 27 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Jeff Nadler" ] 26 Jan RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Mona Bearor" ] 26 Jan Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["Stephen" ] 26 Jan RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller [Will Raup ] 26 Jan Golden Eagle - Fort Miller ["John" ] 25 Jan West side of the Hudson from Catskill to Coxsackie [Steve ] 25 Jan Re: Berries/seeds wanted ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Re: Berries/seeds wanted [Alan Mapes ] 25 Jan Berries/seeds wanted ["markclaydon.rm" ] 24 Jan Re: Great Blue in icy water ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Vantage Point ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 24 Jan Vantage Point ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 23 Jan Winter Surprises ["Mona Bearor" ] 23 Jan Great Blue in icy water ["Ken" ] 23 Jan Re: Snow Geese [Jim de Waal Malefyt ] 23 Jan Re: Snow Geese photos from last week ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 23 Jan Snow Geese photos from last week ["Ken" ] 23 Jan Rustys [Steve ] 23 Jan Crows in Colonie ["Alan" ] 22 Jan Crows in Colonie ["Alan" ] 22 Jan Re: Local Birds and Their Winter Berries [Alan Schroeder ] 22 Jan Crows in Colonie ["Alan" ] 22 Jan Re: Local Birds and Their Winter Berries [] 22 Jan Local Birds and Their Winter Berries ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 22 Jan Austerlitz- Coopr's Hawk Eating Venison ["Nancy Jane K" ] 22 Jan Rusty Blackbird - Mead's Lane [Alan Mapes ] 22 Jan Great Horned Owl- Colonie 1/21 ["Thomas Williams" ] 21 Jan FW: [MidHudsonBirds] Slaty-backed Gull/ Beacon Train Station ["Richard Guthrie" ] 22 Jan Re: Oriole still here ["John" ] 21 Jan Re: Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 [Chad Witko ] 21 Jan RE: Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 ["Richard Guthrie" ] 21 Jan Hermit Thrush - 5 Rivers; Traffic Jam - Mead's Lane [Alan Mapes ] 21 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye & possible Greater White-fronted Goose on Hudson from West River Rd., Saratoga County ["Mona Bearor" ] 21 Jan tomahannock 1-21-12 ["jimmy_rivers_edge" ] 21 Jan More yard activity ["Jeff Nadler" ] 21 Jan Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 ["Thomas Williams" ] 21 Jan RE: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 ["Richard Guthrie" ] 21 Jan White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 ["Thomas Williams" ] 21 Jan Re: TV Show on Nat Geo ["Bill Z" ] 20 Jan Re: TV Show on Nat Geo ["Bill Z" ] 20 Jan Re: TV Show on Nat Geo [Betty Grindrod ] 20 Jan Re: TV Show on Nat Geo ["Bill Z" ] 20 Jan TV Show on Nat Geo [Betty Grindrod ] 20 Jan RE: New backyard visitors [Brian Smith ] 20 Jan New backyard visitors ["Jeff Nadler" ] 20 Jan Re: Back Yard First ["Bill Z" ] 20 Jan Re: Robins ["Bill Z" ] 20 Jan Re: Back Yard First [Mark Claydon ] 19 Jan Re: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? [Chad Witko ] 20 Jan Come To Papa ["curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" ] 19 Jan RE: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? [Will Raup ] 19 Jan Re: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? [Suzanne Cardinal ] 19 Jan Northumberland Goose I.D. ? ["John" ] Subject: Blackbirds and Vultures From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:10:41 -0500 (EST) Jackson and I both had Turkey Vultures in Columbia and Renssalaer counties today traveling to and from work in Hudson and he just called and told me there are at least two Black Vultures perched on Columbia Memorial Hospital at the moment. In the meantime on Mead's Lane today there were at least two large flocks of blackbirds one made up of almost all Red-winged Blackbirds. The other had at least 300 birds close to half of which were Grackles and the rest were split between Brown-headed Cowbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. Could have had some Rusty's there - did not get enough of a look to check them all. Also met Al Mapes there - fellow blackbird watcher! Anybody who wants to see an eagle should go down 9J between Castleton-on-Hudson and where it meets route 9. I have seen eagels nearly every day that I travel it in daylight for the last month. My record is three pairs of adults but Jackson had 9-10 eagles on the way to work yesterday at about 3 PM including 5 in one tree at one point! Steve Mesick, Slingerlands, [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Crow Games From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:16:03 -0000 I saw a massive number of American Crows at The Crossings in Colonie yesterday and they were playing their own version of "King of the Hill." Maybe it's called King of the Pine. Check it out at http://youtu.be/oL-maSoGJ8Y Curt Morgan ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Short tailed hawk From: Nancy Jane Kern <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:51:30 -0500 This would be a great find, but highly unlikely in this area. A more likely possibility would be a color variant or young Red-tailed Hawk. I will try to get over your way and look in that area. I often see Red-tails over there. Nancy Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:43:31 -0800 From: mvidibor AT yahoo.com Subject: Short tailed hawk To: kernscot AT hotmail.com; marionulmer AT taconic.net; cook AT sunycgcc.edu; cjtrapper AT yahoo.com; hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Driving on Schnackenberg yesterday spotted w profile of a black headed bird with a white breast in tall roadside bushes of our northern neighbor. It had a pronounced raptor beak. Had a hard time finding a pic as google did not come up with any useful.suggestions. Today sat down with Marion's trusty Peterson's guide to Eastern birds and flopped until I found it: a short tailed hawk. As I backed up the car to get a good look it took off and I could see the black back and white breast below. It was a first for me and being able to id it so well was quite a thrill. Thanks Marion for the book. Marlene Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Short tailed hawk From: marlene vidibor <mvidibor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:43:31 -0800 (PST) Driving on Schnackenberg yesterday spotted w profile of a black headed bird with a white breast in tall roadside bushes of our northern neighbor.  It had a pronounced raptor beak.  Had a hard time finding a pic as google did not come up with any useful.suggestions.  Today sat down with Marion's trusty Peterson's guide to Eastern birds and flopped until I found it:  a short tailed hawk.  As I backed up the car to get a good look it took off and I could see the black back and white breast below.  It was a first for me and being able to id it so well was quite a thrill.  Thanks Marion for the book. Marlene Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Turkey Vulture, Coxsackie From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:11:43 -0500 Driving between New Baltimore and Coxsackie yesterday afternoon, we had a Turkey Vulture fly up from the ground along River Road. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: "Snow Cute"@ Ft. Miller From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:21:01 -0000 Another intimate portrait of a single snow goose on the Hudson River at Fort Miller, Washington County. Photographed from parked vehicle as blind using a photo bean bag on door. http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/2445/012912021.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------ Subject: Ft. Edward, Rt 4 ,, No Golden Eagle but found these others From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:50:36 -0000 Took another ride the other day to Ft.Miller/Ft. Edward area just on chance the GE might still be around. No site of it on my trip but found this Bald Eagle in the tree across from Blackhouse Rd. where someone had seen the GE perched... http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2188766910065162350XkMHlJ?vhost=outdoors ...and found this Red-tailed hawk a little further up Rt. 4 on a roadside pole http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2217416990065162350ndIXQk?vhost=outdoors Take care and good birding to all. Ken H. ------------------------------------ Subject: Big Flock of Blackbirds - Mead's Lane From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:53:51 -0500 This morning on Mead's Lane in Delmar, I had a flock of about 250 blackbirds - estmated 150 Red-winged Blackbirds, 100 Brown-headed Cowbirds, 2 Rusty Blackbirds, 1 Common Grackle. Also in the cornfields - 100 Canada Geese, 21 Wild Turkeys. No sparrows found. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Fort Miller- Female Barrow's Goldeneye below the Dam From: "Nancy Jane K" <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:13 -0000 Fort Miller, Washington, US-NY Jan 31, 2012 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM Protocol: Traveling 4.0 mile(s) Comments: Mild day in the 40's. Many waterfowl concentrated below the lock and dam on the Hudson River. 