I visited Shu Swamp Preserve (Oyster Bay, Nassau Co.) today (9:15-12:15) for the first time in quite a while and had a good day of birding overall. But the highlight of the visit was certainly the AMERICAN BITTERN found stalking the edge of the small woodland pond near the Preserve's north end. While the habitat was aquatic, it seemed atypical for the species what with the towering oaks and tulip poplars looming overhead and no reeds nearby. Checking eBird when I got home I found that this bird was also seen on 3/26, so it's been there for at least 4 days. Other nice finds were 2 EASTERN PHOEBES and 4 WOOD DUCKS (both personal FOY), 12 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, 6 WINTER WRENS (most singing), and 1 HERMIT THRUSH, also singing. The thrush was observed to vigorously defend its stage by chasing a Hairy Woodpecker that dared land too close to it. An Osprey was seen carrying nesting material (a stick).
Full eBird checklist with photo of the Bittern at: http://ebird.org/ebird/ny/view/checklist?subID=S13573250 -- 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/ --
