South Shore from Shinnecock Inlet to Jones Inlet

I drove out east and birded back going west.  Heading down Ponquogue Ave, there was a large flock of 75+ Robins eating berries in the trees and on he nearby houses.  On Shinnecock Inlet I was on the west side of the inlet and met a fellow birder- I could not locate the King Eiders again - I know what to look for, but I guess the waves made it difficult. Present were all 3 Scoters, Scaup, Red Breasted Mergansers, Horned Grebe, a Ruddy Duck, Common Eiders and there were a decent amount of Bonaparte Gulls mixed in with the usual types.  Saw a loon that I need to ID - probably a Common Loon but looked small.  (also saw a seal again)  

At Patchogue Lake (following a previous report from ABA) I finally located and took good photos of 3 Redheads (2 drakes, 1 female)  Besides Mallards, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shovelers, Coot, and Wigeons, there were at least 8 Northern Pintails.

At Gilgo/ Cedar Beach Marina I tried looking for the Gyrfalcon but could not locate it - found a Harrier and Pergerine Falcon instead looking for dinner along the parkway.

At Jones Bach West End: did a big search but could not find the Northern Shrike - I found an American Pipt, 2 Redwing Blackbirds, a Flicker, House Finches, Horned Larks and a flock of Snow Buntings touched down in front of me on the dunes right before sunset.

Robin

Bonaparte Gull

Common Loon

Black Scoter, Common Eider, Surf Scoter

Redheads, Northern Pintail

Redheads

Northern Pintail

Mallard pair

Bufflehead

American Pipit

House Finch

Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings

I drove out east and birded back going west. Highlights were:

On Ponquogue Ave, waiting for everyone to drive into the school lot, there
was a large flock of 75+ Robins eating berries in the trees

Shinnecock Inlet: was on the west side of the inlet and met a fellow birder
- I could not locate the King Eiders again - I know what to look for, but I
guess the waves made it difficult.
Saw all 3 scoters, Common Eiders and a decent amount of Bonaparte Gulls.
Saw a loon that I need to ID - probably a Common Loon but looked small.
(saw a seal again)

Patchogue Lake: (followed previous report from north side of lake by the
bridge) about 8 Pintails and 3 Redheads (2 drakes, 1 female)

Gilgo/ Cedar Beach Marina: tried looking for the Gyrfalcon but could not
locate it - found a Harrier and Pergerine Falcon instead

Jones Bach West End: did a big search but could not find the Northern
Shrike - found an American Pipt, House Finches, Horned Larks and a flock of
Snow Buntings touched down in front of m - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=613241&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.DYxqhY9E.dpuf

I drove out east and birded back going west. Highlights were:

On Ponquogue Ave, waiting for everyone to drive into the school lot, there
was a large flock of 75+ Robins eating berries in the trees

Shinnecock Inlet: was on the west side of the inlet and met a fellow birder
- I could not locate the King Eiders again - I know what to look for, but I
guess the waves made it difficult.
Saw all 3 scoters, Common Eiders and a decent amount of Bonaparte Gulls.
Saw a loon that I need to ID - probably a Common Loon but looked small.
(saw a seal again)

Patchogue Lake: (followed previous report from north side of lake by the
bridge) about 8 Pintails and 3 Redheads (2 drakes, 1 female)

Gilgo/ Cedar Beach Marina: tried looking for the Gyrfalcon but could not
locate it - found a Harrier and Pergerine Falcon instead

Jones Bach West End: did a big search but could not find the Northern
Shrike - found an American Pipt, House Finches, Horned Larks and a flock of
Snow Buntings touched down in front of m - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=613241&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.DYxqhY9E.dpuf

I drove out east and birded back going west. Highlights were:

On Ponquogue Ave, waiting for everyone to drive into the school lot, there
was a large flock of 75+ Robins eating berries in the trees

Shinnecock Inlet: was on the west side of the inlet and met a fellow birder
- I could not locate the King Eiders again - I know what to look for, but I
guess the waves made it difficult.
Saw all 3 scoters, Common Eiders and a decent amount of Bonaparte Gulls.
Saw a loon that I need to ID - probably a Common Loon but looked small.
(saw a seal again)

Patchogue Lake: (followed previous report from north side of lake by the
bridge) about 8 Pintails and 3 Redheads (2 drakes, 1 female)

Gilgo/ Cedar Beach Marina: tried looking for the Gyrfalcon but could not
locate it - found a Harrier and Pergerine Falcon instead

Jones Bach West End: did a big search but could not find the Northern
Shrike - found an American Pipt, House Finches, Horned Larks and a flock of
Snow Buntings touched down in front of m - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=613241&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.DYxqhY9E.dpuf

I drove out east and birded back going west. Highlights were:

On Ponquogue Ave, waiting for everyone to drive into the school lot, there
was a large flock of 75+ Robins eating berries in the trees

