[nysbirds-l] Black Dirt Roughleggin 12/22/18
Merry Christmas! Mark French and I hit 9 stops in the Black Dirt Region (one in NJ, eight in NY) on Saturday. Numbers were low overall and we didn't wait out the owls because of the wind. Short-eareds often wait until near full darkness, before emerging on windy evenings. We tallied 13 NORTHERN HARRIERS (low), 8 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (very low - six light, one dark, one intermediate morph), 5 AMERICAN KESTRELS (four males, one female), 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (Skinner's), & 19 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS (one large flock with one adult and eighteen first-winters). A separate note for some interesting RED-TAILED HAWKS. A completely dark bird and I mean completely, except for a "red tail" was seen on Skinner's. We had two other interesting Red-tails, at an area a mile or more away. One appeared to be a classic abieticola. A second bird was very dark overall and only appeared to have a sliver of light coloring extending down the middle of the breast. Unfortunately this bird spent most of its time ground-hunting. When it did make a short flight, we only got a rear-view, confirming that it was a RTHA but we did not get a better look at the front of the bird. Could this be an offspring of the all dark bird that is resident around Skinner's? Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] SGNWR (2 singing HESP)
Good evening. We went to visit my wife's sister in New Paltz last night, so of course I made an early morning visit to the Shawangunk Grasslands (20 minute ride instead of the usual 110 minutes!). See the eBird list pasted below and check out the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW video, which has HENSLOW'S and SAVANNAH singing in the background. As always, it was great to see my buddy Ralph Tabor bright and early;) https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47058006 Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] 18 Rough-legged Hawks
I ran my Roughleg route this morning. I started at the Shawangunk Grasslands at 6:28AM and then hit eight stops in the Black Dirt Region. The Shawangunk Grasslands were very quiet. In order of appearance, I observed 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS (one of which dive-bombed a perched GHOW), 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (two light morphs), and 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS. You never get the full Short-eared show here in the morning. I think most of them slip into roost, when it's still too dark to see well. Early to mid-winter Rough-legged Hawk counts here usually aren't too impressive. The Harrier count was abysmal! At Black Dirt I tallied (a mere) 4 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 16 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (eleven light, five dark), and 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS. Unfortunately for wintering raptors, the composition of the landscape here changes winter to winter. This year a lot of sod was rolled, so there is lots and lots of bare dirt. Since we're dealing with thousands and thousands of acres here, there's always enough fallow land and drainage ditches to support some birds but my money is on the coastal marshes this winter... Michael Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Black Dirt eagles
Mark French and I hit the Black Dirt Region yesterday, as it's one of our favorite places to bird and take in the landscape. From one of the vantage points along the Pulaski Highway, we observed 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, see eBird notes pasted below. At a different vantage point, we observed a juvenile BALD EAGLE carrying a Gray Squirrel! Surprisingly for the date, no Rough-legged Hawks or Short-eared Owls were observed...the former is shocking considering the fact that Cape May had four already...I was expecting one or two and there are usually a few Short-eareds present up there by late October with decent numbers by mid-November. Harrier numbers were low throughout the area, with five being the peak count at any one location. "I initially spotted a large, dark eagle soaring with a group of TUVU. After putting the scope on it, I was able to see the white tail base and golden hackle but no white was apparent in the underwing. The bird peeled off to the right joining another Golden, with similar sub-adult plumage characteristics. The Wallkill River corridor is apparently an important migratory route for the species, as this is the fourth time I've observed migrants (once in December and twice in late February)." Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Henslow's Sparrow - Shawangunk Grasslands NWR
