Date: 8/21/26 2:41 pm From: Larry Alden via groups.io <overlook...> Subject: [hmbirds] Nighthawks!
I just had a group of ten (!) nighthawks wing their way southward over my house. This was one of the largest groups Iâve seen in many years. They didnât stop to feed.
Larry Alden
Meadowdale, on the New Scotland - Guilderland border
Date: 8/15/26 10:26 am From: gregg_recer via groups.io <gregg_recer...> Subject: [hmbirds] sandhill cranes, Charleton
4 sandhill cranes found earlier today continue in a meadowy field along (ironically?) Crane rd in the town of Charleton, Saratoga county. Just West of the Galway nature preserve. pin here:
Date: 8/14/26 12:22 pm From: Cassandra Davis via groups.io <daviscass33...> Subject: [hmbirds] Lost Parrot
Hi all,
I saw this flyer posted on social media today and thought some folks here may be interested in helping to keep an eye out. Lost Parrot Jasper Goodboy last seen at red roof inn/Albany airport. Contact Ron 917-974-7242.
Date: 8/12/26 1:17 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] This week's destination: 8/13
Hey Thursday birders! While waiting for shorebirds to pass through soon, let's walk the Electric Trail from the Niverville trailhead. Meet at 8:00 at the parking lot.
Date: 8/10/26 10:36 am From: KevinMcG via groups.io <kmcgrath...> Subject: [hmbirds] Reist Annual field Day
Hey folks,
Volunteers are needed to help out at Reist Preserve. Â A field day is planned for September 12. Karen and I will be at Cape Flattery on the Washington Olympic Peninsula on that day so the club Secretary (Dan Leonard) and trail steward ( John Gansfuss) will be organizing and coordinating the activities. we have 15 Union college students, several locals, and may have ECOS and MHLC support.
As the plan for the day materializes, more info will come out first those willing to help. Â Reach out to Dan and/ or John.
Date: 8/7/26 8:25 pm From: Eve Waterman via groups.io <eve.m.waterman...> Subject: [hmbirds] Albany Data Center
Hi, All -
For anyone interested, there is a petition circulating for the proposed
Kenwood Data Center and development of the mostly wooded 76 acre historic
Kenwood Convent and the former Doane Stuart School site in Albany:
Date: 8/7/26 5:13 pm From: Eve Waterman via groups.io <eve.m.waterman...> Subject: [hmbirds] NOW OPEN - Native Spring Ephemerals, Wildflowers, Ferns, Orchids, & Plugs (Fall 2026)
Hello, all - esp. those interested in planting native for the birds!
Just sharing the Rensselaer native plant coop info for Fall planting.
Thanks,
Eve W.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: The Plant Buying Collective <no-reply...>
Date: Fri, Aug 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Subject: NOW OPEN - Native Spring Ephemerals, Wildflowers, Ferns, Orchids,
& Plugs (Fall 2026)
To: <eve.m.waterman...>
*(Keep scrolling to see the Plant List for Plugs)*
*Event open through Monday, September 7*
*~Some varieties are quite limited*
*~Pickup* and Shipping** available*
*PLEASE REMEMBER:** We place our final order with the grower **after the
sale ends**. It can take 10-14 days to receive the plants from the grower,
and then we must sort before we can begin shipping and arranging pickup
times.*
**Pickups will start the weekend of September 25, 26 & 27 - *
*which is also our **In-person event in Rensselaerville, NY*
***Shipping will begin week of September 28*
Â
Nursery Open
By Appointment in Rensselaerville, NY
Â
Existing Plug Orders:
Orders from the *Mid-Summer Plug Event* are currently shipping.
Â
Schedule
We started earlier in 2026, spreading out some of our events so that we can
get you your trees, shrubs, plugs and bare-root plants faster.
Most events will be open for 4 weeks, giving you time to decide what your
garden/land/project needs.
Â
Open Now
*81 Native Spring Ephemerals & Wildflowers, Ferns, Orchids and Plugs *
* - through September 7*
Â
Ongoing
*Nursery*
*Open For the Season*
*Custom Durable Tags & Signs*
*Biodegradable Tree Guards*
Â
Upcoming in 2026
*In-person in Rensselaerville, NY**September 25, 26, & 27*
*Pickups for Fall Wildflower & Spring Ephemerals*
*Potted Trees & Shrubs*
*Not yet sure of timing!*
*Other Events (if there are any!)**Open Mid to Late October — Shipping late
October*
Â
Date: 8/5/26 4:16 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] This week's destination: 8/6, TIME CORRECTION, it's humid and my brain isn't working
We will be meeting at EIGHT A.M. TOMORROW as usual
Sorry!
