It looks like the tern gathering thing, at least on the flats, may be over for the year. Just 3 Royals, 9 Least, and a handful of Commons (although Doug Futuyma mentioned larger numbers to the west of the flats). So when a Black Tern came in, it was on its own.
Shorebirds included 17 species (18 if you like to split your Willets), but nothing unusual - unless you want to say Solitary Sandpiper for the location. Interesting that all the Short-billed Dowtichers at Jamaica Bay are juveniles. Only 1 at Cupsogue was a young 'un, not that there were all that many overall (maybe 20). Theory, anyone? A few Red Knots included two juveniles. Surprisingly few peep around, so overall a better balance than I've gotten used to at Jamaica Bay of late (95% Semi Sands). Lots of Oystercatchers gathering like they've been known to in places, although I didn't know Cupsogue to be such a place. I estimated 90 of them on the rising tide. I knew it was time to leave when the shorebirds on one of the sandbars were replaced by a juvenile Peregrine. I managed some distant shots of it, then closer ones in flight. An interesting Peregrine it is, probably the darkest one I've ever seen. The upperparts are pretty much black, putting thoughts of Peale's into my head. But it's not. Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
