Marine Nature Study Area 18 April
A Clapper Rail was calling and running around by the Osprey nest. No marsh
sparrows yet. Happy Tax Day.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) went to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to access the
conditions in advance of several walks Joe is leading this weekend. The East
Pond water level is HIGH, HIGH, HIGH. So high that the North end is
inaccessible without very high boots and there is no edge. The entire
The results of the 58th Supplement to the AOU List are in and awaiting
publication. Rick Wright on his Web Site gave a summary of the results.
For NY birders, the changes that effect our count are no more Thayer's Gull as
previously reported but no other splits or lumps. We'll have to await the
Alley {Pond Park 28 April
Joe Giunta, Debbie Martin and I (Sy Schiff) started at the upper parking lot.
This was the first truly lovely spring day. Our first notable bird (ignoring
lots of Robins and House Sparrows) was a singing Yellow Warbler, the first of
10 warblers for the day; namely, 2
Hempstead Lake SP 2 May
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) met there prior to heading for Jamaica Bay. A
quick check before leaving turned up a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, WARBLING and
RED-EYED VIREO, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (heard only), a few Warblers and a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
MNSA, Oceanside SUNDAY 25 June
The county leaders have unlocked the funding freeze and have allocated some
money to allow Sunday access to the facility (hopefully for July and August).
Anyway, it's open.
Of note today was a continuing Clapper Rail, calling from the phragmites and a
Saltmarsh
MNSA, Oceanside 26 May
Yesterday's storm coupled with a new moon high tide completely flooded the
marsh. It probably also washed out any nests already there. This morning the
marsh was still mostly under water just after high tide when I arrived.. As a
result the land birds normally in the
Joe Giunta and I(Sy Schiff) birded Gardiner Co. Park, Suffolk Co. this
morning. No migrants were found, but the walk to the marsh was a delightful
expanse of singing, breeding birds. At the marsh, to our left were 4 SALTMARSH
SPARROWS; to our right 3 SEASIDE SPARROWS. Just before the
Nickerson Beach 3 June
Sun turned to clouds and then rain as I walked down to the ocean in front of
the main tern colony. On the beach resting were 4 ROSEATE TERN, a single
GULL-BILLED TERN which flew off along with BLACK SKIMMERS, COMMON TERNS and
AMERICAN OYSTER CATCHERS. One Roseate had an
Shawangunk Grasslands 7 June
Debbie Martin and I (Sy Schiff) visited at the site this morning, received some
info when we arrived and quickly found the HENSLOW'S SPARROW. The DICKCISSEL
was a bit further along the path into the grasslands near the blind. Both birds
were singing in full sight
Henslow's Sparrow update
This species was long a resident on the grass lands of the Saratoga
Battlefields. The staff found that the birds needed to have the grass burned or
cut for the habitat to be maintained and for them to continue to breed in the
area. So they cut the grass at the proper
Marine Nature Study Area 13 Apr
Cool, sunny, wind 11, gusts 17 MPH. Singing AMERICAN GOLDFINCH and SONG
SPARROW, otherwise birds not out and about In the marsh:--
TURKEY VULTURE over golf course, GREAT EGRET, 5 SNOWY EGRET, (foy) TRICOLORED
HERON, YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 3 GREATER
Jones Beach West End 20 April
Looking for my first SAVANNAH SPARROWS, I found 10 feeding along the edges on
both sides of the road just before the turn into the Coast Guard Station.
Also, a pair of DARK-EYED JUNCOS and a very tame PALM WARBLER.
Other birds Included HERMIT THRUSH, BROWN
I'll bite. You never know what these kids are smoking these days,
- Original Message -
From: "Rick"
To: ;
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2016 8:13 PM
Subject: RE: [nysbirds-l] Tern - swan River
The typo-pun opportunities here are too mind-boggling for response. I
believe the correct
Jones Beach strip to Robert Moses SP and Captree Island.
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) started at the Coast Guard Station and then to
West End #2. Our prime interest were wet land birds. But we managed a Peregrine
and a Merlin plus Field, Chipping, Song, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows.
Joe Giunta and I birded Hempstead Lake SP. Still early in the season, but there
are a few early migrants and breeding birds; namely CHIMNEY SWIFT, EASTERN
KINGBIRD, WARBLING VIREO, HOUSE WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, OVENBIRD,
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, OVENBIRD, BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, YELLOW, PALM
Not much doing other than an influx of shorebirds and Ibis.
