Jones Beach West End 18 Nov. Entering the median opposite the Coast Guard Station road, we immediately heard and saw finches in the pines. A search of the area found PINE SISKIN, RED CROSSBILLS, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, a COMMON REDPOLL and some AMERICAN GOLDFINCH further on.in the median. Finches continued to fly by, sometimes settling, only to move on. As we approached the turnaround, the pattern changed and some birds now stopped, fed, circled and returned, remaining in the area. Most birds spooked very easily and were difficult to approach, others landed at the feet of some lucky birders.
Several of the finch flocks consisted of mixed Red and White-winged Crossbills. I have never seen mixed flocks before. Have to look this one up. And, no, I don't know what type the reds were. Unusual, (reported by others) were Great Horned, Short-eared and Barn Owl. No Saw-whet and no swallows seen. All the dunes from West End #2 west to the jetty along the ocean are gone. Only a flat expanse of sand. The high dunes on the inlet side appear OK. Going east, Field #2 just before the water tower is open. A pond exists in front of the concession stand . The building took a big hit structurally and is being held up by lolly columns. The bathrooms have been replaced by a bank of Port-a-potties. There were about 250 cars in the parking lot, lots of people walking around in the sun. Sy Schiff -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
