After Neal Vita's "Big Day" on Monday, and with Tom Moran riding "shotgun" on
Tuesday (8/28) the 3 of us headed for Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Because of a
rain delay, we didn't arrive on the East Pond until ~ 1300, where our 1st scan
was anything but promising. The only birds n view, from the first phragmites
south to the North Island, were just a few of the common, small shorebirds, a
Greater Yellowlegs and some ducks in eclipse plumage. "Mushing" our way to
Sanderling Point, all we were able to see (from the North Island, down to a
fair distance beyond the muddy cove) were the common species one finds at JBWR
at this time of year. While pondering if we should pay the price and trek
around the cove through the "real" mud, a look southward produced the AWPE, on
the e/s of the pond. A short while later, we discovered a refuge employee ( who
may not have been able to see the bird)walking north toward the pelican. The
bird finally flushed, heading further south. Initially we were somewhat annoyed
, until realizing it was probably due to this same person that we saw the AWPE
in the first place - talk about your "good news, bad news".
Spurred on by this development, we traversed the "sucking" mud field without
anyone getting stuck or going down ! With renewed vigor, upon walking past the
first corner that allows you to see all the way down to The Raunt, instead of
catching up with the AWPE again, we found the A. Avocet ! Continuing further
south, we were able to spot the pelican again, amongst a group of Mute Swans.
Noticing the gray color still on it's wings, we thought we were probably
looking at "a bird of the year".
A stop at the south end of the pond, while not holding any highlights for Tom
and I, did add to Neil's fast growing "life-list" - which, after seeing 39 over
the last 2 days, now stands at 48...all of which have thrilled me, as well !
Continuing with the "good news, bad news" theme- as we headed back to the east
end, we stopped at the Coast Guard Station area at Jones Beach, where along
with other birders, we looked unsuccessfully for the previously reported
Hudsonian Godwits. Nonetheless , it was pleasure to see and speak with Mike &
Lynne Scheibel and NYSYBC member Menachem Goldstein and his special
mother/chauffeur Karen, again.
The last bird of day proved to be a real treat and a bit surprising. Half way
between the parking lot and the turn-around, we spotted a Merlin, which
remained perched long enough for all of us (including Menachem and Karen) to
get a wonderful scope view of the bird. What made this sighting even more
special, was that Neal, just a minute before seeing the falcon, had stated "how
neat it would be to see this "cool looking" species ! To make this experience
even sweeter, the merlin proceeded to take off, catch a dragon fly, land in
another tree, and after removing the wings, have a light snack...this, per
Neal, "was very, very cool" !
Probably not many in our sport or vocation have had such a rewarding start as
Neil, whose beginning days included the following good birds: AWPE; Merlin; A.
Golden Plover; A, Avocet; Marbled Godwit; Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Royal
Tern.
Cheers,
Bob
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