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.