Mot birders consider March to be the dullest/ most uneventful month to go birding..even though we have a Painted Bunting still at HLSP and a Western Grebe continues between Staten Island and New Jersey (would be a lifer for me - might be my new nemesis bird) Although there aren't pretty warblers and colorful birds migrating through now, it doesn't mean that it's not exciting - Grackles coming back in big flocks, Redwinged Blackbirds back staking out territories, Osprey and Laughing Gulls come back, Robins come out from the woods and are seen on lawns. I have to say there isn't a lack of activity - it's just a lot of more common birds are around now.
Friday, March 15, 2024
some notes about spring migration in March
Massapequa/ Preserve
Early this morning before work, I had some time so checked out the "pond" by the LIRR/ Massapequa Fire Dept. I heard a woodpecker that sounded like it was in a utility canister - weird. It's a good spot for Green Winged Teal and sure enough I saw 3 of them. I stopped by the lake by Brady Park - saw an older couple feeding the swans - the guy was asking me to use my bins to check if one of the swans had fishing line wrapped on it's leg - I didn't see it and he was bothering me so I had to leave. I saw a Great Horned Owl on the way out - I assume the mom who had 2 babies last year. I stopped by the pond by Pittsburgh Ave - lots of dog waste around - gross.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Jones Beach Field 10/ West End
I went by Jones Beach to try to find a couple of Snow Geese, but didn't have any luck. I did catch a glimpse of my FOS Phoebe in the median. I scanned the water by the Coast Guard Station for a Horned Grebe that was reported yesterday, but didn't see it - I did see a Surf Scoter which is not rare, but still a nice surprise. Someone had apparently left some bird seed or something in the parking lot recently which attracted a bunch of sparrows, red winged blackbirds and cowbirds. I went to the platform viewing area that overlooks the "J" Pond - I saw a couple of Killdeer on the dunes and a good amount of Gannets over the ocean - they always seem like they're over the beach from this vantage point.
After leaving the traffic circle on Ocean Parkway and heading north on Wantagh Pkwy, I saw my FOS Osprey on an old nest by the bay.
Friday, March 8, 2024
some notes from around home
Just some notes that there has been a Red Tailed Hawk in my area - seems to scan the neighborhood and then lands in the preserve close to Parkside Blvd/ Commonwealth. I also saw a Redwinged Blackbird at my feeder the other day - first for my feeder.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Jones Beach Field 10: Short Billed Dowitchers, TOBAY Beach
I went to Jones Beach Field 10 before work this morning to try to find 2 continuing Short Billed Dowitchers - after a little while and some searching I found them. I got a couple of photos from some distance, but didn't move closer so I wouldn't disturb them. (don't want to mess with them just for the sake of a photo) I scanned the area for any Godwits/ gulls etc anything unusual. I drove to TOBAY Beach with the hopes of seeing some Razorbills but didnt see any. Saw Long Tailed Ducks and guesing a flyby Scoter.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Swainson's Hawk, Brooklyn - notes
There were reports of a Swainson's Hawk at the Recycling facility in Brooklyn where one was reported last year - I did not got to see it this time (yet) but have to assume it's the same one from last year.
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Hempstead Lake State Park: Painted Bunting
There were reports of a female Painted Bunting at HLSP yesterday - I went early in the morning where I met another birder who had just seen it, but had flown into the woods. After a while, the Painted Bunting popped up briefly, but I wasn't able to get a photo (other birder blocking me) This Painted Bunting was my 4th on Long Island (only saw them here on LI) and was described by another birder as the dullest birder he had ever seen. Before I saw the bunting, I went on my own to look around and found about 30? White Throated Sparrows on the grass - I heard the Bunting was associating with sparrows so I spent my time scanning around but then had some loser dog walker unleash their dog so it could chase a squirrel. He told me his dog likes to chase the squirrels, but I just said, oh great, thats fantastic - the guy didn't pick up on my sarcasm. I tried looking for a Red Shouldered Hawk that was seen in the area the day before but no luck. I did see a Great Blue Heron and immature Bald Eagle fly by. I also saw Ring Necked Ducks, Geese, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, a bright male Cardinal and a Kingfisher that wasn't photo-cooperative. Another birder spotted a pair of Common Mergansers fly overhead - I haven't seen those in a while.