Bryant Park, NYC

There has been another American Woodcock reported at Bryant Park - was behind the south side of the skating rink active and probing for a meal.

American Woodcock

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for...my new scope and Vortex Diamondback binoculars.  The only bird I'm concerned about today is a turkey, but while I was packing the car, getting ready to head out to dinner I saw this Red Tailed Hawk chased away by some Blue Jays.

Vortex Diamondback 8x42, Simmons 20-60x, 60mm scope

Red Tailed Hawk (Massapequa)

Jones Beach West End, Jones Beach Coast Guard Area

So I got a scope...a very cheap one so I figured take a chance...I was pleasantly surprised - I think the zoom is 20-60x and 60mm.  It worked a lot better than my "old" Bushnells (that's another story) and the experience was very pleasant.  I wouldn't carry the scope and tripod looking for songbirds, but perfect for looking at shorebirds.  I was out recently where I missed some Red Knots among Black Bellied Plover and the person who spotted them had a scope - definitely a great tool to have.

Around the marina I saw some Red Breasted Mergansers.  On the sandbar towards the bridges heading to Point Lookout I could make out a lot of Comorants and a small amount of Oystercatchers.  (did not locate the Marblled Godwit).  By the West End 2 lot I saw 2 Northern Harriers - one was right in front of me - tried to get a photo but my camera "acted up."  Always next time I guess.

Northern Harrier

Jones Beach West End

I had my son with me this morning so we took a ride down to Jones Beach West End since he's been telling me he wanted to go birding with me next time I got out.  It was too cold for us to walk around so we did our search from the car.  He enjoyed the Herring Gulls at the Fishing Pier lot and I got good looks at 2 American Pipits.  The Common Ground Dove had been reported on ABA but flushed before we got there.

Pipit

Early November to Mid November Updates

I haven't been birding much lately because of personal reasons so this post is a "summary" of all the days and locations that I've been to for the first half of November.  Sightings are mostly typical for this time of year - late fall migrants such as sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, Kinglets etc.  Waterfowl are beginning to show up in decent numbers - saw FOS Long Tailed Duck, Ring Billed Duck, Green Winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, American Wigeons and Hooded Mergansers.

Notable highlights include:
Common Ground Dove at Jones Beach West End (second time on LI according to ebird)
Rusty Blackbirds (3 at Massapequa Preserve, 2 at Mill Pond)
Cooper's Hawk at Massapequa Preserve
Eastern Screech Owl (grey) presumably continuing resident at Massapequa Preserve
Gannets in large numbers off Jones Beach *(common now, but personal favorite of mine)

Cooper's Hawk

Gannet

Eastern Screech Owl

Rusty Blackbird

Common Ground Dove - Jones Beach West End

Hermit Thrush - Massapequa Preserve