[nysbirds-l] 2 Odd geese
Southold, North Rd West of Mudd Vineyards http://www.flickr.com/photos/34769...@n00/sets/72157624661686085/ No black on the white one. Grey looks like a combo? Not the best pix - poor light + pretty steady rain, I've cropped and enlarged what I could. Thoughts? Susan Herbst graphic design/illustration/photography 516-633-7730 susie...@optonline.net www.susieart60.etsy.com www.facebook.com/MermaidSuesStudio -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] NYC Area RBA: 20 August 2010
- RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Aug. 20, 2010 * NYNY1008.20 - Birds mentioned AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN+ (+ Details requested by NYSARC) Cory's Shearwater Greater Shearwater Manx Shearwater Northern Gannet BROWN PELICAN Semipalmated Plover AMERICAN AVOCET WHIMBREL MARBLED GODWIT Sanderling Western Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher WILSON'S PHALAROPE RED-NECKED PHALAROPE GLAUCOUS GULL Black Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer Common Nighthawk White-eyed Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Warbling Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Common Raven Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Veery Wood Thrush Mourning Warbler LARK SPARROW Bobolink - Transcript If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysa...@nybirds.org. If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Jeanne Skelly - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 420 Chili-Scottsville Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays, during the day) Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) Compiler: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Ben Cacace BEGIN TAPE [Completed tape rerecorded on Sunday morning.] Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, August 20th 2010 at 11:45pm. The highlights of today's tape AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, BROWN PELICAN, AMERICAN AVOCET, WHIMBREL, MARBLED GODWIT, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, GLAUCOUS GULL and LARK SPARROW. The previously reported AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was still present today at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay and a BROWN PELICAN was seen last Sunday at Cupsogue County Park. An AMERICAN AVOCET appeared on Wednesday and Thursday at the Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area at the west side of the south pond along with two ROYAL TERNS on Thursday. A WHIMBREL was at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay on Wednesday along with a WILSON'S PHALAROPE and 12 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. Also present today was a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE also at the East Pond. Six MARBLED GODWITS were seen at Cupsogue County Park from Sunday through Tuesday an another MARBLED GODWIT was at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay on Monday. The previously reported GLAUCOUS GULL was still present last Friday and Saturday at the ferry dock at Orient Point and 2 LARK SPARROWS were found on Friday, 1 at Floyd Bennett Field near the tree nursery on Archery Road and the other at Fort Tilden just west of the hawkwatch area. The East Pond at Jamaica Bay continues to be the most productive shorebird area in our region with over 5,000 shorebirds present each day through the week with 15 to 20 species to be found including 40 STILT SANDPIPERS, 2 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 5 WESTERN SANDPIPERS as seen today. Nine species of warblers plus 4 species of vireo (RED-EYED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, WHITE-EYED VIREO and BLUE-HEADED VIREO) were seen Thursday at Central Park highlighted by a MOURNING WARBLER at the wildflower area. Also seen were a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, 4 VEERYS and a WOOD THRUSH. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were reported over the city last week with 15 at Central Park on Tuesday and 4 at Riverside Park on Thursday. A COMMON RAVEN was seen at the tower at the Nassau County Art Museum in Roslyn on Wednesday. A seawatch at Cupsogue County Park on Sunday afternoon produced 87 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 2 GREATER SHEARWATERS, 1 MANX SHEARWATER, 8 NORTHERN GANNETS and a BLACK TERN. Twenty BOBOLINKS were seen today at the south end of Broad Channel Island and at Breezy Point 4,000 SANDERLINGS, 2,000 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and 400 BLACK SKIMMERS were seen today resting on the shoreline. Please call in reports to Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, messages may be left with Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. - End transcript -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] :Monk Parakkets
Oops, I erred in my last post. I MEANT to type Cow MEADOW Park. Cow Harbor is in Northport. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Monk Parakeets at Cow Harbor Park (Freeport, Nassau Co.)
