[nysbirds-l] Fwd: [MASSBIRD] GRAY-TAILED TATTLER - Nantucket

[Jacob Drucker]

Hi All,

Another obscenely rare shorebird (even outdoing Wood Sandpiper!) has showed up 
on the New England coast. Thought it'd be worth getting the word on this bird 
out there If anybody is chasing and wants to swing by Amherst, MA let me 
know!

Good Birding,
Jacob Drucker
Amherst, MA


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Marshall Iliff 
> Date: October 19, 2012 3:13:14 PM EDT
> To: MASSBIRD 
> Subject: [MASSBIRD] GRAY-TAILED TATTLER - Nantucket 
> Reply-To: Marshall Iliff 
> 
> Found (brief 5 sec view before it flew!) by Jeremiah Trimble yesterday 
> evening, relocated today, photographed, and confirmed by voice. Apparently in 
> harbor area but has not been seen. An amazing first record for the East Coast 
> and maybe just second for the Lower 48 (one accepted CA record). 
> 
> This weekend is the Nantucket Birding Festival so there will be much effort 
> spent to refind it and we'll surely post again if it settles down. I think it 
> was seen refound around 10:30 am and then flew off at 11am, with no sightings 
> since.
> 
> Exciting! And major kudos to Jeremiah for finding it by call and recognizing 
> it in a split second view!
> 
> Best,
> 
> Marshall Iliff
> 
> Sent from my iPhone


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[nysbirds-l] Thayer's Gull Robert Moses SP, Suffolk, LI

[Shaibal Mitra]

Earlier this afternoon, I saw what I believe was a juv Thayer's Gull in parking 
Field 2, RMSP, Suffolk, LI.

I had been photographing a juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, when additional juvs 
of that species and American Herring Gull began dropping into the lot. One of 
the birds that came in was similar to the juv LBBGs in having an all-black 
bill, being in full juv plumage, and having the dark tones of the upperparts 
feathers colder in tone than those of Am. Herring, but it was bigger and paler 
than than a juv LBBG while at the same time smaller and smaller-billed than an 
Am. Herring.

The primaries appeared a little paler than those of same-aged Herrings and were 
distinctly edged with whitish, and the undersides of the primaries appeared 
largely pale. The tertials were solidly dark-centered but with more extensive 
pale patterning along the edges than in LBBG. The rump was whitish with dark 
barring. The tail appeared solidly dark but slightly less blackish than in 
Herring.

While I was trying to raise a couple of local birders on the phone, the bird 
flew over to the ocean. I was able to confirm impressions of tail, rump, and 
underwing described above, but not much more during these few seconds, as I 
dropped the phone and scrambled to raise my binoculars.

I walked the beach as far west as the golf course gazebo, again tallying six 
juv LBBGs, but I could not re-find the Thayer's. When I returned to my car, an 
adult LBBG had dropped in, but still no sign of the focal bird.

Given that this is not only a very difficult identification challenge, that 
Thayer's Gull is strikingly rare on Long Island, that 19 October is remarkably 
early for a juv at this latitude, and that the bird was not available for 
viewing, I thought it prudent to get Tom Johnson's opinion before I posted to 
the list. He thought the photos at the end of this album looked good:

https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/LongIsland2012

Shai Mitra
Bay Shore





Washington 
Monthly
 magazine ranks the College of Staten Island as one of "America's 
Best-Bang-for-the-Buck Colleges"

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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Vesper Sparrows @ Uplands Farm, Cold Spring Harbor (Suffolk)

[Derek Rogers]

To supplement Ken and Sue Fuestel's 10/18 Caumsett report, there are
currently 3 Vesper Sparrows at Uplands Farm Sanctuary (only about 4 linear
miles from Caumsett S.P.). The small group was first seen feeding along the
west side of the main driveway beside a small dirt road, near the blue
tractor. Vehicle traffic eventually forced the group to disperse but they
are still lingering around, perching on the post and rail fence, trees and
shrubs on either side of the main drive. A good bet if you're nearby and
looking to view some Vespers. This was the most interesting species seen
but there were plenty of other good birds to keep one busy.

