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4 Nov Re: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. [Angus Wilson ] 04 Nov slides (and book) of New York City parks [Ruth Hyman ] 4 Nov Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. [Andrew Baksh ] 04 Nov Staten Island [Sy Schiff ] 04 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 4 Nov Barnacle Goose relocated at Sunken Meadows [] 4 Nov Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow - thoughts on relationship to other NY sightings [Angus Wilson ] 4 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Douglas Futuyma" ] 04 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 4 Nov Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["ROBERT ADAMO" ] 4 Nov Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island ["Jerry Lazarczyk" ] 03 Nov Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [Jim Osterlund ] 03 Nov Sunken Meadow geese and Jones Beach this morning [Sy Schiff ] 3 Nov From the Rhode Island Birding List - Gyrfalcon? [Ben Cacace ] 03 Nov Pink-footed Goose/Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk Co.) [Ken Feustel ] 3 Nov FW: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [David Klauber ] 3 Nov Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [Angus Wilson ] 03 Nov Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 3 Nov Re:Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 ["Bill Evans" ] 2 Nov Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 2 Nov Franklin Mountain Lecture, Nov. 3 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 02 Nov Grackle hordes at Tibbett's Brook ["Barry or Rita Freed" ] 2 Nov Rough-legged Hawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/1 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 2 Nov Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 2 Nov Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, Nov. 2nd [Ted Floyd ] 2 Nov Rufous/Selasphorus Hummer NYC, 11/1 [& extralimital rarities] [Tom Fiore ] 2 Nov Probable Snowy Owl sighted in Albany [Thomas Rhindress ] 2 Nov WEKIs [Hugh McGuinness ] 02 Nov LI Birds: Large Numbers of Common Eiders++ ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 1 Nov South Fork LI: Three Western Kingbirds today [Angus Wilson ] 1 Nov Sandhill Crane: a not so stealthy migrant? [Angus Wilson ] 31 Oct From the Massachusetts Birding List - Gyrfalcon [Ben Cacace ] 31 Oct South Fork LI: Continuing Western Kingbird, King Eider etc [Angus Wilson ] 31 Oct FW: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk [Jeffery Davis ] 31 Oct RE: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th [jacob drucker ] 31 Oct Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, Oct. 31st [Ted Floyd ] 31 Oct Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th [Ted Floyd ] 31 Oct Fwd [RE]: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Selasphorus species?] [Tom Fiore ] 31 Oct NYC Area RBA: 30 October 2009 [Karen Fung ] 30 Oct Re: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Hugh McGuinness ] 30 Oct orrection; for some reason birdingonthe.net didn't see that the Ash-throated was actually a Great-crested. To the rest of you I apologize for the double post. [Lloyd Spitalnik ] 29 Oct Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [] 30 Oct ash troated correction [Lloyd Spitalnik ] 30 Oct Ash-throated Flycatcher Jones Beach WE 2 [David Klauber ] 29 Oct Hook Mt. [Sy Schiff ] 29 Oct Jones Beach, Nassau County, Oct. 29th [Ted Floyd ] 29 Oct Re: Gyrfalcon [Angus Wilson ] 29 Oct Gyrfalcon [Jerry Lig ] 29 Oct Re: Jones Beach Gyr [Susan Herbst ] 29 Oct Any Reports from EPCAL? ["Frederick Hamilton" ] 29 Oct Jones Beach Gyr [Hugh McGuinness ] 28 Oct rarities in, near, & not so near NY, 10/28 & previously [Tom Fiore ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Falcon images [John Gluth ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Gyrfalcon [John Gluth ] 28 Oct Gyrfalcon [joe mahedy ] 28 Oct Fw: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [pete gustas ] 28 Oct FW: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [David Klauber ] 28 Oct Re: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [Angus Wilson ] 28 Oct Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [pete gustas ] 28 Oct First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds (Science News, 10/28) [Tom Fiore ] 28 Oct Fwd: Jones Beach West End (L.I., Nassau Co.), 10/27 [Tom Fiore ] 28 Oct RE:Jones Beach Falcon [] 28 Oct RE: Jones Beach Falcon ["Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Gyrfalcon [joe mahedy ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Falcon [Hugh McGuinness ] 27 Oct Montauk Point, Suffolk County, Oct. 27th [Ted Floyd ] 26 Oct Croton Point Park, Monday [Robert Lewis ] 26 Oct Big Egg Marsh Queens NY... [Andrew Baksh ] 26 Oct Rockaway peninsula & B'klyn, NYC 10/26 [Tom Fiore ] 26 Oct Fire/Jones Barrier Beach Today (Nassau/Suffolk Counties) [Ken Feustel ] 26 Oct Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 26 Oct Caumsett SP sparrows, warblers, etc. [Andrew Block ] 26 Oct (Metro Birding Briefs) FW: Jones Beach - Western tanager [David Klauber ] 26 Oct FW: Jones Beach - Western tanager [David Klauber ] 26 Oct Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk County, Oct. 26th [Ted Floyd ] 26 Oct Jones Beach - Western tanager [David Klauber ] Subject: Re: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:48:24 -0500 Naturally it is disappointing to learn that the Pink-footed Goose wasn't seen today and I hope people are checking other areas nearby. One spot to consider is the small pond near the SUNY Stony Brook campus used as a roost site by the 2007/08 bird. This former grist mill pond is called the Avalon Park and Preserve (100 Harbor Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11790). It would fly in just before dusk and then depart again first thing in the morning. Some people saw it feeding in fields elsewhere but often it simply vanished for most of the daylight hours. The Nissequogue Golf Course, Smithtown Landing Municipal Golf Course, Long Beach Town Park and any open fields with grass suitable for grazing would be additional suggestions. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: slides (and book) of New York City parks From: Ruth Hyman <ruth.hyman AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:35:00 -0500 Dear Fellow Birders, I thought the existence of these slides, which come from a book "documenting" New York City's parks might be of interest. Ruth http://www.wnyc.org/slideshows2/meyerowitz -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: Andrew Baksh <birdingdude AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:46:25 -0500 The Barnacle Goose was seen around 4:50 pm this afternoon in the creek from the bridge just after the toll gates. No sign of the Pink Footed Goose. Andrew Baksh Queens NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Staten Island From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:11:54 -0500 Mt. Loretto 4 Nov Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) continued our quest for unusual geese (after yesterday's Sunken Meadow trip) by journeying to Mt. Loretta on Staten I. We made a brief detour to look for the Hummingbird, stopping for 30 minutes without success. We went to the small Mt. Loretta Preserve parking lot on Hylan Blvd. and walked left. There were two large flocks of Canada Geese on the lawns across the road. The second and farthest flock from us contained two small geese. One was clearly a CACKLING GOOSE. The second was re-confirmed, at home, from a distant photograph taken from the road. The ID of a small goose is not so obvious as has been noted elsewhere, As we returned to the car just at noon, all the geese erupted, flew over to our side of the road and into the preserve. There was a lot of activity at the school at that point and the commotion might have spooked the birds. Five minutes later and we would have missed them. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:21:28 GMT 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 mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu Sent 11/4/2009 11:09:46 AM To: NYSBIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT 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 radamo2 AT msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT 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 AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Barnacle Goose relocated at Sunken Meadows From: b.inskeep AT yahoo.com Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:17:38 +0000 Sunken Meadows State Park - The Barnacle Goose is in the field with a flock of Canada Geese just northwest of the main parking lot after coming over the bridge. It is best viewed by parking in a circular drive adjacent the park office building. Brenda Inskeep Stamford, CT -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow - thoughts on relationship to other NY sightings From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:07:45 -0500 Paul Gildersleeve kindly sent me some pictures of the Sunken Meadow goose taken yesterday and by comparing the shape and patterning of the bill, I think we can safely say that this is a DIFFERENT individual from the goose that spent a few days in Flushing, Queens last winter. The Flushing bird had a more elongated bill with a distinctive edging to the pink area. To form your own opinion, take a look at the quick composite I posted on my 'Birding to the End' blog. http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ As mentioned earlier by Shai, Sunken Meadow SP isn't too far from Stony Brook and is even closer to the Nissequogue River where a Pink-footed Goose spent part of the 2007-2008 winter. From the distant images I have at hand right now, I can't say that these aren't the same individual. The Montauk bird (winter 2007/08) was present at the same time as the Stony Brook bird but I think has more extensive area of pink on the bill. Again I have better images of that bird somewhere for a more definitive comparison. Obviously, there isn't too much variation and many birds have very similar bills but some will be different enough that they can be ruled out or provide a firm match. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Douglas Futuyma" <futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:10:15 -0500 Evidently, afternoon is the time to look for these birds. I could not find them this morning, from 8:00 to 8:45. Quite a few Canadas were in the channel south of the parking fields, and visible through shrubbery along the south side of the channel, but they seem not to have counted the Pink-footed or Barnacle among their number. Douglas J. Futuyma Stony Brook, NY 11794-5245 futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu ----- Original Message ----- From: ROBERT ADAMO To: NY BIRDS Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:45 AM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk 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 park, 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, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member 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! Before 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 bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:09:46 GMT 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 the Barnacle is likely the same bird that wintered at Sunken Meadow SP in January 2008 (two winters ago, and that the Pink-footed is possibly the same bird that wintered at Stony Brook Mill Pond in February 2008. Both of those birds were clearly distinct from their conspecifics in Montauk that winter, as proven by sustained periods of concurrent observations at these widely separated 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 photos, but the proximity of the two sites on the north shore of western Suffolk 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 radamo2 AT msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk 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 park, 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, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member 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! Before 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 bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "ROBERT ADAMO" <radamo2 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:45:57 -0500 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 park, 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, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member 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! Before 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 bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: "Jerry Lazarczyk" <lazarcg1 AT netzero.