[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: CC Sparrow, Dickcissel+
There was a nice flight along Long Island's barrier beaches this morning. Highlights of an hour or so of birding on my way to work were Clay-colored Sparrow at Robert Moses SP plus Dickcissel and Lincoln's Sparrow at Cedar Beach Marina. Moving heavily were Yellow-shafted Flickers, Eastern Phoebes, Myrtle Warblers, Chipping and Savannah Sparrows, and Indigo Buntings. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Large Numbers of Common Eiders++
Common Eiders are occurring in unprecedented numbers around Fire Island Inlet, western Suffolk County. A tally of 390 at Robert Moses SP today far exceeded anything in my experience here. Also present along the barrier beach ocean front were thousands of Black Scoters, hundreds of Surf Scoters, and growing numbers of other waterfowl, including some oddballs, such as a pair of Lesser Scaup diving among scoters and eiders. Two Northern Shovelers, two Ruddy Ducks, and three Pied-billed Grebes in a freshwater pond near Fire Island Inlet were also locally unusual on the barrier beach. At Jones Beach State Park Field 6, the massive flocks of Dunlin, Black-bellied Plovers and Red Knots included three Western Sandpipers and a juvenile Golden-Plover. The latter sounded very odd to me during at least three bouts of calling, but we were never able to study it closely on the ground (it certainly wasn't a Euro). Royal Terns seem to be the default late season tern on LI nowadays--there were 52 at West End this morning, plus two more at Fire Island (Joe Vigliotta counted 73 at West End yesterday). Five Snow Buntings were picked out by Andrew Baksh at Robert Moses SP, Field 5. Shai Mitra Bay Shore birding with Patricia Lindsay and Andrew Baksh -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co.
I've posted some photos of yesterday's Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009# Shai -Original Message- From: Shaibal Mitra mi...@mail.csi.cuny.edu Sent 11/4/2009 11:09:46 AM To: NYSBIRDS NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. Hi everyone, Regarding Bob's and Angus' queries about the identities of the Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese present now at Sunken Meadow SP, my own feeling is that t he Barnacle is likely the same bird that wintered at Sunken Meadow SP in Jan uary 2008 (two winters ago, and that the Pink-footed is possibly the same bi rd that wintered at Stony Brook Mill Pond in February 2008. Both of those bi rds were clearly distinct from their conspecifics in Montauk that winter, as proven by sustained periods of concurrent observations at these widely sepa rated sites. My reason for feeling that the Sunken Meadow Pink-foot might be the same as the Stony Brook bird is not based on any careful studies of pho tos, but the proximity of the two sites on the north shore of western Suffol k County is suggestive. Also, both birds struck me as being relatively large for PFGO, whereas the Montauk bird seemed more petite. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -Original Message- From: ROBERT ADAMO rada...@msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., S uffolk Co. Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the par k, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, i n glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a mem ber of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her moving shaking after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Befo re I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the brid ge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I c ouldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling part ners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a st retch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) 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 Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Cattle Egret at Floyd Bennett
Hi Rob and all, That's a really neat find, and in my mind, it's a good indication that other oddities are likely lurking in the weeds around here. As Cattle Egrets have vanished as breeding birds in NYS and New England, November has become a relatively good time for seeing them here. The species has lingered into mid December at least twice on eastern LI, including one at Deep Hollow on the Montauk CBC, on 21 Dec 1996. When two Cattle Egrets popped up near Mecox Bay on 17 November 2007, I remember dashing off a note to Hugh McGuinness, volunteering a cockamamie theory of correlated vagrancy of November Grasshopper Sparrows with Cattle Egrets (based on a personal sample size of maybe two!). Although the Grassgroper Hypothesis remains in limbo, chasing down those Cattle Egrets the next day and later certainly revealed how rich and unexpected November birding can be (Patagonia Picnic in Montauk Kingbird 58: 2-12). Last year, there was a Cattle Egret at Fresh Kills, Staten Island in November, and one appeared at Mecox again, persisting into December, up to the eve of the Sagaponack CBC. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -Original Message- From: Rob Jett citybir...@earthlink.net Sent 11/19/2009 4:56:13 PM To: NYSBirds-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Cattle Egret at Floyd Bennett This afternoon at around 12:45pm, Heydi Lopes and I found a Cattle Egret at Floyd Bennett Field. It was feeding fairly close to the road within Field B. It didn't seem too concerned about cars driving by, but did move a short distance when a loud motorcycle blasted down the road. Here's a link to a map with a placemark noting the location: http://tinyurl.com/y9edqsh While this seems like a very late date for Cattle Egret it is actually a few weeks shy of the 12 December extreme coastal date noted in Bull's Birds. Good birding, Rob The City Birder Weblog http://citybirder.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] FW: Origins of Winter Vagrants--Research and a Chance to Help
As discussed in recent posts by Tom Fiore, Angus Wilson, and others, early December can be an exciting time for finding unusual birds in the Northeast, and the upcoming CBC season is sure to feature many exciting discoveries. The question of where our early winter avian novelties come from is surely fascinating. As long ago as the 1950s, Ludlow Griscom showed that a winter specimen of Yellow-breasted Chat from Massachusetts was actually an example of the western North American “Long-tailed” Chat (Icteria virens auricollis), not the nominate southeastern subspecies that is rare as a breeder even on Long Island. This is really neat when one considers that, although the vast majority of Chats winter deep in the tropics, a significant—and increasing—number are now wintering from Long Island to Nova Scotia. Thus, this question of connections between breeding origins and winter occurrences has been taken up by researchers investigating topics as disparate as how bird populations are responding to climate change and how vagrancy fits into the migratory ecology of birds. Juliette Goulet, a doctoral student at the College of Staten Island and the City University of New York, is studying some of these questions, using Gray Catbirds as a model. Unlike Chats, Summer Tanagers, and Rufous Hummingbirds, this species is a common breeder throughout New York State. Juliette would like to know if the increasing numbers of wintering catbirds in our region derive from local breeding populations, a variety of different breeding populations, or some specific breeding population other than our local one. It is possible that birds breeding, for instance, in the Upper Midwest, are colonizing a new wintering range in our region in response to environmental changes. One part of Juliette’s dissertation research involves using stable isotope analysis to determine the breeding origins of catbirds wintering in the Northeast. Anyone interested in these matters could greatly assist her in the following ways: 1. If you find a road-killed, window-killed, or cat-presented catbird between late November and early April, please contact either Juliette or me immediately so that we can arrange to salvage one to three tail feathers for analysis. 2. If you find catbirds wintering in places where banding is feasible, likewise notify us so that we might arrange to band the birds. By doing so, Juliette will be able to collect information concerning age and body weight, and also to collect a feather for isotopic analysis. We hold permits to band birds and collect feathers from the federal, NYS, and other regional state governments. If in doubt, please contact us! Shai Mitra Shaibal.Mitra AT csi.cuny.edu (note new email address) Juliette Goulet jgoulet AT me.com College of Staten Island Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] West End/Jones Beach Today (Nassau Co.)
Angus, Ken, and all, Interestingly, Dick Ferren had two Whistling Swans fly past his seawatch at Block Island's Southeast Light yesterday, during the middle of the day (not far around the corner from the Beach Head). There must be at least six birds involved. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-4775156-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-4775156-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Angus Wilson [oceanwander...@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 9:14 AM To: Ken Feustel Cc: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] West End/Jones Beach Today (Nassau Co.) Ken, Interestingly, there were four TUNDRA SWANS off Block Island on the 13th. According to the Rhode Island RBA, they were seen just off the beach in front of the Beach Head Restraunt. I wonder if these are the same birds traveling down the coast? That's about 113 miles as the swan flies, quite manageable in a day. Cheers, Angus On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 7:16 PM, Ken Feustel feus...@optonline.netmailto:feus...@optonline.net wrote: While scoping Jones Inlet we heard birds calling overhead that proved to be four Tundra Swans. The swans flew south over the ocean and then headed west. -- Angus Wilson New York City The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Fw: Southampton Black Guillemot Photo
Pat Lindsay also saw this bird this afternoon. Given that this is a juv, the bird's extremely pale overall appearance is beyond anything I've ever seen in the usual Black Guillemots we see in Mass, RI, and LI (race atlantis). The bird also shows a very petite bill. I wonder whether this individual represents one of the arctic-breeding races (ultimus, arcticus, or mandtii), none of which, I believe, has previously been documented in the state. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-4816769-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-4816769-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Carl Starace [castar...@optonline.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 6:09 PM To: NYSBirds-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fw: Southampton Black Guillemot Photo Hello All,Luke Ormand just sent me this photo link of the Black Guillemot at Sebonac Inlet/Peconic Bay, Southampton.Photo was taken by Luke late this afternoon.Happy Holidays,Carl Starace http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=vppr=93464CGISESSID=07cc85cd712e2fbb61cb1694a92b022eu=3664 http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=vppr=93464CGISESSID=07cc85cd712e2fbb61cb1694a92b022eu=3664 Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Black Guillemot Subspecies
I spent some time this morning looking over references. “The Birds of the Western Palearctic” (Volume IV, 208-219) gives lots of detail on geographical variation in Black Guillemots. According to this work (pp. 218-219), white tips to the secondaries are absent in races other than the northernmost breeders mandtii and ultimus. This reference lumps ultimus, of high arctic North America and northwest Greenland, with mandtii, which breeds through Labrador, northern newfoundland, both coasts of Greenland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard, Wrangel Island, and Alaska). It also corroborates the trend toward shortest bills and whitest juvenal and non-breeding plumages among arctic breeders, reaching an extreme in ultimus. Sibley’s Arctic birds are depictions of the “mandtii group,” presumably inclusive of ultimus. http://www.sibleyguides.com/about/the-sibley-guide-to-birds/subspecies-names-in-the-sibley-guide-to-birds/ Sibley depicts the white secondary tips of the Arctic juvs but doesn't make it completely clear that Atlantic juvs lack them. For one more bit of the puzzle, I’ve posted a video grab of the Southampton bird’s underwing pattern in comparison to underwing of an adult atlantis/arcticus from Massachusetts: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009# The Southampton bird matches BWP’s verbal descriptions of mandtii (or even ultimus), and Sibley’s depictions of the mandtii group, very well indeed. The fifth edition of the AOU Check-list assigns the birds that typically occur in our region to the subspecies atlantis, and Sibley names the “atlantis group,” presumably inclusive of arcticus, as the model for the darker forms he illustrates. Regarding the local situation on Long Island and southern New England, I can’t find any indication that people have proposed that mandtii or ultimus have occurred here previously. Instead, the various discussions of subspecies involve debates over whether the southernmost birds (atlantis) are consistently diagnosable with respect to the widespread arcticus (southern Greenland, Britain, and Scandinavia), or even with respect to nominate grylle of the Baltic Sea. For instance, Bull (1964 1974) regarded atlantis as poorly differentiated from arcticus, and Ken Parkes, in his doctoral dissertation, explained that the main feature distinguishing atlantis from grylle was wing length, with considerable overlap (pp. 253-255). To sum up, it seems that the high arctic breeders (mandtii and ultimus) are very different from more southerly breeders (atlantis, islandicus (Iceland), faeroeensis (Faeroes), and grylle); and that the widespread catch-all arcticus (southern Newfoundland, southern Greenland, Britain, Scandinavia) is somewhat intermediate between the two groups, but decidedly closer to the darker, longer-billed southern breeders. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Mew Gull Description
Although I only deduced his name later, I'm sure Vincent was the fellow who notified several of us that the Common Mew Gull was present on the rocks near the pedestrian bridge around 3:30. We walked north and found the bird right where Vincent told us it would be. We studied it briefly there and then at greater length a couple of hundred yards to the south, after we inadvertently spooked its flock. This was an adult, as indicated by the immaculate tail, primaries with bold white mirrors and tips, and absence of black on the bill. Furthermore, details of the shape and color pattern of its bill, the pattern of its wingtips (e.g., the extensive black on p8 and the distinctive way that the lightly marked tip of p5 lined up with p6 on the folded wing), its relatively pale mantle tone (barely darker than that of Ring-billed Gull), and its small overall size leave no doubt that this was the same adult Common Mew Gull that has been present at this site since Shane found it. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-4898731-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-4898731-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of vincent N [v...@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:58 AM To: ny bird list Subject: [nysbirds-l] Mew Gull Description The Mew Gull I viewed yesterday in Brooklyn was out of the water, resting/sleeping on a rock and offering excellent views of its legs at close range. They were colored gray/green not yellow (strongly contrasting with the Ring-billed Gulls). Using the large Sibley's guide, P. 213, I concluded that this was a 2nd winter bird. Any discussion appreciated. Vincent Nichnadowicz Princeton Jct., NJ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Long Island CBCs: Southern Nassau County and Captree
Hi everyone, The Southern Nassau County Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, 2 January 2010, by 49+ participants. This represents the 70th time this CBC has been held since its inception in 1932 (there were several years with no count during the 1930s and 1940s). References to “recent” maxima, minima, and averages below refer to the last 20 years. In all, 121 species were recorded (plus two additional distinctive subspecies), a total well below the recent average of 128 species. Brisk northwesterly winds and snow showers impeded detection, and many participants expressed the perception that landbird densities have been generally low around Long Island this season (e.g., even on counts held under better conditions). The weather was even worse for the nearby Captree CBC on Sunday, and the notation “see NYCA” indicates some of the many instances of congruence between the two counts. Among the many highlights were: the count’s second ever “Richardson’s” Cackling Goose, in Baldwin (see NYCA); the fifth ever occurrence of Tundra Swan, with two in Massapequa and one in Five Towns (see NYCA); “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal in Baldwin (the 14th NYSN CBC featuring this taxon); 47 Ring-necked Ducks, all in Massapequa, a new recent maximum; 254 Common Eiders along the ocean front, shattering the previous max of 115 from 2006; 90 Common Mergansers in five territories,for a new recent maximum (see NYCA); 178 Double-crested Cormorants, exceeding the previous max of 98 from 2001; a new max of 23 Peregrine Falcons, spread across all nine territories, with duplications avoided as carefully as possible; Tricolored Heron, by the Loop party; 2 American Bitterns at Tobay, plus one at Jones Beach; Long-billed Dowitcher in Five Towns; Iceland Gull at Jones Beach; Lesser Black-backed Gull at Hempstead; Razorbills at Jones Beach and Pt Lookou; a recent max of 5 Eastern Screech-Owls; 1045 American Robins, exceeding the previous max of 757, from just two years ago; an Orange-crowned Warbler at Tobay the count’s third ever Pine Warbler, at Jones Beach; four Saltmarsh Sparrows at Massapequa; 264 Common Grackles, obliterating the previous max of 80, from way back in Dec 1958; a Baltimore Oriole at John and Muriel Stahl’s feeders in Baldwin and a recent max of 1073 House Sparrows. Poor results were obtained for the following species: Wood Duck was missed for the fifth time in 20 years; Canvasback was missed for the third time in 20 years; 1 Ring-necked Pheasant was a recent minimum; Great Egret was missed for the fourth time in 20 years; American Kestrel was missed for the fourth time in 20 years (see NYCA); Short-eared Owl was missed for the fifth time in 20 years; 30 Blue Jays (see NYCA) Fish Crow was missed for the first time in 20 years (see NYCA); 1 Eastern Towhee was a recent minimum (see NYCA); and 1 Field Sparrow was a recent minimum (see NYCA). Obviously, we also missed a large number of the “toss-up” species that we expect to find in 33-67% of years. Species recorded during the count week, of which I am aware at present, include: Willet, Great Horned Owl, Chipping Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird The Captree Christmas Bird Count (circle just east of Southern Nassau County's) was conducted on Sunday, 3 January, 2010, by 30+ participants. This represents the 48th consecutive year this count has been held since its inception in 1962. In all, 109 species were recorded (plus one additional distinctive subspecies), a total well below the count’s 20-year average of 116 species. The count was rescheduled from 20 Dec because of a blizzard that dumped two feet of snow, but the weather yesterday was also appalling: average wind speeds of 24 mph (max gusts of 48 mph), a high temperature of 22 F, and frequent snow squalls. Given the circumstances, I think the results were quite impressive. Highlights included: 7 Greater White-fronted Geese at Belmont 1 Cackling Goose at Belmont 1 Tundra Swan at Connetquot 8 Wood Ducks at Belmont 1 Eurasian Wigeon in the Babylon-West Islip area 3 Common Eider on the ocean front 116 Common Mergansers, obliterating the previous max of 22, from 1995 (a consequence of rescheduling the count two weeks later) 2 Virginia Rails in the West Sayville area 1 Killdeer in Bay Shore 1 Iceland Gull in the Babylon-West Islip area 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull in Bay Shore 1 Great Horned Owl by the North party 12 Tree Swallows in the Oak Beach-Cedar Beach area 29 American Pipits 1 Pine Warbler at Connetquot 2 Chipping Sparrows at Heckscher Poor results were recorded for the following species: 3 Canvasback 55 Greater Scaup (often thousands in Great South Bay) 0 American Kestrel 19 Blue Jay 0 Fish Crow (306 last year!) 28 Carolina Wren 2 Gray Catbird 3 Eastern Towhee 3 Field Sparrow 0 Brown-headed Cowbird Species recorded during the count week, of which I am aware at present, include: Monk Parakeet, Fish Crow, Lapland Longspur, and Rusty Blackbird We wish to express our sincere
RE:[nysbirds-l] Long Island CBCs: Southern Nassau County and Captree
I'd like to mention that full data for these counts, including effort, weather, and participants' names, will be published in the June 2010 issue of The Kingbird, the journal of the New York State Ornithological Association--and I'd like to invite the compilers of other counts in NYS to contribute their data for publication as well. If you haven't done this before, please don't hesitate to contact me regarding how to format your data. There are several major advantages to publishing NYS CBC data in The Kingbird in addition to uploading data online to the National Audubon Society site. 1. The data published in The Kingbird clearly specify the species and subspecies reported, using uniform conventions across all the counts in NYS. In contrast, the online database collects and presents data under a bewildering variety of partially overlapping names. This problem is not a mere inconvenience; it is an almost intractable obstacle to simple data analysis. For instance, if one wanted to quantify something as simple as the rise and fall of wintering numbers of Great Black-backed Gull on Long Island during the last century, one wouldn’t find this name in the database at all until some time after Lesser Black-backed Gulls began appearing in North America, at which point compilers began reporting the common species under its full English name. Records from earlier years would have to be deliberately retrieved under ‘black-backed gull species’ and then integrated in the analysis by brute force. Even worse, some birds continue to be reported under different names from year to year, even on the same count. For instance, one of Long Island’s most numerous waterfowl, Brant (Branta bernicla), appears in the database under no fewer than eight names. ‘Brant,’ ‘Brant (hrota),’ ‘Brant (nigricans),’ ‘White-bellied Brant,’ ‘Black Brant,’ ‘American Brant,’ ‘Black Sea Brant,’ and ‘Pacific Black Brant.’ A researcher wishing to analyze data for this species has no choice but to make separate queries for every one of these names, download the results of each query, and integrate the multiple data sets. The last task is extremely difficult because some of the names in question are simple synonyms or refer to completely distinct taxa, whereas others (e.g., ‘Brant’ and ‘Brant (hrota)’) overlap only in part. These ambiguities were formerly easily resolved by recourse to the published data, in which nobody could mistake the continuity between the 20,000 ‘Brant’ reported on a count one year and the 17,000 ‘Brant (hrota)’ reported there the next year, or what was meant by 3 ‘Towhees’ on a New York CBC. The tabular output currently available from the electronic database is another matter altogether, and even after laborious mining and reprocessing, many simple questions remain essentially impossible to answer. 2. The Kingbird strives to present full data for effort, weather, and participants' names--none of which can be obtained easily from the online database. For instance, it is increasingly common for people to participate on a CBC as usual, but to decline to pay the $5 fee, forcing the compiler to omit these people's names (and in some cases, even any numerical trace of their effort!) from the data uploaded to the Audubon site. 3. Finally, one of the greatest pleasures of CBC participation comes from browsing through multiple counts of many kinds--rival counts for highest species lists, other counts held on the same glorious (or miserable) day as one's own count, counts that one used to attend in past years, or counts in which distant friends actively participate. Almost everyone I know laments the near impossibility of doing this via a series of carefully conceived, directed searches though the online database. In contrast, The Kingbird's CBC issue can be browsed as intensively or as casually as one wishes--and can be searched electronically also! (see: http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch.htm) Compilers frustrated with problems such as these have a recourse, through publication of their results in The Kingbird. Similarly, active CBC participants who are not compilers might consider offering to assist the compiler(s) of their favorite counts with the extra work associated with formatting the results for The Kingbird. Finally, I'd like to correct three errors in the preliminary summaries posted last night for the Southern Nassau and Captree CBCs: The species total for Captree was 110 (not 109, as stated). Bob Grover's and Nick Laviola's Eurasian Wigeon was on Santapogue Creek, on the West Babylon-Lindenhurst line (not Babylon-West Islip, as stated). Sy Schiff's and Joe Giunta's count-week Lapland Longspur was for Southern Nassau (not for Captree, as stated). Shai Mitra Editor, The Kingbird From: Shaibal Mitra Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 6:20 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: Long Island CBCs: Southern Nassau
