On March 8th Gary Zylkuski told me by e-mail of a Great Horned Owl nesting on Noxon Rd. near Ehmer’s farm. Rodney Johnson has a Great Horned Owl nesting on his property in Rhinebeck also. Thanks Gary and Rodney for the information.

The first Woodcock sighting was reported by Jeff Lucas at Norrie Point on Wednesday March 19th. Rodney Johnson also had Woodcocks up in Rhinebeck. Thanks Jeff & Rodney for telling me so I could pass on it on to club members.

On March 19th Jane Waters called to report a nesting Barred Owl in a large tree hole on Winchell Mtn. Road in Pine Plains. As of March 27th the Northern Hawk Owl was still being seen in the Town of Root, Montgomery County off Rt. 20. By month’s end it was not found and believed to have migrated north. The Clay-colored Sparrow was still visiting Kristen Smith’s feeders and yard as of March 24th. On March 25th Carena Pooth called to report she found a Glossy Ibis at the Plankenhorn Farm pond on Gretna Road just south of Upper Kay’s Pond. The last time a Glossy Ibis was found in the county was April 1991. They are on the check list for sightings the end of April thru May. This Ibis is an early sighting. Thanks Carena for calling.

Glossy Ibis, Gretna Road, 3/25/03

On Friday, March 28th Jeff Lucas called to report a Red-necked Grebe at Norrie Point by the bridge in the cove of the marina. It was seen that afternoon by several observers and a life bird for 3 members. On Saturday morning it was observed by Chet Vincent and Bud & Bonnie Fair. Our last club record was Oct. 1997 at Mills Estate by the Wed. Field Trip. There are other records back to 1990 that Barbara Butler has on file. Thanks again, Jeff for calling. Chet called on Apr. 4th to tell me the grebe was still in the cove feeding.  [See our hotline page for a report and status of two more Red-necked Grebes, found around the beginning of April at Madam Brett Park by Sue Infante.]

On Thursday, April 3 Chet Vincent called to report he had found a Bonaparte’s Gull in winter plumage on the Hudson River at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie with some Ring-billed Gulls. It may not stay around but is a gull we do not see in Dutchess County very often. Thanks Chet for calling.

Spring migrants are coming. Palm Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, Towhees, and Winter Wrens have been observed. Be on the lookout for shorebirds and early warblers. Good birding to all.