Relocated On the point 5 minutes ago.
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2015 00:09:36 -0400
Subject: [nysbirds-l] Jamaica Bay East Pond Report 8-8-2015
From: birdingd...@gmail.com
To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu; ebirds...@yahoogroups.com
A pleasant morning and afternoon was enjoyed on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge. Made so, by the weather, birds and company. Birding with Tom
Burke, Gail Benson, Shai Mitra, Patricia Lindsay, Steve Walter, Rex and Renee
Recker and Bob Shriber, we worked both south and north end of the ponds.
An estimated 1500 Semipalmated Sandpipers were the dominant shorebird species
with the remaining species of shorebirds making up another 300 or so birds. The
juvenile numbers are building, especially among the Semipalmated and Leasts. In
total, there were 14 species of shorebirds that most in our group observed. The
list includes:
American OystercatcherBlack-bellied PloverSemipalmated PloverKilldeerSpotted
SandpiperGreater YellowlegsLesser YellowlegsWHIMBRELRuddy TurnstoneLeast
SandpiperWhite-rumped SandpiperPectoral Sandpiper (2 birds)Semipalmated
SandpiperShort-billed Dowitcher
The Pectoral Sandpipers were seen on the bayside off the north dyke late this
afternoon and a calling Whimbrel was a flyover coming in from the bayside
heading south over the pond.
We did not see the Red-necked Phalarope that was reported by Isaac Grant
earlier in the day. The 1 Stilt Sandpiper that I had as recently as Thursday
was also not seen today by anyone in our group. I have been checking on the
arrival and departure of birds all week and based on my observation it seems
that the turnover on the pond is happening quite frequently (favorable winds I
suppose). Tomorrow, could be quite a different day with more or less birds on
the pond.
The non shorebird sightings are nothing much to write about. The usual
waterfowl assortment for this time of the year were present. Isaac, also
reported having Blue-winged Teals this morning but unfortunately no one in my
group were able to connect with any. A good number of Great Blue Herons were on
the pond and nice mix of juvenile Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets make a
good study in separating them. The juvenile Peregrine Falcons, now up to three
were their usual nuisance selves, with one female observed buzzing a Glossy
Ibis which received a ding on the forehead.
A couple of notes on shorebirding on the pond this season. The Algae, is making
shorebirding quite the task in terms of counting and observing the birds. Under
normal circumstances, shorebirds could be observed feeding on the exposed
shoreline. The Algal mat has provided additional areas where the smaller
birds--your Semipalamted and Least Sandpipers are seen feeding on. This means,
the birds are quite scattered throughout the pond and are not concentrated
along the shoreline.
Regarding navigating around the pond. The water level, is where it needs to be
finally and the valve is shut. This is right in line with the expected water
level draw down and now nature takes its course in drying out the exposed
mudflats. I want to remind birders and visitors not to bird the East Pond
casually. There are some tricky areas around the pond on both ends. Please
exercise extra caution when navigating around the deep cut on the south end;
last year a photographer went down in that area with all his gear and today
someone else took a dip. Some smaller cuts on that end are covered with the
Algal mat and looks quite deceptive. If unsure, look for previous tracks to
help with your decision making.
I have done all that I could to work with NPS in getting the pond ready as best
as it could be. Now, let's hope for birds and lots of them to make up for all
the shorebirding we missed. When you stop in at the refuge, please take a
moment to convey your thanks to NPS for the efforts made or write to those
folks we went to when action was needed to lower the water.
Good Shorebirding!
--
風 Swift as the wind林 Quiet as the forest
火 Conquer like the fire山 Steady as the mountainSun Tzu The Art of War
(\__/)
(= '.'=) (") _ (")
Andrew Bakshwww.birdingdude.blogspot.com
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