May 20, 2010 - Saugerties Looks like it was a good day for flying. At 7 PM a flock of Brant were heading north close to the Thruway, and at 8:20 PM another larger flock of about 500 were headed north over Rte 9W, both close enough to the Hudson River. At 8:10 PM a pair of nighthawks were seen and heard heading north over Saugerties; another two - I presume - were seen about 20 minutes later also northbound. It's always good to see nighthawks as they have gotten quite rare over the years. There are still a few Blackpolls around. Earlier in the day there was a Broad-winged Hawk and a Red-shouldered Hawk flying over Esopus Bend. The Barred Owl continues hooting at all hours of the day; no young ones seen yet. The Saugerties Lighthouse always has a good mix of songs - Veery, Marsh Wrens, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Redstarts, Yellow Warblers... quite nice.
I'm guessing tonight will be a good night for migration and that tomorrow morning might usher in the last of them ? Frank Murphy Saugerties [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
