[nysbirds-l] Subject-line of my post dated 10/6/16
Should have ended with the words...towels in your car. Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Tale of a "greedy" birder : why you should always carry a jug of water & a roll of paper
Wednesday morning, while again getting a late start, the "lure of the west" prevailed, although unlike Tuesday AM, I decided to start this day at Hempstead Lake State Park. Within a few minutes of my arrival, Ed B.(not sure of the spelling) showed up, and we proceeded to bird together. Ed had visited H.L.S.P very recently, knew where the birds had been, and therefore, as they say in the navy, "took the Conn". He, of course, knew that the stream was dry, but I was blown away - never saw it this bad ! We started at the north end, following the stream south until, as Ed hoped, we ran into a batch of warblers hawking insects among the exposed aquatic vegetation. We had 3, possibly 4 Palm Warblers, a 1st year female Parula, plus both a Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Swainson's Thrush, seen by Ed, but not by me. We were probably about 75' from where the widest part of the stream makes a right hand turn, and gets much narrower as it heads to the south, when I failed the "judgement/greed test" ! Ed, who only had low shoes on, let me know he was turning back because of the mud, and was going to walk around to continue following the stream. To his credit, he had warned me, by way of a story re: a birding friend of his, but it fell on deaf ears ! I,on the other hand, had my 16" Muck Boots on..."so damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead" ! There came a time when I realized the mud was a bit much, and after my last step forward, I tried lifting the other leg to start turning back, but it was in too deep to raise, before losing my balance, which caused me to come crashing down - on all fours, with the one foot out of its boot, but still in a black sock, which had been white just a few seconds before ! After regaining ownership of my boot, and trudging out to dry land, I hobbled up to my car, and started the cleansing process ! Putting H.L.S.P. behind me, I went down to Jones Beach State Park, starting at the Coast Guard Station. A rough count of A. Oystercatcher (by 5 & 10's) was ~ 300. One of these birds had a single red band above both knees. Please pass on any information you may have on this banding procedure. Did not find the previously reported Caspian Terns, but did see at least 12-15 Foster Terns. Also seen were 4 Western Willets ! All of the birds seen at the C.G.S.were also viewed by Bobby Kurtz, who stopped in, after the R.M.H.W. The J.B. Water-Tower held 2 adult Peregrines, both resting on same perch, on the north side (in shade, at time of observation). Also, had a juvenile Peregrine on the R.M.Parkway. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Tale of a "greedy" birder : why you should always carry a jug of water & a roll of paper
Wednesday morning, while again getting a late start, the "lure of the west" prevailed, although unlike Tuesday AM, I decided to start this day at Hempstead Lake State Park. Within a few minutes of my arrival, Ed B.(not sure of the spelling) showed up, and we proceeded to bird together. Ed had visited H.L.S.P very recently, knew where the birds had been, and therefore, as they say in the navy, "took the Conn". He, of course, knew that the stream was dry, but I was blown away - never saw it this bad ! We started at the north end, following the stream south until, as Ed hoped, we ran into a batch of warblers hawking insects among the exposed aquatic vegetation. We had 3, possibly 4 Palm Warblers, a 1st year female Parula, plus both a Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Swainson's Thrush, seen by Ed, but not by me. We were probably about 75' from where the widest part of the stream makes a right hand turn, and gets much narrower as it heads to the south, when I failed the "judgement/greed test" ! Ed, who only had low shoes on, let me know he was turning back because of the mud, and was going to walk around to continue following the stream. To his credit, he had warned me, by way of a story re: a birding friend of his, but it fell on deaf ears ! I,on the other hand, had my 16" Muck Boots on..."so damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead" ! There came a time when I realized the mud was a bit much, and after my last step forward, I tried lifting the other leg to start turning back, but it was in too deep to raise, before losing my balance, which caused me to come crashing down - on all fours, with the one foot out of its boot, but still in a black sock, which had been white just a few seconds before ! After regaining ownership of my boot, and trudging out to dry land, I hobbled up to my car, and started the cleansing process ! Putting H.L.S.P. behind me, I went down to Jones Beach State Park, starting at the Coast Guard Station. A rough count of A. Oystercatcher (by 5 & 10's) was ~ 300. One of these birds had a single red band above both knees. Please pass on any information you may have on this banding procedure. Did not find the previously reported Caspian Terns, but did see at least 12-15 Foster Terns. Also seen were 4 Western Willets ! All of the birds seen at the C.G.S.were also viewed by Bobby Kurtz, who stopped in, after the R.M.H.W. The J.B. Water-Tower held 2 adult Peregrines, both resting on same perch, on the north side (in shade, at time of observation). Also, had a juvenile Peregrine on the R.M.Parkway. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Go west old man, go west !
Although I had a late start on Tuesday, I still decided to head out for Robert Moses State Park. Once on the barrier beach, and before reaching Parking Lot # 2, a Dark-eyed Junco flew across the road (first of the season for me) ! There were only 12 gulls in the p/lot, including one 3rd Winter, Lesser Black-backed. I then visited the R.M. Hawkwatch, where I saw a good number of familiar faces, but not many raptors...although I wasn't there very long. To wit, the only accipiter I saw all day, was the Cooper's Hawk called out by Drew & Trudy's "Regulars" ! Although I didn't come across any good birds at Captree S.P., I did find a great New England Clam Chowder, which fueled me in fine fashion, before moving on to a very quiet Captree Island. Once on the Ocean Parkway, I had 3 Ospreys, 2 Merlins and 1 Peregrine before stopping at Gilgo. The water level was much lower than on last Friday, with 99% of the water between the houses having receded. The Lesser Yellowlegs was replaced by a Belted Kingfisher, but the sparrows were still not in evidence. Continuing westward, my first "circling" of the Jones Beach Water Tower proved negative, but my second, later in the afternoon, did produce an adult Peregrine Falcon ! There were three highlights for me at the West End this afternoon, two re: birds and one re: two people. The first was the large number of Merlins there, with a conservative total of 7 birds. The second was the huge flock of predominately Tree Swallows, and the challenge it presented, by finding one of it's rarer "cousins" ! The remaining highlight, and certainly the best, was meeting a young birding couple, as they were eyeing a kinglet, while trying to locate the Dickcissel that had been reported earlier in the day. ! Their names are Kevin Rogers and Kerry Murphy-Rogers, they live in Island Park and certainly realize how lucky they are to live so close to two of Long Island's most productive birding spots...Pt.Lookout & Jones Beach. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Go west old man, go west !
Although I had a late start on Tuesday, I still decided to head out for Robert Moses State Park. Once on the barrier beach, and before reaching Parking Lot # 2, a Dark-eyed Junco flew across the road (first of the season for me) ! There were only 12 gulls in the p/lot, including one 3rd Winter, Lesser Black-backed. I then visited the R.M. Hawkwatch, where I saw a good number of familiar faces, but not many raptors...although I wasn't there very long. To wit, the only accipiter I saw all day, was the Cooper's Hawk called out by Drew & Trudy's "Regulars" ! Although I didn't come across any good birds at Captree S.P., I did find a great New England Clam Chowder, which fueled me in fine fashion, before moving on to a very quiet Captree Island. Once on the Ocean Parkway, I had 3 Ospreys, 2 Merlins and 1 Peregrine before stopping at Gilgo. The water level was much lower than on last Friday, with 99% of the water between the houses having receded. The Lesser Yellowlegs was replaced by a Belted Kingfisher, but the sparrows were still not in evidence. Continuing westward, my first "circling" of the Jones Beach Water Tower proved negative, but my second, later in the afternoon, did produce an adult Peregrine Falcon ! There were three highlights for me at the West End this afternoon, two re: birds and one re: two people. The first was the large number of Merlins there, with a conservative total of 7 birds. The second was the huge flock of predominately Tree Swallows, and the challenge it presented, by finding one of it's rarer "cousins" ! The remaining highlight, and certainly the best, was meeting a young birding couple, as they were eyeing a kinglet, while trying to locate the Dickcissel that had been reported earlier in the day. ! Their names are Kevin Rogers and Kerry Murphy-Rogers, they live in Island Park and certainly realize how lucky they are to live so close to two of Long Island's most productive birding spots...Pt.Lookout & Jones Beach. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] From the woods, to the bay...a nice half-day !
On Monday, I walked the trail around the "Ice Pond", at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Bird activity was subdued, with the highlight being a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I only connected with one, small, mixed flock, from which I was able to ID single Black-throated Green & Pine Warblers, in addition to 2 Black-capped Chickadees. I then traveled Dune Rd, from Shinnicock Inlet to Cupsoque Co. PK, with 2 species worth mentioning. There must have been close to 1000 Double-crested Cormorant (with 80-90 % of them Juveniles) between the 2 locations. At the "Overlook", 12 Royal Turns were resting on the longest sand bar. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] From the woods, to the bay...a nice half-day !
On Monday, I walked the trail around the "Ice Pond", at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Bird activity was subdued, with the highlight being a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I only connected with one, small, mixed flock, from which I was able to ID single Black-throated Green & Pine Warblers, in addition to 2 Black-capped Chickadees. I then traveled Dune Rd, from Shinnicock Inlet to Cupsoque Co. PK, with 2 species worth mentioning. There must have been close to 1000 Double-crested Cormorant (with 80-90 % of them Juveniles) between the 2 locations. At the "Overlook", 12 Royal Turns were resting on the longest sand bar. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Icterus spurius
Did a quick bit of birding between 3:30-5:00 PM (without leaving the car) at Iron Pier Town Beach, Mattituck Inlet, and the North Fork Preserve, with the only noteworthy specie being the Orchard Oriole seen at the last location. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Icterus spurius
Did a quick bit of birding between 3:30-5:00 PM (without leaving the car) at Iron Pier Town Beach, Mattituck Inlet, and the North Fork Preserve, with the only noteworthy specie being the Orchard Oriole seen at the last location. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Who needs a field guide ?
At mid-morning on Friday, my tour of babysitting in Rockville Centre was done, allowing me to head home to Riverhead, by way of Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Captree State Parks...which, even with the rain, was most satisfying.Starting with a Peregrine and a Merlin before even reaching the official "West End", my first stop was at the Coast Guard Station, where I met Dave Klauber, who pointed out the lingering C.Eider, that has been hanging around for about a month. I then picked up another 3 Merlins en-route to Parking Field 2, where I found Bobby Rosetti looking at 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, which just happened to be my first of the season ! One bird appeared to be close to an adult, missing only the full amount of white spots in the primaries. Dave, arriving a little later, thought the other bird was a 3rd winter bird. Heading east, an adult Peregrine was observed "chilling out" on the J.B. water tower. Stopping at the Gilgo Marina, where the water level of the bay was close to coming over the dock, it also had advanced to the fronts of all the houses on the fairly new paved road running to the east. Hoping to find some early, migrating sparrows here, as in years past, the only bird found was a Greater Yellowlegs busily feeding in water between 2 houses. Arriving at Parking Field 5 at R.M.S.P., I came upon a number of Lessers, of different vintages. Now to answer the question I posed above...I do, when it comes to LBBG"s ! Unfortunately, I was driving my wife's car, and although I had transferred binoculars, camera & scope, I had forgotten my bag of books ! So, as I started to "bite the bullet", who pulls up in back of me, but a guy who doesn't need a field guide...Shai Mitra - how cool was that ! As he started to age the birds in question, I greatly appreciated my serendipitous good fortune in seeing juvenile, 2nd, 3rd and possibly 4th calendar year birds...my cup overflowed ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Who needs a field guide ?
At mid-morning on Friday, my tour of babysitting in Rockville Centre was done, allowing me to head home to Riverhead, by way of Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Captree State Parks...which, even with the rain, was most satisfying.Starting with a Peregrine and a Merlin before even reaching the official "West End", my first stop was at the Coast Guard Station, where I met Dave Klauber, who pointed out the lingering C.Eider, that has been hanging around for about a month. I then picked up another 3 Merlins en-route to Parking Field 2, where I found Bobby Rosetti looking at 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, which just happened to be my first of the season ! One bird appeared to be close to an adult, missing only the full amount of white spots in the primaries. Dave, arriving a little later, thought the other bird was a 3rd winter bird. Heading east, an adult Peregrine was observed "chilling out" on the J.B. water tower. Stopping at the Gilgo Marina, where the water level of the bay was close to coming over the dock, it also had advanced to the fronts of all the houses on the fairly new paved road running to the east. Hoping to find some early, migrating sparrows here, as in years past, the only bird found was a Greater Yellowlegs busily feeding in water between 2 houses. Arriving at Parking Field 5 at R.M.S.P., I came upon a number of Lessers, of different vintages. Now to answer the question I posed above...I do, when it comes to LBBG"s ! Unfortunately, I was driving my wife's car, and although I had transferred binoculars, camera & scope, I had forgotten my bag of books ! So, as I started to "bite the bullet", who pulls up in back of me, but a guy who doesn't need a field guide...Shai Mitra - how cool was that ! As he started to age the birds in question, I greatly appreciated my serendipitous good fortune in seeing juvenile, 2nd, 3rd and possibly 4th calendar year birds...my cup overflowed ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] "There's no joy in N.Y.' ville tonight" !
Early Sunday afternoon I made a wrong choice, when I opted to stay indoors to watch the undefeated N.Y.Giants (2-0) take on the underdog Washington Redskins, rather than taking to the outdoors on this gorgeous Fall day to do some birding ! I hope I didn't "jinx the G'ints"...whose record now stands at (2-1). With N.Y's. other football team, the Jets, about to do battle against the K.C.Chiefs, in the 2nd game of the afternoon, I made the tactical decision to leave the house...and hopefully, all the "bad karma"too ! My 1st stop was at Iron Pier Town Beach, Jamesport, but found no "good gulls" present. Next, I visited the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport, where my luck changed a bit ! Around the tennis courts there were 4-5 juvenile E.Phoebes using the top fence railings as observation posts, before dropping down on their unsuspecting prey. They kept this up for ~ 45 minutes, except for the short time spent scattering/ hiding when a juvenile N.Goshawk came bursting over some short trees and left the clearing in pursuit of one of them. For whatever it is worth, during the 15 minutes I stayed after this encounter, only 2 of the phoebes returned to their hunting posts. In the time I had left (wanted to be home by 7 PM for "60 Minutes") I ventured to the Calverton Grasslands, only to gain nothing ! Heading home on Edwards Ave (Route 24) Riverhead, just n/o the traffic circle, I had a perched juvenile Merlin. Cheers, Bob P.S...The Jets lost too ! -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] "There's no joy in N.Y.' ville tonight" !
Early Sunday afternoon I made a wrong choice, when I opted to stay indoors to watch the undefeated N.Y.Giants (2-0) take on the underdog Washington Redskins, rather than taking to the outdoors on this gorgeous Fall day to do some birding ! I hope I didn't "jinx the G'ints"...whose record now stands at (2-1). With N.Y's. other football team, the Jets, about to do battle against the K.C.Chiefs, in the 2nd game of the afternoon, I made the tactical decision to leave the house...and hopefully, all the "bad karma"too ! My 1st stop was at Iron Pier Town Beach, Jamesport, but found no "good gulls" present. Next, I visited the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport, where my luck changed a bit ! Around the tennis courts there were 4-5 juvenile E.Phoebes using the top fence railings as observation posts, before dropping down on their unsuspecting prey. They kept this up for ~ 45 minutes, except for the short time spent scattering/ hiding when a juvenile N.Goshawk came bursting over some short trees and left the clearing in pursuit of one of them. For whatever it is worth, during the 15 minutes I stayed after this encounter, only 2 of the phoebes returned to their hunting posts. In the time I had left (wanted to be home by 7 PM for "60 Minutes") I ventured to the Calverton Grasslands, only to gain nothing ! Heading home on Edwards Ave (Route 24) Riverhead, just n/o the traffic circle, I had a perched juvenile Merlin. Cheers, Bob P.S...The Jets lost too ! -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Watching Nighthawks through the prism of a wine glass: with thoughts of Jim Clinton Sr.
The weather tonight was perfect for my wife and I to enjoy our wine, while seated in the outdoor area of the restaurant at the Great Rock Public Golf Course in Wading River. This large, terraced, stone patio overlooks the 1st & !8th holes, and especially when the Sun is "fading fast", is a choice spot to end the day. This evening was made "choicer"for me, when, between the hours of 6:25 - 7:05 PM, a total of 36 C. Nighthawks were "hawking" insects, as they continued to migrate in a westerly direction. This location is less than a 1/4 mile s/o the L.I.Sound, and was part of the general area where Jim Clinton Sr., using different prisms, did his yearly counting of southbound nighthawks. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Watching Nighthawks through the prism of a wine glass: with thoughts of Jim Clinton Sr.
The weather tonight was perfect for my wife and I to enjoy our wine, while seated in the outdoor area of the restaurant at the Great Rock Public Golf Course in Wading River. This large, terraced, stone patio overlooks the 1st & !8th holes, and especially when the Sun is "fading fast", is a choice spot to end the day. This evening was made "choicer"for me, when, between the hours of 6:25 - 7:05 PM, a total of 36 C. Nighthawks were "hawking" insects, as they continued to migrate in a westerly direction. This location is less than a 1/4 mile s/o the L.I.Sound, and was part of the general area where Jim Clinton Sr., using different prisms, did his yearly counting of southbound nighthawks. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Pursuing positive posts - yes x 2 !
Today, between ~ 2 & 4 PM, I followed up on two recent posts in the Riverhead area. Arriving at the sod field located at the intersection of Sound Ave & Osborne Ave, Baiting Hollow, I found 59 Golden Plovers, 77 Killdeers, a ton of E.Starlings and 1 A.Robin. The two tractor /mowers busily cutting the grass were instrumental in my being able to easily rule out any Black-bellies in the flushed plover flights. The sod field behind the fire fighters training site, on the n/s Northville Turnpike, at the intersection of Route 105, Riverhead was also rewarding. All of the following birds were found in the dirt area, as Doug reported this AM. I counted 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers*, 35 Killdeers, 6 Semi-palmated Plovers and 2, possibly 3, Black-bellied Plovers. *I believe I did see the other 3 Buffies seen by Doug, however, this time a tractor/ mower had a negative affect ! Just as I moved the scope on to a new group of birds, the T/M working the grass area right behind them, caused the birds to flush. Among them were 5 similar, smaller birds (which I thought might be the buffies) but could not catch up with them. During a subsequent scan, I had close views (~50') of 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Pursuing positive posts - yes x 2 !
Today, between ~ 2 & 4 PM, I followed up on two recent posts in the Riverhead area. Arriving at the sod field located at the intersection of Sound Ave & Osborne Ave, Baiting Hollow, I found 59 Golden Plovers, 77 Killdeers, a ton of E.Starlings and 1 A.Robin. The two tractor /mowers busily cutting the grass were instrumental in my being able to easily rule out any Black-bellies in the flushed plover flights. The sod field behind the fire fighters training site, on the n/s Northville Turnpike, at the intersection of Route 105, Riverhead was also rewarding. All of the following birds were found in the dirt area, as Doug reported this AM. I counted 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers*, 35 Killdeers, 6 Semi-palmated Plovers and 2, possibly 3, Black-bellied Plovers. *I believe I did see the other 3 Buffies seen by Doug, however, this time a tractor/ mower had a negative affect ! Just as I moved the scope on to a new group of birds, the T/M working the grass area right behind them, caused the birds to flush. Among them were 5 similar, smaller birds (which I thought might be the buffies) but could not catch up with them. During a subsequent scan, I had close views (~50') of 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] EPCAL to the rescue !
Due to the time restraint of just a few hours to bird starting from the Riverhead area, when Dave Larsen (a long-time, local birding friend who now lives in Virginia, picked me up, Epcal seemed the best choice for avian action ! Stopping first at the "radar station" opposite the Calverton Grasslands (aka Epcal) we were greeted by a Red-tailed Hawk, 9 W.Turkeys, 2 E.Kingbirds, and 2 singing Grasshopper Sparrows. Crossing the street (Rt.25), 2 more Grasshoppers sang for us. Dave then heard an E.Bluebird vocalize, but we unable to locate it. While still in this section of the grasslands, we had at least 2, and possibly up to 6 E.Meadowlarks, a hunting Kestrel, and singles of both Chipping and Savannah Sparrows. Heading toward the s/s of the property, at Mackay's Pond, we had 1-2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Yellow Warbler. Unfortunately, our last quest went unfulfilled...as we missed on the Blue Grosbeaks that have been seen recently. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] EPCAL to the rescue !
Due to the time restraint of just a few hours to bird starting from the Riverhead area, when Dave Larsen (a long-time, local birding friend who now lives in Virginia, picked me up, Epcal seemed the best choice for avian action ! Stopping first at the "radar station" opposite the Calverton Grasslands (aka Epcal) we were greeted by a Red-tailed Hawk, 9 W.Turkeys, 2 E.Kingbirds, and 2 singing Grasshopper Sparrows. Crossing the street (Rt.25), 2 more Grasshoppers sang for us. Dave then heard an E.Bluebird vocalize, but we unable to locate it. While still in this section of the grasslands, we had at least 2, and possibly up to 6 E.Meadowlarks, a hunting Kestrel, and singles of both Chipping and Savannah Sparrows. Heading toward the s/s of the property, at Mackay's Pond, we had 1-2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Yellow Warbler. Unfortunately, our last quest went unfulfilled...as we missed on the Blue Grosbeaks that have been seen recently. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] 16 "Anhinga's" taking some sun on McGann-Mercy High School's Softball Field in Riverhead !
Today, at ~ 0900, while turning into the entrance of Saddle Lakes Condos, on the n/s/o Middle Rd. (where we live) out of the corner of my eye, I saw a # of large, dark birds with outstretched wings, standing in the infield of the above school, located at the s/w/c/o Ostrander Ave & Middle Rd. By the time I finished confusing our "guardian of the gate" by entering and exiting in record time, and before seeing the birds again, I realized my original flash as to species, was to say the least, a cruel twist of one's imagination ! Knowing what they were (Turkey Vultures) before laying eyes on them again, was of little consolation, but I did manage to get some terrific photos...from when most of them were "sunning" at the same time, to when a couple of them looked like they were playing ball ! It seems a soft ball had been left on the field in the vicinity of 2nd base, and some of the roaming birds must have thought it might be edible. At first, they tried pulling at the ball with their bills without success, before pushing the ball a head of them for a foot or so, by again, using their bills. A couple of people stopped as I was shooting to ask what kind of birds I was looking at, and complimented me on the use of my car, in order to get a clearer shot at them. Because of the 5 ft cyclone fence around the field, I had to park my car up on the grass shoulder of the road, as close to the fence as possible, and still be able to stand on the running board, which allowed me to position the camera above the fence, and not through it ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] 16 "Anhinga's" taking some sun on McGann-Mercy High School's Softball Field in Riverhead !
Today, at ~ 0900, while turning into the entrance of Saddle Lakes Condos, on the n/s/o Middle Rd. (where we live) out of the corner of my eye, I saw a # of large, dark birds with outstretched wings, standing in the infield of the above school, located at the s/w/c/o Ostrander Ave & Middle Rd. By the time I finished confusing our "guardian of the gate" by entering and exiting in record time, and before seeing the birds again, I realized my original flash as to species, was to say the least, a cruel twist of one's imagination ! Knowing what they were (Turkey Vultures) before laying eyes on them again, was of little consolation, but I did manage to get some terrific photos...from when most of them were "sunning" at the same time, to when a couple of them looked like they were playing ball ! It seems a soft ball had been left on the field in the vicinity of 2nd base, and some of the roaming birds must have thought it might be edible. At first, they tried pulling at the ball with their bills without success, before pushing the ball a head of them for a foot or so, by again, using their bills. A couple of people stopped as I was shooting to ask what kind of birds I was looking at, and complimented me on the use of my car, in order to get a clearer shot at them. Because of the 5 ft cyclone fence around the field, I had to park my car up on the grass shoulder of the road, as close to the fence as possible, and still be able to stand on the running board, which allowed me to position the camera above the fence, and not through it ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Yellow-billed Cuckoos frolicking at Bethpage State Park
Per Willie Becker, he has just observed a pair copulating, as well as having Blackburian, Blue-winged and other warbler species...just feeding This busy location is near the power line, reached from the trail leading from the e/s of the main p/lot. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Yellow-billed Cuckoos frolicking at Bethpage State Park
Per Willie Becker, he has just observed a pair copulating, as well as having Blackburian, Blue-winged and other warbler species...just feeding This busy location is near the power line, reached from the trail leading from the e/s of the main p/lot. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Fwd: A day that wouldn't quit !
-- Forwarded message --
From: robert adamo <radamo4...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, May 9, 2016 at 12:11 AM
Subject: A day that wouldn't quit !
To: NY BIRDS <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu>
Since Friday, I have been babysitting 3 of my 4 grandsons in Rockville
Centre, and while mostly house-bound, did manage to see a FOY male Scarlet
Tanager yesterday, which also qualified as a FEOTLRW, aka "first ever out
the living room window" ! I took that, combined with a few early hours at
Hempstead Lake State Park this morning, as equitable recompense !
