The end of February and the beginning of March gave us some very warm days, making us think spring would arrive soon.  But just to make us not forget that winter is still around we had some snowy days that left the ground covered with the white stuff.   But it did not last.  As the lakes and ponds open, the duck are arriving.  There have been Canvasback, Ring-necked Ducks and Green-winged Teals on the river.  Green-winged Teals, Wood Ducks, Ring-necks, and both Hooded and Common Mergansers are in some of the lakes and ponds.  So be on the lookout as they arrive in their breeding plumage. On January 21st Art Jones found 2 White-fronted Geese at Hunn’s Lake, just in time to be counted in the Waterfowl Count.   Northern Saw-whet Owl               Photo by Gary Zylkuski

On February 14th David and Jeanne Arner found a Saw-whet Owl in the hemlock grove at Thompson Pond Preserve.  Roger Cohn has taken the time to check on the owl to see how long it will stay there.   It was still seen there through March 9th by Chet Vincent and Roger Cohn.  Thank you Chet and Roger for keeping me informed about this cute little owl.

On February 27th Chet was told by the farmers at Domin Farm that there were owls that flushed up while they were working near a cedar grove.  To Chet’s surprise, he found 5-6 Long-eared Owls the next morning.   Chet took many members over to the area that the owls were roosting.   He reported that on March 9th he could only find 1 owl.  A special thanks goes to Chet for taking the time to show so many members these secretive owls.

On Sunday February 29th I got a call from a Mr. Sweeney (not a member) about another Saw-whet Owl he had found.  He was hiking in Pawling Nature Reserve and found the owl.  Again, when I called Chet about this owl, he went on Tuesday to confirm that the owl was still there.   He said it was not an easy hike.  The trail was mostly uphill and it was still icy.  I did not put this out on the hot line because of the rough trail.  If anyone is interested in the spot where it was last seen and wants to go see if it is still there, please call me.

The 30 Common Redpolls at Barbara Mansell’s home and at Carena Pooth‘s home plus the Pine Siskins at my feeders will soon be leaving.

There have also been a few reports of the Woodcocks heard displaying.  So good birding to you all and keep me posted on what you are finding.