Well, it looks like the Avocet is gone from the East Pond, so only the memories and pictures remain. I posted a couple of pictures on my web site http://www.stevewalternature.com/ . Also, some other recent things, including a crummy flight shot of yesterday's Ruff (on the recent work page).
Some things from the weekend that may have gone unreported: One White-rumped Sandpiper seen by me today (now reported because someone might be tracking every shorebird species by the day) and Gull-billed Tern. I saw one yesterday morning in the marsh near the West Pond breach (a regular but patience requiring spot) and Corey Finger mentioned a couple on the East Pond today. The breach is not totally useless. One bird species, at least, seems to be taking advantage. Depending on the tide, Black Skimmers have been fishing in it. Great photo ops in the morning light. I had heard that the tidal flow into the West Pond now spills into the gardens. I hadn't seen it for myself until the other night. I often bait for moths in the South Garden. On this occasion, I found that I couldn't enter the garden from the entrance off the West Pond trail because it was flooded. I had to go in from the higher entrance, but three of the trees I normally bait were surrounded by water. There were still a couple of other trees available and moth turnout was quite good. It did seem like the water rose while I was there, coming close to one of the trees I was working. Maybe 50 percent of the garden was flooded. Kind of eerie. Doing moths has a whole set of parameters and challenges, but I never thought I would have to check tide tables. On another moth note, there was a good one on the VC wall yesterday. It turns out I'm not the only one that paid attention, so my ID for other interested parties is Plebeian Sphinx, a first for Jamaica Bay. A picture is on the moth page of my web site. Back to shorebirds for a couple of impressions I've gotten this season. Does it seem like at times no shorebirds are feeding on the pond? Last Sunday afternoon, everything was heading for the roost by the island. I never saw so many shorebirds on the pond - roosting exclusively. It seemed to be happening for a while today, but that changed. Also, does it seem that there is a quicker turnover of birds than in the past? (If you hear numbers are low and unsure of whether to go to Jamaica Bay, keep in mind things are changing very quickly - e.g. very low numbers reported Friday to an interesting day Saturday that featured a couple of goodies.) Maybe these are related as we try to get used to post-Sandy Jamaica Bay. There are changes that are clear to see (as I mentioned above) and there may be changes that are not so evident (with maybe the shorebirds hinting at them). Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
