| Paddle Log — 2017 |
|---|
| LAUNCH SITE |
DATE |
WHO |
DISTANCE |
COMMENTS |
| Coxsackie |
Mar 30 |
Both |
11 |
Pleasant paddle on elevated water to Stockport Flats and a late lunch at Priming Hook, highlighted by ducks, hawks, eagles, vultures & a greylag goose at Little Nutten Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
April 3 |
Both |
13 |
First warm day. Many very skittish ducks, several eagles & a cormorant. Greylag goose at Gays Point, still hanging out with canada geese. |
| Vandenburgh-Dunsbach Ferry |
April 5 |
Both |
8 |
Very high water, prolific animal presence, mainly muskrats in Wager's Pond. Strong downstream current. |
| Coxsackie |
April 9 |
Both |
15 |
Placid conditions, upstream to Matthew Point exploring various marshes along the way, highlighted by three pairs of nesting eagles, two painted turtles & a common goldeneye. |
| Vandenburgh-Dunsbach Ferry |
April 10 |
Both |
9 |
Water a little above normal, warm & windy, Wager's Pond not as lively. Some muskrats & many painted turtles. |
| Coxsackie |
April 14 |
Both |
12 |
Water level normal, pleasant paddle to Priming Hook highlighted by a solitary swan preening on the mud flat, extraordinary photo op. |
| Coxsackie |
April 18 |
Both |
11 |
Some wind to start, eventually let up, otherwise quiet paddle to Priming Hook. |
| Athens |
April 23 |
Both |
15 |
Beautiful day. Yellowlegs at Priming Hook, wood ducks at Stockport Creek & mergansers at Brickyard Bay. Many turtles. |
| North Germantown Landing |
April 24 |
Both |
16 |
Inbocht Bay busy with wildlife activity, numerous wild flowers by the Roe Jan, nothing happening at Rogers Island, lunch at Dutchmans Landing. |
| North Germantown Landing |
April 27 |
Both |
10 |
Unsuccessful search in Inbocht Bay for unusual reptilian creature spotted during previous paddle. Lunch at Roe Jan. Some wind, too many clouds. |
| Coxsackie |
April 28 |
Both |
14 |
Very warm & tranquil, upstream to Matthew Point, flocks of cormorants, ospreys & the goat lady. |
| Coxsackie |
April 30 |
Both |
7 |
Gray day, cut short by unexpected thunderstorms starting in Brickyard Bay. Several low flying eagles overhead. |
| Kelly Park |
May 1 |
J & ADK |
11 |
Take out at Saratoga Lake. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
May 4 |
Both |
12 |
Quiet beginning, many eagles, high water, lunch at Hannacroix. Head-to-wind return. |
| Athens |
May 10 |
Both |
9 |
Strong downstream current overwhelmed the flood on a disappointing gray, cheerless day. Stop at SMG. |
| Lock 7 |
May 11 |
Both |
10 |
Low water caused by apparent drawdown in progress, upstream effort strenuous into wind, hung up on rocks, quick return. Lunch at the grotto. |
| Aqueduct Park |
May 13 |
J |
2 |
Pedal, paddle & run triathlon. Course confusion. |
| Henry Hudson |
May 16 |
Both |
15 |
Failed attempt to locate eagle nest opposite Schodack Island State Park, otherwise lively & eventful. |
| Coxsackie |
May 17 |
Both |
13 |
Stockport Flats and lunch at Priming Hook on a very hot day. Many immature eagles at Little Nutten Hook and a motor boat stuck on the mud flat at SMG. |
| Coxsackie |
May 18 |
Both |
13 |
Improved float plan, early launch, off by noon to beat the 90 degree heat. No goats at Matthew Point. Lunch at RR village. |
| Coxsackie |
May 20 |
M |
10 |
Attempted repeat of previous paddle, cut short by windy conditions. Lunch at Bronck Island. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
May 21 |
Both |
11 |
Exploration of Schodack Creek marshes, highlighted by a tailless rwb. Lunch at RR village. Windy return. |
| Athens |
May 23 |
M |
14 |
Utterly delightful paddle on dead calm water, ever increasing wildlife activity. Lunch at HRISP. |
| Cheviot Park |
May 24 |
Both |
15 |
Exploration of Inbocht Bay twice, coming & going, lunch near Roejan. Another delightful day. |
