[nysbirds-l] Montauk area birding notes, Pacific Loon and more

2017-11-12 Thread Timothy Healy 
After arriving in Montauk yesterday afternoon, I set about exploring the shores 
of the Lake in search of the Brown Booby. I found no sign of the long-lingering 
rarity: hopefully she moved south ahead of the cold weather. A pipit and some 
Purple Sandpipers were observed at the Gin Beach area, and I set up for an 
evening seawatch from the restaurant at the Point. Several hundred Bonaparte’s 
Gulls were mixed in with Laughers and other species, the highest numbers I’ve 
seen around the island in some time. There were also two Great Shearwaters 
associating with the fishing boats just beyond the breakers.

I started another seawatch from Camp Hero before sunrise this morning. Anthony 
Collerton joined me, and shortly after doing so he spotted a Pacific Loon 
flying west to east and out beyond the Point. He also picked out two early 
Razorbills, and I relocated one of yesterday’s shearwaters. Duck numbers are 
increasing but not yet peaked, though five Green-winged Teal rafting with the 
scoters were interesting. Non-avian highlights included a Gray Seal, as well as 
a Minke Whale and a Humpback observed feeding in very close association: the 
alternating appearance of different dorsal fins confused us at first. 

We explored a few more sites around the area, turning up a Parasitic Jaeger and 
some Snow Buntings on the west side of Montauk Inlet, and a surprising pod of 
Short-beaked Common Dolphins feeding north of Culloden Point.
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[nysbirds-l] Montauk area birding notes

2017-06-10 Thread Timothy Healy 
I spent the day exploring the Montauk area, and managed to turn up some
birds of note. Nearly 200 Black Scoters were present in the surf south of
the cliffs at Shadmoor State Park: a surprising congregation at this time
of year. Plenty of Bank Swallows around, and a number of other expected
breeders. A lone female Wild Turkey and a Red Fox both crossed our path on
one of the Hither Hills State Park access roads. We stumbled upon a
Virginia Rail at Big Reed Pond late in the afternoon, strutting through the
undergrowth near a wet spot along the trail, vocalizing loudly. I'm betting
that it was trying to distract from its nest or young based on its
behavior. We didn't linger too long.

Unfortunately, a stop in Quogue on the way home didn't provide any
nightjars, even though we stopped to listen in several recently and
historically reliable spots. It was quite some time after sunset, so
perhaps the birds were busy foraging after the initial chorus of the night.

Cheers!
-Tim

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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