Trip to Beaver Meadows
Published: August 11, 2012
Tags: Parks and Preserves, Beaver Meadows, Java, NY, Great Crested Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird
My husband was told by a customer of his that I should try birding at Beaver Meadows, one of the Audubon Centers in Java, NY. I vaguely remembered the place from accompanying my daughter's class there on a field trip many moons ago. It was supposed to rain this morning, but when I got up, the skies weren't too menacing, so I thought I'd just take the drive and scope out the place. Well... I stayed four hours! It's a great place to visit!
No sooner had I gotten my hiking boots on when I spotted some birds popping up and down in the field between the parking area and the Welcome Center. Boblinks? Nope - Cedar Waxwings! What odd behavior... While the waxwings entertained me, I quickly got off a few photos of them. I can't imagine why these guys were popping all over this field - there must be something yummy there, but I couldn't see it. I'm sure glad they were there though!
Next, I went down to the pond and walked the perimeter. I enjoyed watching a couple of Belted Kingfishers fishing, a Double-Crested Cormorant fly overhead, an Eastern Kingbird perch on a snag out in the middle of the pond, and a couple of Green Herons fly in and out of view.
After that, I hiked further into the woods up towards the north end of the pond. I entered a little meadow that had a beautiful view of the lake and was full of wild flowers and tall grasses. Right away, I spotted a young male Common Yellowthroat poking around. What a treat! Right after that, a Great Crested Flycatcher came into view followed by a Red-eyed Vireo. What joy! As I was leaving, I captured a photo of a young sparrow - but I'm not sure what kind he is. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear what he might be!
I was hoping to find some shore birds in a marshy area I found, but no luck there. I did see a muskrat woodchuck (thanks, Carl - that makes more sense!) IN A TREE and an Eastern Phoebe.
All in all, it was a WONDERFUL trip and I daresay, Lord willing, I'll be back there soon!
This was the very first thing I saw on my drive - a Red-tailed Hawk in the early morning light
I stopped by Sinking Ponds as it was on the way and watched the Kingfishers fish for a little while. This female just caught a minnow.
This young Barn Swallow was out on a wire near a farm.
I LOVE these guys!
A Cedar Waxwing in the field
Cedar Waxwing
Young male Common Yellowthroat
Young male Common Yellowthroat
Great Crested Flycatcher. Did you know he's the only flycatcher in the east who nests in cavities - often using snakeskins in the lining of its nest?!
Great Crested Flycatcher
Red-eyed Vireo
Unknown Sparrow - another young Chipping?
Poor shot of an Eastern Phoebe
And another poor shot - Eastern Kingbird
A woodchuck in a tree
A very tame Eastern Chipmunk!
I was glad to see frogs around the whole perimeter of the pond. I hear they're going extinct in some areas.
Back home that evening - an inquisitive and thieving Raccoon tries to steal the bird food again!
Hi Sue, nice shots! That's a woodchuck in the tree. They're excellent climbers.
Thanks, Carl; that makes much more sense. I guess I ASSUMED because he was so close to the pond.
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