Best,

Derek Rogers
Sayville
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39025168@N07/

--

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2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html

Please submit your observations to eBird:
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[nysbirds-l] Queens County Birding updates - Jamaica Bay East Pond (10-17), Fort Tilden (10-18)...

[Andrew Baksh]

10-17-2012 - Shorebird highlights from the East Pond at Jamaica Bay on
Wednesday afternoon included *32* *Dunlins, 2 Pectorals, 2 Least
Sandpipers, *and *3 Lesser Yellowlegs.  *Some Greater Yellowlegs remain,
but not as many as I have noted in prior days.  I should note, that my
visit and observation was not during high tide, so other birds could very
well have been out in the bay.

In addition, I looked for the American White Pelican, but did not detect
its presence.  However, I would not conclude that it has departed until a
few more visits with no sighting, since this bird sometimes shows up after
not being seen for a few days.

10-18-2012 - Yesterday, I spent some time birding Fort Tilden and Jacob
RIIS Park.  There were not many birds around but I did enjoy working
through several of the Sparrow flocks I came across.  The only highlight,
was a *Clay-colored Sparrow *observed near the baseball field at Tilden.

Miscellaneous - For those of you following or interested in the Rhode
Island, Wood Sandpiper.  I have some photos and a short video posted on my
blog (
http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2012/10/wood-sandpiper-yes-another-successful.html)
from twitching this bird last Sunday.

Good October Birding!

Andrew Baksh
Queens, NY
www.birdingdude.blogspot.com

--

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ARCHIVES:
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Please submit your observations to eBird:
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--

[nysbirds-l] Bird Killings in the Bronx

[Rob Jett]

Someone has been hunting and killing birds in the Bronx using a dart gun. See 
this article:

http://tinyurl.com/8gmsmab

If you bird in Pelham Bay Park (or anywhere around the city, for that matter), 
be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Do not attempt to intervene 
yourself, but rather, call the city's 311 line to report it.

Thanks.

Rob

http://citybirder.blogspot.com
--

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ARCHIVES:
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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] Bird Killings in the Bronx

[Rob Jett]

Someone has been hunting and killing birds in the Bronx using a dart gun. See 
this article:

http://tinyurl.com/8gmsmab

If you bird in Pelham Bay Park (or anywhere around the city, for that matter), 
be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Do not attempt to intervene 
yourself, but rather, call the city's 311 line to report it.

Thanks.

Rob

http://citybirder.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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Queens County Birding updates - Jamaica Bay East Pond (10-17), Fort Tilden (10-18)...

[Andrew Baksh]

10-17-2012 - Shorebird highlights from the East Pond at Jamaica Bay on
Wednesday afternoon included *32* *Dunlins, 2 Pectorals, 2 Least
Sandpipers, *and *3 Lesser Yellowlegs.  *Some Greater Yellowlegs remain,
but not as many as I have noted in prior days.  I should note, that my
visit and observation was not during high tide, so other birds could very
well have been out in the bay.

In addition, I looked for the American White Pelican, but did not detect
its presence.  However, I would not conclude that it has departed until a
few more visits with no sighting, since this bird sometimes shows up after
not being seen for a few days.

10-18-2012 - Yesterday, I spent some time birding Fort Tilden and Jacob
RIIS Park.  There were not many birds around but I did enjoy working
through several of the Sparrow flocks I came across.  The only highlight,
was a *Clay-colored Sparrow *observed near the baseball field at Tilden.

Miscellaneous - For those of you following or interested in the Rhode
Island, Wood Sandpiper.  I have some photos and a short video posted on my
blog (
http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2012/10/wood-sandpiper-yes-another-successful.html)
from twitching this bird last Sunday.

Good October Birding!