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:31:16 GMT Hi Angus, I will be leaving directly for the Pink Footed Goose which I just saw in Maine as a Lifer this past week. Please call 716-548-0798 if there are any updates as I will be on the road. Are the Western Kingbirds still around? Thanks, Jerry Lazarczyk Grand Island NY Exciting news! For what it's worth, the 3 Pink-feet in Cumberland, Maine were still present this morning, so this clearly a different (fourth) bird. Good photos of the bill might help us to determine if this is a returning bird or not. Also, I encourage folks to post updates on the bird, positive or negative, if able to visit the area in the next few days. > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- ____________________________________________________________ Affordable Home Insurance Save up to 50% on home insurance! Instant quotes - Fast & easy form. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=tHEAk2IQ88Z1_ROKstqPrwAAJ1Huz9iSZvtuEnZrPya7cU_rAAQAAAAFAAAAAHZH_j4AAANSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABV1JAAAAAA= -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: Jim Osterlund <jamesost AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:13:10 -0500 Sunken Meadow State Park, ball fields marked; 40.909969,-73.253553 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Sunken Meadow geese and Jones Beach this morning From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:34:25 -0500 Sunken Meadow SP. and Jones Beach West End in the morning, 3 Nov To follow up on Ken Feustel's post, Joe Guinta and I (Sy Schiff) arrived shortly before 2:00, found Shai with his scope focused on both geese in the same field of view. Within 10 minutes, half the CANADA GOOSE flock flew over to Sunken Meadow Creek with the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE and five minutes later, the rest flew there with the BARNACLE GOOSE We walked across the road and relocated both geese in the creek although not together. This morning the Jones Beach Marina had several ROYAL TERNS both flying about and landing on the bar among several hundred AMER. OYSTERCATCHERS. As the tide went out, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and DUNLIN arrived in large numbers with some SANDERLING. A female COMMON EIDER flew into the far cove to our right (east) and was feeding with the BRANT. Land birds and migrants were scarce in both locations. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: From the Rhode Island Birding List - Gyrfalcon? From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:38:34 -0500 An intriguing sighting of a possible juvenile Gyrfalcon on the north shore of Block Island just east of Long Island. Google Maps location: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ygdmt7s Link to post on "Rhode Island Birds" list: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/RIBD.html#1257274879 /----- begin quote -----\ Subject: Block Island - Unk large falcon, [...] From: "Thomas M"Subject: Pink-footed Goose/Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk Co.) From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:07:13 -0500 At about 11:30AM Sue and I found a Pink-footed Goose at the Sunken Meadow State Park (SMSP) athletic fields. After making the requisite phone calls Shai Mitra and Pat Lindsay arrived and in addition to the Pink-footed Goose, found a Barnacle Goose in the flock of approx. 125 Canada Geese. SMSP is located at the northern terminus of the Sunken Meadow Parkway. Upon entering the park go through the toll booths and, driving downhill, proceed over the bridge that spans Sunken Meadow Creek. Make your first right after crossing the bridge. The ballfields are located on the north side of the road between two parking fields. At this point you can either proceed to the eastern-most parking field and walk west to see the geese or, skipping the first right hand turn after the bridge, make the second right into the main parking field, parking at the eastern end of the lot, and walk east (you can also just pull off the road when you see the geese but I am not sure the State Park Police would appreciate that). If the geese are spooked they may fly into Sunken Meadow Creek so check the creek if you do not see the birds. The fields where the geese are feeding is the starting point for the numerous high school cross-country races that are run at SMSP this time of year. Try to arrive at the park before 2:00PM. Good luck if you go! Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: FW: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:29:17 -0500 Shai just called to say that a Barnacle Goose is also present with the Pink-footed - to the right or east after you cross the bridge that enters the parking fields near the beach > To: NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu > CC: > Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:32:20 +0000 > From: mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island > > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. > > 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:56:55 -0500 Exciting news! For what it's worth, the 3 Pink-feet in Cumberland, Maine were still present this morning, so this clearly a different (fourth) bird. Good photos of the bill might help us to determine if this is a returning bird or not. Also, I encourage folks to post updates on the bird, positive or negative, if able to visit the area in the next few days. > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:32:20 GMT Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re:Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Bill Evans" <wrevans AT clarityconnect.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:58:08 -0500 Greetings birders, A moderate-sized migratory pulse of American Robins came through the Ithaca, NY area this past weekend. From my location in the hills ~ 7 miles south of Ithaca on Saturday (10/31), I noted a midday flight involving occasional flocks of 10-30 birds flying southbound at treetop level into fairly stiff headwinds. A cold front passed at some point in late afternoon and winds switched to westerly. The robin movement initiated again around sunset and I counted over 1000 in southbound flight in less than an hour. This latter flight was flying 100-300 ft agl and contending with a substantial westerly crosswind. On Sunday morning (11/1), a moderate reverse direction flight toward the northwest occurred with birds moving by 6:30AM EST. That flight continued through at least 9:00AM. In the first 15 minutes (6:30-6:45) I counted 163. 15 minute totals thereafter were consistently from 50-100 until 9AM. This flight was mostly less than 100 ft agl and flying into northwest headwinds. There was also a much smaller flight of southbound robins occurring simultaneously at higher altitude (est. 800+-ft agl). There was no early evening robin flight at my count site on 11/1 and the morning flight on 11/2 was smaller than on 11/1 with 101 counted in reverse direction flight between 6:30-6:45 and just a trickle after that. There was no early evening flight on 11/2 and this morning I had zero robins in morning flight. Of course, robin numbers tallied in such counts depend on factors affecting potential concentration dynamics at the count site, the breadth of area surveyed, and the method of the observer. As such they are tricky to interpret except in comparison to similar counts at the same site. What I can say is that this was the third migratory pulse of robins through the Ithaca area in the past two weeks, all moderate in size, and that this is the two-week period when I've had peak flights since beginning my observations here in fall 2002. My records through these years have substantial holes in the data but are good enough to characterize the general flight density from year to year. I've seen one year at this site with notably much lower numbers (last year) and one year with much higher numbers (2005). My sense is that the robin flight this year through the Ithaca area is moderate and perhaps on the "normal" side. I'm still perplexed by the dynamics that bring about such wide variation in migratory robin numbers through central NY in late October and early November. Based on the recent weather, I wouldn't expect that there has been any notable buildup of robins on the Atlantic Coast so far this fall. Any other comment in addition to Arthur's from downstate? Bill Evans Town of Danby, NY ****************************************************************** Subject: Sizable AMRO Flight AT Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Arthur W. Green"Subject: Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 23:01:45 -0500 I had the pleasure of watching much commotion by American Robin this morning just outside of Mount Kisco at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. Numerous flocks, many ranging in size from fifty to several hundred birds apiece, passed within a mile of the watch platform from ~9:05 to ~11:20; by noon, literally thousands of birds had graced my view in a span of time barely exceeding two hours. The direction that flocks flew in seemed to change repeatedly and had no pattern I could discern; flocks seemed as likely to exit S as they were to fly N or E. By early afternoon, the commotion had died down, and there was hardly a robin to be seen or heard over the din of I-684. . . \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. GreenSubject: Franklin Mountain Lecture, Nov. 3 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:37:36 -0500 Dear NYSBirds-L, Tuesday evening (11/3), Andy Mason, whose affiliation with NYSOA needs no introduction, will be giving a talk about the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch in Oneonta, a site he founded and co-coordinates (with Tom Salo) for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. The talk will be given in Westmoreland Sanctuary's museum at 7 p.m. It promises to be a terrific program, and the lecture accompanies the field trip to Franklin Mountain that is being offered by both Saw Mill River Audubon and the Bedford Audubon Society the following Wednesday (11/11). Westmoreland Sanctuary is located at 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Mount Kisco. There is no fee, but if you decide to come please call Westmoreland Sanctuary at 914.666.8448 to let them know you are attending. I hope you can join us! With Kind Regards, \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. GreenSubject: Grackle hordes at Tibbett's Brook From: "Barry or Rita Freed" <freeds AT lycos.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:18:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: Rough-legged Hawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/1 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:13:45 -0500 A Rough-legged Hawk was spotted just outside of Mount Kisco at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. This juvenile "light morph" bird was quite high and heading WSW, streaming out almost directly over the watch platform at 14:48. I thought it interesting that several Red-tailed Hawk spotted around the same time used a nearly identical flight line. \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. GreenSubject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:49:53 -0800 (PST) RBA
* New York
* Syracuse
* November 02, 2009
* NYSY 0211.09
Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
Dates(s):
October 26, 2009 - November 02, 2009
to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com
covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
compiled:November 02 AT 6:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Joseph Brin
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#178 -Monday November 02, 2009
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 26
, 2009
Highlights:
-----------
RED-THROATED LOON
RED-NECKED GREBE
BRANT
EURASIAN WIGEON
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
MERLIN
NORTHERN GOSHAWK
MERLIN
RED-NECKED GREBE
SANDHILL CRANE
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
SANDERLING
DUNLIN
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER
RED PHALAROPE
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
BONAPARTE’S GULL
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
BLUE-HEADED VIREO
BOBOLINK
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC)
------------
10/27: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Van Dyne Spoor Road. 3 SANDHILL CRANED
were seen in Knox-Marsellus Marsh. 5 species of shorebird were seen at the
visitor’s center including WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
10/29: 2 EURASIAN WIGEON were seen in Tschache Pool.
St. Lawrence County
------------
11/1: A RED PHALAROPE was seen at Coles Creek State Park on the St. Lawrence
River near Massena.
Oneida County
------------
10/26: A late BOBOLINK was seen in Camden.
10/29: At Sylvan Beach the following were seen. 4 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 10
SANDERLING, 2 DUNLIN, 11 BRANT, and 16 BONAPARTE’S GULLS.
