[nysbirds-l] NYC Area RBA: 9 November 2012
- RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Nov 9, 2012 * NYNY1211.09 - Birds Mentioned: CAVE SWALLOW+ VIRGINIA'S WARBLER+ (+ Details requested by NYSARC) Cattle Egret BLACK-HEADED GULL Barred Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl WESTERN KINGBIRD Orange-crowned Warbler Vesper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Nelson's Sparrow Lapland Longspur BLUE GROSBEAK WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL Common Redpoll Pine Siskin EVENING GROSBEAK If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysa...@nybirds.org . If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 486 High Street Victor, NY 14564 ~ Transcript ~ Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Weekly Recording: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays) Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126 Compilers: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Karen Fung [~BEGIN RBA TAPE~] Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 9th, at 7:00pm. Sorry for last week's weather-related nonrecording. The highlights of today's tape are VIRGINIA'S WARBLER, CAVE SWALLOW, BLACK-HEADED GULL, WESTERN KINGBIRD, BLUE GROSBEAK, and arriving winter finches. A bird tentatively identified by its finder as VIRGINIA'S WARBLER at Alley Pond Park in Queens on Wednesday, October 31st, and glimpsed by one of two observers at Alley on Monday, was found again today and photographed at Alley Pond Park, the photos showing all the field marks one would want to confirm the identity as a VIRGINIA'S WARBLER and rule out an extremely dull Nashville. Unfortunately, this bird is very elusive, having been looked for extensively last week and this, but only spotted three times. Twice it has initially been detected by its soft chipnote, and today it was photographed feeding on the ground. It has been frequenting the wooded area west of the baseball and cricket fields near the parking lot off Winchester Boulevard, though the appropriate area may be closer to the parking area off 76th Avenue on the west side of the park. Today the bird was seen off the path that goes west from left field on the baseball diamond, past some obstacle course equipment, up near a small weather station in the woods and some green shipping containers, but the bird obviously moves around quickly and can get lost easily. Other recent rarities include a CAVE SWALLOW, seen at the Dyker Beach ball fields in Brooklyn last Sunday; a WESTERN KINGBIRD photographed flying up Third Avenue in Manhattan Monday afternoon; and an immature BLACK-HEADED GULL out east at Hook Pond off Dunemere Lane in East Hampton on Thursday. Certainly exciting recently has been the variety of winter finches coming into our area. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS have been fairly widespread since last Sunday, the sightings including 30 in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, and 9 in a Queens backyard on Sunday, and about a dozen near Shakespeare Garden in Central Park Tuesday, with a couple there the next day. Outside the city were some in Rye Sunday to Tuesday, 10 in Setauket, 5 in Patchogue, and 6 in Sayville Sunday morning, and other reports as well. Fewer EVENING GROSBEAKS were also noted, with 13 passing over a patient birder in a Queens gas line Saturday, 2 in Central Park Sunday and Monday, and a few other observations, including 10 in East Patchogue Sunday. In addition to these, 2 COMMON REDPOLLS were spotted in Setauket Tuesday, and of course numbers of PINE SISKINS and some PURPLE FINCHES remain in the area. Also locally, in Central Park both BARRED OWL and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL appeared recently, but both were harassed from their roosting sites. A VESPER SPARROW was at Randall's Island Saturday, and a BLUE GROSBEAK continued at least to Thursday along with a decent gathering of landbirds at Kissena Park in Queens, these other birds including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and VESPER SPARROW. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was in Prospect Park Saturday to Monday, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and NELSON'S SPARROW were among the birds at Brooklyn's Calvert Vaux Park last Saturday. Out east, two CATTLE EGRETS were in a Sagaponack field on Wednesday, on the south side of Daniel's Lane, and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was at Montauk Point today. To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, or weekdays call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. [~END TAPE~] ~ End Transcript ~ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
[nysbirds-l] Grasshopper Sparrow at Kissena Corridor
Went to try my luck at Kissena Corridor after work, before sunset. Among a flock of mixed sparrows I got a different looking bird which seems to be a Grasshopper Sparrow. The flock was feeding on the path that leads to the baseball field along Colden Street. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14667149@N00/8170960414/ César Kissena Corridor is in Queens NY -- 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] Massapequa Preserve Birds (Nassau Co)
Massapequa Preserve continues to be a good location for lingering warblers this fall, with a late immature Yellow Warbler seen this morning. In the past few weeks warblers at MP have included Orange- crowned, Black-throated Blue, Parula, and Palm. Last Sunday a late Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was on the west side of the Pittsburgh Ave. pond. The drake Eurasian Wigeon continues on the pond in the company of American Wigeon. The continuing closure of the barrier beaches have been a source of frustration for area birders, even more so when Annie McIntyre reported that a Northern Lapwing was seen and photographed by a State employee in the median at Robert Moses State Park yesterday, but not observed by Annie today. Lets hope that the beaches open in time for the Christmas CBC's! Ken & Sue Feustel -- 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] Harris's Sparrow
The 1st winter Harris's Sparrow in Canastota, NY continues as has been reported on the RBAs and on E-Bird today. Danny Messina and I made the trip up this morning arriving at 10:18am and the target bird, a "lifer" for him, mades it appearance from 10:45am -11:10am. Thanks to Ruth Kuryla, the homeowner, for making the id. and posting so that others could enjoy this neat transient.Subject: Exact location with map of Vermilion Flycatcher Orlando Wetlands (Orange County)Date: Sun Nov 4 2012 18:03 pmFrom: robert.wildlife AT yahoo.com For those of you not familiar with the most common location of the Vermilion Flycatcher at Orlando Easterly Wetlands (a.k.a. Orlando Wetlands Park), here is a map of the trails: http://orlandowetlands.org/trailmap.php?submenuheader=2 You can see there is a "Birding Route" with red dashes. Do not go toward cells 10 and 9, but go along the trail on the west side of cells 18, 16 to 17 to where the trail intersects with the Northeast corner of cell 13 (Wading Bird Marsh) and the Northwest corner of cell # 17.Go right at the intersection a short distance, maybe 50 yards. You will see Cypress trees to your right. The Vermilion Flycatcher was foraging on the nearest Cypress tree and then further back and went back and forth. This is the exact spot where I saw (and many others saw) the bird active last year. It is likely that others have seen this bird at other locations in the park. Before you get to this intersection, the trees on your right should be scanned also. Regarding "Birding Route" what a misnomer! The entire area of Orlando Wetlands can be excellent for birding--all of it is a "birding route". Besides a fabulous marsh, there are hammock trails and there is also a section on the other side of Wheeler Road that is sizeable and can be good also, plus it borders Seminole Ranch. The Birding Route does take you through some excellent wetlands that held high numbers of water birds today. Bob StalnakerLongwood, FL Ken McDermott -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[nysbirds-l] Virgina's Warbler (YES) Alley Pond Park Queens County...
Minutes ago, I observed and photographed the *Virginia's Warbler* found by Eric Miller on October 31st and subsequently enlisted the help of Tom Burke and Shai Mitra to help in making sure I had it right. It's GOOD The bird was working its way north from the original location where it was first reported *(see Steve Walter earlier posts from October for directions and ideas on where one should enter the park from)* and was last seen near the green shipping containers. This is an area not far from the challenge course. I first heard a soft chip note on the trail heading north towards the shipping containers and then found the bird. Note, the trail I am referring to has a weather station apparatus attached to a tree. The bird was moving around a lot, so the area should be canvassed and searched thoroughly. Great find by Eric and I am ecstatic that we now have supporting documentation. I'll have photos on my blog later today. Good 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/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference
registering on line was very quick and easy and you can use your paypal account as well. On 11/9/12, redk...@optonline.net wrote: > While a little bit off topic I wanted to let everyone know about the > upcoming 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference that will take > place at Brookhaven National Lab on Friday, November 16th with field trips > on Saturday. It will be a very informative Conference, with a variety of > interesting topics and dynamic speakers all focusing on our region. There > will be a highly informative presentation on Long Island bird migration by > Shai Mitra. The other conference topics are: 1) the Biodiversity of Plum > Island by Matt Schlesinger, 2) an overview of seal populations on LI by Rob > DiGiovanni, 3) a program on Long Island Butterflies by Rich Cech, 4) the > natural history of alewives by Byron Young, 5) the story of Jeremy > Feinberg's work to describe a new frog species right here in the NY > metropolitan area, 6) the natural resources of Brookhaven National > Laboratory by Tim Green, 7) an overview of efforts to monitor Horseshoe > Crabs by Matt Sclafani, 8) the Diamondback Terrapins of Jamaica Bay by Dr. > Russell Burke, 9) the natural history of Jamaica Bay by Don Riepe, 10) the > return of the River Otter to LI by Mike Bottini, 11) and a lecture on the > status of Atlantic White Cedars on Long Island by John Turner. > > Key Note speaker Peter Alden will be presenting on "Changes to our Flora and > Fauna". Peter brings a wealth of experience in world wide birding and > natural history tours as well as a deep knowledge of biodiversity issues > in eastern North America. > > I encourage you to visit the below link and pre-register for the $20.00 > fee. The walk in rate is $25.00- cash and check will be accepted, no credit > cards > > http://longislandnature.org/ > > There will be a wine and cheese reception to follow from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. > > Hope to see you there! > > John Turner > > -- > > 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 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] Odds and Ends from Montauk
Had a late ROYAL TERN pass Montauk Point this morning and found a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW in the Turtle Bay parking lot with Juncos. Also had 9 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS earlier along Lazy Point Road in Napeague. Anthony Collerton -- 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] 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference
While a little bit off topic I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference that will take place at Brookhaven National Lab on Friday, November 16th with field trips on Saturday. It will be a very informative Conference, with a variety of interesting topics and dynamic speakers all focusing on our region. There will be a highly informative presentation on Long Island bird migration by Shai Mitra. The other conference topics are: 1) the Biodiversity of Plum Island by Matt Schlesinger, 2) an overview of seal populations on LI by Rob DiGiovanni, 3) a program on Long Island Butterflies by Rich Cech, 4) the natural history of alewives by Byron Young, 5) the story of Jeremy Feinberg's work to describe a new frog species right here in the NY metropolitan area, 6) the natural resources of Brookhaven National Laboratory by Tim Green, 7) an overview of efforts to monitor Horseshoe Crabs by Matt Sclafani, 8) the Diamondback Terrapins of Jamaica Bay by Dr. Russell Burke, 9) the natural history of Jamaica Bay by Don Riepe, 10) the return of the River Otter to LI by Mike Bottini, 11) and a lecture on the status of Atlantic White Cedars on Long Island by John Turner. Key Note speaker Peter Alden will be presenting on "Changes to our Flora and Fauna". Peter brings a wealth of experience in world wide birding and natural history tours as well as a deep knowledge of biodiversity issues in eastern North America. I encourage you to visit the below link and pre-register for the $20.00 fee. The walk in rate is $25.00- cash and check will be accepted, no credit cards http://longislandnature.org/ There will be a wine and cheese reception to follow from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. Hope to see you there! John Turner -- 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] Fox Sparrow numbers -- Pruyn Sanctuary Chappaqua
With a few inches of (rapidly melting) snow still on the ground, the bird feeding area at Pruyn Sanctuary has had an uptick of usual species. We noticed a record high count of 8 fox sparrows. Also present are 2 purple finches and 18 wild turkeys. Appears to be a current silence/absence of local Carolina wren pair post-Sandy and nor'easter. In the woods, the juncos and white-throats are making use of the storm-fallen trees as welcome brush shelters even as they did post-Snowtober 2011, given lack of understory with deer over browsing. Anne Swaim Chappaqua, NY -- 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] NYC: Bryant Park, Fri. 9-Nov incl. BTBW & OVEN
