Happy New Year

 Despite not traveling far for vacation and challenges from Covid, 2021 was a good year for me for birding.  I saw 10 lifers compared to only 2 from 2020.  I also saw definite looks at a Swallowtail Kite and Yellow Bellied Flycatcher which was nice also.  Looking forward to the new year and hopefully traveling somewhere new in another area for vacation. 

Northern Shrike, Norman Levy Preserve

 There was a continuing Shrike and Red Shouldered Hawk that I tried to find the other day so I had some free time and went with Snouty to find it.  We lucked out and found the Shrike but not the Red Shouldered Hawk.  I only saw a Shrike once before and it was far away so it was nice to see this one up close.

Northern Lapwing!

 Word got out that a Northern Lapwing was seen at Santapogue Creek where the Long Billed Dowitchers winter.  Weird thing is I was thinking about Northern Lapwings a few days before.  I remember there were 2 seen years before at Montauk.  I drove as fast and safely as I could to the creek where other birders were and had seen it but it flew off to the nearby golf course after being harassed by a gull. (stupid gull)  I drove around a little around the golf course out of desparation to find it without luck.  I went back to the creek and was ready to give up but decided to try one last drive by the golf course.  Luckily I refound the Lapwing on the southeast corner of the golf course.  It was a really cool looking bird.

 

Common Gallinule, Mill Pond

 There has been a continuing Common Gallinule at Mill Pond in Bellmore that apparently returns each winter.  I went to look for it and got lucky - it was out in the open and now has more color on it's bill since last year.  I then drove to Nickerson to try for a continuing Glaucous Gull but didn't find it.  As a consolation prize I found a Snow Goose mixed in with some Canada Geese in a pond by the Jones Beach Amphitheater.

Two Lifer Tuesday

 I took the day off from work and I'm glad I did because I wasn't feeling well today, but not bad enough to chase a few potential life birds.  I took the drive to Staten Island for a continuing Gray Kingbird.  I chased this bird a few times in the past (Hecksher, Jones Beach) but missed both times.  When I got to Great Kills Park, I walked around a lot without any luck, but luckily as I was driving around I saw a few birders by the road who had the bird in their sight.  If it wasn't for them I would have missed the Kingbird since it wasn't moving and blended in with the branches.  On the way back, I stopped at Greenwood Cemetery for a continuing Henslow's Sparrow.  I had some trouble navigating around but finally found the area where it had been seen.  I walked up a hill on a hunch where another birder alerted me that I was about to step on the bird!  I circled around a small grassy area and couldn't believe how the sparrow was so low to the ground.  I got some good looks at it and left after a little while.  There was some drama about the bird because some birders were getting too close to it and seemed to be disrespectful of the grave stones.  While some birders seemed too close, it didn't seem to bother the sparrow - he even hopped on someone that was sitting on the ground  : )