This afternoon before sunset I rushed to Point Lookout to get pics of the Harlequin Ducks recently seen there. Once I got on the beach I spotted a Horned Grebe, Sanderling and then a few Snow Buntings quickly flew by. As I walked from West to the Inlet, I saw a few Long Tailed Ducks, couple of Black Scoters, more Horned Grebes, a few loons, a decent amount of common eiders and a large seal was poking it's head out of the water. I almost gave up on the Harlequin Ducks until I got to the Inlet. Saw at least 4 females (maybe 5) and 2 drakes.
I went by the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station which only had a few Brant. A Goshawk or Harrier was swooping over the "pond" in the dunes. I tried looking for the Glaucous Gull in Field 6 but couldn't locate it - mostly Ringed Billed, a few Herring and Black Backed. I was happy to find the Harlequin Ducks - great way to end the year! Happy New Year! Rob in Massapequa http://longislandbirding.blogspot.com/ -- 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/ --
