Massapequa/ Massapequa Preserve

 I had some time before work so went to the present for a while - went to my local birding "patch" by the Pittsburgh Ave entrance.  I was tired but heard an odd bird singing outside that motivated me getting outside even though it was chilly out.  Found the bird right away that turned out to be a House Wren checking out my 2 bird houses and feeder.  Hopefully it makes a home in one of them.

At the preserve I heard then eventually saw my FOS Yellow Warblers.  Also heard a Towhee and saw my FOS Catbird.  There was a swan on the pond that relentlessly chased down a Canada Goose - another Canada Goose also joined in picking on the goose - not nice.

When I got home, I heard and saw a Kingfisher fly over my house - might be a yard bird first, have to check a list I keep (if I can find it).

Massapequa

 I was planning on going birding to Jones Beach or somewhere like that before work, but was tired so delayed a bit.  I finally decided to get out and go to the preserve for a while since it was a bright sunny morning - not too much to report, saw some RedWinged Balckbirds squabbling - I assume over territory.  Also saw 2 Yellow Warblers  - one seemed to follow the other around.  The most notable "sighting" was hearing 1 or 2 Killdeer in the area - I've seen them nest at nearby Lockhart Elementary School (eggs on the roof)  I'm assuming they come back every year.

notes around my house in Massapequa

 I've been seeing a couple of crows in my neighborhood recently - can't help but think it might be same crows that built a nest around my area the last few years.  Also have been seeing 2 Mockingbirds around my house staking some territory I suppose.  The continuing resident Red Tailed Hawk seems to still be around.  I have also seen Mallard ducks flying around my neighborhood sometimes landing in yards - that's what they do (this time of year)

Massapequa Preserve today

 I stopped by the preserve briefly a few times today - started by the Pittsburgh Ave entrance - still decent amount of White Throated Sparrows around - I like looking at and trying to photograph the ones with a bright white streak with the yellow patch thing by their eye.  There were also about 6-8 Gadwall on the pond also.  Heard some goldfinches, a somewhat distant Raven and a Carolina Wren.  Best find over here was my FOS Gnatcatcher.  I also was alerted to a Cooper's Hawk thanks to some Blue Jays sounding off their alarm calls.  The Cooper Hawk did some posing so I was able to get a few decent photos.

I stopped by the "owl spot" by the LIRR parking lot/ Brady Park pond area - of course there was a continuing army of photographers camped out.  I could see one of the 2 baby owls there - kinda feel like the mom owl is getting annoyed at the never-stopping group of photographers.  I got a couple quick photos and moved on quickly to the pond.  I saw a Great Egret in the trees by the shoreline and was treated to 10 ! Osprey above the lake - saw one catch a fish.  Shortly after the gulls and Osprey scattered as a Bald Eagle came through.

Massapequa: Baltimore Oriole

 My car crapped out so I had to walk to the LIRR - along the way on Rhode Island Ave across from the preserve, I heard a Baltimore Oriole - didn't get great looks but saw it in a "fancy cherry tree".  From what I could tell, I'm the first birder to see one on Long Island this season. ebird screenshot below:

Gulls at Florence Beach, Massapequa

 The parking lot at Florence Beach aka Philip B. Healey Beach? is always a good spot to find gulls.  I saw my FOS Laughing Gulls as well as a Ringed Billed Gull with a weird deformed beak.

Massapequa Home Feeder

 I have been filling the feeder lately - was rainy today but had maybe that helped with a good turn out at the feeder.  first time I've seen Red Winged Blackbirds at my feeder, along with Grackles including a female?, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Song Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, House Sparrows, and House Finches.  (also a bunny) Nice to see a variety in my own backyard.

Massapequa: Pine Warbler? White Throated Sparrows

 MIGHT have heard a Pine Warbler near my house

I stopped by the preserve also - lots of White Throated Sparrows seemed like they were everywhere.  I always like looking at bright colored ones - however this time I was treated to one that had a beige tinge to it - very cool.

