Saturday, October 25, 2014

Massapequa Preserve, Massapequa

I went to the preserve in the morning to look for the Screech Owls, but no luck.  I was asked to take a look - the wildlife rehabilitator for the Grey and Red morph Screech Owls is considering releasing 2 more into the preserve - although I would love to have 2 more owls nearby, it's up to the rehab guy to decide what's best for the owls.  After I looked a few times for the owls, I went by the dirt lot/ game field area - there were a lot of Chipping Sparrows, Palm Warblers (some had great color), some Juncos, Song Sparrows, etc.

Later in the day, I saw a Ruby Crowned Kinglet in my garden.

Palm Warbler

Monday, October 20, 2014

Jones Beach West End, Mill Pond, Meroke Preserve

I spent most of the day at Jones Beach West End - in hindsight, it seemed to be Part 2 of 3 of the migration fallout.  Lots of Kinglets and Sparrows - seemed to be more Ruby Crowned than Golden Crowned this time.  Sparrows were on the side of the road everywhere as well as Juncos and Hermit Thrushes- got a great shot of a Lincoln's, a Field and some juvenile White Crowned Sparrows.  I spent a good time going around the "shrub area" in front of the Coast Guard entrance.  Got my lifer Pine Siskins early in the day - a few small flocks flew overhead - a few touched down briefly.  Another treat was seeing 2 Eastern Meadowlarks.  A Merlin flew in and tried to get some sparrows - it got one but dropped it - I assume the sparrow flew off.

I took a break from the west end and stopped at Meroke Preserve - I was pleasantly surprised  - saw a few Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrushes and what I can best determine to me my first Purple Finch. 

I returned to the west end where I got good looks at 2 Marbled Godwits on the Coast Guard sandbar.  I believe these are the same individuals that have been around moving with a flock of ~250 Oystercatchers.  Also saw a group of Royal Terns, Dunlin, Black Bellied Plovers, and Sanderlings. (and the Brants are back)

Golden Crowned Kinglet
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White Crowned Sparrow
Sparrow sp.
Field Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Palm Warbler - Eastern yellow
Eastern Meadowlark
Pine Siskins
Merlin - after diving over a group of sparrows - got one but dropped it
Marbled Godwit
Marbled Godwit - usual pose, with Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers with 2 Marbled Godwits on either side of the photo
Royal Terns with Black Bellied Plover and possible Dunlin
Royal Terns (14)
Shorebirds still present: Oystercatchers, Black Bellied Plovers, Dunlin, Sanderlings
Brants are back
Northern Pintail - Mill Pond
Bufflehead - Mill Pond
Purple Finch - Meroke Preserve

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Jones Beach West End, Massapequa Lake

I went by the Jones Beach Coast Guard marina to find out if the Marbled Godwits were still around - I found 2 as well as a small Western Willett.  Merlin were also still around in good numbers.

I made a brief stop at Massapequa Lake to check on the waterfowl - just found a Ruddy Duck.

I didn't have my Canon camera with me so these were taken with my old Casio/ binocular combo.

Shorebird mix
Oystercatchers, 2 Marbled Godwit, Willett
Oystercatchers, 2 Marbled Godwit, Willett
Merlin

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Massapequa Preserve, Massapequa

I know it's not rare at all, but I saw a Greater Yellowlegs at Massapequa Preserve this morning - noteworthy because long time residents of the area have said that the preserve used to be a hotspot for them years ago - I don't know what drove them away, but hopefully today's sighting is some hope that they might return.  American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Great Blue Herons, and a Wood Duck were at the ponds north of Sunrise Highway.  I'm hoping the Eurasian Wigeons that have frequented the preserve for the last several winters will return - I'll check at least every few weeks.  Songbirds (nothing uncommon) included Downy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Catbirds, Robins,Yellow Rumped Warbler, and White Breasted Nuthatches.

Around my house, several Carolina Wrens were singing.

American Wigeon
Wood Duck
Wood Duck
Yellow Rumped Warbler
White Breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren

Monday, October 13, 2014

Smith Point, Mastic Beach

I stopped over here to try to get a look at the beached Finback Whale and find some foxes - didn't see the whale but had a long distance view of a fox by the marsh.  I noticed some waterfowl out on the ocean so gave a look - all appear to be Black Scoters.  Also found a Savanah Sparrow by the parking lot.

Black Scoters
Black Scoters

Patchogue Lake, Patchogue

I saw reports of a Common Gallinule so stopped by  - took a while to find it, but could only get poor distant shot at 120x zoom.  Not the best pic for a positive ID but I'm confident it's the Common Gallinule.  The waterfowl have begun moving in - saw FOS Pied Billed Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons and Coots.

Mute Swans
Common Gallinule
Common Gallinule
Common Gallinule

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Jones Beach West End - Migration Fallout!

Looking at posts on ABA about the migration fallout, I headed to the Jones Beach Coast Guard area.  The sandbar only had Oystercatchers and Dunlin, but the hedgerow and wooded areas were teaming with songbirds.  Lots of Kinglets and Phoebes, and White Throated Sparrows.  Got a good view of a cooperative Blue Headed Vireo and female Baltimore Oriole.  Area had lots of birders checking out the action in the hedgerow - great morning.

Blue Headed Vireo
Palm Warbler
Golden Crowned Kinglet
Ruby Crowned Kinglet
Golden Crowned Kinglet
Baltimore Oriole - female
Baltimore Oriole - female
Robin
"the scene" at the Coast Guard area

Friday, October 10, 2014

Special Post: Long Billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper, Jamaica Bay East Pond

When I was at Jamaica Bay, I saw the last few sandpipers - besides the Long Billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper there was only a Semi Palmated Sandpiper.  I was within 10 feet of the so got some good shots that deserve to be on the blog.

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

 Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper, Long Billed Dowitcher

Stilt Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper