Not too long ago, the first half of October was regarded as the peak migration period for Lesser Black-backed Gulls on Long Island. Although this view has been altered in recent years by observations of earlier concentrations (mostly storm-associated, during September and even late August), rainy October days are still a great time to see this species in our area. At times yesterday (3 Oct 09), they were among the few things that gave me the will to keep on birding during a very rainy and difficult day on eastern LI!
Patricia Lindsay and I encountered three LBBGs: adult Fort Pond Bay -- probably the longtime winter resident there 2nd Winter Maidstone Club, Easthampton -- dining on LI’s most exclusive earthworms Juvenile Main Beach, East Hampton -- migrating westward; first juv of season Perusing some of the regional lists, I see some other reports of LBBGs from yesterday and recent days, and I would be curious to learn about other observers’ encounters with this species this weekend. Other highlights for us yesterday included crippling views of a Connecticut Warbler at Deep Hollow, Montauk; a male Hooded Warbler there; a juv Bonaparte’s Gull and three-four Parasitic Jaegers at Main Beach, East Hampton; and a Hooded Merganser mucking around in a rain puddle with Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Blue-winged Teal. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