13 Glossy Ibis, flying around, finally landing in the puddle to the west of the
pond and fed with a Snowy Egret, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and 3
Greater Yellowlegs. In the puddle on the east side there were 3 Short-billed
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) accompanied by Mike Farina (staff biologist)
birded Oceanside on an overcast windy morning. Breeding birds nesting or
feeding in the marsh, consisted of OSPREY, GLOSSY IBIS, GREAT and SNOWY EGRETS,
TRICOLORED HERON, CLAPPER RAIL (calling in the marsh), AMERICAN
My own experience with this species was an 11/29/2002 bird at Jones Beach and a
12/21/2010 bird at Sunken Meadow. Both were in winter plumage without black on
the throat. The early bird had a bit of yellow on the throat where it would
have been replaced by black in the Spring, the later one did
After a stop at Hempstead Lake SP, I went over to Oceanside and just missed a
SEASIDE SPARROW. While going back to look for it, we found a SALTMARSH SPARROW.
So, the sparrows are back along with a number of CLAPPER RAILS. A GREEN HERON
showed, but not the recent Tricolored Heron.
Shorebirds
Joe Giunta, Stan and I (Sy Schiff) started birding at the Jones Beach Coast
Guard Station.bar There were a scattering of terns and shorebirds there and a
few warblers at the parking lot. We moved on.
We headed directly east to Gardiner County Park. The path to the bay was
moderately birdy
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside 20 May
A full complement of marsh birds this morning plus 11 shorebird species and 6
warblers in the upland area. Details:--
Clapper Rail, Marsh Wren, Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrow.
Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, American Oystercatcher, Spotted
An adult ROSEATE TERN was near the water at Nickerson Beach this morning
(05/27/2016) opposite the Tern/Skimmer colony. It had a very lovely pink
breast.
The tern was banded with a silver band on its right leg and a square band on
the left leg with the number F18. Can someone let me know
Hi to all who gave me help on reporting the banded tern, especially Susan
Elbin of NYC Audubon who put me in contact with Jeffery Spendelow of The
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
The bird was was banded as a chick at Eastern Egg Rock in Muscongus Bay, Maine.
The year depends on whether
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside 7 June
With the exception of Seaside Sparrow that hasn't been seen for a few weeks,
all of the native marsh birds were heard this morning; namely:: WILLET,
CLAPPER RAIL, MARSH WREN, SALTMARSH SPARROW and upland nesters YELLOW WARBLER
and COMMON
Jamaica Bay WR 16 June
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) walked to Big Johns Pond and scanned the East
Pond. Lots of feeding IBIS (25), all GLOSSY. We went to the south end for
better looks, but still couldn't come up with a White-faced. The Barn Owl
continues in the box.
On the west pond, we
Jamaica Bay WR, 9:00-11:00 AM 24 June
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) went to the south end, walking on a newly created
path through the phragmites to reach a small mud flat that held us and a scope.
(The water is coming down and for the first time in years, early enough for the
beginning return
Oceanside 7 September
Cloudy morning with not much activity. But, we managed to see both a SEASIDE
and SALTMARSH SPARROW. A GREEN HERON popped up. a very pretty breeding
plumage BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, some SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS,
a number of PEEP and a single AMERICAN
Baldwin 10 Sep
Looking out my den window before preparing supper, a reddish tailed thrush
landed on a branch. But it didn't seem right for a Hermit Thrush since it also
was reddish elsewhere.. Fortunately, it spun in place so I could see the
overall bird.. The bird perfectly matched the
Jones Beach Coast Guard Station--3 ROYAL TERNS, 2 flyby and 1 on bar
West End #2 Parking Lot--10 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS, HY through adult
Fire Island Hawk Watch for one hour--3 MERLIN and 3 OSPREY. Winds wrong, slow
day
Sy Schiff with Joe Giunta
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside 21 Sep
Finally a few migrants today, namely: several PALM WARBLERS and several
SAVANNAH SPARROWS plus an EASTERN PHOEBE . A MARSH WREN that showed up
yesterday and still here today is also probably a migrant along with a
cooperative GREEN HERON.
