Spent the whole weekend in the area, much already mentioned by others ... Friday: Checked some of the NorthWest Harbor shore points in the evening but didn't come up with anything terribly noteworthy (poor visibility hampered sea-watching).
Saturday: Started at Shinecock Inlet with 3 continuing KING EIDER, a GLAUCOUS GULL and an ICELAND GULL. Also had a LAPLAND LONGSPUR in the parking lot, but it quickly flushed and headed for warmer climes. Ponquogue Bridge added 3 BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES and a SNOWY OWL. Tiana Beach had 11 SNOW BUNTINGS and a scattering of shorebirds. TRITON LANE added 2 more SNOWY OWLS and another Grackle. No good sparrows. Then checked the Southampton Ponds (mostly frozen and empty save for a few shovelers) and Hook Pond in East Hampton (empty), plus the "snipe spot" at Georgica (not much). The only noteworthy bird in the Hamptons was a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT in Watermill. Most of the waterfowl seem to have been frozen out by the recent cold snap. Montauk was bit of a bust in the afternoon given the deteriorating weather (rain and fog) but I did add a GREAT CORMORANT at Montauk Inlet, and later a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Napeague. Sunday: EASTERN SCREECH OWL at dawn was a good start in NorthWest Harbor. A sea-watch at Montauk Point produced 22 RAZORBILLS, a single BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, and a RED-NECKED GREBE. Checked Deep Hollow, Rita's and Teddy Roosevelt (not much). Lake Montauk added a single LESSER SCAUP in the GREATER SCAUP flock. and the two previously mentioned BARROW'S GOLDENEYE (found last year by Peter Polshek and apparently returning to the same area) among a good mix of waterfowl. Lake Montauk Inlet and Culloden Point did not gift me with any of the rarities found yesterday by Shai and Pat - timing is everything - I just got the usual sea-duck, etc. Fort Pond had 2 CANVASBACK along with some more common waterfowl. Napeague gave better views of Larry the LBBG, and a fly-over immature BALD EAGLE. Checked more geese on the way West but didn't come up with anything unusual. -- 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/ --