I emailed my buddy Ralph Tabor to let him know that I'd be up Monday morning and also to ask him about the conditions of the trails, as I heard that they were overgrown. So what does Ralph do? He goes and mows the trails prior to my arrival! What a swell guy:-) Anyway, the male HENSLOW'S SPARROW is still singing his little heart out. See attached eBird checklist with video. If I'm not mistaken, this post-restoration bird is the first in many years. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37821260 P.S. It's always cool to hear a singing WINTER WREN, I heard one after breakfast at Mohonk, by the lake. Mike Britt Bayonne -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Goshawk musings
On 12/13/14, I found an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Liberty State Park (just across the Hudson in Jersey City), while scouting for the Lower Hudson CBC. My last conclusive sighting of the bird was during our Hudson County Big Day on 5/9/15. It flushed from an upland field with a bulging crop and flew into the woods. However, on 5/30/15 I observed a bird that I slashed as a Cooper's Hawk/Northern Goshawk. Here are my notes from eBird: "I was unable to gain a full appreciation of this bird's size, although it was certainly a large-ish, long-tailed accipiter. I first spotted it soaring fairly low, over the intersection of Freedom Way & Morris Pesin. It wound up heading over Liberty National, which fits within the overwintering Goshawk's pattern. The bird was molting and the wingbeat cadence, deep and rapid, with virtually no gliding was quite perplexing. Goshawk has a deep wingbeat but both species glide often and do not normally flap as fast as this bird did. The molt obviously affected the flight style. I'm really interested to know if the young Gos is summering after the 5/9 sighting but I was too mystified by the flight style, to check carefully for all relevant fields marks. Cooper's Hawk has nested in recent years. A young Coop passing through is not out of the question but neither is Gos is considering the 5/9 sighting." It will interesting to see how long the Brooklyn bird stays... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Roughlegs
I covered my Roughleg route for the last time this season. I started at the Shawangunk Grasslands and then hit eight stops in the Black Dirt Region of Orange County. I tallied seventeen Rough-legged Hawks, which means there was a recent influx. More details here: https://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2017/02/18/roughleg-trip/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Gyrfalcon continues
At 3:08PM, Ray Gilbert, a gentlemen named Joe, and myself observed the continuing gray morph GYRFALCON at the State Line Lookout in Alpine, NJ. More info here (including NY specific info): https://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/gyrfalcon-continues/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Roughleg trip
Mark French, Shayna Marchese, Mike Ruscigno, Diane Tishler, and myself took an open-country winter raptor trip today. The Black Dirt Region held 15+ NORTHERN HARRIERS (six gray ghosts), 1 "Northern" RED-TAILED HAWK (abieticola), 7 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (four light, three dark), 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS (hunting Oil City pre-dawn), 500+ HORNED LARKS, 200 SNOW BUNTING, & 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS (Liberty Lane). The Shawangunk Grasslands held 14+ NORTHERN HARRIERS (This is certainly an undercount, since birds that dispersed earlier in the day come back to the roost site late in the day.), 1 "Northern" RED-TAILED HAWK (abieticola), 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (dark), & 11+ SHORT-EARED OWLS (Best count in the air at once, however there were probably more like 14-15 present, since a small number popped up close to the viewing platform, after the initial group.). Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Lower Hudson Count Week Addition
I was just alerted to a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at River Barge Park in Carlstadt, NJ today. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Jersey portion of Lower Hudson CBC highlights