Onondaga County
------------
10/30: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen near Northern Lights Shopping center.
10/31: 15 BRANT were seen in the Inner Harbor.
Oswego County
------------
10/31: A late swallow, possibly a CAVE SWALLOW, was seen at Mexico Point.
11/1: At Derby Hill the following birds were seen. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, MERLIN, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR.
Cayuga County
------------
11/1: At Fairhaven State Park a RED THROATED LOON, a RED-NECKED GREBE, and a
MERLIN were all seen.
--end transcript
--
Joseph Brin
Region 5
Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A.
--
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Subject: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, Nov. 2ndFrom: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:24:55 -0800 Hello, Birders. I visited Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, this morning, Monday, Nov. 2nd. The first bird of the day was a nocturnal-migrant Hermit Thrush flying over the parking lot at the refuge visitor center. Nice. Another nice bird in the parking lot was a Clay-colored Sparrow, keeping close company with a Chipping Sparrow. Together, they were both an identification challenge and an educational opportunity. The two birds were keeping company with a flock of at least 20 Slate-colored Juncos. The flock was working a stretch between 40.617387 N, 73.824862 W and 40.617664 N, 73.824698 W. Over in the East Garden (on the east side of Cross Bay Boulevard), I saw a first-cycle, probably male, Baltimore Oriole. It was at 40.618802 N, 73.824086 W. There was also a juvenile Eastern Phoebe and a flyover Eastern Bluebird there. Other birds in the East Garden included 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Hermit Thrush, 2 Gray Catbirds, and 3 Cedar Waxwings. The West Pond loop hosted a few lingerers, among them 6 Snowy Egrets, 1 juvenile Little Blue Heron, 1 juvenile (probably female) Osprey, 2 adult Eastern Phoebes, and 2 Tree Swallows. There was vismig of American Pipits in the hour after sunrise, with 7 small flocks (21 birds total) all heading southeast. Other landbirds, mainly in and around the South Garden, included 2 Winter Wrens, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 3 Gray Catbirds, 17 Cedar Waxwings, and 5 Swamp Sparrows. A few other odds and ends included 1 Horned Grebe, 12 Great Egrets, 16 American Oystercatchers, 10 Greater Yellowlegs, and 7 Dunlin. In tremendous numbers all across the refuge were Brant, American Black Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Rufous/Selasphorus Hummer NYC, 11/1 [& extralimital rarities] From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:01:50 -0500 The photo'd / presumed Rufous Selasphorus Hummingbird remained at Staten Island (New York City) into Sun., Nov. 1: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SINaturaList/message/1372 - - - - A number of reports from NY & other nearby states suggest the possibility of Cave Swallow (indefinite reports/sightings) - this is the time of year that species is most regularly found in the northeast. Take care to eliminate other swallow spp. as, even though unlikely, all NE breeders have been seen even into November in recent years in northeastern areas. - - - - THREE PINK-FOOTED GEESE continue in southern Maine: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MAIN.html#1257163525 - - - - 2 "additional" Sandhill Cranes were reported from Quaker Ridge hawk-watch at Greenwich CT, which along with all, or virtually all, other birds seen migrating past there in fall go into-through-over NY's Westchester County & perhaps other counties in southeastern-most NY state (flying S-W). - - - - Western Kingbird lingering in Connecticut (+ new photos) - http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CTBD.html#1257128778 - - - - Of interest at least to Anserophiles (possible goose hybrid): http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html#1257127988 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html#1257121129 - - - - 3 Snow Buntings were seen & photographed on Hook Mtn. in Rockland Co., NY on Sun. Nov. 1st. - & the species was rather widely reported that day from multiple (N.) locations. - - - - Also reported from points north are fair numbers of Shrikes presumed & mainly rept'd. all Northern Shrikes by this date (rare-in-the-northeast Loggerhead should be considered & eliminated through careful observation esp. on early dates) - - - - Sally Weiner, Susan Schulz and Alice Deutsch reported via ebirdsNYC list-serve on an American Woodcock at "Locust Grove", Central Park (Manhattan, NYC) on Sunday, Nov. 1. - - - - Monday, Nov. 2 - at least 5 drake Hooded Mergansers join the many Ruddy Ducks, 50+ N. Shovelers, 12+ Bufflehead & assorted gulls (including 2 Laughing), Pied-billed Grebe, etc. on Central Park's reservoir (in Manhattan, N.Y. City). A check of other water in Central revealed little in addition. A fair early a.m. flight included blackbirds, goldfinches, some E. Bluebirds (8+), American Robins, Blue Jays, and others. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Probable Snowy Owl sighted in Albany From: Thomas Rhindress <trhindress1 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:54:05 -0500 This posting is secondhand from my father, a lifelong birder (whom I trust implicitly). He just called me from the I-90 bridge crossing the Hudson. Probably snowy owl in tree on east shore of Hudson. Visible from westbound lane of I-90 bridge. Unfortunately he was driving at 55 mph and there are no pull-offs there to stop and confirm. If anyone is in the vicinity it might be worth a look. Good luck, tell us what you find -- Tom Rhindress -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: WEKIs From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:39:14 -0500 Hey NY Birders, The 2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS found by Angus Wilson yesterday along Peter's Pond Lane in Sagaponack (Suffolk Co.) were still present this morning at 8:30am. The birds have been hanging out from Peter's Pond Lane east to the houses, between the dunes and the dying Privet in the overgrown field. Other birds seen along the road included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW & WILSON'S SNIPE. It looks like there is a great seaduck flight on the ocean, but I didn't have time to count. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: LI Birds: Large Numbers of Common Eiders++ From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:44:15 GMT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: South Fork LI: Three Western Kingbirds today From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 17:34:45 -0500 The WESTERN KINGBIRD was still present this morning in Deep Hollow, Montauk (Suffolk Co.), favoring the trees on the eastern side of the horse pasture. The bird disappears from sight at times, so be patient if you go in search of it. Twenty miles further west in Bridgehampton, I found 2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS hawking insects in the heavily overgrown field on the south side of Daniel's Lane (40.9188, -72.2618). Initially the birds were close to Peter's Pond Lane, a dirt road running down to the ocean access but they later ranged more widely across the field, sometimes appearing to go over the dune on the beach itself. An American Kestrel, increasingly scarce on the South Fork, was in a field off Gibson Lane. The ocean between Main Beach in East Hampton and Mecox Bay was fairly active with numerous rafts of scoter, several hundred Atlantic Gannets and small flocks of Laughing Gulls. Most of the bird feeding on small bait fish being pushed to the surface by Striped Bass and I was surprised to see that even the scoter were feeding on these fish, thinking that their diet was limited to bivalves, polychaete worms and small crustaceans. However, they could often be seen surfacing with these slender fish dangling from their bills before being swallowed. No wonder the gulls like to pester them. Numbers of Common Eider seemed higher than usual this far west of Montauk, and I tallied 103 along this stretch. GREAT CORMORANTS were also in evidence, with 16 flying west along the beach front and an immature roosting with Double-crested Cormorants on the sand flat at Georgica Pond. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at Sagg Mains. Tom Burke and Gail Benson noted a PARASITIC JAEGER off Main Beach and another off Montauk Point. They also located the female KING EIDER off Ditch Plains before hurrying over to Bridgehampton for their 2nd and 3rd _Tyrannus verticalis_ of the day. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Sandhill Crane: a not so stealthy migrant? From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 01:03:19 -0400 How good is our coverage? Are we finding most of the rarities that come into our area or are we just seeing the tip of the iceberg? These are questions that every active birder will ask themselves now and again. There are no firm answers and maybe there never will be. To some extent it must depend on the locations involved and the types of birds you are looking for. Stumbling on a Connecticut Warbler on a vegetated path it is hard to believe there aren't one or two more skulking around in the undergrowth just out of sight. For sure, fewer birds will escape knowledgeable eyes at sites were there are plenty of birders and the cover is limited - the west end of Jones Beach or Central Park to name two examples. Studies have show that rare birds are more likely to be found at the weekend than during the work week and some of the best places to find really rare birds are the most barren. Personally, I'd wager that at most times and at most places, we are missing more than we find. A related question is whether a rarity that is seen in one place is likely to ever been seen again. What happened to the Brooklyn Western Reef Heron once it said farewell to its beloved Coney Island Creek? As far as I know there hasn't been a single report of the species in continental North America since that time. Where did the bird go? The recent southward passage of five Sandhill Cranes that spent several weeks near Wareham, Plymouth Co, Massachusetts, offers an interesting example of how individual birds can sometimes be tracked by field observers and speaks favorably to the depth of coverage by birders along the mid-Atlantic coast. Last Thursday morning the cranes vanished from the fields they'd been frequenting but because of their distinctive number it is possible to identify sequential reports in three additional states as far the Merrill Creek Reservoir in northeastern New Jersey. Just over 240 miles. This is where the trail goes cold, for now at least. Here are the particulars: (1) Near Wareham, Plymouth Co., MA (Thu 39 Oct 2009): last seen in the fields around 9:30 AM (observer: Bob Conway) (2) +25 miles - Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI (Thu 39 Oct 2009): Seen later flying at an estimated 600 feet over Rt 24 from Fall River, Bristol Co., MA to Portsmouth, RI (observer: Paul Champlin) (3) +140 miles - Greenwich, Fairfield Co., CT (Thu 39 Oct 2009): Passed over the Quaker Ridge Hawkwatch in the late afternoon (observers: Brian O'Toole, Luke Tiller, Mike Warner & Stefan Martin) (4) +80 miles - Merrill Creek Reservoir, Warren Co., NJ (Fri 30 Oct 2009): Five cranes spent morning in field by reservoir (observer: Tom Vouglas) So where are the birds now and how did they cross the Empire State (Westerchester Co.) undetected? Did they go over us in dark or did they spend the night somewhere in between Greenwich and Merrill Creek? Food for though..... -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: From the Massachusetts Birding List - Gyrfalcon From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:53:24 -0400 This may be of interest concerning local juvenile gray phase Gyrfalcons. This was posted to the Massachusetts Birding list on 31-Oct-2009. Something to keep an eye on. Google map location: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yakzsad I added a bit of white space to break up the paragraph. /----- quoted text ------\ Subject: GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk From: Paul ChamplinSubject: South Fork LI: Continuing Western Kingbird, King Eider etc From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:19:36 -0400 The handsome WESTERN KINGBIRD continues in Deep Hollow near Montauk (Suffolk Co). Look for the bird around the edges of the horse pasture south of Rt 27. This morning it was flycatching from trees on the slope on the eastern (most distant) side and favored the area right of the very obvious bank of solar panels where there is a new fence (41.0543, -71.8945). The kingbird also ventured out into the open field and used the various fences that run north-south as a vantage point from which to snatch flies from the many fresh dung piles. I should mention that Vicki Bustamante refound this bird during the week, after it was first reported by Michael McBrien (per Shai Mitra) last Monday. At Montauk Point, decent numbers (600++) of Atlantic Gannets continue with some impressive feeding frenzies, presumably over migrating herring. I noted a lingering CORY'S SHEARWATER with one of the feeding groups. Upwards of 350 Common Eider were scattered around Point and were in fact evident at many spots around the penisula. A female KING EIDER (most likely the bird I found near here last weekend) was in the surf off Ditch Plains (41.039,-71.9105). An immature GREAT CORMORANT was on the jetties at Montauk Inlet and another was in Fort Pond. Lastly, Patricia Lindsay and Shai Mitra found a (Richardson's) CACKLING GOOSE on Further Lane between East Hampton and Amagansett (40.9622, -72.1599) and it was still there at the front of the Canada Goose flock when I went past at 1 pm. