This is part report and, since this is the right day for it, part commentary on a question posed by Andrew Baksh a few days ago. Yes, Jamaica Bay can still be good for migrants. But you have to be there the morning of a flight night. Even that might not be a sure thing. But as someone who lives relatively close and likes a shot at photographing migrants, I think it's worth checking out. Because when it's the right day, it's special. Today was that kind of day and there was a good, although by no means spectacular, showing of migrants. The most notable birds were GRAY-CHEECKED THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and considering the May 16 date, a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Of interest to me was a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, a longtime nemesis on the photography front. In the process of trying to get better pictures, I followed it for some distance as it moved north through the North Garden, perhaps confirming something for me. It's assumed (by me, anyway) that migrants filter northward and move on to more favorable habitats inland as the day progresses. I haven't done any real study - I'd rather be in the gardens close to the migrants than standing by the North Channel Bridge watching them fly off. But whether I'm right or wrong, activity at Jamaica Bay seems to be less after influx mornings.
So like I assume many migrants do, it's off to Forest Park for me for the afternoon. Hearing of good activity at the water hole yesterday and this morning, I expected more of that this afternoon, especially with the sun coming out and warm weather setting in on this obvious flight day. But it wasn't quite like that. In my estimation, the water hole was rather slow from 1:00 to 3:00. The 3:00 hour was enhanced by the reappearance of the previously reported MOURNING WARBLER, two appearances by a female type SUMMER TANAGER, and 4 ORCHARD ORIOLES (each in a different plumage - adult male, first year male, female, and tailless). Better, but not extraordinary, warbler activity ensued after 4:00. The moral of this paragraph is that I too am baffled by the inconsistency of the water hole. After all these years, I still can't be sure when it's going to be good. It just helps to keep trying and to be patient. I have posted pictures of some of today's birds, including the Summer Tanager, at my web site (main page and recent work) http://www.stevewalternature.com/ Steve Walter Bayside, 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/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/ --
