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!
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This was the very first thing I saw on my drive - a Red-tailed Hawk in the early morning light
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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.
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This young Barn Swallow was out on a wire near a farm.
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I LOVE these guys!
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A Cedar Waxwing in the field
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Cedar Waxwing
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Young male Common Yellowthroat
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Young male Common Yellowthroat
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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?!
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Great Crested Flycatcher
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Red-eyed Vireo
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Unknown Sparrow - another young Chipping?
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Poor shot of an Eastern Phoebe
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And another poor shot - Eastern Kingbird
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A woodchuck in a tree
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A very tame Eastern Chipmunk!
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I was glad to see frogs around the whole perimeter of the pond. I hear they're going extinct in some areas.
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Back home that evening - an inquisitive and thieving Raccoon tries to steal the bird food again!
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Hi Sue, nice shots! That's a woodchuck in the tree. They're excellent climbers.
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Thanks, Carl; that makes much more sense. I guess I ASSUMED because he was so close to the pond.
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