Yesterday, my dad and I spent time catching up with most of the rarities that have been present in SW Suffolk and southern Nassau counties.
Early in the morning, we had the Barnacle, Greater White-fronted, and Cackling Geese at Belmont State Park. The Nashville and Orange-crowned Warblers were still present at the Walker Street cattail marsh in the Massapequa Preserve. Finally, around 11:30, we had the Point Lookout Eared Grebes as well as a Red-necked Grebe. The tide was rapidly flooding up the inlet and none of the speciality grebes were able to be relocated when we left at 1:30.
Also of note at Massapequa Preserve was a single adult female Eurasian Wigeon along the creek within a half mile south of the Walker Street bridge. As far as I'm aware, this bird has not be previously reported but I felt it noteworthy enough to report - not only because it may be sought after for a Nassau Co. year list but also because this seemed to be a good opportunity to study this sex of Eurasian Wigeon within a close (but respectable) range.
Photos are posted at the end of an album devoted to female wigeon, starting here: https://picasaweb.google.com/117391989476777248424/Wigeons#6105690160901668178
For those seeking the wigeon, the bird did not strike me as a very bright-headed bird. I identified it first by its structure and overall plumage: small, squarish head; steep forehead; concolorous mantle and flanks. Supplementary ID marks include: head color, no black along gape, long primaries, etc.
Additionally, the other half of my family (my mom Barbara and my sister Megan) had two of the continuing Bald Eagles flying over Sunrise Hwy at Connetquot.
Michael McBrien
East Patchogue, NY & Bristol, RI
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