In addition to what John Haas wrote, I went on my "goosechase" yesterday (Thursday 3/9) with hopes of finding the snow geese flocks closer to the road in order to get photographs. The Wallkill is well over its banks in most places. Thus far this doesn't seem to have affected any paved roads. Although it may by Friday afternoon and Sat/Sun.
The fields on the north side of Skinner Rd and Skinner Tract were 1/2 flooded and contained ~1000 CANADA GEESE well spread out (NO barnacle or GWF sighted), along with 3 MUTE SWANS, 3 TUNDRA SWANS, 100s of PINTAILS and RINGNECK DUCKS (west end); also one NORTHERN HARRIER hunting the fields. Water was washing across Skinner Tract on the west end where it joins Iris Rd and with a few more inches of rain will probably be submerged on the east end right where the pavement ends. My Subaru Outback made it through fine, but others may think twice. Thanks to the helpful birder in the dark Chevy that directed me to the snow geese. Found one flock of SNOW GEESE on Missionlands Rd, to far to see anything other than that they were snows. Very active flock, in flight circling almost the entire time just south of DeBucks sod farm. They were closest to the west end of Greenhouse Lane, but it is private and the mud was pretty slippery and side dirt roads/levies pretty badly crowned. Not worth the risk. Second flock of SNOWS were just north of the Onion Farm on Rte 12, east side. Again too far to see much detail. Larger flock, huddled together. The fields behind the Pine Island Turf Nursery are completely submerged, as are the access roads behind the main buildings. 2 pairs of GW TEAL and 2 pairs of AMERICAN WIDGEON at Wallkill NWR parking lot/viewing platform on Oil City Rd. 2 BLACK VULTURES in Warwick flying over the center of town. Stay dry, *Thomas Rhindress* - *Yorktown Heights, NY* • Nature Photographer • NY State Certified Earth Science & Biology Teacher • Homemaker -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
