Finding Feathers Long Island

Southards Pond

Hello again! This past week I decided to head out on my own to explore Southards Pond and the Carll’s River system in Babylon, NY. I will be completely honest with you, I have visited Southards pond many many times before and was not expecting much more than Mallards and Canada Geese, wow was I wrong! This turned out to be an amazing Birding outing! I started out my trip at the Babylon park avenue tennis courts and trails, it was absolutely freezing but the sun was shining magnificently so I just could not resist. Bundled in layer after layer, hat, gloves, and scarf I headed onto the trail immediately stopping to observe a Great Blue Heron wading in a small hidden stream, as well as a pair of Mallard ducks swimming more openly, before I even reached the sign to the park! Up above me on an outstretched branch perched a Rusty Blackbird, a life bird for me, and that was it, the tone was set.

Great Blue Heron in a hidden stream

Trail entrance

Rusty Blackbird

Mallard Ducks

Once on the trail sounds of songbirds echoed all around me, however, few came forward to show themselves off. A Downy Woodpecker drilled for lunch on a large tree set back within the vines and brambles. Alongside the trail ran the Carll’s River, strong in areas and nearly piddling out in others, occasionally pooling in small ponds full of signs of spring and surrounded by fresh skunk cabbage blooms. Common Grackles flew overhead, crossing from one side of the trail to the other, perching on trees and seemingly watching me pass along. After a short walk, the shimmering blue of Southards Pond came into view up ahead and waiting to greet me on the path stood a Mallard Duck and Canada Goose looking funnily like a security checkpoint.

Downy Woodpecker

Common Grackle

Ducks, Geese, and gulls floated all over the surface of the lake and circled above. Out of the shelter of the path, the wind blew strong and the air dropped to a chilling cold. After a quick pep-talk, I pressed on and headed left, keeping the lake to my right and following the path up over a small spillway where a few determined fishermen were toughing it out. From here the path forked into two options, I could go straight or I could turn right and continue around the pond. Having seen the majority of waterfowl activity congregating at the far end of the pond I decided to turn right. Though the trail soon turned wooded on both sides there where sporadic clearings through the trees, or small crude trails branching off, giving a better view of the water, and I took every opportunity that I could get. First to be spotted was a pair of Mute Swans, Mostly because they are so easy to recognize, accompanied by their faithful Mallard companions. A bit further up the trail, under closer inspection, I came to observe quite a large flock of Gadwalls and intermittent American Black Ducks, but I was in for a real treat! As I was photographing a group of Gadwalls a flock of Ring-necked ducks came in for a landing right in front of me. At the furthest point of the lake, which turned out to be inaccessible as I continued on, three large Great Blue Herons stood in the shallow waters watching on casually as a group of Green Winged Teals floated by. Hiding amongst the group, three Hooded Mergansers, making themselves right at home.

Mute swan with Mallard ducks and Canada Goose

Great Blue Herons enjoying the shoreline

spillway getting much attention from local fisherman

Ring-necked Ducks coming in for a landing

Ring-necked Ducks

Gadwall Ducks

Gadwall Ducks

American Black Ducks

Green-winged Teals with Mallard Ducks

Branch off the main trail to view the lake

As I continued along the trees became too thick to see the water and the trail veered away from shore and more through the woods along the highway. After a short while of walking, I was stopped by a rather surprising sound, searching further I was faced with a group of horses trotting around within a small gated area. The path I had been walking turned out to also be a Bridlepath and horses were available to ride. By this point, I had left the Southards Pond Park Grounds and was following the Carll’s river trail towards Belmont Lake State Park.  Along the trail, the river slithered in and out, through trees and under small stone bridges creating lush pockets of green in the dying winter cold. Peering through some brambles to a soft bed of moss and brown fallen leaves two White-Throated Sparrows toiled away, hoping about gathering thin twigs and grasses. Above us, a Red-bellied Woodpecker drilled at the tallest tree then darted to another and another, searching for a meal. As I walked I was passed by joggers and quite a few people walking their dogs and enjoying the fresh air. A small bird seemed to be zipping before my eyes, from one side of the path to another, then hiding out of sight. This continued for quite a long while and eventually, I became convinced that I would never get a clear view of the tiny acrobat, let alone a photo, when finally he perched for a rest. A tiny Golden-Crowned Kinglet, hardly bigger than a hummingbird, stood staring at me, awaiting my next move.

White-Throated Sparrow

Small bridge hidden behind trees and brambles

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Golden-Crowned Kinglet

Mallard ducks enjoying a shallow area of the river

Spring is in the air!

White-Throated Sparrow

The last leg of the trail led me under a small overpass and spilled out into Bellmont Lake State Park. The lake was relatively empty ahead of me despite a Mute swan and some Mallard ducks with Seagulls flying overhead. On a large lawn to my right, a scattering of European Starlings and American Robins rooted around through the grass. I took a seat on a nearby bench, enjoying a much-needed rest and watched the lowering sun cast glitter across the water’s surface. It is days like these that remind me how much I love living on Long Island.

American Robins

European Starlings

This trail was truly beautiful with a large variety of habitats, scenery, birds, and wildlife. It is mostly even which makes it an easy walk for any skill level and is one of the more well-kempt parks I have visited as of late, with hardly a scrap of litter to be found (with the exception of some inaccessible shoreline at Southards Pond). I will absolutely be returning to take this hike again, and I recommend all of you check it out for yourselves if given the opportunity! With the weather finally showing signs of warming up I hope you all venture back into the great outdoors, until next time my friends, Happy Birding!

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