| Paddle Log — 2020 |
|---|
| LAUNCH SITE |
DATE |
WHO |
DISTANCE |
COMMENTS |
| Vandenburgh-Dunsbach Ferry |
Mar 9 |
Both |
6 |
Wagers Pond & Krause's on a very warm day. Eagles, hawks, ducks, muskrats, beavers, even painted turtles. |
| Athens |
Mar 18 |
Both |
12 |
Clear early, light cloud cover late, not much wind. Many ducks, mostly mergansers, also woodies, black ducks & buffleheads. Eagle nests at MGF, PH, SMG & NH are all viable. |
| Coxsackie |
Mar 26 |
Both |
11 |
Quiet day, mergs & teals at PH, a solitary bufflehead at SMG & a solitary eagle at NH. Highlight was CG replacing #148 at four mile point. |
| Athens |
April 5 |
Both |
13 |
Warm, cloudy day highlighted by the salvage of an abandoned kayak stuck in the reeds near HA. |
| North Germantown Landing |
April 7 |
Both |
11 |
At least ten young eagles active around Inbocht Bay early. Also a new nest in the shallow cove above Greene Point. Good luck! |
| Vandenburgh-Dunsbach Ferry |
April 20 |
Both |
6 |
Unpromising start, eventual excitement on the Erie Canal with appearances in succession of a hooded merganser, a complaisant kingfisher, two circling eagles & a pair of combative snapping turtles. |
| Athens |
April 23 |
Both |
11 |
Quiet beginning turning blustery after a stop at HRISP. Head-to-wind all the way back, detour through West Flat for a respite. |
| Coxsackie |
April 25 |
Both |
12 |
Warm, calm, pleasant day. Round trip PH, stopping at HA to salvage a hatch cover, observed beached boat both ways on SMG mud flat. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
April 28 |
Both |
15 |
Wind on & off all day, mostly adverse. Ospreys gathered around Stockport Creek to feast on herrings while an eagle contemplated larceny. |
| Ticonderoga State Boat Launch |
May 2 |
Both |
12 |
Exploration of flooded East Creek marshes (97.5 feet) & swollen La Chute with brisk current. Many map turtles both places. |
| South Bay State Boat Launch |
May 6 |
Both |
14 |
Marsh exploration to The Narrows of Dresden, a multitude of ospreys. Lunch at Chubbs Dock. Dead calm morning, intermittent light following wind on return. |
| Coxsackie |
May 16 |
Both |
8 |
Blustery early head-to-wind, calming down after tide turned, water level very low. Many turtles at Rattlesnake Island, a seal surfaced at Coxsackie Light. |
| Athens |
May 17 |
Both |
15 |
Steady breeze all day. Many shore birds, otherwise little activity. |
| North Germantown Landing |
May 20 |
Both |
12 |
Inbocht Bay both ways & Roe Jan. Clear, mostly calm day. Many shy snapping turtles in IB. Both eagle nests have chicks. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
May 21 |
Both |
16 |
Clear day on low water with beaching episodes. Bank swallows are back, exuberant activity at SMG. |
| Ticonderoga State Boat Launch |
May 22 |
Both |
10 |
Probed East Creek marshes, 97.1 feet, intense carp breeding activity in places & loud gallinules often heard but not seen. Lunch on a rickety pier. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
May 24 |
Both |
14 |
Clear day on low water again, this time no beaching. Outstanding encounter with an eagle eating a large fish by RI. Lunch at SMG. |
| North Germantown Landing |
June 1 |
Both |
8 |
Extraordinary day on the river: snapping turtle swimming with a large meal in its mouth, discovery of a raven's nest & an eagle aerial show. Short distance long on excitement. |
| Coxsackie |
June 4 |
Both |
12 |
Stockport Flats paddle replete with photo ops from beginning to end, mostly eagles. |
| Athens |
June 9 |
Both |
14 |
Very early launch into calm weather. Another day of continual photo ops. |
| North Germantown Landing |
June 12 |
Both |
11 |
Early launch into Inbocht Bay on a tranquil day, weeds beginning to take over. Breakfast on island near Roe Jan. Raven's nest is empty. These birds have flown. |
| Coxsackie |
June 14 |
Both |
14 |
Pleasant day with a few gbh's early, wildlife otherwise sparse or fugitive. Lunch at RR village. |
| Athens |
June 16 |
Both |
13 |
Paddle replete with gbh's from beginning to end, also puzzling osprey activity at HA. Lunch at HRISP. |
| Dutchman's Landing |
June 17 |
Both |
10 |
Extensive exploration of Rogers Island, many snapping turtles, calm weather turning hot. Lunch at Cohotate. |
| Coxsackie |
June 20 |
Both |
11 |
Very hot day on very low water, eagles mostly inactive, gbh's numerous & busy. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Athens |
June 25 |
Both |
15 |
First eagle chick to fly at SMG, unusual six beaver beleaguerment at Brickyard Bay, another beaver at MGF & clubtail tenerals emerging from exuviae at take out. |
| Coxsackie |
July 2 |
Both & Tony |
13 |
Dead calm water all day with continual eagle activity, non-stop photo ops. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
July 4 |
Both |
13 |
Repeat of previous with similar calm water and many photo ops. Highlights were an attempted fish predation by one gbh from another and vigorous pre-flight wing-flexing & branch-hopping by Nutten Hook chicks. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
July 5 |
Both |
6 |
Wait at MC for the arrival of the USS Slater on the way to Staten Island, unfortunately pushed by two tugs. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
July 6 |
Both |
12 |
Light breeze AM followed by stiff breeze PM, some eagle activity, also many gbh's. Lunch at SMG. |
| Henry Hudson |
