I decided to trek into Maple Swamp this morning. I accessed the property at the south end of Pleasure Drive near where it meets CR-104.
While many of the common breeders are in, the undoubted highlight was 33 RED CROSSBILLS, all of which were seen in loose groups and flocks (14,2,5,2,7,3). Red Crossbills called throughout the majority of my 3 mile trek and I feel strongly that 33 is a conservative number. I held off from tallying several more birds in a cautious effort not to over count. Viewing was usually less than ideal, as birds were almost always obstructed or in flight. I was unable to pick out any juvenile birds but there seemed to be a good male/female ratio. I managed to get a couple of voice recordings and Matt Young was able to help verify that there was a mix of Type 3 and Type 10 birds. Crossbill activity was highest in the wetland vicinity. I was watching a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH when I heard several rapid chip notes along the edge of the swamp. I managed to peer through the dense tangles to see a group of 7 RED CROSSBILLS drinking at the swamp's edge. For a minute I felt like I was not on Long Island. The amount of Crossbill activity is certainly intriguing. Overall, I covered a relatively small area that sits within a much larger complex. It would be interesting to see what activity is like in and around the coastal plain ponds of Sears Bellows County Park. Best, Derek Rogers Sayville -- 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/ --
