[nysbirds-l] Snowy Owls at Breezy Point Tip
Based on a recent eBird listing, my friend Devin and I rolled the dice and went out to Breezy Point for what we assumed was a slim chance at finding an Snowy Owl. To our surprise and delight we saw not one owl but two. The first was a bit smaller and slightly mottled with black. It was sitting on some old chunks of wood on the third dune back from the beach, off to the right of the diagonal path that cuts from the main sand road to the shore. The second owl was further to the west, once again on the third dune back from the beach. This owl was larger and was completely white. There's a good chance this was the owl that was hanging out at Jones beach previously. This owl was sitting in a particularly picturesque spot with the wonder-wheel and the parachute jump in the background. Both birds were easily viewable from the dune closest to the shore. It was made sure that all onlookers kept distance so as to not persuade these owls to shove off again. Nevertheless the second owl seemed a little bit nervous and walked around a bit, making a slight hop at one point. Cheers, Archer M. -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] WNY Birding 2/4/12
Excellent day of birding with Alec Humann today. We hope to get the Lark Sparrow in Kendall and head back towards Buffalo. Stops and approximate times: Baseline Rd - Grand Island 8:30 am 1 Eastern Screech Owl Lake Rd - Barker 9:45 am 1 Northern Shrike Lakeshore Rd - Kendall 3 Blue Jays 3 American Crows 6 American Robins 1 Lark Sparrow - life bird for me - offered excellent views when it finally came into view 2 Dark-eyed Juncos 4 House Finches 7 House Sparrows (Alec heard Eastern Bluebirds - I didn't) Hamlin Beach State Park 11:20 am 900 Canada Geese 2 Bufflehead 1 Common Goldeneye 6 Red-breasted Mergansers 1 Horned Grebe 50 Gulls (out a little far for my binoculars, and not quite what we were looking for) 2 Downy Woodpeckers 13 American Crows 1 Horned Lark 2 Black-capped Chickadees 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 250 Common Redpoll - 1 group at the east end of the park (Yanty Creek area) of 150 birds, 1 group at the west end of the park of 100 birds. Another life bird for me. Route 18 at Route 63 - Lyndonville 1:00 pm 1 American Kestrel 1 Northern Shrike Marshall Rd - Lyndonville 1:10 pm 2700 Snow Geese - I have never seen this many! I recall thinking as a kid that 2 dozen was something else! Perhaps 5% were Blue Geese. In corn stubble near the lake on the west side of the road. 1 Cackling Goose - stood out from Snows and was noticeable smaller. 2 Northern Harriers - across the road from the Snows 8 Rock Pigeons 1 Snowy Owl - on post near the cow barn, we initially went past the owl and headed right for the geese. Excellent views, although most of the time the birds was looking away from the road. Young male bird. 2 American Crows Golden Hill State Park 1:40 pm 4 Canada Geese 3 Black-capped Chickadees Not much activity here Lower Lake Rd - Barker 2:00 pm 1 American Kestrel 18 American Goldfinches Wilson Tuscarora Stare Park 1 American Tree Sprarrow 17 Dark-eye Juncos We had hoped to get a look at some Bohemian Waxwings, but no such luck! Joe Fell Buffalo, 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Eurasian Common Teal
On the SSAS waterfowl count today we turned up a Eurasian Common Teal on the north end of Smith Pond in Rockville Center, Nassau County, NY. Also had 5 Northern Pintails on Cammann's Pond in Merrick, Nassau County, NY. Steve Schellenger -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Amazing Gannet Show
There was a stunning concentration of Northern Gannets for a short time today in the mouth of Jones Inlet. I took some pictures from a distance. They may or may not do justice to the scene, but worth a look at http://www.stevewalternature.com/ . I've seen a lot of gannets but I don't remember anything like this. As birders, we're supposed to count in these situations, but I was too far away. By the time I got close - took a while, delayed by taking about 280 shots of an incredibly cooperative Ipswich Sparrow feeding and posing (like a Purple Sandpiper) on the jetty - the gannets had dispersed to a handful. The variability and movements of seabirds around Jones Inlet in recent weeks has been interesting. As has been documented on this list, Razorbills have been in and out (we know they're lurking not far offshore). I had hoped for one of those in days, but only one was seen flying in, turning around, and flying back out. Maybe it changes by the day, but if one can judge by the gannets, it may change faster than