[nysbirds-l] Dovekie Ashore on Staten Island
Tom Brown and Juliette Goulet from College of Staten Island just called with news of a distressed Dovekie found ashore at Miller Filed, Staten Island--undoubtedly a victim of yesterday's storm. A similar storm on 26-27 Dec drove a number of Dovekies ashore from southeastern New England to Long Island, so it would be worth checking the ocean shore today. Shai Mitra bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn - Black Vulture
Hi everyone, I would lean toward local movements, rather than northbound migration, as the mechanism behind most of the observations mentioned in this thread. Among freshwater ducks, facultative dispersal is often conspicuous throughout the winter on Long Island, where unfrozen salt water is almost always just a short flight away from the ponds preferred by the various species. On the weekend before last, Tom Burke and we were only slightly surprised to find that most of 250 scaup out on Great South Bay were Lessers, rather than Greaters, which are usually the numerous species on the open salt bays. Nearby were many excellent Lesser Scaup ponds, which had recently re-frozen. Similarly, last weekend, Dick Veit and we were not very surprised that a lone scaup on the Atlantic Ocean near Shinnecock Inlet was a Lesser. When their preferred ponds freeze, even Common Mergansers will resort to the ocean at times (http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009#5420408466155755842). Regarding vultures, I've seen winter roosts in southern New England still cohering as late as late March. The big spring vulture flights on Lake Ontario occur in early April, and even in Veracruz, Mexico, the peak flights occur in late March. As Steve notes, snow cover could be a factor influencing local movements for these species, as it clearly is for many raptors. These things are on my mind because we are just about to do our Presidents Day Count out on Block Island, where we have been bracketing the CBC with similar effort in November and February since 1996--with the goal of disentangling dispersal, migration, and mortality as mechanisms underlying changes in bird abundance. A quick search through these data for species occurring in larger numbers in Feb than Dec reveals a hint of hard weather dispersal (slight upticks for a few freshwater ducks, raptors, and marginal winter species, such as Greater Yellowlegs. Only Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle are obvious northbound migrants (although a few scarcer species, notably Wood Duck, might also belong here rather than in the previous category). But the most obvious examples of species that consistently increase in abundance between Dec and Feb are Common Goldeneye, Oldsquaw, Horned and Red-necked Grebes, Great Cormorant, Common Murre, and Black Guillemot. Most of these species are scarce to absent in Nov, pick up a little bit in Dec, then increase markedly by Feb (Oldsquaw and Great Cormorant are the exceptions, being common in Nov, holding steady in Dec, then surging in Feb). If you are a fan of the CBCs, it might be fun to spend a day next weekend covering your favorite territory the way you did in Dec. Shai Mitra Bay Shore, NY From: bounce-5236294-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-5236294-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Walter [swalte...@verizon.net] Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 5:51 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn - Black Vulture Is this a migrant, already? is my question of the day, too. My subject was a Common Merganser on Oakland Lake, Queens, where the species only occurs as a spring migrant. But things could be shuffling around because of ice (Oakland Lake itself is two-thirds iced up (interestingly, a lone Lesser Scaup appeared there last week)) or snow. I've noted Rough-legged Hawks and other raptors coming our way in past years (around late January) after significant snowfalls to the north. It would be a strange twist if the vultures appearing to be headed north are evacuating the big snowfall that fell to our south. Steve Walter Bayside, NY - Original Message - From: fresha2...@aol.commailto:fresha2...@aol.com To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edumailto:NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 1:13 AM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn - Black Vulture Yesterday (Sunday, 2/7) just after 1:00 PM a Black Vulture coasted northwest over Prospect Park lake flying extremely high, and almost exclusively soaring. I know Turkey Vultures start migrating in February, but it is still pretty early in the month, and Black Vultures aren't yet common in the area (they're still downright rare in Brooklyn, even in peak migration) so it came as quite a surprise to me. It certainly looked like it was exhibiting migratory behavior. There were also ~1600 Ring-billed Gulls (counted and examined closely), including wing-tags A318 (a repeat) and A288 (a new one for me). Good Birding -Doug Gochfeld. Brooklyn, NY. Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Champlain Hawk Owl--No, VT Ivory Gull--Yes
Today Pat Jones searched for but did not see the Champlain Northern Hawk Owl. However, he found an adult Ivory Gull just east of Rouses Point, on the north side of the causeway, near the VT end. It was feeding on a fish carcass. The Northern Shrike continues in Champlain. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] North NY Update 21 Feb--Ivory Gull Yes, Tufted Duck Yes, Hawk Owl No
The adult Ivory Gull found by Pat Jones on Friday, near the NY/VT/Canada border remained through the weekend. Having been seen by Bryan Pfeiffer and others at the usual spot near the Vermont side of the causeway early in on Sunday morning, the bird went unseen for a couple of hours until rediscovered at the end of Stony Pt Road by Patricia Lindsay and a gentleman whose name I didn't learn. It gave great looks at this site near Rouse's Pt., Clinton Co., NY throughout the late morning yesterday. A post this morning from Allan Strong on the Vermont site states: I just received a phone call Ben Griffith and Thomas Ford-Hutchinson that the Ivory Gull is being seen again today (Monday 2/22). It is being seen from the Vermont side of the Lake at the Rouse's Point Bridge. The bird was fairly far south of the bridge, but clearly visible out on the ice.--so be sure to check multiple sites if the bird is elusive. Patricia Lindsay, Pat Jones, and I were not able to find the previously reported Northern Hawk Owl in nearby Champlain, Clinton, Co., NY, despite considerable searching, but there were at least three Northern Shrikes present in the area. The Tufted Duck found by Pat Jones during another one of his productive, non-chasing interludes remained in Valcour, Clinton Co., NY yesterday, giving great looks as it fed among five other species of Aythya , Common Goldeneyes, and Common Mergansers. The Tufted Duck seemed to asociate consistently with the smaller flocks of Lesser Scaup closer to shore rather than the huge rafts of Greater Scaup farther offshore, though some of the Greaters moved in close too from time to time. Also present were 36 Ring-necked Ducks and single drake Redhead and Canvasback. Photos of some of these birds are posted at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/MainlandNYS2010# Shai Mitra Bay Shore, NY Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Brooklyn BLVUs
Curiously, statewide trends and recent Long Island trends stand in remarkably different relationship for each of the big black carrion-eaters under discussion. When Griscom analyzed the status of Turkey Vulture in 1923, this species was common in the highlands of northern New Jersey but poorly distributed in mainland NYS and a rare visitor to LI, with most LI records from the western (e.g., Brooklyn) or eastern (e.g., Orient) ends. Over the remaining eight decades of the 20th Century, this bird underwent a vast northward expansion, spreading across most of mainland NYS--but retaining its LI status (scarce and irregular) with astonishing fidelity. Few birds of any kind showed such a static pattern on LI over the same period--but for a bird whose status changes so much nearby, this stasis is particularly remarkable. It has only been over the last ten years or so that Turkey Vultures have finally moved onto LI in numbers, including winter roosts and proven breeding. The lag between occupation of the adjacent mainland and dramatically increased occurrence on LI in this case was 50 years. The early history of Black Vulture in NYS was mostly as a vagrant to LI. Again, it's status on LI remained static for a century while the species made news elsewhere. In contrast to its relative, however, Black Vulture's northward expansion on the mainland lagged behind Turkey Vulture's by at least several decades, and its occupation of the Hudson Highlands and nearby parts of mainland NYS took place mainly in the 1980s and 1990s. This distinction is very important because Black Vulture's trend toward increased occurrence on LI, which prompted this thread, has occurred more or less simultaneously with Turkey Vulture's, in very recent years. The lag between occupation of the adjacent mainland and dramatically increased occurrence on LI in this case was about 15 years. As Kevin notes, Raven was once almost extirpated from the eastern United States and was no more than scarce wilderness specialist in NYS for the first two-thirds of the 20th Century. Its expansion over the last several decades has been spectacular, e.g., a 500% increase in occupied blocks between the two atlases. Like both of the preceding species, Ravens have made news on LI during the last few years. Unlike them, however, this trend followed immediately upon its occupation of adjacent mainland areas, with no perceptible lag at all. Another hulking black carrion-eater probably deservers mention here. Bald Eagle's inter-atlas surge in NYS makes Raven's seem downright paltry, its confirmed blocks increasing 6,000%! Statewide observers probably don't appreciate how oddly scarce this species remained on LI through most of the 20th Century, even as its status was changing so radically in nearby mainland areas. Admittedly, the broader trends for this species are far more complex than those described above, with regional breeding populations, those breeding far to the north, and also wanderers from the south each experiencing its own roller-coaster fortunes and contributing to LI occurrence. Even so, one gets the impression from reading the books that Bald Eagle's LI status didn't vary greatly from Griscom's time (1923) to Cruickshank's (1942) to Bull's (1964) to the late 20th Century (personal experience), except that it was probably even scarcer here during and after the DDT era (60s-90's). Although I know this doesn't do justice to this species' comnplex history, I can say without doubt that there has been an abrupt increase in the occurrence of Bald Eagles on LI and in RI during the last ten years, as compared to the 80s and 90s. Like all of the preceding, Fish Crow expanded as a breeder in NYS between the two atlases, but unlike any of the others, Fish Crow initially moved into southeastern NYS in an equitable fashion, occupying both the Hudson Valley and LI over a century ago. Given its ubiquity on LI throughout my own experience, I'm not sure if it has increased here very much over the past ten years, but my hunch is that it has increased at least somewhat. Fish Crow has expanded greatly in southern mainland RI over the last decade. Last, and perhaps most important from an ecological point of view, is the case of American Crow. It is very difficult to quantify the status of this abundant and truly ubiquitous bird, but the impacts of West Nile Virus in the early years of the past decade have been much publicized. Even giving due allowance to the difficulties of counting crows owing to vagaries of their local movements and roosting patterns, I'm convinced that this species is much less numerous today than ten years ago in the areas I know best--LI and southern mainland Rhode Island. In these areas, at least three long-standing roosts of +10,000 birds simply seem to have vanished. Even if many of those birds have moved a few tens of miles away or shifted to a more dispersed distribution, the
[nysbirds-l] Upland Sandpiper on Fire Island
There was an Upland Sandpiper at Robert Moses SP, Suffolk Co., LI this morning. The bird was on the roadside grass a little east of the exit ramp to Field 4, or about a quarter mile west of the entrance to Field 5, around 9:00 am. Ken Feustel and others looked for it without success later in the morning. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Uppie-date+
The Upland Sandpiper continued at Robert Moses SP, Suffolk Co., LI through the day today and was seen by many observers. Apparently it was difficult to find at times, but it was still there at 18:35 when I swung through on my way home. I looked at the ocean briefly just before this and was pleased to see a Harbor Porpoise, two Red-necked Grebes flying westward, and several motley skeins of piebald, molting Oldsquaws, also flying westward. In contrast, the scoters, loons, and Gannets (whose recent morning movements have been overwhelmingly eastward) were mostly sitting on the water. Of interest was a feeding flock of ca. 60 Bonaparte's Gulls far out, near the limits of visibility. This morning, on my way into work, I noted two new arrivals at Jones Beach West End: a Least Sandpiper and five Forster's Terns. Relative to Hugh's report from East Hampton, I recall that Andrew Baksh found two Blue-winged Teal at Cow Meadow, Nassau County, on 1 April. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hudsonian Godwit Orange County, Sat-Sun
A breeding-plumaged Hudsonian Godwit was found at the Wallkill River NWR, Orange Co. on Saturday evening by members of the Mearns Bird Club, including Dennis Murphy. It was found again on Sunday morning by Tom Burke, Gail Benson, and Andy Guthrie. The bird fed along a muddy berm trending north-south within the impoundment immediately south of the parking area on Oil City Rd. It was visible from the dikes along the east and west edges of this impoundment, but views were very distant from the east side and compromised by poor light from the west side. An early Spotted Sandpiper was also present in this impoundment. Late in the morning, the godwit was joined by three Lesser and one Greater Yellowlegs. They all crouched low as a Peregrine flew up from the south, then flushed when it returned a few minutes later. In flight, its black underwing coverts and black and white tail pattern left no doubt about its identity, but unfortunately the group continued flying southward, out of sight into New Jersey. A photo can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/MainlandNYS2010#545939469111074 Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Willets, Semi Plovers, RAZOs, Protho+
There was a heavy movement of waterbirds along LI's outer beaches this morning, with migrating Common Loons outnumbering Red-throated for the first time this spring--at least for me. Double-crested Cormorants were moving very heavily, totaling around 1,100 over the course of the morning. The most notable highlight of a short seawatch at Robert Moses SP, Suffolk County was a trio of Razorbills. Shorebird arrivals at Jones Beach West End, Nassau County included two Willets and two very early Semipalmated Plovers. It's rather early for Willets too, so we gave them a close look. Based on their pale plumage tones, I initially considered the possibility of Western Willet--despite their full breeding plumage, something we seldom see among Western Willets on LI. Bill shape, however, indicates nominate Eastern Willet. A photo can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# As happens so often nowadays, these interesting birds were scared off by a Peregrine Falcon. The previously reported Prothonotary Warbler continued at Fuch's Pond in Northport, northwestern Suffolk County. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Big Shorebird Push
Large numbers of shorebirds arrived today on the marsh islands north of Cedar Beach, Gilgo, and Tobay. The flocks were dominated by Dunlin (ca. 5,000) and Black-bellied Plover (ca. 500), but several unusual species were also present. Pat and I spread the word about the shorebirds after we found a basic-plumaged Red Knot and two Ruddy Turnstones at Cedar Beach Marina, around 9:00. A little later, we found two early Short-billed Dowitchers at Tobay (one was a yearling bird retaining a tiger striped, albeit heavily worn, juvenal tertial). Meanwhile, Tom Burke and Gail Benson arrived at Cedar Marina and picked out an American Golden-Plover and another dowitcher. We rejoined them in time to see the Golden-Plover, plus a breeding-plumaged Red Knot they found in the interim. We saw immature male Common Eiders at Robert Moses SP and Jones Beach SP, an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was present at Camman's Pond, and an Orange-crowned Warbler continued at Hempstead Lake SP. Shai Mitra Pat Lindsay Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Shorebirds, Terns, Swallows++
A quick visit to Jones Beach West End today yielded the best diversity of shorebirds I've seen yet this spring: 120 Black-bellied Plovers (max yesterday 90 at Cupsogue) 1 Semipalmated Plover (max yesterday 4 at Cupsogue) 70 Red Knots--most in full breeding plumage 5 Ruddy Turnstones (max yesterday 9 on Dune Rd.) 90 Short-billed Dowitchers, including one hendersoni (three along Dune Rd. yesterday plus singles at Shinnecock and Cupsogue; and two at Goethals Bridge Pond on Saturday) 600 Dunlin (max yesterday 350 at Cupsogue) 15 Sanderlings (half in partial breeding plumage) 60 Least Sandpipers (max yesterday 60 at Cupsogue) 15 Semipalmated Sandpipers (my first of season) There were at least 170 Common Terns at West End today (following 100 east of Triton Lane yesterday and my first seven of the season at Fire Island on Friday). These were with about 30 Forster's Terns and a pair of Gull-bills (my first was there on Friday evening), and we saw our first Least Tern at Jamaica Bay on Saturday. There was a first summer Lesser Black-backed Gull in the rain pool in front of Field 2, Jones Beach West End, today. A striking aspect of the flights this weekend were the many blackbirds and swallows involved in westward migration. I thought the blackbirds were interesting because we don't often think about blackbird migration continuing this late in the season, but many Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and Brown-headed Cowbirds were clearly migrating at places like Robert Moses SP, near the western tip of Fire Island, and we even saw a meadowlark (presumably Eastern) there yesterday (Eastern Meadowlarks were conspicuous on territory later yesterday at the Grumman grasslands). Barns Swallows were moving westward at Fire Island on Friday morning and again yesterday morning, when 71+ were joined by small numbers of Tree, Bank (2), Rough-winged (1), Purple Martin (2), and Chimney Swift (14). The swallow flight was stronger if anything along Dune Rd. in the afternoon, when we counted 176 migrating westward, along 2 more Banks and a my first Cliff Swallow of the season. Two other species that you might not expect would fly westward along the Long Island coast during spring, but which nevertheless consistently do this, were 4 Eastern Kingbirds and a Red-headed Woodpecker at RMSP yesterday (photo of the RHWO at: ). Although this sort of reorientation behavior is typical of night-migrating Neotropical migrants such as warblers, tanagers, and orioles, of which there were a few along the beaches both Friday morning and yesterday, I'm trying to get used to seeing more Orchard Orioles than Baltimores almost everywhere on LI these days: between the two of us, Pat and I connected with Orchards at Staten Island, Babylon, Edgewood, Fire Island, Calverton, and Eastport this weekend. Warbler highlights from the weekend included a Western Palm Warbler at Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island, on Friday morning (quite rare in southeastern NY during spring); Hooded and Cerulean there on Saturday morning; and a Worm-eating at Hunters Garden, central Suffolk County, yesterday. Somewhat early for central-eastern LI was a Red-eyed Vireo in Manorville yesterday, and very early in my experience was an Eastern Wood-Pewee at Clove Lakes on Saturday. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Shorebirds, Terns, Swallows++
I forgot to note that the White-winged Dove was NOT present at Jones Beach during my visit today, and the link to the woodpecker photo is: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010#5466784752001114050 Shai Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] May 13th Western Race Fox Sparrow in Central Park
Dear Karen and all, This report is extremely exciting and of great interest to many people. I would be most appreciative of any follow-up reports concerning whether the bird continues to be seen. Please document this bird as carefully as possible. Paul Buckley recorded a Fox Sparrow of the subspecies altivagans at Fire Island Lighthouse on almost this date (12 May 71--note that these dates are a month later than Red Fox Sparrows are expected in southeastern NY). Collected as a specimen, that record has been much studied and debated over the years. This one deserves to be described in detail and photographed if possible. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-5795959-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-5795959-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Karen Fung [easternblueb...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 7:07 AM To: ebirds...@yahoogroups.com; nysbirds-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] May 13th Western Race Fox Sparrow in Central Park Hi All, Stephanie Seymour and Rob Fanning just called to report a Fox Sparrow (Western Subspecies, a much grayer form) in Strawberry Fields in Central Park. The sparrow was found on the wood chip path by Steve Chang and Andrew Rubenfeld about 15 min ago (~6:45am). Good luck if you go. Karen Fung Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Stellar Flight on Barrier Beach
Evidently, the passage of last night's cold front was such that many Neotrops were tempted a-flight by southwest winds early in the eve, drifted out over the New York Bight, then caught out when the winds turned northwest. Under these conditions, nocturnal migrants drop in as soon as they reach the beach, then bounce along from east to west through the morning. This morning's flight at Robert Moses SP was probably the best I've seen there since the epic flight of 10 May 2002. Although much smaller than that flight, I counted approximately three warblers per second from 8:30-9:00. Pat had seen birds passing at a similar rate earlier in the morning, and birds continued passing at an impressive rate until 9:30. For those not familiar with these re-orientation flights, it's worth noting that some species (e.g., flycatchers and thrushes) tend not to participate in the post-dawn westward bouncing, even though they might have come ashore in big numbers. As expected, I didn't connect with many of these birds as I monitored this morning's flight. I was surprised, however, at the poor showing made by some of the larger, stronger flyers (e.g., RB Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole) that are often very numerous in these kinds of flights. Anyway, some highlights were: 5 Solitary Sandpipers--three singles and one pair, all flying westward 1 Black-billed Cuckoo 3 RT Hummingbirds 250 Chimney Swifts--by far my highest count ever from the barrier beach; all flying westward, as were all the swallows listed below 21 Eastern Kingbirds--all flying westward 1 Blue Jay--usually absent from the barrier beach 1 Purple Martin 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 8 Bank Swallows 9 Cliff Swallows 400 Barn Swallows 58 Cedar Waxwings 20 species of warblers, including 110 Magnolia, 70 BT Blue, and 33 Canada I was able to identify only ca. 20% of the warblers that flew by--about 300 of the ca. 1,500 warblers I saw. We wound up seeing 103 species between RMSP and Jones Beach, and our only woodpecker of the day was a Red-Headed that Pat saw at Jones Beach just before we quit! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Wilson's Plover Still Present at Jones Beach West End
Steve Schellenger re-found Andrew Baksh's Wilson's Plover at Jones Beach West End this evening. The bird was in the swale (much drier now) on the beach side of the Field 2 pavilion and was seen by Tom Burke and several other birders in the day's waning light. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] The Window Is Open!