Shinnecock Inlet: was on the west side of the inlet and met a fellow birder
- I could not locate the King Eiders again - I know what to look for, but I
guess the waves made it difficult.
Saw all 3 scoters, Common Eiders and a decent amount of Bonaparte Gulls.
Saw a loon that I need to ID - probably a Common Loon but looked small.
(saw a seal again)

Patchogue Lake: (followed previous report from north side of lake by the
bridge) about 8 Pintails and 3 Redheads (2 drakes, 1 female)

Gilgo/ Cedar Beach Marina: tried looking for the Gyrfalcon but could not
locate it - found a Harrier and Pergerine Falcon instead

Jones Bach West End: did a big search but could not find the Northern
Shrike - found an American Pipt, House Finches, Horned Larks and a flock of
Snow Buntings touched down in front of m - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=613241&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.DYxqhY9E.dpuf

Hook Pond, East Hampton

Looked for and found the recently seen Tundra Swans (another lifer for today)

Tundra Swans

Shinnecock Inlet, Southampton

My target birds for here was the recently seen King Eiders - there was a group of Common Eiders, but I could not differentiate any as a King Eider.  As a consolation, a lifer Glaucous Gull was only a few feet in front of me.  Lots of Gulls and all 3 Scoters were present - most were Surf.  I drove around to the east side of the inlet to try my luck there but could not locate any King Eiders there eider.(bad joke)  My consolation on that side of the inlet was my second lifer Snowy Owl.  I circled around it to get the ocean as a backdrop. 

Common Eiders and Scoters

Glaucous Gull

Black Backed, Herring and Ring Billed Gulls

Snowy Owl

Seal, guessing Harbor Seal

I got an eery feeling I was being watched - I looked in the inlet and sure enough 4 seals were looking at me.  I guess they knew it was rare for me to be in the Hamptons during the winter : ) not to mention when an impending snow storm on the way.

Oak Neck Creek, Bayville/ Locust Valley

This location was on my list of places to visit this winter and I wasn't disappointed - there were large numbers of different ducks, but most obvious were a large group of Canvasbacks.  (100 is a conservative estimate)

Canvasbacks and Scaup (guessing Greater)

Canvasbacks

Canvasbacks

Stehli Beach, Bayville

There were only a small amount of Common Goldeneye in the distance and a few Red Breasted Mergansers seen from this part of Bayville.  Behind the lot in the marsh were a lot of Canadian Geese, but this Song Sparrow caught my attention.

Song Sparrow

Soundside Beach Park, Bayville

I stopped by this park on the beach to scan Long Island Sound - there was a group of Surf Scoters playing around , a few White Winged Scoters and a Common Loon near the shore.

White Winged Scoter

another view of the White Winged Scoter

Surf Scoters

Mill Pond, Oyster Bay

I've driven by Mill Pond a million times and always see some birds on it, but never stopped to look until Monday.  There were lots of Canadian Geese, Mute Swans, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, a few Scaup and most notable were at least 11 Northern Pintails with a Eurasian Wigeon mixed in.  Most of the Pintails were on the Southwest corner of the pond, but there were 3 on the West section.

8 Northern Pintails

Northern Pintails

Northern Pintails with a Eurasian Wigeon

Cold Spring Harbor

Driving by the harbor, I saw a lot of birds by the mouth of the harbor so decided it's worth a look.  Although I didn't find anything uncommon, the numbers and diversity were impressive.  Lots of Canadian Geese, Mute Swans, Gadwall, Mallards, Scaup, and in moderate numbers were Gulls, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, American Wigeons, and a group of 5 Great Blue Herons.

pictured: Canadian Geese, Mute Swans, Gadwall, American Wigeons

St John's Pond, Cold Spring Harbor

I found my first Redheads here last year and was hoping to find them again now that the ice is gone, but the only waterfowl I saw were a few Mallards, Canadian Geese, Mute Swans, and a pair of Hooded Mergansers.  Some fellow birders recommended trying Mill Pond in Centerport and Lake Capri which I've already tried this season, but will give another shot.  I did spot a Great Blue Heron and a Kingfisher touched down long enough for a photo.

Great Blue Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Jones Beach Coast Guard Station and West End, Point Lookout

It was windy at the beaches Sunday, but there were still good amount of birds out and about.  There was a group of Long Tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, and a Red Breasted Merganser near the docks at the Coast Guard Station.  I checked by the swale at West End 2 - saw a Northern Harrier trying to flush dinner and a small group of Snow Buntings fighting the wind.  Point Lookout is undergoing repairs - it's difficult to get around the construction, but it's attracting lots of gulls.

Jones Beach Field 10 - Long Tailed Ducks

Coast Guard Station - Long Tailed Ducks, Buffleheads, Red Breasted Mergannser

Coast Guard Station - Long Tailed Ducks

Coast Guard Station - Long Tailed Duck

Coast Guard Station: Long tailed Duck and Red Breasted Merganser

Jones Beach West End - Northern Harrier

Point Lookout - Gulls (and I believe a Scaup in the water)

Massapequa Lake

There were numerous birds present Sunday: Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, Black Duck, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Mergansers, Mute Swans, Gulls, Great Blue Herons and first Ringed Necked Ducks I've seen there.

