[nysbirds-l] Update to Northern Nassau Christmas count

[GQ]

My apologies to Stella for forgetting to mention their Red-headed Woodpecker on 
the count yesterday.
Also, we had Common Merganser which didn’t get recorded but was also seen 
yesterday. This brings the species total to 99...
We missed Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, Redhead, RIng-necked Duck, Lesser 
Scaup, and Black Scoter. Maybe somebody remembers seeing one of these for 100??

Glenn


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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Update to Northern Nassau Christmas count

[GQ]

My apologies to Stella for forgetting to mention their Red-headed Woodpecker on 
the count yesterday.
Also, we had Common Merganser which didn’t get recorded but was also seen 
yesterday. This brings the species total to 99...
We missed Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, Redhead, RIng-necked Duck, Lesser 
Scaup, and Black Scoter. Maybe somebody remembers seeing one of these for 100??

Glenn


--

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Kings county CBC Dec 17 Preliminary

[prosbird]

Attached is a link to my blog Prospect Sightings with numbers of our Kings CBC. 
The total species total was 119. Preliminary figures till count week ends 
Tuesday.

http://prospectsightings.blogspot.com/2016/12/kings-county-cbc-preliminary-total.html?m=0


Peter
BBC


Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
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[nysbirds-l] Kings county CBC Dec 17 Preliminary

[prosbird]

Attached is a link to my blog Prospect Sightings with numbers of our Kings CBC. 
The total species total was 119. Preliminary figures till count week ends 
Tuesday.

http://prospectsightings.blogspot.com/2016/12/kings-county-cbc-preliminary-total.html?m=0


Peter
BBC


Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
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[nysbirds-l] Western Tanager in Queens

[Steve Walter]

Covering the cemeteries near Flushing Meadows for the Queens CBC, I had the
luck of encountering a WESTERN TANAGER. The entrance to the Cedar Grove
Cemetery is on the Long Island Expressway service road, just west of the Van
Wyck Expressway / College Point Blvd. There is a building on the right
shortly after the entrance. I had stopped by the sign for the restrooms, to
look over a sparrow flock (which included a Chipping), when a couple of
birds flew into the pine tree between the restrooms sign and the building. I
was immediately drawn to a yellow one, thinking I had my goldfinch for the
count. But the bird was twice that size and brighter than a goldfinch should
be in winter. The bill was recognizable as that of a tanager. Then a glimpse
of wing bars pretty much confirmed it as a Western. Red on the face would
have cemented it even more, but I did not see any. Though a brief look, the
bird was only about 30 feet up and out in the open. It then made a short
flight to a tree on the west side of the road, and then I lost it in the
dark conditions of the morning. 

 

The sighting was at about 8:30. I could have posted earlier, but this isn't
Manhattan, where everything is a big deal. Just kidding. With most people
doing counts elsewhere, the weather, and most likely anyone wanting a
Western Tanager already having it this fall, it could wait. And since it
flew, who knows anyway about finding it? I contacted the rest of my party,
and they had no luck a couple of hours later. What isn't the reason for
waiting - and shouldn't be - is keeping it secret in order to spring it at
the compilation. In this age of instant communication front the field, I
hope no one does that anymore.

 

Steve Walter

Bayside, NY 


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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Prelim results, Northern Nassau Christmas Count

[GQ]

The Northern Nassau Christmas Count, held yesterday, Saturday the 17th, failed 
to reach the 100 species mark for only the 11th time since 1970. 

98 species were found in dismal weather conditions during the first half of the 
day. Dawn opened with a very steady moderate snow changing over to an 
unrelenting steady rain at about 8:30 AM. It was very difficult to keep the 
optics clear.

No new species were found yesterday. Unusual species included Red-necked Grebe, 
Bald Eagle, Merlin, Osprey, 4 Common Ravens, American Pipit, Brown Thrasher, 2 
Pine Warblers, and 2 Common Yellowthroats.

Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Lesser Yellowlegs were found during 
the count-week period.

Usually, inclement weather tends to enhance the results of our count, and other 
counts, as evidenced by the just posted Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir count 
results. I have not had a chance to look at the number of participants nor the 
time/distance effort yet to see if there is any correlation.

Thanks to all who braved the weather and participated

Glenn Quinn
Hauppauge, NY 





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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] Prelim results, Northern Nassau Christmas Count

[GQ]

The Northern Nassau Christmas Count, held yesterday, Saturday the 17th, failed 
to reach the 100 species mark for only the 11th time since 1970. 

