I started off my day yesterday (Dec. 26) with hopes of getting closer pictures of the Common Goldeneye at Flushing Meadows, but it was gone. So it was off to the Bronx-Westchester CBC and seeing goldeneyes the usual way -- through a scope, at the highest zoom. Even so, I was able to clearly identify a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE. It was in the company of about 20 Commons and seen in direct comparison with female Commons. The key field marks seen were the all yellow shorter bill, the puffed out nape, and seen in good light, a noticeably darker brown head than the Commons.
Late in the day I was joined by several others, hoping to find the Barrow’s for them. Although the number of goldeneyes had doubled, we could not find the Barrow’s. The change in goldeneye numbers suggests to me that there is movement through the area. So while other individuals had come into view, others may have moved out beyond the limit of manageable scope view. And I need to add that even the closer ones require a scope. I had mine set at 60x. The location is City Island, toward the western end. To reach the site, look for Beach St. shortly after the first traffic light. Turn left and go to the end of the street. You might be able to scan from street level, but going down to the beach makes it easier. There is the usual members only mumbo jumbo, but it’s winter and the gate was open. Look in the vicinity of the closest rocky island. The Barrow’s Goldeneye was the highlight of an interesting day on Long Island Sound waters. I’m sure the count compiler will have more on this. My vantage point at the western end of the sound included a RAZORBILL (at the end of Horton St., toward the eastern end of City Island), NORTHERN GANNET at both streets, and the best loon numbers, especially Red-throated, that I’ve had on this count. Highlights from the piece of Pelham Bay Park that I covered were 2 GREAT EGRETS, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and a partially leucistic Fox Sparrow. If time permits, I may post a picture of this beauty with a predominantly white head. 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/ --
