While hearing tantalizing reports of a big white bird flying around the base of the South Fork all morning, I spent some time hitting coastal spots in and around Montauk (Suffolk Co). The morning was highlighted by large numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes. There was a steady trickle from the ocean into the Block Island Sound for the first post-dawn hour, totaling a remarkable 91 birds -- with most of the birds feeding with the larid/gannet frenzies over the Razorbill flocks just NE of the point after 8am. For the remainder of the morning, I encountered kittiwakes at every ocean vantage point, with the BLKI's almost exclusively feeding over large foraging groups of Razorbill. Additional highlights included the continuing Razorbill show (with estimates including 4400 - the Point, 600 - Camp Hero, 325 - Ditch Plains, and 200 off the village), an adult Iceland Gull at Lake Montauk Inlet, and an immature Red-shouldered Hawk at Ditch Plains. Thanks to the diligence and persistence of several observers, I connected with the White Pelican when Gail Benson and Tom Burke saw it make one of its several returns to Hayground Cove around 2:40. Also in the vicinity, four White-crowned Sparrows were seen at Halsey Ln x Mohawk Rd in Watermill. Albeit only studied and photographed briefly before disappearing, the adult sparrow in this group appears to be a possible Gambel's White-crowned -- showing pale lores, a yellow-orange bill, and paler gray rear auriculars. This may be of interest to some "identifiable forms" connoisseurs or any rampant annual listers who are chasing the pelican and have yet to see their White-crowned Sparrows this year. Best,Michael McBrienBristol, RI & East Patchogue, NY
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