Just as we have unique birds that visit us during the warmer months, we also have birds who visit us in winter! This time of year, we tend to see different waterfowl, such as this Hooded Merganser. These beautiful birds have a bright yellow eye and striking pattern.
They are one of the duck species in our region who nest in tree cavities, which comes as a surprise for many to learn. Within a day of hatching, the ducklings glide down to the ground, and amazingly, their nests can be as high as 50 feet up in the tree! While these birds are local to our area year-round, they tend to shift around where they forage at different times of year, and we encounter them the most in winter foraging for food in the Esopus Creek. They are opportunistic and eat a variety of foods including fish, invertebrates, and crayfish.
Look for these birds in the Esopus Creek on a Day Pass Day at the Ashokan Center this winter! They tend to be found in pairs or groups, and they are fun to watch as they dive through the water searching for food. What birds are you encountering this winter? Let us know in the comments.
Photo: Kevin Vang
