A number of interesting species, mostly reported previously, were found today from Montauk Point west to Easthampton. Together with Tom Burke and Gail Benson, I saw the following. Thanks to several birders in the area, including Anthony Collerton, Arie Gilbert, Michael McBrien, Peter Polshek, and Derek Rogers, for information that facilitated finding some of these.
Cackling Goose: 1, Deep Hollow pasture south of Montauk Highway; also a Snow Goose here. Greater White-fronted Goose: 6 at Hook Pond, Easthampton; 5 were on the distant lawn and one was on the water.. Scoters: One of the most interesting and distressing observations of the day was the very low numbers of scoters and Common Eiders at the Point (viewed both from the restaurant and from Camp Hero bluffs). Collectively, a few hundreds were seen, rather than the many thousands that are typically here in winter. Northern Gannets and loons also appeared sparser than usual at this date. Barrow's Goldeneye: Both the male and female were in a flock of ca. 40 Common Goldeneye near the south end of Lake Montauk, viewed from the east side. Choppy waters and the birds' active diving made observation a bit challenging. Black-headed Gull: An adult flew past as we watched the sea from the restaurant at Montauk Point. The previously reported immature was present but rather inconspicuous amidst Bonaparte's Gulls at the south end of Lake Montauk. Iceland Gull: Both an adult and an immature were on the beach a short distance west of the west jetty at the Lake Montauk inlet. Lesser Black-backed Gull: One on the ice on Fort Pond, viewed from Kirk Park in Montauk village; and "Larry" was visible from Lazy Point. Razorbill: A few seen from the Point and Camp Hero. Palm Warbler: One "Western" Palm at the boat launch, Lazy Point. Yellow-breasted Chat: One near the north end of Napeague Harbor Road, leading to the Walking Dunes; on the road edge, even foraging under parked cars. Clay-colored Sparrow: Two in the EECO Farm, on Long Lane opposite Easthampton High School. Along with a Field Sparrow and many Song Sparrrows, these were in a rather large stand of weeds (mugwort?) and brambles that is surrounded by the community garden plots Red Crossbill: Although some observers saw a number of these in Kirk Park in Montauk village, we saw only a single bird that flew over the Montauk Point restaurant. Doug Futuyma Stony Brook, NY -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