After earlier (12:30-4:20), unremarkable visits to Jones Beach west end and Oceanside (no Buff-breasted Sandpiper or Avocet), I paid a visit to Cow Harbor Park in Freeport ~4:30 to look for shorebirds on the pond and marsh. The latter had low numbers of common species (Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Semi and Least sandpipers, and S-b Dowitcher, all widely scattered in the shallower pools. The pond harbored a substantial gathering of both white egrets, a few night-herons (both species), several Glossy Ibis and 2 Green-winged Teal. Shorebird numbers were modest and composed of the aforementioned species with the following additions-- White-rumped Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs (1 each). The highlight of the visit wasn't a waterbird though. On my way to the pond I heard a couple shrill, rolling vocalizations--very psittacine-like. >From among the bevy of Tree swallow swarming overhead a pair of larger, long-tailed birds emerged and landed in a small tree between the parking lot and tennis courts. Before I was able to close enough ground on the tree both birds lit out, again calling. Silhouetted against the gray sky little of the bird's plumage color or pattern could be perceived. But based on perceived size, and more importantly the additional calling, I could tell they were MONK PARAKEETS. The birds flew out of sight toward the residential area to the north. Anyone know if there are any established colonies in the area? -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Ferd's Bog/Shallow Lake/Bog River canoe trip
8/10/10 Ferd's Bog & Shallow Lake Trail in Hamilton Co. I guided a wonderful group of people to Ferd's Bog and Shallow Lake on Tuesday, Aug. 10th. The group of 6 included a 7-year-old up and coming birder named Gregory from New Jersey! He is interested in birds, insects, and amphibians. His parents and 3 other adult friends take him camping in the Adirondacks every year. Not many 7-year-olds can handle looking through binoculars, and he was occasionally frustrated by the process, but he was very advanced for his age. Here are some of the species we found: Ferd's Bog: Amer. Kestrel Belted Kingfisher Pileated Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Boreal Chickadee Brown Creeper Winter Wren - singing Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Magnolia Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Common Yellowthroat Canada Warbler White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Purple Finch Shallow Lake Trail: Common Loon Herring Gull Ruby-throated Hummingbird Eastern Wood-Pewee Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Brown Creeper Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Common Yellowthroat Canada Warbler - singing! White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco 8/11/10 Bog River canoe trip (noon to 8:30 p.m.; St. Lawrence Co.) I guided the same group of people on the Bog River, Wednesday, August 11th. We canoed 6 miles round trip from the Lower Dam to Hitchins Pond and we also climbed Low's Ridge (2.2 miles round trip) for fantastic views of the High Peaks from the cliffs. Before our trip back out, we swam in Hitchins Pond which was lovely. Here are some of the species we found: Amer. Black Duck Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture Belted Kingfisher Eastern Wood-Pewee Alder Flycatcher Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Yellow-rumped Warbler Common Yellowthroat Swamp Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Rusty Blackbird - at least 7! We found these birds just before the Lower Dam on our way out at dusk. There were 4 birds preening in a dead snag. We were observing them when they suddenly flew - and another 2 birds joined them in addition to another nearby vocalizing bird for a total of at least 7 Rusty Blackbirds. Another highlight from this trip was a treed Ermine found by Michael Bailey! It was right along the trail and it watched us intently as it peeked out from behind the tree. Eventually, it came down and quickly ran away. Observers: Michael & Margaret Bailey - New Jersey Joan Collins - Long Lake & Potsdam Gail, Andrew & Gregory - New Jersey Bill - Washington D.C. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Northern Goshawk & other summer sightings