A one-hour seawatch at Robert Moses SP (7:00-8:00) yielded a good flight of Common Loons, lots of milling Gannets, one White-winged Scoter, and one adult, light-morph Parasistic Jaeger heading east. Although my search for Sooty Shearwater was not successful today, I was happy to get a call from Long Island transplant to Virginia, Andy Baldelli, who was of like mind down at Virginia Beach. Andy found at least two, and probably three, adult Arctic Terns there today, as well as two Sooty Shearwaters. No such luck on LI, but Roseate Terns continue around Fire Island Inlet, and the immature Blue Grosbeak was still patrolling the plantings near the entrance to Parking Field 2 at Robert Moses. With Andy's permission, I posted several of his photos to: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/VirginiaBeachArcticTerns# Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Arctic Tern+++
Inspired by Andy Baldelli's exploits down in Virginia, I visited Democrat Pt. (Fire Island Inlet) and Cupsogue (Moriches Inlet) today, in search of Arctic Terns--and found an adult at Cupsogue on the rising tide. Photos can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Earlier, at Democrat Pt., I saw my first Sooty Shearwater and Black Tern of the season, and counted 13 Roseate Terns resting among Common Terns (other Roseates were visible or audible over the inlet and ocean at all times, also. Only two of the 13 were banded. A young Lesser Black-backed Gull was also present. A seawatch at Cupsogue with Patricia Lindsay, Tom Burke, and Gail Benson yielded about a dozen Sooty Shearwaters and at least one adult light morph Parasitic Jaeger. There were decent numbers of shorebirds at Cupsogue, but I thought the numbers at nearby Pikes Beach were paltry for the date. A first summer Lesser Black-backed Gull was present at Pikes. Pat saw an Acadian Nelson's Sparrow among half a dozen Saltmarsh Sparrows and a few Seasides at Cupsogue. Tom and Gail kept up the seawatching after we left, and at Shinnecock Inlet they saw a Manx Shearwater and a Little Gull, among other species. During an earlier stint at Shinnecock they had seen an immature Black-legged Kittiwake, and, earlier still, a young male Blue Grosbeak at the DEC bikepath along Rte. 51 in Eastport, Suffolk County. They searched for but did not see the previously reported Wilson's Plover at Sagaponack. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re:[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Cory's Shearwater, Western Sandpiper, Royal and Black Terns+
The Royal Tern was at Pikes Beach during the morning. Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Blockbusting/fixed link
Matt raised a very legitimate point about potential variability in mortality risks among sites, and he did so in a non-confrontational manner, not deserving of a sarcastic response. Irony is a twin-edged sword, however, and it often rings oddly in a discussion like this. Seriously, who wouldn't love to see a thorough study made of the bird-life at the proposed site near Batavia? The question of whether to place a particular for-profit industrial installation in a particular place is incredibly complex, and I doubt that Matthew meant to imply that the papers he cited constitute a carte blanche for the proposed Batavia project. The density and species composition of birds varies not only among sites, but even at a particular site, where they can vary tremendously from season to season and from year to year (as students of migration can attest, via many, many scientific studies). I was reminded of this quite forcefully earlier this spring as I watched literally thousands of Neotropical migrant landbirds struggle ashore at Fire Island, Long Island, in a classic spring fallout event. These birds passed through an airspace that has been debated as a wind farm site. The occurrence of these fallout events is a certainty over appropriate time-scales, but many regional wildlife biologists and active birders have never witnessed even one in their lives. These days you can't miss the interviews with scholars who study the great difficulty that cost-benefit analyses suffer in correctly evaluating the risks arising from these low probability/high magnitude events. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-6024671-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-6024671-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Voisine, Matthew NAN02 [matthew.vois...@usace.army.mil] Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 3:38 PM To: grosb...@clarityconnect.com; nysbirds-l@cornell.edu; geneseebird...@geneseo.edu Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Blockbusting/fixed link I would love to see the citation that differ from the citations that I sent earlier. Surveys done scientifically cost $. No way around it. $100,000 for research is nothing. Why do comments like, the numbers of birds killed at turbines are in the single digits per year per turbine, my suspicions get greater!! get your suspicions greater? I backed it up with science. I do not see any science stating otherwise. Matthew Voisine Wildlife Biologist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning - Environmental Analysis Branch 26 Federal Plaza - Rm 2151 New York, New York 10278-0090 Voice: 917.790.8718 Fax: 212.264.0961 -Original Message- From: bounce-6024478-8614...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-6024478-8614...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of grosb...@clarityconnect.com Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 12:59 PM To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu; geneseebird...@geneseo.edu Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Blockbusting/fixed link Hello all, I fully agree that wind power can help us move towards a more sustainable form of energy! However, there is a right and wrong place to do this. I'm not necessarily saying that this project should not happen, but given its close proximity to a fabulous upstate National Wildlife Refuge, I do not think that two 3 minute point count surveys at 20 points is sufficient! Do we need a $100,000 survey to make a determination, no, but given how sneakily things can sometimes be done in this country, I do think doing a thorough survey is warranted! When I see comments like, the numbers of birds killed at turbines are in the single digits per year per turbine, my suspicions get greater!! This stat all depends on the _where_, especially since I strongly believe inappropriately placed turbines can kill many more than a handful of birds! Others that more closely work on this issue can certainly speak with greater scope and surely can provide many papers that cite the mortality that can sometimes happen at certain turbines. cheers, Matt Original Message: - From: Voisine, Matthew NAN02 matthew.vois...@usace.army.mil Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 11:27:00 -0400 To: tl...@cornell.edu, nysbirds-l@cornell.edu Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Blockbusting/fixed link Link for the one that does not work http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a909088697db=all Matthew Voisine Wildlife Biologist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning - Environmental Analysis Branch 26 Federal Plaza - Rm 2151 New York, New York 10278-0090 Voice: 917.790.8718 Fax: 212.264.0961 From: tara.schnei...@gmail.com [mailto:tara.schnei...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Tara Schneider Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 11:19 AM To: Voisine, Matthew NAN02 Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Blockbusting Thanks for sending your feedback to the whole list. I agree with you fully. I am interested in reading the articles you sent - thank you very much for taking the time to post those links. Just wanted to let you know that one of the links does not work:
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Early Summer Shorebirds and Seabirds
Mid June presents some interesting and unexpected opportunities for birding on Long Island. An uptick in landbird vagrancy around the time of the solstice is a well recognized (if poorly understood) pattern nowadays, but who would surmise, by checking range maps or reading the old books, that Northern Gannets and Lesser Black-backed Gulls would be more numerous on LI in June than in January? Bobby Berlingeri recorded 375 Northern Gannets off of Tobay Beach, Nassau County, last weekend, and other observers have been recording triple-digit tallies from Fire Island, Moriches, and Shinnecock Inlets. Bobby also saw at least four Wilson's Storm-petrels from Tobay yesterday (13 June), inspiring Pat and me, with the help of John Gluth, finally to connect with five of these birds at Cupsogue last night--the latest date Pat and I have gone before recording the species in at least a decade. As I'm writing this, Ken Feustel just called with a report of 17 WISPs at Robert Moses SP--the most I've heard of by far this season. In other seawatching news, Pat saw a Parasitic Jaeger from Cupsogue on Saturday afternoon (12 June), and Pat and John Gluth saw a Manx Shearwater last night (I was scoping the bayside at the time). The pattern emerging from this season's seawatches, at least so far, is low density but average to good diversity. Like Angus Wilson further east, Pat and I saw a Royal Tern over the ocean Sunday morning, at Robert Moses SP, and like Angus, a few dopey ducks can be found all along the LI shore: a male Surf Scoter at RMSP yesterday, two Common Eiders at Fire Island Inlet thru at least Friday, and two more Eiders recorded by Doug Futuyma at Shinnecock Inlet last week. Andrew Baksh has been keeping tabs on American Coot, Greater Scaup, and Blue-winged Teal lingering at Jamaica Bay (the teal might be breeding there). I photographed two First Summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Democrat Pt on Friday evening (not together, but among loafing flocks about a mile apart), and one of these had moved to RMSP parking Field 2 by the time I returned to my car. Yesterday, Pat and I found an adult-like LBBG at Pikes Beach, then noticed it was accompanied by not one but two First Summer individuals. Although the presence of loafing immature LBBGs at this season has become increasingly familiar, I believe this was the first white-headed, completely yellow-billed individual I've ever seen during June on LI. June is certainly the season for loafing one- and two-year-old charadriiforms on LI. Pat and I connected with our first First Summer Least Terns of the season on Saturday (one each at Mecox Bay and on the north shore of East Hampton, the latter accompanied by at least two Second Summer individuals), and First Summer Common Terns are now regular at Cupsogue, following arrival of the season's first on 2 June (there were two there, not necessarily the same birds, each day this weekend). In other tern news, small numbers of Roseate Terns continue to be conspicuous around Fire Island and Moriches Inlets, and Luke Ormand, Anthony Graves and John Turner have found at least two pairs breeding among Common Tern colonies in the latter area. I saw a Gull-billed Tern at Jam Bay on Thursday and Andrew saw the same or another there on Friday; this species is often very difficult to find at the height of the breeding season. White-rumped Sandpipers are still migrating heavily through Long Island: Andrew Baksh tallied 10+ at Jam Bay on Thursday and helped Jim Cullen, Sam Jannazzo and me tally up about a dozen adults (and one gray First Summer bird) at Cupsogue on Saturday. As the northbound flocks of brightly plumaged shorebirds move on, they've been replaced by smaller numbers of dull-plumaged non-breeders: two Dunlin, 47 SB Dowitchers, 25 Red Knots, three Black-bellied Plovers, etc. at Cupsogue this weekend. In addition to the 47 First Summer SB Dows yesterday were two breeding plumaged birds of the prevailing eastern subspecies griseus and one spanking adult of the scarcer Prairie-breeding subspecies hendersoni--nicely photographed by John Gluth: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgluth_brb/ Hendersoni has been regarded as genuinely rare even a little to north of LI was thought to be just a scarce southbound migrant July-August here until close attention began yielding a handful of May and June records over the last few years. John's flickr site also shows an afflicted Red Knot with tumor-like growths on its head and throat--one of two such Knots at Cupsogue yesterday. A similarly afflicted White-rumped Sandpiper was photographed in Rhode Island on Saturday, and this phenomenon is well known--although again poorly understood--in our region during June. Pat's and my LI/NYC quarterly report for summer 2006 discusses the matter in some detail at: http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y2006v56n4/y2006v56n4rgn10.pdf# --and I've posted photos of yesterday's Knots at:
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Arctic Tern, Hudsonian Godwit, Whimbrel, Cory's Greater Shearwaters+
Birding all day with no camera (left at home) and no cell phone (battery died early), I noticed how good it felt to be liberated from these distractions. Then things got complicated. It began raining lightly and Patricia decided not to come out on the flats with me at Cupsogue, just east of Moriches Inlet, Suffolk County. I asked her to check on me periodically as she birded from the roadway, in case I found something really good, in which case I would flail about to catch her attention. My first round of gesturing came not long after we split up, as I attempted to indicate the presence of a Whimbrel on the western edge of the flats. Little did I know that Patricia was at that time looking at a Hudsonian Godwit on a bar even farther west (a sandy bar that pelicans have been known to roost on, visible from a cut in the dune about a quarter of a mile west of the Cupsogue parking lot), and she of course could not see me at all from there (even if she were inclined to do some flailing of her own). Proceeding with my birding, I was pleased to see (and hear) eight Lesser Yellowlegs in a shallow panne--always a good sign of active migration at this salty/sandy site that tends not to hold species like LEYE and Stilt Sandpiper. Then I found a beautiful near-adult Arctic Tern. I alternated bouts of waving at the dune-line with close study of the tern (it deviated from a full breeding adult only in its dusky lesser coverts and only moderately long tail streamers, reaching just beyond the wingtips at rest). As the tide came up, it flew toward me showing its translucent primaries and distinctive buoyant flight to good effect, and it landed not ten meters from me. At this point I started to have serious misgivings about the virtues of being unencumbered by cameras Eventually my gesturing (which was now subdued, so as to alarm only savvy primates as opposed to naive birds) seemed to produce a result, as I saw Patricia making her way out onto the flats. Leaving my scope trained on the tern on the deserted flats, I raced a quarter of a mile to meet her half-way. That's when she told me about the godwit. It's also when it started to rain again. And, back to the north, this is also when some boaters began moving toward the tern flock. I left Pat to try to locate her godwit, took her phone, and set off as fast as I could in a desperate bid to phone-scope the tern before it was flushed. I failed. Most of the terns settled back in eventually, but the Arctic was not among them. Pat failed to find the godwit, too, but with only one phone, I had to cross the flats once more to learn this. She had had enough and headed in. I stayed out stubbornly as the tide came up, hoping that either the tern or the godwit would return. The tern did not, but as I re-checked my flock of roosting Willets (50+ adult eastern, no juvs yet, and one first summer Western), there was the Hudwit! I phone-scoped it, checked the terns one more time, then slogged back across the flats for the sixth time in two hours. Other notable birds out there included single Roseate and Royal Terns, and at least three hendersoni SB Dows among at least 100 griseus. When I got to the Beach Hut, Pat had picked up two Greater and one Cory’s Shearwaters over the ocean; another 45 minutes of scoping yielded five more Cory's Shearwaters and about ten Gannets. This exciting (but at times frustrating day) began with a nice group of shorebirds at Mecox Bay, where there was a yearling Lesser Black-backed Gull, the first juvenile Ring-billed Gull we've seen this year, and where 18 Lesser Yellowlegs and 15 SB Dows had us hoping that one of Delaware's two Ruffs might have been tempted over to us. Mecox looks great and ought to be checked thoroughly over the next few days. Sagaponack had flats but few birds, and Montauk Pt. was socked in with fog. Things brightened up for us at Big Reed Pond in Montauk, where we saw lots of newly fledged passerines and a fresh juvenile Bald Eagle (probably a wanderer from down south). If people check for the Hudwit and Arctic Tern tomorrow, I would suggest checking Pikes Beach as well as Cupsogue for the former, and, with regard to the latter, keeping in mind that many of our Common Terns have completely red bills at this time of year. Cheers, Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] hudsonian godwit update
Shane Blodgett just called to report that the Hudsonian Godwit is present again this afternoon (Monday 12 July) on the big sandbar between Moriches Inlet and the Cupsogue flats, Suffolk County, Long Island. I've added a couple of photos from yesterday at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Bird Notes, 23-24 July
Here are a few notes from last weekend on birds not mentioned or emphasized in previous reports. At Jones Beach, Nassau Co., on Friday afternoon, the inclement weather discouraged human activity enough to allow birds to use the Short Beach island and Field 2 parking areas without much disturbance. At the former, the many shorebirds included nine Western (and zero Eastern) Willets—my largest tally of inornatus yet this year. Also present there were three adult Gull-billed Terns, resting and eating crabs, and at least seven brand-new Least Tern juvs. The flock of American Oystercatchers had already grown to 90 birds—all adults or older immatures (= zero juvs). A breeding-plumaged Black Tern foraged over the bay. On the ocean side, a surprisingly large group of ragged brown gulls (few adults and no juvs) were enjoying a peaceful afternoon on Field 2, at low tide no less. Among these were two Lesser-black-backed Gulls, a yearling and a two year-old, continuing the trend of summer prevalence that I emphasized back in June: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# A smaller gull flock at Captree SP, a few miles east along the beach in Suffolk Co., featured several brand-new Herring Gulls—undoubtedly from the small colonies on the nearby bay islands but reminders of the great colony at Captree itself, which was very famous in an earlier era. At Jamaica Bay on Saturday, it’s worth noting that the previously reported juv Least Bittern was undoubtedly a local product, a hint as to how many interesting things probably went undetected on and around the bloated and fetid East Pond earlier this summer. Juv Forster’s Terns can be studied to great advantage there, along with their still-attentive parents, offering terrific opportunities to learn vocalizations, plumage features, and habits distinguishing this species from the very similar Common Tern. The only Common Tern I noticed on the East Pond on Saturday was a fly-over adult that happened to call. Five of us (Pat, Joan, Gerta, Andrew) ran out to Cupsogue later on Saturday, where we didn’t add much to the many notable observations recorded by Seth Ausubel et al. earlier in the day. This was my first visit out there in two weeks, and the most immediately obvious changes involved the fledging of many juv Common Terns (80+) and the abrupt and nearly complete withdrawal of Eastern Willets. It was heartening to see that the local terns managed to bring off so many young despite relentless pressure from campers and their dogs. In contrast to the gangs of 90+ adult Willets present just two weeks ago, we found just two adults today, along with the only full-grown juv I’ve seen yet this season. While searching unsuccessfully for Seth et al.’s Brown Pelican, we turned up three juv Oystercatchers, and Royal Terns are finally starting to build up in numbers: we saw seven at Pikes Beach plus two more at Cupsogue. Last summer, our marsh-nesting birds suffered almost complete nesting failure, due to flood tides. Throughout our visit, actively migrating shorebirds were conspicuous—mostly SB Dows and Semi Sands, but also a Whimbrel and several other species. Some of the over-summering shorebirds were still present also, including both winter-plumaged (= first summer?) Dunlin, but we did not see Schnauzer the tumor-afflicted Knot. The most interesting shorebird we saw was a tiny-billed Western Sandpiper (photos at site cited above), which will be sure to trouble our sleep when we’re gleaning through October’s lingering peeps. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Marbled Godwits
After I spoke with Hugh, Pat found a third Marbled Godwit on the pelican bar, about half a mile west of the main flats at Cupsogue, and north of the camper colony along the 4-wheel drive track that leads to the inlet. Later we learned that Jim Cullen had seen the two godwits on the main flats earlier in the day. These two birds fed actively in the deepening water at the northeast peak of the main flats, then moved as the tide rose, first to the southeast corner, and finally to the grassy patch near the southwest corner--the very spot favored by the Hudsonian Godwit a few weeks ago. Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Perhaps arriving with the Modwits from the Canadian prairies were my first two juvenile Western Willets of the season (four-five adults were also present). We also finally found good numbers of juvenile Eastern Willets (six at Cupsogue, 13 at Pikes Beach). I wonder whether these were locals, or whether they might have come from down the beach (e.g., southeastern New England). An adult Black Tern and a fresh juv Forster's Tern were at Cupsogue, and the number of Royal Terns at Pikes Beach swelled to 49. A nice day at the beach! Best, Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-6155972-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-6155972-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Hugh McGuinness [hmcguinn...@ross.org] Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 12:14 PM To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu; Metro Birding Briefs Subject: [nysbirds-l] Marbled Godwits Shai Mitra called to say that he has just arrived at the flats at Cupsogue where there are 2 MARBLED GODWITS. Pat Lindsay is watching the ocean where at least a dozen CORY'S SHEARWATERS have flown by. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinn...@ross.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Bird Notes: Belated report of seabirds and shorebirds
Pat saw the continuing SY Glaucous Gull at Orient Pt on Friday evening. We both saw it as our ferry pulled in on Saturday evening, but it flew off toward Gardiners Island before I could get any photos. I noticed that its right leg drooped as it flew, suggesting that an injury might underlie its persistence through the summer. If anyone has good photos of this seasonally unusual bird, I would be grateful to see them. Folks with long memories and strong stomachs for staring at tattered immature gulls might remember another SY Glaucous Gull at Shinnecock Inlet, back in the summer of 2001. That bird inspired some controversy because a leucistic Great Black-backed Gull had been misidentified as a Glaucous at the same site the previous winter and apparently persisted there for many months. We had intimate studies of the 2001 GLGU (and the odd GBBG too), and I’m completely satisfied regarding their identities. I think this year’s bird is a GLGU, but I’ve only seen it briefly on a couple of occasions, with binoculars only, and I’d appreciate critical details/photos if anyone has them. Birding Cupsogue on Sunday morning, we saw six Marbled Godwits. These birds move frequently between the main flats north of the parking lot, the “pelican bar” to the west, and Pikes Beach to the east, and their groupings are very fluid. For instance, on Sunday, I was watching one on the main flats when Pat and Joan Quinlan called to let me know that five were in transit from the pelican bar toward me. One of these quickly joined the one I’d been watching; another flew north out of sight behind a big spoil island a few minutes later; and the other three eventually showed up on the edge of the barrier beach. While eating lunch at the Beach Hut, we noticed a good flight of inshore Cory’s Shearwaters. We tallied 87 from 13:00-14:00, along with a Manx Shearwater, 8 Gannets, and a Black Tern. A little further to the east, Andy Guthrie and Angus Wilson also saw this flight and furthermore picked out two Greater Shearwaters. These two added another bird to the day list when they visited Cupsogue on the falling tide, and it was a big one: a Brown Pelican doping about on the northeast peak of the main flats around 18:30. Yesterday (Monday) I visited Jamaica Bay briefly after begging out of a very slow banding session at Fort Tilden (sorry Juliette!). Apart from the continuing Marbled Godwit and intimate studies of molting Western, White-rumped, and Stilt Sandpipers, my highlight there was a juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher that allowed close study alongside an adult Long-bill and both adult and juvenile Short-bills. I would appreciate feedback on the identification of this bird because it seems very early for a juvenile Long-bill, and because its tertials showed a bit more patterning than expected on a typical specimen. Structurally, and in terms of its overall plumage, I thought it was pretty clearly a Long-bill: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Andrew’s ethical teachings must be rubbing off because I didn’t even consider trying to make it call! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Lark Sparrow Floyd Bennett Field Brooklyn
Via text message from Doug Gochfield: A Lark Sparrow along the Archery Road at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] 22 Godwits at Cupsogue!