Arriving at HLSP at ~ 0700, I met Joe Viglietta, who had been at the park
since 0600, and while finding it quiet, had still managed to find a Hooded
Warbler in the area where the stream ends at the north end. Before the rain
became heavier, we had Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole, and when Joe
headed out, I headed north to try for the Hoodie, but without success !
Frustrated by the weather, I left the park, stopped for bagels, and was
welcomed with open arms, by my always hungry young lions ! I was relieved
of duty ~ 1600, and with the rain stopped and the sun out, I headed for
Riverhead, by way of the Ocean Parkway.
A quick ride through Jones Beach West End produced no goodies, and until
stopping at Gilgo, all was quiet. As I started down the e/s row of houses I
thought it was fall migration again, with sparrows everywhere. Although
White-throated were the most numerous, White-crowned {mostly adults) were
many, with some Chipping and late, singles of A.Tree Sparrow & Dark-eyed
Junco. The w/s row of houses did not have as many sparrows, and I could
only come up with White-throated. This side did provide additional
"fall-out" evidence, when 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were found feeding in a
fairly small pine tree ! I
Arriving at RMSP ~ 1800, a Red Fox was seen crossing the road, and wearing
an ear tag and what looked like a heavy-duty tracking collar. I then
noticed some crows harassing a good sized hawk, and was delighted to get my
FOY Goshawk. Feeling "pumped", and knowing I could still make the start of
"Madame Secretary", I decided to push my luck, and try for Glossy Ibis (for
the 3rd or 4th time) at Captree Island. Well, not only did I get this FOY
specie, but a FOY Least Sandpiper as well !
Cheers,
Bob
--
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/
--
[nysbirds-l] Fwd: A day that wouldn't quit !
-- Forwarded message --
From: robert adamo
Date: Mon, May 9, 2016 at 12:11 AM
Subject: A day that wouldn't quit !
To: NY BIRDS
Since Friday, I have been babysitting 3 of my 4 grandsons in Rockville
Centre, and while mostly house-bound, did manage to see a FOY male Scarlet
Tanager yesterday, which also qualified as a FEOTLRW, aka "first ever out
the living room window" ! I took that, combined with a few early hours at
Hempstead Lake State Park this morning, as equitable recompense !
Arriving at HLSP at ~ 0700, I met Joe Viglietta, who had been at the park
since 0600, and while finding it quiet, had still managed to find a Hooded
Warbler in the area where the stream ends at the north end. Before the rain
became heavier, we had Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole, and when Joe
headed out, I headed north to try for the Hoodie, but without success !
Frustrated by the weather, I left the park, stopped for bagels, and was
welcomed with open arms, by my always hungry young lions ! I was relieved
of duty ~ 1600, and with the rain stopped and the sun out, I headed for
Riverhead, by way of the Ocean Parkway.
A quick ride through Jones Beach West End produced no goodies, and until
stopping at Gilgo, all was quiet. As I started down the e/s row of houses I
thought it was fall migration again, with sparrows everywhere. Although
White-throated were the most numerous, White-crowned {mostly adults) were
many, with some Chipping and late, singles of A.Tree Sparrow & Dark-eyed
Junco. The w/s row of houses did not have as many sparrows, and I could
only come up with White-throated. This side did provide additional
"fall-out" evidence, when 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets were found feeding in a
fairly small pine tree ! I
Arriving at RMSP ~ 1800, a Red Fox was seen crossing the road, and wearing
an ear tag and what looked like a heavy-duty tracking collar. I then
noticed some crows harassing a good sized hawk, and was delighted to get my
FOY Goshawk. Feeling "pumped", and knowing I could still make the start of
"Madame Secretary", I decided to push my luck, and try for Glossy Ibis (for
the 3rd or 4th time) at Captree Island. Well, not only did I get this FOY
specie, but a FOY Least Sandpiper as well !
Cheers,
Bob
--
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/
--
[nysbirds-l] A day that wouldn't quit !
Since Friday, I have been babysitting 3 of my 4 grandsons in Rockville Centre, and while mostly house-bound, did manage to see a FOY male Scarlet Tanager yesterday, which also qualified as a FEOTLRW, aka "first ever out the living room window" ! I took that, combined with a few early hours at Hempstead Lake State Park this morning, as equitable recompense ! Arriving at HLSP at ~ 0700, I met Joe Viglietta, who had been at the park since 0600, and while finding it quiet, had still managed to find a Hooded Warbler in the area where the stream ends at the north end. Before the rain became heavier, we had Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole, and when Joe headed out, I headed north to try for the Hoodie, but without success ! Frustrated by the weather, I left the park, stopped for bagels, and was welcomed with open arms, by my always hungry lieges ! I was relieved of duty ~ 1600, and with the rain stopped and the sun out, I headed for Riverhead, by way of the Ocean Parkway. A quick ride through Jones Beach West End produced no goodies, and until stopping at Gilgo, all was quiet. As I started down the e/s row of houses I thought it was fall migration again, with sparrows everywhere. Although White-throated were -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A day that wouldn't quit !
Since Friday, I have been babysitting 3 of my 4 grandsons in Rockville Centre, and while mostly house-bound, did manage to see a FOY male Scarlet Tanager yesterday, which also qualified as a FEOTLRW, aka "first ever out the living room window" ! I took that, combined with a few early hours at Hempstead Lake State Park this morning, as equitable recompense ! Arriving at HLSP at ~ 0700, I met Joe Viglietta, who had been at the park since 0600, and while finding it quiet, had still managed to find a Hooded Warbler in the area where the stream ends at the north end. Before the rain became heavier, we had Warbling Vireo and Orchard Oriole, and when Joe headed out, I headed north to try for the Hoodie, but without success ! Frustrated by the weather, I left the park, stopped for bagels, and was welcomed with open arms, by my always hungry lieges ! I was relieved of duty ~ 1600, and with the rain stopped and the sun out, I headed for Riverhead, by way of the Ocean Parkway. A quick ride through Jones Beach West End produced no goodies, and until stopping at Gilgo, all was quiet. As I started down the e/s row of houses I thought it was fall migration again, with sparrows everywhere. Although White-throated were -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A (5) Swallow Day in May...gloves needed by some "seniors" !
Once again, on a Thursday morning, I found myself at Hempstead Lake State Park, taking part in the weekly bird-walk sponsored by the South Shore Audubon Society. This morning's meander drew a large crowd of approximately 25 "happy campers", who were made even happier as the walk progressed. While the raw weather kept bird species and numbers down, the sociability of the "moving mass" more than made up for the discomfort, in most cases. ! As mentioned in the "Subject-line", some of us needed a tad more than most of the other birders, in order to counter the effects of poor circulation...good conversation and anecdotes can only go so far ! Not surprisingly , all the Swallows were first seen over water, with Bank, Tree, Cliff and Barn feeding over the South Pond, while N.Rough-winged was encountered over MacDonald's Pond. We then were reluctant to leave this location in case a Purple Martin decided to show up, and I even had the idea to offer a $6.00 bonus for the first person to find one...but I chickened out ! In addition to the Bank and Cliff Swallows, Great Crested Flycatcher, E.Kingbird and Ovenbird were FOY species for me. Stops at Tangle-wood Preserve in Rockville Centre and Cow Meadow Park in Freeport produced a Male Orchard Oriole and a Green Heron respectively ! These birds were a product of the "sociability" mentioned above ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A (5) Swallow Day in May...gloves needed by some "seniors" !
Once again, on a Thursday morning, I found myself at Hempstead Lake State Park, taking part in the weekly bird-walk sponsored by the South Shore Audubon Society. This morning's meander drew a large crowd of approximately 25 "happy campers", who were made even happier as the walk progressed. While the raw weather kept bird species and numbers down, the sociability of the "moving mass" more than made up for the discomfort, in most cases. ! As mentioned in the "Subject-line", some of us needed a tad more than most of the other birders, in order to counter the effects of poor circulation...good conversation and anecdotes can only go so far ! Not surprisingly , all the Swallows were first seen over water, with Bank, Tree, Cliff and Barn feeding over the South Pond, while N.Rough-winged was encountered over MacDonald's Pond. We then were reluctant to leave this location in case a Purple Martin decided to show up, and I even had the idea to offer a $6.00 bonus for the first person to find one...but I chickened out ! In addition to the Bank and Cliff Swallows, Great Crested Flycatcher, E.Kingbird and Ovenbird were FOY species for me. Stops at Tangle-wood Preserve in Rockville Centre and Cow Meadow Park in Freeport produced a Male Orchard Oriole and a Green Heron respectively ! These birds were a product of the "sociability" mentioned above ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Work first, then play...makes for a great day !
Today, Earth Day was celebrated at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where the
weather encouraged participants to wear short-sleeved shirts, or even just
T-shirts ! The Eastern L.I.Audubon Society was one of the sponsoring
organizations (under the leadership of the QWR) and had the fun task of
leading the scheduled bird trips at both 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM. The first walk
(lead by Eileen Schwinn & myself) had just about equal numbers of kids &
adults...totaling ~ 8 participants, in all. They all appreciated what they
saw and learned, including nice looks at a House Wren, Purple Martins, Tree
Swallows, Downy Woodpecker and especially the 2, Great-horned Owl
nestlings, living in an old Osprey platform nest ! The 1:30 group was
smaller in size, consisting of only a Father & Son team and your's truly !
Group 2 managed to see all of the birds group 1 saw, plus an additional
sighting of a Pine Warbler. While on this walk, Simon (who is all of 9
years old) correctly called out Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, most of the
common species, and even found a Box Turtle, in addition to an
unidentified, small, brown Butterfly - I got a photo, so maybe we'll be
able to come up with a name ! Sure sounds like Simon and NYSYBC are in
each-others
Following the Earth Day celebration, I went down to Dune Rd. {Post La.
Bridge, Quogue to the Ponquogue Bridge, Hampton Bays, and saw some evidence
of migration, namely, 1 highly-colored Black-bellied Plover,a flock of 8
Semipalmated Plovers feeding , and an American Bittern. This bird was
actively feeding on the n/s marsh, opposite house # 28, ~ 1/4 mile w/o
Tiana Beach.
Cheers,
Bob
--
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[nysbirds-l] Work first, then play...makes for a great day !
Today, Earth Day was celebrated at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where the
weather encouraged participants to wear short-sleeved shirts, or even just
T-shirts ! The Eastern L.I.Audubon Society was one of the sponsoring
organizations (under the leadership of the QWR) and had the fun task of
leading the scheduled bird trips at both 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM. The first walk
(lead by Eileen Schwinn & myself) had just about equal numbers of kids &
adults...totaling ~ 8 participants, in all. They all appreciated what they
saw and learned, including nice looks at a House Wren, Purple Martins, Tree
Swallows, Downy Woodpecker and especially the 2, Great-horned Owl
nestlings, living in an old Osprey platform nest ! The 1:30 group was
smaller in size, consisting of only a Father & Son team and your's truly !
Group 2 managed to see all of the birds group 1 saw, plus an additional
sighting of a Pine Warbler. While on this walk, Simon (who is all of 9
years old) correctly called out Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, most of the
common species, and even found a Box Turtle, in addition to an
unidentified, small, brown Butterfly - I got a photo, so maybe we'll be
able to come up with a name ! Sure sounds like Simon and NYSYBC are in
each-others
Following the Earth Day celebration, I went down to Dune Rd. {Post La.
Bridge, Quogue to the Ponquogue Bridge, Hampton Bays, and saw some evidence
of migration, namely, 1 highly-colored Black-bellied Plover,a flock of 8
Semipalmated Plovers feeding , and an American Bittern. This bird was
actively feeding on the n/s marsh, opposite house # 28, ~ 1/4 mile w/o
Tiana Beach.
Cheers,
Bob
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[nysbirds-l] Better Riverhead than Ithaca !
Sorry this post is late...blame it on yesterday's 5 AM rise, combined with a lot of walking ! I tried for the Swainson's Warbler at Central Park from mid-morning to early afternoon, only to come up "a day late and a dollar short" ! Birding was slow, by C. Pk's standards, with the highlights for me being a FOY Cape May Warbler (female) seen at "The Oven", thanks to a chance meeting with Doug Futuyama near "Azalea Pond", as well as a FOY White-eyed Vireo ! Although my trip into the city was accomplished by the use of car, train and subway, as I was back on the train heading toward Rockville Centre, I couldn't help but think of Nathan Goldberg, a young man I met earlier, while looking for the Swainson's. He could only spend a short time longer looking for the bird, due to his having to get back to Ithaca in time to take a test at 3 PM. He had been looking for the warbler since 6 AM, after only getting ~ 45 minutes sleep prior to "giving it the old college try" ! I can only hope he arrived safely and aced the test...what spirit, optimism and intrepidness ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Better Riverhead than Ithaca !