White Throated Sparrow that was posing for me

White Throated Sparrow with beige tinge

some notes about spring migration in March

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mill Pond/ Jones Beach Coast Guard Station

 I stopped by Mill Pond, Wantagh early today to try to find the continuing Common Gallinule.  I scanned the west side of the pond where it had been reported.  I didn't see it so as I was leaving I saw something odd walking on the island in the middle of the pond.  I put my bins on it and it was the Common Gallinule.  I had since matured a bit since I last saw it last year - the red shield was prominent.  Grew up to be a good looking bird.  There were also some Ring Necked Ducks (other ducks/ gulls/ birds also present).  Mill Pond seems to be good spot for them.  Towards the northeast corner of the pond I heard my "FOS" Red Winged Blackbirds calling - they're back and starting to set up their territories.  When I have a chance, I'll check out my local patches at Massapequa Preserve to see if they're also back by me.  I went by Jones Beach Coast Guard to try to find the Audubon Warbler etc - I didn't find it, but did see a Fox Sparrow in the hedgerow.  There were mostly lots of House Finches and "regular" type Yellow Rumped Warblers.  When I got home I heard a Cardinal calling.  Hopefully this means winter is leaving and spring will be back soon.

Jones Beach Field 10/ Coast Guard Station/ West End

 I went by Jones Beach in the morning to check out any continuing birds/ sightings.  I went to Field 10 where a Short Billed Dowitcher was reported yesterday but wasn't there today.  I saw some Black Bellied Plovers and a Dunlin on the rocks near the NE corner of the parking lot.  Across the channel, I saw 3 continuing Marbled Godwits - I saw them fairly well since it was bright and sunny out.  I headed over to the Coast Guard Station to try to find the continuing Audubon's Warbler and a Murre that was reported yesterday but didn't see/ find them.  I assume at this point the Western Tanager is either hiding a lot or not there any more.  I went around the west end road a few times and the parking lots hoping to see anything unusual or perhaps Snow Buntings which I have not seen yet this season.  I did see a flock of House Finches with one of the males having somewhat orange-ey coloring.

Massapequa Preserve/ Bethpage Trail/Massapequa

 I went to the preserve for a little while by the Pittsburtgh Ave entrance. I heard a Raven, but didn't see it at first (I later saw it on the way out and got a good look at its diamond shaped tail) A jogger approached some ducks and they scattered - I went up to them/ waved and they came up to me.  I stopped at the Bethpage Trail by the Plainview Animal Hospital since I was picking up my dog's regular meds.  I had always wanted to check that site out but left unimpressed.  Just saw a bunch of White Throated Sparrows and heard a hawk/ Blue Jay? in the distance.  Upon returning home, I saw a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker land in a neighbor's tree - haven't seen one in a while.

Jones Beach Field 10, Coast Guard Station

 There were reports today of continuing Pipits at the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station lawn.  I haven't seen Pipits in a while so figured I should try for them.  They're cool little birds.  I stopped by Field 10 to do the "usual" Marbled Godwit search and sure enough I finally saw them (damn it).  They were very unsatisfying looks since they were so far away but they were next to Oystercatchers so I had good comparison for size and not much else this time of year would have such a tawny coloring.  From the photos I took with my Canon Powershot with up to 200x zoom, I think there was at least 6 of them.  I checked the lot for gulls and they jumped on my car and gathered around as soon as I opened the window.  (it was below freezing and I'm getting over a cold so I stayed in my car)  I saw one was banded and assumed it to be a juvenile Herring Gull.  I reported the bands and posted on the "North American Gulls" FB page.  Will be cool to find out more info on this bird - it was really cute and had some rizz.  I think I might have only reported bands once or twice before - will try that more often.  

