[nysbirds-l] Montauk Point to Lazy Point/ Napeaque , Suffolk Co.- 0615 to 1540 hours...military schedule = civilian pleasure !
On Sat. 1/22, Tom Moran and I had a terrific 9 & 1/2 hours of birding. Leaving Riverhead, our initial strategy was to try for the Napeaque N.Shrike (last reported this past weekend) both before, and if necessary, after birding the Montauk area. A slow, disapointing ride east through the s/side pines, and the n/side marsh in Nap., made for a 2nd try later in the day Arriving at Montauk Pt. about 0740, we were welcomed by a good # of C.Eiders, and all 3 scoters , with Black Scoter being the most numerous, by far. The wind was negligible, but the penetrating cold was intense. We were joined, in our ordeal, shortly afterward by Tom Burke, Gail Benson & Andy Guthrie. When Tom B. called out a fast moving razorbill, Tom M's day was.made ! It was his 1st "lifer" of the outing, and when he later was able to see one on the water, and closer to shore, he really was thrilled. In addition, he also picked out an A. Wigeon, a specie I couldn't remember ever seeing at "the point". Tom started birding when he joined our chapter (ELIAS) about 5 years ago, and is now our treasurer...poor guy ! Next, due to an equipment adjustment, we arrived at the Camp Hero parking lot, as the above trio were walking back to their car. They had found C.H. quiet, and were moving on. We did an about face, drove to the C.H. entrance, but then decided to walk the rocks, around and under the lighthouse (out of sight from the C.H. bluffs). In addition to the species seen from the restaurant, we found 2 K.Eiders, the first, described as a non-breeding plumaged adult male (Sibley's) and as an eclipse plumaged male adult (Waterfowl, an id.guide to the ducks,geese and swans of the world- Steve Madge and Hilary Burn) straight out from the lighthouse, and later, a juvenile plumaged female, a little further to the north. Unfortunately, what could have been the 2nd part of a "hat trick" for Tom, was not to be ! Note: Sibley gives dates of July-Sept., while Madge and Burn do not. I really don't know what different species can or can't do, while in eclipse plumage, nor do I know why this bird retained that plumage- but that is what I saw. Orange-y bill, slight bulge in the forehead, and brown body, darker than female. I also had good bill length/ shape comparison with nearby female C.Eider. In regard to the juvenile, female K.Eider, it's head & neck were paler than in the adult, as shown/ described in both references. After meager pickings at Deep Hollow Ranch, T.R. CO. Park, East Lake Dr. (1 Great Cormorant on e/tower at Mon. Inlet), we then stopped at Ditch Plains, where we had c.eiders, scoters, and 13 Purple Sandpipers. Moving on to the w/ side of Mon. Inlet, among the gulls resting on the beach, we found, what I believe to be a 3rd cycle Kumliens (Iceland) gull. At Culloden Point, the only birds of note were a pair of A. Wigeon. The passing of Dureyea's Dock and Fort Pond went without reward, as did our "re-do" drive along the marsh in Nap...but that is when "lady luck" smiled on us. Tom had to be back to his house in Shoreham by 1600, but when I suggested a quick stop at Lazy Point (Hick's Island, Snowy Owl. whatever) even though time was getting short, he said "OK", and that is when we found the N.Shrike ! It was perched in the last tree before the parking area, where the commercial fishermen launch their boats from, and where they store their lobster traps, etc. We had fair looks at the bird, and got, I think, identifiable pictures of the bird, before it took off down the beach, and out of sight. This was Tom's 2nd new bird for the day, a specie that he thought (albeit, for just a short time)) he had seen first, at Jones Beach recently. Cheers, Bob -- 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] Swan Lake, Patchogue, LI, NY
Yesterday, ( Saturday) I went to Swan Lake, East of Patchogue, off Montauk Highway to check on the Ducks. There is always a good assortment there, as the pond does not usually freeze over, and it is quite shallow, and Lake Road runs along the East Side of the pond with space to park and check them out, especially in the morning with the sun on your back. ( For those who are not familiar with this favorite place.) I was lucky to see two Trumpeter Swans at the North end, a Red Head Duck at the south end, many other more common species of ducks ..black, mallard,ring-necked,ruddys,gadwalls (many up close), american widgeons,,lesser scaup and greater scaup, northern shovelers, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, coots, great blue heron, and mute swans. And domestic ducks and some odd black and white ducks that were the "products of a mixed marriage". No wood ducks. No pied-billed grebes either. Andy Murphy -- 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] Yes - Barrow's Goldeneye at Noyack Bay, Suffolk Co., Long Island