Sorry this post is late...blame it on yesterday's 5 AM rise, combined with a lot of walking ! I tried for the Swainson's Warbler at Central Park from mid-morning to early afternoon, only to come up "a day late and a dollar short" ! Birding was slow, by C. Pk's standards, with the highlights for me being a FOY Cape May Warbler (female) seen at "The Oven", thanks to a chance meeting with Doug Futuyama near "Azalea Pond", as well as a FOY White-eyed Vireo ! Although my trip into the city was accomplished by the use of car, train and subway, as I was back on the train heading toward Rockville Centre, I couldn't help but think of Nathan Goldberg, a young man I met earlier, while looking for the Swainson's. He could only spend a short time longer looking for the bird, due to his having to get back to Ithaca in time to take a test at 3 PM. He had been looking for the warbler since 6 AM, after only getting ~ 45 minutes sleep prior to "giving it the old college try" ! I can only hope he arrived safely and aced the test...what spirit, optimism and intrepidness ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Wilson's a no....but yes on the other two !
Responding to Gail Benson & Tom Burke's posting of 4/23, I spent ~ 2 hours on Dune Rd, Hampton Bays today looking for the Wilson's Plover, which they had found in a flock of Dunlins, just w/o the Ponquogue Bridge. I found John Gluth on the scene, and while we didn't find *Charadrius wilsonia, *John did point out the Semipalmated Sandpiper and Piping Plover he had found (both year birds for me). After exchanging phone #'s, we split up, with me checking for the plover from Lane Island (just west of the Ponquogue Bridge) east to the Shinnicock Canal, finding 5 Piping Plovers along that stretch of the bay ! Sorry for these late postings from yesterday. 1) Bald Eagle (almost full adult plumage) in nest on the William Floyd Estate, Mastic, seenfrom Osprey Point Park. 2) Two Willets - Dune Rd, H.Bays Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Wilson's a no....but yes on the other two !
Responding to Gail Benson & Tom Burke's posting of 4/23, I spent ~ 2 hours on Dune Rd, Hampton Bays today looking for the Wilson's Plover, which they had found in a flock of Dunlins, just w/o the Ponquogue Bridge. I found John Gluth on the scene, and while we didn't find *Charadrius wilsonia, *John did point out the Semipalmated Sandpiper and Piping Plover he had found (both year birds for me). After exchanging phone #'s, we split up, with me checking for the plover from Lane Island (just west of the Ponquogue Bridge) east to the Shinnicock Canal, finding 5 Piping Plovers along that stretch of the bay ! Sorry for these late postings from yesterday. 1) Bald Eagle (almost full adult plumage) in nest on the William Floyd Estate, Mastic, seenfrom Osprey Point Park. 2) Two Willets - Dune Rd, H.Bays Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding "Party" at H.L.S.P. (STOP) Attended by 23, with an abrupt extension to V.S.S.P. (STOP) Good time had by all !
After speaking with Ed Brecher at Jones Beach recently, I knew where I would be by 0800, come Thursday morning - and I wasn't disappointed ! The scene resembled the start of a field trip at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Ornithology Association, with the horde assembling, greeting friends and strangers alike, "smooshing" and exchanging recent birding experiences, before starting to move out ! The birding was "fair", but the human contact was fabulous ! A pair of Wood Ducks, a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Blue-headed Vireo, a couple of Chimney Swifts, a Great-horned Owl, 3 young Raccoon's in a tree hole (2 in the back, and 1 with it's head and paws sticking out of the hole) were just some of the treats ! A couple of the conversations that come to mind was a) hearing of Joe Guinta's recent trip to Texas (he returned just last night, while his luggage returned late this morning) and b) as I was photographing a pair of Fish Crows sitting close together on a branch high up in a tree, I turned to Rick Kopitsch and said "I am calling this shot a couple of courting crows". He, in turn, improved on that title by softly stating "how about making it a couple of courting corvids" ! While our moving mass was on it's last leg, Ed Brecher got a call stating yesterday's Hooded Warbler was just re-found and was currently vocalizing. With that, the walking pace increased, and the exodus was under way. Never having been to Valley Stream State Park, I proceeded to get lost en-route, which cost me a satisfying look at the male Hooded Warbler, only getting an abbreviated look, till much later in the AM (1130-1200) when I got a "full frontal" . During this time we also had a gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding "Party" at H.L.S.P. (STOP) Attended by 23, with an abrupt extension to V.S.S.P. (STOP) Good time had by all !
After speaking with Ed Brecher at Jones Beach recently, I knew where I would be by 0800, come Thursday morning - and I wasn't disappointed ! The scene resembled the start of a field trip at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Ornithology Association, with the horde assembling, greeting friends and strangers alike, "smooshing" and exchanging recent birding experiences, before starting to move out ! The birding was "fair", but the human contact was fabulous ! A pair of Wood Ducks, a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Blue-headed Vireo, a couple of Chimney Swifts, a Great-horned Owl, 3 young Raccoon's in a tree hole (2 in the back, and 1 with it's head and paws sticking out of the hole) were just some of the treats ! A couple of the conversations that come to mind was a) hearing of Joe Guinta's recent trip to Texas (he returned just last night, while his luggage returned late this morning) and b) as I was photographing a pair of Fish Crows sitting close together on a branch high up in a tree, I turned to Rick Kopitsch and said "I am calling this shot a couple of courting crows". He, in turn, improved on that title by softly stating "how about making it a couple of courting corvids" ! While our moving mass was on it's last leg, Ed Brecher got a call stating yesterday's Hooded Warbler was just re-found and was currently vocalizing. With that, the walking pace increased, and the exodus was under way. Never having been to Valley Stream State Park, I proceeded to get lost en-route, which cost me a satisfying look at the male Hooded Warbler, only getting an abbreviated look, till much later in the AM (1130-1200) when I got a "full frontal" . During this time we also had a gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A day of firsts! x 2
I forgot to include the following: After leaving H.L.S.P. I made my very first visit to the Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve on E.Merrick Rd., Merrick, after seeing a post on this list-serve awhile back re: the colony of Monk Parakeets that resides there...it's simply the largest M.P. colony that I have ever seen ! There are 10 nests in total, each on a separate, extra high, light stanchion, which are used to illuminate a ball field. I'm sure, when on, they must produce a considerable amount of heat. There are other smaller light poles, while fairly high themselves, must not be able to give off as much heat, as evidence by the lack of nests on them. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A day of firsts! x 2
I forgot to include the following: After leaving H.L.S.P. I made my very first visit to the Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve on E.Merrick Rd., Merrick, after seeing a post on this list-serve awhile back re: the colony of Monk Parakeets that resides there...it's simply the largest M.P. colony that I have ever seen ! There are 10 nests in total, each on a separate, extra high, light stanchion, which are used to illuminate a ball field. I'm sure, when on, they must produce a considerable amount of heat. There are other smaller light poles, while fairly high themselves, must not be able to give off as much heat, as evidence by the lack of nests on them. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A day of firsts !
En-route from Riverhead to my FOY visit to Hempstead Lake State Park, via the Ocean Parkway, I did not see the Upland Sandpiper...nor did I see it on the return trip. At H.L.S.P., I did find a FOY Palm Warbler, FOY Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and FOY Hermit Thrush. My best "first" of the day was meeting a fairly young birder, Michael Zito of Massapequa, and enjoyed birding around the park with him ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A day of firsts !
En-route from Riverhead to my FOY visit to Hempstead Lake State Park, via the Ocean Parkway, I did not see the Upland Sandpiper...nor did I see it on the return trip. At H.L.S.P., I did find a FOY Palm Warbler, FOY Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and FOY Hermit Thrush. My best "first" of the day was meeting a fairly young birder, Michael Zito of Massapequa, and enjoyed birding around the park with him ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Today wasn't mean, it was just lean !
A planned early morning trip into Hempstead Lake State Park had to be postponed and instead, I started at the D.E.C.property in Rocky Point. This was my FOY visit to this normally busy venue, but today proved to be just a bit too early in the season. After ~ 1 & 1/2 hours, my total sightings consisted of 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 3 Mourning Cloak Butterflies and a single, FOY Bumble Bee ! Heading back east, I first routed myself through "downtown" Wading River and found 2 pairs of Wood Ducks (one in each pond). The lighting was such, that I could have obtained good photos, if they only came out in the open...very frustrating ! Next came EPCAL (the Calverton Grasslands) where there was a very much appreciated up-swing in bird species: 1 female Kestrel; 1 singing E.Meadowlark near the long runway and a pair of E.Bluebirds, plus 2 Tree Swallows, near the Swan Lake Blvd. entrance on the s/s of the property. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Today wasn't mean, it was just lean !
A planned early morning trip into Hempstead Lake State Park had to be postponed and instead, I started at the D.E.C.property in Rocky Point. This was my FOY visit to this normally busy venue, but today proved to be just a bit too early in the season. After ~ 1 & 1/2 hours, my total sightings consisted of 4 Black-capped Chickadees, 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 3 Mourning Cloak Butterflies and a single, FOY Bumble Bee ! Heading back east, I first routed myself through "downtown" Wading River and found 2 pairs of Wood Ducks (one in each pond). The lighting was such, that I could have obtained good photos, if they only came out in the open...very frustrating ! Next came EPCAL (the Calverton Grasslands) where there was a very much appreciated up-swing in bird species: 1 female Kestrel; 1 singing E.Meadowlark near the long runway and a pair of E.Bluebirds, plus 2 Tree Swallows, near the Swan Lake Blvd. entrance on the s/s of the property. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] The striking beauty of high breeding plumage !
This morning's priority was to finally see, or hear, the continuing Hooded Warbler at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge...a quest which still remains unfulfilled ! Upon arrival at the refuge, I met fellow ELIAS members Sally Newbert & Suzi Stewart, who were leaving, after not seeing the warbler, but were fairly sure they had heard it ! Hoping to change my luck, I opted for Dune Rd., between the Post La. Bridge, Quogue, and Shinnicock Inlet, Hampton Bays, flying in the face of windy conditions. Birds species and bird numbers were low, except for good numbers of both Snowy and Great Egrets. I spent much of the morning photographing the individuals displaying the highest amount of alternate plumage. In the case of Snowy Egret, the red lore of one bird seemed to have reached it's zenith...it was that spectacular ! I was even able to get a few photos of "side by side" Snowys, one sporting red lores, the other unchanged, with the yellow lores. Also, two of the Great Egrets were showing their green facial skin, which along with their longer plumes, signifies high breeding plumage. On my way home, I checked for C. Ravens at the H.Bays Water Tower, at first hearing their "croak", followed by seeing a single bird land somewhere on the back of the tower, nearest Ponquoge Ave. The bird was not carrying any nesting material, nor food, but this specie has bred here in years past. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] The striking beauty of high breeding plumage !
This morning's priority was to finally see, or hear, the continuing Hooded Warbler at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge...a quest which still remains unfulfilled ! Upon arrival at the refuge, I met fellow ELIAS members Sally Newbert & Suzi Stewart, who were leaving, after not seeing the warbler, but were fairly sure they had heard it ! Hoping to change my luck, I opted for Dune Rd., between the Post La. Bridge, Quogue, and Shinnicock Inlet, Hampton Bays, flying in the face of windy conditions. Birds species and bird numbers were low, except for good numbers of both Snowy and Great Egrets. I spent much of the morning photographing the individuals displaying the highest amount of alternate plumage. In the case of Snowy Egret, the red lore of one bird seemed to have reached it's zenith...it was that spectacular ! I was even able to get a few photos of "side by side" Snowys, one sporting red lores, the other unchanged, with the yellow lores. Also, two of the Great Egrets were showing their green facial skin, which along with their longer plumes, signifies high breeding plumage. On my way home, I checked for C. Ravens at the H.Bays Water Tower, at first hearing their "croak", followed by seeing a single bird land somewhere on the back of the tower, nearest Ponquoge Ave. The bird was not carrying any nesting material, nor food, but this specie has bred here in years past. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Finding Quality in "The Quogues"
A short outing of ~ 2 hours this afternoon, first to Quogue and then to East Quogue, produced a batting average of 666 - not bad for an "old-timer" ! After missing on the Hooded Warbler re-found yesterday by Mike Higgiston at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, I did see the active Great-horned Owl nest, in the Fairy Dell section of the refuge. Unfortunately, this area is not open to the public at this time, due to the unsafe condition of it's boardwalks. The nest (an old Osprey platform) and it's inhabitants (an adult, plus 2 downy young) can be seen from outside the locked cyclone fencing on it's east and west sides. For those of you not aware of Fairy Dell's origin, it was funded by the N.Y.S. "Return a Gift to Wildlife", which allowed individuals to contribute a monetary gift for Fish and Wildlife Management, using an income tax form check-off procedure. The Fairy Dell grant provided a pathway into a habitat, which enabled people, especially those using wheelchairs or other devices, to explore the innards of a salt marsh. I then tried (for the 2nd time this week) for the adult, male Blue Grosbeak found at the beginning of the week by Mike Higgiston in East Quogue, and was successful. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Finding Quality in "The Quogues"
A short outing of ~ 2 hours this afternoon, first to Quogue and then to East Quogue, produced a batting average of 666 - not bad for an "old-timer" ! After missing on the Hooded Warbler re-found yesterday by Mike Higgiston at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, I did see the active Great-horned Owl nest, in the Fairy Dell section of the refuge. Unfortunately, this area is not open to the public at this time, due to the unsafe condition of it's boardwalks. The nest (an old Osprey platform) and it's inhabitants (an adult, plus 2 downy young) can be seen from outside the locked cyclone fencing on it's east and west sides. For those of you not aware of Fairy Dell's origin, it was funded by the N.Y.S. "Return a Gift to Wildlife", which allowed individuals to contribute a monetary gift for Fish and Wildlife Management, using an income tax form check-off procedure. The Fairy Dell grant provided a pathway into a habitat, which enabled people, especially those using wheelchairs or other devices, to explore the innards of a salt marsh. I then tried (for the 2nd time this week) for the adult, male Blue Grosbeak found at the beginning of the week by Mike Higgiston in East Quogue, and was successful. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Upland Sandpiper...yes, plus some other nice birds !
I must be living right, to have waited this long before trying, and still find this accommodating grassland-stalker ! With thanks to Joe Jannsen (a man I haven't met) whose posting yesterday got me "up and moving" ! At 1130 today, the Uppie was exactly where he said, "just e/o Oak Beach near pole #483 - viewed from the eastbound shoulder" ! I watched it walk & feed for ~ 15 minutes, and I second John T's earlier apprehension, as it moved fairly close to the s/s edge of the median, seemingly oblivious to the cars flying by ! I then headed for Jones Beach, with stops at both the Cedar & Gilgo marinas. At Cedar I had a Boat-tailed and a sighting I'll discuss further on. The marsh island off of Gilgo Marina held a huge, resting flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Dunlins and who knows what else ! Arriving at the West End Coast Guard area, I found Sue & Ken Feustel, Bob Proniewych, Gary Strauss and Ed Brecher, who were about to leave, but not before telling me what they had just seen - thanks folks ! I then proceeded to find: the single Black Scoter; 2 Red-throated Loons; 2 Common Loons (all, but 1 common, were still in basic plumage, while that bird was nearing it's full alternate colors); 2 A.Oystercatchers; 2, of the 7 Foster's Terns they had; a Field Sparrow and a Lesser Yellowlegs later on in a marshy area on the back road n/o Parking Field 4 that leads to the Wantagh Parkway. On my own, I found a late Dark-eyed Junco near the C.G.Station and a singing Brown Thrasher in the median closer to the museum. When I first stopped at Gilgo I thought I had 7 Common Terns, albeit, on the early side,and so, after Ken had told me about the 7 Foster's they had just seen, I told him of my Commons, which, when he, in turn, remarked about the early date, I agreed, but told him I was fairly sure of the ID, This played on my mind, to the extent of causing me to doubt how thorough I had been earlier, ie, lighting, bill & primary colors, as well as my not using a scope. I then went back to the Cedar Marina, only to find zero terns. I then stopped back at the Gilgo Marina, and did find 15 terns, none of them Common, all Foster's...of this I am sure ! I've decided to not count the Common Terns, and wish to thank Ken for causing me to question if I had been careful enough in making the claim that I did. Cheers, Bob  -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Upland Sandpiper...yes, plus some other nice birds !
I must be living right, to have waited this long before trying, and still find this accommodating grassland-stalker ! With thanks to Joe Jannsen (a man I haven't met) whose posting yesterday got me "up and moving" ! At 1130 today, the Uppie was exactly where he said, "just e/o Oak Beach near pole #483 - viewed from the eastbound shoulder" ! I watched it walk & feed for ~ 15 minutes, and I second John T's earlier apprehension, as it moved fairly close to the s/s edge of the median, seemingly oblivious to the cars flying by ! I then headed for Jones Beach, with stops at both the Cedar & Gilgo marinas. At Cedar I had a Boat-tailed and a sighting I'll discuss further on. The marsh island off of Gilgo Marina held a huge, resting flock of Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Dunlins and who knows what else ! Arriving at the West End Coast Guard area, I found Sue & Ken Feustel, Bob Proniewych, Gary Strauss and Ed Brecher, who were about to leave, but not before telling me what they had just seen - thanks folks ! I then proceeded to find: the single Black Scoter; 2 Red-throated Loons; 2 Common Loons (all, but 1 common, were still in basic plumage, while that bird was nearing it's full alternate colors); 2 A.Oystercatchers; 2, of the 7 Foster's Terns they had; a Field Sparrow and a Lesser Yellowlegs later on in a marshy area on the back road n/o Parking Field 4 that leads to the Wantagh Parkway. On my own, I found a late Dark-eyed Junco near the C.G.Station and a singing Brown Thrasher in the median closer to the museum. When I first stopped at Gilgo I thought I had 7 Common Terns, albeit, on the early side,and so, after Ken had told me about the 7 Foster's they had just seen, I told him of my Commons, which, when he, in turn, remarked about the early date, I agreed, but told him I was fairly sure of the ID, This played on my mind, to the extent of causing me to doubt how thorough I had been earlier, ie, lighting, bill & primary colors, as well as my not using a scope. I then went back to the Cedar Marina, only to find zero terns. I then stopped back at the Gilgo Marina, and did find 15 terns, none of them Common, all Foster's...of this I am sure ! I've decided to not count the Common Terns, and wish to thank Ken for causing me to question if I had been careful enough in making the claim that I did. Cheers, Bob  -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Food for the Soul served at the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport
I guess I'm talking lunch here, after the late start of 1140, arriving on station at about noon ! The weather was glorious, but the birds were few, and far between. Highlights were modest: 2 Red-tailed Hawks; 2 male Belted Kingfishers engaged in aerial combat; singing N.Cardinal, as well as Song Sparrow and a good sized Snapping Turtle, with a carapace that looked to be ~ 15'' side to side ! Reasons for the sentiment expressed in the Subject Line, in addition to the weather were: the flora/fauna are blooming, the main trails are being maintained and the new Muck Boots did not give my troubling feet any trouble ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Food for the Soul served at the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport
I guess I'm talking lunch here, after the late start of 1140, arriving on station at about noon ! The weather was glorious, but the birds were few, and far between. Highlights were modest: 2 Red-tailed Hawks; 2 male Belted Kingfishers engaged in aerial combat; singing N.Cardinal, as well as Song Sparrow and a good sized Snapping Turtle, with a carapace that looked to be ~ 15'' side to side ! Reasons for the sentiment expressed in the Subject Line, in addition to the weather were: the flora/fauna are blooming, the main trails are being maintained and the new Muck Boots did not give my troubling feet any trouble ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Enjoying 4 +'s today !
Tax Day found me in a hopeful mood while motoring toward Bohemia, and our accountant, after seeing a lone T.V. in Calverton (could it be "Lonesome George" of the last few years) and a Cooper's Hawk over the LIE in Yaphank. Good fortune continued, in that we owe less on one return, than we will be refunded on the other ! Finally, at the farm pond on Sound Ave in Baiting Hollow, a Red-tailed Hawk was having it's dinner, which, due to the victim's size and color of it's fur, I took to be a Woodchuck. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Enjoying 4 +'s today !
Tax Day found me in a hopeful mood while motoring toward Bohemia, and our accountant, after seeing a lone T.V. in Calverton (could it be "Lonesome George" of the last few years) and a Cooper's Hawk over the LIE in Yaphank. Good fortune continued, in that we owe less on one return, than we will be refunded on the other ! Finally, at the farm pond on Sound Ave in Baiting Hollow, a Red-tailed Hawk was having it's dinner, which, due to the victim's size and color of it's fur, I took to be a Woodchuck. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Running up to Roanoke in pursuit of the trio of Barnacles !
Responding to Derek's early afternoon posting, as I approached Ground Zero no more than a hour afterward, the sickening sight of geese lifting off and flying away greeted me. As I started to scan the flock, small sections continued to take off, most heading north, with some leaving in an easterly direction. All was "doom & gloom" until I noticed a group of 9 geese lift off and start to head north, with 8 being Canadas, while the other, a Pink-footed Goose ! This stroke of good luck bucked me up enough to give chase to all the birds I had watched leave, thinking I just might catch up with the Barnacles, and possibly even the Pink-footed ! As I headed north, this feeling intensified after finding an immature Peregrine Falcon perched in the tallest tree at the intersection of Roanoke & Reeves Aves (opposite the Riverhead/Tuccio Buffalo Farm) causing me to become more confident re: finding the aforementioned geese. Although I covered the fields bordering parts of Sound Ave, Doctor's Path, Route 105 and Northville Tpke, I never did connect with any of them. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Running up to Roanoke in pursuit of the trio of Barnacles !
Responding to Derek's early afternoon posting, as I approached Ground Zero no more than a hour afterward, the sickening sight of geese lifting off and flying away greeted me. As I started to scan the flock, small sections continued to take off, most heading north, with some leaving in an easterly direction. All was "doom & gloom" until I noticed a group of 9 geese lift off and start to head north, with 8 being Canadas, while the other, a Pink-footed Goose ! This stroke of good luck bucked me up enough to give chase to all the birds I had watched leave, thinking I just might catch up with the Barnacles, and possibly even the Pink-footed ! As I headed north, this feeling intensified after finding an immature Peregrine Falcon perched in the tallest tree at the intersection of Roanoke & Reeves Aves (opposite the Riverhead/Tuccio Buffalo Farm) causing me to become more confident re: finding the aforementioned geese. Although I covered the fields bordering parts of Sound Ave, Doctor's Path, Route 105 and Northville Tpke, I never did connect with any of them. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Looking for 2 species of Owls but finding just 1, plus a bathing, immature Peregrine Falcon
On Tuesday, a late start leaving Riverhead put me on Dune Rd., at the Post La. Bridge, by ~ 1500 hours. I haven't seen a Snowy Owl yet this season, and unfortunately, didn't change that status by day's end ! Traveling east as far as Shinnicock Inlet, I experienced few birds, with the peregrine encounter providing a most entertaining and unique hygienic behavior. Upon entering the ocean-side parking lot of Southampton Town's Tiana Beach, I found the bird standing at rest in a small amount of run-off water. After awhile, it started to walk, then switched to a funny looking "half-run", toward a more expansive section of the pooled water. As soon as it stopped running, the bathing began, which lasted for about 10 minutes. During that time, every part of it's body was first splashed and then shook dry...or so I thought ! The bird then lifted and flew a short distance, landing (northward) on the largest wire running between utility poles on Dune Rd. The falcon then changed it's direction (westward), lifted it's wings while holding them straight out, and proceeded to having it's "bod" blown dry ! I've never seen this behavior before, and would appreciate hearing if anyone out there has ! Before heading for the Calverton Grasslands, I did manage to see a N.Harrier, and ~ 25 C.Eiders way out in the bay. Arriving late (1715 - almost dark) at the grasslands, I had the good fortune to see a single Short-eared Owl, as it flew up and was back-lit by the skyline. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Looking for 2 species of Owls but finding just 1, plus a bathing, immature Peregrine Falcon
On Tuesday, a late start leaving Riverhead put me on Dune Rd., at the Post La. Bridge, by ~ 1500 hours. I haven't seen a Snowy Owl yet this season, and unfortunately, didn't change that status by day's end ! Traveling east as far as Shinnicock Inlet, I experienced few birds, with the peregrine encounter providing a most entertaining and unique hygienic behavior. Upon entering the ocean-side parking lot of Southampton Town's Tiana Beach, I found the bird standing at rest in a small amount of run-off water. After awhile, it started to walk, then switched to a funny looking "half-run", toward a more expansive section of the pooled water. As soon as it stopped running, the bathing began, which lasted for about 10 minutes. During that time, every part of it's body was first splashed and then shook dry...or so I thought ! The bird then lifted and flew a short distance, landing (northward) on the largest wire running between utility poles on Dune Rd. The falcon then changed it's direction (westward), lifted it's wings while holding them straight out, and proceeded to having it's "bod" blown dry ! I've never seen this behavior before, and would appreciate hearing if anyone out there has ! Before heading for the Calverton Grasslands, I did manage to see a N.Harrier, and ~ 25 C.Eiders way out in the bay. Arriving late (1715 - almost dark) at the grasslands, I had the good fortune to see a single Short-eared Owl, as it flew up and was back-lit by the skyline. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] No on gull - yes on "stand-in" !