Ring Necked Duck, Black Duck

Black Duck

Traffic Jam

Massapequa Preserve

On Sunday, I decided to check out Massapequa Preserve to try to find the 3 drake Eurasian Wigeons that visited last winter - I found one Hybrid which may have been the same from last year.  I did find one Eurasian in the company of American Wigeon, but I believe it's a new arrival.

American Wigeons and Eurasian Wigeon

Hybrid Wigeon

Mallard pair

After meeting a fellow birder checking out Massapequa Preserve - I decided
to check it out too - I live 2 blocks away but haven't been there in a
while. At the pond by Pittsburgh Ave, I saw a Hybrid Eurasian Wigeon, and
at the pond by New Hampshire, saw a Eurasian Wigeon with some American
Wigeons. I had a perfect photo ready but someone "walking" (no leash)
their dogs came by and flushed the wigeons. Best place to check at the
smaller "New Hampshire pond" isn't the pond itself which freezes, but
rather the stream that flows around it. (usually on the west side by the
woods) Last winter, there were 3 beautiful drakes and a hybrid through
March but the preserve is still a reliable place if you're looking for
Eurasian Wigeons. - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=607470&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.eB1o6uCx.dpuf

After meeting a fellow birder checking out Massapequa Preserve - I decided
to check it out too - I live 2 blocks away but haven't been there in a
while. At the pond by Pittsburgh Ave, I saw a Hybrid Eurasian Wigeon, and
at the pond by New Hampshire, saw a Eurasian Wigeon with some American
Wigeons. I had a perfect photo ready but someone "walking" (no leash)
their dogs came by and flushed the wigeons. Best place to check at the
smaller "New Hampshire pond" isn't the pond itself which freezes, but
rather the stream that flows around it. (usually on the west side by the
woods) Last winter, there were 3 beautiful drakes and a hybrid through
March but the preserve is still a reliable place if you're looking for
Eurasian Wigeons. - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=607470&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.eB1o6uCx.dpuf

After meeting a fellow birder checking out Massapequa Preserve - I decided
to check it out too - I live 2 blocks away but haven't been there in a
while. At the pond by Pittsburgh Ave, I saw a Hybrid Eurasian Wigeon, and
at the pond by New Hampshire, saw a Eurasian Wigeon with some American
Wigeons. I had a perfect photo ready but someone "walking" (no leash)
their dogs came by and flushed the wigeons. Best place to check at the
smaller "New Hampshire pond" isn't the pond itself which freezes, but
rather the stream that flows around it. (usually on the west side by the
woods) Last winter, there were 3 beautiful drakes and a hybrid through
March but the preserve is still a reliable place if you're looking for
Eurasian Wigeons. - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=607470&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.eB1o6uCx.dpuf

After meeting a fellow birder checking out Massapequa Preserve - I decided
to check it out too - I live 2 blocks away but haven't been there in a
while. At the pond by Pittsburgh Ave, I saw a Hybrid Eurasian Wigeon, and
at the pond by New Hampshire, saw a Eurasian Wigeon with some American
Wigeons. I had a perfect photo ready but someone "walking" (no leash)
their dogs came by and flushed the wigeons. Best place to check at the
smaller "New Hampshire pond" isn't the pond itself which freezes, but
rather the stream that flows around it. (usually on the west side by the
woods) Last winter, there were 3 beautiful drakes and a hybrid through
March but the preserve is still a reliable place if you're looking for
Eurasian Wigeons. - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=607470&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.eB1o6uCx.dpu

After meeting a fellow birder checking out Massapequa Preserve - I decided
to check it out too - I live 2 blocks away but haven't been there in a
while. At the pond by Pittsburgh Ave, I saw a Hybrid Eurasian Wigeon, and
at the pond by New Hampshire, saw a Eurasian Wigeon with some American
Wigeons. I had a perfect photo ready but someone "walking" (no leash)
their dogs came by and flushed the wigeons. Best place to check at the
smaller "New Hampshire pond" isn't the pond itself which freezes, but
rather the stream that flows around it. (usually on the west side by the
woods) Last winter, there were 3 beautiful drakes and a hybrid through
March but the preserve is still a reliable place if you're looking for
Eurasian Wigeons. - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=607470&MLID=NY01&MLNM=New%20York#sthash.eB1o6uCx.dpuf

Belmont Lake State Park, West Babylon

Stopped by trying to find the recently reported Barnacle Goose, but not much going on.  Found this Coot swimming near the water's edge.

Coot

Connetquot State Park, Oakdale

I stopped by Connetquot State Park to check out the waterfowl on the pond - found a drake Northern Pintail, a large flock of Gadwall with Ring Necked Ducks mixed in and a single Lesser Scaup. Mute Swans, Mallards and a Great Blue Heron were also present.  On the pond closer to Sunrise Highway I saw a pair of Northern Shovelers and possibly a hybrid Eurasian Wigeon but could not re-locate it to confirm.

Northern Pintail

Gadwall

Ring Necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup

Great Blue Heron