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