At the Coast Guard Station I first found one confiding Pipit right away and then 3 others.  I tried looking for the continuing Western Tanager and Audubon's Warbler with no luck.  (the Audubon's Warbler was ebirded earlier in the day)  I saw a Ruby Crowned Kinglet at the bushes that the warbler frequents.  Around the area I saw several Harriers around.  Not a bad birding experience for such a short amount of time. (hour round trip)

Bird feeder at my house

 The other day I filled the feeder too much and a lot of the bird seed went on the ground.  This morning, I saw a lot of birds including Cardinals, Blue Jays, White Throated Sparrows, Juncos AKA "Snowbirds", Mourning Doves, Pigeons, House Sparrows and my resident Song Sparrow.

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station

 I went to the Coast Guard Station before work to try to find anything unusual (like I always do)  I stopped by the Fishing lot at Field 10 to try for the continuing Marbled Godwits without any luck.  I did see some female type Boat Grackles on the dock.  I went by the Coast Guard Station to try to find anything unusual.  I saw a Horned Grebe which I haven't seen in a while.  I went down the Fisherman's path around to the other side of the Coast Guard Station to see anything in the inlet.  I saw a Common Eider and some Black Scoters - one of the male Scoters was vocalizing - the first time I remember hearing one.  On the way out I didn't see the Western Tanager who has been hard to find recently, but did see the Audubon's Warbler and was able to get better photos then previous times I saw it. (guessing lighting was better - not too bright)

Cooper's Hawk around the neighborhood

 There has been a continuing Cooper's Hawk in my neighborhood recently - it has gone after the birds at the neighbor's and my feeders a few times.

Jones Beach this morning

 I went to Jones Beach Field 10 to try to find the continuing Marbled Godwits - all I saw were 2 Yellowlegs that flew from the curved shoreline out to the marshy area.  Oddly, someone ebirded the godwits at the same time I was there so apparently I either need a scope or I'm looking in the wrong area.  I stopped by the Coast Guard Station - did a quick scan on the spit/ sandbar and water for the continuing immature male King Eider but didn't see it.  However, I stayed in the car and scanned the hedgerows and saw a Yellow Rump looking bird fly in - it was the continuing Audubon's Warbler with a regular type Yellow Rumped Warbler along with some House Finches.  They were in the cedar bushes presumably eating berries.

Random photos from Massapequa

 I uploaded my photos a while ago to my laptop and wanted to share some photos I took around Massapequa - most are from Massapequa Lake.  (yes, that Herring Gull is missing a foot)

First photos for 2024

 These are my first photos for 2024.  A Great Black Backed Gull out of focus and the second photo in focus.  I noticed another gull and a few Black Scoters in the background of the out of focus photo when I uploaded these to my laptop.

Happy New Year!!!

 2023 was an interesting year - I saw a bunch of birds.  While I only 8 lifers, they included a few that were my nemesis birds especially Limpkin, Audobon's Yellow Rumped Warbler and most notably I finally saw a Connecticut Warbler.  I have chased Connecticut Warblers on many occasions only to not find them.  It seemed fairly easy to see the one at the World Trade Center Memorial.  This was the first year that I did a "year list".  I was surprised to find that I had only counted around 140 species the entire year.  I assumed it would be much higher - I suppose if I made more effort and chased every bird sighting that it would be much higher, but I don't enjoy chasing sightings unless it's a life bird. (and I don't have much free time)  The first bird I photographed was a Great Black Backed Gull at Jones Beach Coast Guard Station while I was trying to find the continuing Western Tanager and an immature male King Eider.  I didn't see either one of them.  But that's how birding is sometimes - win some, lose some - a bird can be out in the open for some and then the next person to try for it won't see it. (like the MacGillvray's Warbler)

I'm now up to 448 life birds.  I don't have much hope for seeing a lot of new birds for 2024 unless I travel somewhere on vacation. (thinking Italy?)  If I get at least 2 more, I'll hit 450 which sounds nice.  Who knows what the new year will bring.  I'm including a few photos for fun.