Setauket, Avalon Park, Stony Brook

I tried finding Bobwhites that were seen in Easport but all I found was a Kingfisher.  It seemed like today was a total loss so I went up to Mill Pond, Setauket to see a reported Eurasian Teal that had been there for a while - was worth it since I got close up looks at it - the only other time I saw one was at Centerport and was from a good distance away.  Since I was bent on finding Bobwhites I went to Avalon Preserve - didn't find any but I enjoyed the location a lot.  I was surprised to find roosting Comorants, 7 Wood Ducks, and a leucistic Robin.

Eurasian Teal

Green Winged Teal

Leucistic Robin

Jones Beach West End

Nothing new or rare but got good views of Dunlin, Sanderling, Harlequin Ducks and Gannets from the Jones Beach Inlet jetty.

Ringed Billed Gull

Gannets

Gannet

Dunlin, Sanderling flock

Oystercatcher

Dunlin, Sanderling flock

Dunlin, Sanderling flock

Dunlin

Harlequin Duck

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Uplands Farm Sanctuary, Muttontown Preserve: Barn Owl

Highlight of the day were Barn Owls in the nesting box at Big John's Pond.  I saw 2 Eastern Bluebirds a Uplands Farm Sanctuary and close up views of Chickadees at Muttontown Preserve.

Northern Shovelers

Barn Owl

Fish Crow

Chickadee

EPCAL, Alley Park Pond, Bayshore Marina

I started the day looking for Meadowlarks at EPCAL since I didn't see any the last time I went.  They seemed to be all over by the main entrance this time, but getting a photo was difficult especially with the on and off showers.  I tried to find a reported leucistic Robin by Alley Park, but couldn't find it.  Ending the day at Bayshore Marina I found my FOS Laughing Gulls - a whopping 16 of them.

Eastern Meadowlark

American Goldfinch

Fox Sparrow

Laughing Gull

Jones Beach West End

I was at the West End from 7:30-9:30am - highlight was a pair of Purple Finches in the hedgerow by the Coast Guard Station (male was singing)  Also saw the continuing Lark Sparrow, Tree and Field Sparrows, several Boat Tailed Grackles, Cowbirds, good views of Long Tailed Ducks, Horned Grebe and my FOS Osprey off Wantagh Parkway.

Purple Finch

Horned Grebe

Smith Point

Not much going on except "gulls" and Killdeer.

gull sp.

Killdeer

Brightwaters: Red Crested Pochard

Assuming it was a domestic duck, but after seeing one on Long Island Wildlife (Facebook) I headed over before sunset and saw it diving frequently.

Red Crested Pochard (female)

Oak Beach, Jones Beach, Sunken Meadow, Massapequa Preserve, EPCAL

There were reports of an Eared Grebe off Oak Beach in the bay - long story short, despite a lot of effort, I was unable to find it.  At Jones Beach Field 10 saw my FOS Oystercatchers as well as 2 more by the Coast Guard Station.  At the West End 2 lot I found a Kumlien's Iceland Gull in the West End 2 lot and a Bonaparte Gull over the bay.  In the dunes I found 2 Ipswich Savannah Sparrows.  Highlights at Massapequa Preserve was a "Golden Mallard" and Ruby Crowned Kinglet.  On the way to Sunken Meadow I saw 1 or 2 Common Ravens.  Some of the other birds I saw during the day were: Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Horned Grebe, Buffleheads, Red Breasted Merganser, Black Scoter, Grackles, Red Winged Blackbirds, Pintail, Wood Duck, Eastern Screech Owl, Tree Sparrows, Long Tailed Ducks and Black Bellied Plover.

  On the way to EPCAL I saw a juvenile Bald Eagle over a sod field.  At EPCAL, I saw a Kestrel chasing a Red Tailed Hawk, Harriers, Bluebirds, a Field Sparrow and 2 Short Eared Owls.

Field Sparrow

Savannah "Ipswich" Sparrows

Golden Mallard

Iceland Gull (Kumlien's)

Short Eared Owl

Jones Inlet, Massapequa

I was going to return to Oak Beach to look for the Eared Grebe again, but someone reported one by the jetty at Jones Inlet - I tried looking but didn't make it to the jetty.  Both loons were abundant as well as Long Tailed Ducks and Sanderlings.  Another birder pointed out what he believed was a Red Necked Grebe - it was a distant view across the inlet so I'm still undecided what it really was.  I saw a few Tree Swallows around.

At Massapequa's Brady Park the Robins were out and doing their thing.

Long Tailed Ducks