Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Experiences & Observations

My birding blog site


  April in Angola

Published: April 16, 2012
Tags: General Observations, Angola, Song Sparrow, American Kestrel, Eastern Towhee, Broad-winged Hawk, American Bittern, American Goldfinch, Grackle, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Inspired by a beautiful day - and a dire forecast for the rest of the week, I hopped in my car and took the 30 minute ride in a southerly direction to my daughter's home in Angola, New York.  They've got some pretty interesting birds out her way and I was hoping to catch sight of a few.  First on my "wish list" was an American Bittern - and second was an Eastern Towhee.

Before I arrived, I had to pull over for 3 different hawk sightings!  I got a fair photo of one - a Broad-winged Hawk, a life list addition for me.

After watching numerous Grackles disturb the nearly molted American Goldfinches under her feeders for awhile, I hiked back to her neighbor's pond and set up my photo dome. I hoped and waited and waited and hoped for an American Bittern might come by.  Katie had seen one up in a tree near her yard last year and since it's still a life-list bird for me, I was really hoping to see one. No dice, though! Near the pond, I DID get to add a Lesser Yellowlegs to my life list, though.   AND... on the hike back to her house, I DID see a male Eastern Towhee!  Actually, I heard its loud Drink Your Tea song way before sighting the handsome fellow.

Back at the house, Katie pointed out a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker who had been "working" a tree all day.

What a great day in Angola!

Observed:
  • Broad-winged Hawk - 1
  • Lesser Yellowlegs - 1
  • Turkey Vulture - 4
  • Eastern Bluebirds - 2
  • American Goldfinches - 11
  • Common Grackle - 8
  • House Sparrow - 5
  • Song Sparrow - 2
  • Red-tailed Hawk - 3
  • Northern Flicker - 1
  • Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1
  • Downy Woodpecker - 1
  • Eastern Towhee - 1
  • American Kestrel -1
  • American Robin - 3

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A Broad-winged Hawk - a life lister!

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Another life-lister found near a pond, is this Lesser Yellowlegs

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FOY: male Eastern Towhee - try as I might, I couldn't get an unobstructed view of him!

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This was the best I could do!

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker




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