Finally with some clear blue skies (6/14/2012), I decided to try for a few more photos of the Sterling Forest Mississippi Kites. On my previous visit the pair had been extremely cooperative, perching and interacting for prolonged periods on the bare trees across the street from the Hudson Environmental Research Institute (HEnRI) building. This time was very different. From about 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, the pair continuously brought sticks into the presumptive nest tree. Both birds would quickly disappear into the dense foliage. Flights in and out of the nest tree were usually quick and low, generally obscured by greenery. At no time were they seen on their usual bare perches, so photographic opportunities were limited. The kites were frequently harassed by Blue Jays until finally, both kites took off in hot pursuit after a jay and drove it off.
Several friends and acquaintances from the HEnRI location and I then stopped by Ironwood Drive where we were rewarded with: Green Heron, Indigo Bunting, Cerulean Warbler, American Redstart, Golden-winged Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Common Raven, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, and lots of ticks! A previously reported Yellow-breasted Chat was not found. Alan Wells Rockland, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
