Anticipating a migration along the barrier beach this morning, we arrived at RMSP Field 2 a little before 7:00AM. As soon as we got out of the car flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Robins were flying west along the beach, accompanied by a small but steady stream of swallows, predominantly Barn Swallows. In the mix of migrants were Eastern Kingbirds, passing by in flocks of 2-15 birds, Bobolinks in groups of 2-5 birds, Baltimore Orioles, and Cedar Waxwings. As the morning wore on we had started to accumulate some substantial totals for a few species. We then headed down to the hawk watch, where we joined the birders there in enjoying the continuing spectacle. Other than Osprey, we did not see another species of hawk. Warblers were moving down the beach but only five of the common species were observed. Some of out totals for three hours of birding were:
Barn Swallow - 10,800 Red-winged Blackbird - 755 American Robin - 345 Tree Swallow - 300 Eastern Kingbird - 199 Chimney Swift - 150 Cedar Waxwing - 128 Baltimore Oriole - 70 Bobolink - 62 Mockingbird - 32 Although the Barn Swallow total is significant, it is probable that the actual number moving down the beach was higher. The swallows were migrating across a wide swath of the beach, including over the ocean and west up Fire Island Inlet, and were too far away to be counted. Furthermore, we stopped counting at about 10:00AM, and the swallow flight was still going strong. Birds of interest were two Cliff Swallows seen at the hawk watch by Shai Mitra, a flyby Whimbrel at Field 2, and a flyby Dickcissel at the hawk watch, seen by Bob Kurtz. At the West End 2 boat basin there were five Gull-billed Terns (two adults feeding three juveniles) on the sandbar. In Jones Inlet three Black Terns were noted. In the "it was too good to last" category, mosquito numbers are increasing at WE2 and repellent is a good idea if any walking on the grass is contemplated. Ken & Sue Feustel -- 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/[email protected]/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/ --