(We have been in the process of moving back to our Long Lake house full-time this summer, so I apologize for late reports.) 8/19 & 8/21/10 Long Lake (Hamilton Co.) At ~ 3 p.m. on Thursday, a juvenile Northern Goshawk was observed standing on Tarbell Hill Lane as I drove a group of teenagers to our house. It flew into the forest as we approached. This was a couple tenths of a mile from our driveway. Yesterday, again at ~ 3 p.m., I was picking blackberries with our two dogs, when a juvenile Northern Goshawk flew from a tree about 20 feet from me (it was very startling). It flew to a nearby tree for a few seconds and then disappeared into the forest - not far, but just out of sight. This is likely the same bird since the sightings were only a few tenths of a mile apart, but no way to know for sure. Northern Goshawks nest near our home, but this is the first juvenile I've observed on our property. Our dogs and I have been picking berries at least every other day (the berries were terrific this year) and we startle a family of Ruffed Grouse every time we are out (5 to 6 birds usually flush). I suspect that is what the Northern Goshawk was hunting near the berry patch. (Just a note about picking berries with dogs: I find it fascinating to watch my dogs pick berries from thorn-covered bushes! It gives me insight into how coyotes manage to pick them. They use their sense of smell to find the berries and of course, I use sight. Together, we make quite a team. (They pick low berries and I pick high when we find a bush.) Yesterday, I was having trouble spotting any new berries, so I followed the dogs and they found quite a few!) 8/20/10 Long Lake My husband, George Yellott, observed 2 Black-backed Woodpeckers (at least one male) feeding on a dead conifer along our driveway - he saw the yellow mark on the cap of one, but could not see the cap on the second woodpecker. Non-birder that he is, he "forgot" to tell me for 3 hours! He took me to the location and there has been a lot of activity on this tree, so I am keeping an eye out. * A note about Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: I have been using the same feeder for years at our Long Lake house and we usually have a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird each year. This year, my mother showed up with 2 additional feeders during a visit - that had perches at the feeding areas (mine does not have perches). We now have so many hummingbirds that it often feels like every hummingbird in Long Lake is at my house! I fill the "perch" feeders constantly and I've counted as many as 8 hummingbirds in sight at once (I suspect there is at least over a dozen regulars now). People that visit us have to duck the non-stop activity of hummingbirds all over our porch. It seems odd to me that hummingbirds would prefer "perch" feeders given that they normally feed at flowers and spider webs where they need to hover as they feed. Maybe I'm creating couch-potato hummingbirds?! Anyway, if you want to attract lots of hummingbirds to your house, buy feeders with perches! Broad-winged Hawks nest up the hill from our Long Lake house each year, and this year, they nested in our back yard. They vocalized NON-STOP throughout the breeding/nesting season. After awhile, I got used to the constant whistle sounds (which I miss now). On June 28, my husband got up in the middle of the night to catch a dawn flight out of the Albany airport. I wondered what wild sound he was making when I realized it was coming from outside. It took me a few seconds of waking fogginess to realize the Broad-winged Hawks were screaming. The sounds they made are not on any recordings I own. I am certain that they were fending off a nocturnal attack of some kind. I was glued to the window and the vocalizations went on for a several minutes. I wished I had recording equipment. The Shaw Pond Great Egret that I posted on 7/29/10, was around until 8/4/10 (7 days). Barred Owls have been heard throughout the summer at our house and our neighbor's house. Several nights I have "talked" back and forth with them. Warbler waves have been moving through since the 3rd week of July. In particular, Northern Parulas moved through in good numbers in the last week of July. July 26th was the last date I heard the local Mourning Warbler sing outside our home. Evening Grosbeaks were heard on 7/21/10 outside the house. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet nested along the Northville-Placid Trail (S) in Long Lake again this year. On 7/7/10 I had wonderful views of a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher along Route 28 in Newcomb and views of another Yellow-bellied Flycatcher along the Hewitt Eddy Trail in Minerva. I'll end this post with an adorable sighting that my husband and I had at our Potsdam home on July 25th: We observed 2 little spotted fawns venture onto our lawn. At the time, a group of Amer. Crows were feeding. The fawns stared at the crows and seemed really curious. One fawn ap
[nysbirds-l] South Fork LI: Shorebirds and terns at Mecox and Napeague Bays
