Rare
Bird Alert!
by
Barbara Michelin
January
2002
We
started this winter with a good winter finch invasion. Now
the rarities are few. With the lack of significant snow in
some areas the birds have not been pushed down to our area.
So far this is not a year for Northern Shrike invasion.
There is large number of Pine Grosbeaks up in Rensselaer County
in Cherry Plain. Some of our members have gone up to see them.
If you are interested in seeing the Pine Grosbeaks contact
me or Barbara Butler or see our Hotline
page.
With some waters still open the Waterfowl Count found some
interesting results. A Common Loon was floating on the Hudson
River by White's Marina in New Hamburg. Also some other ducks
found were Hooded Mergansers, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail,
and Canvasback; with good numbers of Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy
Duck and American Coots at Sylvan Lake.
Bald Eagles have not been a regular sighting like last winter
because the river is open and free of ice except up by Clermont.
Two Golden Eagles have been reported at Thompson Pond by Chet
Vincent
A possible Barn Owl was seen at Southlands Farms in December
near the old barn. If you are in that area in the late afternoon
keep an eye out for this owl. Much of the farming habitat has
disappeared and we do not get reports of Barn Owl sightings
very often. Please contact me or Barbara Butler if you have
seen one in that area or other parts of Dutchess County.
Happy New Year and good birding to all our members.
Wings
Over Dutchess, January
2002