Kissena Corridor Park, 27 September
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) arrived at 9:30. After a short walk on macadam, we
moved on to the wood chips covered paths. Not a lot of birds, but what there
was was rather continuous. So we kept busy. Among the birds were: 2 RING-NECKED
PHEASANTS,
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside 4 October
Dismal overcast skies, although a welcome change was the first day of migrating
sparrows. Just a few.but included were:-- Song, Savannah, Swamp, a marsh
species (not identified) and a White-crowned Sparrow. Other birds were Green
Heron, Osprey,
A Rufous Hummingbird was photographed at the Marine Nature Study Area,
Oceanside on Thursday morning Oct 6 in the spot where Ruby-throated have been
seen and photographed for several weeks now. No Hummers of any kind were seen
today in the morning nor afternoon, at least until 3:00, Mike is on
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) picked a lovely day to bird. The birds for the
most part kept to the shrubbery with few venturing out onto the paths.. Perhaps
the presence of some accipiters kept everything under cover. A few EASTERN
PHOEBES and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS accompanied the usual
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) spent the morning at Croton Pt. Park in
Westchester. Our target bird was a Vesper Sparrow which we did not find.
Otherwise, we toured the landfill for a few hours on a lovely sunny day with a
splendid Fall color background. Birds on or over the landfill as follows--
At 10:35 this morning an ADULT BALD EAGLE made a lazy loop over Parking Lot #3
followed a bit later by an ADULT RED-TAILED HAWK. Pleasant end to the the
morning's birding.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
Joe Giunta, Joe Viglietta and I (Sy Schiff) Birded Jones Beach West End on a
cool, sunny, very windy day. The wind kept the birds down but the lawn at the
bottom of the hedgerow and the shrubs just before the turn into the Coast Guard
Station entrance held a number of sparrows. They did not
Joe Giunta, Debbie Martin and I (Sy Schiff) arrived at Lido West Park at 9:00.
The ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER had been seen at 8:00 and flew off. We waited and
back it came a bit after we arrived. It landed on the snow fence adjacent to
the lot and posed for viewing and photos. Very nice. First
Jones Beach West End 26 Nov
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) went to look for the Longspur reported. Upon
arriving at the Coast Guard Station parking lot, we were alerted to a NORTHERN
GOSHAWK. We walked down the road toward the turnaround, looking into the
median where the bird was reported. We
Jones Beach 2 Dec
After checking the bar at the Coast Guard Station, Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff)
went to the swale walking down to the water. Of interest were 40 RED KNOT on
the bar with AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
On the beach,looking toward the jetty, almost at the
Pt. Lookout 3 Dec
The town beach and jetties are undergoing major construction including today
(Saturday). I checked the Gulls on the parking lot but didn't go toward the
beach which is off limits. Heavy trucks carrying huge boulders were coming into
the lot. The activity must have disturbed
Cammanns Pond 26 Dec
As I was preparing to leave after striking out, Mike Zito pulled into the lot..
We chatted and the BLACK-HEADED GULL flew in. (He posted it). If I hadn't
stopped to be sociable, I would have missed it.
Traditionally, the island is a favorite wintering spot for herons.
Cammanns Pond 2 Jan On a break from the rain this morning.
The Black-headed Gull continues along with a single Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
across from the parking lot. No Great Egret or Iceland Gull seen.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
MNSA 1 Feb.
I stopped by Oceanside this morning. The usual uncommon wintering birds have
been absent for a while, no Clapper Rail or Marsh Sparrows. However, there was
a change yesterday continuing into today, American Robins have fond the holly
tree (covered with berries) in front of the
Jones Beach West End, 20 February
A RAZORBILL was feeding along the inlet rocks just before the =
fisherman's parking lot. Beautiful close up views.
Approaching the inlet walking along the ocean, the sky was filled with =
NORTHERN GANNETS (about 150) fishing and plunging into the ocean. I =
Jones Beach Strip; 24 March
Overcast, blustery day. Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) birded the the Joes beach
strip out to Captree Island. Starting at the Coast Guard Station, the bar
contained a pair of AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS and 7 PIPING PLOVER. Approx. 300
DUNLIN were flying about and landed
Alley Pond Park, 25 Mar
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) parked at the upper lot. The morning started
overcast, stayed that way, butt warmed up as the day progressed. Small birds
were few and far between. Our successful target bird were 2 FOY EASTERN PHOEBE.
We also saw 5 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS
MNSA 29 Mar
The first SNOWY EGRET showed up yesterday afternoon. This morning there were 2.