Yesterday afternoon I tried for the Iceland Gull seen in the near past at Iron Pier Beach, Jamesport. While unsuccessful in this endeavor, I was thrilled to find at least (21) American Pipits feeding along the "wrack line" ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] No on gull - yes on "stand-in" !
Yesterday afternoon I tried for the Iceland Gull seen in the near past at Iron Pier Beach, Jamesport. While unsuccessful in this endeavor, I was thrilled to find at least (21) American Pipits feeding along the "wrack line" ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Good experiences while driving to, at, and returning home from a dental appointment in Jamesport.
While en-route to the above on Tuesday morning to have a tooth pulled, an old friend (Lonesome George the T.V.) was patrolling the Main Rd. in Aquebogue as I headed east, and then again, as I headed back west to my home in Riverhead. Also, happy to report an easy extraction ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Good experiences while driving to, at, and returning home from a dental appointment in Jamesport.
While en-route to the above on Tuesday morning to have a tooth pulled, an old friend (Lonesome George the T.V.) was patrolling the Main Rd. in Aquebogue as I headed east, and then again, as I headed back west to my home in Riverhead. Also, happy to report an easy extraction ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Dune Rd., from Post La. Bridge to Shinnicock Inlet
Spent a couple of hours (late morning into early afternoon) driving the above during high tide, and not finding much. I counted 11 Great Egrets, with 3 of that total, plus a Snowy Egret, being on Lane Island. The only shorebirds seen were singles of Willet & Western Sandpiper. From start to finish there were swallows heading west while feeding, many fairly low. Two of the swarms were quite large, each probably holding more than 100 birds. I think the overall swallow total for the day was ~ 750 to 800, the majority, of which, were Trees. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Dune Rd., from Post La. Bridge to Shinnicock Inlet
Spent a couple of hours (late morning into early afternoon) driving the above during high tide, and not finding much. I counted 11 Great Egrets, with 3 of that total, plus a Snowy Egret, being on Lane Island. The only shorebirds seen were singles of Willet & Western Sandpiper. From start to finish there were swallows heading west while feeding, many fairly low. Two of the swarms were quite large, each probably holding more than 100 birds. I think the overall swallow total for the day was ~ 750 to 800, the majority, of which, were Trees. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Shorebirds - no _ Raptors - yes
This afternoon I opted for checking the sod farms again, starting at Doctors Path, Riverhead, and ending with the fields on Main Rd. (Rt.25) Peconic. All told, I looked over 11 of them, without seeing 1 shorebird...yes, that is correct, not even a single Killdeer ! On Oregon Rd., Cutchogue, I found Mathews Cashman and his wife out for a little birding, with dinner to follow. Checking the fields on Bridge La., Cutchogue (where the 1st of the season (for the North Fork) A.Golden Plover was found by John Wittenberg ~ a week ago, we found 3 Red-tailed Hawks, a Merlin and a Peregrine Falcon. Before meeting the Cashman's, I had one Turkey Vulture (Lonesome George ?) farther w/on Oregon Rd. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Shorebirds - no _ Raptors - yes
This afternoon I opted for checking the sod farms again, starting at Doctors Path, Riverhead, and ending with the fields on Main Rd. (Rt.25) Peconic. All told, I looked over 11 of them, without seeing 1 shorebird...yes, that is correct, not even a single Killdeer ! On Oregon Rd., Cutchogue, I found Mathews Cashman and his wife out for a little birding, with dinner to follow. Checking the fields on Bridge La., Cutchogue (where the 1st of the season (for the North Fork) A.Golden Plover was found by John Wittenberg ~ a week ago, we found 3 Red-tailed Hawks, a Merlin and a Peregrine Falcon. Before meeting the Cashman's, I had one Turkey Vulture (Lonesome George ?) farther w/on Oregon Rd. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A.Golden Plover/ Mattituck
Thanks to Keith Cashman, I hightailed it out to the sod fields on Mill La., just n/o Sound Ave and saw the single A.Golden Plover he found earlier today. The bird, still in mostly alternate plumage, was in the e/s field, along with 14 Killdeers, with 2 more Killdeers in the w/s field. While passing the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport on the way out, I observed a lone Turkey Vulture (Lonesome George ?) circling overhead. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A.Golden Plover/ Mattituck
Thanks to Keith Cashman, I hightailed it out to the sod fields on Mill La., just n/o Sound Ave and saw the single A.Golden Plover he found earlier today. The bird, still in mostly alternate plumage, was in the e/s field, along with 14 Killdeers, with 2 more Killdeers in the w/s field. While passing the North Fork Preserve, Jamesport on the way out, I observed a lone Turkey Vulture (Lonesome George ?) circling overhead. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Avocet - no _ Baird's - yes !
Arriving at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during high tide in the bay, Richard Haimes and I started at the n/end of the East Pond and walked the w/side to where the flats/mud stopped, allowing us to be able to scope most of the birds near The Ruarnt. There weren't many birds in attendance, with (3) Stilt Sandpipers being the highlight of the (8) species of shorebirds recorded. In addition to the Avocet, we also dipped on the Western Sandpiper and Gull.billed Terns. We also checked out the s/end of the E/Pond, finding only a handful of peeps and a few egrets. After experiencing a most wonderful surprise (not one "stop & go" on the Belt Parkway during 'rush hour', with speeds not going below 50 mph) we decided to try for the Baird's Sandpiper at Jones Beach SP. Walking east from West End Field 2 in search of the "backward J, west-most pond" (neither of us had ever walked from this p/lot eastward) we did find it (thanks Ken) to be dry and bird-less...or so we thought ! After a few minutes, a peep that had been out of our sight beyond high "frags", just upped and flew off to the south. About (5) minutes later a peep (same bird ?) flew in, stayed for ~ (2) minutes, and took off to the east. We were able to get a scope on this bird for an excellent view, as well as Richard hearing the bird vocalize when it took off - and again hearing the call while using a program on his smart phone. The Baird's was a first for Richard...Yess ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Avocet - no _ Baird's - yes !
Arriving at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during high tide in the bay, Richard Haimes and I started at the n/end of the East Pond and walked the w/side to where the flats/mud stopped, allowing us to be able to scope most of the birds near The Ruarnt. There weren't many birds in attendance, with (3) Stilt Sandpipers being the highlight of the (8) species of shorebirds recorded. In addition to the Avocet, we also dipped on the Western Sandpiper and Gull.billed Terns. We also checked out the s/end of the E/Pond, finding only a handful of peeps and a few egrets. After experiencing a most wonderful surprise (not one stop go on the Belt Parkway during 'rush hour', with speeds not going below 50 mph) we decided to try for the Baird's Sandpiper at Jones Beach SP. Walking east from West End Field 2 in search of the backward J, west-most pond (neither of us had ever walked from this p/lot eastward) we did find it (thanks Ken) to be dry and bird-less...or so we thought ! After a few minutes, a peep that had been out of our sight beyond high frags, just upped and flew off to the south. About (5) minutes later a peep (same bird ?) flew in, stayed for ~ (2) minutes, and took off to the east. We were able to get a scope on this bird for an excellent view, as well as Richard hearing the bird vocalize when it took off - and again hearing the call while using a program on his smart phone. The Baird's was a first for Richard...Yess ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Turkey Vultures
This afternoon, while on a non-birding trip to Rocky Point, I came across 5 T.V's. on & over the sod field located in Wading River, at the intersection of Route 25 A & Hulse Landing Rd. Four of them were on the ground, clustered around a carcass (with only one actively feeding) while the fifth bird remained airborne. All of the birds seemed to be 1st year birds, their head color in various stages between gray/brown & red. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Turkey Vultures
This afternoon, while on a non-birding trip to Rocky Point, I came across 5 T.V's. on over the sod field located in Wading River, at the intersection of Route 25 A Hulse Landing Rd. Four of them were on the ground, clustered around a carcass (with only one actively feeding) while the fifth bird remained airborne. All of the birds seemed to be 1st year birds, their head color in various stages between gray/brown red. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] From the blue of water, to the blue of sky.
At ~ 2:30 this afternoon, while floating in our Condo's pool, I observed a group of 7 Turkey Vultures slowly passing overhead. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] From the blue of water, to the blue of sky.
At ~ 2:30 this afternoon, while floating in our Condo's pool, I observed a group of 7 Turkey Vultures slowly passing overhead. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barbequing & Birds
Yesterday, at ~ 6 PM, I was taking chicken off the grill, when I heard what sounded more like a Raven's call than that of an A. Crow. Looking around I saw neither species, but did see a Peregrine Falcon flying directly overhead ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barbequing Birds
Yesterday, at ~ 6 PM, I was taking chicken off the grill, when I heard what sounded more like a Raven's call than that of an A. Crow. Looking around I saw neither species, but did see a Peregrine Falcon flying directly overhead ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] My "no" helped bring about someone else's "yes" at the Calverton Grasslands !
Since 7/18, I have tried at least 4 X to get a photo of a perched E. Meadowlark, drenched in sunlight, and of course, with his head back, singing ! Arriving ~ 0830, and spending a little more than 3 hours Friday AM looking, I'm still without that photograph ! Although I saw ~ 8 Meadowlarks spread out over those 3+ hours, all of them refused to perch ! If I had been successful earlier, I would have left for home then, and not have been in place to meet Eric Schneider (from Baldwin), who had headed east today, with hope of finding the RMSP Lark Sparrow, as well as his 1st NYS Grasshopper Sparrow. He missed the RMSP bird, but kept on trucking to Calverton. When I heard the reason for his travel, I was able to take him to the spot, where I had just seen a Grasshopper sparrow, perched on a Mullein stalk, and carrying food. It was not long after arriving at this location, that a Grasshopper Sparrow (also carrying) flew in, affording Eric good views, especially through my scope ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] My no helped bring about someone else's yes at the Calverton Grasslands !
Since 7/18, I have tried at least 4 X to get a photo of a perched E. Meadowlark, drenched in sunlight, and of course, with his head back, singing ! Arriving ~ 0830, and spending a little more than 3 hours Friday AM looking, I'm still without that photograph ! Although I saw ~ 8 Meadowlarks spread out over those 3+ hours, all of them refused to perch ! If I had been successful earlier, I would have left for home then, and not have been in place to meet Eric Schneider (from Baldwin), who had headed east today, with hope of finding the RMSP Lark Sparrow, as well as his 1st NYS Grasshopper Sparrow. He missed the RMSP bird, but kept on trucking to Calverton. When I heard the reason for his travel, I was able to take him to the spot, where I had just seen a Grasshopper sparrow, perched on a Mullein stalk, and carrying food. It was not long after arriving at this location, that a Grasshopper Sparrow (also carrying) flew in, affording Eric good views, especially through my scope ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] At times, things are not what they seem to be...at least to some of us !
I want to thank both Paul Sweet and Shai Mitra for the quick course in Bird Anatomy, in response to my post of 7/18, when I incorrectly referred to the birds knee, rather than it's ankle...a mistake, I don't think I'll make again ! I also have the feeling, that by getting the correct terminology out there, Paul & Shai will be helping other birders than just myself, who use the list-serve. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Calverton Grasslands, aka EPCAL, still L.I's. "Grasshopper Sparrow Central" !
After the-5 PM Mass on Saturday, I visited the above and saw the following: 1) At the S/W/end along the fence line, at the intersection of Line Rd. there were (4) Cedar Waxwings, a few Chipping Sparrows, and a single Grasshopper Sparrow. This is the 1st of this specie I can remember finding in this area of the old Grumman property. This however, should not be that surprising, due to it's being fairly close to where most of the G.S's. are usually found, toward the E/end of the short runway, and beyond. 2) At the E/end of the short runway, where it meets the the main road, which runs N & S through the property, there were ~ (6) G. S's, and (3) E. Meadowlarks. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Calverton Grasslands, aka EPCAL, still L.I's. Grasshopper Sparrow Central !
After the-5 PM Mass on Saturday, I visited the above and saw the following: 1) At the S/W/end along the fence line, at the intersection of Line Rd. there were (4) Cedar Waxwings, a few Chipping Sparrows, and a single Grasshopper Sparrow. This is the 1st of this specie I can remember finding in this area of the old Grumman property. This however, should not be that surprising, due to it's being fairly close to where most of the G.S's. are usually found, toward the E/end of the short runway, and beyond. 2) At the E/end of the short runway, where it meets the the main road, which runs N S through the property, there were ~ (6) G. S's, and (3) E. Meadowlarks. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A hummer of a breakfast + my "2 cents" !
