Spent almost exactly 10 hours at Jones Beach West End today, beginning just before sunrise. The favorable conditions and strong winds resulted in a lot of movement. The birders who were out on this brisk fall day definitely reaped the rewards. Two Red-headed Woodpeckers were observed, an adult male and a younger bird. The adult was seen all over the area, at the median, the Coast Guard, and the police station. I heard the bird IDed by others as a youngster while watching the adult. Yellow-breasted Chat was a welcome surprise at the Coast Guard hedgerow. Though characteristically skulky, it showed beautifully at least half-a-dozen times throughout the day. Sparrows were out in force. I saw Lark Sparrows at the outer turnaround and the Coast Guard, and other birders confirmed they were being seen near simultaneously. Vesper, White-crowned, Field, Swamp, Savannah, Chipping, White-throated, Song, juncos, and towhees were also seen. Raptor movement was good, mostly Merlins and the accipiters but also including Osprey, harrier, and kestrel. The biggest flights today were Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Northern Flicker. Other notes: Palm, Pine, and Black-throated Blue Warblers, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Baltimore Oriole, both kinglets, Royal Terns, and a decent spread of other species adding up to 70 total. Individual numbers and overall diversity were some of the best I've seen this season. Favorable winds are forecast to continue, so tomorrow could be interesting as well.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25450355 Cheers! -Tim H -- 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/ --
