The West Pond birding was a disaster today compared to what it was for many years! There were no birds at all in the west pond except one lonely Great Egret! Not even ruddy ducks, blacks, mallards, swans or brant! ( There were about 30 Brant however in marshes in the bay). Since Sandy washed through, filling the west bay with salt water, nothing has been done to repair the breech and the pathway going around the pond, so it can go back to be a fresh water pond, and so we can again walk around the pond and see the nature and birds. How long are they going to wait? I hope soon, so it can fill up with fresh water over the winter! The East Pond, which still has fresh water, still has also birds. Besides many Ruddy Ducks, Canada goose, several swans,and a few black ducks and mallards, we saw about four green winged teals, several pied-billed grebes, two greater yellow legs, and then 27 Snow Goose flew in with one Blue Goose (dark morf) while we watched from the east end of Big John's path. There was nothing much more at the south end of the East Pond, and I never got to the North end as it was getting dark. The Barn Owl is still in the owl box at Big John's pond. Does any one know anyone who is responsible for fixing the breech? It is not a big project and It is a shame to leave it like it is. I heard an excuse that the authorities do not want to fix it for fear that it will breech again!! But so may the rest of Long Island, (my home was flooded too),but we are all still fixing our flooded homes on the south shore because we live here! Andy Murphy --
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/ --
<<IMG_1731.JPG>>
<<IMG_1766.JPG>>
<<IMG_1773.JPG>>
<<IMG_1777.JPG>>
<<IMG_1817.JPG>>
<<IMG_1818.JPG>>