Over breakfast, my doctor (Michael Dempsey) called with good news, and I in turn, was able to share my good news re: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, who was having her breakfast around the patio, while we were talking ! And now for my "2 cents" concerning the ID question posed by the Arie Gilbert/Phil Urubaru posting on 7/16. After reading Angus Wilson's response to them, in particular re: the longer legs of the Curlew Sandpiper, I would like to advance the idea that in some cases of limited viewing, just the length of the tibia is a fairly good mark in helping to separate the Curlew from the Dunlin. Admittedly, I can't find this referenced in the text of any of the many general bird guides, or the 2 excellent shorebird guides I own (the size is probably too variable), but a number of them show it in their illustrations. Thus, I know it stands to reason, one shouldn't rely on this, but if, and when, the next opportunity arises to consider it..."check it out" ! Although I certainly could not tell by looking at the Gilbert/Urubaru photos which of the two species the bird was, I can attest to identifying both species in the past, using the tibia, along with some of both species other field marks, ie, on 10/3/78 at the East Pond, J.B.W.R.(my first C.S. sighting). "Winter plumage - saw white rump both while standing & in flight - noticed slight curve throughout length of bill - also noticed longer legs than Dunlin, with more showing above knee"...didn't know it was called tibia back then ! I have also been able to make this direct comparison on at least one other occasion. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A hummer of a breakfast + my 2 cents !
Over breakfast, my doctor (Michael Dempsey) called with good news, and I in turn, was able to share my good news re: the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, who was having her breakfast around the patio, while we were talking ! And now for my 2 cents concerning the ID question posed by the Arie Gilbert/Phil Urubaru posting on 7/16. After reading Angus Wilson's response to them, in particular re: the longer legs of the Curlew Sandpiper, I would like to advance the idea that in some cases of limited viewing, just the length of the tibia is a fairly good mark in helping to separate the Curlew from the Dunlin. Admittedly, I can't find this referenced in the text of any of the many general bird guides, or the 2 excellent shorebird guides I own (the size is probably too variable), but a number of them show it in their illustrations. Thus, I know it stands to reason, one shouldn't rely on this, but if, and when, the next opportunity arises to consider it...check it out ! Although I certainly could not tell by looking at the Gilbert/Urubaru photos which of the two species the bird was, I can attest to identifying both species in the past, using the tibia, along with some of both species other field marks, ie, on 10/3/78 at the East Pond, J.B.W.R.(my first C.S. sighting). Winter plumage - saw white rump both while standing in flight - noticed slight curve throughout length of bill - also noticed longer legs than Dunlin, with more showing above knee...didn't know it was called tibia back then ! I have also been able to make this direct comparison on at least one other occasion. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Correction to my post of 7/14/15 (at least I have this date correct)
The reason I couldn't find the complete date in 2009, was because it happened in 2008 ! Thanks to the many birders who responded to my queries, I now know it must have been between 5/18/08 and 5/24/08. Bruised, but not broken, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Correction to my post of 7/14/15 (at least I have this date correct)
The reason I couldn't find the complete date in 2009, was because it happened in 2008 ! Thanks to the many birders who responded to my queries, I now know it must have been between 5/18/08 and 5/24/08. Bruised, but not broken, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Lusting for lobes !
On the 4th day, after this gorgeous female Red Phalarope was discovered by Bob Anderson this past Friday, I finally had time to try for the bird. A doctor's appointment chewed up half my morning, but once on the road, the only thoughts in my mind were meeting up with the phalarope, and not meeting up with the probable rain, which was moving up hurriedly through N.J. Parking at the Nature Museum lot (thanks Sy) I met the bird feeding in the pond directly s/o the blind...this was ~ 1230. She was working the mud mostly in the east half of the flat, close to the drift-wood. Other birds feeding were: (1) Semipalmated Plover; (1) Piping Plover; (3) Killdeers and (5) Least Sandpipers. Then unfortunately, the rain met me, and at 1250, when I looked up after putting my camera away, the bird had vanished. This female is certainly the handsomest of the 5 Red Phalaropes I have seen previously. The others were: (1) FNYSBC Spring Pelagic trip out of Montauk to the Continental Shelf on 5/20/78; (3) While crewing on Finback 2, Whale Watching out of Montauk on 8/24/87: (1) Shinnicock Inlet on ?/?/09* Cheers, Bob *Don't know why I haven't got complete date. -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Lusting for lobes !
On the 4th day, after this gorgeous female Red Phalarope was discovered by Bob Anderson this past Friday, I finally had time to try for the bird. A doctor's appointment chewed up half my morning, but once on the road, the only thoughts in my mind were meeting up with the phalarope, and not meeting up with the probable rain, which was moving up hurriedly through N.J. Parking at the Nature Museum lot (thanks Sy) I met the bird feeding in the pond directly s/o the blind...this was ~ 1230. She was working the mud mostly in the east half of the flat, close to the drift-wood. Other birds feeding were: (1) Semipalmated Plover; (1) Piping Plover; (3) Killdeers and (5) Least Sandpipers. Then unfortunately, the rain met me, and at 1250, when I looked up after putting my camera away, the bird had vanished. This female is certainly the handsomest of the 5 Red Phalaropes I have seen previously. The others were: (1) FNYSBC Spring Pelagic trip out of Montauk to the Continental Shelf on 5/20/78; (3) While crewing on Finback 2, Whale Watching out of Montauk on 8/24/87: (1) Shinnicock Inlet on ?/?/09* Cheers, Bob *Don't know why I haven't got complete date. -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A no, a yes, and a few, neat "happenings" !
I went to sleep last night dreaming of Sabine's Gull. I left the house this morning with the hope of seeing a Sabine's Gull on a day the temperature would be in the 80's, and without having to travel to the Niagara Frontier to see it ! During the ~ 4 hours I spent at Breezy Point, I did not get my "lifer", but did get to meet a terrific guy ! Tom Ryan has lived (year-round) in B.Pt. for 64 years. Now, retired, he spends a good amount of his time surf-casting for Bluefish & Striped Bass. It was while returning home after some "casting", that he was moved to ask a "loaded down" birder where he was going, and would he like to ride most of the way. I jumped at the chance, and wound up learning a lot about B.Pt's. history. En-route home, I decided to try for the White-faced Ibis found on Captree Island yesterday, and was able to find it. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Ken Thompson was watching the bird from a different location on the entrance road, at the same time. Another instance of serendipity, was the arrival of a mother and son (both wearing binoculars) and looking for the W-f Ibis (shades of the "Birding McBriens") ! Well, Karen & Thomas Kernan did get their bird, and the NYSYBC might get another family ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A no, a yes, and a few, neat happenings !
I went to sleep last night dreaming of Sabine's Gull. I left the house this morning with the hope of seeing a Sabine's Gull on a day the temperature would be in the 80's, and without having to travel to the Niagara Frontier to see it ! During the ~ 4 hours I spent at Breezy Point, I did not get my lifer, but did get to meet a terrific guy ! Tom Ryan has lived (year-round) in B.Pt. for 64 years. Now, retired, he spends a good amount of his time surf-casting for Bluefish Striped Bass. It was while returning home after some casting, that he was moved to ask a loaded down birder where he was going, and would he like to ride most of the way. I jumped at the chance, and wound up learning a lot about B.Pt's. history. En-route home, I decided to try for the White-faced Ibis found on Captree Island yesterday, and was able to find it. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Ken Thompson was watching the bird from a different location on the entrance road, at the same time. Another instance of serendipity, was the arrival of a mother and son (both wearing binoculars) and looking for the W-f Ibis (shades of the Birding McBriens) ! Well, Karen Thomas Kernan did get their bird, and the NYSYBC might get another family ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Jilt by Stilt, x 2
Last Saturday I tried for the Black-necked Stilt (for all of about 15 minutes) at the Smith's Point Marina, on my way west to watch grandson # 3 play in a CYO basketball game...his team succeeded, mine didn't ! Today I tried again for the bird, with the same results, except I had a few more species to show for this lengthier visit ! By walking up the west wall of the impoundment, you can see most of the marsh (w/o the entrance road) where Mike Scheibel first found it. While not finding the Stilt, I did manage to find 1, of the 2, Little Blue Herons reported by Angus Wilson. The impoundment itself, while not covered in water, has several areas of standing water which yielded: a pair of Gadwalls, 2 pairs of Mallards, a Willet, and 14 Least Sandpipers, that landed and started to feed. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Jilt by Stilt, x 2
Last Saturday I tried for the Black-necked Stilt (for all of about 15 minutes) at the Smith's Point Marina, on my way west to watch grandson # 3 play in a CYO basketball game...his team succeeded, mine didn't ! Today I tried again for the bird, with the same results, except I had a few more species to show for this lengthier visit ! By walking up the west wall of the impoundment, you can see most of the marsh (w/o the entrance road) where Mike Scheibel first found it. While not finding the Stilt, I did manage to find 1, of the 2, Little Blue Herons reported by Angus Wilson. The impoundment itself, while not covered in water, has several areas of standing water which yielded: a pair of Gadwalls, 2 pairs of Mallards, a Willet, and 14 Least Sandpipers, that landed and started to feed. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] "Basking" in Birds, Mammals, Fish...and Sunshine !
This past Sunday & Monday, ~ 40 intrepid birders sailed to "glory", out of
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, aboard the Brooklyn VI, a vessel that proved to
be quite seaworthy ! This trip came to fruition, under the banner of See
Life Paulagics, led by Paul Guris, Doug Gochfeld and Sean Sime.
We left the dock at ~ 8:30 P.M., after a real downpour, which started about
6:30 and continued to be with us as we headed toward The Hudson Canyon, a
distance of ~ 100 nautical miles (110 land miles).The storm made the ride
out (at least up to mid-night) rough, but, which made only one person
seasick. At about 5 A.M., while I was sleeping , I heard someone yell
"Leach's Storm Petrel", and since this was one of my target birds, jumped
up and being fully clothed, raced outside, only to find the bird had moved
on. My reaction to this was one of despair...I had just missed the only
L/S/P we would come in contact with today - all gloom & doom, to the 10th
power ! Well, was I wrong with this specie, and although I don't have the
exact figure for the day, we must have seen at least 8...a very good # for
this storm petrel ! In contrast to the only other storm petrel we saw on
the trip, the Wilson's (common on pelagic trips, and sometimes viewed from
shore) which, again not knowing the official count, was probably in the
hundreds.
>From that point on, most on board continued to bird, and reluctantly
stopped for a quick breakfast, 2, or 3 hours later, while some of us did
both simultaneously, ie, I had a peanut butter & jelly hero, in addition to
a tasty, albeit, ground-up oatmeal-rasin mix, that had started out as
cookies, but was in a bag that I had used as a pillow during the night.
An almost "perfect storm" ensued. The rain stopped, the sun was out &
strong, the chum slick ("heavy on the oil") was constant, the birds
responded and the birders reaped the benefits...and the joy of beating the
elements, while following a strategy designed to get to warm water ! In
fact, adhering to this principle, we even traveled out another 20 nautical
miles to keep the action going !
The species seen, some spectacularly, were:Cory's Shearwater; Greater
S'water; Manx S'water; Audubon's S'water; Sooty S'water; Wilson's
Storm-Petrel; Leach's S-P*, Long-tailed Yaeger*; Pomarine Y'ger; South
Polar Skua; Arctic Tern, and finally, a single, determined, but seemingly
obtuse, Barn Swallow. I say this due to the swallow's not landing on the
boat, after he so valiantly over-took the boat, while battling a fierce
head wind ~ 100 ft. to the rear of the boat. How it got to this spot is
unknowable, but he was in trouble and the most viable way out was to become
a "stowaway " !
I believe high numbers were recorded for Manx & Audubon's S'waters, Leach's
S-P, and South Polar Skua, with the latter specie, in my mind, putting on
the most
exciting show of the avian species assembled ! Seen singularly, in pairs,
and in groups of 3's and 4's separately, flying near, and then in, the chum
slick, as well as circling the boat, at close distances. This proximity
made for glorious views of their plumage's, huge bodies and powerful bills.
Other exciting wildlife seen included Risso's Dolphins, Giant Sun Fish,
Portuguese Man of War (Jelly Fish), and, for me, the most notable
experience of the trip (including the 2 life birds I saw, was the
*breaching* Basking Shark, which was just sensational ! While it can grow
to 20-26 ft., it is not the largest fish in the world, as I erroneously
told some nearby folks ! That distinction falls to the Whale Shark, with
the largest specimen measuring 41.5 ft.