The previously reported drake Barrow's Goldeneye was seen today at approximately 4 PM at the west end of Foster Memorial Town Beach, Noyack (40.995929 -72.332336). The park is accessible from Noyack-Long Beach Road. The bird was in the company of several Common Goldeneye approximately 500 ft offshore. Alan Wells -- 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] Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
On Friday my wife and I went up the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge along Oil City Road in search of Short-eared Owls - wow! As the sun set they began to appear one at a time until, at the peak, there were 8 Owls visible at the same time flying low over the snow and ice covered marshes. Also, we had been alerted by some other birders of the presence of a Barn Owl that had been appearing over the eastern edge of the marsh visible from the parking area and viewing platform at Oil City Road, and sure enough, he appeared - late, his white face shining as the light was fading. In addition to the owls, earlier during the afternoon, there were perhaps as many as 4 to 6 Rough-legged Hawks. They kept appearing and disappearing, but at one point there were 4 visible at one time seen at various distances. There were also numerous Northern Harriers and among them 2 "Grey Ghosts." -- 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] New York Botanical Garden
A cold, but another great birding day at NYBG. Highlights include juvenile and mature northern saw whets, hermit thrush and wood ducks. Great horned owls 2 Saw whet owls 2 Red tailed hawks 3 Cooper's hawk 1 Mockingbird 3 American robin 15 Red breasted nuthatch 2 White breasted nuthatch 3 Blue jay-7 Hermit thrush 1 Cardinal -5 White throated sparrows-many Chickadees-many Tufted titmice-18 Song sparrow 1 House finch 5 Red bellied woodpecker 2 Juncos-many Wood duck 2 Mallards 10 Good birding, Debbie Becker Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -- 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] Gulls (inc. Thayer's Gull) - Buffalo, Erie County
After the lake effect snows let up, a trip down to Rich Marine at the foot of Austin Street (along the Niagara River) in Buffalo, Erie County this afternoon turned up a group of roughly 120 Herring Gulls sitting on the ice at the north end of the Black Rock Canal. Flying around and/or sitting amongst them were 4 Glaucous Gulls (adult and 3 first-cycles), 2 "Kumlien's" (Iceland) Gulls, a Thayer's Gull (2nd-cycle), and a "Nelson's" (Herring x Glaucous hybrid) Gull (1st-cycle). The Thayer's was as expected for the age class although it was already getting quite pale in the eyes, while the Nelson's was quite dark on the body and wings (within the variation of Herring Gull), but had a Glaucous Gull head and bill pattern, in addition to being quite large and bulky. The marina can be accessed from the 190 by taking either the Austin or Ontario St. exits to Niagara St. and turning west on Austin St. which will take you to the marina. Currently the drive into the marina is not plowed, so either 4 wheel drive and/or a high profile vehicle is needed, although one could park on Austin Street and walk past the cones to the marina/docks. All the birds are close (less than 50 yards) on the ice and identifiable with binoculars, although at times they can be somewhat skittish. Afterwards I headed further south to Erie Basin marina and many thousands of ducks remain, although the conditions at the time (12 degrees and windy) made it difficult to scope anything beyond 300 yards. The only highlights here were a distant first-cycle Kumlien's (Iceland) Gull on Donnelly's Pier, and a drake White-winged Scoter in the close lead between the inner and middle breakwalls. Photos of the "Nelson's" and Thayer's Gulls can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmpawli10/ Jim Pawlicki Amherst, NY -- 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] feeder towhee
I had an Eastern towhee on my black sunflower feeder this morning. That was an unexpected first for me. I guess all the snow cover prompted alternative meal choices for the hungry little fella. Also had a Belted kingfisher in Twin Lakes Park, New Rochelle. -- 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] common ravens