98 species were found in dismal weather conditions during the first half of the 
day. Dawn opened with a very steady moderate snow changing over to an 
unrelenting steady rain at about 8:30 AM. It was very difficult to keep the 
optics clear.

No new species were found yesterday. Unusual species included Red-necked Grebe, 
Bald Eagle, Merlin, Osprey, 4 Common Ravens, American Pipit, Brown Thrasher, 2 
Pine Warblers, and 2 Common Yellowthroats.

Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Lesser Yellowlegs were found during 
the count-week period.

Usually, inclement weather tends to enhance the results of our count, and other 
counts, as evidenced by the just posted Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir count 
results. I have not had a chance to look at the number of participants nor the 
time/distance effort yet to see if there is any correlation.

Thanks to all who braved the weather and participated

Glenn Quinn
Hauppauge, NY 





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[nysbirds-l] Ross's Geese Johnson City, NY Broome County

[David Nicosia]

3 ROSS'S GEESE were found among a flock of CANADA
GEESE at the Polar Shot Golf Course in Johnson City,  NY
today by Derek Green and Tim Hill.  This constitutes a
first record (e-bird) for Broome County.

Dave Nicosia

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[nysbirds-l] Ross's Geese Johnson City, NY Broome County

[David Nicosia]

3 ROSS'S GEESE were found among a flock of CANADA
GEESE at the Polar Shot Golf Course in Johnson City,  NY
today by Derek Green and Tim Hill.  This constitutes a
first record (e-bird) for Broome County.

Dave Nicosia

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] eBird.org: Recent Additions to County Checklists

[Ben Cacace]

When working on the NYS eBird Hotspots wiki I compare the previous bar
chart list of species with the current one to pick up any additions or
deletions. By going to each county's 'Overview' page you can find the date
the species was added for each county.

For each county on the wiki click the 'Overview' link on the 'Explore a
Location' line:
— http://ebirding-nys.wikispaces.com/Birding+in+New+York

Yellow highlights a species added for the first time this year.

*Clinton County:*
Lesser Black-backed Gull (8-Dec-2016) [incl. photo]

*Schoharie County:*
Northern Saw-whet Owl (13-Dec-2016)

*Ulster County:*
Yellow-headed Blackbird (12-Dec-2016) [incl. photo]

-- 
Ben Cacace
Manhattan, NYC
Wiki for NYS eBird Hotspots

Facebook Discussion for NYS eBird Hotspots


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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] eBird.org: Recent Additions to County Checklists

[Ben Cacace]

When working on the NYS eBird Hotspots wiki I compare the previous bar
chart list of species with the current one to pick up any additions or
deletions. By going to each county's 'Overview' page you can find the date
the species was added for each county.

For each county on the wiki click the 'Overview' link on the 'Explore a
Location' line:
— http://ebirding-nys.wikispaces.com/Birding+in+New+York

Yellow highlights a species added for the first time this year.

*Clinton County:*
Lesser Black-backed Gull (8-Dec-2016) [incl. photo]

*Schoharie County:*
Northern Saw-whet Owl (13-Dec-2016)

*Ulster County:*
Yellow-headed Blackbird (12-Dec-2016) [incl. photo]

-- 
Ben Cacace
Manhattan, NYC
Wiki for NYS eBird Hotspots

Facebook Discussion for NYS eBird Hotspots


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[nysbirds-l] Glaucous gull at shinnecock

[Hugh McGuinness]

On bar north of inlet. 

Hugh 

Sent from my iPhone

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[nysbirds-l] Glaucous gull at shinnecock

[Hugh McGuinness]

On bar north of inlet. 

Hugh 

Sent from my iPhone

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[nysbirds-l] Top 10 Locations Reviewed (NYS eBird Hotspots)

[Ben Cacace]

On the wiki pages the Top 10 locations (single and grouped sub-locations)
have been reviewed for the 15 counties that currently have wiki pages for
hotspots. The locations promoted to top 10 are highlighted green. The site
that was replaced still has a page dedicated to it but it is static meaning
it doesn't need maintenance except for new informational links added to the
page.

http://ebirding-nys.wikispaces.com/Birding+in+New+York

*ERIE COUNTY*
Erie Basin Marina (165 spp.)
There were only 9 locations in the Top 10 group


*NASSAU COUNTY*
Prospect Point (215 spp.)
Lido Beach Passive Nature Area (166 spp.)

*SENECA COUNTY*
Finger Lakes NF (143 spp.)
Lower Lake Rd. (returned to 3 single locations)

*SUFFOLK COUNTY*
Fire Island Complex (254 spp.)
Shinnecock Inlet (219 spp.)