that. It might be worthwhile for observers to note tide conditions or whatever if numbers are encountered. I'll also add that Long-tailed Duck numbers went from hundreds two weeks ago to a few today, and I saw one loon today after dozens of both species two weeks ago. And I long for those halcyon days when hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls came into the inlet like clockwork. I'll take this opportunity to congratulate Ardith Bondi on a great find. I told her the Wakodahatchee Wetlands wouldn't fail to provide great photo opportunities, but I wasn't expecting her to come back with a picture of a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT sitting on a nest with a nestling - the first breeding record for Florida - which somehow went undetected by the locals at this heavily birded spot. Ardith's picture can be seen at http://www.ardithbondi.com/slideshow96.html#0 . The locals did go a looking today. Here's a picture taken today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdnerdpapa/6819124121/in/set-7215762917546124 1/ Steve Walter Bayside, 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Eurasian Wigeon
A drake Eurasian Wigeon was found today at Floyd Bennett Field within a flock of 45 American Wigeon. Seen initially near the pilings at the end of Archery Road, the flock slowly headed farther west towards the Gil Hodges Bridge. However, as we were leaving all they flew back to their starting point near the pilings. If you go and you don't see any wigeons be sure to look close to the shoreline between the end of Archery Road and the bridge as they tend to feed up against the rocks. There was also a single Red-necked Grebe in the vicinity. Good birding, Rob The City Birder Weblog -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Common Raven in the Rocky Point Preserve
In the west part of the preserve, west of Rocky Point Road, a Common Raven loudly proclaimed his presence from the top of a pine. Apparently just the one, though; he got no replies. -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Sullivan County Crossbills
Many people got to see the White-winged Crossbills today. There were about 15 (when I was present) and at least 100 Pine Siskins in the area along Cooley Road. The best way for people to find the bog is to take Rt 17 to exit 98 and take Parksville/Cooley Road east about 8 miles. So many people came for the winter finch irruptions in '08,'09,'10 that I thought everyone was familier with the area. Sorry for not posting better directions. The bog is a large open area on the right side of the road among vast expanses of spruce trees. Other birds present today included 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Brown Creeper, 2 Common Raven and 1 Bald Eagle. There are so many cones over several square miles of spruce trees that the Crossbills should remain in the area for some time. Good luck if you go. John Haas -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Crossbills
Just heard from Jim Schlickenreider, the Crossbill and Siskin flock is present at the Bog this morning. John Haas -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barrow's Goldeneye
Took off and flew out in to the bay at 7:20am. Sent from my iPhone -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barrow's Goldeneye (Yes)
West Pond at Jamaica Bay (6:55am). Sent from my iPhone -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Barrow's Goldeneye (Yes)
West Pond at Jamaica Bay (6:55am). Sent from my iPhone -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Crossbills
Just heard from Jim Schlickenreider, the Crossbill and Siskin flock is present at the Bog this morning. John Haas -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Sullivan County Crossbills
Many people got to see the White-winged Crossbills today. There were about 15 (when I was present) and at least 100 Pine Siskins in the area along Cooley Road. The best way for people to find the bog is to take Rt 17 to exit 98 and take Parksville/Cooley Road east about 8 miles. So many people came for the winter finch irruptions in '08,'09,'10 that I thought everyone was familier with the area. Sorry for not posting better directions. The bog is a large open area on the right side of the road among vast expanses of spruce trees. Other birds present today included 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Brown Creeper, 2 Common Raven and 1 Bald Eagle. There are so many cones over several square miles of spruce trees that the Crossbills should remain in the area for some time. Good luck if you go. John Haas -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Common Raven in the Rocky Point Preserve
