Overall numbers were generally somewhat low this afternoon at the West End, but the scope of species was quite good. Notable spring firsts included gorgeous male Magnolia and Blue-winged Warbler in the median and by the Coast Guard station, respectively. These were joined by Yellow-rumps, Yellows, and Northern Parulas in their foraging, along with a guest appearance by a Blue-headed Vireo. Thrashers and towhees made strong showings, and it was a great day for sparrows (Savannah, Field, Song, White-throated, Chipping, and Swamp). Singles were seen of Indigo Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, Hermit Thrush, and a lingering junco. I was able to make out a lone gannet in the heat shimmer offshore, while Sanderlings, Piping Plovers, and oystercatchers worked the beach. A small flock of Glossy Ibis flew in from the west and touched down in the dunes at the hidden pond. Two breeding plumage Common Loons and two juveniles remain in the boat basin, and a Red-throated was seen flying by. Other sightings were mostly the usual suspects.However, the southerly winds brought hundreds of cormorants streaming overhead. It was a spectacle, but there was no sign of unusual visitors among them.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23131015 -Tim Healy -- 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/ --
