Late this afternoon I took another look at the turbulent ocean, this time from Main Beach in East Hampton (Suffolk Co.). The rain had stopped but the stiff ENE wind continued and the sea was angry. Masses of terns continued just offshore, predominantly Common Terns, drifting east but with less urgency than in the morning. Many were actively fishing making it very difficult to get a meaningful count but 1,500 or more for the hour (5:15-6:15 pm) seems reasonable. Again, a small number (40 or so) ROSEATE TERNS and a single FORSTER'S TERN were mixed in with the Commons. The latter being in a confusing mix of alternate, basic, juvenile and 1st-basic plumages.
The highlight of the hour was a SANDWICH TERN (adult, I think) which flew past along the surfline with a group of Common Terns. A juv-type PARASITIC JAEGER spend about 20 mins harassing terns along the beach front making multiple passes. Lastly at least 9 CORY'S SHEARWATERS made occasional appearances out of the mist, and like the jaeger, were invisible much of the time hidden behind the substantial waves. To be honest, I was more surprised by the species I did not see. Where were the Laughing Gulls that become so numerous off the East End in fall? I did not see a single one today. In fact where were the gulls of any kind? I lone Ring-billed, a couple of Herring and 5 Great Black-backs on the beach were it! The Maidstone Golf Course and some other field were uncharacteristically gull-less. Same story at Accabonac Harbor which usually fills with gulls on these type of ENE winds. I was also surprised by the absence of Black Terns in the mix given the numbers that have been out here recently. Oh well, every storm is different. -------------------------------------------------- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA -- 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/ --
