"I'm sharing my photos and stories of my bird watching adventures on Long Island. I also feature my sightings from around the USA and other countries when I travel. I hope you enjoy them." - Rob (from Massapequa)
There was a continuing Mountain Bluebird that "everyone" was taking photos of, so I drove to Heckscher Park in the morning and saw it. There were other birders that were camped out on the median and it was becoming a bit of a spectacle so I had enough and left just getting a few lousy photos. Another birder noted a Field Sparrow near the Bluebird.
I tried again for this rare warbler to our area. I had a hunch that it might pop up in "the weedy lot" so I focused most of my time there. After a long time I heard some chipping - I assumed the bird was around. The chipping soon increased into rapid chirps. I saw the bird running from a patch of plants and it ran under a pine tree. I tried to get 2 other birders on it that were checking by the parking lot, but could not find the bird again. Later on (same, next day?) a Townsend's Warbler was reported in the general area. The MacGillvray's Warbler was a lifer for me - nice way to end 2023.
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There has been a continuing MacGillivray's Warbler behind a rehab/ hospital in the west Bronx. It has been seen on a private residence next to the rehab facility sometimes under a toy Barbie truck. I tried to see it early morning before work but appeared only after I left - oh dam it. Would have been a lifer. Later in the day the facility security have been asking birders to leave because the residents have been complaining of the daily constant spectacle of birders with bins/ cameras etc always around their house - who can really blame them. The warbler has also been seen in a weedy lot on the other side that is visible through a chain link fence from a public sidewalk. I would have checked there also but didn't have time. Thinking I might have had seen the bird if I tried.
I drove by the preserve and saw lots of white birds on the lake next to Brady Park - I assumed swans but went back to make sure none were Snow Geese or anything else unusual. I went back and scanned the lake and counted 34 swans, but also found a Common Loon which is unusual for this location - I checked out the photos later and saw "something" by it's mouth - not sure if it was injured.
There were reports of a Tufted Duck seen from Cordwood Park in St James - I tried my luck there with some other birders who were already on the scene - one of them said she said it much earlier with good views, but since lost it. Another birder thought he might have seen it while I was there but could not reconfirm. I tried looking from another vantage point but didn't have luck there either. Later in the day, another birder reported it further away from where we were searching.
On my vacation day, I tried looking for anything on the north shore. I went to St John's Pond CSH, which was very "birdy". Also went to Uplands Farm, Oyster Bay (Theodore Roosevelt Park, Mill Pond, Mill Neck Creek). I looked for a continuing Pink Footed Goose that had originally been seen at Planting Fields that was around the properties by Horseshoe Road? by Shu Swamp - saw just Canada Geese. I went to Bayville Stehli Beach - saw random gulls and a Bald Eagle far out hunting over the sound. On a whim, I decided to check nearby Ransom Beach because years ago, a strange unidentified/ hybrid gull had been seen there. My instincts paid off and I found a second year Iceland Gull right over the railing by the parking lot. It was nice to find and report a bird on my own, rather than mooch off other birders' reports.
I went to Point Lookout/ Nickerson to try to find the Harlequin Ducks and Purple Sandpipers that are usually seen there. I saw 3 Harlequins by the inlet (2 males, 1 female) and what I believe were 2 Purple Sandpipers flying by the shore. I noted there were a good number of Red Throated Loons flying from the inlet to the ocean. There were several Black Bellied Plovers in the parking lot. I tried my luck at Massapqua Lake where I saw a bunch of Great Blue Herons on the island. I went into the preserve a little bit and photographed a camera-willing Robin.
There had been a continuing Western Tanager and Audubon's type Yellow Rumped Warbler. They have been seen at least up until Dec 27th. I saw them several times and was able to see and photograph both of them. There had also been a Snow Goose around Ocean/ Wantagh Parkway. One day, I also saw a Northen Pintail by the "pond" in front of the Ampitheater parking lot entrance. On a side note, I did a seawatch at Tobay Beach - only birds to note were Northern Gannets. ( I usually don't enjoy seawatches if it takes a long time to see more uncommon birds) I also finally visited the JFK Sanctuary trail and walked to the "pond" at the end of the trail. Was somewhat disappointing.
At Massapequa, saw a continuing Great Blue Heron - was in a tree and saw another one fly by. Also saw a Brown Creeper which is always a treat - a very common, but unusual bird. At Tackapausha, I saw a very vocal Winter Wren - never heard one sing before.
There was a long continuing Black Chinned Hummingbird at Randall's Island, NYC. It was the first time one had been sighted in New York State. (there was a second unconfirmed sighting at someone's residence a few days later) I had the chance to go see it before work so I took a different route and stopped at Randall's Island hoping to see a lifer. I didn't care for Randall's Island and found it difficult to navigate but eventually found the spot where the bird had been reported. I was discouraged at first but saw something fluttering and it was the target bird. It gave good looks and didn't seem scared at all. I was lucky to see the bird by myself and got a few photos and video of it. As I was leaving it flew up into a tree.
