StevePreddy
Well-known member
Hi
I'm visiting the US and Canada for two weeks in late October / early October, flying into Newark airport and visiting Washington DC, Philadelphia, Cape May, Hawk Mountain, Ithaca, Niagara and Toronto. I've got lots of gen already from eBird, Sibley's Cape May book and the numerous trip reports on the web from this area, but have a few specific questions which some of you may be able to answer. Here goes:
1. How easy is it to connect with Red-headed Woodpecker in this area at this time of year? I get the impression it's quite localised. Assuming I don't get lucky with a migrant at Cape May, are there any reliable sites anywhere on or near my route?
2. Is Winter Wren a common and widespread resident in northern NY and the Niagara/Toronto areas or do I need to seek it out at specific sites?
3. Any recommendations for sites for nightbirds at this time of year (particularly Barred Owl which is turning into a bit of a bogey bird)?
4. Am I too late for Virginia Rail and Least Bittern?
5. Am I too early for American Woodcock, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, Nelson's Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Red Fox Sparrow and Henslow's Sparrow?
6. Is the idea of looking for Ruffed Grouse on my trip as daft as the idea of looking for Hazel Grouse in Europe at this time of year and I should just forget that and come back in spring?
7. For Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee, I have to head much further north, right?
8. How far north does the Carolina x Black-capped Chickadee hybrid zone reach these days?
Thanks in advance!
I'm visiting the US and Canada for two weeks in late October / early October, flying into Newark airport and visiting Washington DC, Philadelphia, Cape May, Hawk Mountain, Ithaca, Niagara and Toronto. I've got lots of gen already from eBird, Sibley's Cape May book and the numerous trip reports on the web from this area, but have a few specific questions which some of you may be able to answer. Here goes:
1. How easy is it to connect with Red-headed Woodpecker in this area at this time of year? I get the impression it's quite localised. Assuming I don't get lucky with a migrant at Cape May, are there any reliable sites anywhere on or near my route?
2. Is Winter Wren a common and widespread resident in northern NY and the Niagara/Toronto areas or do I need to seek it out at specific sites?
3. Any recommendations for sites for nightbirds at this time of year (particularly Barred Owl which is turning into a bit of a bogey bird)?
4. Am I too late for Virginia Rail and Least Bittern?
5. Am I too early for American Woodcock, Rusty Blackbird, Purple Finch, Nelson's Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Red Fox Sparrow and Henslow's Sparrow?
6. Is the idea of looking for Ruffed Grouse on my trip as daft as the idea of looking for Hazel Grouse in Europe at this time of year and I should just forget that and come back in spring?
7. For Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker and Boreal Chickadee, I have to head much further north, right?
8. How far north does the Carolina x Black-capped Chickadee hybrid zone reach these days?
Thanks in advance!