I post this to honor the request of Tom Fiore;) As you all know, the forecast was worse than the actual weather on Sunday. More details when I tally all the individuals. As of right now, we have 98 species in the Jersey portion of the count circle. Count week birds were TURKEY VULTURE, SHORT-EARED OWL, and WOOD THRUSH (photographed on Saint Peter's University campus in Jersey City). Please keep in mind that some of the so-called highlights are relative. Highlights were: WOOD DUCK (1), wild RING-NECKED PHEASANT (1), WILD TURKEY (2), GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (5), RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (1), AMERICAN WOODCOCK (2), GLAUCOUS GULL (1), BARN OWL (1), RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (1), YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (4), AMERICAN KESTREL (5), MONK PARAKEET (5), COMMON RAVEN (7), HORNED LARK (2), RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (1), BROWN CREEPER (2), WINTER WREN (2), MARSH WREN (3), HERMIT THRUSH (2), GRAY CATBIRD (1), AMERICAN PIPIT (1), LAPLAND LONGSPUR (1), SNOW BUNTING (74), YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (1), SALTMARSH SPARROW (1), SEASIDE SPARROW (1), WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (5), EASTERN TOWHEE (2), & PURPLE FINCH (1). Not too shabby! I have great participants:-) Mike Britt Bayonne Jersey compiler, Lower Hudson CBC -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm 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://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Redtail subspecies typo
It's been a long day. Thanks to Jeff Ellerbusch for pointing out that I inadvertently put "borealis" the expected Red-tailed Hawk instead of the northern "abieticola" in my post before. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Upstate NY Open Country (Sandhill Cranes, the motherlode of Northern Harriers, & Roughlegs)
Two Jersey boys hit the Shawangunk Grasslands, a site in Campbell Hall, plus the Black Dirt Region today. We tallied 2 SANDHILL CRANES, 49-53 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 3 borealis RED-TAILED HAWKS, 7 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS, 4-5 AMERICAN KESTRELS, 7 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, & EASTERN MEADOWLARK. More details here: https://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2016/12/10/upstate-open-country/ Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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] Harbor feeding flock
That should be "jaeger" and worth a look for that Kittiwake... Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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/Staten Island harbor feeding flock alert
As of 20 minutes ago, there was a large feeding flock (2000+) of large gulls around the Robbin's Reef Lighthouse and Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission outflow pipe. This area would be viewable from the Veteran's Memorial Park area in Brooklyn or the Staten Island ferry area described by Isaac Grant yesterday. Unfortunately for me in Bayonne, at the 9/11 Memorial at the end of the Ocean Terminal, I'm looking into the sun! If a jaegar is within eyeshot of the Verrazano, it will undoubtedly be attracted. Not sure how long the feeding will continue... Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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] Black Dirt Rough-legged Hawks
I ran my winter Roughleg route today, barring the Shawangunk Grasslands. I stuck to the Black Dirt region in Orange County and observed four Rough-legged Hawks (two light, one moderately-marked light, one dark), which is good for the date. Looking at the eBird bar charts and considering this report, we've had a decent early push. The winter could be interesting, provided we get some classic winter weather. Fingers crossed... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Bronx Broadwing
At 12:42PM, a BROAD-WINGED HAWK with a full crop flew out of Van Cortlandt Park and headed east across I-87. A stopover I suspect. Locals would know better... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Cliff Swallows
New York Birders, At least one CLIFF SWALLOW was mixed in with the more standard species at Ridge Hill, Yonkers earlier in the week...can't recall if it was Monday or Tuesday? Yesterday while making a delivery at an apartment complex on Davenport Avenue in New Rochelle, a YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON suddenly appeared in flight over the parking lot. My guess is that it came out of a plane tree and was headed to feed along some nearby shoreline. The species nests in that exact scenario (middle of a neighborhood, plane tree, nearby crab habitat) here in Bayonne. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] New Rochelle Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Not a jaw-dropping sighting but I always enjoy seeing cuckoos. While making a delivery to 13 River Street, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was flushed by a lawn mower and flew N-S across the road. The only "habitat" here are some small trees and such on the margins of the various companies; it's very urban in this part of town. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Breeding Common Nighthawk in Yonkers?