A recent GREAT EGRET continues and the resident OSPREYs have set up house
keeping.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
New Yard Bird: April 1
Many of my friends have berated me because I have birds on my Life List that
they can no longer get. Well the joke is on them, because this morning a
PINK-STRIPED LESSER PTERODACTYL swooped down, took a squirrel, flew into a
tree, swallowed it whole before it flew off
the April fool, it's an inside joke.
I'm glad those who responded enjoyed it. And thanks for the kind words.
Sy Schiff
- Original Message -
From: syschiff
To: NYSBIRDS_L
Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2017 8:41 AM
Subject: Yard Bird
New Yard Bird: April 1
Many of my
Baldwin Park soccer parking lot 14 Apr
Quick stop this morning. The flood lights on the adjacent ball field are
covered with sticks. End light, has an OSPREY nest with bird on nest. Other
lights contain MONK PARAKEET nests and noisy birds.
Sy Schiff.
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
The Prothonotary and Orange-crowned Warblers continue. Both move around a bit,
so requires patience. Both are very bright adults, the Prothonotary especially
so. Seen till 11:00 when I left.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
Marine Nature Study Area 18 April
A Clapper Rail was calling and running around by the Osprey nest. No marsh
sparrows yet. Happy Tax Day.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
Alley {Pond Park 28 April
Joe Giunta, Debbie Martin and I (Sy Schiff) started at the upper parking lot.
This was the first truly lovely spring day. Our first notable bird (ignoring
lots of Robins and House Sparrows) was a singing Yellow Warbler, the first of
10 warblers for the day; namely, 2
Hempstead Lake SP 2 May
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) met there prior to heading for Jamaica Bay. A
quick check before leaving turned up a SOLITARY SANDPIPER, WARBLING and
RED-EYED VIREO, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (heard only), a few Warblers and a
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Joe Giunta and I(Sy Schiff) birded Gardiner Co. Park, Suffolk Co. this
morning. No migrants were found, but the walk to the marsh was a delightful
expanse of singing, breeding birds. At the marsh, to our left were 4 SALTMARSH
SPARROWS; to our right 3 SEASIDE SPARROWS. Just before the
Henslow's Sparrow update
This species was long a resident on the grass lands of the Saratoga
Battlefields. The staff found that the birds needed to have the grass burned or
cut for the habitat to be maintained and for them to continue to breed in the
area. So they cut the grass at the proper
MNSA, Oceanside 26 May
Yesterday's storm coupled with a new moon high tide completely flooded the
marsh. It probably also washed out any nests already there. This morning the
marsh was still mostly under water just after high tide when I arrived.. As a
result the land birds normally in the
Nickerson Beach 3 June
Sun turned to clouds and then rain as I walked down to the ocean in front of
the main tern colony. On the beach resting were 4 ROSEATE TERN, a single
GULL-BILLED TERN which flew off along with BLACK SKIMMERS, COMMON TERNS and
AMERICAN OYSTER CATCHERS. One Roseate had an
Shawangunk Grasslands 7 June
Debbie Martin and I (Sy Schiff) visited at the site this morning, received some
info when we arrived and quickly found the HENSLOW'S SPARROW. The DICKCISSEL
was a bit further along the path into the grasslands near the blind. Both birds
were singing in full sight
MNSA, Oceanside SUNDAY 25 June
The county leaders have unlocked the funding freeze and have allocated some
money to allow Sunday access to the facility (hopefully for July and August).
Anyway, it's open.
Of note today was a continuing Clapper Rail, calling from the phragmites and a
Saltmarsh
The results of the 58th Supplement to the AOU List are in and awaiting
publication. Rick Wright on his Web Site gave a summary of the results.
For NY birders, the changes that effect our count are no more Thayer's Gull as
previously reported but no other splits or lumps. We'll have to await the
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) went to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to access the
conditions in advance of several walks Joe is leading this weekend. The East
Pond water level is HIGH, HIGH, HIGH. So high that the North end is
inaccessible without very high boots and there is no edge. The entire
Hi all.
I walked the trails on Tuesday afternoon and looked over the place for the
first time since Sandy. The staff and Town workers have cleaned the area so
that it's almost as before, although it is a bit disconcerting to see seaweed
at eye level in the shrubs along the trails. Storm
Jones Beach West End 15 Feb
Pleasant morning at the beach ushering in the coming Spring. Few birds, but
lots of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES. Mixed in with one group were 3-4 BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEES, all feeding together in a small pine near the turnaround. An adult
male "gray ghost" NORTHERN
Hempstead Lake SP 21 Feb
Cold partly sunny morning. A COMMON TEAL (North American subspecies, European
full species) was with 20 GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the pond by parking lot #3.
