June Birding
Published: October 29, 2016
Tags: General Observations, Sedge Wren, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Brown Thrasher, Prairie Warbler, Black Vulture, Bobolink, American Kestrel, American Redstart, Northern Mockingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow, Blue-headed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Osprey, Carolina Wren, Northern Waterthrush, Mallard, Hairy Woodpecker
After May migration ends, June brings relief from the frenzy and a much more relaxed birding pace takes over. This is a nice time of year to leisurely see, study, and visit our local breeders.
It's also a nice time to do some county birding, seeing species in the different counties of
NYS that I've never seen before. I visited several counties across the region, taking my time, and just enjoying seeing what I could see. One of the advantages of that is you get to see things you might not see if you're busy chasing a bird. On one trip, I got to see the first male Ruffed Grouse down in Wyoming County. That was cool!
I also took advantage of the slower pace and went birding with a couple of my grandkids. I love spending time with them out in nature parks, especially six year old, Alex, who seems to really enjoy it! Alex has a million questions and some very unique perspectives! Right now, his favorite bird is the handsome male American Goldfinch. He simply states that he loves the way those two colors, yellow and black, look together on that bird. Well, who can argue with that?!
A Garganey was found by Eric Miller the first week of June, so that was a life bird worth pursuing! I went with Willie D'Anna and Bernie Kester to Montezuma to see this unique duck. The duck was not the most cooperative bird and we eventually did get some decent scoped looks at it but photos would have been just too distant and the little guy was tucked in the reeds most of the time.
The very next week, I found myself right back out at Montzeuma looking at a NYS bird found by my good friend, Stacy Robinson. Stacy was out there looking for the Garganey when she found a Black-necked Stilt! Wow! Again, that guy was too far for decent photos, so I won't even post what I did get of that beauty.
Other than the Garganey, the stilt, and a couple of Sedge Wrens, there weren't many - or maybe not even any - other rarities to chase during the month. June was pretty quiet, relaxed, and very enjoyable. Here are a few photos from the month below...