All, The Van Cortlandt Park, Greater White-fronted Goose was present today on the pond. Most of the pond was iced over but the GWFG was in an open patch with several Canada Geese. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/6710591163/ It actually flew in as I approached and called, a very distinct call compared with the Canada's own call.
At the very north end of the Pond, where there is more reeds and brush I came across a flock of 10 Rusty Blackbirds. Here's a shot of two of them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/6710572855/ They were hanging around an area that someone had dropped seed at, although I'm unsure if they ate it. From what I understand these birds are an early migrant and i wonder if mid January may be too early to be considered migrants (despite the unseasonably warm weather that ended this week)? A large flock of Canada Geese grazed on the main fields North of the Nature center. It was a rather diverse flock of Canada's that showed several subspecies. There were Large billed birds: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/6710522281/ and some oddly discolored birds along with some smaller billed Canada's that may be Lesser Canada Geese: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/6710520401/in/photostream/ Unfortunately, there were no Cackling Geese among the large flock. All in all a very nice afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park! -Sam Stuart Manhattan @surfbird917 http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/ -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