| Octavio's Landing |
May 28 |
Both |
17 |
Morning south to Five Mile Point, afternoon north to explore west side coves. High water & plentiful wildlife, including several caspian terns & 100s of cormorants. |
| Lock 7 |
June 2 |
Both |
12 |
Falcon show at the scrape, food transfer from one adult to the other for feeding two chicks. Many other subjects. |
| Coxsackie |
June 4 |
Both |
11 |
Early launch hoping to beat cloudy weather, not early enough. Many eagles & ospreys. |
| Athens |
June 7 |
Both |
14 |
Very high water & strong current from runoff overwhelmed the flood. Lunch at Coxsackie Farmers Market. Many eagles on return. |
| South Bay State Boat Launch |
June 8 |
Both |
17 |
Extraordinary marsh exploration to The Narrows of Dresden. Lunch at Chubbs Dock accompanied by a green frog & a water snake. Continual wildlife activity. |
| Stockport Station |
June 12 |
Both |
8 |
Early on & off to beat intense heat. Weeds are growing & carp are jumping. Also many eagles & gbh's. |
| Coxsackie |
June 14 |
Both |
12 |
Low water with little activity until afternoon return to SMG area. Seven eagles were gathered around a fish skeleton on a chestnut mat. |
| Lock 7 |
June 15 |
Both |
15 |
Another falcon show at the scrape, one took a bath while the other took a bird on the wing. Eventually the chicks were fed. Many baby mallards swam with their mothers, also gbh's, an eagle, a kingbird & a rough-winged swallow. |
| Nolan Road |
June 17 |
M & seadogs |
8 |
Enjoyable paddle on calm water, lunch near the dam. Several notable encounters with wildlife, including a kingfisher & a loon. |
| Hague |
June 21 |
Both & Alan |
14 |
Energetic paddle on active water, wind varying from SW to W, steady with a few lulls. Stops at Rogers Rock, Black Point Beach & Glenburnie, then strafed by a feisty gull. |
| Lock 7 |
June 22 |
Both & Mike R |
13 |
A third falcon show near the scrape, parents eating at separate locations, chicks out of the nest. Also two eagles. Nothing happening on the Alplaus again. |
| Indian Lake State Boat Launch |
June 24 |
M |
14 |
Unexpected solo paddle because of a scrubbed seadog launch at very windy Raquette Lake. Indian Lake much more pleasant. Many dragonflies. |
| Coxsackie |
June 26 |
M |
13 |
Morning & afternoon episodes of parents driving away juveniles from the SMG nest area. Chicks very close to flying. |
| Athens |
June 28 |
Both |
11 |
High water almost to top of bulkhead. Mostly quiet river until finishing lunch at Priming Hook. Two adult eagles devoured a dead carp on shore, evidently exposed by the receding tide. |
| Stockport Station |
July 2 |
Both |
9 |
Hot & hazy. Only two chicks seen at the SMG nest, whereabouts of third unknown. |
| Coxsackie |
July 4 |
Both |
14 |
Busy day on the river highlighted by barn swallows on a tree near the mouth of Coxsackie Creek & a canada lily. |
| Athens |
July 5 |
Both |
13 |
Eagle action near SMG — chicks out of the nest, favoring foliage near tracks. Also a gbh territorial squabble. |
| Henry Hudson |
July 9 |
Both |
11 |
Dull tide ride to Lafarge. Lunch at Schodack Island SP. |
| West Lake |
July 10 |
Both |
11 |
Lively day exploring the coves, many odes, a bull frog & a large hawk. Afternoon turned cloudy. |
| Coxsackie |
July 12 |
Both |
12 |
All three fledglings near SMG nest, many other birds all paddle long. Lunch at Priming Hook. Overtaken by Nina & Pinta on the way back. |
| Athens |
July 16 |
Both |
12 |
At least 15 eagles on the day, many gbh's & a beached pontoon boat on SMG with the tide ebbing. Another pontoon boat assisted in the rescue. |
| Coxsackie |
July 19 |
M |
12 |
Very hot day with continual attractions – eagles, green herons, gbh's, a woodchuck & canada lilies at MC. Lunch at RR village. |
| Lock 7 |
July 20 |
M |
8 |
