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Rare
Bird Alert!
by
Barbara Michelin
February
2003
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I got a call from Nat & Mimi Donson on January 1st that
a Merlin was in their back yard. Last year they were lucky
to have one in their yard on February 2nd. Thanks for calling.
This seems to show us that Merlin’s are around during
the winter but are only occasionally seen. |
By the last week of January the cold arctic front
had arrived and the Hudson River was frozen. Now Bald Eagles
can be found on the ice flows along the river and many have
been reported down around Croton Point.
I spoke with Kristin Smith at our January meeting on the 27th.
She said the Clay-colored Sparrow had come back. It was also
seen on January 19th by Ken and Joan McDermott. Thanks Kristin
for keeping me posted so other members may see this rare visitor
to our area. |
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On Sunday, January 26th, Carena Pooth and Herb Thompson drove
up to the town of Root, off Rt. 20 west of Albany in Montgomery
County, to see a Hawk Owl. They had wonderful views and took
pictures. Carena posted the pictures and directions
on our web site. The owl was found by a couple from Pittsfield,
Mass., who passed the information on to the Hudson Mohawk Bird
Club’s hotline to report to the NYBIRDS list server. Some
of our members were lucky enough to see this wonderful owl up
close as it perched in a tree at the road edge by a farm house.
As of February 7th the owl was still being seen. Hawk Owls are
always a treat to find. |
| Soon March will be here and early migrants such
as Eastern Phoebes, Woodcock and Common Snipe will be arriving
to cheer us up from all the snow and cold weather we have had this
winter. We can also be looking at our lakes and ponds for migrating
ducks.
Good birding to you all. Call me or Barbara Butler if you
find any interesting or rare birds. |
Wings
Over Dutchess, February
2003
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