After a day of no birds yesterday, who would believe what would happen today. I decided to leave the county for the day (really?) and bird Ulster and Orange counties. The Bashakill has been flooded for days and access has been very limited. I first went to Blue Chip Farms to spruce up my Ulster list. As soon as I pulled up on Bates Lane, Jim Schlickenrieder from New Jersey put me right on two UPLAND SANDPIPERS, thanks Jim! On to Six and a Half Station Road. Many good year birds including dozens of Marsh Wrens and a few Virginia Rails. While there, Rob Stone called and alerted me to a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on Skinner Lane in Pine Island. When I arrived, it turned out there were four of them. This is a rare spring migrant in our area. While checking out the Horned Larks and Northern Harriers, Joe DiCostanzo called and alerted me to a LEAST BITTERN on Haven Road at the Bashakill, thanks Joe! The water had receded. When I arrived, I first saw a COMMON TERN which apparently had been on the kill all day. Next I found the Bittern and Arlene Borko arrived to have great looks at the bird. I then got home to find an email informing me that Arie Gilbert and the Queens County Bird Club had just seen a MISSISSIPPI KITE at the Deli Fields at the Bash. A prior commitment prevented me from going back out, but you can bet I'll be there tomorrow. GREAT BIRDING!! John Haas
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