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.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Friday, November 17, 2023
Purple Finches, Massapequa Preserve
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.
Friday, November 10, 2023
THE "MAYBE I SAW IT" SIGHTINGS
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.
Western Kingbird, Nickerson Beach
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.