Break-a-hundred: Part II
Incoming jay vs Red-tailed hawk - 6 ½ Station Road - 5/8/26
In the hopes of scoring a few wading birds, we decide to head over to 6 ½ Statio Road, a 62 acre nature sanctuary located in Goshen, NY. As we drove up to the trail head, we noticed a large raptor which turned out to be a Red-tailed hawk, new for us today. We also could not help but notice that there was a contingent of Blue jays which were taking exception to the presence of the hawk. Perched in the same tree, several of the jays would take turns bombarding the red-trail, trying to drive him away from what they took to be their territory. After this jay (image above) mounted a frontal assault, a second flew in from the side and actually struck the hawk in its flank. The hawk eventually got the message and departed from his perch.
The jay lands the first “punch” - 6 ½ Station Rd - 5/8/26
Following that entertaining interlude, we hiked down the trail to the lake and found a few mallards, a Great blue heron, a distant mute swan, and two Green herons. Unfortunately, while all were plainly visible for identification purposes, they were all too distant to give us good photos. You take what you get.
On our return back to the car, we did run into a few more birds for the count including a Yellow-rumped warbler in full breeding plumage. These birds can be quite drab when we see them in their non- breeding feathers down in Florida, so it was a treat to see this bird decked out in his best finery.
Yellow-rumped warbler - 6 ½ Station Road - 5/8/26
Having had good luck finding new species on my scouting trip to Silver Mine in Harriman State Park yesterday, we decided to see if we could add to our count with a stop by there. As has been the case, there were indeed a good number of birds present including this nice first of the day Downey woodpecker.
Downey woodpecker - Silver Mine - 5/8/26
We actually did quite well as far as woodpecker species went today, In addition to the Downey, we had a nice Pileated, a Northern flicker , Yellow-bellied sapsucker, and Red-belied. The more rare Red-headed did appear on our Merlin App back in the Bashakill, but we never did see that bird and it did not show up on the app again, so we figured it was a mistake on Merlin’s part and did not record that on our checklist. That would have been a nice bird to add!
The final bird to be found at Silver Mine today was the most striking….the magnificent Scarlet tanager.
Scarlet tanager - Silver Mine - 5/8/26
This striking songbird found in eastern North American woodlands is most notable for the adult male’s brilliant red plumage contrasted with jet-black wings and tail during the breeding season, while females and nonbreeding males display a more muted yellowish-olive coloration that provides camouflage among foliage. Scarlet tanagers feed primarily on insects and fruit, gleaning from tree canopies or catching prey in short sallies. We first heard this bird’s melodic, robin-like song which has been likened to the song of a “robin with a sore throat”. They migrate to northwestern South America for the winter so this bird has had a long journey to get back to us here at Silver Mine. Amazing what these little birds can accomplish.
We finished the day with a ride down Mine Road in Fort Montgomery. This are has long been known as a “sure thing” for Whip-poor-wills and Woodcocks right after sunset. Sure enough, we did hear both birds with the song of the whip-poor-will perfectly singing out its name and the distinctive buzzy “Peeeent” of the American woodcock. Some of our number actually saw the woodcock take flight over our heads.
We ended our 14 hours of birding today with an attempt to hear the call of owls in an area along Mine Road where we have heard them in the past. Today, it was not to be, however. And so, our “Break-a-hundred” event came to a close without getting to that magical number. Still, we had an enjoyable albeit an exhausting day and evening. Next year maybe?