Other changes:

*WESTCHESTER COUNTY*
Changed group name to 'Edith G. Read WS & Rye Playland' and removed 'Rye
Town Park' from this group.

-- 
Ben Cacace
Manhattan, NYC
Wiki for NYS eBird Hotspots

Facebook Discussion for NYS eBird Hotspots


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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] Top 10 Locations Reviewed (NYS eBird Hotspots)

[Ben Cacace]

On the wiki pages the Top 10 locations (single and grouped sub-locations)
have been reviewed for the 15 counties that currently have wiki pages for
hotspots. The locations promoted to top 10 are highlighted green. The site
that was replaced still has a page dedicated to it but it is static meaning
it doesn't need maintenance except for new informational links added to the
page.

http://ebirding-nys.wikispaces.com/Birding+in+New+York

*ERIE COUNTY*
Erie Basin Marina (165 spp.)
There were only 9 locations in the Top 10 group


*NASSAU COUNTY*
Prospect Point (215 spp.)
Lido Beach Passive Nature Area (166 spp.)

*SENECA COUNTY*
Finger Lakes NF (143 spp.)
Lower Lake Rd. (returned to 3 single locations)

*SUFFOLK COUNTY*
Fire Island Complex (254 spp.)
Shinnecock Inlet (219 spp.)

Other changes:

*WESTCHESTER COUNTY*
Changed group name to 'Edith G. Read WS & Rye Playland' and removed 'Rye
Town Park' from this group.

-- 
Ben Cacace
Manhattan, NYC
Wiki for NYS eBird Hotspots

Facebook Discussion for NYS eBird Hotspots


--

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Results

[Steve M. Chorvas]

Saturday, December 17, 2016
Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC


Despite challenging weather conditions that produced consistently heavy 
snowfall with very low visibility throughout much of the first half of 
the count day, the 67th annual Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir (NYML) 
Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted yesterday in Ulster 
County, NY.

Inclement weather, especially a snow event, often has the affect of 
concentrating birds in sheltered locations and at various food and water 
resources, typically producing more favorable count results in 
comparison to an average winter day or exceptionally pleasant 
conditions.   This was apparently the case yesterday as twelve field 
parties collectively found a new record high 84 species, shattering the 
previous high count of 79 species from previous years (2014, 2012, and 
2007), and well above our most recent ten-year average of 74 
species/year.

A remarkable ten bird species considered rare or unusual for this 
particular count circle were encountered on count day, including one 
species recorded for the first time in the 67-year history of this 
survey.  American Coot was a new addition to the count composite, 
advancing our historical total to 147 species.  Lapland Longspur was 
found for only the third time, the first since one was recorded in 1988. 
Peregrine Falcon was also recorded for just the third time, following 
single records in 2012 and 2009.  A Wilson's Snipe represents our fourth 
overall record (last recorded tens years ago in 2006), a lone Killdeer 
and a Long-eared Owl were found for only the fifth time, Wood Duck was 
our sixth record, Gadwall and Merlin were found for the seventh time, 
and American Pipit was our eight overall record for this CBC.

The total number of Merlins (4) represents a new high count, reflecting 
their expanding presence and wider distribution in the county, with 
geographically distinct individuals observed by three different field 
parties.  New high counts were also established for Snow Geese (1,285, 
eclipsing 870 in 2013), Gadwall (16, eclipsing 8 in 2015 and 1993), Rock 
Pigeon (598, previously 538 in 2005), Red-bellied Woodpecker (101, 
previously 97 in 2015), Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (19, previously 16 in 
2013), Savannah Sparrow (21, eclipsing 14 in 2014), and Dark-eyed Junco 
(1,822, eclipsing 1,722 in 2013).

Our final tally of individuals (13,778) ranked above our recent ten-year 
average of 12,811, but was greatly influenced this year by a total of 
3,919 geese (1,285 Snow/2,634 Canada), following in the wake of an 
enormous southward movement of Snow Geese flying over the county, with 
over ten-thousand birds observed in just a few daylight hours on one day 
earlier this past week.  Overall numbers of gulls and American Crows 
were well below average, but no new record low counts were set for any 
species.  An adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird seen and photographed in 
the count circle associating with a large flock of mixed blackbirds on 
two separate occasions just prior to the start of count week was not 
observed on count day and may ultimately be relegated to the status of a 
sore count week miss, pending any last-chance appearance over the 
remaining three days of count week.