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: FW: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk From: Jeffery Davis <jwdjwd67 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:09:06 -0400 regards, jeff Downingtown, PA Checkout our bird photos at the link below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffamy/ "Birding Like I Have Six Months To Live" From: skua99 AT hotmail.com To: massbird AT theworld.com Subject: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:18:17 -0400 Hi folks, Quick note from today's Allens Pond walk. At about 9:45 Two falcons were seen from the road on teh beach loop trail; the falcons were just east of the fresh pond on the fresh pond trail (Ruben's Point on the map; see the link below). Initially I called out two Peregrines hunting together and passed the scope to the attendees (14 in all today). As I watched through binoculars I saw that one was riding the updraft of the SW winds hitting the trees and tended to go after the other falcon, the instigator being about 1/5 larger and bulkier than the other (which was certainly a peregrine). Looking through the scope again I saw that the bird was quite hefty with wings that were less slender than the peregrine's. Compared toe the peregrine, the bulk of the bird gave it a bit more of a dumpy appearance as it hung. As it tried chasing down a flock of Hooded Mergansers (and caught up with them but missed em) I got a good look at the wings which were blunt-tipped as it headed back to hang and as it harassed the peregrine. The large falcon kept going back to "hang" like a Red-tail on the updraft, so well that we had it in the scope several times for several folks in a row to get a look. We saw it harass two passing Turkey Vultures. I saw no coloration but white and dark slate, and saw it from many angles in different lighting (hazy sun to cloudy) and against dark forested backgrounds and sky. I tried to get a sense of facial pattern and could tell that it was not that of an adult peregrine (no contrast between the neck and face, so no separated cheek patch). After about 25 minutes with the bird we began walking to that side of the pond to see if we could get under it bird but as we went it headed east not to be seen again. With the look that I got and having seen/found several of these in the past, I'm as sure as I could be that it was a juv., Gray Gyrfalcon. Here's a link to the trail map http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/images/maps/allenspond_trails.gif If people would like to look for the bird I'd go tomorrow morning between dawn and 10AM (I'll be in W Mass so can't). Here is a map for directions (Rt I195 to 88 south, then follow the map). List from the morning to follow on Monday. (Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, teal, wigeon, gannet etc.). Paul Champlin Westport, MA New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: RE: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th From: jacob drucker <jacobdrucker AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:01:01 +0000 In addition to what Ted mentioned, the Reservoir and Sparrow Ridge seemed to be the birdiest places I visited, the most noteworthy things being on the Reservoir being a Laughing Gull, (good bird for Central) and my first Hooded Merganser in the park this fall. 2 Pied Billed Grebes were also present among the 120ish Ruddy Ducks and 50ish Northern Shovelers also at the south end of the the Reservoir. Sparrow Ridge still posessed about 40 chipping sparrows, but no other species besides song and white-throated were noted. Happy Halloween, Jacob Drucker > From: tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com > To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th > Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:41:29 -0700 > > > Hello, Birders. > > George Scott and I had a nice lunch-hour ramble in The Ramble, Central Park, New York County, yesterday, Friday, Oct. 30th. > > Nothing really notable, but we saw a somewhat tardy Ovenbird on one of the trails there. Also 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Brown Creeper, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a goodly 6 Hermit Thrushes, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a flock of about 10 hawthorn-devouring Cedar Waxwings. > > ------------------------------- > > Ted Floyd > tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com > Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado > > ------------------------------- > > Ted Floyd > Editor, Birding > > ------------------------------- > > Please support the American Birding Association: Click on > http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. > > Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: > http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 > > Check out the Birding magazine on Twitter: > http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine > > Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: > http://www.aba.org > _________________________________________________________________ > New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > > Archives: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, Oct. 31st From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:33:47 -0700 Hello, Birders. (First, thanks to the several of you who have told me offline that I got Central Park's county wrong. Thanks again, and duh.) Anyhow, I saw an interesting flocklet of Cedar Waxwings at Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, earlier today, Saturday, Oct. 31st. There were 7 birds in the flock, all adults, and 2 had red-orange tail tips. One of the aberrant birds had all 12 rectrices red-orange, and the other had R1 the "normal" yellow but R2-R6 the variant red-orange. I think this latter bird was showing two generations of rectrices, with the R1s being brand-new and the R2s-R6s being left over from fall 2008; and I further suspect that the bird ingested more honeysuckle-derived rhodoxanthin in fall 2008 than thus far in fall 2009. Or I could be full of crap. Regardless, it's cool to ponder the molt/ecology interface as it relates to observing live birds in the field. (More info on how eating honeysuckle berries makes birds turn red: http://www.aba.org/birding/v39n5p62.pdf.) Access to Makamah Nature Preserve is at 40.909002 N, 73.314257 W. Other birds at Makamah earlier today included a somewhat tardy Common Yellowthroat and my first 3 Red Fox Sparrows of the season. Birds doing the "vismig" thing included several flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, all moving pretty much southwest high over the preserve. Also 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks, all juveniles. (By the way, vismig of American Robins was especially impressive over Uplands Farm Sanctuary, Suffolk County, 40.857269 N, 73.453442 W, this past Wednesday, Oct. 28th. At least 230 robins passed southwest over the sanctuary, in a pretty steady passage from 11am-noon, flying almost directly into the north-blowing drizzle. Birds "on the ground" there included several Swamp and White-crowned Sparrows, plus a Winter Wren. Neat place.) ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:41:29 -0700 Hello, Birders. George Scott and I had a nice lunch-hour ramble in The Ramble, Central Park, New York County, yesterday, Friday, Oct. 30th. Nothing really notable, but we saw a somewhat tardy Ovenbird on one of the trails there. Also 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Brown Creeper, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a goodly 6 Hermit Thrushes, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a flock of about 10 hawthorn-devouring Cedar Waxwings. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Fwd [RE]: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Selasphorus species?] From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:49:40 -0400 Here's the Massachusetts Birds post about Allen's Hummingbird: http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1256870410 Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - <<<<< >>>>> Begin forwarded message: > From: Hugh McGuinnessSubject: NYC Area RBA: 30 October 2009 From: Karen Fung <easternbluebird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:22:24 -0400 - RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Oct 30, 2009
* NYNY0910.30
- Birds Mentioned:
GYRFALCON+
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+
WESTERN TANAGER+
Cackling Goose
KING EIDER
Common Eider
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-throated Loon
NORTHERN FULMAR
Cory's Shearwater
Bald Eagle
Northern Goshawk
Golden Eagle
Sora
American Golden-Plover
AMERICAN AVOCET
White-rumped Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
Royal Tern
Parasitic Jaeger
Great Crested Flycatcher
WESTERN KINGBIRD
Marsh Wren
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Connecticut Warbler
Clay-colored Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Nelson's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Dickcissel
Eastern Meadowlark
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch
If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm
You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc1 AT nybirds.org .
If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
Jeanne Skelly - Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
420 Chili-Scottsville Rd.
Churchville, NY 14428
~ Transcript ~
Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Weekly Recording: (212) 979-3070
To report sightings call:
Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays)
Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126 (Long Island)
Compilers: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
Transcriber: Karen Fung
[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]
Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, October
30th, at 9:00 pm. The highlights of today's tape are GYRFALCON,
RUFOUS-TYPE HUMMINGBIRD, NORTHERN FULMAR, AMERICAN AVOCET, WESTERN
KINGBIRD and WESTERN TANAGER, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, and much
more.
Last Sunday at Jones Beach West End a large falcon was seen capturing
a Herring Gull and feasting on it while birders and photographers
surrounded it. Unfortunately, the falcon was not identified as an
immature gray morph GYRFALCON until photos were subsequently analyzed
the following days. Wonderful photos do exist, but the falcon itself
has not been seen at West End since Sunday. The generally poor
weather might be partly responsible for that, so birders should
continue to be vigilant in that area and elsewhere, around the south
shore marshes. [Transcriber's note: A photo of the GYR, taken Sunday
by Luke Ormand, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/yhceu9h ].