Went to the preserve by Pittsburgh Avenue briefly - not sure why, but they are widening the trails with a bulldozer. (destroying Yellow Warbler breeding areas) On the way out, I saw a nice looking White Throated Sparrow and several female type Purple Finches.
For some time, I have been pondering some sightings that I wasn't able to confirm. These were quick glimpses or the bird was too far for my to make a 100% definite identification. True to myself, I don't consider these definite sightings that I would consider for my "life list'. There's 3 that come to mind...when I was in Aruba, I saw a black bird with a thick tail in the distance. I thought I might have seen a possible Fork Tailed Flycatcher but more recently I believe I might have seen an Ani species. Also, in Aruba I saw a whitish heron like bird that was skinny and had its neck and legs out - I think it was likely a juvenile flamingo. The third "sighting" was off the BQE when I was commuting home. My first impression of the bird looked like a Great Crested Flycatcher with a long tail flailing in the wind. I considered the possibility of a Fork Tailed Flycatcher but I'll never know for sure.
There were reports of a continuing Western Kingbird at Nickerson Beach. I have seen them before both times on Long Island. One was in Smithtown (lifer) and there were 2 together at Jones Beach West end. I had some time before WFH today so went over to the pond at Nickerson and the bird flew into a tree as I arrived right in front of me. It went back and forth in the general area for the time I was there.
Heard some sparrows in the yard - looked out and saw 3 Juncos, 6 Chipping Sparrows and a Song Sparrow.
I stopped by Massapequa Lake and saw one of the residing Bald Eagles in the distance and pair of Wigeon. I also stopped by the Pittsburgh Ave entrance area - saw lots of Butterbutts as well a bird I couldn't ID/ get a photo of - was like a Field Sparrow/ Indigo Bunting female.
There was a report on Sept 18th of a Connecticut Warbler at the World Trade Center Memorial site. Many of the photos posted on ebird and Twitter (Manhattan Bird Alert) showed the bird out in the open. I was working in the city on Sept 19th and the bird was seen again. I went with my coworker after work and we saw the bird after a short wait. It would stay mostly in one clump of Boston Ivy and popped up into a nearby tree. It remained hidden most of the time but occasionally came out to forage. I didn't have my bins or camera so I didn't get to clearly seen the eyering but was close enough that I was able to get a few iphone shots and a quick video. Connecticut Warbler was my "nemesis bird" for a long time. I had made some quick trips in the past when it was reported but dipped each time - sometimes within 20 minutes of it being reported. (example HLSP, Bethpage Power line) but finally saw it in NYC.
There was a continuing Roseate Spoonbill at Hewlitt in a pond in a residential area for a long time. I tried several times to see it but always have missed it.
Went to preserve in the morning before work - saw Chestut Sided Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Red Eye Vireo, female Redstarts, Black and White Warbler and heard a Raven.
There was a report of an Acadian Flycatcher at Forest City Park earlier in the day, but when I went I did not refind it.
I went upstate and last minute decided to stop at Ironwood Road - there was a recent report of a Golden Winged Warbler near the "parking area" and I didn't bring tick/ bug spray so figured was worth a shot. On the way over, I saw 2 large bears casually crossing the road. When I got out of the car, I was attacked by lots of large flies that were swarming all around me. I actually ran back to the car and for some reson got the idea to get back out and move very slowly. I slowy shuffled around and wasn't really bothered by the flies again - I guess they're attracted to movement. I didn't go on the trail since I didn't have bug spray and was getting bit by mosquitoes so I just hung around by the entrance and in front of the apartment complex nearby. I saw a decent amount of birds including Chipping Sparrows, Indigo Bunting, Northern Waterthrush, possible Prairie Warbler (was definitely heard), heard Eastern Pewees, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Phoebes and saw what I best could determine were a few Cerulean Warblers. I posted the sounds I recorded on my iphone and other birders comnmented saying Cerulean Warbler, Yellow Throated Vireo and possible Parula. Not the best experience given the conditions (light was bad) would have been nice to clearly see a Cerulean Warbler but still nice to see birds that normally migrate through my area/ Long Island in their summer home.
Not sure if I'm making a big deal of it, but saw a Laughing Gull that was very bleached out - hardly any black color on it. It was on the "bathhouse" at Field 6 but took off before I could get a photo.
There had been a Curlew Sandpiper visiting the spit at the Jones Coast Guard Station for a few days, tried once but did not see it (was flying back and forth between the bay I guess) I got to see it today, very darkish plumage, nice to see. I had seen this bird 1 time before at Richard DeKorte Park in NJ but wasn't able to get photos since it was so far away. So it was nice to update my field guide/ check list from "S" to "P". There were also a nice variety of other shorebirds including Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin, Sanderlings and a very cooperative banded Piping Plover.
