Diario de jacqui_

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being a taxon leader for birds for Macaulay's Bioblitz at Van Cortlandt Park. I took my group on the path towards the Van Cortlandt mansion where we observed Ruby-throated Hummingbirds drinking nectar from jewelweed and along the pond where we saw (3) herons! The other group was led by Ken Chaya, a renowned naturalist and a president (well the former president of the Linnaean society). I had first met Chaya by the pool in Central Park when we were both birding; turns out he is the guy responsible for all the tree plaques in that park. Chaya let me tag along his afternoon walk and I got to see a prime class in facilitating. There was an elusive hooded warbler in the jewelweed that Merlin picked up. My friend Julia who I had met at CNC was also there as an assistant; we had great fun. Somehow wildlifenyshow was also there, in the nature center. Quite a day to run into all these familiar faces. Special thanks to Dr. O'Donnell and Lisa Brundage for letting me tag along.

V took me to see the spectacular roseate spoonbill. I've only ever seen them in the Bronx Zoo so seeing this one was a real treat. Of course, it was hanging out near an affluent neighborhood. I suppose it has a taste for the finer things.

I went to Midland Beach in Staten Island (a nightmarish commute) but saw my first long-tailed duck bobbing by the jetty! It was quite a ways and I was not about to venture onto a poop ridden jetty but it was very exciting to see :)

Killdeer! Two of them. Scuttled right up to me and M. Kept doing weird movements like bobbing up and down.It was pretty rad. O.K.L.

I saw my first bald eagle today! I was with M and we saw something large flying in from the lake. Turns out it was a bald eagle! It's funny how both times I've seen the bald eagle it's been with him. I guess he's my good luck charm.

Never thought I'd see a bat in the day, not to mention being eaten by a hawk! I've come to find RTHs eat a whole range of things-praying mantises, bats, caterpillars.

Three species in one observation-an Osprey, a RTH and an unidentified fish in the Osprey's clutches!