Curlew Sandpiper, Jones Beach Coast Guard Station

 There had been a Curlew Sandpiper visiting the spit at the Jones Coast Guard Station for a few days, tried once but did not see it (was flying back and forth between the bay I guess)  I got to see it today, very darkish plumage, nice to see.  I had seen this bird 1 time before at Richard DeKorte Park in NJ but wasn't able to get photos since it was so far away.  So it was nice to update my field guide/ check list from "S" to "P".  There were also a nice variety of other shorebirds including Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin, Sanderlings and a very cooperative banded Piping Plover.

Massapequa Preserve

 Saw my FOS Black Throated Green Warbler (one of my favorite birds)

Massapequa Preserve

 Tried a different area of the preserve that I normally visit - it's a trail on the west side, from around Euclid south to Clarke Ave.  Worked very hard to see Cedar Waxwing, Magnolia Warbler (FOS) and heard a Bay Breasted Warbler.

Blackburnian Warbler: Massapequa Preserve

 While not considered "rare" I always feel treated when I see a Blackburnian Warbler.  It was nice to see one at my local birding patch.

Smith's Longspur, Robert Moses State Park

 There was a report of a Smith's Longspur on the beach at Robert Moses.  Luck was on my side and I was able to go and see it.  I walked too far past the golf course and had to walk/ run back east for a long distance and met up with other birders who had just seen it.  I thought I had seen it since it stood out but the other birders didn't notice it.  I should have trusted my gut and looked closer.  Eventually the bird moved and I got to see it (lifer).

Smith's Longspur: Robert Moses State Park

 My family and I don't have any plans to travel far this year for vacation so I'm more "desperate" for the chance to get more lifers locally whenever possible.  Basically with a lot of luck I was able to go see a reported Smith's Longspur in breeding plumage at Robert Moses late in the day.  I actually had the bird in view for a while but other birders who supposedly were monitoring the birds movements didn't pick it out (SMH)  Looking back I should have trusted my instincts and focused on what stood out to me.  Long story short, I was able to see the bird as it hurried around the sand grass on the dunes.

Massapequa Preserve

 Saw my FOS Redstart (female) at the preserve.

Massapequa Preserve

 Visited the preserve for a while looking for anything new for the season/ rare.  Saw Yellow Rumps, Parulas, Kingfisher, Black Throated Blue, Hummingbird and a "late" White Throated Sparrow.  These were seen mostly near the New Hampshire Ave entrance area.

Massapequa Preserve

 Saw my FOS Red Eyed Vireo, Chimney Swifts and Baltimore Oriole.

Massapequa Preserve: Solitary Sandpiper

 Was an odd sighting, saw a Solitary Sandpiper on the puddles near the Pittsburgh Ave entrance.  Was put up but local exercise type people.