In the west part of the preserve, west of Rocky Point Road, a Common Raven loudly proclaimed his presence from the top of a pine. Apparently just the one, though; he got no replies. -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Brooklyn Eurasian Wigeon
A drake Eurasian Wigeon was found today at Floyd Bennett Field within a flock of 45 American Wigeon. Seen initially near the pilings at the end of Archery Road, the flock slowly headed farther west towards the Gil Hodges Bridge. However, as we were leaving all they flew back to their starting point near the pilings. If you go and you don't see any wigeons be sure to look close to the shoreline between the end of Archery Road and the bridge as they tend to feed up against the rocks. There was also a single Red-necked Grebe in the vicinity. Good birding, Rob The City Birder Weblog -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Amazing Gannet Show
There was a stunning concentration of Northern Gannets for a short time today in the mouth of Jones Inlet. I took some pictures from a distance. They may or may not do justice to the scene, but worth a look at http://www.stevewalternature.com/ . I've seen a lot of gannets but I don't remember anything like this. As birders, we're supposed to count in these situations, but I was too far away. By the time I got close - took a while, delayed by taking about 280 shots of an incredibly cooperative Ipswich Sparrow feeding and posing (like a Purple Sandpiper) on the jetty - the gannets had dispersed to a handful. The variability and movements of seabirds around Jones Inlet in recent weeks has been interesting. As has been documented on this list, Razorbills have been in and out (we know they're lurking not far offshore). I had hoped for one of those in days, but only one was seen flying in, turning around, and flying back out. Maybe it changes by the day, but if one can judge by the gannets, it may change faster than that. It might be worthwhile for observers to note tide conditions or whatever if numbers are encountered. I'll also add that Long-tailed Duck numbers went from hundreds two weeks ago to a few today, and I saw one loon today after dozens of both species two weeks ago. And I long for those halcyon days when hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls came into the inlet like clockwork. I'll take this opportunity to congratulate Ardith Bondi on a great find. I told her the Wakodahatchee Wetlands wouldn't fail to provide great photo opportunities, but I wasn't expecting her to come back with a picture of a NEOTROPIC CORMORANT sitting on a nest with a nestling - the first breeding record for Florida - which somehow went undetected by the locals at this heavily birded spot. Ardith's picture can be seen at http://www.ardithbondi.com/slideshow96.html#0 . The locals did go a looking today. Here's a picture taken today. http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdnerdpapa/6819124121/in/set-7215762917546124 1/ Steve Walter Bayside, 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Eurasian Common Teal
On the SSAS waterfowl count today we turned up a Eurasian Common Teal on the north end of Smith Pond in Rockville Center, Nassau County, NY. Also had 5 Northern Pintails on Cammann's Pond in Merrick, Nassau County, NY. Steve Schellenger -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
[nysbirds-l] Snowy Owls at Breezy Point Tip
Based on a recent eBird listing, my friend Devin and I rolled the dice and went out to Breezy Point for what we assumed was a slim chance at finding an Snowy Owl. To our surprise and delight we saw not one owl but two. The first was a bit smaller and slightly mottled with black. It was sitting on some old chunks of wood on the third dune back from the beach, off to the right of the diagonal path that cuts from the main sand road to the shore. The second owl was further to the west, once again on the third dune back from the beach. This owl was larger and was completely white. There's a good chance this was the owl that was hanging out at Jones beach previously. This owl was sitting in a particularly picturesque spot with the wonder-wheel and the parachute jump in the background. Both birds were easily viewable from the dune closest to the shore. It was made sure that all onlookers kept distance so as to not persuade these owls to shove off again. Nevertheless the second owl seemed a little bit nervous and walked around a bit, making a slight hop at one point. Cheers, Archer M. -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