Following on from Shai's post, migration was also very much in evidence at Mecox Bay (near Watermill, Suffolk Co.) earlier this morning with various shorebirds making brief visits and then seeming to move on. Andy Guthrie (yes, him again) and I witnessed a *MARBLED GODWIT* drop out of the sky onto the sand flat. It spent less than an hour there before taking to the wing again and heading east. Other species seemed to come and go as we watched, for instance 2 *BLACK TERNS* appeared out of nowhere and vanished not too long after. Likewise a juvenile* LITTLE BLUE HERON*, generally quite scarce this far east, whizzed passed over the pond but did not stop. Our tally of *WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS* grew from 4 when we arrived to a respectable 29, partly through our move to a better viewing spot and partly perhaps through new arrivals. Near the end of our stay, a flock of 17 *LESSER YELLOWLEGS* and 5 *STILT SANDPIPERS* (2 ads and 3 juvs.) came into view. Andy also picked out an adult *WESTERN SANDPIPER* among the Semis and White-rumps. In all, we found 15 species of shorebird in a little over 3-hours, while missing some expected species like 'Western' and 'Eastern' Willet and American Oystercatcher. A continuous ribbon of Tree Swallows and Red-winged Blackbirds passed westwards along the dune line for much of the morning. Napeague Habor (Bay) located between Amagansett and Montauk, is hosting its annual 'Black Tern Bonanza'. On Saturday we tallied a minimum of 160-170 *BLACK TERNS* scattered around this shallow bay that is much favored by kite surfers. A similar number were present this afternoon but the strong winds made study difficult. The birds are a mix of juveniles and adults in various stages of molt out of alternate plumage. A *WHIMBREL* was also present there early on Saturday morning. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 8/20-22
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City A Mourning Warbler was studied at the "upper lobe" area of the lake shore in Central Park at the western edge of the Ramble area. The observer a very keen birder who once was more regular in Central, now a loyal Brooklyn-ite, the date was Friday, 20 August. - - - - - - - On Saturday, 21 August, I birded the park from the north end to Ramble areas in company with Brenda Inskeep and for most of the morning also with Tom Perlman (at the north end), also a bit in the Ramble with others & also one other birder also checking the trees along the bridle path near the NW corner of the reservoir, which was a mid-day mini-hot spot. At least a dozen warbler species were found by us and the busiest locations seemed to be along the Loch, and in the Ramble along the Gill, with migrants more scattered elsewhere. It didn't feel to me like a day of mass movement but the report filed by Jack Meyer, with Pat Craig, Barrie Raik, & Ellen Rockmuller for the north end and ~ 20 Eastern Kingbirds in a flock at one time suggests there was migration in progress. For variety, it was warblers that held sway with at least a dozen warbler species being found of which I'm aware. By far the most numerous of these and seen in many areas were American Redstart, with 30+ seen in all areas & a minimum of 15+ in the north end only. After them, Yellow (5+) & Black-and-white (6+) Warbler, Northern Waterthrush (6+) & Common Yellowthroat (5+) were most common, with others including Ovenbird (3), Canada (3), Blue-winged (2), Northern Parula (2), Tennessee (1), Black-throated Blue (adult male, Loch), and Prairie Warbler[s]. The Mourning Warbler seen on Friday was looked for by us on Saturday without success - it would have a lot of thick vegetation to hide in where seen but the sighting from Friday was said to be quite clear. Additional sightings for Saturday included Chimney Swifts in modest numbers, several Ruby-throated Hummigbirds, investigating red Cardinal Flower blooms in some areas & the Orange Jewelweed patches in a few others, along with Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, at least several Empidonax-genus flycatchers, the aforementioned E. Kingbirds plus a few more of them, a smattering of Vireos, Warbling & Red-eyed noted by us, a Veery or two along with Wood & an unid. Thrush that may have been a Swainson's or another of our eastern-breding Catharus, Gray Catbirds in the multitudinous, Rose- breasted Grosbeak, and a few interesting mentions of other passerines which for now, remain undisclosed - as to specific identities given, by their observers. - - - - Sunday, not quite an all day rain-out in Manhattan, featured a similar variety of birds as Saturday but with the interesting addition of some shorebird activity: Greater Yellowlegs (quite uncommon in the park) at the Lake edge near Balcony Bridge, and 3 Solitary plus 10 or more Spotted Sandpipers in many locations. I found 8 warbler species, again with American Redstart predominant. There were a few more Veery seen this wet day than Saturday and also on both days were no shortage of Baltimore Orioles, including fair numbers of adult males. - - - - - - At Brooklyn's Prospect Park, the warbler species tally was up to at least ten for Saturday, with some of the same additional species as being found in Central - various flycatchers and a few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks & more. Forster's Terns at Prospect Lake were reportedly up to eight as noted in Alex Wilson's list, added to the blog maintained by Peter Dorosh of Brooklyn. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - Genesee County - Yes!
