Now that Bow-tie Beaver Meadow, the Four Ponds, and Big Bad Leroy Bog (and their respective bird species) are in the Birdathon record book for this year, it is time to move on to Sunshine and Deer Ponds, before finally stopping for my lunch break at Hunters’ Vly. The route to these waterbodies can be
Birdathon 2016: Birding Big, Bad Leroy Bog
BZZZZZZZZZZZZK!!! The metallic staccato buzz startles me awake at midnight, just about four hours after setting my head down for sleep. My sleep-induced stupor temporarily robs me of all sense of orientation, including recognizing my radio’s alarm, which I set only hours ago. It takes a few moments before my wits return to me and
Birdathon 2016: Bushwhacking Through the Four Ponds
On the day before the Birdathon, I have a single goal; get into camp in the Pepperbox Wilderness backcountry in a timely manner. When doing so, the ample daylight remaining allows for accomplishing all the necessary chores, packing up for the next day and making it to bed early enough so I get plenty
Birdathon 2015: Picking Up Species on Way to Cropsey Pond
After spending a good portion of the day birding and bushwhacking through the Pepperbox Wilderness, it is inevitable that lunch and replenishing my water supply becomes an imperative at some point. Mid-afternoon is an ideal time to do so, as most birds are taking a siesta by then. In addition, this gives me a chance
Birdathon 2015: Birding Using Illegal Trail System
The Birdathon starts with a whimper. Regardless, I am up around midnight to see it in, hoping that a barred owl sounds off to start my list. Some rain fell earlier in the evening, but it never really amounted to much – just enough to make everything wet for my hike this morning. While waiting
Birdathon 2014: Final Report for the Pepperbox Wilderness
On May 16, 2014, I participated in the Audubon Society’s Birdathon, a challenge to observe as many bird species within a single 24-hour period as possible. This was my eighth year participating in the event, all of which took place wholly or in part in the Adirondack Park. For the fourth time in five years,
Birdathon 2014: The Case of the Missing Tent Stake at Sunshine Pond
Where to end my Birdathon bushwhack in the Pepperbox Wilderness always becomes a difficult decision. There is always the constant incentive to push on, hoping that the next destination will provide the big breakthrough of a plethora of bird species, producing the banner year I continue dreaming about during the weeks leading up to the
Birdathon 2011: Final Report for the Pepperbox Wilderness
On May, 21 2011, I participated in the Audubon Society, Onondaga Chapter’s Birdathon, a competition to observe as many bird species as possible within a single 24-hour period. For the second year in a row, I bushwhacked through the Pepperbox Wilderness even though last year was less than a complete success. Unlike last year, the
Gear Review: Leica Ultravid 8×20 binoculars
Compact binoculars are an ideal choice for the ardent backcountry enthusiast. Their small size and lightweight allow for easy access even when bushwhacking through dense vegetation. Leica Camera AG manufactures a perfect example of a compact binocular in the Ultravid 8×20 BR. Leica Camera AG is an international company in the optics industry with a
Central Pepperbox Wilderness Trip Bird Report
The five-day bushwhack through the heart of the Pepperbox Wilderness including Threemile Beaver Meadow, a feeder stream, numerous beaver ponds, Moshier Creek and Moshier Reservoir yielded a total of 36 confirmable bird species. The low number of species was probably due to the late season, the hot and humid weather conditions and my rusty fall
