I've been at Jones Beach since 6:40 today. The strong northern winds definitely brought some movement. Early in the day, Brendan Fogarty and I spotted several batches of Rusty Blackbirds (totaling about 11) passing overhead. Calls and coloration were distinctive, and one was forced to perch in the pines after an attack from a Merlin. A calling American Golden-Plover was heard repeatedly near the turnaround. Rumps, sparrows, and flickers made up most of the flight. Purple Finches and nuthatches are also around, and falcons were hunting. The surprise of the morning came when Brendan pointed out a small goose heading west with a flock of Canadas. It passed directly overhead, showing its smaller size, rapid wingbeats, and shorter neck with a clean white ring around the base. The overall coloration was frosty and pale, which was conspicuous even at a distance with the naked eye. Photos will be uploaded, but the birders fortunate enough to see it agreed everything was consistent for a Richardson's Cackling Goose. A search to check the geese at Point Lookout could prove fruitful.
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/ --
