The day finally came - I saw my FOS Red Crossbill...10 of them, in fact. How it
came about, was the best part of the experience !
With 3, out of 4, Rockville Centre grandsons having basketball games
yesterday(starting at 3 PM) I talked RuthAnn into going up island early, so I
could try for the "reds" reported from Jones Beach the day before. When we
reached the Connors' residence, I asked (like I always do) if anyone wanted to
go with me, and lo and behold, 2 of the boys said yes...I was shocked ! Even
though I had to wait while they finished lunch, it didn't matter - I used the
time to tell them what our "target bird" was going to be, as well as other
species we might see.
Once we were on the Meadowbrook Pkwy., s/o Montauk Hgwy., "all hands were on
deck, with all eyes on stations" ! Not finding any birds getting down to J.B.,
I decided to "troll" a bit, heading for 'The Tower", and the possibilities
it held, before doing the "West End". This strategy proved successful, in the
shape of a roosting, adult Peregrine Falcon...which really thrilled Brian (age
14) and Brady (age 6). The only negative attached to this sighting was due to
my forgetting to include the spotting scope, when I switched to my wife's
Prius, for better gas mileage. Brian had no problem seeing the bird well with
just binoculars, but Brady did. The scope would have helped him make out the
peregrine's facial and breast features.
Riding this high, we drove to the W.E., and were close to 1/2 way around the
median, when I saw a group of 6 birds (all the "right" size) at the top of the
tallest bare tree, just before the turn around. Pulling off the road, and
leaving the boys in the car, I approached the birds until I could make-out
their bill shape and plumage, no easy task because of the back-lighting.
Returning to the car, I had the boys get out and walk over to beyond the tree,
in order to best see those field marks, while I parked the car and caught up
with them. Turning into the Coast Guard p/lot, I found Mike Cooper setting his
scope up to view the Red Crossbills that had just landed in a nearby tree.
After taking a look myself, I asked Mike if he could wait while I collected the
guys and brought them back for better looks at the birds through the scope -
Mike said sure and off I went. Upon arrival, I found the birds had taken off,
but not before the boys had seen their bill shape and plumage. Needless to say,
they were very proud of themselves...as was I. When we drove around to Mike's
location, we found out the birds (10 of them - all reds) had just left. After a
little talk re: this year's NYSOA Annual Meeting, we parted company, Mike on
foot, us by car. Once again, in the same tall tree, were the Red
Crossbills...only this time there were 10. Signaling back to Mike, we got his
attention, he got the message, and the boys got the pleasure of seeing the
crossbills "up close and personal".! It was a wonderful experience for all of
us. including Mike !
As we were leaving the W.E., we past a flock of Brant feeding on the grass in
the median, which gave Brian and Brady "hat trick's" for the day...I wonder if
they'll ever have "life-lists" ? One can only hope and pray !
Cheers,Bob...P.S. In regards to the basketball games, there was one win, one
loss and one game where the score was not kept...making all of the 6 year old's
winners !
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