Jones Beach West End & Robert Moses SP 12 Oct Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) found a restricted but great migration occurring on the barrier beach. Few species were involved, but those that were were more than impressive. Winds were strong and picked up as the morning progressed. Therefore, the hawk flight was good with 3 falcon, 2 accipiter, Harrier and Osprey species represented. However, almost all the raptors were Merlin, some Peregrines and only a few of other species.
Yellow-rumped Warblers were everywhere. Northern Flickers were moving through continually; a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Red Bellied Woodpecker among them. Sparrows were very sparse considering the general movement noted as were other small birds. Considering the wind and the numbers of Merlin, they could have been keeping a low profile. Finally the PINE SISKIN--flocks of 20-50 were on the move all morning, at least 2 dozen flocks or more. Our estimate of 1,000 was probably a low number, and they were still coming through when we left the Hawkwatch. Most Impressive. Sy -- 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/ --
