[ValleyNature] BIRDING KINGSTON TO MARGARETSVILLE RETURN 24May09

[Patrick Giffin]

Hi: 
Birding between Kingston and Margaretsville we saw the following: on Marshall Rd. just north of the 101, Green-winged Teal, Yellow Warbler, C. Geese, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow, then at Walker’s Brook, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Common Yellow-throated Warbler, Red-breasted Grosbeak, at the pond by the bridge in Melvern Square, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Tree and Barn Swallows, on hwy#362 heading towards Spa Springs Eastern Kingbird, heading north on Ruggle’s Rd., Barn and Tree Swallows,  American Kestrel, many Bobolinks, Song and American Tree Sparrows, at Phinney’s Pond Tree and Barn Swallows, Yellow-rumped Warbler, pr. Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, Blackburnian Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker,  Red-eyed Vireo, at Margaretsville Ducks Unlimited, 2pr Wood Ducks, Canada Geese, 2 pr of Mallards and adult female Mallards monitoring the activity of several ducklings, Tree, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Pileated Woodpecker. At Margaretsville, 5 Common Loon, 100+ White-winged Scoters, 6, Double-crested Cormorants in flight.
The Bobolinks on Ruggle’s Rd. were numerous, more than I had ever seen at any location, females were evident too; they seemed to return into the depth of the grasses, unlike the males which often perched on the fence and along the hydro/telephone lines. TheBobolinks were most plentiful in a field that was above average pastureland yet not the quality of a hay or grain crop, no animals were in the pasture.  We saw Bobolinks at other locations along our route; however, they were most plentiful on Ruggle’s Rd.  The Swallows were most active at the Margaretsville Ducks Unlimited Property; at least 30 lined up on the hydro line making it easier to decide on species, Tree were most plentiful, then Barn and Cliff. We confirmed about 6 Cliff. I cannot recall having seen swallows hitting the water’s surface in pursuit of insects before, they often did this at Phinney’s Pond; causing a significant splash without seeming to impede progress. Cheers, Barbara and Pat
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