Kentucky Warbler!!!

 I have about four birds that I would consider my "nemesis" birds: Acadian Flycatcher, Connecticut Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo and Kentucky Warbler.  I've tried but struck out trying to see/ chase these birds on multiple occasions.  There was a Kentucky Warbler recently reported at Cunningham Park by Fresh Meadows, Queens but I wasn't able to go for it, plus the weather over the Memorial Day Weekend was cold and rainy.  The bird hadn't been reported on e-bird for a few days but I figured if there's any decent chance of seeing this bird, I should just go and try for it.  When I arrived at Cunningham Park I had no idea how to navigate myself to where the bird had been because the google map thing I was using wasn't working.  I drove around a little trying to find the spot and the best place to park.  I found a spot in the nearby neighborhood and crossed over a highway on a weedy pedestrian bridge to the general area where it was seen.  This area of the park was surprisingly woodsy and had lots of plants/ trees but also had narrow trails with poison ivy everywhere.  I had played the Kentucky Warbler call in the car earlier so I knew what to listen for.  I heard one bird with a call that I wasn't familiar with but it didn't sound like a Kentucky Warbler.  I walked around the curved paths in the park and basically gave up any chance I had to see the bird.  I was about to leave but gave it one last try and continued on the path when I heard a rather loud call that I thought was someone blasting a Kentucky Warbler song from a speaker.  When I realized I was alone I knew the chase was on for this bird.  I actually got so excited as I ran to where the bird was that I got light headed.  I was hearing the bird loud and clear at one spot and as I scanned with my bins I found the bird right out in the open perched on bare branches of a fallen tree.  I got the camera out to get some bad photos since it was cloudy and the area was very shaded.  As I was there, the bird was flying back and forth a bit.  I was able to get some better photos and at one point the bird flew closer to me, but I wasn't able to see it.  As I walked away it was nice to hear the bird still calling loudly.  I'm happy I finally got to see this bird (nemesis bird no more)  Hopefully I'll get lucky again soon and see some more lifers.  While I was there, I also saw Warbling Vireos, Black and White Warbler, male Redstarts, saw and heard a Wood Thrush, fledgling and nesting Robins.  Also saw my FOS Great Crested Flycatcher.

Notes from May

 I forgot the exact dates but around mid-May I was surprised to find a Blackburnian and then a Bay Breasted Warbler in the trees down the street from me.  I feel like I had better luck birding in my own neighborhood than at the preserve by my house.  I recently made a small trip to Calvert Park in Brooklyn with Snouty to try to see a continuing Western Grebe but we had bad luck that day because the bird must have decided to leave the night before. (grrr)  I expected to see a Western Grebe when I was in California so feel like a sore loser that I struck out again.

More Warblers for 2021

 I feel the need to count the types of warblers I've seen every year because some other birders might report just the numbers of warblers they've seen at a given outing.  I'm up to 14 now, with the addition of Redstart, Ovenbird, Magnolia and Chestnut Sided.  If I had to guess which is next, I would say Blackpoll.  Let's see.

Massapequa Preserve - not bad

 Before I left the house, I thought I heard a Blackpoll in my neighbor's tree but couldn't find it.  However I did see a Rose Breasted Grosbeak which is a first "yard bird" for me.  

Usually when I go to the Massapequa Preserve, I'm disappointed in the types/ numbers of birds I see, but I have to say, it's been very rewarding recently.  Today I saw my FOS Scarlett Tanager, lots of Yellow Warblers establishing their territories and 2 House Wrens getting angry at a Hairy? Woodpecker on their tree.  

Massapequa Preserve, more FOS Spring birds

 There seemed to be a good amount of male Redstarts and Barn Swallows at the preserve today (my FOS).  Also saw my FOS Warbling Vireo and Black Throated Blue and Black Throated Green Warblers.  A cooperative Catbird was around so I took his photo, why not?

Eastport: Wood Stork

 There has been a continuing Wood Stork at Beaverdam Creek near Westhampton.  I think I saw a Wood Stork briefly years ago as I was driving through the highway that cuts through the Everglades on the way to the Keys.  Since I wasn't 100% sure I had a lifer Wood Stork, I decided to make the hour trip to see this one.  I left around 5am and on the way another birder reported the Stork.  I pulled over on Montauk Highway and got good looks at it.  The photos aren't great because it was early and cloudy but at least I can safely say without any doubt that I have seen a Wood Stork.  After about 15 minutes, the stork flew south over the creek/ marsh.  I drove further down to try to relocate it but had to leave.  Interestingly, another birder reported the stork later where I briefly tried to look.  It was probably hiding in the phrags when I tried to relocate it.  Since it was still early when I got back to Massapequa, I stopped at the preserve where I saw my FOS Chestnut Sided Warbler.  

Massapequa Preserve

 Saw my FOS Overnbird and FOS Eastern Kingbird, 2 Magnolia Warblers - I think I heard a Blackpoll.  I'm fairly certain I've been hearing them in my neighbor's tree.  I'll try to confirm that ASAP.  (they seem to favor my neighbor's tree in the past)

Massapequa Preserve: Pileated Woodpecker?

 I went briefly to the preserve and saw my FOS Magnolia Warbler, Black Throated Blue and a Turkey Vulture.  Saw another bird that I couldn't 100% ID that might have been a Pileated Woodpecker.  Was about the same size and shape and white patches under it's wings.  I had to go to work so couldn't stay around to get better looks,

my Warbler list for 2021

 I know a lot of birders rack up a more impressive list in one trip, but here's a list of warblers I've seen so far this year: 
Yellow Rumped, Parula, Black Throated Green, Black Throated Blue, Yellow, Black and White, Worm Eating, Blue Winged, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Throated

a big ten, but it's only the beginning of May

Massapequa Preserve

 Stopped at the preserve but this time I went in the entrance by Jerusalem Avenue to change it up.  Saw and heard a couple Blue Winged Warblers, my FOS Black Throated Blue that flew right in front of me, FOS Common Yellowthroat and the biggest surprise was a Worm Eating Warbler that stopped and sang a little.

Massapequa Preserve and home

 Before taking my son to school I thought I heard a Parula (they have been around my house).  I couldn't find it but did see a Prairie Warbler in front of my neighbor's house.  I'll still include it on my growing yard list.  After dropping my son off at school, I went to the preserve (I'm trying to go in the morning for 15-20 min before work) Saw male and female Baltimore Orioles and a Nashville Warbler.  Later on in the day I saw a swallow sp, swift and Great Blue Heron flyover from my yard.

No Lawrence Warbler for me

 After striking out on the Kentucky Warbler, I figured the continuing Lawrence Warbler at Frank Melville Park was a sure thing.  Nope.  There were some other good birds so I wasn't too upset.  Saw Parulas, Yellow Rumped, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, Nashville Warbler, Black and White, Blue Winged Warbler, Black Throated Green (might be my favorite bird).  Some more notable sightings were Orchard Oriole and a surprise Rusty Blackbird.  

No Kentucky Warbler for me

 I got a call from Snouty that he found a Kentucky Warbler across from Maria Regina at Tackapausha.  I rushed over but we could not refind it.  I was ...not sure what the words are but it doesn't belong on my blog.  "Consolation prize" was my FOS sighting of a female Baltimore Oriole.