Common Nighthawk undoubtedly still breeds in Yonkers, with plenty of old buildings that likely offer the proper substrate for nest sites. When delivering to Saint John's Riverside Hospital on St. Joseph's Avenue on Friday, a construction worker was talking about the roof, so I asked is it gravel? Indeed it is. With the combination of city light pollution, the Hudson River nearby, and the vacant lot (overgrown) across the street, it seems like a homerun for breeders. If anyone bothers to listen at night, it's not the best neighborhood and can even seem like "The Walking Dead" during the day, with the methadone clinic on Park Ave. It's worth a shot for any locals though. As an aside, excuse my ignorance if this already exists but it would be totally awesome if there was a WSB-type event called "Battle of the boroughs" or something along that line. I know the Brooklyn and Queens teams' would be fierce but I think Staten Island could be the sleeper... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Spotting scope shopping
Bob, Then go to New Jersey Audubon's Scherman-Hoffman center...address/phone below. 11 Hardscrabble Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924 Phone: (908) 766-5787 Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Wacky NJ reports
Larry/New York Birders, The wacky reports coincide (annually) with the Great Backyard Bird Count... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Yonkers Canvasbacks
NY birders, I have no idea how easy or difficult CANVASBACK is to get in Westchester County these days. With that said, a small raft was off the north end of the Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Hudson in Yonkers today. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Rough-legged Hawk trip
Every winter I take at least one trip up to the Shawangunk Grasslands and Black Dirt Region of Warwick and Goshen, to look for Rough-legged Hawks. I have a well developed itinerary. I typically start at the Shawangunk Grasslands to catch the Short-eareds hunting before they head in to roost, plus this is the best time to count the Northern Harriers and Rough-legged Hawks, as they disperse from roost to hunt. Then I hit numerous stops along the Pulaski Highway, plus Glenwood Road, Oil City Road, and Owens Station Road. I normally avoid the areas west of the Pulaski Highway (Lower Road and side roads) and County Route 1, in order to provide a buffer (to dispersal) and reduce/eliminate the possibility of double-counting. The birds do however utilize areas along these corridors as well, which could mean I miss a few? I can live with that. Yong Kong and I set-up shop at the Shawangunk Grasslands at 6:05AM. Our best in the air at once was 5 SHORT-EARED OWLS but dawn is the worst time to attempt a count of this species. Reason is, you can see a few here and a few there (in the dark!)...then they disappear...then you see a few more not knowing if they're the same birds OR if they are new birds and the birds from before dropped into roost already? So the the most honest answer I can give is 5+ but I think 7-9 is closer to the truth. Dusk counts are much more accurate because like the Harriers and Roughlegs that hunt the refuge, the Short-eareds disperse off the refuge to hunt as well. Therefore, just like the Harriers late in the day, early in the morning you have Short-eareds returning to the refuge in singles and small groups, which is a factor in the problem I described above. To simplify things, 10 NORTHERN HARRIERS (one gray ghost, nine brown) rose and dispersed to hunt the grasslands. No Rough-legged Hawks were observed. According to my buddy Ralph Tabor (the local dean...nice to see you pal), there are at least two Roughlegs in the area but they must be, at least occasionally, roosting offsite. An AMERICAN KESTREL was a welcomed sight. >From here we headed to the Black Dirt Region and hit nine stops. Pickings were slim and we only had 6 ROUGHLEGS. Most of the raptor action was at the very reliable Pumpkin Swamp, which held 5 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 10 RED-TAILED HAWKS, & 5 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (three dark, two light). The only other ROUGHLEG was a light morph at Skinner's Lane. All in all we tallied 17-18 NORTHERN HARRIERS in the Black Dirt Region; we observed 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS - one at Indiana and one at Jados Lane; and 3 COYOTES were patrolling the large marshy field on Glenwood Road - a good spot for them. This route always holds Roughlegs but six is a very slow day. Especially considering the fact that I have hit "40" twice and my all-time high is "54." My best at any one location is "22" (Shawangunk Grasslands...wish I had the route established back then) and the year of the "54," fifty were in the Black Dirt Region alone! I think I'd cry if I ever went up there and saw subdivisions along my route... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Jersey side of Lower Hudson CBC results
New York birders, When you actually do the paperwork the truth comes out! We tallied 91 species, NOT the previously reported 85 species. Hudson, Hudson, New Jersey, US Dec 20, 2015 Protocol: Incidental 91 species (+1 other taxa) Brant 115 Canada Goose 1975 Mute Swan 44 Gadwall 291 American Wigeon 6 American Black Duck 162 Mallard 357 Northern Shoveler 39 Northern Pintail 118 Green-winged Teal 404 Canvasback 50 Ring-necked Duck 1 Greater Scaup 91 Lesser Scaup 25 Bufflehead 211 Hooded Merganser 55 Common Merganser 1 Red-breasted Merganser 31 Ruddy Duck 840 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 Wild Turkey 1 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Horned Grebe 4 Double-crested Cormorant 205 Great Cormorant 7 Great Blue Heron 23 Great Egret 5 Black-crowned Night-Heron 10 Northern Harrier 10 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Cooper's Hawk 7 Bald Eagle 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 25 American Coot 95 Killdeer 34 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Dunlin 10 American Woodcock 1 Ring-billed Gull 1949 Herring Gull 1212 Great Black-backed Gull 173 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 531 Mourning Dove 176 Barn Owl 1 Great Horned Owl 3 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 14 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Downy Woodpecker 61 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 3 American Kestrel 6 Merlin 2 Peregrine Falcon 3 Blue Jay 48 American Crow 29 crow sp. 4 Common Raven 4 Horned Lark 30 Black-capped Chickadee 9 Tufted Titmouse 10 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 Marsh Wren 1 Carolina Wren 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12 Hermit Thrush 3 American Robin 84 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Mockingbird 55 European Starling 1813 American Pipit 2 Cedar Waxwing 1 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 36 American Tree Sparrow 83 Chipping Sparrow 3 Fox Sparrow 29 Dark-eyed Junco 160 White-crowned Sparrow 4 White-throated Sparrow 185 Savannah Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 182 Swamp Sparrow 25 Northern Cardinal 59 Red-winged Blackbird 50 Common Grackle 17 Brown-headed Cowbird 380 House Finch 136 American Goldfinch 104 House Sparrow 416 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26398718 Mike Britt Lower Hudson CBC Compiler (Jersey-side only) Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Interesting Aythya sp.