Some readers might recall recent efforts by various observers to nail down a tally for the Marbled Godwits in the Cupsogue, Suffolk County, area. This afternoon, Andy Guthrie, Patricia Lindsay and I counted zero at Pikes Beach, then six on the northeast peak of the main flats at Cupsogue, then one on the “pelican bar” to the west. Looking northeastward from our vantage above the last site, we saw plenty of godwits remaining on the main flats. In fact, by the time we sorted them out, we had tallied nine Marbled and a tight flock of twelve Hudsonian Godwits there, as well as the one Marbled on the bar below us! We scrambled to get down onto the flats as quickly as we could, but by the time we got there, the Hudsonians had departed. A tenth Marbled was now present on the main flats—probably the one from the pelican bar, as that bird was no longer there a few minutes later. When we checked Pikes a little later, no godwits were present. The weather throughout our visit was very unsettled, with occasional light rain and an easterly breeze. During our initial stop at Pikes, we had been impressed by a fly-over flock of 40+ Lesser Yellowlegs plus at least one Stilt Sandpiper. We remarked on the improbability that these panne and pool aficionados would tarry for long on Cupsogue’s sandy flats, but welcomed them as an indication that shorebirds were on the move. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] Monk Parakeets at Cow Harbor Park (Freeport, Nassau Co.)
Pat and I saw a Monk Parakeet a day earlier, about a quarter mile north of the parking area at Cow Meadow. It flew across the road as we were driving and perched briefly in a roadside tree, where I clearly saw the face and wing pattern diagnostic of this species. This could add great glory to our humble Baldwin territory on the Southern Nassau CBC, just four months away! Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-6196267-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-6196267-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of John Gluth [jgl...@optonline.net] Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2010 10:24 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L-for posts Subject: [nysbirds-l] Monk Parakeets at Cow Harbor Park (Freeport, Nassau Co.) After earlier (12:30-4:20), unremarkable visits to Jones Beach west end and Oceanside (no Buff-breasted Sandpiper or Avocet), I paid a visit to Cow Harbor Park in Freeport ~4:30 to look for shorebirds on the pond and marsh. The latter had low numbers of common species (Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Semi and Least sandpipers, and S-b Dowitcher, all widely scattered in the shallower pools. The pond harbored a substantial gathering of both white egrets, a few night-herons (both species), several Glossy Ibis and 2 Green-winged Teal. Shorebird numbers were modest and composed of the aforementioned species with the following additions-- White-rumped Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs (1 each). The highlight of the visit wasn't a waterbird though. On my way to the pond I heard a couple shrill, rolling vocalizations--very psittacine-like. From among the bevy of Tree swallow swarming overhead a pair of larger, long-tailed birds emerged and landed in a small tree between the parking lot and tennis courts. Before I was able to close enough ground on the tree both birds lit out, again calling. Silhouetted against the gray sky little of the bird's plumage color or pattern could be perceived. But based on perceived size, and more importantly the additional calling, I could tell they were MONK PARAKEETS. The birds flew out of sight toward the residential area to the north. Anyone know if there are any established colonies in the area? -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Saturday Morning Flight at Fire Island
There was a nice morning flight at Robert Moses SP, Suffolk Co., yesterday morning (28 Aug 10). Swallows were moving heavily, passing at a rate of ca. one per second through the morning. Barns outnumbered Trees by about four to three, Banks were easy to find (we estimated ca. 50), and we noted two Cliff Swallows. We did not see a single Rough-wing, underscoring the scarcity of this species on the outer beach. Many species were noted migrating, including a Great Blue Heron, three Merlins, an American Kestrel, and many passerines. Among ten species of warblers, the most numerous were Yellow (15), Common Yellowthroat (15), Northern Waterthrush (9), and Am. Redstart (6); the most notable were single Blue-winged and Cape May (the former always very scarce on the outer beach). As noted by many observers lately, Red-breasted Nuthatches seem to be mounting a good flight this year (we noted 5). A single Purple Finch was only mildly surprising, as this species often appears on the coast in small numbers around Labor Day, a month or more ahead of the main flight. As with the spring flight of 15 May, it is interesting to compare our morning with Rob Jett's data from Prospect Park. The two Veeries we recorded at RMSP were two more than one usually finds on the barrier beach and, together with Rob's big inland count, are evidence of a significant push of Neotropicals Friday night. We also noted an mass-emergence of ants, attended by feasting Laughing Gulls. These events probably occur every year, and I know Tony Lauro wrote an article on the topic many years ago. Here is a link to a photo of an ant from a similar event last year: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/CrittersAndOthersFunctAndNotSo#5380791796728136466 Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Baird's Birds at Jones Beach
Patricia Lindsay reports that SEVEN Baird's Sandpipers and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper were present at Jones Beach West End this morning, around 6:30-7:00. These birds, all juvs as expected, were present in the beach-side area described by Steve Walter yesterday (see below). Catching up on a few birds from Sunday, Fire Island was flanked by adult/juv duos of Caspian Terns, at Robert Moses SP (near Fire Island Inlet) and Cupsogue (near Moriches Inlet). We could find only two Marbled Godwits at Cupsogue. Shorebird numbers seemed rather low, but I did record my first two juv Red Knots of the season. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-6231789-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-6231789-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Walter [swalte...@verizon.net] Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 8:06 PM To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Baird's Birds at Jones Beach This morning at Jones Beach, I observed 6 (possibly as many as 9) Baird's Sandpipers. These were not in the swale, where Baird's are often found, but, continuing past the swale toward the beach and turning left, at a rain pool. A group of 6 was present briefly around 10:30. I got off one long distance picture that captured 4 in the frame, before they took off. See http://www.hmana.org/steve/bairds.htm . The birds seemed flighty and not in need of much reason to move on. Certainly, from this distance, it wasn't me that put them on their way. Earlier, at about 9:35, there was a single individual. About 15 minutes later, I saw another Baird's that took off with another bird that I didn't get a chance to ID. In these cases, my movements may have been responsible for causing them to leave. I say all this because I got the feeling that these were migrating through and just making brief stopovers, and the group of 6 didn't include the earlier birds. But good luck to anyone that wants to check it out tomorrow. One other shorebird note was a still present Piping Plover. Otherwise, the routine stuff. On many days, seeing 6 Baird's together would make for the exciting moment of the day. But later this day, I laid eyes on my first ever New York record of Variegated Meadowhawk, a western dragonly with known vagrancy tendencies (I saw one in Cape May 15 years ago). This one was at Lido Beach Nature Area. This picture can be seen at http://www.hmana.org/steve/corruptm.htm . After 5 days of predominantly north and northwest winds, there are loads of migratory dragonflies (and butterflies) along the beach. Steve Walter Bayside, NY Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Morning Flight at Fire Island
Today I did a two-hour morning flight survey at Robert Moses SP, southwestern Suffolk Co., with help from Pat Lindsay and Brent Bomkamp and his dad. Winds were straight out of the west, which is not conducive to nocturnal migration, but we saw a fair amount of activity among diurnal migrants. As usual, almost everything was flying west down the beach. Notable species included: 6 Green-winged Teal flying due north at 6:30 2-3 Whimbrels--one heading west at 7:15 and two heading east at 7:30 1 imm Red-headed Woodpecker 37 Eastern Kingbirds 35 Cedar Waxwings 1 Dickcissel 117 Bobolinks 6 Baltimore Orioles (plus others raiding the chokeberries) 2 Purple Finches (plus two more hanging around) Among birds not making directed movements were 5 RB Nuts, 2 Western Palm Warblers, Prairie Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Veery, and Northern Gannet. We heard through Ken Feustel that Bob Paxton saw a Lark Sparrow yesterday near the entrance to the four-wheel drive road (= western turn-around of parkway). Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Parasitic Jaegers, Common Eiders, Clay-colored Sparrows+
Doug Futuyma saw a third Clay-colored Sparrow today along the hedge by the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach, Nassau County. From: Shaibal Mitra Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 7:52 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: LI Birds: Parasitic Jaegers, Common Eiders, Clay-colored Sparrows+ There was a modest morning flight at Robert Moses SP today, with two American Pipits and a Purple Finch being perhaps the most noteworthy among the birds overhead. A lot of late fall migrants moved in today, including Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Slate-colored Junco, and at least 25 Eastern Phoebes between RMSP and Cedar Beach. The ocean was very active, with large numbers of Laughing Gulls and smaller numbers of Forster's, Common, and Royal Terns. Among the prey these birds were seeking was a least one small passerine that was captured over the waves by a Laughing Gull, and then sought by two Parasitic Jaegers that harried the gull down to the water. We eventually saw at least five Parasitic Jaegers off of Field 2, as well as two migrating Common Eiders (spotted by John Gluth--first of season this far west on LI) and a Juvenile Am. Golden-Plover. A first-winter Herring Gull at Field 2 showed several characters associated with European subspecies. Bob Grover and John Gluth shared most of these birds with us and also reported that the Clay-colored Sparrow at the eastern end of Field 2 remained cooperative this morning. On a tip from John (and also Vinnie Pellegrino), we visited Blydenburg County Park in Smithtown, and, with help from Brent Bomkamp, we savored impressive local early fall counts of many waterfowl (e.g., 9 Pied-billed Grebes, 189 Baldpates, 74 Gadwalls, 17 Pintails, 5 Shovelers, and 8 Ring-necked Ducks)--as well as the two continuing Common Moorhens. We spent the afternoon at Sunken Meadow SP, on the North Shore of LI. Highlights here were single Clay-colored (possibly the first for this park, according to Norm Klein) and Lincoln's Sparrows. A photo of the Sunken Meadow CCSP can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010#5521334922468426738 Shai Mitra Patricia Lindsay Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Cattle Egret and More Lesser BB Gulls, Robert Moses SP, Suffolk County
The Cattle Egret found by Bobby Rossetti and reported by Dave Klauber was still present near the northeast corner of Field 5 at 5:30 this evening. Present then at Field 2 were 6 LBBGs in a discrete flock: 2 near adults, a 3rd Winter, and 3 juvs. At lunchtime, Patricia found a second near adult LBBG at Heckscher (just one of that appearance was present there is morning), bringing our tally today to 11 LBBGs, including 6 juvs--and we covered just three sites in southwestern Suffolk (Heckscher, Captree, and RMSP). As noted by Angus, the gulls appeared to be arriving and departing in a dynamic fashion, and our impression (pending photo analysis) was that there was no obvious overlap among the 5+ individuals observed yesterday at RMSP and the 6+ observed there today. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Snow Bunting and Vesper Sparrow
Joan Quinlan just called to report a Vesper Sparrow this morning near the volleyball courts at Field 2 Robert Moses SP, southwestern Suffolk County. On Monday, 18 Oct, she saw the first Snow Bunting I'm aware of for LI this season, at Cedar Beach, across the inlet from RMSP. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Two Franklin's Gulls+
Ken Feustel found a first winter Franklin's Gull today at Robert Moses SP, Field 5, in southwestern Suffolk County, LI. He called a number of local birders, but none of us arrived in time to see it before it flew out over the dunes. Still present when I got there were four Lesser Black-backed Gulls: two adults and two juvs (I had seen another juv earlier, flying alongside me as I crossed the RM Twin Causeway). Disappointed, the birders began to disperse, some to check Field 2, others the ocean beach. Not to be denied, Patricia Lindsay decided to check Captree SP, although she had no optics whatsoever and was hurrying to get back to work. Leaving RMSP a little after her, I was independently heading for Captree when she called to tell me she had found an adult Franklin's Gull! I arrived quickly, we shared binoculars, scope, and cell phone duties, and marveled at the nature of the universe. A photo or two can be seen at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Large Morning Flight, Long Island
I observed an hour's worth of a very large morning flight Robert Moses SP, LI, this morning. Although not on a scale comparable to massive flight of 3 Nov 2006 (see below), there were very large numbers of Red-winged Blackbirds, Myrtle Warblers, Tree Swallows, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, American Pipits, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, and Purple Finches in the air. Reminiscent of 3 Nov 06, nocturnal migrants that were not obvious in the morning flight itself, such as sparrows and Hermit Thrushes, were percolating out of puckerbrush by the time I left. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: Shaibal Mitra [mi...@mail.csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 10:27 AM To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: Spectacular Morning Flight, Long Island Hi everyone, The morning flight was very impressive today along the barrier beach at Robert Moses State Park, Suffolk. Between 6:45 and 8:15, my estimates of the numbers of birds sweeping along the dunes were on the order of 50,000 Red-winged Blackbirds, 10,000 American Robins, and 1,000 Cedar Waxwings. There were at least 3,000 White- throated Sparrows, and 1K each of Junco and Myrtle Warbler on the ground. GC Kinglets, a staple feature (in the multi-hundreds) of recent coastal flights, were almost completely absent, but numbers of RC Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes, Phoebes were impressive. I wanted to get the word out in case others are able to bird the coast today, and to compare migration notes with observers in other parts of the state. Best, Shai Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Fire Island Birds: Cave Swallows++
Robert Moses SP featured an exciting morning flight again today, with excellent volume and variety of diurnal migrants, but numbers of re-orienting nocturnal migrants (e.g., Myrtle Warblers) were much lower than yesterday's. Highlights included four Cave Swallows (pairs around 8:30 and 9:00), a Baltimore Oriole around 9:15, a Short-eared Owl around 9:30, single Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers around 10:00, as well as 51 Rusty Blackbirds, five Royal Terns, three Common Eiders, and 15 Red-throated Loons. I spoke with Paul Buckley around mid-day, and he related seeing two Cave Swallows along the Hudson River in Riverdale, Bronx County. Shai Mitra Patricia Lindsay Bay Shore, NY Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove at Captree
The Common Ground-Dove was still present past 4:00 pm, along the northern edge of the eastern-most parking lot at Captree SP, Suffolk Co., LI. On at least four occasions, the bird flew out of sight into the vegetation to the north, but it always reappeared in its favorite swath of grass, near the northwest corner of the lot. We've posted some photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Shai Mitra Patricia Lindsay Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove Continues + Western Kingbird
The Common Ground-Dove continues at Captree, although it is sometimes absent for half an hour or so at a time. At 9:50, during one of the dove's absences, a Western Kingbird appeared along the same edge of vegetation. I had to leave shortly thereafter, but I heard from Lloyd Spitalnik that the dove reappeared in its usual haunts and gave a good show for all its newly assembled devotees. At last report, neither dove nor kingbird were visible, but I would think that patient scanning of the northern edge of the easternmost lot is likely to be rewarded. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-7200815-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7200815-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of David Klauber [davehawk...@msn.com] Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 7:45 AM To: NY Birds; NY Metro Bird Hotline Subject: [nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove continues at Captree I just received a call from Shai Mitra who said the Common-Ground-Dove just flew in (7:40 AM) and is in the same place as yesterday. This is the northern edge of the eastern-most parking lot at captree, a bit east of the boat basin. Captree State Park in Suffolk County is at the eastern terminus of the Ocean parkway Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] No Ground-Dove as of 8:20
I just spoke with Patricia Lindsay who reports that the Common Ground-Dove has not been detected at Captree as of 8:20 this morning. Shai Mitra Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] No Ground-Dove as of 8:20
Pat reports that she and others have been unable to find the Common Ground-Dove at Captree through noon today. She and Joan Quinlan did see the continuing Western Kingbird (now in the swale south of the southernmost parking lot, overlooking the inlet), a Short-eared Owl, and a bright Dickcissel near the toll-booths. Shai Mitra From: bounce-7220082-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7220082-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra [shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 8:44 AM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] No Ground-Dove as of 8:20 I just spoke with Patricia Lindsay who reports that the Common Ground-Dove has not been detected at Captree as of 8:20 this morning. Shai Mitra Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove Continues!