10 species Snow Goose 120 Canada Goose 3500 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 70 Common Goldeneye 120 Female Barrow's Goldeneye 1 Common Merganser 28 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 Dark-eyed Junco 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) ------------------------------------ Subject: Turkeys From: Alan French <adfrench AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:23:22 -0500 I have seven Turkeys under my bird feeders. Clear skies, Alan Glenville ------------------------------------ Subject: Out of area report on Superbowl of Birding From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 03:26:56 -0500 (EST) I posted a couple weeks ago about looking for team members for the Superbowl of Birding held annually in northeastern MA and southeastern NH. Quite an enjoyable event in some of the most starkly attractive winter landscapes around. I know other folks have posted about Plum Island but it is also a breathtaking place in the winter. Jackson and I teamed up with 3 local birders to do 12 hours of coastal and land birding. We do not play to win as we are very unlikely to win against the best regional birders of that area but we had a great time. Highlights included great views of Snowy and Short-eared Owls, a Townsend's Warbler that has found its way to NH and has been wintering at a feeder in Ipswich, a falcon sweep with good views of all three but especially the Merlin, and 28 species of waterfowl of various kinds. I went out a day early and had a couple other highlights - a Yellow-breasted Chat that has been visiting a feeder in Hampton for much of the winter and a Cape May Warbler(!!) that has been foraging along the seaweed wrack of the Atlantic shore at Odiorne State Park. This bird is showing an incredible adaptation to survive in the NH winter, mild though it has been. He has been seen since the 12th in the same spot, but he has presumably been there all winter. The bird should be in Cuba right now. IHe has made it through at least 2 very cold snaps since the 12th. I have posted some pix of the Snowy and the Cape May: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/146345878/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/223434674/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/1724267484/pic/1539974626/view?picmode=medium&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc Also we are entered in the Team-in-Action Photo contest - if you can in good conscience vote for a picture that is probably not the best please do so at: http://www.greatblue.com/superbowlofbirdingphotocontest (We are the Unflappables) Steve Mesick, Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: HMBC program Monday Feb 6 - Namibia From: ScottJStoner AT aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:35:11 -0500 (EST) On Safari in Namibia Leader or Speaker: Gregg Recer Location of Event: Colonie Public Library Date: February 6, 2012 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm On Safari in Namibia In this travelogue program, Gregg Recer will share photos from self-guided travels he, along with his wife Cathy and son Bryce, took through northern Namibia in 2010. Namibia, in southwestern Africa, is predominantly an arid country, famous for the skeleton coast and the huge sand dunes of the namib desert. However, the northern part of the country includes extensive savanna and riparian corridors that abound with not only "charismatic megafauna" similar to east Africa, but a tremendous variety of birds, including many southern-Africa endemics and old-world families such as ostrich, rollers, hornbills, bee-eaters, guineafowl, babblers, weavers and waxbills. The program will explore several of Namibia's excellent national parks, including the Namib-Naukluft, Etosha, Mahango and Mudumu. Gregg Recer is a former HMBC president. He and his wife Cathy have been birding for nearly 25 years. They have travelled and birded over much of North America and have recently focused on exploring tropical birding locations. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - ALL ARE WELCOME For directions to the library, please see http://www.colonie.org/library/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Ft edward grasslands yesterday From: "scottjstoner AT aol.com"<ScottJStoner@aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:10:27 -0500 Sunday afternoon january 29 we had 11 No. Harrier, 4 red-tails , 2 rough-legs and 1 Am kestrel. Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Trip to Fort Edward From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:40:46 -0000 I made the 50 mile trip to Fort Edward today, but no Golden Eagle was seen along the way. Like Rich and Jeff, I saw a number of Bald Eagles* (2 over Rt 4 in North Troy; a second pair along Rt 4 north of Fort Miller). Between the second pair of Eagles and Blackhouse Rd. I saw two swans flying south along the river, but could not confirm their species. At Blackhouse and Rt 4 I saw a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, and a Red-tailed Hawk**. In Fort Miller I saw the 1000s of Canada Geese, but didn't spot the Snow Geese. In Fort Edward it was too early for the SEOs on Fitzpatrick Rd (3:20 pm). In addition to the above I saw a Red Fox in Fort Edward and a Coyote in Colonie. Curt Morgan * http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1621829678/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ** http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/224613324/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: "Snow on Ice" From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:08:07 -0000 Beautiful shot, Jeff. You did great on white balance which is a challenge for a sunny morning. Curt Morgan --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Nadler" wrote: > > My wife and I did not have success finding the Ft. Miller area golden eagle this morning but hope others there did. We found a hunting rough-legged hawk on Cary Road, 4 adult bald eagles in one view (2 in a tree and 2 soaring) along Route 4, and common goldeneye at numerous river stops. And with only a couple dozen snow geese among the thousands of canada geese, I decided to just focus in on one to practice white exposure. As I took this, a beaver emerged from under the ice and swam by. After breakfast in Greenwich, we checked the fields and river south of Schuylerville for the golden eagle again without success. Here is a portrait of one snow goose on ice. > > http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8937/012912022.jpg > > Jeff Nadler > ------------------------------------ Subject: A few Greene County sightings From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:58:40 -0500 I made a few stops around The Greene County today and was able to find these highlights: BALD EAGLES: 3 at New Baltimore; 1 at the Coxsackie Boat Launch; and 2 at 4-mile Point (they were gathering sticks for their new nest - the old one must have been blown off the tree over the last year); NORTHERN HARRIERS: 5 at the Coxsackie Grasslands (viewed from both the west side and the River Road side); BELTED KINGFISHER: 1 at the Hannacroix Creek Preserve in New Baltimore; RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS: a flock of about 25 at the Coxsackie Grasslands; 1 at 4-mile Point; The Cardinals, Titmice, Chickadees, and a couple of pairs of Red-tailed Hawks were displaying various signs of courtship such as spring song, and - in the case of the hawks - aerial displays. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net (I'll be joining Bob Cudmore on WVTL 1570AM at 9:05 tomorrow (Jan 30) morning) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Bald Eagle - Averill Park - Nassau NY - Burden Lake From: Brian Smith <brijsmith AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:28:30 +0000 Hi, Spotted a bald eagle flying over Burden Lake in Averill Park as it just was getting dark yesterday. There was little activity on the lake yesterday since it was mild and the ice was not very solid. It seemed to be looking at spots of open water. Brian Smith Averill Park, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Salem eagle From: Priscilla <greenmtbluebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:36:06 -0800 (PST) Spotted an eagle on Route 153 in the Town of Salem today.  It was in the vicinity of Beattie Hollow and seemed to be following the White Creek.   Priscilla Leonard [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: "Snow on Ice" From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:59:38 -0000 My wife and I did not have success finding the Ft. Miller area golden eagle this morning but hope others there did. We found a hunting rough-legged hawk on Cary Road, 4 adult bald eagles in one view (2 in a tree and 2 soaring) along Route 4, and common goldeneye at numerous river stops. And with only a couple dozen snow geese among the thousands of canada geese, I decided to just focus in on one to practice white exposure. As I took this, a beaver emerged from under the ice and swam by. After breakfast in Greenwich, we checked the fields and river south of Schuylerville for the golden eagle again without success. Here is a portrait of one snow goose on ice. http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8937/012912022.