I wasn't planning on looking much for the BBWD today. I was on my way to look for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Elba Mucklands (not seen today) and was driving by the spot, so of course I had to take a quick look. After a couple of minutes of carefully scanning the cattails, I found the BBWD. He stayed partially concealed for my entire visit, about 70 minutes, but at least I had decent looks in good light, and managed a few photos. It took me over 11 hours to get the look I desired. It took the birder who drove up and looked in my scope only 30 seconds! The time of my sighting was between 10:30 and 11:40 a.m. DIRECTIONS: The BBWD was on NY 77, in a roadside marsh about 200 yards northwest of the Cayuga Pool Overlook (Iroquois NWR). NY 77 is a north-south highway that travels NW in the area of the refuge. Thus, the reason for the sometimes confusing directions. In any case, if you are heading north on Rt 77, Iroquois NWR and Cayuga Pool overlook are on your right and Tonawanda WMA is on your left. Note that there is an exit for Rt 77 from the NYS Thruway. The duck was on the Tonawanda WMA side of the road and likes to stay hidden in the cattails. Good birding and stay safe out there. The trucks and cars really move through the area. Willie Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] 22 Godwits at Cupsogue!
Some readers might recall recent efforts by various observers to nail down a tally for the Marbled Godwits in the Cupsogue, Suffolk County, area. This afternoon, Andy Guthrie, Patricia Lindsay and I counted zero at Pikes Beach, then six on the northeast peak of the main flats at Cupsogue, then one on the “pelican bar” to the west. Looking northeastward from our vantage above the last site, we saw plenty of godwits remaining on the main flats. In fact, by the time we sorted them out, we had tallied nine Marbled and a tight flock of twelve Hudsonian Godwits there, as well as the one Marbled on the bar below us! We scrambled to get down onto the flats as quickly as we could, but by the time we got there, the Hudsonians had departed. A tenth Marbled was now present on the main flats—probably the one from the pelican bar, as that bird was no longer there a few minutes later. When we checked Pikes a little later, no godwits were present. The weather throughout our visit was very unsettled, with occasional light rain and an easterly breeze. During our initial stop at Pikes, we had been impressed by a fly-over flock of 40+ Lesser Yellowlegs plus at least one Stilt Sandpiper. We remarked on the improbability that these panne and pool aficionados would tarry for long on Cupsogue’s sandy flats, but welcomed them as an indication that shorebirds were on the move. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Sullivan County
Sullivan County's streak of good birding continued today. This morning I found a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (good photos)at the Apollo Plaza (our second in a week). This very cooperative bird was seen by many throughout the day. Arlene Borko, Renee Davis, Marge Gorton and I birded both Apollo and Morningside Park this morning. At Morningside Park, our long staying Black-bellied Plover was joined by a second BBPL. Eleven Lesser Yellowlegs showed up and most of the rest of the birds seen the last several days continued. Here is a list of birds present: Great Egret Black-bellied Plover - 2 Semi-palmated Plover - 2 Killdeer - 25+ Pectoral Sandpiper - 2 Least Sandpiper -20+ Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Lesser Yellowlegs - 11 We next headed for Orange County, where Curt McDermott had relocated yesterday's Yellow-headed Blackbird. He and Rob Stone both had good looks, but we were unable to find the bird. I returned to Sullivan to find that Tom Burke and Gail Benson had come for the Baird's Sandpiper and found it as cooperative as the rest of us. Good birding, John Haas -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] West End 2 Coast Guard Station
Hi all, This morning, between 9 and 10, Mary Beth Billerman and I headed down to West End to check shorebird numbers. With the cloudy and rainy conditions, there were no people on the island by the Coast Guard Station, and it was covered with shorebirds. We counted roughly 350 American Oystercatchers, mostly adults but with a good number of juveniles. In addition to the oystercatchers, there were good numbers of Black-bellied Plovers (140), Red Knots (75), and Semipalmated Sandpipers (80). Also surprising were the number of Western Willets, with at least 44 present. There were only 2 Eastern Willets among them that I noticed, both juveniles. While watching the shorebirds, a flock of 28 Stilt Sandpipers and 6 Lesser Yellowlegs dropped onto the mud briefly before many of the shorebirds took flight. Also roosting on the island were a number of Common Terns and a single adult GULL-BILLED TERN. We made a brief check of the swale off of the West End 2 parking lot, but there were no shorebirds evident there. However, we did not spend the time looking for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper today, so it very well could have been present. Good Birding, Shawn Billerman -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Chenango County Cormorants
