I was in Plattsburgh, NY, for work, minding my own business and walking across SUNY-Plattsburgh’s campus. Bird calls, familiar bird calls: Pine Grosbeaks. Of course, I had my camera with me, as they had recently been reported there on a local listserv and, hey, you have to be prepared to see Pine Grosbeaks!
messy eater
It feels crazy to say it, but this is the third time I’ve seen Pine Grosbeaks this year, the only times I’ve ever seen them.
Two minutes worth of looking at the eight females/juvenile males and then back to work.
Then the long drive home over the Adirondacks in rain and snow and dark. The winter birds are great but I want spring already…
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
Three sightings in a few weeks? I still have never seen one. Damn, I need to get over to NY – come on BA what you waiting for, roster me a JFK NOW!
When they are here, they are here. It’s really as simple as that. What makes them special is that is could take 10 or more years between visits.
I’ve been lucky enough to live in places (like Roblin MB, and Fort Providence NWT) where you’d see them all winter long. In Fort Providence a female landed inches from me while I filled my feeder, and when I poured seeds in my hand, she flew down and landed on my hand and ate until I could no longer hold my hand out.
Charlie, get over here…and fast!
And Will, exactly. Couldn’t say it better myself.
Clare, it’s not nice to brag. 🙂