2021 02-04 Staten Island
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We had not visited Staten Island in the Delta since October 3, 2020. The area had a greater abundance and diversity of birds today. Skies were generally clear and a light wind from the north kept things cool. Vistas from the Sierra snowcaps to Mt. Diablo were interrupted only by the ribbons of geese flying around the Delta at various altitudes simultaneously.
Three main types of geese included snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, and Canada geese. Canada geese were by far the most numerous and widely distributed across the wetlands, ag fields and air space. Only one large field has snow geese, but had thousands. Here and there small groups of greater white-fronted geese mingled with the other types.
Sandhill cranes were also present in large numbers. The northern fields had lots of groups that were between 5 and 20 individuals. As we moved southward down the road more large fields were completely covered with cranes. Greater white-fronted geese and Canada geese walked freely among the cranes. The snow geese did not. Snow geese and sandhill cranes won the award for boisterous vocalizations.
Raptors were plentiful and included a very large and cooperative red-shouldered hawk, a few kestrels (one of which was dive-bombing a red-tail), several red-tailed hawks and a gray ghost. The ghost seemed to follow us on our southward leg, and appeared in the western fields as we traveled. It worked the fields in such a manner as to never get within decent photographic range. Strangely, not many turkey vultures were observed.
At the end of the road the old, dilapidated water tank is still without its great horned owls.
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Read MoreWe had not visited Staten Island in the Delta since October 3, 2020. The area had a greater abundance and diversity of birds today. Skies were generally clear and a light wind from the north kept things cool. Vistas from the Sierra snowcaps to Mt. Diablo were interrupted only by the ribbons of geese flying around the Delta at various altitudes simultaneously.
Three main types of geese included snow geese, greater white-fronted geese, and Canada geese. Canada geese were by far the most numerous and widely distributed across the wetlands, ag fields and air space. Only one large field has snow geese, but had thousands. Here and there small groups of greater white-fronted geese mingled with the other types.
Sandhill cranes were also present in large numbers. The northern fields had lots of groups that were between 5 and 20 individuals. As we moved southward down the road more large fields were completely covered with cranes. Greater white-fronted geese and Canada geese walked freely among the cranes. The snow geese did not. Snow geese and sandhill cranes won the award for boisterous vocalizations.
Raptors were plentiful and included a very large and cooperative red-shouldered hawk, a few kestrels (one of which was dive-bombing a red-tail), several red-tailed hawks and a gray ghost. The ghost seemed to follow us on our southward leg, and appeared in the western fields as we traveled. It worked the fields in such a manner as to never get within decent photographic range. Strangely, not many turkey vultures were observed.
At the end of the road the old, dilapidated water tank is still without its great horned owls.
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