Today: Adult male Black-throated Blue Warbler feeding on sapsucker wells on locusts south of lions on 5th Ave. side of library. Yesterday: Ovenbird just west of north entrance to library. eBird.org maps - November/2012 for New York State: Black-throated Blue Warbler: http://tinyurl.com/adm6x8z Ovenbird: http://tinyurl.com/ax738uj Ben Cacace Manhattan, NYC -- 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] American Woodcock this morning at Kissena Corridor
The bird was a thick bulky bird, slow clumsy flight. Also saw the white-edged tail feathers and dark bands on head (across the head from side to side), as well as ofcourse the long bill (goes without saying, but saying it anyway). The wings also made a sound somewhat like the sound pigeons or mourning doves make when flying , but different. The bird flew out of the community garden and into Kissena Corridor proper in the direction of the children's playground. Could not relocate the bird. Sorry no picture. -- 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] Golden Eagle, Westhampton (Suffolk)
Eastern birders be on the lookout. I just had a Golden Eagle soaring parallel, but north, of Sunrise Highway at the CR 31 Junction. The bird was struggling a bit in the wind. I had enough time to pull off and perch on the over pass, put my scope on my window mount and confirm the ID as I watched the bird soar and flap toward the WNW. I was confident this bird was a Golden with my naked eye view but the scope helped clinch the ID. If I had to judge I'd say I lost sight of the bird near the Sarnoff Preserve as my vision was eventually obstructed by some nearby pitch pines. Good bird for the Island. Best, Derek Rogers Sayville -- 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] Golden Eagle, Westhampton (Suffolk)
Eastern birders be on the lookout. I just had a Golden Eagle soaring parallel, but north, of Sunrise Highway at the CR 31 Junction. The bird was struggling a bit in the wind. I had enough time to pull off and perch on the over pass, put my scope on my window mount and confirm the ID as I watched the bird soar and flap toward the WNW. I was confident this bird was a Golden with my naked eye view but the scope helped clinch the ID. If I had to judge I'd say I lost sight of the bird near the Sarnoff Preserve as my vision was eventually obstructed by some nearby pitch pines. Good bird for the Island. Best, Derek Rogers Sayville -- 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] American Woodcock this morning at Kissena Corridor
The bird was a thick bulky bird, slow clumsy flight. Also saw the white-edged tail feathers and dark bands on head (across the head from side to side), as well as ofcourse the long bill (goes without saying, but saying it anyway). The wings also made a sound somewhat like the sound pigeons or mourning doves make when flying , but different. The bird flew out of the community garden and into Kissena Corridor proper in the direction of the children's playground. Could not relocate the bird. Sorry no picture. -- 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] NYC: Bryant Park, Fri. 9-Nov incl. BTBW OVEN
Today: Adult male Black-throated Blue Warbler feeding on sapsucker wells on locusts south of lions on 5th Ave. side of library. Yesterday: Ovenbird just west of north entrance to library. eBird.org maps - November/2012 for New York State: Black-throated Blue Warbler: http://tinyurl.com/adm6x8z Ovenbird: http://tinyurl.com/ax738uj Ben Cacace Manhattan, NYC -- 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] Fox Sparrow numbers -- Pruyn Sanctuary Chappaqua
With a few inches of (rapidly melting) snow still on the ground, the bird feeding area at Pruyn Sanctuary has had an uptick of usual species. We noticed a record high count of 8 fox sparrows. Also present are 2 purple finches and 18 wild turkeys. Appears to be a current silence/absence of local Carolina wren pair post-Sandy and nor'easter. In the woods, the juncos and white-throats are making use of the storm-fallen trees as welcome brush shelters even as they did post-Snowtober 2011, given lack of understory with deer over browsing. Anne Swaim Chappaqua, NY -- 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] 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference
While a little bit off topic I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming 1st Annual Long Island Natural History Conference that will take place at Brookhaven National Lab on Friday, November 16th with field trips on Saturday. It will be a very informative Conference, with a variety of interesting topics and dynamic speakers all focusing on our region. There will be a highly informative presentation on Long Island bird migration by Shai Mitra. The other conference topics are: 1) the Biodiversity of Plum Island by Matt Schlesinger, 2) an overview of seal populations on LI by Rob DiGiovanni, 3) a program on Long Island Butterflies by Rich Cech, 4) the natural history of alewives by Byron Young, 5) the story of Jeremy Feinberg's work to describe a new