From: rada...@msn.com
To: NY BIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu
Subject: Ross's Goose, no - Cackling Goose , yes / Merritt's Pond, Riverhead.
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2013 20:00:12 -0500
Today, between 1015 - 1115, I looked for the Ross's without success. The Snow
Geese (both "w & b") were also not found. The goose flock (about 1 / 4 of the
size it was on Monday) did produce at least 1 Cackling Goose, which was located
on the southern "half" of the lake, while all of Monday's birds were on the
lake's northern section.. Monday's flock was estimated (by John McNeil, who was
doing a waterfowl census that day) to be ~ 6,000.
After trying all of the other 6 viewing points (it takes about 5 minutes of
actual driving to travel the 6 streets) I parked on Ostrander Ave, and walked
into Peninsula Path. During my hour stay, I had the opportunity to speak with 2
of the 6 (?) homeowners on the block. They spoke well of the birders who have
been looking for the goose, but also made mention of a few of them driving in
and parking on this narrow, short (100 yards), and dead ended street. In my
post of 1/28, I recommended parking on O/Ave and walking P/Path, after first
trying the a fore mentioned streets. I would now ask any of the birding and
photography communities who try for the Ross's (except for those who are
handicapped) to please "park & walk".
I have been hesitant to report a bird that I saw (fleetingly) this past
Wednesday (1/30) on Route 51, just n/o Old Speonk-Riverhead Rd., Riverhead. It
was ~ 1:30 PM, with the day being gray and foggy, as I headed south, and the
bird, in an easterly direction. I first noticed this mid-sized, slender,
long-winged bird as it flew across the northbound lanes of this divided
highway. Within ~ 5 seconds, it was out of sight, immersed in the fog.
Momentarily puzzled, the first bird that came to mind was a
nighthawk...immediately followed by how incredulous this thought sounded !
Since we were headed toward Patchouge to visit one of RuthAnn's cousins in a
nursing home, and since my wife appreciates me not talking "birds" (after all,
it's been 48 years) I throttled my imagination until after we returned home,
and then "hit the books" ! Checking Bull's Birds of New York State (1974), his
Supplement of B/o/N/Y/S (1976) and B's/B/o/N/Y/S (1998) edited by Emanuel
Levine, I learned for sure what I initially felt was the case...this specie has
never been seen in NYS during the winter season. In fact, Chordeiles minor is
considered rare after September, with it's extreme migration date being
November,11* year not included.
If I was alone, I would have chased the bird down the nearest road (O/S/R/R)
and if I didn't overtake it (most probable) I then would have returned to where
I saw it, waiting a good amount (?) of time, waiting for the "whatever" to
return and end this almost impossible, possible mystery. Besides size, the only
"jizz" I got during those 5 crazy seconds were (as stated in NAS's The SIBLEY
Guide to Birds (2000) 'Desk Copy' " slender shape and erratic, bounding
flight". I didn't get anything else, including the usually prominent "white
bar" in primaries.
I welcome any comments or suggestions. Does anyone have knowledge of a similar
sighting anywhere in the northeast this season ?
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