Ken,
Here in Queens, which of course is a bit milder, there are overwintering Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds and Common Grackles (as is the case in many winters). The latter roam around in a flock of a couple thousand strong. There are probably a few other local areas that have grackle flocks. Some years, they pull out with the onset of severe winter weather, but they've stuck it out so far. My guess is that you saw overwintering birds that were by chance flying northward. My experience with grackles that were definitely on the move in January were flocks heading south along the outer beach one late January years ago. I might add that January movements are not restricted to grackles. Some hawks may move southward in response to harsh conditions. It's usually when Rough-legged Hawks reach Long Island. So maybe, Ken, you could arrange to send some of those Orange County Rough-legs this way? Steve Walter Bayside, NY From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ken McDermott Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 7:49 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [nysbirds-l] Snowy continues and when does winter become boring! This afternoon, having been told that the Snowy Owl was still being seen at the old Warren Sod Farm(I have NO idea in the world what it is now called) off Lower Road in the black dirt area of Orange County, I took a quick trip out there to enjoy the bird again and also to wallow in the ability to have seen Snowy Owls on nine days during this winter season and 7 times in Orange County! While enjoying the Owl with Carol Linguanti, her husband and his Aunt as well as Lee Hunter & Debbie Powell we all witnessed three HUGE flights of mixed Icterids all headed in a direct northerly direction. The totals I would estimate at 4-5000 birds. It seemed extremely early and not so wise a choice considering the upcoming forecasts. Have others been seeing this? It is way too early according to my records but it was happening. After leaving the owl, who then was atop the silver silo right on the edge of Lower Road, Co. Rte 12, I went east to look for the Canada Geese that were pouring in chevrons in that direction and I caught up to them on Onion Road. Scanning I found no other types of Geese but I DID find a beautiful PEREGRINE FALCON, large enough that it was almost without question of female and it was feeding on a recent kill. It sure is winter but it is far from boring! GOOD BIRDING, Ken McDermott -- NYSbirds-L List Info: <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME> Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES> Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html> <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net <http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html> Please submit your observations to <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/> eBird! -- -- 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/ --
