Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: 1 Sep Joe Giunta, Sam Jannazzo, Debbie Martin, Gina Goldstein and I (Sy Schiff) birded the north end of the East Pond on a lovely morning. Shorebirds were scarce, perhaps only a few hundred, scattered in small groups. They were relatively tame, so all had good looks and the time to study and brush up on our skills (plus some picture taking). We walked past the cove until we could scan the raunt, but found nothing new.
Both AMERICAN AVOCET were sleeping in the middle of the pond near the north end (either on a log or in a shallow spot) , heads tucked in, tail end facing us on the west edge, looking like a pair of aberrant gulls. Several birders missed them completely till we told them where to look. They could be seen sideways and easily ID'ed from the spit, but a very long way off looking north. On our return near noon, as we approached the exit, we found a pair of phalarope, fairly tame, spinning in the midst of a group of Lesser Yellowlegs. One bird was fairly light and the other dark with some red on the neck and back. Both RED-NECKED PHALAROPE were molting with the lighter bird in a more more advanced state. While the ID was not in doubt, the actual plumage of these molting birds is not shown in any of the books I consulted. Interesting birds, that could present a problem to those not familiar with the species.. Other shorebirds included: Semipalmated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper and Stilt Sandpiper. Other birds noted included a Cooper's Hawk, a blue Little Blue Heron and fishing Forster's Terns. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Temporary archive: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