What appears to be an immature male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared again
last Sunday in the yard at 122 Hillside Avenue in the Grymes Hill
section of northeastern Staten Island. The homeowner also learned
that the hummingbird has been visiting feeders nearby at 44 Woodside
Avenue. Birders are welcome by the homeowners to look for the
hummingbird, but we have no updated information since last Sunday.
Also on Staten Island, two CACKLING GEESE remain in a Canada flock
near Mount Loretto Park off Hylan Boulevard.
Three very interesting reports during the week of birds apparently
seen only by the initial observers involved an apparent WESTERN
TANAGER at the Jones Beach West End coast guard hedgerow on Monday, a
WESTERN KINGBIRD at Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk on Monday, and an
AMERICAN AVOCET on a farm pond along Ocean Avenue in Baiting Hollow on
the north shore of eastern Long Island Tuesday.
A good amount of activity continues in the Montauk area. Highlights
of a sea watch off Ditch Plains last Saturday included a NORTHERN
FULMAR, 2+ CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 3 PARASITIC JAEGERS, 3 immature
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and 3 ROYAL TERNS, plus a good number of sea
ducks featuring 250+ COMMON EIDER and a female KING EIDER.
Birds off Montauk Point Saturday included 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 2
PARASITIC JAEGERS, and another BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, plus over 600
COMMON EIDER. Two SNOW BUNTINGS also arrived on the Point, and a SORA
was heard calling from the little marsh below the restaurant. A
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also on Fort Pond Bay Saturday. On
Tuesday single CORY'S SHEARWATER and PARASITIC JAEGER, plus an
arriving HARLEQUIN DUCK were reported at Montauk Point. A LAPLAND
LONGSPUR visited Shinnecock Inlet back on the 22nd.
At Robert Moses State Park, a sea watch Sunday noted 4 CORY'S
SHEARWATERS, 4 COMMON EIDER, 6 RED-THROATED LOONS and 15 ROYAL TERNS,
with 18 AMERICAN PIPITS, 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and PURPLE FINCH
migrating by overhead. Monday at Moses added DICKCISSEL and a couple
of EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, with 2 lingering WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS also
still around. Thursday off Moses there were 160 COMMON EIDER and
thousands of scoters on the move.
Down at Jones Beach West End up to 40 more ROYAL TERNS have been
hanging around the bars, and among the shorebirds still there, has
been an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER also seen off the coast guard bar,
where 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were also identified last Sunday. At
least 28 AMERICAN PIPITS were counted last Sunday, and an
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was noted last Monday, a PURPLE SANDPIPER on
Tuesday, and a late GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER today.
A fine gathering of sparrows in Prospect Park continues to frequent
the newly seeded meadow by the baseball fields in the nearby "Sparrow
Bowl", as it is referred to. Last Saturday's collection included both
NELSON'S SPARROW and SALTMARSH SPARROW, the latter especially quite
unusual at that location, and these were joined by CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and
other more common sparrows, with a MARSH WREN thrown in there also.
The CLAY-COLORED and VESPER SPARROWS were re-found Sunday, and also in
Prospect were RUSTY BLACKBIRD Monday, and an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK
noted on Lookout Hill on Thursday.
An interesting late report from Central Park involved a CONNECTICUT
WARBLER last Sunday, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER has also been noted
in Central along with a few other lingering warblers.
Eagles continue to move by local hawk sites, including 2 GOLDEN EAGLES
and 2 BALD EAGLES over Hook Mountain Thursday. Other late-seasoned
hawks have also been in evidence.
To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126,
or weekdays call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is
sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon
Society. Thank you for calling.
[~END TAPE~]
~ End Transcript ~
--
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Archives:
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Subject: Re: Hummingbird in Ardsley NYFrom: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:53:21 -0400 Hi All, I just want to remind everyone that Allen's Hummingbird is still NOT on the NY list, so every Selasphorus Hummingbird should be scrutinized carefully and fully documented. My guess is that many individual Selasphorus will not be determinable, but that some will be, and that eventually we will find an Allen's in New York. More importantly than adding this species to the NY list (and the sport for birders that accompanies such an event), careful documentation will help give a better picture of the current range expansion in western hummingbirds and hence improve our knowledge about an important aspect in evolutionary ecology. Lest one think this is just idle speculation, there is currently an Allen's being reported in Massachusetts. Of course all rarities, such as this bird, should be submitted to NYSARC. Good birding, Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org On Oct 29, 2009, at 5:02 PM, PeregrineJV AT aol.com wrote: > Hi > I have a humming bird visiting my Pineapple Sage and Salvia for 3 > days now. I am quite sure its a Rufous since I see tinges of red on > the flanks and rump. > If anyone would like to come by to confirm the species or photograph > it, feel free to do so. > > I am currently residing at 1 Croton Court, Ardsley NY. It is the > first red house on the left off of Concord Road. Walk to the > backyard/patio area and I guess wait.. > > I work a lot so I do not know how frequently the bird has been > visiting. > > James Vellozzi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: orrection; for some reason birdingonthe.net didn't see that the Ash-throated was actually a Great-crested. To the rest of you I apologize for the double post. From: Lloyd Spitalnik <lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:42:06 -0400 Subject: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY From: PeregrineJV AT aol.com Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:06 EDT Hi I have a humming bird visiting my Pineapple Sage and Salvia for 3 days now. I am quite sure its a Rufous since I see tinges of red on the flanks and rump. If anyone would like to come by to confirm the species or photograph it, feel free to do so. I am currently residing at 1 Croton Court, Ardsley NY. It is the first red house on the left off of Concord Road. Walk to the backyard/patio area and I guess wait.. I work a lot so I do not know how frequently the bird has been visiting. James Vellozzi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: ash troated correction From: Lloyd Spitalnik <lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:39:52 -0400 Subject: Ash-throated Flycatcher Jones Beach WE 2 From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:49:23 -0400 Seth Ausbel just found an Ash-throated Flycatcher at WE2, between the parking lot and Ocean parkway, near the cottonwood tree just west of the exit opposite the bathrooms _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Hook Mt. From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:01:11 -0400 Hook Mt. 29 Oct. Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) ventured to Hook Mt. on a very bleak morning. We arrived at the top at 10:30 AM as the clouds began to break up. Shortly after arriving, a kettle of mixed vultures rose in the air. This semi-reliable sign produced our first eagle (BALD EAGLE) followed by a second eagle (GOLDEN EAGLE). The weather cooperated and the sun came out for the remainder of our stay. Other birds of the morning included multiple TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER'S HAWKS, many RED-TAILED HAWKS, some resident and an imm. RED-SHOULDER HAWK. Both AMERICAN CROWS and COMMON RAVENS serenaded us as they flew about. A second BALD EAGLE arrived at lunch and a second GOLDEN EAGLE arrived when we finished. Not too many migrating hawks but a 4 eagle day at the morning watch Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach, Nassau County, Oct. 29th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:55:28 -0700 Hello, Birders. Earlier today, Thursday, Oct. 29th, I visited Jones Beach, Nassau County, that labyrinthine and byzantine complex of barricades, entrance gates, and mindlessly vast parking lots. First, I went to Field 6, where a very large flock of shorebirds was strewn out along the beach just above the high tide line. I think I got reasonably accurate counts of 400 Black-bellied Plovers, 360 Red Knots, and 8,250 Dunlins. (And a few Sanderlings and Killdeer.) Birds apparently on diurnal migration included 290 westbound Double-crested Cormorants and 4 westbound American Pipits. One of the knots was a red bird in basic plumage (with "breeding aspect"); see Birding, May 2009, p. 49, for perspective on shorebirds in basic plumage with breeding aspects. Second, I went to the U.S. Coast Guard station, where there was another nice pod of shorebirds, among them 475 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 American Golden-Plover, 7 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Killdeer, 31 American Oystercatchers, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 14 Sanderlings, and "only" 1,700 Dunlin. There was a pretty steady passage of westbound Double-crested Cormorants while I was at the coast guard station, and a decent smattering of Brant. Other waterbirds at the coast guard station included 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Loons, 4 Great Egrets, 1 Laughing Gull, and 2 Royal Terns. The landbird scene was pretty lame, although a neat sight was a tight flock of 6 noisy Red-breasted Nuthatches working a broadleaf tree. I heard and saw about 210 hirundinids, all of them straightforward Tree Swallows as far as I could tell. Otherwise, it was slim pickin's, with seasonal stuff like Merlin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (a bit tardy), Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, and Savannah Sparrow. Among the many Yellow-rumped Warblers was one that, were it 1,800 miles west of here, I might well have called a Myrtle x Audubon's intergrade. There's no chance, I realize, that any of y'all will run out to see a Yellow-rumped Warbler that might possibly be harboring a few -auduboni- genes, but--what the heck?--it was last seen at 40.588282 N, 73.556390 W. Keeping company with a large number of normal Myrtles, heading west... ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the American Birding Association on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abaoutreach Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Gyrfalcon From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:50:08 -0400 Jerry Liguori's insightful analysis was just what I hoping for and I'm sure we all learned from it. The increasing availability of photos has also helped to flesh out the identification and address (to the extent possible) my initial concerns about ruling out a Gyr x ? hybrid, which I figured might be causing the initial mixed conclusions by some very sharp observers. I found John Gluth's shots (posted late last night on his flickr site) particularly helpful in making up my own mind. Please remember that Gyrfalcon _IS_ a statewide NYSARC review species (not so subtle hint there) and let's hope the bird can be re-found soon so that others may enjoy it and get to apply their new knowledge. A lot of people across the state and well beyond have contributed to the excellent discussion and we are indebted to Hugh McGuinness for throwing the first pitch, so to speak. Cheers, Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Gyrfalcon From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:23:36 +0000 Someone sent me the responses on the bird list about the Jones Beach Gyrfalcon. There seems to be a bit of controversy, I stated a few days ago to Hugh that it was absolutely a young gray morph Gyrfalcon. However, I thought it was obvious and did not give reasons why. My mistake, since it is necessary on such an uncommonly encountered species. First off the color of juvenile gray Gyrfalcons is browner on top than a Peregrine (which often shows a slaty-brown tone to the upperside....note that juv dark Gyrs can be slaty-brown on top), also the malar mark is narrow (along with the lack of a white cheek spot shown by most Peregrines and almost all wild Tundrius birds), the spotting to the remiges and tail are much less distinct (especially the topside of the tail), the head lacks a pale crown, the underwing coverts are less 'checkered', the chest is not whiter than the body (as is with most juv Peregrines), the flanks show a less "barred" appearance than Peregrine, and also almost all juv Peregrines show "V" or diamond-shaped markings to the undertail coverts (Gyrs are typically streaked). On shape, the body is plump, the wings are stocky and less sharply tapered, and the tail is long compared to Peregrine. These differences are slight but evident on all Gyrs. The point of P9 being longer than P10 is not always accurate, some Peregrines show this (I have photos of it). I may have left some stuff out without going through photos at the moment, and there are also a few other traits that separate the two species but I will leave that for my next book. There is incredible variation in Peregrine and Gyrfalcon plumages, in my studies of Gyrfalcon I have seen birds that are "in-betweeners" as far as morph. There are paler gray morphs that approach the paleness of white morphs and darker gray morphs that lean towards dark morph, etc. Also, Anatum and Peale's Peregrines resemble a Gyr in plumage more so than Tundrius, so that discussion would have been more appropriate. Falconry hybrids occur of course, but this bird is not one of them. There are no jesses, bells, or rings on the bird, and the plumage is typical (I would say perfect in every way) for Gyrfalcon. Having said that, even hybrids can look like one parent and do not always take a "mix" of traits from both parents. So, if this were a hybrid it would be impossible to tell based on plumage. Feel free to post this response, I hope it helps, and hope the bird sticks around for people, Jerry Liguori _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted more reliable, now it's more reliable. Wow! http://microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default-ga.