Joe Giunta and party have re-found the Common Ground-Dove at Captree SP, very near where Claude Bloch reported it yesterday. The bird is along the driveway that leads to the boat-launch area. My advice would be to park in the main parking lot (in front of the Captree Cove restaurant), and then to view the boat-launch driveway from either its east end (near the entrance to the main parking lot) or its west end (near the southwest corner of the main parking lot). The Western Kingbird and Dickcissel were also present again this morning. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove continues at captree State Park
John Gluth called a little before this and reported both the Common Ground-Dove and the Western Kingbird along the road to the south lot. John said the dove flew northeast, which would place it where Shane saw it, along the northern edge of the eastern-most lot. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-7248649-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7248649-11143...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of David Klauber [davehawk...@msn.com] Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 12:10 PM To: NY Birds; NY Metro Bird Hotline Subject: [nysbirds-l] Common Ground-Dove continues at captree State Park I just received a call from Shane Blodgett who says the dove is now near the spot where it was originally found, which is the eastern most parking lot in Captree. Apparently it's been elusive and disappears for long periods Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Sit-and-Wait (Good) vs. Active Foraging (Bad) Strategies
I spent a little over an hour at Captree this afternoon, during which the Common Ground-Dove was seen just once, and for just a few minutes. About a dozen birders were searching for the bird, and it became quite clear to me that their mostly uncoordinated efforts were not likely to produce favorable outcomes. My conclusions are as follows: 1. Newly arriving searchers should discreetly approach someone already present, exchange cell numbers, and make an effort to fit into a coordinated strategy. If the first person you approach turns out to be a misanthrope, find a more civic-minded birder--there will be many there tomorrow. 2. It is best to wait quietly and motionless, preferably in a car, while scanning an area where the bird has been seen in the past. This bird likes to forage in short grass, along the margins of taller, denser vegetation. All of the margins the bird has favored are relatively narrow, so birders walking or standing in a prime spot are not likely to see the bird in that spot. 3. During periods when the bird is not being seen, it is grossly counter-productive for multiple birders to walk and drive repeatedly along all of the preferred margins. 4. All of the best margins can be surveilled from as few as six fixed points, four of which can be worked from a vehicle parked at a discreet distance from the margins in question: a. a point near the northeastern corner of the east lot, giving vantages of the north edge and the eastern foot-path toward the fishing piers. b. a point near the northwestern corner of the east lot, giving vantages of the north edge and the western foot-path toward the fishing piers. c. the extreme southwestern corner of the main lot, giving vantages of the western half of the driveway to the boat launch area. d. a point giving vantages of the eastern half of the driveway to the boat launch area, and some of the roadside margins east of the toll booths. e. a point near the eastern end of the south lot, giving vantages of the driveway to the south lot. f. a point near the exit of the west (boat launch) lot (where it exits back onto the Ocean Parkway), giving vantages of the roadside margins west of the toll booths. 5. When news of the bird's presence is circulated, people moving over in hopes of seeing it should take great care to avoid approaching by a track that might disturb the bird. Pay close attention to cues from people already on the bird, and, if in doubt, call one of them for a suggested route. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] 14 Cave Swallows Brooklyn
Shane Blodgett just called to report 14 Cave Swallows, flying west along the Coney Island boardwalk at 15th St, about 20 minutes ago. As I often say, and will myself abide right now, getst thee to a beach! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike
A shrike present at Jones Beach West End, Nassau County, LI has been identified by many as a Northern Shrike, but a considerable amount of back-channel discussion has questioned whether it might actually be a Loggerhead. When I finally saw this bird well this past weekend I was already aware of the debates surrounding its identity, so I made an effort to evaluate the various characters that have been proposed in support of each species. As might be suspected multiple features have been proposed to support each view, so the question is how to evaluate the relative reliability of each character. To me, the bird appeared relatively small and quick (vs. the large and lanky impression usually imparted by Northern Shrike), with a relatively large head, rounded crown, and short bill--all consistent with Loggerhead Shrike. Also consistent with Loggerhead Shrike was the relatively dark gray tone to its back. Features more consistent with Northern Shrike include: extensively pale base to lower mandible, heavily hooked upper mandible, the shape of the black mask behind the eye, obvious gray barring on the breast in the absence of any barring on the back. The appearance of this bird's mask in the area of the eye itself and in front of the eye seems equivocal and has been argued in both directions, but I find it easier to find photos of Loggerheads that match its facial appearance than photos of Northerns that do so. Taking these features individually, I think that individual variation could account for many discrepancies either way. For instance, it seems plausible that some Northern Shrikes could have small bills and that some Loggerheads could have heavily hooked bills, etc. To me, the difficult questions are: 1. Could a Northern Shrike could look so small, quick, and large-headed? 2. Could an immature Loggerhead Shrike show a pale-based mandible and ventral barring in the absence of dorsal barring? 3. Is this bird's mask pattern possibly diagnostic, despite the conflicting impressions of local observers? Any constructive answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike
I forgot to include links to photos. Here are a few of my own, with a couple of Northern Shrike shots for comparison: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2010# Here are some from John Gluth: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgluth_brb/sets/72157625379326695/with/5212944549/ From: bounce-7483412-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7483412-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra [shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 9:16 AM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike A shrike present at Jones Beach West End, Nassau County, LI has been identified by many as a Northern Shrike, but a considerable amount of back-channel discussion has questioned whether it might actually be a Loggerhead. When I finally saw this bird well this past weekend I was already aware of the debates surrounding its identity, so I made an effort to evaluate the various characters that have been proposed in support of each species. As might be suspected multiple features have been proposed to support each view, so the question is how to evaluate the relative reliability of each character. To me, the bird appeared relatively small and quick (vs. the large and lanky impression usually imparted by Northern Shrike), with a relatively large head, rounded crown, and short bill--all consistent with Loggerhead Shrike. Also consistent with Loggerhead Shrike was the relatively dark gray tone to its back. Features more consistent with Northern Shrike include: extensively pale base to lower mandible, heavily hooked upper mandible, the shape of the black mask behind the eye, obvious gray barring on the breast in the absence of any barring on the back. The appearance of this bird's mask in the area of the eye itself and in front of the eye seems equivocal and has been argued in both directions, but I find it easier to find photos of Loggerheads that match its facial appearance than photos of Northerns that do so. Taking these features individually, I think that individual variation could account for many discrepancies either way. For instance, it seems plausible that some Northern Shrikes could have small bills and that some Loggerheads could have heavily hooked bills, etc. To me, the difficult questions are: 1. Could a Northern Shrike could look so small, quick, and large-headed? 2. Could an immature Loggerhead Shrike show a pale-based mandible and ventral barring in the absence of dorsal barring? 3. Is this bird's mask pattern possibly diagnostic, despite the conflicting impressions of local observers? Any constructive answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike
It's worth noting that mid 20th Century birders knew Loggerhead Shrike as a regular fall vagrant on LI and coastal southern New England, perhaps comparable in frequency to Western Kingbird. These fall Loggerheads mostly occurred much earlier than Northern Shrike would be expected, from late August through October, but there are many critically identified records from November and December--as attested by Kevin's Thanksgiving specimen from Mecox. Because these vagrants vanished in step with the nearest, northeastern breeding populations, it is likely that many derived from those sources. Even so, we actually know very little about the precise origins of our coastal vagrants--even the frequent ones like Western Kingbird and Lark Sparrow. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: Kevin J. McGowan [k...@cornell.edu] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 11:57 AM To: Grover, Bob; Hugh McGuinness; Shaibal Mitra Cc: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike Sure, and the correct ID has been found because the specimen still existed to be examined. Check out http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v065n01/p0046-p0047.pdf for two such stories from the same flock of birds. But, these two shrike species are so different when put side-by-side that I don’t think there is a single specimen of any doubt in the Cornell collection. Kevin J. McGowan, Ph.D. Instructor Home Study Course in Bird Biology Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 hst...@cornell.edu 607-254-2452 From: Grover, Bob [mailto:rgro...@gpinet.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 11:34 AM To: Kevin J. McGowan; Hugh McGuinness; Shaibal Mitra Cc: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike I know I risk excoriation here, but has a museum study skin never been misidentified? Bob Grover From: bounce-7483823-3714...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-7483823-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Kevin J. McGowan Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2010 10:33 AM To: Hugh McGuinness; Shaibal Mitra Cc: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Identity of Jones Beach Shrike Funny, but I was going to ask about this shrike yesterday to see if anyone had taken a long hard look at it. I saw another photo and I just can’t make it into a Northern Shrike. I have put some photos of a specimen from the Cornell Museum of Vertebrates that might be of interest at http://picasaweb.google.com/KevinJ.McGowan/SpecimenExamples It is a hatch year female taken in Mecox, Suffolk Co. on 26 November 1946. It shows neat light barring across the chest, a gray unbarred back, and a pale patch at the base of the bill. Several individuals in the collection looked similar. The Jones Beach individual looks very similar to my eyes, except that it doesn’t have the retained juvenal wing coverts, but that molt can be variable among individuals. Shai’s real Northern Shrike photo shows very substantial contrast in shape, bill shape, mask size, coloring, and markings. I was not able to find a single specimen of Northern Shrike in the Cornell collection that even remotely looked odd or like the Jones Beach bird. Not to say that the collection encompasses the entire variation, but they all looked pretty much alike. Interesting bird. Here’s hoping it really is a young Loggerhead; the population could use it! Keivn Kevin J. McGowan, Ph.D. Instructor Home Study Course in Bird Biology Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 hst...@cornell.edu 607-254-2452 Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Captree CBC
The Captree CBC was conducted yesterday on a very pleasant winter day for birding. A couple of bouts of sustained cold prior to the count produced extensively frozen conditions, including portions of Great South Bay, and quite a few ice-sensitive species were scarce or absent. Highlights among the 119 species tallied included the following: 6 Snow Goose (Gardiner) 16 Wood Duck (Belmont) 2 Great Egret (Heckscher East) 3 BC Night-Heron (Gardiner Seatuck) 1 Osprey (Connetquot) 1 Bald Eagle (Heckscher) 2 Virginia Rail (Seatuck East) 6 Killdeer (North, Gardiner, Heckscher) 3 Wilson's Snipe (Seatuck Heckscher) 1 Iceland Gull (Seatuck) 1 Black-legged Kittiwake (Fire Island) 5 Razorbill (Fire Island) 2 Monk Parakeet (North) 2 Great Horned Owl (North Seatuck) 5 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (North, Belmont, Gardiner, Connetquot, East) 1 Eastern Phoebe (Connetquot) 1 Marsh Wren (Seatuck) 1 Eastern Bluebird (Seatuck) 2 Brown Thrasher (Jones Seatuck) 14 American Pipit (Fire Island) 1 Orange-crowned Warbler (Heckscher) 1 Ovenbird (Seatuck) 1 Common Yellowthroat (East) 9 White-crowned Sparrow (Jones North) 8 Boat-tailed Grackle (Jones) 2 Purple Finch (Connetquot) Many thanks to all who participated! Patricia Lindsay Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swans discover eastern Long Island
Given that this marked bird demonstrably originated from a population regarded as fully established, doesn't this occurrence constitute a legitimate record for New York State? From: bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Angus Wilson [oceanwander...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 12:57 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swans discover eastern Long Island Trumpeter Swans are an increasingly familiar sight in western, central, and to some extent northern New York State, especially in the winter when parties of birds move down from Ontario in search of open water. Evidence suggests that the bulk of the NY population is derived one way or the other from the reintroduction program in Ontario. This ambitious project is based at Wye Marsh in Midland ON, which is near the southeastern corner of Georgia Bay on Lake Huron. Ontario raised swans have stayed to nest at a few spots within NYS and their offspring have spread further afield. Many of the Ontario birds are wing tagged (yellow with a unique three letter/number code) so their movements and survival can be easily tracked. There are other reintroduction programs (e.g. Ohio) but we await solid proof that any of their birds have reached into NYS. Unfortunately, few of the birds hatched in NYS have been marked and we have little information on their survival, movements or ability to nest successfully. Trumpeter Swan have remained very scarce in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state but this seems to be changing. On Monday, Bob Wilson found a wing-tagged Trumpeter Swan (number 'A60') at Agawam Lake in Southampton, Suffolk County. This is 28 miles from Yaphank, also in Suffolk Co, where two untagged Trumpeters have returned for another winter. According to Harry Lumsden of the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program, 'A60' is a female that was hatched in 2009 by two tagged swans (981 and E51). She was banded at Hillsburg ON (northwest of the Lake Ontario shoreline) on 7 Oct 2009 and then resighted at several location within southeastern Ontario during the following winter, spring and summer. In July of this year, A60 was found injured in Rosemount ON, taken into rehab and then released a short while later near Mansfield ON. There have been no additional reports of this bird until now. Are A60 and the Yaphank pair harbingers of changes to come? I would imagine the milder marine climate and less extensive snowcover of Long Island might offer an attractive and reliable wintering ground for these long-lived birds. Time will tell. NYSARC is actively monitoring the status of Trumpeter Swan in anticipation of adding the species to the official New York State Checklist. Guidelines have been established to help decide when a species can be considered self-sustaining (remember the fate of Eurasian Skylark and European Goldfinch) and in the Committee's opinion this has not been met quite yet. Monitoring the movements of identifiable individuals such as A60 is extremely useful in this process and NYSARC encourages submissions of marked birds or birds from areas where Trumpeter Swans remain very rare. -- Angus Wilson New York City The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swans discover eastern Long Island
I think Andy is being very diplomatic here, but to question whether re-introduced Trumpeter Swans are established in the Great Lakes region is to contradict the conclusions of not only the Ontario committee, but also those of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. If one accepts that established populations exist in the region, as all of those committees do, then it is illogical to use local establishment (i.e., fully established breeding populations in NYS) as the criterion for acceptance here; instead, simple occurrence of individuals attributable to those populations will do. This is how House Finch got onto the checklists of every state in the eastern US beyond its NY origins, and how Eurasian Collared-Dove irrupted out of Florida. Anyone can choose to question the conclusions of those other committees if they choose, but is it really appropriate for NYSARC to assume responsibility for deciding whether or when the populations in Ontario and elsewhere around the Great Lakes have satisfied NYSARC's definition of establishment? Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: Andy Guthrie [guthr...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 9:18 AM To: Shaibal Mitra; NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swans discover eastern Long Island As a member of the New York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC), I can provide some insight into where the Committee currently stands on this issue. This is something that NYSARC has discussed annually for at least the past several years. It is true that the Ontario Bird Record Committee has added Trumpeter Swan to its list (in 2007) based on their opinion that the population there is self-sustaining, but in the opinion of NYSARC it's not clear that there has been a long enough period of self-sufficient breeding success to consider such a long-lived species truly established. Trumpeter Swans can live for 20-30 years, so many of the wild born birds are most likely still only first or second generation. The existing population in Ontario has been supplemented by continued introductions until as recently as 2006, and a large portion of the population has been sustained in winter by supplemental feeding programs. It's not clear how well the population will thrive without these human interventions. There is a continent-wide survey of Trumpeter Swan populations conducted every five years - the most recent in 2010, the results of which have not yet been published. NYSARC will use this as part of the continuing evaluation as to the current status of the species. NYSARC recently published a summary of the status of Trumpeter Swan in New York State, available here: http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y2007v57n1/y2007v57n1p2-8sherony.pdf NYSARC's guidelines on determining whether a species is considered established in the state are available here: http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y2007v57n1/y2007v57n1p9-11nysarc.pdf Cheers, Andy Guthrie Hamlin, NY On Wed, Dec 22, 2010 at 3:13 PM, Shaibal Mitra shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edumailto:shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu wrote: Given that this marked bird demonstrably originated from a population regarded as fully established, doesn't this occurrence constitute a legitimate record for New York State? From: bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edumailto:bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edumailto:bounce-7597094-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Angus Wilson [oceanwander...@gmail.commailto:oceanwander...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 12:57 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Trumpeter Swans discover eastern Long Island Trumpeter Swans are an increasingly familiar sight in western, central, and to some extent northern New York State, especially in the winter when parties of birds move down from Ontario in search of open water. Evidence suggests that the bulk of the NY population is derived one way or the other from the reintroduction program in Ontario. This ambitious project is based at Wye Marsh in Midland ON, which is near the southeastern corner of Georgia Bay on Lake Huron. Ontario raised swans have stayed to nest at a few spots within NYS and their offspring have spread further afield. Many of the Ontario birds are wing tagged (yellow with a unique three letter/number code) so their movements and survival can be easily tracked. There are other reintroduction programs (e.g. Ohio) but we await solid proof that any of their birds have reached into NYS. Unfortunately, few of the birds hatched in NYS have been marked and we have little information on their survival, movements or ability to nest successfully. Trumpeter Swan have remained very scarce in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state but this seems to be changing. On Monday, Bob Wilson found a wing-tagged Trumpeter Swan (number 'A60') at Agawam Lake in Southampton, Suffolk
[nysbirds-l] Am. White Pelican, East Setauket, LI
Hugh McGuinness just called with news that Peter Scully and party have found an American White Pelican on Setauket Harbor, as viewed from Shore Rd. in East Setauket, on the North Shore of western Suffolk County, LI. These guys are famous for doing damage on the Smithtown CBC, and I fondly recall the count several years ago, when they diverted Pat and me on our way home from Orient, to see a Western Tanager they'd found. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Southern Nassau County CBC Results
