Fall 2023

September brought shorebirds through our area with Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers, Sanderling, Baird’s and a White-rumped Sandpiper at Morningside Park in Hurleyville.

October had a Brant show up at Lake Jeff in Jeffersonville. (See photo page.) Black Scoters were seen on the Neversink Reservoir. A Red Phalarope was photographed on Lake Superior which was a new bird for Sullivan County. Dunlin were at Morningside Park. (See photo page.) Saw-whet owls started their southward migration. A late Orange-crowned Warbler also made an appearance at Morningside Park.

A very late Blue Grosbeak was seen and heard by Natasza Fontaine which brings the Sullivan County list of birds up to 228 species for the year. In the whole state of New York there have been 415 species seen to date. We are very fortunate to have that many birds pass through our area. New York is a big state and to think we have over half of the reported birds seen in the state right here. Amazing! Let’s see what December brings!

All sightings were taken from ebird. Thanks to everyone who reports to this fantastic site, and we have some of the best in the state who report their sightings here. Thanks to Scott Baldinger, John Haas, Scott Graber, Nick Hawvermale, Patrick and Riley Dechon, Natasza Fontaine, Chris Fisher, Zach Schwartz-Weinstein, Jeannne Cimorelli, Kathleen Brandes, Karen Miller, Lance Verderame, Matt VanDyk, Joyce Depew, Mary Busky and Ronnie Delorenzo for keeping us all informed as to “what’s out there!”

Renee Davis