Not knowing if there is yet any access to the south shore in central Long Island, I went to the shore of Long Island Sound in Setauket this morning, hoping for passing migrants. After a fruitless half-hour at West Meadow Beach, I stationed myself at the Oldfield Point lighthouse (at the end of Oldfield Road) from 7:20 to 9:00 EST. There were many waves of American Robins, at least 2300 in all, accompanied by small numbers of other species that included at least 5 Rusty Blackbirds. The highlight, by far, was a flock of about 10 White-winged Crossbills at 7:45, which alerted me by their calls as they approached. I was able to follow two adult males, obtaining clear views of their pinkish red venter and striking white wing-bars.
Other species included Cedar Waxwing (ca. 65), Yellow-rumped Warbler (35), Eastern Bluebird (heard on three occasions), Northern Flicker (7), Red-breasted Nuthatch (2 or 3), Purple Finch (1 heard), several American Goldfinch, and a single Pine Siskin, In addition to 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks, I had many sightings of Merlins, but could not tell how often the same several birds repeated. Doug Futuyma Stony Brook, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
