Hempstead Lake SP 2 May
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) met there prior to heading for Jamaica Bay. A
quick check before leaving turned up a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, WARBLING and
RED-EYED VIREO, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (heard only), a few Warblers and a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Although the facility is open (they have to be kidding--more later), the
buildings, now, are only manned 5 days a week with Monday and Tuesday closed.
(the bathrooms were open today). The trails are closed for construction a
significant distance before the now closed breach. So, effectively you can't
bird except in the gardens. Both West and East Ponds are not just filled, but
appear to be overflowing. No margins of any kind and NO shorebirds except for a
flyby calling WILLET.
The South Marsh held 1 GREAT EGRET, and later 15 GLOSSY IBIS flew over.
There was a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON in Big Johns Pond along with a male WOOD
DUCK. No Owl visible. The East Pond had a lone pair of GADWALL in a huge
expanse of water..
The short walk to just before bench 3 and the STOP FOR CONSTRUCTION sign
produced almost a dozen each of HOUSE WREN and YELLOW WARBLERS. A CLAPPER RAIL
was calling loudly, but we could not find it in the dense reeds. Other birds
also are all local breeders. Until what ever they're doing is finished, if you
want to see water fowl and shorebirds, you have to go elsewhere.
Sy
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