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------ Subject: Article on Snowy Owl invasion From: "ann2bird" <ann9br-junk AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:39:45 -0000 Thought you might be interested in this article about the invasion of Snowy Owls. Ann http://www.dawn.com/2012/01/29/snowy-owls-soar-south-from-arctic-in-rare-mass-migration.html ------------------------------------ Subject: Journey to Fort Miller From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:32:45 -0000 As I cruised the unpaved River Road just south of Fort Miller today I got excited when I saw a brownish eagle perch on the west side of the river, but alas it was an immature Bald Eagle. On the way there I saw a male Peregrine Falcon (Troy), mature Bald eagle (Stillwater), three RTHs, a common Golden Eye & Common Merganser (in the same neighborhood as the Eagle). Here is a proof shot of the Eagle http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/99253657/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc Curt Morgan 28January2012 ------------------------------------ Subject: Golden Eagle still around From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:57:51 -0500 I was talking to a couple birders this afternoon in Fort Miller. They said they saw the Golden Eagle perched in a tree on the bank of the Hudson at the intersection of RT4 and Blackhouse Rd. It was being harassed by crows, and finally to the south. I did not see the bird. If you are birding the Hudson in the Fort Edward - Fort Miller - Northumberland areas tomorrow, keep your eyes open! Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Ken" <kharper AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:08:29 -0000 John, Nice photo, great bird. Boy am I kicking myself for not going with the group this AM. thanks for posting Ken H --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John" wrote: > > The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc > > John Hershey > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:53:28 -0000 What a great find and great digiscoped images. Congrats John! Thanks for sharing with us! --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John" wrote: > > The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc > > John Hershey > ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:43:42 -0500 Nice find! Congratulations! Great photos, too. Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls -----Original Message----- From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 1:49 PM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] Golden Eagle - Fort Miller The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/v iew?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc John Hershey ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "Stephen" <smp928s AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:11:22 -0000 That is one awesome bird. Thanks for sharing these! --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "John" wrote: > > The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc > > John Hershey > ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:50:48 -0500 Wow! No question about that one! Will Raup Albany, NY To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:54 +0000 Subject: [HMBirds] Golden Eagle - Fort Miller The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc John Hershey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Golden Eagle - Fort Miller From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:54 -0000 The Thursday Morning group spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE this morning from River Rd. south of Fort Miller. The Eagle was perched in a tree across the River, actually in the Town of Northumberland. We had excellent looks at the eagle before it took off going south along the Hudson River. It was seen from a point south of the intersection where River Rd. becomes Fort Miller Rd. I've posted a few digiscoped pics in my folder. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1832783227/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=241&dir=asc John Hershey ------------------------------------ Subject: West side of the Hudson from Catskill to Coxsackie From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:53:51 -0500 (EST) Was headed home from work and took a little different route today gpoing up the west side of the river. Highlights include a stop at the boat launch area at the mouth or Murderer's Creek in Athens and was surprised to find one female WOOD DUCK steaming upstream. Downstream there were four COMMON MERGANSERS - one male and three females. The other highlight was a light morph Rough-legged Hawk at Coxsackie Grasslands. Both the Woodie and the Roughie gave good looks. Steve Mesick, Slingerlands [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Berries/seeds wanted From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:22:10 -0000 This site ought to keep you going for a while Mark. http://www.sialis.org/plants.htm Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "markclaydon.rm" wrote: > > I would like to plant a berry producing tree that is attractive to bluebirds. If anyone has such a tree with berries on it now I would like to have some for planting if you're willing to share. I will gladly come and pick them up. > > Thank you! > Mark Claydon > Glenville, NY > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Berries/seeds wanted From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:56:57 -0500 I've seen them eat two varieties of fruits in the winter time, multifora rose hips and staghorn sumac fruit heads.The rose is invasive and will take over your land, if allowed to. It takes work to control the stuff, but it's a great wildlife food plant. In my yard, a No. Mockingbird guards the rose clumps and tries to keep the hips all for himself. Staghorn sumac is native, is beautiful in the fall, and not nearly as invasive like the rose (it's also native). I don't know how it is to cultivate - have not heard of people doing that, but you might find some information on a web search. You can find some sprouts along a roadside in the spring, if you want to try transplanting. A number of bird species use the fruits, including Wild Turkey. Many people consider sumac a weed tree, but it's a dandy wildlife plant. Alan Mapes New Scotland On Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 8:29 PM, markclaydon.rm wrote: > ** > > > I would like to plant a berry producing tree that is attractive to > bluebirds. If anyone has such a tree with berries on it now I would like to > have some for planting if you're willing to share. I will gladly come and > pick them up. > > Thank you! > Mark Claydon > Glenville, NY > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Berries/seeds wanted From: "markclaydon.rm" <markclaydon AT rocketmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:29:09 -0000 I would like to plant a berry producing tree that is attractive to bluebirds. If anyone has such a tree with berries on it now I would like to have some for planting if you're willing to share. I will gladly come and pick them up. Thank you! Mark Claydon Glenville, NY ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great Blue in icy water From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:42:38 -0000 I like this shot, Ken. The GBH in a small open circle surrounded by ice--nyce! Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken" wrote: > > Came across this Great Blue Heron the other day down by the ClamSteam Tavern in frozen river estuary. Just a small slot of water was open and he was standing in it fishing. Guess they will stick around as long as there is some open water. > http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2367905040065162350JrKTsz?vhost=outdoors > Ken H. > ------------------------------------ Subject: Vantage Point From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:44 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/555807280/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Vantage Point From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:15:05 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1260242443/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Winter Surprises From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:48:47 -0500 Yesterday I was surprised to see three immature Red-winged Blackbirds on New Swamp Rd in Hudson Falls. This morning from my porch I watched a Turkey Vulture as it gained altitude - possibly from a nighttime roost - and rocked off to the west. This afternoon I viewed three Song Sparrows, and about a dozen immature White-throated Sparrows on Washington county route 113, a little ways south of General Fellows Rd. I also saw a flock of about 50 Horned Larks on a manured field near there. My scope is in for repair so I was not able to check for Longspurs. I saw one Brown-headed Cowbird with a flock of European Starlings on RT32 on the backside of Saratoga National Historic Park. I returned home to find the Carolina Wren finally present on a Project Feeder Watch count day, and my all time high count of 11 Northern Cardinals. Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Great Blue in icy water From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:55:53 -0000 Came across this Great Blue Heron the other day down by the ClamSteam Tavern in frozen river estuary. Just a small slot of water was open and he was standing in it fishing. Guess they will stick around as long as there is some open water. http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2367905040065162350JrKTsz?vhost=outdoors Ken H. ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Snow Geese From: Jim de Waal Malefyt <dewaalmalefyt AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:59:13 -0500 Last Friday around noontime there was a large flock of Snow Geese (several hundred +) in the ag. fields behind the farm buildings south of Callahan Rd and east of Rt 32 in Northumberland. Also saw 4 tail-bobbing American Pipits along Callahan. There was only about 20 Snows in with the thousands of Canada Geese on the Hudson at Fort Miller. Quite a bit less open water then when Ken took photos. It would be interesting to know the daily activity of these geese? Yesterday I saw about 100 Horned Larks on a maure spread at the corner of Rt 7 and John Synder Rd. in Brunswick. Jim de Waal Malefyt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Snow Geese photos from last week From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:37:20 -0000 Wow, Ken, those are awesome shots. I have never seen so many SG in one place. Are they still there, do you know? Glad to see that you are back out there. We have missed you! Curt --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Ken" wrote: > > Sorry for posting this late but just trying to catch up on stuff. > I was up in Ft. Miller on 1/10 and was lucky enough to view about 1200 snow geese on the river. They kept taking off, circleing around and then landing again. Along with the snow geese there were probably about 10,000 Canada Geese. What a sound they all made, it was amazing. > Here is a link to some of the snowgeese photos I took. > http://kenharperphotos.com/pelikenphotos_098.htm > > Ken Harper > ------------------------------------ Subject: Snow Geese photos from last week From: "Ken" <cpkbh1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:46:39 -0000 Sorry for posting this late but just trying to catch up on stuff. I was up in Ft. Miller on 1/10 and was lucky enough to view about 1200 snow geese on the river. They kept taking off, circleing around and then landing again. Along with the snow geese there were probably about 10,000 Canada Geese. What a sound they all made, it was amazing. Here is a link to some of the snowgeese photos I took. http://kenharperphotos.com/pelikenphotos_098.htm Ken Harper ------------------------------------ Subject: Rustys From: Steve <yugruguru AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:29:31 -0500 (EST) Jackson and I checked for sparrows on Mead's Lane and did not find much besides American tree Sparrows and juncos but we found some blackbirds as well in two flocks with closer to 8-10 Rustys. Steve Mesick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Crows in Colonie From: "Alan" <earthday49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:01:09 -0000 Spent some time this afternoon chasing Crows. Typically they will not let you near enough to get a good photo. Found a couple today that didn't care. The first, a Common Crow, was busily trying to find a place in a snow pile to hide its prize. It found a hole in the top of a snow pile, put it in then covered it with snow. I guess it thought better of the idea, since I and about 8 other crows were watching, and took it out again. After a while it flew off with its chunk of ????. Another crow landed in the same spot, immediately after the first left, and went straight to the hole to check it out. Not finding anything it sat there for a while and every so ofter would take a mouth full of snow, presumably for the water. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/756193372/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&dir=asc During all of this another crow was sitting in a tree directly behind the snow pile, seemingly unconcerned of my presence and I never gave it a second look until the other two flew off. Then I noticed it was noticeably smaller than the first two, so I stayed and watched and took some photos of it. Turned out to be a Fish Crow that was not only nice enough to begin its distinctive call but it attracted 4 more before they all flew off. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/1930123341/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&count=20&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Crows in Colonie From: "Alan" <earthday49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:50:21 -0000 Spent some time this afternoon chasing Crows. Typically they will not let you near enough to get a good photo. Found a couple today that didn't care. The first, a Common Crow, was busily trying to find a place in a snow pile to hide its prize. It found a hole in the top of a snow pile, put it in then covered it with snow. I guess it thought better of the idea, since I and about 8 other crows were watching, and took it out again. After a while it flew off with its chunk of ????. Another crow landed in the same spot, immediately after the first left, and went straight to the hole to check it out. Not finding anything it sat there for a while and every so ofter would take a mouth full of snow, presumably for the water. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/756193372/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&dir=asc During all of this another crow was sitting in a tree directly behind the snow pile, seemingly unconcerned of my presence and I never gave it a second look until the other two flew off. Then I noticed it was noticeably smaller than the first two, so I stayed and watched and took some photos of it. Turned out to be a Fish Crow that was not only nice enough to begin its distinctive call but it attracted 4 more before they all flew off. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/254540709/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&count=20&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Local Birds and Their Winter Berries From: Alan Schroeder <earthday49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:11:15 -0800 (PST) Nice Curt.  Sorry I missed you.  I only saw two Robins and a squirrel in the trees. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Crows in Colonie From: "Alan" <earthday49 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:07:15 -0000 Spent some time this afternoon chasing Crows. Typically they will not let you near enough to get a good photo. Found a couple today that didn't care. The first, a Common Crow, was busily trying to find a place in a snow pile to hide its prize. It found a hole in the top of a snow pile, put it in then covered it with snow. I guess it thought better of the idea, since I and about 8 other crows were watching, and took it out again. After a while it flew off with its chunk of ????. Another crow landed in the same spot, immediately after the first left, and went straight to the hole to check it out. Not finding anything it sat there for a while and every so ofter would take a mouth full of snow, presumably for the water. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/756193372/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&dir=asc During all of this another crow was sitting in a tree directly behind the snow pile, seemingly unconcerned of my presence and I never gave it a second look until the other two flew off. Then I noticed it was noticeably smaller than the first two, so I stayed and watched and took some photos of it. Turned out to be a Fish Crow that was not only nice enough to begin its distinctive call but attracted 4 more before they all flew off. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/201324896/pic/756193372/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=41&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Local Birds and Their Winter Berries From: peazel AT aol.com Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:51:09 -0500 (EST) beautiful video Curt ! :-) -----Original Message----- From: curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com To: hmbirds Sent: Sun, Jan 22, 2012 7:05 am Subject: [HMBirds] Local Birds and Their Winter Berries http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CM4HcZk7F8 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Local Birds and Their Winter Berries From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:05:25 -0000 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CM4HcZk7F8 ------------------------------------ Subject: Austerlitz- Coopr's Hawk Eating Venison From: "Nancy Jane K" <kernscot AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:51:17 -0000 I have some deer parts etc. donated by area hunters and placed back of my house in a field. It attracts many birds and animals during the winter, and today for the first time, a Cooper's Hawk. Usually it is terrorizing my feeders. A pair of C. Raven, 8 Am. Crows, and my resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks are the regular diners. Eventually the redtails objected to the Cooper's Hawk and chased it off the field and into the woods. It must be a hungry bird because it is back again with the crows and trying to blend in with their group while it pulls off strips of venison. It is always interesting to observe how the birds and animals relate, and communicate. ------------------------------------ Subject: Rusty Blackbird - Mead's Lane From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:10:23 -0500 Checked the lane for sparrows this morning. Found a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds at the recently-harvested corn fields on the south end of the road. At least 2 Rusty Blackbirds were in that flock of 30 or so birds. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Great Horned Owl- Colonie 1/21 From: "Thomas Williams" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:37:52 -0000 I traded calls with a Great Horned Owl this evening in Colonie. It first called from west of my location, then from the east. I'm not sure if I have a date for tomorrow or not...:). Tom Williams Colonie ------------------------------------ Subject: FW: [MidHudsonBirds] Slaty-backed Gull/ Beacon Train Station From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:20:07 -0500 Passing this on to our group for those who don't subscribe to any of the listed lists: Rich Guthrie From: MidHudsonBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:MidHudsonBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Curt McDermott Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 6:48 PM To: New York Birds; mearnsbirdclub AT yahoogroups.com; Mid Hudson Birds; Dad Subject: [MidHudsonBirds] Slaty-backed Gull/ Beacon Train Station This afternoon, Clara Montenegro and I returned to the Beacon Train Station as has been our ritual for the past week. Earlier in the week we had an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull along with a first year Iceland. The following day, we had 2 first year Iceland Gulls and a first year Glaucous. Yesterday morning we had the Glaucous only but returned in the afternoon to find 3 first year Iceland Gulls. Today was grand prize, as we found and adult Slaty-backed Gull which we viewed and photographed from approx. 4-4:30PM. A few things to know before coming. Each morning, the gulls that have roosted on the ice, lift off around 7-7:15 and fly to mid river or to a dump east of here at one of the State Prisons that are along Rt. 84. There is NO access to this dump and mid river, puts the gulls at about 1 mile away. Each afternoon has been the most productive, as the birds re-appear around 3 and continue doing so almost until dark (roughly 5PM). There are several ways into the Beacon Train Station. The southernmost entrance crosses over the train tracks and brings you along the river. When you get to a point where the platform is easily viewed on your right, you will notice a series of buildings on your left. Continue past the buildings and you will see a small cove immediately on you left as well. At that point, you should be within 15 feet of the water. You will see the group of Gulls in this area. Good Luck if you go, Curt McDermott [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Oriole still here From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:39:37 -0000 I posted 3 pics of Elayne's Oriole taken this afternoon in Niskayuna, 1/21. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/1929033302/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=221&dir=asc John Hershey --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Elayne Ryba wrote: > > In spite of the last 2 nights of bitterly cold > temps, she is still here. She is enjoying > raisins & cranberry muffins along with > sunflower & safflower seeds. > > Elayne > Niskayuna > -- > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 From: Chad Witko <cjtrapper AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:57:09 -0800 (PST) Interestingly enough there was a sighting of a yellow-billed, pale lored, White-crowned Sparrow out of Middleborough MA just yesterday. It was clearly photographed and the photo can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryser915/6732857811/ The bird is being identified as a "Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow, which it might be (a "western" breeding subspecies). Western subspecies of White-crowned Sparrows have apparently shown up in the East....rarely. However, most of the yellow-billed, pale-lored individuals that have shown up in the East are most likely just "Eastern" birds that are exhibiting features that are similar to those of their western counterparts. Insight into this pattern comes from maps generated out of band recoveries on the various subspecies. A nice write up of this can be found on David Sibley's website: http://www.sibleyguides.com/2010/11/white-crowned-sparrow-subspecies-where/ Another great page that David has developed is one on how to properly separate out the subspecies in the field. It is certainly more in-depth than his field guide goes into, and it might be more detailed than most would need or even use. However, above all else, it shows why this can be such a challenging group to positively separate into subspecies: http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/white-crowned-sparrow/#Subspecies-Identification--Pacific-vs-Western-Taiga Cheers, Chad Witko Claverack, NY cjtrapper AT yahoo.com www.chat-happens.com ________________________________ From: Richard Guthrie To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 6:11 PM Subject: RE: [HMBirds] Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21   Several birders showed up on Mead's Lane today, searching for the sparrow. Although there were dozens of sparrows, mostly Amer. Tree, some White-throats, Song, and Juncos, we were not able to relocate the White-crowned Sparrow. A White-crowned Sparrow showing a yellow bill (rather than the expected pink or flesh-colored bill) has some great potential for being one of the Pacific coast sub-species - or an aberration in the east coast population. Either way, it would be an interesting bird to document. In addition to the bill color, there are other clues that would help define the origins of this bird more clearly. The head pattern and the base coloration of the Pacific birds are different than "ours". A photograph of this bird would be very useful in making a more definitive call on this bird. (And, if it is one of the very limited range sup-species, a photograph would be a real feather in the cap of the photographer). From what I've heard, the sparrow was found in with a mixed group of sparrows on Mead's Lane, in the vines and shrubs around the old abandoned wood house on the north(?) side of the road. That's where the group of us concentrated our search. The sparrows were flighty and moved between the cornfield and the house. The road is narrow with limited shoulder room for pulling out of traffic. So, exercising caution and good judgment would be wise. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, gaeltic AT capital.net From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Williams Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 3:04 PM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 No picture, unfortunately. Bill color was yellow like a redpoll, or a No. 2 pencil...otherwise, standard black and white head pattern, chestnut brown wings, white wing bars, gray flanks. Bird was angled away from us, but with head turned to keep an eye on us. Took a quick look in Crossley guide, seemed like a composite of the two subspecies. Tom Williams Colonie --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com , "Richard Guthrie" wrote: > > Did you get a picture? This could be one of the Pacific sub-species of > White-crowned Sparrow ! > > > > I haven't checked, but, if so it could be a first in NYS. > > > > Rich Guthrie > > gaeltic AT ... > > > > > > From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of > Thomas Williams > Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:26 PM > To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [HMBirds] White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 > > > > > > Quite a busy morning for birds along Meads Lane in Delmar this morning. On > our first pass through we observed several hundred Canada Geese feeding in a > corn stubble field, with a hundred crows nearby, and a roadside flock of > juncos and tree sparrows. There were many Mourning Doves sitting on the > downed corn stalks as well. On our return leg, we watched a Northern Harrier > coursing across a field. A group of small birds moving through a roadside > thicket contained tree sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, and an adult > White-crowned Sparrow. The most notable feature of the WC Sparrow, besides > its handsome headgear, was a very yellow bill. An active morning > despite/because of the light snowfall. > > Tom Williams > Colonie > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:11:27 -0500 Several birders showed up on Mead's Lane today, searching for the sparrow. Although there were dozens of sparrows, mostly Amer. Tree, some White-throats, Song, and Juncos, we were not able to relocate the White-crowned Sparrow. A White-crowned Sparrow showing a yellow bill (rather than the expected pink or flesh-colored bill) has some great potential for being one of the Pacific coast sub-species - or an aberration in the east coast population. Either way, it would be an interesting bird to document. In addition to the bill color, there are other clues that would help define the origins of this bird more clearly. The head pattern and the base coloration of the Pacific birds are different than "ours". A photograph of this bird would be very useful in making a more definitive call on this bird. (And, if it is one of the very limited range sup-species, a photograph would be a real feather in the cap of the photographer). From what I've heard, the sparrow was found in with a mixed group of sparrows on Mead's Lane, in the vines and shrubs around the old abandoned wood house on the north(?) side of the road. That's where the group of us concentrated our search. The sparrows were flighty and moved between the cornfield and the house. The road is narrow with limited shoulder room for pulling out of traffic. So, exercising caution and good judgment would be wise. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, gaeltic AT capital.net From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Williams Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 3:04 PM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 No picture, unfortunately. Bill color was yellow like a redpoll, or a No. 2 pencil...otherwise, standard black and white head pattern, chestnut brown wings, white wing bars, gray flanks. Bird was angled away from us, but with head turned to keep an eye on us. Took a quick look in Crossley guide, seemed like a composite of the two subspecies. Tom Williams Colonie --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com , "Richard Guthrie" wrote: > > Did you get a picture? This could be one of the Pacific sub-species of > White-crowned Sparrow ! > > > > I haven't checked, but, if so it could be a first in NYS. > > > > Rich Guthrie > > gaeltic AT ... > > > > > > From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of > Thomas Williams > Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:26 PM > To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [HMBirds] White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 > > > > > > Quite a busy morning for birds along Meads Lane in Delmar this morning. On > our first pass through we observed several hundred Canada Geese feeding in a > corn stubble field, with a hundred crows nearby, and a roadside flock of > juncos and tree sparrows. There were many Mourning Doves sitting on the > downed corn stalks as well. On our return leg, we watched a Northern Harrier > coursing across a field. A group of small birds moving through a roadside > thicket contained tree sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, and an adult > White-crowned Sparrow. The most notable feature of the WC Sparrow, besides > its handsome headgear, was a very yellow bill. An active morning > despite/because of the light snowfall. > > Tom Williams > Colonie > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Hermit Thrush - 5 Rivers; Traffic Jam - Mead's Lane From: Alan Mapes <alanmapes AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:48:59 -0500 I had a very friendly Hermit Thrush at 5 Rivers Center late this afternoon. It was in a hidden area of crab apples in the evergreen patch northwest of the Vlomankill Pavilion. There is an abandoned trail along a line of larch trees in the middle of that field, with an old line of crabs nest to it. The area is opposite the observation platform that overlooks the field that is circled by the service road trail. Four of us showed up independently to look for the White-crowned Sparrow along Mead's Lane in Delmar. No luck with that bird, but the road was hopping with Amer. Tree Sparrows, White-throats, a Song Sparrow, Juncos, Crows, Canada Geese and Wild Turkeys. Several corn fields have been combined recently, and the birds are enjoying the left-overs. Alan Mapes New Scotland [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye & possible Greater White-fronted Goose on Hudson from West River Rd., Saratoga County From: "Mona Bearor" <conservebirds AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:36:12 -0500 The female Barrow's continues on the Hudson. I viewed it this afternoon from West River Road, a couple hundred feet south of the Purinton Rd intersection. Good looks at the bill color, head shape, and darker brown color of head when compared to a nearby female Common Goldeneye. I may also have had an immature Greater White-fronted Goose with the huge flock of Canadas near the same location as the Barrow's - right across the river from the yellow house with the "for sale" sign. I was not able to see any white at the base of the bill, and the bill looked very orange to me - not the "pinky-orange" I have seen on other birds of this species. I did see the white tail tip. If anyone is in this area tomorrow, I'd appreciate hearing about any of your observations. Could this be a Greenland bird, rather than an Arctic Tundra bird perhaps? From the east side of river I was surprised to see a single Great Black-backed Gull resting on the ice. Three Short-eared Owls at Dusk on Fitzpatrick Rd. completed the day. Mona Bearor So. Glens Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: tomahannock 1-21-12 From: "jimmy_rivers_edge" <james.macione AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:32:33 -0000 water was finally frozen today. I picked a spot near caruso island, 630-1130AM turned out to be a spring there filled with geese and ducks Was really neat seeing them all tightly huddled. A raptor circled over the spring a few times. not sure if it is a immature baldy ? do we get goldens this time of year? other neat bird was a blue heron that went over head from kurts link for a week ago, they do winter here. Saw a few different smaller raptors and lots of small birds too Some photos from today (last 4 in album)are below http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100444699350821.2611692.9029266&type=1&l=53a3a979fd ------------------------------------ Subject: More yard activity From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:13:12 -0000 Again nothing uncommon, but local Carolina wren now at feeders, 15 mourning doves at once, 7 northern cardinals at once, both nuthatches, etc. Best photo op of the day for my portfolio was the red-bellied woodpecker in snow. Robins and eastern bluebirds continue as year-round residents. http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1627/rbwoodpecker012112095.jpg A drive up to Great Sacandaga Lake north of Northville and the connected Stony Creek and Sacandaga River only yielded one bald eagle sighting. Some previous winters have offered many more. Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 From: "Thomas Williams" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:04:03 -0000 No picture, unfortunately. Bill color was yellow like a redpoll, or a No. 2 pencil...otherwise, standard black and white head pattern, chestnut brown wings, white wing bars, gray flanks. Bird was angled away from us, but with head turned to keep an eye on us. Took a quick look in Crossley guide, seemed like a composite of the two subspecies. Tom Williams Colonie --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Richard Guthrie" wrote: > > Did you get a picture? This could be one of the Pacific sub-species of > White-crowned Sparrow ! > > > > I haven't checked, but, if so it could be a first in NYS. > > > > Rich Guthrie > > gaeltic AT ... > > > > > > From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of > Thomas Williams > Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:26 PM > To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [HMBirds] White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 > > > > > > Quite a busy morning for birds along Meads Lane in Delmar this morning. On > our first pass through we observed several hundred Canada Geese feeding in a > corn stubble field, with a hundred crows nearby, and a roadside flock of > juncos and tree sparrows. There were many Mourning Doves sitting on the > downed corn stalks as well. On our return leg, we watched a Northern Harrier > coursing across a field. A group of small birds moving through a roadside > thicket contained tree sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, and an adult > White-crowned Sparrow. The most notable feature of the WC Sparrow, besides > its handsome headgear, was a very yellow bill. An active morning > despite/because of the light snowfall. > > Tom Williams > Colonie > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:30:42 -0500 Did you get a picture? This could be one of the Pacific sub-species of White-crowned Sparrow ! I haven't checked, but, if so it could be a first in NYS. Rich Guthrie gaeltic AT capital.net From: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Williams Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 12:26 PM To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [HMBirds] White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 Quite a busy morning for birds along Meads Lane in Delmar this morning. On our first pass through we observed several hundred Canada Geese feeding in a corn stubble field, with a hundred crows nearby, and a roadside flock of juncos and tree sparrows. There were many Mourning Doves sitting on the downed corn stalks as well. On our return leg, we watched a Northern Harrier coursing across a field. A group of small birds moving through a roadside thicket contained tree sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, and an adult White-crowned Sparrow. The most notable feature of the WC Sparrow, besides its handsome headgear, was a very yellow bill. An active morning despite/because of the light snowfall. Tom Williams Colonie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: White-crowned Sparrow in Delmar- 1/21 From: "Thomas Williams" <trwdsd AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:25:49 -0000 Quite a busy morning for birds along Meads Lane in Delmar this morning. On our first pass through we observed several hundred Canada Geese feeding in a corn stubble field, with a hundred crows nearby, and a roadside flock of juncos and tree sparrows. There were many Mourning Doves sitting on the downed corn stalks as well. On our return leg, we watched a Northern Harrier coursing across a field. A group of small birds moving through a roadside thicket contained tree sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, and an adult White-crowned Sparrow. The most notable feature of the WC Sparrow, besides its handsome headgear, was a very yellow bill. An active morning despite/because of the light snowfall. Tom Williams Colonie ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: TV Show on Nat Geo From: "Bill Z" <devilsadvacat AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:59:31 -0000 If you like the show email Nat Geo at: comments AT ... ? unquote This was a pretty interesting show. Could you post this complete email address again with a space to separate it ? I read the messages online and complete email addresses are not archived by yahoo unless you do that. I also want to complain about so many annoying episodes of the Dog Whisperer on a station that is supposed to be about wildlife. And I will ask other people to do this. Bill Zardus devilsadvacat AT gmail.com --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Betty Grindrod wrote: > > Correction..Nat Geo Wild ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: TV Show on Nat Geo From: "Bill Z" <devilsadvacat AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:38:39 -0000 You are definitely right about this. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/schedule/wild/ I just realized this is how to access the shows on NatGeo-Wild. Bill Zardus --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Betty Grindrod wrote: > > I'm a lurker here, but thought you guys might be interested in a birding show on TV that airs tonight at 10pm on Nat Geo channel. It's about raptors. > > http://10000birds.com/national-geographic-launches-birding-tv-show.htm > > PS. I have a misguided yellow bellied sapsucker who stayed for the winter drinking from my big maple tree today. > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: TV Show on Nat Geo From: Betty Grindrod <betula235 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:15:39 -0500 Correction..Nat Geo Wild Learn more about James Currie's new show "Aerial Assassins" on Nat Geo WILD TV premiers tonight at 10pm EST. If you like the show email Nat Geo at: comments AT natgeochannel.com and tell them you want to see more episodes! On Jan 20, 2012, at 5:01 PM, Bill Z wrote: > Betty: > > I'm curious how and where you found this ? > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/links/TV_001323199075/ > I created the folder above to track when > the PBS stations and NatGeo are doing > shows about birds and when I follow the link > for Natgeo, I don't see anything about this > show you found(?) > > Does NatGeo have 2 different TV stations now ? > > Also ... > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/links/TV_001323199075/ > The last 4 links in this folder are for online videos > of great bird shows I have seen recently on TV and you > don't have to join the WingedFriends group to see > or use the links. > > Bill Zardus > > > > --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, > Betty Grindrod wrote: >> >> I'm a lurker here, but thought you guys might be interested in a birding show on TV that airs tonight at 10pm on Nat Geo channel. It's about raptors. >> >> http://10000birds.com/national-geographic-launches-birding-tv-show.htm >> >> PS. I have a misguided yellow bellied sapsucker who stayed for the winter drinking from my big maple tree today. >> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: TV Show on Nat Geo From: "Bill Z" <devilsadvacat AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:01:58 -0000 Betty: I'm curious how and where you found this ? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/links/TV_001323199075/ I created the folder above to track when the PBS stations and NatGeo are doing shows about birds and when I follow the link for Natgeo, I don't see anything about this show you found(?) Does NatGeo have 2 different TV stations now ? Also ... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/links/TV_001323199075/ The last 4 links in this folder are for online videos of great bird shows I have seen recently on TV and you don't have to join the WingedFriends group to see or use the links. Bill Zardus --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, Betty Grindrod wrote: > > I'm a lurker here, but thought you guys might be interested in a birding show on TV that airs tonight at 10pm on Nat Geo channel. It's about raptors. > > http://10000birds.com/national-geographic-launches-birding-tv-show.htm > > PS. I have a misguided yellow bellied sapsucker who stayed for the winter drinking from my big maple tree today. > ------------------------------------ Subject: TV Show on Nat Geo From: Betty Grindrod <betula235 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:08:24 -0500 I'm a lurker here, but thought you guys might be interested in a birding show on TV that airs tonight at 10pm on Nat Geo channel. It's about raptors. http://10000birds.com/national-geographic-launches-birding-tv-show.htm PS. I have a misguided yellow bellied sapsucker who stayed for the winter drinking from my big maple tree today. ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: New backyard visitors From: Brian Smith <brijsmith AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:03:59 +0000 Hi, After not seeing Red Breasted Nuthatches at our feeder for months we began seeing them again regularly here a couple weeks ago. Brian Smith Averill Park, NY To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: jnphotonet AT yahoo.com Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:53:36 +0000 Subject: [HMBirds] New backyard visitors Both very common species but first of winter for me at my feeders today - a red-breasted nuthatch and a song sparrow ( no American tree sparrows this year in the yard). I've found red-breasted nuthatches abundantly in a few visited conifer forests of the Adirondacks this winter but not in my Burnt Hills yard. Coopers Hawks continue to hunt neighborhood feeders and a northern flicker has been heard and seen as well. Since white-breasted nuthatches are very common at my feeder but not red-breasted, I was very pleased to capture this portrait this afternoon. http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1027/012012b010mm.jpg Jeff Nadler [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: New backyard visitors From: "Jeff Nadler" <jnphotonet AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:53:36 -0000 Both very common species but first of winter for me at my feeders today - a red-breasted nuthatch and a song sparrow ( no American tree sparrows this year in the yard). I've found red-breasted nuthatches abundantly in a few visited conifer forests of the Adirondacks this winter but not in my Burnt Hills yard. Coopers Hawks continue to hunt neighborhood feeders and a northern flicker has been heard and seen as well. Since white-breasted nuthatches are very common at my feeder but not red-breasted, I was very pleased to capture this portrait this afternoon. http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1027/012012b010mm.jpg Jeff Nadler ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Back Yard First From: "Bill Z" <devilsadvacat AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:51:33 -0000 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/files/BirdFeeding/ I just created a folder for bird feeding and copied an article published by a canadian ornithologist who has done a lot of research to support his contention that backyard bird feeders are doing much more harm to wild bird species than good. Since this birding group is not about feeding birds ... I have asked him to join the wild-bird feeding group I help moderate and answer questions about this but I haven't received an answer yet. Bill Zardus http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/ --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Stephen" wrote: > > Hi Mark: > > I thought I replied to this but it hasn't shown up. I'm new to this and if I sent you a message directly I apologize. My parent's live in the western end of Glenville, near Charlton and I believe that I too saw a Northern Flicker over there this past weekend. Hopefully if I am near there this weekend I'll see it again and get a photograph. I have been tending to the feeders over there for 5 years and have never seen one either. ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Robins From: "Bill Z" <devilsadvacat AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:58:52 -0000 What attracted the robins to your yard ? I recently discovered that some new bird baths have an electric thermostat and heating coil built into them and since robins are one of my favorite birds, I was pleased to see 5 of them using it at one time the day after I put mine into play. But I am NOTT happy with the one I bought from Birdbath.com and I am probably going to get a different one next year, if my wife doesn't complain too much about this unneccessary additional expense. Last summer the robins were the only birds eating the strawberries, tomatos, and blueberries I put out for them but in the winter they didn't seem interested in eating them (?) (I hate how yahoo appends messages with the same subject, by coincidence, into one thread; even when the messages are posted years apart.) Bill Zardus http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WingedFriends/ --- In hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "grossman.bernard" wrote: > > While I know that they are around all winter, the thaw and heavy rain today has caused a big flock of robins to gather in our yard in Rexford. They appear to be working the lawn for seeds and bugs or perhaps an errant worm. > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Back Yard First From: Mark Claydon <markclaydon AT rocketmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:20:47 -0800 (PST) I will have a Northern Flicker visit my suet feeder during the winter, but the conditions have to be just right. By conditions I mean there has to be a least 2 feet of snow on the ground, then he will visit. This is also the same condition needed for the red-bellied woodpecker to visit. I know the Northern Flicker is around in the winter as I will occasionally here him call, but he only visits the suet when there is a lot of snow on the ground. Mark Claydon Glenville, NY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? From: Chad Witko <cjtrapper AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:05:32 -0800 (PST) My take is that they are all easily identified as Snow Geese. Even though there are no other birds in sight to use for scale, such as a readily identifiable Mallard, even the proportions of the birds don't sell Ross's to me. On top of that, several of the birds in the photos clearly exhibit the grin patch, which is something not present in Ross's (to that degree). Even if you used that feature alone to ID the "grinned" birds as Snow Geese, all the birds in the photo are the same size, thus the same species. David Sibley has a wonderful write up on one of his pages detailing how to properly separate Ross's Goose from (Lesser) Snow Goose and potential hybirds. It's a fairly straightforward approach that goes a long way once you realize what you're looking for. Here is the link: http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/12/identification-of-white-geese/ Cheers, Chad Witko Claverack, NY cjtrapper AT yahoo.com www.chat-happens.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Come To Papa From: "curtmorgan AT rocketmail.com" <pcmjr@nycap.rr.com> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:13:09 -0000 I caught up with F10 in Cohoes today, a male Bald Eagle, hatched at the Schoharie Reservoir back in 1997--a flying testament to the Eagle's recovery in our "neighborhood." http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/630365065/pic/1119873314/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=381&dir=asc ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? From: Will Raup <Hoaryredpoll AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:11:19 -0500 They appear to all be Snow Geese to me. None of them have that real stubby bill that I would expect for Ross's (like Cackling) and they all appear to have "grin" patches (something Ross's usually lacks). Otherwise its tough, as there is nothing else in the pictures to use as a scale (like a Mallard). Will Raup Albany, NY To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:55:25 +0000 Subject: [HMBirds] Northumberland Goose I.D. ? The Thursday morning group stopped at the hydroelectric station on Harris Rd. in Northumberland with Fort Miller across the river. At the edge of thousands of Canada Geese we found 3 geese that stumped us. There were 2 adult Snow Geese, we believe, but the 3 others with them we were unsure of. I posted some digiscoped pics. The last one is a separate flock of Snow Geese seen near Bacon Hill. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/911626562/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=221&dir=asc Other birds seen include 2 Rough-legged Hawks (Purinton Rd., Goff Rd.)and 20 Horned Larks on Grange Hill Rd. 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From: Suzanne Cardinal <cactus_wren3 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:55:17 -0800 (PST) In this image:IMG_5868a the middle bird looks to me like a Ross's Goose. Usually you can pick out one when you have large numbers of Snow Geese. The size looks about right. My other guess for the other bird may be a female Long-tailed Duck, but, that would be a guess. Hope that helps. Suzanne Cardinal From: John To: hmbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:55 PM Subject: [HMBirds] Northumberland Goose I.D. ?   The Thursday morning group stopped at the hydroelectric station on Harris Rd. in Northumberland with Fort Miller across the river. At the edge of thousands of Canada Geese we found 3 geese that stumped us. There were 2 adult Snow Geese, we believe, but the 3 others with them we were unsure of. I posted some digiscoped pics. The last one is a separate flock of Snow Geese seen near Bacon Hill. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/911626562/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=221&dir=asc Other birds seen include 2 Rough-legged Hawks (Purinton Rd., Goff Rd.)and 20 Horned Larks on Grange Hill Rd. John Hershey [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Northumberland Goose I.D. ? From: "John" <hersheyj AT nycap.rr.com> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:55:25 -0000 The Thursday morning group stopped at the hydroelectric station on Harris Rd. in Northumberland with Fort Miller across the river. At the edge of thousands of Canada Geese we found 3 geese that stumped us. There were 2 adult Snow Geese, we believe, but the 3 others with them we were unsure of. I posted some digiscoped pics. The last one is a separate flock of Snow Geese seen near Bacon Hill. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hmbirds/photos/album/77752785/pic/911626562/view?picmode=large&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=221&dir=asc Other birds seen include 2 Rough-legged Hawks (Purinton Rd., Goff Rd.)and 20 Horned Larks on Grange Hill Rd. John Hershey ------------------------------------