I spent the day working my way west from Montauk on the what felt like the first truly cold day of the season (21 degrees F driving out on the LIE). Much of the standing water was frozen even at mid-day. Montauk Point itself was rather quiet, but sea duck numbers are picking up with about 3000 total scoters between the point and Camp Hero.
The best bird of the day was a *Dovekie *that flew eastward past the west breakwater at Lake Montauk Inlet at 9:00 AM (details here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25995495). No Razorbills were seen, making it the lone alcid of the day. Also present was a 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull resting on the jetty and a nice concentration of 110 Bonaparte's Gulls. The most intriguing bird, however, was an unusual Red-tailed Hawk along Napeague Meadow Road just past the Art Barge. I was originally struck by its darkness, especially the dark throat and rufous coloration on the sides of the neck and flanks. The tail proved to show some slight, thin barring and some whitish coloration at the base. This leads me to consider a lighter morph of the "Western" subspecies, but I'm wholly unfamiliar with its identification and would appreciate any input on separating the two forms and comments on the photos. Photos and more description are here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25995822 Four *Tundra Swans* have returned to Hook Pond, as viewed from the four-wheel-drive trail on the western edge of the pond. A 1st cycle *Black-legged Kittiwake* was present at the end of Peter's Pond Lane in Sagaponack loafing and feeding with a flock of Red-throated Loons and some Herring Gulls only about 100 yards offshore. I had never seen a kittiwake in this context in our area, so it was pretty exciting. I unfortunately managed only one mediocre photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bebirder/22681899623/in/dateposted-public/ Finally, an adult *Greater White-fronted Goose* was on Short's Pond with the ever-present Canadas. Happy Thanksgiving, Brent Bomkamp Northport, NY -- 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/ --
