A few days ago, I received a third hand report of a Northern Bobwhite "along the path on the west side of the Cross Island". When asked if that was possible, I replied that an occasional one is seen here and there, but they probably don't get there by natural means. I didn't give it any further thought. Then today, in the course, of regular birding, I came across a group of 4 Bobwhites on the east side of Alley Marsh. How wild? They didn't run for cover upon seeing me; in fact they actually moved closer to me. When I later looked at pictures of one that I photographed, I saw a red band on the left leg. There has been a habitat restoration project in that area. Maybe this has something to do with that? Whatever, it's always nice to see Bobwhite. It was especially amusing watching two of them jump up in an effort to pick at a plant.
As for the regular birding, it wasn't bad. Not spectacular, but a fair amount of migrants. A Lincoln's Sparrow was the only one of uncommon nature. But there were a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, some Indigo Buntings, and a variety of warblers (mostly at Alley Marsh, but also around the Oakland Lake field. To throw in a non-bird note, as some do find them of interest, I came across a Common Sootywing (butterfly) at Alley Marsh. This is my first October record (and maybe a first overall in New York?). They usually die off after the first few days of September. This one actually looked freshly emerged. 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/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/ --