New York birders, We are seeking expert opinions on this Aythya sp. that is currently residing in the Hackensack Meadowlands. Pics and notes can be seen here: https://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/interesting-aythya-duck-sp-found-by-chris-takacs-at-dekorte/ Thanks, Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Yonkers Raven
New York Birders, On 8/4, at 8:23AM, I observed a RAVEN on the ground in the Yonkers Raceway lot, off Yonkers Ave. I've been doing a Westchester route (I drive a truck) for the past two weeks and this is the first one I've observed. I suppose it could be from Co-op City (do they continue to breed there?) or even Bergen County, NJ? I don't know much about their occurrence in NYC and the surrounding urban jungles, on this side of the river. I wish I had time to see if the Fish Crows that nest in the light stations gave it a proper escort... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Central Park Summer Tanager
There is an "X" Summer Tanager report in eBird. Is Summer Tanager not flagged for review in NYC? The date is quite early and I've seen no mention of it otherwise. Perhaps a filter change is in store? Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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] Fish Crow - The predator
So-called scavengers only occasionally get the press they deserve as predators. I watched a Fish Crow raiding Rock Pigeon nests, under an overpass along Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers late this morning. The crow would move from nest site to nest site, with adult pigeons flushing in its wake. Even common species have plenty to teach us birders... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Status of Central Park Screech Owls
NYC Birders, What is the status of Eastern Screech Owl in Central Park, since the reintroduction program? Thanks and be safe out there. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Twenty-one Rough-legged Hawks
New York Birders, I lead a Saw Mill River Audubon group on my "Roughleg Route" today, which covers the Shawangunk Grasslands and multiple stops in the Black Dirt Region. We tallied fifteen light and six dark morphs. More details on our excursion can be found here: https://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/winter-raptor-trip-11715/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Lower Hudson CBC Results (NJ portion)
New York Birders, The "Jersey portion" of the Lower Hudson CBC tallied 94 species. "Relative" highlights were: Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, American Bittern, 3 Great Egret, 3 Black-crowned Night Heron, Rough-legged Hawk, Barn Owl, 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 3 Hairy Woodpeckers, 8 American Kestrels!, Common Raven, 56 Horned Larks, 2 Marsh Wrens, 3 Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 Eastern Towhee, 13 White-crowned Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird, 5 Purple Finches, & 2 Pine Siskins. Full list can be viewed here: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/lower-hudson-christmas-bird-count/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Lower Hudson CBC Scouting
New York Birders, While doing some scouting for the Lower Hudson CBC, I observed an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK at Liberty State Park this afternoon. Not sure if the adult is still in Central Park, so this could wind up a "Count Week" bird, if not re-found tomorrow. It's nice that the Nor'easter came early Eh! More details here: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/12/13/hudson-county-bird-258-northern-goshawk/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] My Roughleg Route
New York Birders, I ran my Roughleg Route in southern upstate NY today and tallied 26 birds. More details here: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/my-roughleg-route/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Staten Island CBC
New York Birders, Who runs the Staten Island CBC and what is the date? The really good areas in Bayonne (just south of the Lower Hudson CBC circle) are actually part of the Staten Island CBC circle. Are these areas covered or is the desire to keep the count "pure" and Staten Island only? Feel free to reply on or off-list. Thanks, Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] eBird location error
For the local reviewer...I'm not sure why sightings (SEOW, etc., on 11/27 & 11/29) would be accepted from a bogus marker in Orange County, for the Shawangunk Grasslands, which are in Ulster County? It's not exactly a "secret spot." Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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] Monk Parakeets in the Bronx
