Dear NY Birders,
Today I led a small band of intrepid birders for the South Fork
Natural History Society on a trip to Montauk Point. Despite the
blustery weather we were not disappointed as the day dawned sunny, and
remained so for several hours. The fierce east wind had pushed
numerous seabirds north of the point and by the time we arrived at
8am, many of them were rounding the point heading to sea. NORTHERN
GANNETS, LAUGHING GULLS and BLACK SCOTERS passed in abundance. Just
north of the concession stand we found a VESPER SPARROW.
We next headed to Teddy Roosevelt Co Park, where we found a CLAY-
COLORED SPARROW and a BLUE GROSBEAK among a modest size flock of
sparrows that included 5 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS.
At the end of our walk, we received a call from Angus Wilson who had
located a LARK SPARROW on the north side of the new bathrooms at
Montauk Point, so we returned for leisurely views of this obliging
bird. Shai Mitra and Pat Lindsay saw the bird an hour or so after we
left, so perhaps the bird will hang around. Angus also conducted an
extended, if frigid, seawatch at the point, and he'll probably report
his results in his own impeccable style.
At the south end of the horse farm, there were 3 WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS, one of which could be mistaken for a Baird's, in the
KILLDEER flock, which also contained 3 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS.
After my trip was done, Angus and I visited Hither Hills State Park
campground where we discovered a brightly-colored DICKCISSEL among the
church of House Sparrows on the western loop.
All in all a surprisingly successful day of birding given the weather
conditions.
Hugh
Hugh McGuinness
The Ross School
18 Goodfriend Drive
East Hampton, NY 11937
[email protected]
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