The Southern Nassau County Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, 1 January 2011, by 61 participants. This represents the 71st time this CBC has been held since its inception in 1932 (there were several years with no count during the 1930s and 1940s). A total of 125 species was recorded (plus Ipswich Sparrow), a little below the 20-year average of 128. The weather was good on count day, but prolonged freezing conditions during December clearly impacted a variety of species. In general, this year's results struck us as rather average, with few really exceptional species and few really bad misses (our worst misses this year involved species we've knowingly struggled with in recent years). In selecting the unusual species named below, we included a few that, although they are quite regular on this count, are nevertheless rare in NYS in winter. Some species that we would ordinarily expect on this count, but which were perceived as good finds this year owing to the cold early winter weather, are highlighted as ice-sensitive saves. Several species are widely expected on LI or NYS CBCs in general but are nevertheless very difficult in southern Nassau County. These are difficult to categorize as either highlights or low-lights, but for convenience we've lumped a few of these local oddities in with the low counts and misses. Many thanks to all those who participated, and Happy New Year to all! Unusual Species: Greater White-fronted Goose--Mitchell, 4th time recorded in last 20 years Whistling Swan--2 in Five Towns, 3rd time recorded in last 20 years Wood Duck--4 in Hempstead and 1 in Massapequa Eurasian Wigeon--count-week in Massapequa Harlequin Duck--6 at Atlantic Red-shouldered Hawk--1 at Tobay, 6th time recorded in last 20 years; particularly unusual on barrier beach American Oystercatcher--29, Short Beach and Massapequa Red Knot--8 at Short Beach, missed last 3 years Razorbill--3 at Atlantic and Short Beach Dovekie--count-week at Short Beach Monk Parakeet--8 in Baldwin, at three sites, just the 2nd time ever recorded Barn Owl--5 from Tobay and Boat Great Horned Owl--1 in Five Towns, just the 3rd time recorded in 20 years Short-eared Owl--1 at Short Beach Tree Swallow--singles at Short Beach and Baldwin Orange-crowned Warbler--3, 2 at Short Beach and 1 at Massapequa Yellow-breasted Chat--1 at Massapequa Lapland Longspur--1 at Short Beach Dickcissel--count-week in Baldwin Rusty Blackbird--2 at Hempstead Boat-tailed Grackle--17 from Loop Parkway, Short Beach, Massapequa, and Boat; 6 of 8 records ever are since 2003-04 Common Redpoll--12, from Short Beach Tobay, and Baldwin; just 5th time recorded in 20 years Pine Siskin--4, from Tobay and Baldwin; just 2nd time recorded in 20 years Ice-sensitive Saves: Great Egret--1 in Five Towns Killdeer--singles Five Towns and Hempstead Greater Yellowlegs--1 at Tobay Wilson's Snipe--1 at Short Beach American Woodcock--singles at Short Beach and Tobay Ruby-crowned Kinglet--1 at Five Towns (widely missed on coastal CBCs this year) High Counts: Ring-necked Duck--50, surpassing the previous max, from just last year, of 47 Common Eider--209, 2nd only to last year's 254 White-winged Scoter--53, far surpassing 20-year max of 30. Double-crested Cormorant--154, 2nd only to last year's 178 Northern Harrier--58, surpassing previous max of 50 Sharp-shinned Hawk--34, surpassing previous max of 25 Cooper's Hawk--24, surpassing previous max of 17 (4th new max in 10 years) Peregrine Falcon--23, equalling previous max, from just last year (4th time max equalled or exceeded in 10 years) Ruddy Turnstone--55, 2nd highest ever Red-bellied Woodpecker--39, 2nd highest ever Northern Cardinal--317, far exceeding previous max of 241, from 2005-06 Low Counts, Bad Misses, and Southern Nassau County CBC Oddities: Canvasbackjust 5, at Massapequa and Baldwin Redhead--9 at Massapequa were a save Common Goldeneye--missed for 4th time in 20 years Ring-necked Pheasant--missed for 1st time in 20 years Northern Gannet--missed for 2nd time in 20 years Bonaparte's Gull--31, lowest since 1996-97; 40-year average = 1461 Marsh Wren--missed for 6th time in 20 years Brown Thrasher--1 at Five Towns was a save Cedar Waxwing--10 at Baldwin were a save Eastern Towhee--singles at Tobay and Hempstead; just 1 last year Field Sparrow--1 at Atlantic; just 1 last year too Savannah Sparrow--7, 3rd lowest in 50 years Saltmarsh/Nelson's/Seaside Sparrows--just 2nd time in 10 years all three missed White-crowned Sparrow--missed for 7th time in 20 years Eastern Meadowlark--missed for 6th time in 10 years Shai Mitra Patricia Lindsay Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3)
[nysbirds-l] Common Redpolls, Oak Beach, LI
Ken Thompson just called with news of two Common Redpolls feeding along the Oak Beach Rd., in the vicinity of the parking pull-off overlooking Fire Island Inlet. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Pinelawn Long Island; Grtr White-Fronted Geese Barnacle Goose
When Ken Feustel called to tell me he was looking at the Barnacle Goose at Pinelawn, it couldn't have been long after Jean's post. I reached the Farmingdale area at 1:30 and found the Barnacle Goose just to the south of St. Charles Cemetery's Wellwood Ave entrance, with a small flock of Canada Geese. Next I drove the short distance north and east to Pinelawn, where I saw about 1,500 Canada Geese but was unable to pick out any white-fronts. Returning to St. Charles, the Barnacle was still present and enjoyed by several newly arriving birders--but then vanished abruptly, although none of us noticed any geese leaving the area. We gave it a little longer, guessing it was hidden behind Canadas or in a declivity, but without success. Meanwhile it was obvious that flocks of geese were leaving the Pinelawn area and flying east. Several of us then drove to Belmont Lake SP, where many of these geese tend to roost. Doug Gochfeld picked out a nice Richardson's Goose-- photo at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2011#5561042999063891890 --but I gave up early and headed home. Just now, Doug texted that the Barnacle flew in at Belmont Lake at 5:12, furnishing some more data on the patterns and timing of these birds' local movements. We shall have to wait and see how tonight's storm affects things. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-7653178-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-7653178-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of jean loscalzo [dm5...@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 1:15 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Pinelawn Long Island; Grtr White-Fronted Geese Barnacle Goose Pinelawn Memorial Park across the street from the Pinelawn Train Station, Long Island Tues 1/11/11 1:00pm Gary Straus just phoned to report a Barnacle Goose and 4 Greater White-Fronted Geese at the above location. Jean Loscalzo Richmond Hill, NY Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Barnacle Geese
I don't have any updates from today, following the snow storm, but I've received some very interesting information regarding the recent reports of Barnacle Geese in western Suffolk County, LI. First, from Tim Dunn, I learned that he observed a Barnacle Goose at Pinelawn Memorial yesterday afternoon at the same time I and others were watching a Barnacle Goose at St Charles Cemetery--just a kilometer or two away. Then, today, I learned from Gary Strauss that the Barnacle Goose he saw at Pinelawn Memorial yesterday was banded on both legs; the bird that several of us studied at St Charles on Saturday appeared to me and to Patricia Lindsay to be unbanded. To give some background, an unbanded Barnacle Goose was present in this area from Nov 2008 to Feb 2009-- 29 Nov 08 St Charles Cemetery http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2008#5276791740095327170 6 Dec 08 St Charles Cemetery http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandMiscellany2008#5276794358820830290 6 Feb 09 Belmont Lake SP http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009#5299787210839441298 15 Feb 09 St Charles Cemetery http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009#5304288584864219714 I can't comment on the presence/absence of bands for the observations from Belmont Lake SP on Saturday and last evening (at that site, the birds are seen on the water), or from St Charles yesterday afternoon (owing to distance and terrain), but it would seem that there are two Barnacle Geese in western Suffolk County! Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Signs of Spring on LI: Oystercatchers and Killdeer
This afternoon as I was scoping flocks of Brant and goldeneye at the Fire Island Inlet, seven American Oystercatchers came Wheep-ing in from the west and landed on the Oak Beach bar. They were the only shorebirds I saw until I came across a Killdeer along the roadside at Robert Moses SP. We had seen another Killdeer at West Gilgo last Friday, whose status (winter survivor/spring arrival) we deemed indeterminate. Today's bird, in addition to be a week later, was much farther from any kind of viable winter habitat. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Northern Shrike, Richardson's Goose, Euro GW Teal+
As is often the case, today's rain took longer than expected to reach eastern LI, and Patricia Lindsay and I enjoyed a partly sunny (but blustery) day birding around Montauk. We collaborated at times with Mike Higgiston and Eileen Scwhinn. Pat and I began at 7:00 with an hour spent working the Amagansett beach front, looking in vain for Eared Grebe. Highlights here were a female King Eider and 12 Razorbills. The scoter and eider spectacle off of Montauk Pt. continues to be spectacular. Here we also found six more Razorbills (these and those seen earlier were all still in winter plumage), an immaculately white-headed adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, and a fly-by Great Cormorant in gorgeous breeding plumage. By the time we came past again, some geese had dropped into the horse farm at Deep Hollow. Among these was a Richardson's Cackling Goose and four Killdeer. A Red-necked Grebe was present close in below the bluffs at Culloden Pt, perhaps sheltering from the violent southerly winds. Forgoing that kind of prudence we spent another hour at Ditch Plains, looking in vain for Eared Grebe. Highlights there were 15 Purple Sandpipers and two exceedingly obliging Common Redpolls. At Napeague, we finally connected with the long-staying, but often elusive, immature Northern Shrike. We also noted that Larry the Lesser Black-back retained a little dusky streaking on his face, unlike the individual at the point. At the duck- and goose-feeding pull-out on David's Lane, to the north of Hook Pond, we found five Wood Ducks lurking just a little more coyly than the histrionic Chinese Swan Geese and Pekin Ducks. We were intrigued to notice several other, less flamboyant species availing themselves of the copiously proffered Wonder Bread and Froot Loops: six Rusty Blackbirds and a Gray Catbird. For those inclined to photography, the scene there offered many advantages: knee-buckling views of Wood Ducks and Rusty Blackbirds--plus a clamorous backdrop of crowds of people treating wildlife unethically! The waterfowl on Fort Pond in Montauk included a Shoveler, 12 Canvasbacks, and 26 Ring-necked Ducks; those on Hook Pond in East Hampton included good numbers of all three mergansers, five American Green-winged Teal, and a Coot; those on Shorts Pond in Bridgehampton were quite varied and included 12 Pintails and 40 Ruddy Ducks (the latter don't usually return after being frozen out--where were they a few weeks ago?), as well as two drake Eurasian Green-winged Teal among 15 Americans (two bold, symmetrical horizontal stripes on each; no hint of white vertical bars on any of their four breast-sides; bold pale lines delineating the facial feather tracts; and pale marks anterior to the black rear-flank marks). Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Ross's Geese
Hi John and all, Instead of a can of worms I'd call this a useful conversation. Shawn is correct that nine Ross's Geese were recorded at Montezuma on 24 Oct 2008, and I'd like to point out that this information was published very prominently in the March 2009 issue of The Kingbird, Volume 59, pages 74-77. Both Tom Johnson in his Finger Lakes quarterly report and Andy Guthrie, in his statewide Highlights of the Season essay (page 48 of the same issue) refer to the record as a Regional high count, meaning a maximum for NYSOA's Region 3 (Finger Lakes). I would guess that they stopped short of calling it a statewide maximum because they wanted to check records from other Regions carefully first. In this regard, Kevin is right that eBird has not scratched the surface of 20th Century (or earlier) ornithological history, and he describes well the publications that form the backbone of New York State ornithological knowledge. Someone wishing to research the history of records of a particular species in NYS must, at a minimum, check the following sources: Bull 1974, Levine 1998, and The Kingbird Volumes 1 through present. The Kingbird includes at least three categories of data review and analysis: (a) individual records vetted by expert Regional editors in their quarterly reports; (b) review of some particularly unusual records by the NYS Avian Records Committee in their statewide annual reports (Ross's Goose reports were reviewed by NYSARC through 2004, but not since); and (c) dedicated articles assessing all potential sources of data, and evaluating these according to explicitly stated criteria (John recently performed this service in his review of vagrant hummingbirds in the June 2010 issue of The Kingbird). Thanks to the hard work of many people at the New York State Ornithological Association, The Kingbird is now available in a searchable online archive (except for the most recent two volumes), as noted recently by Berna, in reference to a query regarding unusual dates for Blue-winged Teal, at: http://nybirds.org/KBsearch.htm What about eBird? This is an immensely powerful and useful tool, and I would suggest using it to guide your searches through the three primary sources named above. But I would never use it as the source for a noteworthy record not otherwise corroborated by a primary source. If a noteworthy report is to be accepted by others, it ought to be treated as noteworthy--beginning with the observer! In my experience, eBird's lurkers (= exceptional records not otherwise reported to the broader ornithological community) are too often erroneous to simply accept them all at face value and include them in scholarly reviews of, for instance, wintering Blue-winged Teal or Ross's Goose expansion. The solution is easy: if you see something unusual that you'd like other people to take seriously, take it seriously yourself! Don't just click a box on an online checklist; take a moment to explain it to the people you'd like to accept it. To close, I'd suggest that the extraordinary recent events in Orange County deserve a prominent platform and could be the catalyst for a critical re-assessment of the status of Ross's Goose in New York State. (Hint: deadline for text to be included in the fall 2011 issue, covering the spring 2011 season, is 15 July.) Shai Mitra Editor, The Kingbird Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Orange County Geese
If I understand the recent reports from Orange correctly, the number of Ross's Geese present 6-7 Mar was at least 8, and possibly 10 or more. Monday's report from Andy Egan specified 5 white adults Sunday's report from Tom Burke, John Haas, and others specified 2 white ads, 2 white imms and a blue ad If one assumes that both white ads from Sunday were among the 5 such birds seen Monday, then the total would be 8; if it could be shown that the bumpy-headed white ad from Sunday was NOT among the 5 white ads seen Monday, then the total would be at least 9. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-8984759-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-8984759-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of vanh...@citlink.net [vanh...@citlink.net] Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 3:01 PM To: New York Birds Subject: [nysbirds-l] Orange County Geese A great deal of flooding, and perhaps the hunting yesterday has made the Snow Goose flock very skittish today. I spent a great deal of time pursuing them with no luck. When they finally landed, they were so distant that it was impossible to ID anything. I just got a call from Scott Baldinger who informs me they have come down in a spot on co rt 12 which they are now fairly easy to view. I did get a report from this morning of five Ross's Geese from Andy Eagan. He viewed the Ross's with us yesterday and is certain today's birds are all adult, no dark feathering at all and of course no Blue-morph with them. John Haas PS Greater White-fronted Geese were seen on Skinner Lane by Rob Stone. When I was there, there were no birds at all. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Hybrid Tufted Duck x scaup Massapequa Lake, Nassau Co.
Shortly before dusk this evening, Patricia Lindsay and I observed an apparent hybrid Tufted Duck x scaup hybrid drake with a small group of Lesser Scaup at Massapequa Lake, Nassau County, LI. The bird showed a top-knot, like an exaggerated version of a Lesser Scaup's hind-crown notch; much darker (but not black) back than a scaup's--but apparently only on the left side of its body (right side of back more scaup-like); and a black breast that extended a bit farther rearward onto the flanks than a scaup's (at least on the left side). Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Historical Status of Muskrat on LI
Paul F. Connor (1971, The Mammals of Long Island, New York, Bulletin 416 NYS Museum and Science Service) describes the Muskrat's historical ubiquity throughout Long Island's salt and brackish marshes and all manner of freshwater wetlands. He specifically mentions that, as of his writing, they were still present in Brooklyn (Jamaica Bay) and Queens, and on Staten Island; eastward they extend to Montauk Point, Orient Point, Shelter Island, and Gardiners Island. He also mentions reductions in their populations owing to the destruction of marshes, and cites an earlier source who noted that during the winter of 1919, over a thousand dollars worth of the furs were harvested from the salt marshes and creeks (Flushing Meadows area in Queens) that later became the site of the 1939 World's Fair. They are still very numerous on Staten Island today, as proven by the seemingly very large numbers of road-killed animals I see there. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Black-headed Gull, Waterfowl Migration+
Pat and I counted migrating waterfowl from 7:25-8:25 yesterday morning (27 Mar) at Main Beach, East Hampton, Suffolk Co. The main flight was from west to east, but White-winged Scoters and some others were moving from east to west. Black Scoter was the most numerous species (277), and most of the 475 distant, unidentified scoters we saw were probably also this species. Also notable were 93 White-winged Scoters (seemingly scarce this season), 151 Red-throated Loons, 49 Northern Gannets, and 32 Razorbills. The vast sea duckage present at Montauk Pt this season appeared to have been augmented yesterday by additional thousands of Black Scoters. Different observers have been coming up with very disparate estimates of the actual numbers involved there, and I've been told that Pat's and my numbers have been low. For what it's worth, we've estimated ca. 15,000 Black Scoters there on several visits earlier this season (compared to ca. 20,000 Surf Scoter, 5,000 Common Eider, and 1,000 WW Scoter), whereas yesterday I thought BLSC numbers were approximately twice what we've been seeing. Consistent with the impression of swelling numbers of Black Scoter were 2,700 at nearby Ditch Plains, in a dense flock close inshore and in full song. 209 Ring-billed Gulls were surface gleaning here, along with 17 Bonaparte's Gulls and one SY Black-headed Gull. We saw single Turkey Vultures in Montauk and Napeague, Merlins at Montauk and Hook Pond, Great Egrets in Napeague and Water Mill, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Napeague and Mecox Bay. Following up Carl Starace's tip, we visited Terrell River County Park for the first time and were impressed by a flock of 105 Green-winged Teal plus three Northern Shovelers. The greenbrier thickets at this park look superb for wintering half-hardies; although we didn't have time to work them, we encountered a Hermit Thrush along the trail that looked pretty spry after a long, snowy winter--as did a Gray Catbird that flew across Further Lane earlier in the day. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] New Bird Species for New York State--Which Will Be Next?
The question of new additions to the state list, a perennially popular topic of conversation among birders, was recently worked up in great detail by Doug Gochfeld and a team of 24 of New York's most active birders. Predictions of species to be added to the New York State Checklist--v. 4.0 was published in the December 2010 issue of The Kingbird, the quarterly journal of the New York State Ornithological Association, and is now available online at NYSOA's website: http://www.nybirds.org/Publications/KingbirdTOCs.htm#Vol60No4 All the contents of The Kingbird are uploaded to a searchable online archive two years after print publication, but sample articles are featured on the website from time to time, and in this case, we'd like to make available a corrected version of Table 1, which was misprinted in the print issue. A formatted version of Table 1 can be printed by opening the article and printing page 7. With the permission of the list-owner, I'd like to take this opportunity to share a few more items of potential interest: Each issue of The Kingbird includes a color photo gallery; a statewide Highlights of the Season summary of the past season's bird data; and quarterly seasonal reports of bird records from across NYS, written by expert Regional Editors representing ten geographic regions (1-Niagara Frontier, 2-Genesee, 3-Finger Lakes, 4-Susquehanna, 5-Oneida Lake Basin, 6-St. Lawrence, 7-Adirondack-Champlain, 8-Hudson-Mohawk, 9-Hudson-Delaware, and 10-Marine). The 2009 Annual Report of the New York State Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) will be arriving shortly in NYSOA members' mailboxes, with the March 2011 issue of The Kingbird. NYSARC is one of NYSOA's committees and is charged with reviewing and archiving documentation of rare bird records in NYS and with maintaining the official Checklist of NYS Birds. NYSARC's authoritative and much anticipated 2009 Annual Report is also already freely available at NYSOA's website right now: http://www.nybirds.org/index.html Among the articles slated for publication in upcoming issues of The Kingbird are a report on a highly successful nest box management program for American Kestrels in northern NYS by Mark Manske; a paper on Red Crossbill call-types by boreal finch expert Matt Young; a historical analysis of Mute Swan introductions in New York State by Chelsea Teale; and an update from NYSARC detailing several newly vetted additions to the NYS Checklist (hint: Doug's panel made some very good predictions!). Sincerely, Shai Mitra Editor, The Kingbird Think green before you print this email. Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] 38 Snowy Egret/Jamaica Bay WR
This early-mid April period seems to be when Gannets are most likely to penetrate inshore waters, in our bays and sounds, where they are normally rare. John and Kirsten's observations at Jamaica Bay are really very unusual. My companions and i had some similar experiences yesterday--a Gannet north of Hicks Island, in Napeague Bay, and then 26 Gannets resting on the waters of Shinnecock Bay, north of the main sandbar there. I can't ever recall seeing so many in there. Today, Marc Brody mentioned seeing them inside Jones Inlet. This time of year seems to be when the Gannets push their boundaries-- https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/ThereYouAre#5375001706807305570 --and I wonder if they are tracking a migratory prey species, like one of the anadromous herrings. Shai Mitra Bay Shore our most interesting sighting of the day however, was that of two adult n.gannet off the southwest side of the west pond. the birds were quite active. we eventually lost sight of them in the heat haze. Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Hempstead Lake State Park; West End/JBSP; Connetquot River State Park Birds (Nassau/Suffolk Counties)
The Gull-billed Tern at Jones Beach West End found by Joan Quinlan was also independently discovered by John Gluth and was present on the bar east of the Coast Guard station when Pat and I came by around 2:30. John and we also enjoyed great looks at an SY Iceland Gull in the Field 2 parking lot and four Semipalmated Plovers in the swale to the south of the field 2 pavilion. Shai Mitra, Bay Shore From: bounce-21353434-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-21353434-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of ken feustel [feus...@optonline.net] Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 6:40 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Hempstead Lake State Park; West End/JBSP; Connetquot River State Park Birds (Nassau/Suffolk Counties) I drove to Hempstead Lake State Park (HLSP) this morning by way of the barrier beach, which was fogged in with very few birds to boot. At HLSP there were Yellow-rumped, Black White, Parula, Black-throated Green, Palm, Prairie, and Yellow Warblers. Sparrows included Swamp, Chipping and the regular White-throats and Song Sparrows. A few Blue-headed Vireos were present as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Gnatcatchers. Observed by Others at HLSP: Yellow-throated Vireo, Chimney Swift by Joe Viglietta and mob. At West End later that morning the fog had lifted but things were relatively quiet. A few Yellow-rumps and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were in the median. The highlight was a flyby Eastern Kingbird. Merlins have been present in small numbers along the beach for the past few days. Observed by Others at West End: Gull-billed Tern in the early afternoon by Joan Quinlan. At Connetquot River State Park (CRSP) in the afternoon I missed the Yellow-throated Warbler seen in the late morning. Pine Warblers (18) and Gnatcatchers (10) were present in good numbers and another Eastern Kingbird was singing on the west side of Deep Water Pond. Besides Pine Warblers, the only other warblers observed were Yellow and Black White. All three warblers (not YTWA) breed at CRSP. Ken Feustel Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Possible Swallow-tailed Kite RMSP, LI
Patricia Lindsay just received an interrupted cell call from Joan Quinlan, from which Pat surmised that Joan had seen a Swallow-tailed Kite at Robert Moses SP, at the western end of Fire Island. We can't get through to Joan, but I thought it best to get the word out and to apologize later if we got it wrong. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 4/25 (incl. YTWA report much, much more, Varied Thrush also still there...)