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Jones Beach Gyr From: Susan Herbst <susieq60 AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:13:51 -0400 My 2¢ I just have to comment how stunning these photos are. I agree that it may be hard to tell how large the bird is, (and believe me, I'm NO expert) but when put up against the size of a herring gull (particularly when it is flying off with the gull) seems to put it in the Gyr league. Again, stunning pix - and as someone previously said - maybe even better than the guides. Thank you to Luke for sharing. S Susan Herbst graphic design/illustration/photography 516-633-7730 susieq60 AT optonline.net On Oct 29, 2009, at 11:00 AM, Hugh McGuinness wrote: > Dear NY Birders, > > Here are a few more links to photos of the bird that was seen last > Sunday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau County). > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/96567639 AT N00/4054517540/ > > http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi? > a=up&ns=1&pi=LUKEEORMAND > > I would like to encourage people who weigh in on the ID of this > bird to supply reasons for their determination in order that we all > may learn from this bird. That said a USFWS biologist Ted Swem who > regularly bands Gyrfalcons supplied this comment: "...unless your > photo really misrepresents the colors of the bird, this is a gyr. > The browns in peregrines are much darker than those in gyrs, and > the contrast between the markings and the background colors is more > striking, and the markings on the face and crown are more distinct. " > > I also believe that P10 being shorter than P9 rules out Peregrine. > > The spectre of hybrids has been raised. I have looked at several > photos of Gyr x Peregrine but none approach this bird, and the > Saker x Gyr photos all seem to show birds with pale heads and > throats. It would be interesting for someone with experience with > Falco hybrids would weigh in on this bird. > > Hugh > > > Hugh McGuinness > The Ross School > 18 Goodfriend Drive > East Hampton, NY 11937 > hmcguinness AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Any Reports from EPCAL? From: "Frederick Hamilton" <fxhamilt AT gw.dec.state.ny.us> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:10:38 -0400 Hello all, I hope everyone is having a great fall. I just wanted to see if anyone has heard of any short eared owl or upland sandpiper reports from the Enterprise Park at Calverton, Riverhead NY. I have been to busy myself to get out birding much this fall. Thanks Y'all Chip Hamilton Bird Conservation Biologist NYS DEC Region 1 50 Circle Road SUNY Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY 11790 631) 444-0308 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach Gyr From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:31 -0400 Dear NY Birders, Here are a few more links to photos of the bird that was seen last Sunday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau County). http://www.flickr.com/photos/96567639 AT N00/4054517540/ http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=up&ns=1&pi=LUKEEORMAND I would like to encourage people who weigh in on the ID of this bird to supply reasons for their determination in order that we all may learn from this bird. That said a USFWS biologist Ted Swem who regularly bands Gyrfalcons supplied this comment: "...unless your photo really misrepresents the colors of the bird, this is a gyr. The browns in peregrines are much darker than those in gyrs, and the contrast between the markings and the background colors is more striking, and the markings on the face and crown are more distinct. " I also believe that P10 being shorter than P9 rules out Peregrine. The spectre of hybrids has been raised. I have looked at several photos of Gyr x Peregrine but none approach this bird, and the Saker x Gyr photos all seem to show birds with pale heads and throats. It would be interesting for someone with experience with Falco hybrids would weigh in on this bird. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: rarities in, near, & not so near NY, 10/28 & previously From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:05:50 -0400 The Gyr discussion might be further advance thru web resources: [Texas Bird Records Com.] http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/gyr.htm http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic32-59-1.html http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=Gyrfalcon&RESULTS=100&Search2=Search http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/raptors/Gyrfalcon.html http://www.birdinfo.com/Gyrfalcon.html#Identification - - - - - reports from western NY including American Avocet, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese, and a late Hooded Warbler - via Genesee Birds: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html - - - - - LeConte's Sparrow, New Jersey, 26-28 Oct. - & also Ash-throated Flycatcher, N.J. - 26 Oct. http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBC.html http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBC.html#1256660216 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBD.html#1256770534 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBD.html#1256770534 - - - - - New Castle Co., Delaware, Oct 25, a WOOD STORK flew past Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch, & later seen at Militia Hill Hawk Watch in Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. [if continuing on that flight pathway the stork could now be somewhere in NY state...] Reports below, scroll to Oct. 25: http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=423 http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=663 - - - - - More on very interesting science-based news of: "First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds" http://www.freelists.org/post/tn-bird/Evidence-for-a-second-breeding-season http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/TNBD.html#1256733711 Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach Falcon images From: John Gluth <jgluth AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:52 -0400 Here is the link again, to save on scroll time to reach my last post. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgluth_brb/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach Gyrfalcon From: John Gluth <jgluth AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:54:55 -0400 As promised in my earlier post, I've uploaded photos and video of the falcon in question that may be of some use in it's further appraisal, including a shot from behind the bird while it perched in a tree. Quality is serviceable. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Gyrfalcon From: joe mahedy <joemahedy AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:37:36 -0700 I have to agree with Pete Gustas, the photos are clear and good for ID. I could see hesitation to make such a call but it is probably more a fear of being wrong publicly, but that shouldn't matter to anyone trying to learn. I agree with Angus on one thing, the fact that people called it a tundrius peregrine is puzzling....and maybe it was a case of birding by expectation, which happens all the time. The comments Angus made below are good though and I would like to learn from them, what is it to look for with the wing / tail proportions? Also how do we work through the ID, by breaking the bird down as far as shape and plumage? It would be a good learning experience and I await Angus' thoughts and expertise. Joe "I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions....maybe there are more suitable images out there?" "I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us." _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Fw: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: pete gustas <pgustas AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:09:48 -0700 (PDT) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: pete gustasSubject: FW: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:30:30 -0400 Angus, I don't know why you're puzzled. There are very few people here who have extensive (if any) experience with Gyrfalcon, and young hawks in general aren't that easy, at least for me. I've personally never seen one in the lower 48 (sad but true). I guess the main contender to be ruled out are hybrids that the falconers are so fond of creating. I think the photos are good enough that knowledgeable people (I'm definitely excluding myself) could figure it out. I look forward to comments from those in the know. Looking for my next state bird Dave Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:17:56 -0400 Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: oceanwanderers AT gmail.com To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu A number of people have chimed in with enthusiastic endorsements of the ID as a Gyr (and they may well be right) but I am still puzzled by the fact that many of the actual observers at the weekend were willing to accept it as a large (tundrius) Peregrine, albeit with some hesitancy. Otherwise, why weren't there any headline postings from that day? Is it because the overall jizz did not quite fit with people's expectations/experience? This worries me. To be fair, a bird can sometimes be too close or in an unfamiliar context and this confounds an otherwise straightforward ID. A good example of this is when one is confronted with a dead bird. Sometimes familiar species can be baffling at first, especially for people not used to looking at specimens. Coming back to the bird in question, is it a case that the bird was initially called a Peregrine and nobody felt entirely comfortable in challenging that initial ID without further study? Having a pile of photos is great - the flight shots are really spectacular - but it is important not to ignore the impressions of people who saw the bird in life. I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions. I have seen a few shots of the bird on the ground standing over the Herring Gull carcass but as I recall, the tail tip was obscured. Maybe there are more suitable images out there? Anyway, lets not close the case files right awat. I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us. Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Re: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:17:56 -0400 A number of people have chimed in with enthusiastic endorsements of the ID as a Gyr (and they may well be right) but I am still puzzled by the fact that many of the actual observers at the weekend were willing to accept it as a large (tundrius) Peregrine, albeit with some hesitancy. Otherwise, why weren't there any headline postings from that day? Is it because the overall jizz did not quite fit with people's expectations/experience? This worries me. To be fair, a bird can sometimes be too close or in an unfamiliar context and this confounds an otherwise straightforward ID. A good example of this is when one is confronted with a dead bird. Sometimes familiar species can be baffling at first, especially for people not used to looking at specimens. Coming back to the bird in question, is it a case that the bird was initially called a Peregrine and nobody felt entirely comfortable in challenging that initial ID without further study? Having a pile of photos is great - the flight shots are really spectacular - but it is important not to ignore the impressions of people who saw the bird in life. I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions. I have seen a few shots of the bird on the ground standing over the Herring Gull carcass but as I recall, the tail tip was obscured. Maybe there are more suitable images out there? Anyway, lets not close the case files right awat. I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us. Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: pete gustas <pgustas AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:43:50 -0700 (PDT) NYS birders,a look at the photo tells that this bird is a no doubt whatsoever
juvenile gray morph Gyrfalcon. I am confused as to the confusion.Besides
definitive plumage and shape,it's carrying away a herring gull.When someone
sees a Peregrine do that,it will something of note..