The return leg of the trip was fairly birdy, at least until we entered the
rainy zone, causing most of the birders to seek shelter in the
cabin...however, there were a few diehards who...
Cheers,
Bob
--
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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/
--
[nysbirds-l] Basking in Birds, Mammals, Fish...and Sunshine !
This past Sunday Monday, ~ 40 intrepid birders sailed to glory, out of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, aboard the Brooklyn VI, a vessel that proved to be quite seaworthy ! This trip came to fruition, under the banner of See Life Paulagics, led by Paul Guris, Doug Gochfeld and Sean Sime. We left the dock at ~ 8:30 P.M., after a real downpour, which started about 6:30 and continued to be with us as we headed toward The Hudson Canyon, a distance of ~ 100 nautical miles (110 land miles).The storm made the ride out (at least up to mid-night) rough, but, which made only one person seasick. At about 5 A.M., while I was sleeping , I heard someone yell Leach's Storm Petrel, and since this was one of my target birds, jumped up and being fully clothed, raced outside, only to find the bird had moved on. My reaction to this was one of despair...I had just missed the only L/S/P we would come in contact with today - all gloom doom, to the 10th power ! Well, was I wrong with this specie, and although I don't have the exact figure for the day, we must have seen at least 8...a very good # for this storm petrel ! In contrast to the only other storm petrel we saw on the trip, the Wilson's (common on pelagic trips, and sometimes viewed from shore) which, again not knowing the official count, was probably in the hundreds. From that point on, most on board continued to bird, and reluctantly stopped for a quick breakfast, 2, or 3 hours later, while some of us did both simultaneously, ie, I had a peanut butter jelly hero, in addition to a tasty, albeit, ground-up oatmeal-rasin mix, that had started out as cookies, but was in a bag that I had used as a pillow during the night. An almost perfect storm ensued. The rain stopped, the sun was out strong, the chum slick (heavy on the oil) was constant, the birds responded and the birders reaped the benefits...and the joy of beating the elements, while following a strategy designed to get to warm water ! In fact, adhering to this principle, we even traveled out another 20 nautical miles to keep the action going ! The species seen, some spectacularly, were:Cory's Shearwater; Greater S'water; Manx S'water; Audubon's S'water; Sooty S'water; Wilson's Storm-Petrel; Leach's S-P*, Long-tailed Yaeger*; Pomarine Y'ger; South Polar Skua; Arctic Tern, and finally, a single, determined, but seemingly obtuse, Barn Swallow. I say this due to the swallow's not landing on the boat, after he so valiantly over-took the boat, while battling a fierce head wind ~ 100 ft. to the rear of the boat. How it got to this spot is unknowable, but he was in trouble and the most viable way out was to become a stowaway ! I believe high numbers were recorded for Manx Audubon's S'waters, Leach's S-P, and South Polar Skua, with the latter specie, in my mind, putting on the most exciting show of the avian species assembled ! Seen singularly, in pairs, and in groups of 3's and 4's separately, flying near, and then in, the chum slick, as well as circling the boat, at close distances. This proximity made for glorious views of their plumage's, huge bodies and powerful bills. Other exciting wildlife seen included Risso's Dolphins, Giant Sun Fish, Portuguese Man of War (Jelly Fish), and, for me, the most notable experience of the trip (including the 2 life birds I saw, was the *breaching* Basking Shark, which was just sensational ! While it can grow to 20-26 ft., it is not the largest fish in the world, as I erroneously told some nearby folks ! That distinction falls to the Whale Shark, with the largest specimen measuring 41.5 ft. The return leg of the trip was fairly birdy, at least until we entered the rainy zone, causing most of the birders to seek shelter in the cabin...however, there were a few diehards who... Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding with an old birding buddy, up from Virginia for a family wedding...the best !
Dave Larsen was a "post-doc" working in the Chemistry Department at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Camp Upton, Suffolk Co., when I first met him. He was a serious birder, and therefore, I was not surprised, when he chose to try for the Little Egret, to open up our day... knowing full well that the bird had not been seen since May 21. Well, unfortunately, Dave's intrepid-ness was not to be rewarded at Gardiners County Park, Bay Shore yesterday. In fact, during the ~ 1 & 1/2 hours spent there, we did not see one white egret, of any species ! We did however, get to see & hear species Dave doesn't get regularly in his part of Virginia. Dave is not quite my age, but he still has the hearing found among the members of our state's Young Birders Club ! Birds heard, before seeing, were Willow Flycatcher (MPF}, Redstart, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow- billed Cuckoo, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrows, Marsh Wren (MPF), and my contribution, the sighting of a C.Snipe (MPF). The flycatcher and wren sightings were spectacular, with both birds coming in (not more than 15' from us), hanging off phragmites, and singing their hearts out ! Dune Rd., from Quogue to Hampton Bays, was next on Dave's wish-list, but not before stopping at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore for a delicious "burger & brew" lunch, plus picking up Laughing Gull while getting out of the car ! Once on Dune Rd. it didn't take long to find out where a good amount of the white egrets were...unfortunately, the middle-sized, of the 3 white egrets was not in evidence ! Among Dave's target species, those found were: A. Oystercatcher; Greater Yellowlegs; Willet; Ruddy Turnstone; Sanderling; Semi-palmated Sanpiper; Short-billed Dowitcher; Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls; Common Tern (MPF); Common and Boat-tailed Grackles. As we drove over the Ponquogue Bridge on the way home, we knew we had just shared 9 hours of so much more than looking for birds, we had re-kindled a long standing friendship we both treasure. One, we hope to further on a birding bonanza to Costa Rica in February '16 ! Cheers, Bob , -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Birding with an old birding buddy, up from Virginia for a family wedding...the best !
Dave Larsen was a post-doc working in the Chemistry Department at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Camp Upton, Suffolk Co., when I first met him. He was a serious birder, and therefore, I was not surprised, when he chose to try for the Little Egret, to open up our day... knowing full well that the bird had not been seen since May 21. Well, unfortunately, Dave's intrepid-ness was not to be rewarded at Gardiners County Park, Bay Shore yesterday. In fact, during the ~ 1 1/2 hours spent there, we did not see one white egret, of any species ! We did however, get to see hear species Dave doesn't get regularly in his part of Virginia. Dave is not quite my age, but he still has the hearing found among the members of our state's Young Birders Club ! Birds heard, before seeing, were Willow Flycatcher (MPF}, Redstart, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow- billed Cuckoo, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed and Seaside Sparrows, Marsh Wren (MPF), and my contribution, the sighting of a C.Snipe (MPF). The flycatcher and wren sightings were spectacular, with both birds coming in (not more than 15' from us), hanging off phragmites, and singing their hearts out ! Dune Rd., from Quogue to Hampton Bays, was next on Dave's wish-list, but not before stopping at Captain Bill's in Bay Shore for a delicious burger brew lunch, plus picking up Laughing Gull while getting out of the car ! Once on Dune Rd. it didn't take long to find out where a good amount of the white egrets were...unfortunately, the middle-sized, of the 3 white egrets was not in evidence ! Among Dave's target species, those found were: A. Oystercatcher; Greater Yellowlegs; Willet; Ruddy Turnstone; Sanderling; Semi-palmated Sanpiper; Short-billed Dowitcher; Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls; Common Tern (MPF); Common and Boat-tailed Grackles. As we drove over the Ponquogue Bridge on the way home, we knew we had just shared 9 hours of so much more than looking for birds, we had re-kindled a long standing friendship we both treasure. One, we hope to further on a birding bonanza to Costa Rica in February '16 ! Cheers, Bob , -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler Re-do
As planned on last night, when we only heard the bird, I returned to the Avalon Woods East Farms Preserve this morning to try to see the bird, which I did on 4 separate occasions, twice while the bird was singing ! It was fun to see him throw his head back, mandibles opening, and hear the bird's song, simultaneously ! I arrived at the Preserve at ~ 0710, and was on station by 0720, hearing the Kentucky before arriving at "ground zero". His songs this AM were much louder than last night, and from 0720 to 0805, continued to sing every 10 to 15 seconds. After that, the intervals between songs lengthened. I also did a little experiment re: it's singing, by taking my hearing aids out, and found the lower volume to still be a bit higher, than the loudest calls of last night! Could this mean the Kentucky has more energy at the start of the day, singing, if you will, with more "gusto" ? Sue Krause and Luci Betti-Nash (President and Vice President respectively) of the host, Four Harbors Audubon Chapter, also saw and heard this neat bird ! Also seen while at the Avalon "Complex" were a Chimney Swift, my FOY Purple Martin, as well as, hearing at least 1, but possibly 3, Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Arriving home in Riverhead, I noticed 3 Turkey Vultures flying over our Condo property. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Kentucky Warbler Re-do
As planned on last night, when we only heard the bird, I returned to the Avalon Woods East Farms Preserve this morning to try to see the bird, which I did on 4 separate occasions, twice while the bird was singing ! It was fun to see him throw his head back, mandibles opening, and hear the bird's song, simultaneously ! I arrived at the Preserve at ~ 0710, and was on station by 0720, hearing the Kentucky before arriving at ground zero. His songs this AM were much louder than last night, and from 0720 to 0805, continued to sing every 10 to 15 seconds. After that, the intervals between songs lengthened. I also did a little experiment re: it's singing, by taking my hearing aids out, and found the lower volume to still be a bit higher, than the loudest calls of last night! Could this mean the Kentucky has more energy at the start of the day, singing, if you will, with more gusto ? Sue Krause and Luci Betti-Nash (President and Vice President respectively) of the host, Four Harbors Audubon Chapter, also saw and heard this neat bird ! Also seen while at the Avalon Complex were a Chimney Swift, my FOY Purple Martin, as well as, hearing at least 1, but possibly 3, Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Arriving home in Riverhead, I noticed 3 Turkey Vultures flying over our Condo property. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A memorable day...quality over quantity !
Today, after a very late start (~ 4:15 PM) I ventured to the Avalon Woods East Farms Preserve located in Head of the Harbor, Suffolk Co., in search of the Kentucky Warbler found by Mathews & Keith Cashman this morning. Armed with Keith's mention of the Yellow Trail, deep hollow & huge boulder, combined with Patrice Domeischel's* keen ears (my poor hearing became more so, due to forgetting to put my hearing aids in today) we heard, but did not see the bird. Before I arrived, Patrice had heard, what she thought was the Kentucky, many times, but because she had never seen the species, was hesitant to call it. She must have pointed out the birds vocalizations at least a dozen times to me, until it sang loud enough to register on me, ~ 3 to 4 times ! During the approx. 2 hours I spent at Avalon, I had a total of 3 warblers. The 1st was an A. Redstart, with the 2nd being a male Cerulean. I only had a "snatch" of the flying bird (just inside the 2nd parking lot on the L/S of Shep Jones La.) before it disappeared through the tree-line. The blue & white plumage was emphatic (no yellow), the size was warbler, and it certainly was not a Tree Swallow, a specie well represented at this location. Cheers, Bob *Patrice is a board member of the host, Four Harbors Audubon Chapter. -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] A memorable day...quality over quantity !
Today, after a very late start (~ 4:15 PM) I ventured to the Avalon Woods East Farms Preserve located in Head of the Harbor, Suffolk Co., in search of the Kentucky Warbler found by Mathews Keith Cashman this morning. Armed with Keith's mention of the Yellow Trail, deep hollow huge boulder, combined with Patrice Domeischel's* keen ears (my poor hearing became more so, due to forgetting to put my hearing aids in today) we heard, but did not see the bird. Before I arrived, Patrice had heard, what she thought was the Kentucky, many times, but because she had never seen the species, was hesitant to call it. She must have pointed out the birds vocalizations at least a dozen times to me, until it sang loud enough to register on me, ~ 3 to 4 times ! During the approx. 2 hours I spent at Avalon, I had a total of 3 warblers. The 1st was an A. Redstart, with the 2nd being a male Cerulean. I only had a snatch of the flying bird (just inside the 2nd parking lot on the L/S of Shep Jones La.) before it disappeared through the tree-line. The blue white plumage was emphatic (no yellow), the size was warbler, and it certainly was not a Tree Swallow, a specie well represented at this location. Cheers, Bob *Patrice is a board member of the host, Four Harbors Audubon Chapter. -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Correction of earlier post/title
Make that 19 years [?] -- 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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Little Blue Heron
Willie Becker asked me to post the above, which he saw at Captree Island, near the 1st bench, on Thursday,May 21, in the afternoon. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