From 1996 through 1999, in the course of near-constant effort banding at the Fire Island Lighthouse, I captured 11 northbound Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, on dates ranging from 19 May through 13 June. Four of these 11 were captured 19-20 May 1996, during one of coastal NY's largest spring landbird flights in recent decades, whereas the other seven were captured on later spring dates. Thus I would tend to agree with Scott's perception of this species as a very late spring migrant--much later than Least, and similar in overall timing to Willow and Alder. It should be noted that Least and Willow breed in southern NYS, and in large numbers at much more southerly latitudes, so it is not terribly surprising to see a few of these species here toward the early end of their respective passage distributions: e.g., a Least Flycatcher or two at the end of April, vs. the median date of 12 May for migrant Leasts at Fire Island; or an early Willow setting up territory around 10 May, vs. the median date of 1 June for migrant Willow/Alders at Fire Island. Yellow-bellied does not breed anywhere south of NYS (maybe a few in the Poconos), thus I would tend to think that the dates of territory occupancy in northern New York would follow closely upon the dates of migratory arrival in the New York City area. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-21703424-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-21703424-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Tom Fiore [tom...@earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 2:28 PM To: nysbirds-L@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, NYC 4/25 (incl. YTWA report much, much more, Varied Thrush also still there...) I may respond on-list to Scott Haber's thoughful response to an early Empidonax sighting (by me) reported here seen on Sunday, 4/24, a putative Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, the ID of which I'm reasonably sure of (seen heard singing, not calling, at fairly close range in Riverside Park, Manhattan) - and am interested to try and look up records from the region of this and other Empidonax species, including any available specimen banding records as well as any video-audio-photo records, and sight reports in the early season, particularly any before May 1st. This is not the first Yellow-bellied Flycatcher I have seen heard singing .or calling in New York City in the beginning stages of the spring push of neotropical-wintering migrants 9as opposed to shorter-distance migrant species that may primarily overwinter in the southern U.S. or nearby, such as Pine Warbler any number of others that appear as early as March in our area almost each spring - I do not agree that Yellow-bellied is among the last and while I respect the writing of John M.C. Peterson as regards breeding information for New York, I do not think it reflects accurately on the status of migrants in the southern section of the state, with regards to this species of Empidonax. It would be interesting to read and hear from any others who have looked as well as listened carefully to the Empidonax group here in NY and nearby states. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Black Skimmers and Loon Migration
Three Black Skimmers flew across the Belt Parkway at Plumb Beach, Brooklyn at 6:20 this morning. At Robert Moses SP, southwestern Suffolk County, from 7:30-8:00 yesterday morning, I counted 74 Red-throated Loons migrating from west to east over the ocean. Three of these were in full breeding plumage. I also noticed a strong flight of Common Loons for the first time this season, with 13 birds in mostly breeding plumage flying eastward. One of these cut inland and flew up the Fire Inlet, as many Common Loons tend to do at this time of year. More unusual was a flock of 25 Black Scoters migrating up the inlet (modest numbers of all three scoters, plus Gannets, Bonaparte's Gulls, and Forster's Terns were moving eastward over the ocean). Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Early Seabirds++
Seabirds and shorebirds made a big showing on LI this weekend. During a Saturday afternoon seawatch at Cupsogue, near Moriches Inlet, Patricia Lindsay and I were joined at times by Richard Kaskan, Mike Higgiston, and Eileen Schwinn. Highlights were our earliest ever Wilson's Storm-Petrels (11) and a first summer Black-legged Kittiwake; five Roseate Terns and 27 Black Skimmers were present on the flats. Later at Shinnecock Inlet we were amazed to see at least 70 WISPs feeding over a patch of water southwest of the inlet mouth. A breeding-plumaged Horned Grebe was also noteworthy on Shinnecock Bay. This morning at Robert Moses SP, we observed a very nice movement of seabirds from 6:40-8:40: 2 Sooty Shearwaters 144 Wilson's Storm-Petrels 605 Northern Gannets (almost all immature) 46 Common Loons 17 Red-throated Loons 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (first summer third summer) 1 Roseate Tern 45 Least Terns 3 Black Terns (breeding plumage) 1 Parasitic Jaeger (adult light morph) Shorebirds have also moved in big numbers. Cupsogue featured 350 breeding-plumaged Dunlin, 350 Sanderlings, 15 Red Knots, and a White-rumped Sandpiper on Saturday; another White-rump was present today in the swale south of Jones Beach West End parking Field 2, among 350 Semipalmated Plovers and 500 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Ruddy Turnstones and Short-billed Dowitchers are starting to build numbers--we saw about 50 of the former and 20 of the latter along Dune Rd yesterday. Breeding landbirds were pretty much as expected in central-eastern LI yesterday. We couldn't find the Blue Grosbeak at Rte. 51 in Eastport, but we found a singing male Summer Tanager near where the dirt road from Hunters Garden connects with the north end of the bike path. Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] LI Birds: Early Seabirds++
[previous post sent prematurely] Other observers at Robert Moses this morning were Ken and Sue Feustel, Gail Benson, Tom Burke, and Bob Shriber. Later, Pat and i searched unsuccessfully for the Kentucky Warbler at Jamaica Bay and enjoyed an odd chorus of 16 species of warblers in the rain at Forest Park with Karlo Mirth. We reconvened with Tom, Gail, and Bob (and met up with many others) at Jones Beach in the pm, to ogle the White-winged Dove found by Doug Futuyma and Andrew Baksh. Additional highlights from that site, not mentioned in my first post, were three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an Iceland Gull, and modest numbers of Red Knots and Short-billed Dowitchers. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-29038428-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-29038428-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Shaibal Mitra [shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 9:05 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] LI Birds: Early Seabirds++ Seabirds and shorebirds made a big showing on LI this weekend. During a Saturday afternoon seawatch at Cupsogue, near Moriches Inlet, Patricia Lindsay and I were joined at times by Richard Kaskan, Mike Higgiston, and Eileen Schwinn. Highlights were our earliest ever Wilson's Storm-Petrels (11) and a first summer Black-legged Kittiwake; five Roseate Terns and 27 Black Skimmers were present on the flats. Later at Shinnecock Inlet we were amazed to see at least 70 WISPs feeding over a patch of water southwest of the inlet mouth. A breeding-plumaged Horned Grebe was also noteworthy on Shinnecock Bay. This morning at Robert Moses SP, we observed a very nice movement of seabirds from 6:40-8:40: 2 Sooty Shearwaters 144 Wilson's Storm-Petrels 605 Northern Gannets (almost all immature) 46 Common Loons 17 Red-throated Loons 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (first summer third summer) 1 Roseate Tern 45 Least Terns 3 Black Terns (breeding plumage) 1 Parasitic Jaeger (adult light morph) Shorebirds have also moved in big numbers. Cupsogue featured 350 breeding-plumaged Dunlin, 350 Sanderlings, 15 Red Knots, and a White-rumped Sandpiper on Saturday; another White-rump was present today in the swale south of Jones Beach West End parking Field 2, among 350 Semipalmated Plovers and 500 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Ruddy Turnstones and Short-billed Dowitchers are starting to build numbers--we saw about 50 of the former and 20 of the latter along Dune Rd yesterday. Breeding landbirds were pretty much as expected in central-eastern LI yesterday. We couldn't find the Blue Grosbeak at Rte. 51 in Eastport, but we found a singing male Summer Tanager near where the dirt road from Hunters Garden connects with the north end of the bike path. Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://ebird.org/content/ebird/! -- Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] LBB Gull Influx incl possible Yellow-legged Gull
As indicated by reports from many observers this past weekend, the spring flight of immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls is in full swing on Long Island (adults have presumably moved through already). The stormy weather yesterday and today seems to have driven even more birds ashore--as suggested by Doug Gochfeld's report from Brooklyn and my own observation of at least eight individuals in southwestern Suffolk County yesterday. Most of the birds we've been seeing are first-summer birds (fledged last summer = SY), a plumage that is unfamiliar to many observers. For those interested in looking for these birds, a series of photos of LBBGs, organized by age and date, can be seen here: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LesserBlackBackedGullsOnLongIsland# My main reason for posting this message is to draw attention to the possible occurrence of Yellow-legged Gull, a taxon very similar to LBBG and also to European Herring Gulls. Last year on 4 Jun I photographed a bird at Robert Moses SP that closely resembles a Yellow-legged Gull: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/PossibleYellowLeggedGullOnLongIsland6409# One of seven birds at this same site yesterday reminded me quite strongly of that bird, being a big, beady-eyed brute compared to typical LBBGs. This bird is labeled LBBG 3 in the sequence near the start of this album: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSpring2011# This morning Pat Lindsay reported two LBBGs and an Iceland Gull at RMSP. It would be interesting to know how many are present elsewhere along the coast. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] Jones Beach fall out
The yellowthroats and Ovenbirds were surely regular migrants heading north (the date for my Ovenbird max at Fire Island was as late as 19 May). For abundant passerine migrants, I doubt that floaters contribute significantly to maximum counts. Many common migrants max out much later than people suspect (Red-eyed Vireo and American Redstart are good examples of birds that probably haven't peaked yet this year). Even your Hooded Warbler yesterday was only slightly tardy for arrival in southern New England. At my old study site in Rhode Island's Great Swamp, which is about as far northeast as Hooded Warblers breed at high densities, the number of males on territory tended not to max out until around 20-25 May. Part of the reason that these very heavy late spring movements are under-detected is probably that birders tend to under-count common species, particularly those that also breed locally. Another reason seems to be that the pace of spring migration accelerates as the season advances, so individual birds might be making longer flights and/or briefer stopovers in our migrant traps now, as compared to late April/early May. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-32274422-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-32274422-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Steve Walter [swalte...@verizon.net] Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 2:53 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach fall out In the past, I've heard the term floater used. This applies to maybe first year individuals or others that, for whatever reason, have not yet established a territory. This would likely apply to many species. One of the things in Alley that tipped me off that birds had moved was the number of Ovenbirds I heard singing. This is an early migrant and the Queens parks had emptied out on them prior to yesterday. A couple of Baltimore Orioles were among the birds at Jones Beach. They arrive early, for the most part, and I don't believe nest on the beach. And of course, Hooded Warbler is not something to be expected to still be in migration (and this was a male). The floater phenomenon might be especially evident in generally southern breeders (because they are the first to complete their migrations). As an example, I remember a Swainson's Warbler years ago that appeared at Forest Park right about this time. This could explain the later moving Common Yellowthroats -- or they could be the northernmost breeders just timing their migration appropriately. Steve Walter From: Shaibal Mitramailto:shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:36 PM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)mailto:NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach fall out Remnants of yesterday's coastal flight were still evident during a brief visit to Robert Moses SP this morning. Most interesting to me were large numbers of passage-migrant Common Yellowthroats bouncing westward and getting up into the pines and other settings neglected by the local breeders. In retrospect, I probably only saw about seven undoubted migrant yellowthroats during a twenty minute walk (during which I probably saw or heard a comparable number of local breeders), but given the mechanics of bird detection on the barrier-beach, there must have been hundreds of migrant yellowthroats navigating the puckerbrush today (our single-day max at the nearby Fire Island Lighthouse was 99 banded on 22 May 1999). Given that the species has been back for about a month and is an abundant and ubiquitous breeder across the state, this kind of flight probably wouldn't be discernible in most settings. I wonder whether even a tool as powerful as eBird is likely to detect a major flight of this kind--or the counter-intuitive fact that Common Yellowthroat migration in southeastern NYS peaks as late as the fourth week of May? Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-32011424-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-32011424-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Steve Walter [swalte...@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:46 PM To: NYSBirds Subject: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach fall out There was a bit of a fall out this morning at Jones Beach West End. Not overwhelming, but you didn’t have to look hard for the next bird. Most notable were Hooded, Wilson's, Tennessee, and Blackburnian Warblers. Most numerous were Blackpoll, Magnolia, and Parula. I only noticed this when reviewing pictures. One of the Parulas was missing an eye. It's made it a long way like that. Also seen were a few diurnal migrants such as Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Eastern Kingbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Bobolink. It's reassuring to find that a warm front - fog combo can still produce on the beach in spring. Considering the above, the Queens parks were disappointing in the afternoon (although a very early morning check of Alley convinced me that there was worthwhile migrant activity
[nysbirds-l] Upland Sandpiper Robert Moses SP, LI
Joan Quinlan just called with news of an Upland Sandpiper near the entrace to parking Field 2, Robert Moses SP, in southwestern Suffolk County. (This is precisely the same location where she saw a Swallow-tailed Kite a month ago!) Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] Upland Sandpiper Robert Moses SP, LI
Uppie was still present on south side of road, between Field 2 toll booths and easternmost exit to Field 2, when I was there at around 10:00: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSpring2011# Pat Lindsay just called (11:00) to report she has re-found Uppie on north side of road, along edge of taller grass, basically due north of where it was before. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-32552428-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-32552428-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Shaibal Mitra [shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 9:31 AM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] Upland Sandpiper Robert Moses SP, LI Joan Quinlan just called with news of an Upland Sandpiper near the entrace to parking Field 2, Robert Moses SP, in southwestern Suffolk County. (This is precisely the same location where she saw a Swallow-tailed Kite a month ago!) Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://ebird.org/content/ebird/! -- Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] LI Birds: Black-necked Stilts, Blue Grosbeak+
Two Black-necked Stilts mentioned on last night's New York RBA were present this morning at Sebonac Inlet in Southampton, Suffolk County. The stilts were feeding around the southwestern tip of the gravel island directly east of the north end of Sebonac Inlet Road, sometimes wandering behind the spit and into a sheltered cove. Even there they could be seen by walking south on Sebonac Inlet Rd and looking northeast. Earlier in the morning, Patricia Lindsay and I made our traditional census of the woodland birds at East Hampton's Grace Estate. Many species have been declining here in recent years, but we were unpleasantly shocked to find not a single Wood Thrush or Veery and just three Ovenbirds. American Redstarts were more numerous than usual, and a Yellow-throated Vireo was perhaps the most notable species. At nearby Cedar Pt, the terns seem just to be getting started, but we found more Redstarts and enjoyed a pair of very cooperative Yellow-billed Cuckoos as we ate breakfast. At the Rte 51 DEC bikepath, in Eastport, Suffolk County, we ran into John Gluth, who had earlier seen the Blue Grosbeak near the north end of the bikepath, but dipped on the previously reported Yellow-throated Warbler in nearby Hunters Garden. After a long vigil, I spied the bird perched on the fence that borders the agricultural fields west of the bikepath shrublands, but it flew north and vanished before Pat and John could get on it. A longer vigil yielded one bout of song, but no more views. Shorebird numbers were way down at Moriches Inlet, compared to last weekend, with the vast majority of Sanderlings, Dunlin, and Ruddy Turnstones apparently having moved on. Red Knots were still numerous (134 between Pikes Beach and Cupsogue), and many very fine looking Black-bellied Plovers were still there. Notable terns included a breeding-plumaged Black Tern, at least eight Roseate Terns, and my first sub-adult Common Terns of the year: one each first- and second-summer. Photos of some of these birds can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSpring2011# Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] Harriman State Park=Canada Warblers
Hi James, I can't say that I've found Canada Warblers breeding in Harriman specifically, but they breed readily at a similar latitude (and probably at even lower elevation) in southern Rhode Island, in red maple swamps along the interior edge of the Charlestown Moraine (e.g, in numbers at the Great Swamp WMA, where I heard one just this morning). There are even a few breeding records from red maple swamps in central Long Island (e.g., Connetquot River SP in Oakdale and Maple Swamp in Flanders): http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y1971v21n4/y1971v21n4rgn10.pdf# http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y1996v46n3/y1996v46n3p206-207salzman.pdf# http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y1996v46n3/y1996v46n3p206-207salzman.pdf#In RI, they like dense, swampy woods with mountain laurel understory. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-37726271-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-37726271-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of peregrin...@aol.com [peregrin...@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 2:48 PM To: nysbirds-l@cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Harriman State Park=Canada Warblers Hi Today I found a pair of possible breeding Canada warblers in Harriman State Park. I saw both male and female and they certainly seemed quite territorial, therefore I assume breeding. The habitat was certainly right. I realize this bird is not common for this area, and was wondering if its usually found in the Harriman state park boundaries? Its the first time I have ever found a pair this far south. any natural history information would be appreciated. James -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://ebird.org/content/ebird/! -- Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] Possible Siberian Common Tern (S. h. longipennis) on Long Island
A second-summer type Common Tern present at Cupsogue, just east of Moriches Inlet, last weekend (25-26 June) resembled the Siberian subspecies of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo longipennis): Bill black, with a slight red tinge Legs dark reddish-black Ventral body deeply gray, especially for a second-summer type individual Wings appeared relatively long both at rest and in flight Its wingtip pattern also differed from the typical summer pattern of local Common Terns in that all the primaries (except perhaps p10) appeared uniformly fresh and pale, but it is not very unusual for non-adults to vary in this regard. In my experience, however, it is extremely rare to see such dark legs on any early summer Common Tern (even first summer birds), and it is also extremely rare to see an all-dark bill in combination with deeply gray underparts, at least prior to very late summer. Photos of this bird can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/PossibleSiberianCommonTernSHLongipennisOnLongIslandNY Some representative photos of second-summer type Common Terns can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/CommonTernsOnLongIsland# I've never seen longipennis in its core range and am unfamiliar with how to assess other published characters, such as its whiter inner rectrices and subtly different tertials, but the photos might help here (even its second-to-outermost rectrices appeared less extensively dark in the field than in many local Common Terns). Longipennis is said to have a shorter bill than hirundo, but this bird's bill looked pretty similar in size to those of local birds. I'm calling this bird a second-summer type because its forehead and its gray underbody were mottled to varying degrees with white. I first noticed it on Saturday but I was not able to get good photos. It was present again on Sunday and studied by at least 19 observers. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- 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] Possible Siberian Common Tern (S. h. longipennis) on Long Island
Thanks to everyone who has commented to me about this bird so far--your contributions are very welcome. Julian Hough sent me the following, with permission to post to the list: I just recently saw photos of a bird at Minsmere, Suffolk, UK of a probable longipennis Common Tern. A striking looking bird, this one with a slightly shorter bill, but I agree that in the field their bills look similar in length to hirundo. Longipennis records from Europe were non-existent until recently. There was a recent record from the Black Sea coast of Turkey last (?) spring which was the first record, but by coincidence I and several others saw three apparent adult longipennis in the same area of Turkey back in ‘89. The significance of that record is just being realized with the report of the recent Turkish individual and if accepted, would pre-date that occurrence by 2 decades! The bill color and extensive grey suffusion to the underparts and blackish legs of your bird all seem to fit with the descriptions of longipennis. I have seen longipennis in China and although I’ve not studied them ad nauseum, I agree that your bird and the UK bird are good candidates. The birds I recall from China had a darker trailing edge to the underwing, along the inner secondaries, that seemed to stand out more than on hirundo, although this could be down to lighting. I’ll have to check notes, but I think I recall some birds also showed some red at the base of their bills? I wasn’t aware of the tail pattern differences. The pitfalls are those dark-billed Common Terns, but they typically show reddish feet and the dark-billed birds are often the whitest below due to wear. It would be interesting to know what the status is of this race in the US since it may help form more of a pattern and help with their separation from similar-looking darker-billed hirundo. I think also Mike O’Brien had a similar bird at Stone Harbor point, NJ several years ago. A cool set of shots! Julian Hough, CT, USA From: bounce-37742728-11143...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-37742728-11143...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of Shaibal Mitra [shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu] Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 11:43 AM To: NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu) Subject: [nysbirds-l] Possible Siberian Common Tern (S. h. longipennis) on Long Island A second-summer type Common Tern present at Cupsogue, just east of Moriches Inlet, last weekend (25-26 June) resembled the Siberian subspecies of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo longipennis): Bill black, with a slight red tinge Legs dark reddish-black Ventral body deeply gray, especially for a second-summer type individual Wings appeared relatively long both at rest and in flight Its wingtip pattern also differed from the typical summer pattern of local Common Terns in that all the primaries (except perhaps p10) appeared uniformly fresh and pale, but it is not very unusual for non-adults to vary in this regard. In my experience, however, it is extremely rare to see such dark legs on any early summer Common Tern (even first summer birds), and it is also extremely rare to see an all-dark bill in combination with deeply gray underparts, at least prior to very late summer. Photos of this bird can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/PossibleSiberianCommonTernSHLongipennisOnLongIslandNY Some representative photos of second-summer type Common Terns can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/CommonTernsOnLongIsland# I've never seen longipennis in its core range and am unfamiliar with how to assess other published characters, such as its whiter inner rectrices and subtly different tertials, but the photos might help here (even its second-to-outermost rectrices appeared less extensively dark in the field than in many local Common Terns). Longipennis is said to have a shorter bill than hirundo, but this bird's bill looked pretty similar in size to those of local birds. I'm calling this bird a second-summer type because its forehead and its gray underbody were mottled to varying degrees with white. I first noticed it on Saturday but I was not able to get good photos. It was present again on Sunday and studied by at least 19 observers. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only as of July 1, 2011http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://ebird.org/content/ebird
[nysbirds-l] Cupsogue Marathon!
