Not having done any birding lately, I was pleased to find one half of the pair adding material to the nest at the intersection of Route 24 (Flanders Rd.) and Route 105 (Cross River Dr.), Flanders. About a minute afterward, while crossing the bridge, I observed the nest on the nearby island in the Peconic River Estuary occupied by both of it's inhabitants. For those who don't know these locations, they are similar by successfully bringing off young for at least the last 5-6 years...but from totally different habitats.
The estuary nest sits on top of a platform/ pole, on an island the offers much protection, as well as being physically in the middle of the bird's feeding waters. The productivity of this location seems to be a given - not so with the other ! The above intersection is one of the busiest on the east end of L.I., which also makes it one of the nosiest. The traffic at this major n/s and e/w crossroads is heavy all year, which, come summer, becomes a dread ! The lights keep the mounting traffic idling for long periods of time, a condition, along with the heat generated, that would make you think be detrimental to successful breeding. However, this nest (which is right on curb) is the exemption to the rule, and speaks volumes to the power of Mother Nature. Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