July 9 |
Both |
8 |
Papscanee & Vlomankill. Many canada lilies. Break at 214, beware of water-hemlock! |
| Round Lake |
July 10 |
Both |
4 |
Anthony Kill & Little Round Lake. Shallow areas carpeted with fragrant water lilies, many friendly rwb's, mostly female. |
| Athens |
July 15 |
Both |
13 |
Hot & calm. One chick is flying at NH, the other to follow soon. All four SMG eagle family members were present on return. |
| Coxsackie |
July 18 |
Both |
13 |
Dense fog early, finally clearing at SMG. All chicks in area are aloft! |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
July 21 |
Both |
11 |
Another day of incessant eagle photo ops. Lunch at SMG. |
| Athens |
July 24 |
Both |
12 |
Exploration of Hudson-Catskill area in search of a white pelican, located near #129 in the AM, located later on #129's rocky base after lunch. |
| West Lake |
July 29 |
Both |
10 |
West Lake, Lily Lake & Stewart's Landing. Quiet day with a paucity of wildlife. Exception – canada darners. |
| Coxsackie |
July 31 |
Both |
12 |
Pleasant summer day. Many eagles. Green herons at last! Brunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
August 1 |
Both |
12 |
Repeat of previous, another pleasant day. Great egrets at last! |
| Coxsackie |
August 3 |
Both |
9 |
Repeat of previous, cut short by a sudden increase in wind strength. Excellent eagle photo op at NH. |
| Coxsackie |
August 5 |
Both |
10 |
Repeat of previous, again impeded by a sudden increase in wind strength, small white caps in the channel. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Ticonderoga State Boat Launch |
August 6 |
Both |
14 |
Lovely day highlighted by common gallinules & an osprey's failed attempt to haul a large bass out of the water. |
| Athens |
August 9 |
Both |
14 |
Many active gbh's, many inactive eagles & a northern harrier hawk near Priming Hook. Lunch at Gays Point. |
| Athens |
August 14 |
Both |
14 |
Refreshing breezes from the north, few photo ops, dog days are upon us. Lunch at Gays Point. |
| Coxsackie |
August 16 |
M |
11 |
Quiet, gray day, pleasantly cool. Inert eagles on the ebb, more active on the flood, photography inhibited by the cloud cover. Brunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
August 17 |
Both |
13 |
Warmer & sunnier than previous. Many immature eagles & a variety of other wildlife. Brunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
August 19 |
Both |
14 |
Mostly calm, storm passed close by late. Many eagles again, highlight a chick eating a crab. Brunch at Priming Hook. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
August 20 |
Both |
13 |
Bright sun, no wind, pleasant paddle. Deer showing up everywhere plus a large gathering of geese. Lunch at SMG. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
August 23 |
Both |
12 |
A peregrine falcon appeared in early dense fog that persisted all the way to Schodack Creek. Marshes lush with vegetation, otherwise quiet. Lunch at Bronck Island. |
| Athens |
August 24 |
Both |
10 |
Dead calm, very high water, early takeout. A banded immature eagle at PH caught a fish. Lunch at Gays Point. |
| Peru State Boat Launch |
August 28 |
Both |
13 |
Splendid paddle around nearly deserted Valcour & Crab Islands. Where is everybody? Lunch at Valcour, many wild flowers & a nautical snorkeling curiosity. |
| Ticonderoga State Boat Launch |
August 31 |
Both |
16 |
Extended exploration of East Creek until water ran out, also mouth of La Chute. Various wildlife activity all day. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 5 |
Both |
10 |
Mostly mature eagles & a gbh dragging a broken wing at east flat. Lunch at Priming Hook, watched Gabrielle's wedding at SMG. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
Sept 6 |
Both |
17 |
Repeat of previous, SMG eagles on the mud flat more obviously facing off against a possible pair of intruders, injured gbh sadly still dragging his wing while trying to catch fish. |
| Athens |
Sept 12 |
Both |
13 |
Quiet paddle on unexpectedly high water, light breeze after lunch at Gays Point. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 17 |
M |
10 |
Quiet paddle on a slightly hazy day. Brunch at Priming Hook where an osprey dove and caught a fish. |
| Coxsackie |
Sept 20 |
Both |
12 |
Clear day, stiff head-to-wind return. Water chestnut mats breaking up quickly, many gbh's. Lunch at Priming Hook. |
| Coxsackie |
Oct 3 |
Both |
11 |
Clear morning, cloudy afternoon. Repeat of Sept 6 confrontation between two pairs of eagles near SMG. Lunch at PH. |
| Stuyvesant Landing |
Oct 4 |
Both |
13 |
Again clear morning, cloudy afternoon. Entertaining eagle skit pretending to catch food like a gull at Little NH. Lunch at SMG. |
| Athens |
Oct 22 |
Both |
14 |
Warm & calm. Several pairs of mature eagles kept a watch on their territories. An aquatic gray squirrel swam from MGF to Murderers Creek. |
| Coxsackie |
Nov 6 |
Both |
13 |
Very low water, unseasonably warm day. Some mergansers & mature eagles who hardly moved. Lunch at PH. |
| Coxsackie |
Nov 7 |
Both |
17 |
Extremely low water, still unseasonably warm. Some flying geese & static mature eagles, until one finally took off. Also a solitary gbh. Lunch at Hannacroix Preserve. |
| Athens |
Nov 9 |
Both |
13 |
Continuing mild weather, unexpected high water, also two red-breasted mergansers. Serenity reigned supreme over all. Lunch at SMG. |