I apologize, if this is already well-known. I had a few stops in Yonkers and the Bronx today...at 3:36PM, three Monk Parakeets zoomed over the Cross Bronx Expressway, near Exit 4B (Rosedale Ave.). Makes sense with the NJ stronghold directly across the Hudson... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Barn Owl article
New York Birders, You may find this of interest: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/how-to-identify-and-find-barn-owl-tyto-alba-in-new-jersey/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Tagged Great Egret
To Whom It May Concern: I observed a Great Egret with a yellow tag - C12 - feeding in the saltmarsh by the admin bldg @ Liberty State Park this afternoon. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Robert Moses State Park (Long Island)
Seawatching was quite good this AM. Highlights were: 65 BLACK SCOTERS, 44 COMMON LOONS, 3 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 8 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, MANX SHEARWATER, & 6 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS. More details here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18644979 Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Correct link: TBMU in New York Bay (with updated info)
Sorry. http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/thick-billed-murre-in-new-york-bay/ Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] More info on the NY Bay Thick-billed Murre
Can be found here: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2429&action=edit&message=1 Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] correction: winter raptor trip
NJ/NY birders, Sorry...been up since 4AM but some glaring typos in the notes section of my post...corrected version here: http://pelagicaddict.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/how-bout-54-roughlegs-14-lapland-longspurs/ Thanks, Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] NJAS All Things Birds Winter Raptor Trip
New Jersey & New York Birders, I led a winter raptor trip today, for NJAS's, All Things Birds program. We hit seven stops in the Pine Island/Goshen area and then ended at the Shawangunk Grasslands. While diversity was low, numbers of some choice species were incredible. Thanks to the fourteen hearty souls that ventured out with me today. The "Jimmy Lee Warrior Award" goes to Kevin Cronin. The Jimmy Lee award is given to that birder that is both the first to arrive and last to leave. Since Jimmy was not in attendance today...there was not a tie for the award. The "Near Death Experience Award" also goes to Kevin Cronin...a desperately hungry Rough-legged Hawk almost took Kevin's head off, as it chased a sparrow with the vigor of a Cooper's Hawk...through the air, through weeds, and around houses in the neighborhood, at the start of Indiana Road! I have never observed this behavior before but when the snow gets deep, rodent-eaters must be more flexible. I also have to thank Yong Kong for my "care package," he really knows how to "treat" the leader;) "Highlights" Northern Harrier (8...five gray ghosts) Bald Eagle (pair @ Oil City) Rough-legged Hawk (54...forty-three light, eleven dark) Short-eared Owl (3...Shawangunk) Lapland Longspur (14...in one mixed flock) Snow Bunting (28) Notes: The Harrier count is expectedly low, with such deep snow cover. This species courses low, relying on auditory clues. With the voles staying safely under the insulation of the snow with their food and undetected by most predators, the remaining birds are primarily hunting songbirds and with that said, the ratio of adult males to other adult age/sex classes should not be surprising. Orange County is the southern stronghold for wintering Rough-legged Hawks, in this global climate-changed era. I have tallied 40 Rough-legged Hawks along this route twice in late February. While we attained an amazing record-breaking count (my own personal record) today, there were undoubtedly a few to quite a few that went undetected as Skinner's & Indiana, as they were only accessible a short way...even if plowed, we would not have risked driving on the slippery dikes that are bounded by deep ditches. We observed three Short-ears roosting in deciduous trees on the southern edge of the Shawangunk Grasslands...it's no surprise, since this species abandons ground roosting with heavy snow cover...according to the mayor (Ralph Tabor)...there are still 8-10 around but they have been coming out late lately (5:30ish)...we decided to pack it in, when the snow finally hit. The fourteen Laplands were in a large mixed feeding flock at the intersection of Liberty Corner's Road & Madura's Lane...if heading deeper into Pine Island...there is a house with a 3-walled grain store on the left...the birds were trading between gorging here and working the plowed road. Anyone that wimped out due to the weather...it was kind of epic! Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] The Black Dirt Region