Tried a different area of the preserve that I normally visit - it's a trail on the west side, from around Euclid south to Clarke Ave. Worked very hard to see Cedar Waxwing, Magnolia Warbler (FOS) and heard a Bay Breasted Warbler.
While not considered "rare" I always feel treated when I see a Blackburnian Warbler. It was nice to see one at my local birding patch.
There was a report of a Smith's Longspur on the beach at Robert Moses. Luck was on my side and I was able to go and see it. I walked too far past the golf course and had to walk/ run back east for a long distance and met up with other birders who had just seen it. I thought I had seen it since it stood out but the other birders didn't notice it. I should have trusted my gut and looked closer. Eventually the bird moved and I got to see it (lifer).
My family and I don't have any plans to travel far this year for vacation so I'm more "desperate" for the chance to get more lifers locally whenever possible. Basically with a lot of luck I was able to go see a reported Smith's Longspur in breeding plumage at Robert Moses late in the day. I actually had the bird in view for a while but other birders who supposedly were monitoring the birds movements didn't pick it out (SMH) Looking back I should have trusted my instincts and focused on what stood out to me. Long story short, I was able to see the bird as it hurried around the sand grass on the dunes.
Visited the preserve for a while looking for anything new for the season/ rare. Saw Yellow Rumps, Parulas, Kingfisher, Black Throated Blue, Hummingbird and a "late" White Throated Sparrow. These were seen mostly near the New Hampshire Ave entrance area.
Was an odd sighting, saw a Solitary Sandpiper on the puddles near the Pittsburgh Ave entrance. Was put up but local exercise type people.
I briefly stopped at the preserve and heard a bird I couldn't identify - eventually saw it -was an Orange Crowned Warbler (by the Pittsburgh Ave entrance).
Went to Massapequa Preserve, saw my FOS Yellow Warblers. The preserve is a good spot for them where they breed here.
Went to the Coast Guard Station just because, didn't see much but saw a tagged/ wired Brant. Seemed a lot of equipment for a small goose to deal with. Later on, went to Lido, where I saw 3 Blue Winged Teals right up front (2 females, 1 male/ "drake").
I stopped by Lido Preserve looking for continuing Blue Winged Teals. I only saw one female but the first spot in the marsh by the parking lot.
There was a report of Great Comorants the day before at Jones Beach Field 10 - I saw some comorants in the distance but had to assume they were Double Crested. (the Great Comorant report was never confirmed) I did see some cooperative Ruddy Turnstones and saw my FOY Red Throated Loon that I wanted for my year list.
I went to Avon Pond later hoping to see American Wigeons for my year list - no luck, but did see Redheads and a surprise Snow Goose.
There were reports of a continuing Western Meadowlark at Bush Terminal Park and a Swainson's Hawk nearby down the street at a recycling station. Odd locations for both birds. I got to see both, but not really well. The Meadowlark flew by, landed in a tree backlit by the sun before disappearing into a off limits lot. The Swainson's Hawk was under the awning of the recycling plant. I normally don't like driving to Brooklyn, but had to get these lifers - everyone else did. Later on, I stopped by Mill Pond to find American Wigeons for my year list. I didn't see any but saw the continuing (adult) Common Gallinule.
Went to Disney with my family - we didn't have a rental car so all the birding I did was at the hotel, riding around in the hotel shuttle bus/ ubers, Disney and Epcot. Unfortunately, we all got sick from the trip : ( I was a bit disappointed since there were ebird reports of Vermillion Flycatchers and Whooping Cranes really close by. My consolation prize was seeing 2 lifer Limpkins at Disney. If one wasn't calling, I probably would have missed them. I also got to see an Anhingha up close by the hotel. Also got to see Wood Storks fly overhead at the hotel. List of birds I saw on the trip: Wood Storks, Palm Warblers (lots of them), Grackles (everywhere), Yellow Rumped Warblers, Yellow Throated Warbler!, Black/ Turkey Vultures, Crows, Comorants, Catbirds, Ring Billed Gulls, Sapsucker, White Ibis, Red Shouldered Hawk, Osprey, Mottled Duck?, Paula, Titmouse, Limpkins, Wood Ducks, Anhinghas, White Eyed Vireo, Tri Colored Heron, Purple Martins. I didn't get a great look but think I saw a Sandhill Crane by the airport and a hawk that I still can't identify. I was wondering if it was a dark morph Short Tailed Hawk or a Great Black Hawk. It appeared all black and had white flanks on it's tail. It was in the air and I was in an uber and didn't get great looks at it. Unfortunately, won't know for sure.
