A two hour hike this morning around Sunken Meadow State Park in Suffolk County revealed a few first of the season birds. Feeding in Field Two was a flock of about 100 or so Canda Geese. Amongst this flock was not a Pink-footed or Cackling Goose, but 2 adult Snow Geese. A quick scan on the LI Sound got me my first of the season Common Goldeneye- two females flying West, first of the season Horned Grebes, and many Common loons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed ducks, two Northern Gannets, and Sanderling. I then hiked East following the Lagoon to the footbridge. A lot of activity lured me to the cedar trees. A massive assembly of Robins, Cardinals, Carolina wrens, Cedar waxwings, andYellow-rumped warblers was seen including four Purple finch. The lagoon and Inner Marsh was frozen. When I arrived at the Creek, a gigantic congregation of waterfowl was feeding. Most of the ducks were Mallards, but American Black ducks, 3 American Coot, Double-crested Cormorants, Black-crowned Night-Herons, a cold Snowy Egret, 9 Hooded Mergansers, 4 Great Blue Herons, Gadwall, and Northern Shovelers were also present. Vinny Pellegrino www.flickr.com/pellegrinov East Northport, NY "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -Henry David Thoreau
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