Naomi
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 05:53:12 PM EDT, naomi lloyd <naomi_kestrel...> wrote:
Hey Thursday birders! I was thinking about looking for the Sandhills in the Grasslands, but it's supposed to get hot and humid fast.
So let's meet at Cohoes Flats at 9am, at the fishing access behind the U Haul on Ontario St. From there we can walk around Peebles Island, or check out Lock 2.
Date: 8/5/26 2:53 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] This week's destination: 8/6
Hey Thursday birders! I was thinking about looking for the Sandhills in the Grasslands, but it's supposed to get hot and humid fast.
So let's meet at Cohoes Flats at 9am, at the fishing access behind the U Haul on Ontario St. From there we can walk around Peebles Island, or check out Lock 2.
Date: 8/1/26 10:59 am From: Jeffrey Schoonmaker via groups.io <j.schoonmaker...> Subject: [hmbirds] Pectoral Sandpipers
Thanks, Craig and Scott! They are still there as of 12:30 pm today. Lesser Yellowlegs are present as well. And there are loads of large dragonflies, especially 12-Spotted Skimmers and a couple of Common Green Darners and other types tough to ID on the fly.
Date: 8/1/26 6:12 am From: scottjstoner via groups.io <ScottJStoner...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Pectoral sandpipers
Many thanks to Craig for posting to this platform. Denise and I went over about 7 PM and, with other birders, found about 40 Pectoral Sandpipers, along with several Lesser Yellowlegs, at least one Greater Yellowlegs, and about 10 Killdeer at this location. I urge people to post updates and other bird sightins to hmbirds as well as ebird. Scott Stoner
On Friday, July 31, 2026 at 04:58:20 PM EDT, Craig Driggs via groups.io <billdcat333...> wrote:
At least 15 pectoral sandpipers now at the Crossings in Colonie. In flooded pools across from the main pond. Craig Driggs
Date: 7/24/26 8:13 am From: David Harrison via groups.io <David.harrison57...> Subject: Re: [hmbirds] Upcoming field trip:
The July 18 club trip to Washington County was attended by the ever intrepid Neal Reilly. We met at the Malta Medical facility off Rte. 67 and, after waiting several minutes for anyone who might be a little late, headed off to Martins Pond west of Granville to try our luck finding the long-staying Trumpeter Swan. Upon our arrival around 7:30, we immediately saw something big and white at the back side of the wetland. Out came the scopes, and we quickly confirmed that the bird was "the" Trumpeter Swan - a very good bird for the region. After taking some phone photos through telescopes, we began scanning the rest of the wetland and were rewarded with a couple Solitary Sandpipers - one of our earliest "fall" migrants on their way south. Wood Ducks seemed to be everywhere on the pond and we also enjoyed the sight of one of the Great Blue Herons perched at the tippy-top of a White Pine tree along the back edge of the wetland.
After 45 minutes or so, we moved on to the Whitehall area. A quick stop in town helped pad the list with some "city birds" before we continued to the East Bay Wildlife Management Area on the Vermont border. We hoped to find some marsh birds here and did fairly well with a vocalizing Virginia Rail, a few Common Gallinules and a sneaky Least Bittern that I managed to miss. The morning was moving along, so we did so as well.
Our next stop was at the Rte. 22 bridge over the South Bay, a large body of water off the Poultney River. The target bird here was Cliff Swallow. They had been reported earlier in the year and I strongly suspected they were nesting under the bridge. We were delighted to find at least 3 of this species mixed in with the Barn Swallows. As we lingered in the area, Neal spotted a couple Caspian Terns, an unexpected treat! We enjoyed watching their graceful flight for several minutes before continuing on to our next stop.
Pike Brook Road climbs up toward the Black Mountain trailhead, following a stream most of the way and offering the opportunity for some higher elevation birdlife. We drove slowly up the road, listening for pockets of activity and stopping whenever we heard birds. Some of the highlights were Broad-winged Hawk (being harassed by a flock of Blue Jays), Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-and-White Warblers, Black-throated Green Warbler and Canada Warbler. We were starting to experience some periods of rain and had birded well past Noon, but decided to continue on to the end of the road, which terminated at Lake George in the small community of Hulett Landing. As expected, a couple Common Loons were visible out on the lake, but little else was showing, so we decided to call it a day. On the way back on Pike Brook Road, a Wild Turkey at 2:24 became species number 73 for the day - not bad for mid July!
The trip report is available on e-bird and is public. I'd attach a link if I knew how!
David Harrison
Milford, NJ
Date: 7/22/26 12:02 pm From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] This week's destination: 7/23
Hey Thursday birders! The Clay-colored Sparrow at Saratoga Battlefield is proving to be reliable, so let's meet at the south entrance at 8:00. From there we can regroup and bird the tour road.
