Month: October 2017

It’s exciting that we bought a place in the Central Adirondacks. It has a heavily wooded lot and backs up to the natural forest which means we have great yard birding. We made our first trip in May when we moved into the new place. Even though we didn’t have a lot of time for birding we still managed to see and hear 22 species. A few of our favorites include Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed Vireo, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush and House Wren. We look forward to spending summers there and birding the property.

The next visit was in July when we painted the exterior of the cottage. We were serenaded by a Red-eyed Vireo that seemed to sing eight hours a day. The quiet was very noticeable when it took brief naps. We have always said the wren family has the most volume per ounce while the vireo family has the most song per ounce. New yard birds in July were Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ovenbird, Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

We read an article in the Adirondack Explorer by Gary Lee about a moose that the locals named ‘Harold’. He is seen somewhat regularly at Helldiver Pond in the Moose River Plains so we were up at 5:30 a.m. to be there as the sun came up. Apparently, several other people read the same story because there was no place to park and there were at least 20 people looking for moose. There was a Common Loon on the pond and a Ruffed Grouse on the way in, but no ‘Harold’.

Our most recent visit was in September where we were out of harm’s way when Hurricane Irma came through Florida. Fall migration was underway and we had Black-throated Green and American Redstart in the yard. We will have to work on our birding by ear before we go back next year. Other good birds were Brown Creeper and Swainson’s Thrush along with the ever present Black-capped Chickadees and Juncos.

While we were in town, we visited the previous owner and it’s not surprising that she is a nature lover too. She told us a lot of history about the area and also about a hike to Eagle Cliffs. It was a short 20-minute hike with outstanding views of the Fourth Lake. Notable birds on the hike were Cedar Waxwing and a Hairy Woodpecker.

Another early morning ride to look for the moose was also unsuccessful but two American Woodcock were a great consolation. Anyway, we will keep looking for Harold and you will know when we finally see our first moose in the Central Adirondacks of New York.

 

Trip Birds: 39  Life Birds: 0

Next up: Costa Rica