Both a Say's Phoebe and a Western Kingbird were documented for Caumsett State Park in northwestern Suffolk Co., NY on Nov. 3rd. That kingbird was notably a *personal* 'first-ever' (for the site) for two observers who have put in many many hours at that location over the years - and for a *location* which has recorded nearly 250 species of birds on the books, again over many many years. The current Say's Phoebe has been at that site for quite some while, observed by many since mid-October. ......... "The" Steller's Sea-Eagle has returned again to Nova Scotia *Canada* (at the Falmouth boat launch), having been seen & photographed by many scores of observers on Nov. 3rd there. - - - - - New York County (in N.Y. City) including Manhattan, Randall's, & Governors Island[s] Tuesday, Nov. 2nd: Inadvertently left out of the body of my prior reports from this day, many E. Bluebirds were on the move again through parts of the county, with well over 50 individuals (in all) passing through especially from n. Manhattan - this included smaller numbers found moving through Central Park, & a couple of those lingering on for a part of the day. A somewhat late American Redstart was noted at Centrak Park as well. A Pileated Woodpecker was 'informally' reported via a parks worker, just south of the G.Washington bridge along/near the Hudson River greenway; there have not been subsequent reports, as far as known. Wed., Nov. 3rd: A Cattle Egret was reported as a fly-by from lower Manhattan, moving along the Hudson River. It can be added, in terms of sightings of cattle egrets from virtually anywhere in the Americas (South, Central, or North), that unless emphatically proven otherwise, all sightings of this species-group in the region are of Western Cattle Egret (and not Eastern Cattle Egret, which is found in eastern and southern Asia, and in Australasia and has begun to appear in New Zealand). Western Cattle Egret is found in Africa (via which continent most if not all of the species arrival to the Americas is believed to have transpired within the past century and continues to recent decades) and in the western parts of Eurasia, as well, and dispersals of that species have occurred widely. The 'split' of Cattle Egret to these 2 forms (species) is accepted by, among others, the International Ornithologists' Union. A Clay-colored Sparrow was reported from Randall's Island, as were several Vesper Sparrows, and at least one lingering American Pipit; additional Vesper Sparrows were seen (again) on Governors Island & also found there were a small number of E. Meadowlarks (this has been a good autumn for both of the latter species in general, and also specifically in this county). American Pipit was also noted from northern Manhattan again, around the area of Dyckman Street's western terminus. A Blue-headed Vireo was photographed in the Central Park Ramble. A Nashville Warbler was photographed at the n. end of Central Park, where it's possible one or more are lingering on for some days. In addition to the less-common sparrows, there has been a good further influx of sparrows (with Juncos), and this has included multiple freshly-arrived [Red] Fox Sparrows. A Common Merganser was photographed in-flight and seen by at least 3 observers from northern Manhattan on a Hudson River-watch. The adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron with parts of toes missing was continuing on (likely the same individual that overwintered from last year) at Randall's Island. And yes, there is still a Yellow-breasted Chat being seen by many, ongoing at the same site in midtown Manhattan where thronged and chatted about for many days now. - - - 11 Snow Geese were noted back on Oct. 31st, moving past lower Manhattan from near the Hudson River. A Virginia Rail was observed & also photographed recently in the Chelsea area by an active neighborhood naturalist and birder near the Hudson River; that bird was not re-found subsequently and has hopefully traveled onwards to a less-busy area farther from constant traffic. As a 'follow-up' to the late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher photo-documented at Central Park (Manhattan) there was a confirmed sighting of that species a day later from the southern end of Staten Island (also in N.Y. City) on Nov. 1st. (the species has been seen occasionally even in December in NY so these do not constitute late-record dates). -- There were still some butterflies active at various locations around the county, as well as many other insects. Red Admirals were among the butterfly spp. having good late surges, which (for that & some other species in addition to well-known Monarchs) likely represents some southbound migratory movement. Good birding to all, Tom Fiore manhattan
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