A first-summer Arctic Tern was present at Cupsogue from 9:00-9:15 this morning, a nice reward for Richard Fried and me, just prior to high tide. A number of other birders had been seawatching at this time, counting upwards of 80 Cory's Shearwaters, 3 Wilson's Storm-Petrels, a distant jaeger (probably Parasitic), 15 Northern Gannets, and several Lesser Black-backed Gulls. These folks were able to scope the Arctic Tern from afar, but it vanished quickly, as they so often do. A few photos can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSummer2011 https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSummer2011To my eye, this was the fourth individual Arctic Tern here this year, its head pattern and tail streamers differing from one seen on 15 Jun and two seen on 29 Jun (one of which was superbly photographed the next day also). Over the course of a very long day (I first stepped out on the marsh at 6:40 am and finished my third trip at 7:40 pm), at least three Royal, two Black, and three Roseate Terns were tallied, and lots of early fall shorebird migration was noted: many small flocks of Short-billed Dowitchers (including a high-breeding hendersoni picked out by Andy Guthrie), two Western Willets, and half a dozen each Lesser Yellowlegs and Least Sandpipers. The identity of a long-billed peep in first summer plumage was debated ad nauseum by some of the finest birding minds in New York State (despite my protests that they ought to just leave it alone!); a majority favored Western over Semi in the end. The local Eastern Willets and Oystercatchers are ganging up now, with 63 of the former and 16 of the latter observed in tight flocks today. Two summering Brant appeared on the flats also. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] LI Birds: Arctic Tern+ at Cupsogue
A very large gathering of tern aficionados, including a young birders group, assembled at Cupsogue this morning and enjoyed great looks at a first-summer Arctic Tern. Photo forensics are ongoing to determine whether this bird is or isn't one of several similarly plumaged birds seen there earlier this summer. Also present were five Black Terns (we saw four), an adult Roseate Tern (not present when we arrived), and a Royal Tern at nearby Pikes Beach. There was also a notable influx of Least Terns, with three first-summer and two second-summer types among 50 adults on the flats. The local flock of immature Ring-billed Gulls increased to 35 and was joined by two first-summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Shorebird migration was evident throughout the morning, though not at high volume. The most unusual sight, however, was a first-summer Roseate Tern. I've only knowingly seen this plumage a few times previously on Long Island. This summer I've had many conversations with many readers of this list regarding the details of primary patterns in various tern species--marks that are poorly illustrated in guides but which are very useful in identification. I was very fortunate to capture an image of the portlandica Roseate with wings spread, just moments apart from a Common Tern in a similar posture: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSummer2011 Shai Mitra (birding today with Patricia Lindsay and Jeff Bolsinger, as well as many others whom we met on the flats) Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] LI Birds: South Polar Skua+
Just before 7:00 this morning, Jeff Bolsinger and I observed a South Polar Skua from Robert Moses SP, near the western tip of Fire Island, Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird appeared among 150 or more actively feeding shearwaters, all but a few of which were Cory's. (With Patricia Lindsay's help, we ultimately recorded two Greater and one Manx Shearwater, one Wilson's Storm-Petrel, six immature Northern Gannets, an immature Parasitic Jaeger, and modest numbers of Laughing Gulls and Common Terns.) Jeff detected the skua flying from west to east in a very direct fashion. We readily recognized the bird as a stercorariid by its dark plumage, powerful flight, pointed wings, and white underwing flashes, but it took a few moments before we saw the bird in direct comparison with other birds. As this was happening, we noted its uniformly dark plumage (lacking any discernible barring or streaking) and bold white upper-wing (as well as under-wing) flashes. Fortunately, the bird turned in and approached closer to us, coming into direct comparison with and dwarfing a Greater Shearwater, which appeared roughly half its size in terms of overall bulk. Next, we were briefly perplexed when a tern it was wrangling with turned the tables and started chasing it. It dawned on us that this other bird was actually a jaeger, and we were able to judge quite confidently that the jaeger was markedly smaller than adjacent large shearwaters, and that the latter were markedly smaller than the skua. As it wrangled with the tiny-looking jaeger, the skua's relatively broad wings and short tail were readily assessed. Both skua and jaeger appeared to settle onto the water and vanished from view. This gave us hope that the skua would remain until Patricia Lindsay arrived, but, unfortunately, we never saw it again. The three of us did pick up the jaeger a little later, flying westward and giving good views of its structure, color, and barred underwing and tail coverts, indicative of an immature Parasitic Jaeger. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] Long Island Early Summer Larids--Wrap-up
As the coastal scene shifts into late summer mode, with southbound shorebirds moving through and newly fledged gulls and terns flocking up, it seems like a good time to take stock of early summer's teenage larid scene on Long Island. I offer this summary as an aid to NYSARC and others interested in enumerating records of New York State birds and would welcome comments concerning any errors or differences of interpretation. The summary focuses on situations where I thought that the birds’ individual identities were important, and it explains my rationale for concluding that June-July 2011 featured one Iceland Gull, two Glaucous Gulls, four Sandwich Terns, and five Arctic Terns on Long Island. Sub-adult gulls and terns are frequently individually identifiable through close study of head pattern, bill and leg color, and tail streamer length, and also via unique asymmetries and injuries. I've selected photos to illustrate the features used to identify individual birds and presented them together at: https://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/LongIslandSummerLaridWrapup Andrew Baksh, Gail Benson, Nick Bonomo, Patricia Lindsay, Donna Schulman, Eileen Schwinn, and Steve Walter generously shared images of some of these birds. I also wish to thank everyone who reported their observations of these birds, with special thanks to Bob Adamo, Seth Ausubel, Andrew Baksh, Rob Bate, Gail Benson, Bobby Berlingeri, Jeff Bolsinger, Brent Bomkamp, Nick Bonomo, Tom Burke, Jim Cullen, Richard Fried, Doug Futuyma, John Gluth, Andy Guthrie, Richard Kaskan, Patricia Lindsay, Michael McBrien, Bobby Rossetti, Eric Salzman, Sy Schiff, Donna Schulman, Eileen Schwinn, Benjamin Van Doren, Steve Walter, Angus Wilson, and the mysterious ornithological agent sometimes known as “Gamma Digitorum” (or “G-Digit” to his crew). Shai Mitra Bay Shore Places and abbreviations Nickerson Beach Jones Beach—Nassau County Robert Moses SP, Cupsogue, Mecox Bay, Orient Pt—Suffolk County SY—second calendar-year = first-summer = ca. 12 months old = “portlandica” TY—third calendar-year = second-summer = ca. 24 month old P—primary, PP—primaries; gulls and terns have 10 PP on each wing, with P10 outermost R—rectrix, RR—rectrices; gulls and terns have 12 RR, with R6 outermost. Lesser Black-backed GullNotable counts include: 1 Jun 28 birds Jones Beach to Robert Moses SP (20 SY) (Robert Rossetti) 3 Jul 43 birds Nickerson Beach (36 SY, 7 older imms) (Gail Benson, Tom Burke, Andy Guthrie) 10 Jul 70 birds Nickerson Beach (56 SY, 14 older imms) (Jeff Bolsinger, John Gluth, PJL, SSM) Iceland Gull At least one seen Jones Beach to Robert Moses SP on a number of occasions through 12 July (PJL). Glaucous GullTwo different birds. Long-staying individual at Orient Pt with injured right leg, present at least through 20 Jun (SSM) and illustrated by photos from July 2010, January 2011, and June 2011. A bird at Cupsogue mid Jul 2011 (Eileen Schwinn et al.) appears to be a different individual (whiter plumage and dark-looking eye suggest SY; no injury to right leg, whereas injured right leg of Orient Pt bird obvious under most circumstances). Arctic TernFive different birds, only one seen on more than one day. 2011a 15 Jun Cupsogue (SSM et al.)Typical SY; rear crown flecked with black; dark mask of average breadth and diffuse; RR6 (outermost tail feathers) no longer than RR5 (nest to outermost); demonstrably different from 2011b, 2011c, 2011d; arguably could be the same as 2011e (9 Jul) if RR6 still growing on 15 Jun, but facial pattern also subtly different; also these observations were separated by almost a month, with three other ARTE—but no sightings plausibly attributable this bird—in between. 2011b 29 Jun Cupsogue (Seth Ausubel, “Gamma Digitorum,” et al.) Distinctive immature, SY or TY; plumage more advanced than in most SYs but less advanced than in most TYs; bill black as in SY, but legs slightly redder than usual for that age. 2011c 29 Jun Cupsogue (Seth Ausubel, “Gamma Digitorum,” et al.) 2011c 30 Jun Cupsogue (Steve Walter, Rob Bate, et al.)Typical SY; long tail streamers extending beyond wingtips at rest; white crown extended farther rearward than in other 2011 SYs; dark mask relatively narrow and neat; faint white arcs above eyes. Photo documentation of these characters strongly supports the identity of birds observed 29 30 Jun. To my knowledge, this is just the third example of an individual Arctic Tern persisting across dates among 40+ photo-documented birds on Long Island. 2011d 3 Jul Cupsogue (SSM, mob)Typical SY; outermost tail feather on right side (right R6) missing; rear crown flecked with black; dark mask relatively broad and diffuse. 2011e 9 Jul Cupsogue (Brent Bomkamp, Gail Benson, mob)Typical SY; rear crown flecked with black; dark mask narrow and diffuse; both outermost rectrices (RR6) present
[nysbirds-l] FW: Gray-Hooded Gull 8/2 late afternoon
Frank Mantlik from CT sends the following update regarding the Brooklyn Gray-hooded Gull. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: Frank Mantlik [mant...@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 10:31 PM To: Shaibal Mitra; Shaibal Mitra Cc: Ed Linda Hagen Subject: Gray-Hooded Gull 8/2 late afternoon Hi Shai, I was wondering if you could post this update on the NY Birding List-serve for me. Thanks. 8/2/11 Coney Is. Beach, Brooklyn, NY - Ed Hagen and I made the drive down from CT and were rewarded with great views of the Gray-headed Gull from 5:20 pm and for about an hour thereafter. The bird was resting and foraging (on litter, food scraps) on the beach in the general vicinity of the man-made palm tree fountain just south of the foot of W. 12th St. (near the Wonder Wheel ferris wheel). It flew numerous times but stayed on this general section of the beach. I and several of the 10-20 birders present obtained numerous photos. Then about 6:20 / 6:30 pm the Gray-hooded Gull took flight with a small flock of Laughing Gulls and apparently vanished. Some birders who arrived just afterwards may have missed seeing it. We departed about 7:15pm. By the way, we couldn't find any street parking, so made use of the pay-lot ($10) on W. 12th St., which was only two blocks to the beach. Frank Mantlik Stratford, CT Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] GHGU location
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 5:31 AM To: NY BIRDS Cornell Subject: [nysbirds-l] GHGU location I am hoping someone can post directions to the Coney island bathhouse, from the LIE. Thanx in advance Dan Furbish. Step 1 is getting to the Belt Parkway. From points north (e.g., Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges) and east (Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties), I suggest googling directions from your starting point to JFK airport and using these as a basis for getting to the Belt Parkway. 2. From the Belt Parkway, take exit 7, Ocean Parkway, south toward the Aquarium. Go south on Ocean Parkway as far as you can, then right (west) on Surf Ave. 3. The gull frequents the beachfront just south of Surf Ave, between the Aquarium (8th St, I think) and 15th St, a small road with lots of metered parking. If you can't find a space at 15th St, go back out onto Surf and look for meters to the east (people have reported finding parking of various kinds along Surf and at 12th and 10th Streets). If you still have trouble (unlikely on a weekday), turn around and repeat the process. If you get frustrated, you can pay for safe parking at the aquarium. 4. Make note of what Street (e.g., 8th, or 12th, or 15th) you've parked near, walk out onto the boardwalk, then navigate to a point even with 12th St (three short blocks east of 15th or four short blocks west of the aquarium). You will see the Wonder Wheel behind you and a fountain on the beach side shaped like a palm tree. The gull likes this fountain and also perches on the yellow volley ball net poles nearby, or on the beach, or on the signs above the boardwalk businesses. When present, it is usually conspicuous, moving around among these spots but seldom wandering west of the big pier or east of the aquarium. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] Godwits at Jones Inlet, Nassau County LI
An adult Hudsonian Godwit continued this morning on the bar opposite the gazebo at Jones Beach West End. At mid-day, on a lower tide and amid intensifying human disturbance ahead of a big weekend on the beach, Patricia Lindsay found the bird on one of the bars far to the north of the Coast Guard Station. Also present on these bars were two Marbled Godwits. Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] LI Birds: Brown Pelicans, White Ibis+
When Pat and I pulled up at the Lake Montauk Inlet around 8:00 this morning, we were elated to see a juvenile Brown Pelican on the east jetty. Scoping further, Pat noticed an older individual on the west jetty, and I found a one year-old Great Cormorant, our first of the fall, near the first pelican. The juv pelican soon got up and began feeding inside the northern part of Lake Montauk. In the airspace above, we heard a few Dendroica zints and one Bobolink; more surprising was a late Orchard Oriole that dropped out of the sky, paused in a bayberry clump for a few seconds, then flew off to the east. Montauk Pt was quiet in terms of birds, but it was a great pleasure to gaze upon the ocean again. A duo of yellowlegs, one of each species, were a curious sight as they flew eastward toward Block Island. When we returned to the inlet around mid-day, both pelicans were together on the west jetty, but they were soon disturbed by people and flew into Lake Montauk. The day started out feeling like fall but regressed back to summer. Several early migrant species showed notable reductions compared to recent days: Barn Swallows and Least Terns were scarce, and we saw just one each of Purple Martin and Bank Swallow. Black Terns also seemed fewer than during and immediately after Irene: we saw two at Deep Hollow, about 60 at Napeague Harbor, and just 3 at Mecox Bay, whereas much larger numbers had been present at these places a few days ago. Because we were afield all day without smart phone technology, it wasn't until 4:30 that we learned of Jim Ash's White Ibis. We pulled up at Bridge Lane on Sagaponack Pond with Doug Futuyma around 5:00, and it took Pat's keen eye only a few moments to detect the ibis (rather distant and obscured by heat shimmer) along the southern edge of the ploughed field--joined at times by a Green Heron. Photos of some of these bird can be seen at: https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/LongIslandFall2011 Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] LI Birds: Gulls feeding on ant swarms
While driving home along the Belt Parkway this evening I saw at least seven large swarms of gulls (mostly Laughing Gulls, but also many Ring-billed and and a few Herring), apparently feeding on flying ants. This phenomenon is expected at this time of year in coastal Long Island, e.g., http://www.nybirds.org/KBsearch/y1977v27n2/y1977v27n2p87-88lauro.pdf --but it is still very interesting, for instance, how do different colonies come to swarm at precisely the same time? The swarms I saw tonight were at Plumb Beach, east of Gerritsen Inlet, Paerdegat Inlet, Pennsylvania Ave., Erskine St., and two sites in South Ozone Park. I've posted a photo of an ant from a similar mass-swarming event along the Long Island shore a couple of years ago at: https://picasaweb.google.com/109808209543611018404/CrittersAndOthersFunctAndNotSo#5380791796728136466 Shai Mitra Bay Shore Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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] FW: Montauk Wheatear
I arrived at Deep Hollow around 3:30 and learned from Pat Lindsay and Joan Quinlan that the bird had vanished about an hour earlier. They and Nick Laviola were trying to re-find it from the path along the east side of the Deep Hollow Ranch, so I decided to look from the ridge on the Teddy Roosevelt side. Walking north along the fence line, I found the bird perched on a fence-post a bit beyond the top of the ridge. The bird remained here for about half an hour, sometimes dropping down to the ground and rocks to the left (west). Around 4:15 it flew east and out of sight. Our last glimpse of it suggested that it was going to land pretty soon (rather than make a bid for the Azores). It probably landed in one of the north pastures. I would suggest trying the TR fence line first, then the trail along the east side of Deep Hollow if that fails. The horse farm on the south side of the road is, of course, worth checking--both as a suitable site for this bird, and on general birding principle. Shai Mitra Bay Shore From: bounce-38054760-3714...@list.cornell.edu [bounce-38054760-3714...@list.cornell.edu] on behalf of John Gluth [jgl...@optonline.net] Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:49 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L-for posts Subject: Re:[nysbirds-l] Montauk Wheatear Any reports of the bird being seen later in the day, subsequent to Mike Shanley's at 11:15? -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basicshttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME Rules and Informationhttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Subscribe, Configuration and Leavehttp://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm Archives: The Mail Archivehttp://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html Surfbirdshttp://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L BirdingOnThe.Nethttp://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBirdhttp://ebird.org/content/ebird/! -- Change is in the Air - Smoking in Designated Areas Only in effect.http://www.csi.cuny.edu/tobaccofree Tobacco-Free Campus as of July 1, 2012. -- 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/ --
