"I'm sharing my photos and stories of my bird watching adventures on Long Island. I also feature my sightings from around the USA and other countries when I travel. I hope you enjoy them." - Rob (from Massapequa)
There were recent reports of Parasitic Jaegers by Robert Moses but time was a little short this morning so I tried a seawatch at TOBAY. There was a good amount of birds, but the highlight were several Wilson's Storm Petrels - they have been reported in decent amounts recently.
I went to Gardiner County Park after seeing reports of Virginia Rails - I was able to see a few and heard at least 4.
I saw a thrush type bird in my neighbor's pine tree across the street - assuming it was a Hermit Thrush or Veery.
The LIRR is no longer on strike so this is my last WFH day for a while. I got a little extra early than I normally would - I went to the preserve first at my usual "patch" by Pittsburgh Ave hoping for some warblers. Not much luck with anything unexpected but did see a Coopers Hawk and good views of a Red Eye Vireo. As I was leaving, I heard what sure sounded like a Willet but time was short so I didn't go back towards the pond to look for it. I was kinda bummed out since I "always find something" interesting at the preserve and right about when I was about to leave I saw a perched Turkey Vulture! I took a shortcut where I went past Tackapausha pond - not much going on but saw a mom Mallard with some babies. I was happy to arrive at Seaman's Neck Park where I heard some shorebirds upon my arrival. It was a good visit since I saw a nice variety of shorebirds - most if not all that you would expect at the Jones Beach Coast Guard sandbar/ spit. I was happy to see 2 Short Billed Dowitchers in the marsh somewhat close to me. I also saw a Clapper Rail that seems to favor the cut near the edge of the marsh, Semi palmated Plovers, some Dunlin including one that was near me that I enjoyed looking at. I saw a crow divebombing a Willet which was weird. At first I thought I saw a Tri-colred Heron but turned out to be a Little Blue Heron but I'll take that too.
I work from home today since the LIRR is on strike today (won't get into that) I went to the preserve for a while before work - not much with warblers - only saw the resident Yellow Warblers and a Black and White Warbler. I was hoping to see a Red Eyed Vireos because last summer I think I went the whole summer without seeing one. I used the Merlin App and it was continuously picking up it's singing. I finally got to see one after a search. I had realized that I have been hearing them for a while and dismissing them as Robins : )
I was picking up my daughter from college so I checked out the rare bird alert for CT. There were reports of a Swainson's Warbler at least but I noticed a report of a Glossy Ibis right by my daughter's college UCONN. Before I picked her up, I looked for the Ibis and foudn it rather quickly - there were some geese and presumably Yellowlegs around it. On the drive back, I believe I saw a Red Shouldered Hawk and saw 2 Black Vultures circling above one of the highways.
I worked from home today so had some time in the morning to go to the preserve. Before I got up I heard a Baltimore Oriole calling so I knew some new birds had arrived. I love hearing the orioles around my house. I took my bike to the preserve, hoping to see some new warblers. I only saw Yellow Warblers, but did get my first (bad) photo of a Baltimore Oriole. When I got home, I was treated to my first yard Blue Eye Vireo! Later on, I mailed a birthday card to my brother, I heard and saw a Baltimore Oriole in my neighbor's tree - I think the oriole has been around a few days. Hoping some new arrivals arrive soon.
