Paradise in Narrowsburg, NY

Image

Since the Missus and I have been back in NYC for a while, we realize how important it is to get out of town from time to time.  I’m quite lucky to have in-laws who are always willing to share the getaway house on the Upper Delaware in New York State.  I know that this past year would have been very different  if I didn’t have the opportunity to get out of dodge and get to this little slice of paradise.

It is hard to argue you with a view like that.  Actually, let’s zoom out a bit . . . .

Yeah, you really can’t argue with that.  Spring is finally here and that means that bird life is teeming.  We had the pleasure of watching a group of turkey vultures pick at a deer carcass all through the day today, but unfortunately they didn’t make much sound.  They were actually quite civil towards each other.  I took the opportunity this weekend to record some of the birdlife, without the very polite turkey vultures.

I set up my gear on the deck in the backyard; this recording starts at around 5:00 AM.  Unfortunately, paradise is not immune from vehicular traffic, but this is one of the cleaner sections.  If you listen closely, you can hear the river flowing and tons of little birdies going to town.

I’d be grateful for any species IDs in the comments.

Recording Geek Note:  Rig consists of Schoeps CMC5 setup for MS, with the MK4 as the mid.  It was all tracked to a Sound Devices 744T at 24/96.

Leave a Reply

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  1. Not an expert on birds….but am pretty sure I hear the Woodpeckers tapping. Would like to see if anyone else responds and recognizes the others.
    Great capture!

  2. I hear:
    Red-winged blackbird
    Carolina wren
    American crow
    American Robin
    Brown-headed cowbird
    Mourning dove (No owl)
    American goldfinch
    Canada goose
    Black-capped chickadee
    Unknown woodpecker (I think hairy)

  3. very nice & birdy. It will be another month before things get that busy around here. In addition to Martin’s list, I heard Song Sparrow, Northern Flicker (a couple of faint calls…may also be responsible for the drumming), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (faint, but distinct drum pattern – not the obvious / loud one) and something trilling near the end…maybe Dark-eyed Junco or possibly Chipping Sparrow, but there are a number of possibilities. I may have missed a couple as well

  4. Very nice. You wouldn’t have heard the Turkey Vultures since they have no voice box, and therefore no call. They, along with Black Vultures, just hiss at you if you come too close – that’s just before they throw up on you (their somewhat unique form of defence!). We have Black Vultures that breed nearby (I’m in Dutchess County, NY, by the way), and last year I managed to record their hiss.

Michael Raphael April 12, 2010
MORE:
RECENT WRITING