Weed Walk Diary – March 2010
March 3 – Central Broome
Canada Geese, Black Ducks, Mallards, Ring-Billed Gulls and a lone Ring-Necked Duck were spotted at Boland Pond and the river. A light morph Rough-Legged Hawk flew over on Knapp Hill Rd, Horned Larks on Edwards Hill and Tree Sparrows on Brotzman were special. But our “best” bird was probably the Ruffed Grouse sitting eye level in a close bush on Arnold Rd. Altogether we had 26 species, keeping us happy.
March 10 – Northern Broome
SSE winds brought many big flocks of Canada Geese headed north, some included Snow Geese; also many C.Grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds & Am.Robins. At Boland Pond, besides the usual Mallards & Am.Black Ducks, there were Am.Wigeons, Green-Winged Teals, Canvasback, Ring-Necked Ducks, C.Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron – all exciting signs of spring’s arrival. On Edwards Hill Rd. we spotted a lingering N.Shrike; Howland Hill hosted a Killdeer & Horned Larks. Adding to our total of 35sp were Pileated & Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, E.Bluebirds, Song Sparrow, W.Turkeys and other common.
March 17 – Eastern Broome
Sharp-Shinned, Cooper’s & Red-Tailed Hawks plus E.Bluebirds, Song Sparrows, a late Am.Tree Sparrow and other common species. Ending at Boland Pond we had Am.Wigeons, Am.Black Ducks, Mallards, Green-Winged Teals, Ring-Necked Ducks, Hooded and Common Mergansers. An immature Bald Eagle perched along the river in Chenango Bridge.
March 24 – On the road again
Still a good migratory waterfowl day as we added Wood Ducks on the river; N.Shovelers & Buffleheads at Boland Pond added to the previously seen duck species. Our list of 39sp included a Bald Eagle off Jacobs Highway, E.Bluebirds and many W.Turkeys. The Am.Kestrels, Tree Swallows, N.Flicker, E.Phoebe, dozens of Am.Robins as well as C.Grackles & Red-Winged Blackbirds were all early signs of spring.
March 31 – Headed north
Green-Winged Teals, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads & C.Mergansers at Boland and Upper Lisle plus Gr.Blue Heron & DC Cormorants. Raptors included Turkey Vultures, Bald Eagle, Red-Tailed Hawks and a hunting N.Harrier on Smith Hill Rd. Killdeer, E.Phoebe, Horned Larks, WB Nuthatch, E.Bluebird as well as huge flocks of Red-Winged BB’s & C.Grackles on a manured field gave us 33sp total.
Weed Walk Diary is provided by members of the Naturalists’ Club of Broome County. This Weed Walk Diary was written by Marie Petuh. For information on the Naturalists Club, write P.O. Box 191, Vestal, N.Y. 13850.
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