On 8/19/10 I saw two DC Cormorants in a putrid looking large marsh across County Road 39 from Sipple's Farm at 1245 County Road 39 in Afton. It is not often that Cormorants are seen in southern tier counties and I wonder if these might be a first recording for the county. This marsh might be the result of high water from the Susquehanna River. Jerry Lazarczyk Grand Island NY Notre Dame Certificates 100% Online Programs in Negotiation Leadership and Mgmt. Enroll Today! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3241/4c7125018a2b724071bst06duc -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] 8/21- also recent JBWR observations
I read with interest the comments following the report of our first reported Buff-breasted Sandpiper for Long Island this summer in the post to this list from Doug Gochfeld of Brooklyn, NY. Although I agree with almost everything he wrote, I'm also commenting on his comments regarding recent JBWR (Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co., NY) observations. I'm glad to see Doug's reports and only wish that more birders would add their reports, whether of overall bird sightings or individuals that were of note to the observer[s]. I'm grateful to all who take the time to offer any bird reports to the public. In this day of cell-phone and text-messaging, etc. it's become more common than ever to leave the public reports for only the birds thought to be "rare". To a birder visiting from afar, any bird might potentially be very special and of great interest. A lot of birders visiting Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge at this and other seasons are from places far away and many of them have sought information and updates on the latest developments. With that in mind I'd preface this by noting that although the East Pond at the Refuge has drawn down to a water level allowing far easier walking than several weeks ago, there will still be a use for sturdy footgear, and in a few places the mud may be a slight issue. Again, though all "regulars" know this, no one should ever walk across the northern end (the north edge) of the East Pond at any season or in any year due to treacherous mud in that one area. Signs warning of this are usually posted at the corners of that area, for the shorebird season, by Refuge staff. Don't try it - birders have sunk in to their waists, or worse, in that area! I've placed Doug G's good commentary in full within "quote" marks (and in italics for members of this list), and my responses in standard type font as well as each paragraph of my response indented at the start. And I thank Doug & others for their ongoing reports and insights. There was a bit of discussion, some of it off-list, regarding phalarope plumages and identifications of age and sex to fall-migrant phalaropes, which eventually got me to ask Peter Pyle, author of many articles and a well-regarded book (now two books) used by banders (ringers to UK & European birders) as well as reference for many others, on identification of shorebirds and many other non- passerines (and that newer 2nd book on the passerines). Mr. Pyle was gracious to answer at all - he's certainly busy and lives on the west coast - but after a little back-and-forth in emails, the matter was dropped by Pyle. These books, which involve birds mainly seen in the hand (at banding stations) can be very useful to those interested in fine details of the many species covered, especially when attempting so-called "feather birding" - extremely close examination by visual means without actual banding/handling of birds. A lot of discussion has been done on the merits of this style, as well as the so-called giss (general impression of shape and size) means of gaining ID skills and actually making identifications. A number of articles and even books emphasize the various attributes of these means of observation. There will be an eagerly-anticipated book out in the next year which will add to that discussion, by Richard Crossley, who is also a co- author, with Michael O'Brien and Kevin Karlson, of "The Shorebird Guide", which many birders use often since its publication. Doug's comments in paragraphs followed by my own (below each) - __ On Aug 21, 2010, at 11:30 AM, fresha2...@aol.com wrote: "As a side-note on JBWR, and encouraged by Tom Fiore to post my recent sightings from there, I have had a slightly different experience there recently than he has. I've found that Long-billed Dowitchers have been very scant, and there has been another recent transition of the adult Short-billed Dowitchers: a large proportion of them are now of the Hendersoni subspecies which can look very similar to Long-billeds." Good point, something I've noted and mentioned in a JBWR report some weeks ago when adult 'hendersoni' Short-billed Dowitchers were first showing up (and not yet any Long-billed Dowitcher). I also have noted very few Long-billed Dowitchers, either in actual numbers seen or as a fraction of total dowitcher numbers, so I'm in agreement that they're still "scant" or in my own words, in one post, "few". "Also Western Sandpipers have been almost non-existent for the last couple of weeks, with 1 or 2 individuals being the highest I've had, although I've come up with 0 a couple of times as well. The day of the shorebird festival there was only a single Western Sandpiper seen by only two people, despite over 100 observers being present on the East Pond. With all of the plumage variation within the adult Semipalmated Sandpip