Other birds of interest; PIED-BILLED GREBE, BELTED KINGFISHER, 3 WINTER WREN,.
BROWN CREEPER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
Baldwin Park at foot of Grand Ave, Baldwin 10 Mar. Park at the soccer field
lot between soccer and baseball fields. .
I stopped by to see if the Osprey had returned. NO! (facing ball field, top of
first light pole to your left)
A pair of MINK PARAKEETS were resting on the super structure
Marine Nature Study Area 13 Mar
The first OSPREY of the season circled over the nest platform this morning
before drifting over to the east.
Both REDWINGS and COMMON GRACKLES frequented the feeders; Northern Cardinals
and Song Sparrows were singing. All--in-all it's a start for spring.
The
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 21 March
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) went to see the damage from "Sandy". The path to
Big Johns Pond is clear of debris, but most of the beautiful white birch trees
are down and cut into logs. There were 3 male WOOD DUCKS on the pond. On the
East Pond, the water
Marine Nature Study Area, 29 March
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff ) went looking for early shorebirds this morning,
but only found the pair of AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS that had been present for a
while. Waders today included GREAT EGRET, GREAT BLUE HERON, BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON and a fos GLOSSY
At Jones Beach, the LAPLAND LONGSPUR continues near the gazebo with HORNED
LARKS; all coming into breeding plumage. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS also continue.
At Pl. Lookout, sixteen (16) PIPING PLOVER were on the beach to the west of
the west jetty mixed in with SANDERLING, a few DUNLIN and
"A" Longspur has been seen at this spot most of the winter. I have not heard of
two there, nor have I ever personally seen more than one this winter,.
However, the bird I saw today was about half way between the nonbreeding and
breeding pictures as shown in Sibley. Steve's bird was in full
Hempstead Lake SP 9 April
Palm, Pine, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Sapsucker, Flicker, Kinglets and Rusty
Blackbirds FOS Chipping Sparrow, but no Yellow-throated.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
Timber point east marina 19 April
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) found the 2 Ruffs together this morning (thanks
Andrew for getting the word out after being alerted). The obvious male is
molting into breeding plumage. Today there is much more black than in photos
posted earlier. In addition,
Hempstead Lake SP 20 April.
The Yellow-throated Warbler continues, now singing loudly. Also, Pine, Palm,
Yellow-rumped, Black-and-white and FOS Yellow Warbler. A nice start for the
migration season.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
Hempstead Lake SP 26 April
The Yellow-throated Warbler was relocated this morning by McDonald Pond,
singing loudly and reasonably tame.
Not a great many birds this morning, but a fair mixture:-- Blue-headed and
Warbling Vireos; Northern Parula, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Yellow-throated, Pine,
Jones Beach April 28
The RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues in the same place as yesterday.
The two GULL-BILLED TERNS continue on the bar in front of the west end marina.
Sy Schiff
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
Hempstead Lake SP 14 May
After virtually no migrants, last Thursday brought the first relief. Friday was
also productive and since then, things have gradually tapered off. However,
each successive day did bring in a few new species. The warbler assortment has
been so-so
An orange, olive, yellow and some red SUMMER TANAGER showed up in Hempstead
Lake SP this morning. A rather odd bizarre looking bird. I've never seen one
in this transitional plumage before. Otherwise, the migration here is still
slow.
At Nickerson Beach, PIPING PLOVER and AMERICAN
Hempstead Lake State Park 17 May
PLEASE BE ADVISED, the Boy Scouts are taking over the park starting this
afternoon through Sunday. Field #3 will be closed. With the noise, activities
and limited access, birding there this weekend will be nil .
Today was less successful than yesterday, but
MNSA, Oceanside 23 May
Arrived mid-morning. Three widely separated CLAPPER RAILS were calling, with
one coming up for a photo op. Other shorebirds included SEMIPALMATED AND
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN,
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and WILLET, Most of the
Robert Moses SP. 28 May
Joined by Bob Anderson; we spent about 2 hours sea watching at Field #2. The
only dark sea birds (not counting scoters and cormorants that we saw) were some
single small-dark-short-winged Storm-Petrel type birds whose flight patterns
more closely matched Wilson's rather
Doodletown, Iona Island, Mine Road: 1 June
Assembling at the foot of Doodletown Rd, 11 Long Island birders, arriving
within 5 minutes of the 7:30 AM time, enjoyed good birding and companionship as
we explored this upstate (for us) area for breeding birds. Raptors included
BLACK and TURKEY
As an addendum to my earlier post on birds at Doodletown, I'd like to share
other things seen.