Pete Gustas
168 Schofield St.
City Island,NY 10464
email-pgustas AT yahoo.com
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--
Subject: First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds (Science News, 10/28)From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:28:25 -0400 Of possible interest to some on this list: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152806.htm First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds (Science Daily, 10/28) - - - to nysbirds Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Fwd: Jones Beach West End (L.I., Nassau Co.), 10/27 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:10:39 -0400 A New Jersey birder (who'd received some coastal L.I. birding info from me) got out on a rather wet, 'east-windy' Tuesday, 27 October, 2009. Here is his report from Nassau County: Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - >>> I did find some interesting birds around Jones Beach West End in the morning [Tuesday, 10/27] including the following: Northern Gannet - several active off the jetty. Brant - everywhere; must have been thousands. Common Eider - at least 40 with a cooperative group of 14 in the boat basin and another group of 13 in the inlet at the jetty. The rest were on the open ocean or flybys. Surf and Black Scoters - 100's on the ocean and flying by. Semipalmated Plover - one still hanging in at the boat basin (late?) American Oystercatcher - close to 300 seen from the boat basin on the sand bars. Don't know if that number is typical, but it seemed like a lot to me. Purple Sandpiper - one at the jetty with the Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings. Royal Tern - I counted a high total of 48 across the channel on the sand bar at the coast guard station. There were 3 or 4 in the inlet at the jetty as well. The most interesting aspect of my morning at Jones Beach was the sheer number of birds. David Harrison, New Jersey <<< ____ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: RE:Jones Beach Falcon From: jgluth AT optonline.net Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:10:32 +0000 (GMT) As I told Hugh in an email, I saw the bird in question on Sunday and had reservations about the bird's ID as a Peregrine (size, color, plumage details). But having no field experience with Gyrs and given the relatively early date, I didn't allow myself to seriously consider the possibility. I should have gone with my gut, questioned the initial ID further, and studied the bird further. That error makes it an ex post facto life bird, but one I'll gladly accept! Luckily I did capture some digiscoped photos and 30 seconds of video, both of which I will post later tonight here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgluth_brb/The quality is nowhere near Luke Ormond's photos, but they're satisfactory. John Gluth -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: RE: Jones Beach Falcon From: "Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" <dannapotter AT roadrunner.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:31:04 -0500 I concur with Hugh. A great bird and beautifully photographed! Congratulations to the photographer, Luke Ormond. Wish I was closer... Good birding! Willie D'Anna Wilson, NY -----Original Message----- From: bounce-4501070-3714443 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-4501070-3714443 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Hugh McGuinness Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:22 PM To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach Falcon Dear NY Birders, On Sunday morning a large falcon was found, photographed and observed for a considerable period in the vicinity of the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau Co.). It was apparently written off as a Peregrine Falcon at the time, but I believe the photos show an immature GYRFALCON. Have a look for yourself: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=up&pi=LUKEEORMAND& ns=1&CGISESSID=71ed7f13cfcea9e76b70c10f246e9eba&u=6891 There are other photos that I have seen of the bird, but none that are on a public website as far as I know. Points in favor of Gyr to me are P10 shorter than P9 giving a rounded wing appearance; substantial contrast between flight feathers and wing linings; relatively short tail; bulk of the bird; and the fact that it captured and dragged off an adult Herring Gull! Please post if this bird is relocated. Hugh PS: I did not see this bird and will gain no listing benefit from its being determined to be a Gyr :) Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT 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 AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach Gyrfalcon From: joe mahedy <joemahedy AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:19:45 -0700 Looks like a perfect Gyrfalcon, no doubt. but I am not an expert for sure on this species. Joe _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach Falcon From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:22:07 -0400 Dear NY Birders, On Sunday morning a large falcon was found, photographed and observed for a considerable period in the vicinity of the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau Co.). It was apparently written off as a Peregrine Falcon at the time, but I believe the photos show an immature GYRFALCON. Have a look for yourself: http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=up&pi=LUKEEORMAND&ns=1&CGISESSID=71ed7f13cfcea9e76b70c10f246e9eba&u=6891 There are other photos that I have seen of the bird, but none that are on a public website as far as I know. Points in favor of Gyr to me are P10 shorter than P9 giving a rounded wing appearance; substantial contrast between flight feathers and wing linings; relatively short tail; bulk of the bird; and the fact that it captured and dragged off an adult Herring Gull! Please post if this bird is relocated. Hugh PS: I did not see this bird and will gain no listing benefit from its being determined to be a Gyr :) Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT 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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Montauk Point, Suffolk County, Oct. 27th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:06:42 -0700 Hello, Birders. With Eric Salzman, Lorna Salzman, and Eileen Schwinn, I had a nice time at Montauk Point, Suffolk County, earlier today, Tuesday, Oct. 27th. The highlight was an immense gathering of Laughing Gulls. Most of the birds were close to shore just off the south-facing promontory at Camp Hero State Park, where they massed in several super-tight feeding clusters of 1,000+ birds per cluster; we tallied about 8,800 birds in these clusters, but that felt like an under-count. Most were basic adults, there were hundreds of handsome first-cycles in the mix, too. There was also a group of about 1,150 roosting near the south shore of Lake Montauk. On two occasions, non-birders joined us to gawk. Truly, an amazing spectacle. Two nice birds out there were a Cory's Shearwater and a light-morph adult Parasitic Jaeger. The dark-winged scoter flight seemed strong, but was probably typical for late October, with about 635 Surf Scoters and about 1770 Black Scoters, virtually all of them flying west, on active diurnal migration, past the Camp Hero promontory. There were also about 45 White-winged Scoters, flying every which way. Our Common Eider tally was about 240, most of them after noon (i.e., after the weather got especially nasty). The Northern Gannets, most of them moving generally west, although with much meandering, were marvelous. We counted about 435. Other odds and ends included 1 Harlequin Duck, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Red-throated Loons, 16 Common Loons, 1 Great Cormorant, and 8 Sanderlings. A beautiful day, really. What's not to like about "bad" weather on the North Atlantic in October? Great company, too. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the American Birding Association on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abaoutreach Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Croton Point Park, Monday From: Robert Lewis <rfermat AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:52:02 -0700 (PDT) At Croton Point Park, Westchester County, between 4:35 and 5:20 pm Monday.
Parked at the upper lot near the traditional owl grove, walked onto the top of
the cap.
1 first year Bald Eagle, very close overhead.