Andrew Baksh
Queens, NY
www.birdingdude.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/

--

[nysbirds-l] Vesper Sparrows @ Uplands Farm, Cold Spring Harbor (Suffolk)

[Derek Rogers]

To supplement Ken and Sue Fuestel's 10/18 Caumsett report, there are
currently 3 Vesper Sparrows at Uplands Farm Sanctuary (only about 4 linear
miles from Caumsett S.P.). The small group was first seen feeding along the
west side of the main driveway beside a small dirt road, near the blue
tractor. Vehicle traffic eventually forced the group to disperse but they
are still lingering around, perching on the post and rail fence, trees and
shrubs on either side of the main drive. A good bet if you're nearby and
looking to view some Vespers. This was the most interesting species seen
but there were plenty of other good birds to keep one busy.

Best,

Derek Rogers
Sayville
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39025168@N07/

--

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] Thayer's Gull Robert Moses SP, Suffolk, LI

[Shaibal Mitra]

Earlier this afternoon, I saw what I believe was a juv Thayer's Gull in parking 
Field 2, RMSP, Suffolk, LI.

I had been photographing a juv Lesser Black-backed Gull, when additional juvs 
of that species and American Herring Gull began dropping into the lot. One of 
the birds that came in was similar to the juv LBBGs in having an all-black 
bill, being in full juv plumage, and having the dark tones of the upperparts 
feathers colder in tone than those of Am. Herring, but it was bigger and paler 
than than a juv LBBG while at the same time smaller and smaller-billed than an 
Am. Herring.

The primaries appeared a little paler than those of same-aged Herrings and were 
distinctly edged with whitish, and the undersides of the primaries appeared 
largely pale. The tertials were solidly dark-centered but with more extensive 
pale patterning along the edges than in LBBG. The rump was whitish with dark 
barring. The tail appeared solidly dark but slightly less blackish than in 
Herring.

While I was trying to raise a couple of local birders on the phone, the bird 
flew over to the ocean. I was able to confirm impressions of tail, rump, and 
underwing described above, but not much more during these few seconds, as I 
dropped the phone and scrambled to raise my binoculars.

I walked the beach as far west as the golf course gazebo, again tallying six 
juv LBBGs, but I could not re-find the Thayer's. When I returned to my car, an 
adult LBBG had dropped in, but still no sign of the focal bird.

Given that this is not only a very difficult identification challenge, that 
Thayer's Gull is strikingly rare on Long Island, that 19 October is remarkably 
early for a juv at this latitude, and that the bird was not available for 
viewing, I thought it prudent to get Tom Johnson's opinion before I posted to 
the list. He thought the photos at the end of this album looked good:

https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/LongIsland2012

Shai Mitra
Bay Shore





Washington 
Monthlyhttp://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/septemberoctober_2012/features/americas_bestbangforthebuck_co039461.php
 magazine ranks the College of Staten Island as one of America's 
Best-Bang-for-the-Buck Colleges

--

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: [MASSBIRD] GRAY-TAILED TATTLER - Nantucket

[Jacob Drucker]

Hi All,

Another obscenely rare shorebird (even outdoing Wood Sandpiper!) has showed up 
on the New England coast. Thought it'd be worth getting the word on this bird 
out there If anybody is chasing and wants to swing by Amherst, MA let me 
know!

Good Birding,
Jacob Drucker
Amherst, MA


Begin forwarded message:

 From: Marshall Iliff mil...@aol.com
 Date: October 19, 2012 3:13:14 PM EDT
 To: MASSBIRD massb...@theworld.com
 Subject: [MASSBIRD] GRAY-TAILED TATTLER - Nantucket 
 Reply-To: Marshall Iliff mil...@aol.com
 
 Found (brief 5 sec view before it flew!) by Jeremiah Trimble yesterday 
 evening, relocated today, photographed, and confirmed by voice. Apparently in 
 harbor area but has not been seen. An amazing first record for the East Coast 
 and maybe just second for the Lower 48 (one accepted CA record). 
 
 This weekend is the Nantucket Birding Festival so there will be much effort 
 spent to refind it and we'll surely post again if it settles down. I think it 
 was seen refound around 10:30 am and then flew off at 11am, with no sightings 
 since.
 
 Exciting! And major kudos to Jeremiah for finding it by call and recognizing 
 it in a split second view!
 
 Best,
 
 Marshall Iliff
 
 Sent from my iPhone


--

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/

--