We saw 2 BLACK SNAKES, 1 GARTER SNAKE and a very large (4.5 to 5-ft) TIMBER
RATTLESNAKE. The snake photos--not the snake--were carefully examined and
eleven (11) rattles were counted. This was some
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside June 2
This continues to be a prime location for breeding marsh birds. Today's list
included all the target birds.
Willet
Clapper Rail
Marsh Wren, heard not seen
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
In addition, visiting the marsh were both Egrets, Both
Jones Beach West End 8 June
I met Bob Anderson at the Coast Guard Station. The storm brought nothing to the
site. We then walked out to the inlet. Ditto. There was an immature
RING-NECKED PHEASANT on the lawn of the entrance road to the station.
Presumably, we have a breeding pair on the west
Nickerson Beach 15 June
Arrived at 7:20 this morning. A half dozen photographers had proceeded me.
Other than AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS with young and hundreds of COMMON TERNS,
they had almost nothing else to take pictures of. A pair of GULL-BILLED TERNS
was flying over the tern/skimmer colony
Nickerson Beach 19 June
The immature ARCTIC TERN was sitting on the beach to the west when I arrived at
7:30 AM and was seen sporadically till 9:30 by a half dozen birders. There was
a lot of movement, particularly when an OSPREY flew over.. ID made difficult
separating the bird from a number
MNSA, Oceanside, 14 July.
Just after low tide; hot and sultry this morning. A beginning of shorebird
movement coupled with some visible marsh breeders. Today there was a KILLDEER,
LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS and WILLET. (also,
Short-billed Dowitchers yesterday).
Nassau Co. Beaches 24 July
The Nickerson Beach tern/skimmer colony has simmered down now that most of the
young have fledged and are flying. Except for one Great Black-backed Gull that
was continually dive bombed till the tern gave up. Of course directly in the
sun from my position, so no
July 26, Oceanside
Since "Sandy", full moon high tides at the Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside
have inundated the marshes. Consequently, nests in the marsh have on more than
one occasion been washed away. As a result, nesting success has been poor.
Today, turned out to be a notable
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 27 July
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) started mid -morning at the north end. Except for
a few short spots (6-inches deep mud), the west edge is completely passable.
Today's goodies included a RUFF and a breeding plumage AMERICAN AVOCET. The
latter found by Ken
Jones Beach Coast Guard Station 28 July
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) spent the morning overlooking the bar in front of
the marina. As the tide increased, small numbers of shorebirds arrived till
there were in excess of a hundred. The mix included a dozen Willet, both
Semipalmated Plover and
Barrier Beaches July 29
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) birded the marina bar at Jones Beach West End.
Arriving a bit after low tide, we found the bar almost devoid of birds and a
brief stay disclosed little change. The Black Scoter flock continues. We
decided to see what was doing at Robert
Marine Nature Study Area, August 2
Only about 2 dozen shorebirds, but they comprised 8 common species. So, it made
the morning interesting. An imm. LITTLE BLUE HERON was feeding just down the
path. Start checking the snowys carefully, easy to overlook a stranger.
A SALTMARSH SPARROW was
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 4 August
Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) birded the north end on a falling tide. There were
several hundred shorebirds, all of which flew off with the arrival of a
Peregrine Falcon making a few runs through the group. When we left only a few
dozen birds remained.
Jones Beach pools between Nature Center and West End #2.
About an hour after Dave left, the Baird's put in a brief appearance and was
almost immediately spooked by the "resident" Peregrine Falcon which was active
the entire morning. After this latest pass, the birds returned again, but no
Marine Nature Study Area, Oceanside 30 Aug.
A very late CLAPPER RAIL chick with parent made a brief appearance this morning
. They posed for a quick photo before disappearing into the marsh. (Mike
Farina, staff biologist, posted the picture on his blog.) Other birds of note
were a pair of
A full birding day: 4 September
After a short walk around Alley Pond Park produced a smattering of birds, but
nothing out of the ordinary, Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) traveled out to the
riverhead sod fields. There at the"Osborn/Sound Ave" field we found 3 dozen
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