1 Vesper Sparrow
many Song Sparrows
1 Swamp Sparrow
several White-throated Sparrows
1 Palm Warbler
Bob Lewis
Sleepy Hollow NY
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Subject: Big Egg Marsh Queens NY...From: Andrew Baksh <birdingdude AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:33:06 -0400 A late afternoon walk at Big Egg Marsh Queens NY, turned up many of the usual species expected at this time of the year. Of interest, was a Chipping Sparrow that lacked the obvious Chestnut on the crown - suggesting a possible first-winter bird. The two juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers that I had there last Friday were not around and I could only hope that they survived the harassment from the Sharp-shinned Hawk that I observed buzzing them repeatedly. *Species observed:* Swamp Sparrow - 6 Song Sparrow - 9 Savannah Sparrow - 15 White Throated Sparrow - 8 Chipping Sparrow - 1 Field Sparrow - 3 House Sparrow - several Brandt - 39 Canada Goose - 5 Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 European Starling - 35 House Finch - 3 American Crow - 6 Northern Mockingbird - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 3 + several flybys Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Ring-billed Gull - 4 Herring Gull - 3 Good and responsible birding! Andrew Baksh Queens, NY www.birdingdude.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 AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Rockaway peninsula & B'klyn, NYC 10/26 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:11:25 -0400 (EDT) Monday, 26 October, 2009 - Rockaway peninsula including Fort Tilden & J. Riis Park, Queens; & Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, in N.Y. City Highlights at Riis Park (visited first in a.m.) included 2 Nelson's Sparrows (subviragatus) and a generally good flight of more-often seen late October migrants and arrivals. Various sparrows and kinglets appeared to rule the land-bird flight; also seen in impressive number were Hermit Thrush. The light wind freshened from the east after noon, with a modest southward movement of N. Gannet and Scoter seeming to begin about then off Riis/Tilden - but a dedicated seawatch was not conducted despite the potential. Some 60+ high-flying swallows working south over F.B. Field in Brooklyn later all appeared to be Tree Swallow. A bit of a.m. raptor flight starting along the outer beach seemed to slow as wind shifted. A full list of species seen at these sites is below. Common Loon (several) Atlantic N. Gannet (several, & more moving/p.m.) Double-crested Cormorant (100+ fly-bys) Great Blue Heron (fly-by) Canada Goose Atlantic Brant (2,000+ and many fly-over flocks) American Black Duck Mallard Green-winged Teal (F.B. Field, small r-a-g pond) Greater Scaup (a few small flyover flocks) Surf Scoter (multiple fly-bys, & 1 on sea) Dark-winged Scoter species (multiple fly-bys) Long-tailed Duck (2, on the sea) Red-breasted Merganser (multiple, distant) Sharp-shinned Hawk (multiple fly-bys, a.m.) Cooper's Hawk Peregrine Falcon (juv., hunting F.B. Field) Killdeer Sanderling (very common along outer beach) Laughing Gull (few on water + 15 roosting) Bonaparte's Gull (2 fairly distant at sea) Ring-billed Gull (many) Herring Gull (common) Great Black-backed Gull (many) Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Northern [Yellow-shafted] Flicker (40+) Eastern Phoebe (38, actual 'shore' count) Blue Jay (in modest numbers) American Crow (few) Horned Lark (4 fly-bys from Tilden) Tree Swallow (70+++) Black-capped Chickadee (2, Tilden) Red-breasted Nuthatch (1) Carolina Wren (several) House Wren (1 seen well, Riis Park) Winter Wren (1 heard calling, Tilden) Golden-crowned Kinglet (80+++, by shore especially) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (fairly common, as with above) Hermit Thrush (40+, shore areas alone) American Robin (200+, all areas) Gray Catbird (several) Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher (1, Tilden) European Starling Cedar Waxwing (60+, a.m. fly-bys) Myrtle/Yellow-rumped Warbler (nearly abundant) Palm Warbler (just 3) Eastern Towhee (8+) Chipping Sparrow (40+) Field Sparrow (15+) Savannah Sparrow (25+) Nelson's Sparrow (2, 'subvirgatus',Riis [Neponsit]) Song Sparrow (common/abundant) Lincoln's Sparrow (1 seen well, F.B. Field) Swamp Sparrow (150+ thru all sites today) White-throated Sparrow (300+, all sites) White-crowned Sparrow (scarce - 2 imm.) Dark-eyed [Slate-colored] Junco (200+, all sites) Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird (few fly-bys) Eastern Meadowlark (1, nice views, Riis ballfield) Common Grackle (40+ fly-bys, Tilden) Brown-headed Cowbird (several shore sites) Purple Finch (2 fly-overs, heard calling) House Finch (few noted) American Goldfinch (20+ fly-bys, & fewer feeding) House Sparrow Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan __________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Fire/Jones Barrier Beach Today (Nassau/Suffolk Counties) From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:28:06 -0400 A good movement of passerines occurred this morning on the barrier beach, dominated by Dark-eyed Junco's and Song Sparrows. At Robert Moses State Park, a Dickcissel put in a brief appearance at the entrance to the four-wheel drive road to Democrat Pt. The two White- rumped Sandpipers continued at RMSP Field 5, in company with ten or more Black-bellied Plovers. Flybys at RMSP included Purple Finch (2), Am. Pipit (3), and Eastern Meadowlark (2). Good numbers of sparrows were at Cedar Beach Marina and Gilgo Beach but nothing unusual. While at Gilgo we received a report of a Western Tanager that was observed at the West End hedgerow by the Coast Guard Station. We searched this area and adjacent locations (including many berry-bearing shrubs) for two hours to no avail. Bobbi Berlingeri found an Orange-crowned Warbler in the median just north of the large poplar tree, which we could not relocate. Two female Purple Finches briefly put down in a deciduous tree before moving on. Decent numbers of Hermit Thrushes were found all along the barrier beach - we totaled about thirty for the day. Ken & Sue Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:23:09 -0700 (PDT) RBA
* New York
* Syracuse
* October 26, 2009
* NYSY2610.09
Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
Dates(s):
October 19, 2009 - October 26, 2009
to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com
covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland
compiled:October 26 AT 4:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Joseph Brin
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org
#177 -Monday October 26, 2009
Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 26
, 2009
Highlights:
-----------
RED-NECKED GREBE
GREAT EGRET
WHITE IBIS (Extralimital)
EURASIAN WIGEON
SURF SCOTER
SANDHILL CRANE
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
HUDSONIAN GODWIT
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER
NORTHERN SHRIKE
CAROLINA WREN
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER
NELSON’S SPARROW
SNOW BUNTING
PINE SISKIN
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC)
------------
10/19: 3 SANDHILL CRANES were seen at the Audubon Center on Rt.89.
10/24: A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was spotted and photographed on VanDyne
Spoor Road. On 10/25 the bird was relocated and seen by many observers from
early morning to last light. As yet there have been no positive reports on
10/26.
10/25: Also seen this day fron Van Dyne Spoor Road were HUDSONIAN GODWIT,
SANDHILL CRANE, and NORTHERN SHRIKE. At Marten’s tract 2 NELSON’S SPARROWS
were seen. At Tschache Pool an EURASIAN WIGEON was seen.At North Spring Pond 5
GREAT EGRETS were spotted. At the Visitor’s Center 6 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS
and a WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were seen.
Cayuga County
------------
10/22: 22 DUNLIN and 1 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER were found at Fairhaven State
Park.
10/24: 9 species of waterfowl including 10 SURF SCOTERS were seen at Fairhaven
State Park. Also seen were 2 RED-NECKED GREBES, 1 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, and 10
SNOW BUNTINGS.
Oswego County
------------
10/22: An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was seen in Hastings.
Onondaga County
------------
10/22: A laate EASTERN MEADOWLARK was spotted in Tully. PINE SISKINS were at a
feeder in the est side of Syracuse.
10/23: 2 CAROLINA WRENS were found on the Erie Canal Trail on Bennets Corners
Road west of Syracuse.
Extralimital
------------
The WHITE IBIS has returned to the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area and was
seen as recently as 10/25. Check Genesee Birds for specific location.
--end transcript
--
Joseph Brin
Region 5
Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A.
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Subject: Caumsett SP sparrows, warblers, etc.From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:33:19 -0700 (PDT) 10/25/09 - Caumsett S.P., Suffolk Co., NY
Time: 3pm to 6pm
Observers: Andrew Block, Mark Schwartz, Rob Leifer
2 Cooper's Hawks
many Eastern Phoebes
many Ruby-crowned Kinglets
3 Hermit Thrushes
3 Eastern Bluebirds
several Yellow-rumped Warblers
20+ Palm Warblers (both ssp.)
1 BLACKPOLL WARBLER
1 Vesper Sparrow
several Savannah Sparrows
many Song Sparrows
many Swamp Sparrows
several White-throated Sparrows
2 White-crowned Sparrows
10+ Dark-eyed Juncos
2 Indigo Buntings
Also had an Eastern Red Bat.
Andrew
Andrew v. F. Block
Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader
37 Tanglewylde Avenue
Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131
Phone: (914) 337-1229; Cell: (914) 886-5124; Fax: (914) 771-8036
"When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another
heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William
Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo
"Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter
"Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo,
baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna
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Subject: (Metro Birding Briefs) FW: Jones Beach - Western tanagerFrom: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:39:40 -0400 I forgot to mention that the bird flew off to the median and could not be relocated as of 10:45 From: davehawkowl AT msn.com To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu; btblue AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach - Western tanager Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:19:01 -0400 I received a call from Sam Jannazzo who said he and Pat Jones found a Western tanager (around 10AM?) this morning by the hedgrerow at the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End. From Sam's description it was probably a male. There was also a report of a Connecticut Warbler, not seen by Sam or Pat New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted more reliable, now it's more reliable. Wow! http://microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default-ga.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:102009 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: FW: Jones Beach - Western tanager From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:39:40 -0400 I forgot to mention that the bird flew off to the median and could not be relocated as of 10:45 From: davehawkowl AT msn.com To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu; btblue AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nysbirds-l] Jones Beach - Western tanager Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:19:01 -0400 I received a call from Sam Jannazzo who said he and Pat Jones found a Western tanager (around 10AM?) this morning by the hedgrerow at the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End. From Sam's description it was probably a male. There was also a report of a Connecticut Warbler, not seen by Sam or Pat New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted more reliable, now it's more reliable. Wow! http://microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default-ga.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk County, Oct. 26th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:34:09 -0700 Hello, Birders. There was a decent mix of migrant landbirds at Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk County, earlier today, Monday, Oct. 26th. In the 45 minutes before sunrise, I heard several Hermit Thrushes migrating over. I also heard and kinda saw 8 Eastern Screech-Owls, 3 Great Horned Owls, and a cooperative Long-eared Owl. At sunrise there was a nice fallout--literally--of Hermit Thrushes crashing into the treetops. I counted 22, and there were surely more, giving all three call types: the plaintive flight call, the clucking call note, and the rasping aggression signal. In the hourish after sunrise, it was nice'n'birdy in the woods, though with nothing out of the ordinary. Here's what I came up with: 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 1 Eastern Phoebe, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 1 Winter Wren, 23 Golden-crowned Kinglets (all over the place, and I bet I missed a lot), 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Eastern Bluebird, 4 Gray Catbirds, 1 American Pipit, 23 Cedar Waxwings, only 9 Myrtle Warblers, and 1 American Tree Sparrow. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the American Birding Association on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abaoutreach Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Simplify your PC. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen1:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --Subject: Jones Beach - Western tanager From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:19:01 -0400 I received a call from Sam Jannazzo who said he and Pat Jones found a Western tanager (around 10AM?) this morning by the hedgrerow at the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End. From Sam's description it was probably a male. There was also a report of a Connecticut Warbler, not seen by Sam or Pat _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- |