frog species right here in the NY metropolitan area, 6) the natural resources of Brookhaven National Laboratory by Tim Green, 7) an overview of efforts to monitor Horseshoe Crabs by Matt Sclafani, 8) the Diamondback Terrapins of Jamaica Bay by Dr. Russell Burke, 9) the natural history of Jamaica Bay by Don Riepe, 10) the return of the River Otter to LI by Mike Bottini, 11) and a lecture on the status of Atlantic White Cedars on Long Island by John Turner. Key Note speaker Peter Alden will be presenting on Changes to our Flora and Fauna. Peter brings a wealth of experience in world wide birding and natural history tours as well as a deep knowledge of biodiversity issues in eastern North America. I encourage you to visit the below link and pre-register for the $20.00 fee. The walk in rate is $25.00- cash and check will be accepted, no credit cards http://longislandnature.org/ There will be a wine and cheese reception to follow from 5:00pm - 6:30pm. Hope to see you there! John Turner -- 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] Odds and Ends from Montauk
Had a late ROYAL TERN pass Montauk Point this morning and found a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW in the Turtle Bay parking lot with Juncos. Also had 9 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS earlier along Lazy Point Road in Napeague. Anthony Collerton -- 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] Virgina's Warbler (YES) Alley Pond Park Queens County...
Minutes ago, I observed and photographed the *Virginia's Warbler* found by Eric Miller on October 31st and subsequently enlisted the help of Tom Burke and Shai Mitra to help in making sure I had it right. It's GOOD The bird was working its way north from the original location where it was first reported *(see Steve Walter earlier posts from October for directions and ideas on where one should enter the park from)* and was last seen near the green shipping containers. This is an area not far from the challenge course. I first heard a soft chip note on the trail heading north towards the shipping containers and then found the bird. Note, the trail I am referring to has a weather station apparatus attached to a tree. The bird was moving around a lot, so the area should be canvassed and searched thoroughly. Great find by Eric and I am ecstatic that we now have supporting documentation. I'll have photos on my blog later today. Good 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] Harris's Sparrow
The 1st winter Harris's Sparrow in Canastota, NY continues as has been reported on the RBAs and on E-Bird today. Danny Messina and I made the trip up this morning arriving at 10:18am and the target bird, a "lifer" for him, mades it appearance from 10:45am -11:10am. Thanks to Ruth Kuryla, the homeowner, for making the id. and posting so that others could enjoy this neat transient.Subject: Exact location with map of Vermilion Flycatcher Orlando Wetlands (Orange County)Date: Sun Nov 4 2012 18:03 pmFrom: robert.wildlife AT yahoo.comFor those of you not familiar with the most common location of the Vermilion Flycatcher at Orlando Easterly Wetlands (a.k.a. Orlando Wetlands Park), here is a map of the trails:http://orlandowetlands.org/trailmap.php?submenuheader=2You can see there is a "Birding Route" with red dashes. Do not go toward cells 10 and 9, but go along the trail on the west side of cells 18, 16 to 17 to where the trail intersects with the Northeast corner of cell 13 (Wading Bird Marsh) and the Northwest corner of cell # 17.Go right at the intersection a short distance, maybe 50 yards. You will see Cypress trees to your right. The Vermilion Flycatcher was foraging on the nearest Cypress tree and then further back and went back and forth. This is the exact spot where I saw (and many others saw) the bird active last year. It is likely that others have seen this bird at other locations in the park.Before you get to this intersection, the trees on your right should be scanned also.Regarding "Birding Route" what a misnomer! The entire area of Orlando Wetlands can be excellent for birding--all of it is a "birding route". Besides a fabulous marsh, there are hammock trails and there is also a section on the other side of Wheeler Road that is sizeable and can be good also, plus it borders Seminole Ranch. The Birding Route does take you through some excellent wetlands that held high numbers of water birds today.Bob StalnakerLongwood, FLKen McDermott -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! --
[nysbirds-l] Grasshopper Sparrow at Kissena Corridor
Went to try my luck at Kissena Corridor after work, before sunset. Among a flock of mixed sparrows I got a different looking bird which seems to be a Grasshopper Sparrow. The flock was feeding on the path that leads to the baseball field along Colden Street. http://www.flickr.com/photos/14667149@N00/8170960414/ César Kissena Corridor is in Queens NY -- 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] NYC Area RBA: 9 November 2012
- RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Nov 9, 2012 * NYNY1211.09 - Birds Mentioned: CAVE SWALLOW+ VIRGINIA'S WARBLER+ (+ Details requested by NYSARC) Cattle Egret BLACK-HEADED GULL Barred Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl WESTERN KINGBIRD Orange-crowned Warbler Vesper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Nelson's Sparrow Lapland Longspur BLUE GROSBEAK WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL Common Redpoll Pine Siskin EVENING GROSBEAK If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysa...@nybirds.org . If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Gary Chapin - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 486 High Street Victor, NY 14564 ~ Transcript ~ Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Weekly Recording: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays) Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126 Compilers: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Karen Fung [~BEGIN RBA TAPE~] Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 9th, at 7:00pm. Sorry for last week's weather-related nonrecording. The highlights of today's tape are VIRGINIA'S WARBLER, CAVE SWALLOW, BLACK-HEADED GULL, WESTERN KINGBIRD, BLUE GROSBEAK, and arriving winter finches. A bird tentatively identified by its finder as VIRGINIA'S WARBLER at Alley Pond Park in Queens on Wednesday, October 31st, and glimpsed by one of two observers at Alley on Monday, was found again today and photographed at Alley Pond Park, the photos showing all the field marks one would want to confirm the identity as a VIRGINIA'S WARBLER and rule out an extremely dull Nashville. Unfortunately, this bird is very elusive, having been looked for extensively last week and this, but only spotted three times. Twice it has initially been detected by its soft chipnote, and today it was photographed feeding on the ground. It has been frequenting the wooded area west of the baseball and cricket fields near the parking lot off Winchester Boulevard, though the appropriate area may be closer to the parking area off 76th Avenue on the west side of the park. Today the bird was seen off the path that goes west from left field on the baseball diamond, past some obstacle course equipment, up near a small weather station in the woods and some green shipping containers, but the bird obviously moves around quickly and can get lost easily. Other recent rarities include a CAVE SWALLOW, seen at the Dyker Beach ball fields in Brooklyn last Sunday; a WESTERN KINGBIRD photographed flying up Third Avenue in Manhattan Monday afternoon; and an immature BLACK-HEADED GULL out east at Hook Pond off Dunemere Lane in East Hampton on Thursday. Certainly exciting recently has been the variety of winter finches coming into our area. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS have been fairly widespread since last Sunday, the sightings including 30 in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, and 9 in a Queens backyard on Sunday, and about a dozen near Shakespeare Garden in Central Park Tuesday, with a couple there the next day. Outside the city were some in Rye Sunday to Tuesday, 10 in Setauket, 5 in Patchogue, and 6 in Sayville Sunday morning, and other reports as well. Fewer EVENING GROSBEAKS were also noted, with 13 passing over a patient birder in a Queens gas line Saturday, 2 in Central Park Sunday and Monday, and a few other observations, including 10 in East Patchogue Sunday. In addition to these, 2 COMMON REDPOLLS were spotted in Setauket Tuesday, and of course numbers of PINE SISKINS and some PURPLE FINCHES remain in the area. Also locally, in Central Park both BARRED OWL and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL appeared recently, but both were harassed from their roosting sites. A VESPER SPARROW was at Randall's Island Saturday, and a BLUE GROSBEAK continued at least to Thursday along with a decent gathering of landbirds at Kissena Park in Queens, these other birds including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and VESPER SPARROW. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was in Prospect Park Saturday to Monday, and a LAPLAND LONGSPUR and NELSON'S SPARROW were among the birds at Brooklyn's Calvert Vaux Park last Saturday. Out east, two CATTLE EGRETS were in a Sagaponack field on Wednesday, on the south side of Daniel's Lane, and a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was at Montauk Point today. To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, or weekdays call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. [~END TAPE~] ~ End Transcript ~ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
