Birding, Sort of...

[MattC]

I've had a particularly miserable head cold for almost a week now, but I felt a little better today, and just had to get out, if only for a bit. I headed over to the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, about 14 miles from my place. This is a former military airport which is now run by the US Fish and Wildlife as a refuge for migratory birds and other critters. It's all flat, basically you just walk around on the old runways and footpaths. Nice place for an easy walk, views of the Shawangunk Ridge and a little birding.

I've been wanting to do some birding, and this was a great time to do something involving little walking and no climbing. I brought my little pocket bird guide and my binocs. I saw some red-winged blackbirds, some really beautiful eastern bluebirds, and a bunch of other species that I couldn't ID. I saw some that may have been cedar waxwings in the vicinity of a wetland. There were a couple larger birds which weren't hawks or vultures, but I think might have just been ravens. There was also a lot of fur-filled scat around, I assume coyote or red fox. I saw a wild turkey in flight, but that was on the drive over to the place. No pics, as I didn't have my camera.

Being sick sucks, but the fact that I wanted to get out w/o too much exertion ended up getting me to do something I normally wouldn't think of.
It was nice to look up at various places along the ridge which I've been to, and I was also struck by the colorful variety of bird species. Nice to walk less and look more for a change.

Matt

 

[mudhook51]

Is this the Basherkill Swamp, or someplace different? Its on my list of places to kayak but haven't made it there yet.

 

[MattC]

Is this the Basherkill Swamp, or someplace different? Its on my list of places to kayak but haven't made it there yet.

Nope, someplace different. It's off Rt 18 in Ulster County. I believe that Basherkill (sp?) place is down in Sullivan County kinda near Wurtsboro. The SGNWR is basically a big, open, flat area surrounded by woodlands and wetlands. Not somewhere to go for a challenging hike, but nice for an easy walk and ideal for birding. A lot of species follow the Shawangunk Ridge during migration, so you can get a nice variety, especially now during spring.
I too would like to get down to that Basherkill place sometime-I've heard it's good for eagle watching. They may mostly further north by now though.

Matt

 

[TMax]

Bashakill

The Bashakill is a wonderful wetlands preserve of over 3000 acres located in Wurtsboro, just off route 17. When the water is high the kayaking is fantastic, when the water is low, the kayaking is work...but equally stunning. You can hike or bike along various trails including a converted railroad bed. There are lots of different wildlife and interesting flora. Here's a good informational site http://www.catskillhikes.com/bashakill.html Check it out!

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Great lowland locations

I'm another fan of Bashakill (alternatively spelled Basher Kill). Another info source for the Bashakill is the Sullivan Audubon Society. The rail trail is part of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail which is described in the Long Path Guide available from the New York / New Jersey Trail Conference. You will also find a line map of the Bashakill Rail Trail from the Sullivan Striders Trail Builders.

Another hiking/birding area is the Neversink Gorge. It is mentioned on the Sullivan Audubon site, and the Sullivan Striders Trail Builders webpage has maps. Unfortunately the needed suspension bridge over the Neversink has been waiting for funding since 1998, but the trail network on the east side of the Neversink is in reasonable shape. Access is from the south end of Katrina Falls Road, exit 109 on NYS Route 17. Mullet Falls is the most scenic offering in the gorge IMHO. The Neversink is probably navigable with portages around Denton and High Falls.

Matt, I have also been to the Shawangunk Grasslands. It was originally a wetlands that was drained for the air base. Interesting that the Wildlife Service wants to maintain the grassland rather than let it all revert to a wetland. But variety is the spice of life, and all types of birds need a home. And it does have nice views of the Gunks.

 

[darren]

You said you thought the bluebirds were beautiful but you didn't get any pictures so here is a picture of a bluebird that I shot on my parent's property a few weeks ago. Sometimes it is nice to do things you don't normally do. This "birding" trip was fun for me.

- darren

 

[MattC]

Darren, thanks for sharing the lovely pic. Not being much of a photographer myself, I depend on friends and websites (not least of all this one) for shots like that.

Terri-I notice the link you posted is a page from the Catskill Hiking Shack site. Their site looks more like a hiking club or info site than that of a store. They're definitely worthy of support from anyone in the area. They don't have a huge variety (small space), but what they have is good gear, and they can order stuff of course.
Susan's a nice lady (haven't met her husband yet) and they're actually hikers themselves. Their "sticker" prices don't always match the "big guys", but they give discounts to Trail Conference members, and they're willing to make deals, especially if you're buying a lot of stuff. Their "photo wall" is pretty amazing too.
(Usual disclaimer, I don't work there, no financial interest, blah, blah...)

It was originally a wetlands that was drained for the air base. Interesting that the Wildlife Service wants to maintain the grassland rather than let it all revert to a wetland. But variety is the spice of life, and all types of birds need a home. And it does have nice views of the Gunks.

That is interesting. There is still a little bit of wetland around the border, as you first walk in. I know the combination of grasslands, woodland edges, and wetlands is good for variety in terms of species. For instance, the red-winged blackbirds seemed to hanging around by the wetlands and trees more, while the bluebirds I saw were perfectly happy perching on the birdhouse in the middle of the field. Mark, thanks also for the info on the other places. I'll have to check some of those out between bouts of this condition known as peakbagging.

Matt