a late post.ravens were seen again on wednesday jan 19th. one bird in the morning over the Ridge hunters check staion on Randal rd flying north.@ birds in the afternoon flying north over the Rocky Point preserve just west of Ridge rd and north of whiskey rd.Dan Heglund -- 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: 21 January 2011
- RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Jan. 21, 2011 * NYNY1101.21 - Birds mentioned BARNACLE GOOSE+ VARIED THRUSH+ (+ Details requested by NYSARC) GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE CACKLING GOOSE Wood Duck Redhead King Eider Harlequin Duck BARROW'S GOLDENEYE Northern Bobwhite American Bittern Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Northern Goshawk Rough-legged Hawk Clapper Rail BLACK-HEADED GULL ICELAND GULL Lesser Black-backed Gull GLAUCOUS GULL Razorbill Short-eared Owl Red-headed Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe NORTHERN SHRIKE Nelson's Sparrow Seaside Sparrow Lapland Longspur WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL Common Redpoll - 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 Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 21st 2011 at 8pm. The highlights of today's tape are VARIED THRUSH, BARNACLE GOOSE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, ICELAND GULL, NORTHERN SHRIKE, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL and more. The fairly accommodating Central Park VARIED THRUSH continues around the Maintenance Field area where it is usually seen foraging on the upslope on the north side of the pedestrian path just east of the building called the Rambles Shed which contains restrooms. This site is just south of the 79th Street transverse through the park and can be reached by taking the path from 5th Avenue just south of the transverse, continue into the park and across the Central Park north roadway to the maintenance area just across the road. Also look for the immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in the trees on the south side of the Sheep Meadow where it is usually just north of the 66th Street transverse. The BARNACLE GOOSE has recently been most reliably seen as it roosts overnight on Belmont Lake State Park accompanying many Canada as well as 4 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 2 CACKLING GEESE. A substantial flight of geese onto the lake last Sunday evening at dusk and later did produce all the above the following morning. The morning departure of these geese from the lake seems to be variable but it is recommended to get there early. WOOD DUCK is among the other waterfowl there. If not on the lake try nearby St. Charles Cemetery for the BARNACLE GOOSE. The immature BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen again Monday on Veteran's Memorial Pier in Bay Ridge Brooklyn and the adult presumably continues around Owl's Head Park. It appears at the end of Bay Ridge Avenue or 69th Street and Shore Road. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also seen on Gravesend Bay Monday and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR appeared on the Brooklyn Golf Driving Range off Flatbush Avenue. At Point Lookout a BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen in the inlet last Saturday with an ICELAND GULL in the town park parking lot on Sunday. Up to 6 HARLEQUIN DUCKS continue along the inlet and ocean front jetties. Across Jones and later Jones Beach West End a flock of up to 20 COMMON REDPOLLS has been present usually along the median where a WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL was also reported Monday. One or more LAPLAND LONGSPURS have also been traveling with the Horned Lark and Snow Bunting flocks. Joining the hunting COOPER'S HAWKS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS around the West End was a large, probably female, NORTHERN GOSHAWK last Sunday. The bird seen between the West End 2 and Nature Center parking lots before crossing over the median towards the police station. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was reported from lot 2 Tuesday. Both light and dark phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS have been present recently along the eastern end of the Jones strip between Cedar Beach and Captree. A decent number of REDHEAD continue on Capri Pond off Route 27A a little west of the Robert Moses Causeway. An EASTERN PHOEBE was spotted at the fish hatchery Saturday at Connetquot River State Park where some feeder visiting NORTHERN BOBWHITE continue. These apparently part of a reintroduction program. Four COMMON REDPOLLS were are Bayard Cutting Arboretum Saturday. Out at Montauk Point a few dozen RAZORBILLS continue as does a large congregation of sea ducks which included 5 KING EIDER last Sunday. Gulls in the area recently have included an IC
