Sage Thrasher Part 2, Robert Moses, TOBAY Beach, Jones Beach West End

 I had some time before work this morning so headed out to Robert Moses to see if I can see the Sage Thrasher again - it was a little too easy compared to other people's reports - the bird was just sitting in the bushes with a birder right next to it in his car...pointing a camera at it showing me exactly where it was.  On a side note, the other birder had Jersey plates so I assumed he drove here just for the Sage Thrasher.  He seemed to be "camped out" there to get good looks/ photos.  I took a quick documentary shots knowing they wouldn't compare to quality of photos I took the first time. I didn't spend much time looking at the Sage Thrasher and walked to the wooden walkway that goes over the dune.  I did a brief seawatch and was pleasantly surprised by the number of birds over the ocean.  Lots of loons, some scoters (made out a White Winged Scoter in flight) and there was an impressive east to west movement of gulls.

I drove down Ocean Parkway heading towards Jones Beach since last week there were 3 Marbled Godwits at the Jones Coast Guard.  Along the way, I saw a couple of Great Egrets in the marsh.  I stopped at TOBAY Beach where I continued seawatching - there seemed to be less gulls, not sure if that was because they decreased in their flight or if it was related to the location.  I did see one peculiar gull that had a black back - it also had grey-ish legs.  It also had a softer type face.  I'm still not sure what it was so I have to assume if was a Lesser Black Backed Gull with something going on with the legs.

 I did a quick stop at Field 10 where the highlight was a Kingfisher and some Juncos.

As I got close to the Coast Guard area, I saw what I asusmed was a Cooper's Hawk perched.  There seemed to be some around  - one flew right in front of my car as I was driving, as well as some Northenr Harriers.  At the Jones Beach Coast Guard, the spit/ sandbar seemed very low/ not much showing until I got a better look and saw a bunch of sandpipers mixed in with Brants and Gulls.  I got out of the car and walked over to the edge of the upper deck.  I noticed some crows, which I assumed were Fish Crows - one was on the sandbar.  There were lots of Brant, Gulls and Dunlins! as well as several Oystercatchers, Black Bellied Plovers and some Red Breasted Mergansers close by.  I was hoping to see the Marbled Godwits since they're one of my favorite birds, but was still nice to see other sandpipers out in full force.

Sage Thrasher, Robert Moses State Park

 For a while now, there has been a Sage Thrasher on Long Island's south shore.  It was first seen at Smith Point some time ago, then disappeared and if it is the same one, reappeared at Robert Moses.  It seemed everyone else had seen it but me because I wasn't able to get over there some reason or another.  There were many reports that it would hide for hours and when it was visible, would either be out in the open on the ground or hiding in bushes (in the southwest corner of Field 5)  I had a little time Saturday - a quick chance to go see it so I took advantage and hopped in the car..  It had been reported earlier in the morning so I figured I had a good chance.  When I got there it was very windy and no other birder was on the scene.  I assumed I wouldn't be lucky but scanned the bushes with my bins only to find out the bird was right in front of me - eye level in the bushes.  I got a couple photos noting how much it resembles a Mockingbird.  After I got in the car to leave, it came out and was on the ground and didn't seem to care about the wind.  I got a few mote photos which I think came out very well because it was a little cloudy.  I saw another birder looking for it on the other side of the lot by dumpsters so I honked the horn a bunch of times to get his attention and pointed out the bird.  This was a lifebird for me - not the prettiest but still a rarity for Long Island.