Early morning launch into stygian low water. |
| Coxsackie |
July 22 |
M |
13 |
Mostly cloudy & humid into low water. First egret of the season. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
July 23 |
Both |
14 |
Low water again into Stockport Flats, mostly clear skies. Egret encounters early & late, green herons on the way back, many gbh's & eagles. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
July 26 |
Both |
16 |
Reprise of previous paddle extended to Priming Hook where eagles drove away an osprey. Many wildlife encounters throughout. |
| Coxsackie |
July 28 |
Both |
12 |
A marauder at SMG came up empty. Lunch at Priming Hook where many eagles converged. Slight north wind. |
| Athens |
July 30 |
Both |
11 |
Nearly ideal conditions highlighted by a beaver resting in the west flat reeds and the appearance of all three SMG fledglings. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Dutchman's Landing |
July 31 |
Both |
10 |
Ospreys at #121, #129 & OVHD cable towers. Lunch at Cohotate Preserve. |
| Coxsackie |
August 2 |
Both |
7 |
Hot & hazy paddle cut short by approaching stormy weather, an abrupt turnaround at Coxsackie Creek. |
| Coxsackie |
August 6 |
Both |
12 |
Some cloudiness, sporadic breezes, surprising osprey incursions & a waterfight among domestic geese. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
August 9 |
Both |
13 |
Little activity at first, gradually picking up by noon. Men at work near Little Nutten Hook, unknown purpose. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| 123rd Street |
August 10 |
Both |
8 |
A green heron, an eagle, an osprey & many restless odes. Also tugs Margot & Francis pushing empty scows upstream. |
| Athens |
August 13 |
Both |
11 |
Pleasant morning paddle highlighted by an SMG baby's successful fish snatch & curious bands on a Priming Hook baby. |
| Athens |
August 16 |
M |
16 |
Another pleasant morning paddle highlighted by a shutterbug & a science class at Nutten Hook. An insect swarm is underway on the chestnut mats. |
| Coxsackie |
August 17 |
M |
13 |
Clear & calm, paddle replete with eagles, herons & cedar waxwings. Lunch at RR village. |
| Coxsackie |
August 20 |
M |
11 |
Calm early giving way to wind, many eagles aloft, some circling aimlessly, others hunting, one pair practicing aerial moves. Photography inhibited by rough water. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
August 24 |
Both |
16 |
Geese lively again at #157, DEC applying poison to eradicate invasives in east flat. Lunch at Priming Hook. Slight head wind on the way back. |
| Coxsackie |
August 26 |
M |
16 |
MGF circumnavigation. Dull day on low water with few photo ops. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
August 27 |
Both |
16 |
Extraordinary fox–deer encounter at Rattlesnake Island, day replete with photo ops & power boats. Lunch on exposed flat at low tide near Stockport Creek. |
| North Germantown Landing |
August 30 |
Both |
14 |
Blustery conditions at launch, settled somewhat later. Roe Jan, Ramshorn & Inbocht Bay rich with wildlife and late summer wild flowers. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 2 |
Both |
12 |
Late morning launch, clear & cool, eventual clouding with a south wind. Unusual merlin–butterfly encounter. The butterfly lost. Lunch at RR village. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 4 |
Both |
9 |
Intermittent breezes giving way to strong wind, turned back twice at the mouth of Coxsackie Creek. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 9 |
Both |
7 |
Search for missing man. |
| Octavio's Landing |
Sept 10 |
Both |
14 |
Exploration from Putt's Creek to Lake Champlain Bridge highlighted by a cat ketch under sail. |
| Shelburne Bay F & W |
Sept 11 |
Both |
13 |
Around Shelburne Point past Rock Dunder, circumnavigations of Juniper & Queneska Islands, return via Red Rocks Park. |
| Louie's Landing |
Sept 12 |
Both |
14 |
Water elevation 95.5 feet. Missisquoi loop, Metcalfe Island river mouth, Martindale Point & Dead Creek. Many ducks & a border patrol helicopter. |
| Ticonderoga State Boat Launch |
Sept 13 |
Both |
13 |
Surprisingly rich La Chute replete with turtles, exploration of East Creek, unable to locate PT site. |
| Athens |
Sept 16 |
Both |
12 |
Hot & humid paddle culminating in Brickyard Bay, highlighted by two egrets passim & a green heron on SMG. Very few eagles. |
| Stockbridge Bowl Boat Ramp |
Sept 17 |
J |
5 |
Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon. |
| Henry Hudson |
Sept 25 |
M |
8 |
Dead calm morning paddle, very hot day. Interesting cargo ship (passed both ways) & a pair of tail-slapping beavers at Campbell Island. |
| Athens |
Sept 26 |
M |
12 |
Relatively cool & misty at dawn, turning hot & humid. Animals seemingly confused, many exhibiting spring-like behavioral patterns. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 27 |
M |
11 |
Early morning launch again, many gbh's, also an encounter with a mixed flock of domestic & canada geese, followed by a tame goose chase. Snack at RR village. |
| Athens |
Sept 29 |
Both |
12 |
Invigorating early fall day, two egrets lingered in the flats & an immature osprey made a spectacular dive at Priming Hook. Lunch at SMG. |
| North Germantown Landing |
Oct 2 |
Both |
13 |
Light breezes from the north all day, lunch at Dutchmans Landing. Extraordinary encounters with seven swans at Inbocht Bay, coming & going. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 3 |
Both |
9 |
Windy to start, windy to finish, brief lull during lunch. 150 geese took shelter in the marsh at Coxsackie Creek. Photography hopeless. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 5 |
Both |
11 |
Cloudy to start, sunny to finish, no wind, lunch at Priming Hook. A five eagle encounter early below Nutten Hook & two egrets on a log late near SMG. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 7 |
M |
7 |
Morning launch cut short by adverse conditions, a slate gray sky & intermittent light drizzle. All four egrets were near the RR bridge. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 10 |
Both |
13 |
Quiet day, pleasant conditions, late breeze from the north. Lunch at Priming Hook, geese greeting at 157. |
| Indian Lake State Boat Launch |
Oct 12 |
Both & Mike R |
15 |
Dull fall colors, sparse wildlife, beautiful water all day. Lunch at picnic area east side. |
| Athens |
Oct 14 |
M |
12 |
Very pleasant day highlighted by resurgent wildlife activity, mainly in Brickyard Bay. Also, at long last Cleopatra returns! |
| West Lake |
Oct 18 |
Both & Mike R |
12 |
Another lively day exploring coves, many darners & meadowhawks, also a long-tailed duck on a rock & a brant at the dam. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
Oct 21 |
M |
17 |
Warm day on very low water to start, rising quickly on the flood. Many eagles & a merlin. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
Oct 22 |
Both & Mike R |
17 |
Repeat of preceding. Not so many eagles & a pair of mergansers. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 25 |
Both |
12 |
Quiet river, no wind. Several eagles, a gbh & three greater yellowlegs. Stop at Priming Hook. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
Oct 27 |
Both |
13 |
South wind blowing all day, eased return from SMG. Two float planes & black scoters late. |
| Coxsackie |
Nov 4 |
M |
10 |
Midday paddle into a quiet Stockport Flats, very little activity of any kind. |
| Four Mile Point |
Nov 15 |
Both |
7 |
Cool day, inaugural paddle through new channel between Brickyard Bay & Little Nutten Hook. Met Lesa, Kathleen & three beavers. |