Robert Moses State Park

I met Snouty at Robert Moses after he successfully saw the Lark Bunting earlier in the morning.  I didn't see it again but did photograph a Wilson's Warbler. (first photo for me)

Wilson's Warbler

Robert Moses State Park: Lark Bunting

Reported earlier in the day, this was the kind of thing I needed from my disenchantment from not seeing any lifers recently.  I refound the bird and it popped up a couple of times by the Field 2 volleyball area.  It was chased a couple of times by Song Sparrows - the white wing patches were obvious in flight.  I also went to the Jones Beach Coast Guard to look for a continuing Whimbrel but I didn't see it although I probably could've tried harder but the winds were too much for me.

Lark Bunting

Jones Beach Field 6, Alley Pond Park

Around this time I went to Alley Pond Park to chase a report of a Connecticut Warbler but did not find it.  At Jones Beach Field 6 I saw a group of terns that had about 6 Black Terns in it.  A Royal Tern was also on the beach.  Most of the beach was flooded from a storm over the ocean.

Black Tern (upper right)

Massapequa Preserve

Lots of activity but was mostly limited to Robins, Blue Jays and Catbirds.  Highlights were a female Scarlett Tanager, a Black and White Warbler, a female Redstart and a Great Blue Heron.

Jones Beach West End

Went back to Jones Beach West End - similar to yesterday but also saw a Black Throated Blue Warbler.

Jones Beach West End

Most of the West End was dead - might be because some raptors are back: Merlin, a Kestrel and a Harrier.  There was one spot that had a lot of activity - was the poplars? to the west of the Coast Guard Station entrance.  I saw about 10 Cape May Warblers and lots of female Redstarts.  Also saw some Pewees and at least 1 Phoebe.  On the Coast Guard sandbar there were lots of Red Knots, Sanderings, Oystercatchers and several Dowitchers.

Cape May Warbler

Jamaica Bay East Pond, Hempstead Lake State Park: Yellow Bellied Flycatcher

Went with Snouty to the East Pond - as soon as we got out at the parking lot we saw a Least Flycatcher and Worm Eating Warbler.  At the pond, we saw a Caspian Tern, Blue Winged Teal, Laughing Gull and sandpipers. 

We looked around Hempstead Lake State Park for flycatchers and Snouty found and photographed one that was ID'd as a Yellow Bellied Flycatcher (lifer!)