There were a few new arrivals at Sunken Meadow State Park this morning. My hike, from 8:10am-10:30am, started at the dirt lot located at the northwest corner of the abandoned Field 2. There was a small flock of 7 White-throated Sparrows with an adult White-crowned Sparrow in the mix. Other sparrows observed were several Song and a few Chipping. On Tuesday there was a Lincoln's sparrow reported from this location by Ken Fuestel. A Cooper's Hawk was patrolling the area. One Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was flying from tree to tree as was a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Purple Finches were on the move this morning. I had one flock of 16 flyover heading west, another flock of at least 30 birds a little while later, and finally about 20 birds gorging themselves on chokecherries along the park road. Also along the park road were 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Empidonax flycatcher sp, several Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Wood-Pewees.
The Inner Marsh trail had my first-of-the-seasonBrown Creepers(2 birds), 1 Nashville warbler among 7 warbler species, a Marsh Wren(actually seen very well perched on phragmites), 1Swamp Sparrow, 1 Spotted Sandpiper flyby, 2Green-winged Teal, 19+Wood Ducks, 1 White-eyed Vireo, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk that was actively chasing 5 or so Blue Jays back and forth across the stream. Next I headed to Field 3 where there were 3 Chimney Swift flyovers, 1 Osprey, American Black Ducks, and a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Vinny Pellegrino picasaweb.com/vinnypelle East Northport, NY "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -Henry David Thoreau -- 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 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --