some rarities: Eurasian Wigeon, Rufous Hummingbird

 It was a drab day with impending rain so I made the best of it and went to Jones West End with Mike Z hoping to see the Red Crossbills again - nope, it was dead as can be there - not even siskins, just some goldfinches (and some kinglets).  I headed to Robert Moses where I didn't see anything either.  I decided to try to the north shore just for a change of pace.  I drove up to Sunken Meadow and stopped at Edgewood where I saw some Bluebirds and a Sharpie.  (I was hoping for siskins etc with all the pines)  Sunken Meadow had some sparrows by the dump area-  best bird I found was a Field Sparrow.  I went to Tung Ting pond in Centerport to look for a Eurasian Wigeon and GWF Goose reported on ebird.  I saw the wigeon and a nice male Canvasback (I was more impressed with the Canvasback) but no luck with the goose - I assumed it flew off with Canada Geese.  (it was ebirded the next day at Northport High School)  I saw a report of the continuing Rufous Hummingbird at Bayard which I thought was closed from their website, so went down to see it.

Jones Beach West End: Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins

 I went to Jones West End hoping to see an Evening Grosbeak that had been at the turnaround for a few days - didn't see it but another birder alerted me to some Red Crossbills that I overlooked.  Got some looks at them before they flew off - I think I saw 8 of them.  There were several flocks of goldfinches and Pine Siskins - hoping to see a Redpoll (one had been seen at Jones flying by recently).  I generally do not enjoy ID'ing birds in flight especially in flocks.