Mark French and I hit the Pine Island/Goshen area (Orange Co.), for open-country species, from 6:04-10:22AM. In order, we covered Pumpkin Swamp, Indiana Road, Mount Eve Road, Skinner's Lane, Sidoti Lane, Jados Lane, Glenwood Road, & Oil City Road. The previously reported Snowy Owls (3) were not observed. It does not appear that the species overwinters in this area anymore, merely a stopover site. I suspect that the lack of large concentrations of prey (waterfowl, pheasants, rats, rabbits, etc.) is to blame. During the best Roughleg years...wintering birds start filing in here around Nov. 7-8. During lean years, they do not arrive until around Dec. 12-13. Overall however, fallow habitat is in much lower proportion than other years. Pumpkin and Glenwood are in the best (fallow) state. Totals: 15 Northern Harrier (three gray ghosts) 5 Rough-legged Hawk (two @ Pumpkin, two @ Glenwood, one @ Oil City) Short-eared Owl (hunting Pumpkin before daybreak) 3 American Kestrel 30+ Horned Lark 600 Snow Bunting Mike Britt Bayonne -- 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] Lower Hudson RFI
New York Birders, I handle compilation for the "Jersey-side" of the Lower Hudson CBC. I'm wondering if anyone on the NY side does an extended "riverwatch" on the Hudson? It looks like I might have enough participants this year that I can be a "floater" and try something new. Please advise, as I do not want to duplicate an existing effort, which would undoubtedly *inflate *numbers. Also, Susan Elbin...please email me at this new address...home address the same;) Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ sootyshear@gmail -- 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] BirdLog NA app
Ladies & Gents, I am sure many of you tech-savvy, new-age birders have the BirdLog NA app on your phone. I have the iPhone 4 and just updated the software to iOS 7.02. Well I must have done something wrong because my BirdLog NA app, did not transfer over. I think I was supposed to back it up to my iCloud and/or iTunes first. Long story short, I just spent a few hours (including phone time with Apple support that charges you after a "one-time pardon") in an effort to FINALLY get the app back. It's worth mentioning that your "tech-support" may not be an iPhone user and its highly unlikely that they use BirdLog, so expect headaches - if you update your software. When we got it back up, none of my previous data was in BirdLog...thank goodness it was still in eBird!!! P.S. Be forewarned and don't learn the hard way;) This is obviously a glitch that needs to be fixed. Perhaps someone better versed in modern technology can provide some insight... Sincerely, Mike Britt -- 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] Cory's Shearwater flight @ Robert Moses SP
Mark French and I were on the beach at Field #2 at 5:45AM. The show did not begin until 7:34AM, when the first of 35 CORY'S SHEARWATERS passed - all were heading east to west. A single MANX SHEARWATER passed - west to east, a few minutes after the first Cory's. The Cory's were still moving when we had to leave, shortly after 9. It will be interesting to see if folks further east on Long Island observe a east-west flight of this species today... Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Correction
All, Way to screw up my debut post...obviously I meant, "shearwatering!" Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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] Robert Moses State Park
Mark French and I conducted a hit-n-run seawatch from the Field 2 beach from 523-849AM. Viewing conditions were quite favorable. Two NORTHERN GANNETS were in view on occasion. The highlight however was a small group of 4 MANX SHEARWATER. They were flying in a rather direct manner - west to east - around 8:25AM. I initially spotted them looking 2 o'clock from the beach and followed them to roughly 10 o'clock (several minutes time). Got good looks at all key field marks in the scope, which I bumped up to 60x. The birds were "shearwating" low over the water - alternating between textbook "fairly quick, choppy" wingbeats and gliding. Mike Britt Bayonne, NJ -- 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/ --