A summary report with the complete list of species tabulated by sector, 
including area descriptions and observer and effort information, will be 
posted on the John Burroughs Natural History Society web site.  I 
gratefully extend by thanks and appreciation to all of the nearly 40 
participants who provided complete coverage of the count circle under 
difficult circumstances, and to those who tried to make it out to their 
assigned routes but were snowed-in and unable to do so.  To everyone 
that attended and brought something to our always enjoyable post-count 
compilation at Hasbrouck Park, and to the sector leaders that were not 
able to make it to the compilation but submitted their data in a very 
timely manner.  And most especially, my sincere thanks and gratitude for 
Kyla Haber and Mark DeDea for organizing the compilation event and 
preparing the bulk of all the great food.

The 2017 Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC is scheduled for the 
traditional first Saturday of the count period, December 16, 2017.


Steve M. Chorvas
Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Compiler
Saugerties, NY

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Results

[Steve M. Chorvas]

Saturday, December 17, 2016
Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC


Despite challenging weather conditions that produced consistently heavy 
snowfall with very low visibility throughout much of the first half of 
the count day, the 67th annual Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir (NYML) 
Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was conducted yesterday in Ulster 
County, NY.

Inclement weather, especially a snow event, often has the affect of 
concentrating birds in sheltered locations and at various food and water 
resources, typically producing more favorable count results in 
comparison to an average winter day or exceptionally pleasant 
conditions.   This was apparently the case yesterday as twelve field 
parties collectively found a new record high 84 species, shattering the 
previous high count of 79 species from previous years (2014, 2012, and 
2007), and well above our most recent ten-year average of 74 
species/year.

A remarkable ten bird species considered rare or unusual for this 
particular count circle were encountered on count day, including one 
species recorded for the first time in the 67-year history of this 
survey.  American Coot was a new addition to the count composite, 
advancing our historical total to 147 species.  Lapland Longspur was 
found for only the third time, the first since one was recorded in 1988. 
Peregrine Falcon was also recorded for just the third time, following 
single records in 2012 and 2009.  A Wilson's Snipe represents our fourth 
overall record (last recorded tens years ago in 2006), a lone Killdeer 
and a Long-eared Owl were found for only the fifth time, Wood Duck was 
our sixth record, Gadwall and Merlin were found for the seventh time, 
and American Pipit was our eight overall record for this CBC.

The total number of Merlins (4) represents a new high count, reflecting 
their expanding presence and wider distribution in the county, with 
geographically distinct individuals observed by three different field 
parties.  New high counts were also established for Snow Geese (1,285, 
eclipsing 870 in 2013), Gadwall (16, eclipsing 8 in 2015 and 1993), Rock 
Pigeon (598, previously 538 in 2005), Red-bellied Woodpecker (101, 
previously 97 in 2015), Yellow-bellied Woodpecker (19, previously 16 in 
2013), Savannah Sparrow (21, eclipsing 14 in 2014), and Dark-eyed Junco 
(1,822, eclipsing 1,722 in 2013).

Our final tally of individuals (13,778) ranked above our recent ten-year 
average of 12,811, but was greatly influenced this year by a total of 
3,919 geese (1,285 Snow/2,634 Canada), following in the wake of an 
enormous southward movement of Snow Geese flying over the county, with 
over ten-thousand birds observed in just a few daylight hours on one day 
earlier this past week.  Overall numbers of gulls and American Crows 
were well below average, but no new record low counts were set for any 
species.  An adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird seen and photographed in 
the count circle associating with a large flock of mixed blackbirds on 
two separate occasions just prior to the start of count week was not 
observed on count day and may ultimately be relegated to the status of a 
sore count week miss, pending any last-chance appearance over the 
remaining three days of count week.

A summary report with the complete list of species tabulated by sector, 
including area descriptions and observer and effort information, will be 
posted on the John Burroughs Natural History Society web site.  I 
gratefully extend by thanks and appreciation to all of the nearly 40 
participants who provided complete coverage of the count circle under 
difficult circumstances, and to those who tried to make it out to their 
assigned routes but were snowed-in and unable to do so.  To everyone 
that attended and brought something to our always enjoyable post-count 
compilation at Hasbrouck Park, and to the sector leaders that were not 
able to make it to the compilation but submitted their data in a very 
timely manner.  And most especially, my sincere thanks and gratitude for 
Kyla Haber and Mark DeDea for organizing the compilation event and 
preparing the bulk of all the great food.

The 2017 Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC is scheduled for the 
traditional first Saturday of the count period, December 16, 2017.


Steve M. Chorvas
Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir CBC Compiler
Saugerties, NY

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