End of 2024: notes

 Some notes for the end of the year - I saw 10 life birds this past year - got photos of 9 of them - I wasn't able to get a focus or great look what I'm confident enough were Bahama Woodstars in Turks and Caicos.  Although I would have liked to seen more birds, I'm happy with the types of birds I saw - some were rare for New York such as the Flamingo (first in NYS?)  Some had been on my wish list such as the Smooth Billed Ani.  Some were hard to find such as the Bullock's Oriole but my patience and persistence did finally pay off.  I would have liked to go birding more and chased some more of the sightings that other birders reported but I did the best I could with the time I spent and some of the quick trips out of the house that I made.  I would have liked to have seen Manx Shearwaters  - I might have seen one but was too far distant off Robert Moses to call it - I would have also liked to have seen the Common Shelduck that was reported out by Montauk but I simply can't just drop everything I'm doing and go that far because of family obligations/ work.  I added some of the photos below that I didn't include in my posts.  It's hard for me to come up with the spare time to make a "complete" post sometimes.  Looking forward to whatever birds I might see in 2025 - hopefully a trip to another region/ country will happen.  I've been thinking recently that it would be cool to go to Europe/ England to see a European Gull and Robin?  - birds that are considered common there that would be life birds for me.  We'll see what happens in the coming year - I'm feeling positive about what new birds I might see - just never know what might pop up.  Happy New Year!

 

White Tailed Tropicbird

White Tailed Tropicbird

Thick Billed Vireo

Swainson's Warbler

Smooth Billed Ani

Sage Thrasher

Sage Thrasher

Sage Thrasher

Sage Thrasher

Red Headed Woodpecker

Lazuli Bunting

Bullock's Oriole

Nashville Warbler (random from Massapequa)

Bullock's Oriole

Antillean Nighthawk

FLAMINGO!

Harrisburg, PA

 My son had a Volleyball tournament in Harrisburg PA this past weekend - I didn't have much time for birding but always hopeful when visiting a new area.  There was a creek behind the hotel so I spent some time hoping to see Wilson's Snipe since the creel matched their habitat but only saw Song Sparrows, 2 Kingfishers, Robins and Cardinals.  I also saw some Chicakdees that I photographed hoping they were Carolina Chickadees but only upload BOC photos to Whats this Bird and seems they are Black Capped Chickadees at this point.  I might try uploading better photos when I have a chance.  Otherwise some some Red Tailed Hawks, crows, an unidentified hawk and presumably a juvenile Bald Eagle while driving around/ back home.  We saw some Turkey Vultures around - most were around a "mountain ridge" on the way back.

Sage Thrasher Part 2, Robert Moses, TOBAY Beach, Jones Beach West End

 I had some time before work this morning so headed out to Robert Moses to see if I can see the Sage Thrasher again - it was a little too easy compared to other people's reports - the bird was just sitting in the bushes with a birder right next to it in his car...pointing a camera at it showing me exactly where it was.  On a side note, the other birder had Jersey plates so I assumed he drove here just for the Sage Thrasher.  He seemed to be "camped out" there to get good looks/ photos.  I took a quick documentary shots knowing they wouldn't compare to quality of photos I took the first time. I didn't spend much time looking at the Sage Thrasher and walked to the wooden walkway that goes over the dune.  I did a brief seawatch and was pleasantly surprised by the number of birds over the ocean.  Lots of loons, some scoters (made out a White Winged Scoter in flight) and there was an impressive east to west movement of gulls.

I drove down Ocean Parkway heading towards Jones Beach since last week there were 3 Marbled Godwits at the Jones Coast Guard.  Along the way, I saw a couple of Great Egrets in the marsh.  I stopped at TOBAY Beach where I continued seawatching - there seemed to be less gulls, not sure if that was because they decreased in their flight or if it was related to the location.  I did see one peculiar gull that had a black back - it also had grey-ish legs.  It also had a softer type face.  I'm still not sure what it was so I have to assume if was a Lesser Black Backed Gull with something going on with the legs.

 I did a quick stop at Field 10 where the highlight was a Kingfisher and some Juncos.

As I got close to the Coast Guard area, I saw what I asusmed was a Cooper's Hawk perched.  There seemed to be some around  - one flew right in front of my car as I was driving, as well as some Northenr Harriers.  At the Jones Beach Coast Guard, the spit/ sandbar seemed very low/ not much showing until I got a better look and saw a bunch of sandpipers mixed in with Brants and Gulls.  I got out of the car and walked over to the edge of the upper deck.  I noticed some crows, which I assumed were Fish Crows - one was on the sandbar.  There were lots of Brant, Gulls and Dunlins! as well as several Oystercatchers, Black Bellied Plovers and some Red Breasted Mergansers close by.  I was hoping to see the Marbled Godwits since they're one of my favorite birds, but was still nice to see other sandpipers out in full force.

Sage Thrasher, Robert Moses State Park

 For a while now, there has been a Sage Thrasher on Long Island's south shore.  It was first seen at Smith Point some time ago, then disappeared and if it is the same one, reappeared at Robert Moses.  It seemed everyone else had seen it but me because I wasn't able to get over there some reason or another.  There were many reports that it would hide for hours and when it was visible, would either be out in the open on the ground or hiding in bushes (in the southwest corner of Field 5)  I had a little time Saturday - a quick chance to go see it so I took advantage and hopped in the car..  It had been reported earlier in the morning so I figured I had a good chance.  When I got there it was very windy and no other birder was on the scene.  I assumed I wouldn't be lucky but scanned the bushes with my bins only to find out the bird was right in front of me - eye level in the bushes.  I got a couple photos noting how much it resembles a Mockingbird.  After I got in the car to leave, it came out and was on the ground and didn't seem to care about the wind.  I got a few mote photos which I think came out very well because it was a little cloudy.  I saw another birder looking for it on the other side of the lot by dumpsters so I honked the horn a bunch of times to get his attention and pointed out the bird.  This was a lifebird for me - not the prettiest but still a rarity for Long Island.

Western Kingbird, Red Headed Woodpecker

 There were reports of a continuing Western Kingbird at the Jones West End turnaround so I went over and was aided by another birder, Mike V, who directed me to the bird - got decent looks at it.  Other birders were in the area looking for a Evening Grosbeak that was reported a day earlier but apparently was not refound.  Looking at the e-bird report from the day before it seemed to have flown out over the dunes.  I told a few of the birders looking for it about that.  There were also reports of a long continuing juvenile Red Headed Woodpecker at Sunken Meadow so I went over and found it quickly at it's spot by the bridge by the march/ parking lot.  I wasted some time checking for a likely Ash Throated Flycatcher that was reported the day before but didn't see it.  Although I saw some cool birds, it wasn't the big day I was hoping for.

Bullock's Oriole, Stillwell Woods, Syosset

 There were sightings of a Bullock's Oriole that I was initially skeptical of because I didn't know the original finder personally - I had assumed he saw a Baltimore Oriole in non-breeding plumage, but the finder noted the Bullock's was with a female Baltimore Oriole.  Other birders confirmed that they refound the Bullock's - I was very cranky because I didn't have an opportunity to go check it out until today.  I had about an hour window in the morning so rushed over where I found other birders who informed me I missed the Bullock's Oriole pop up a while ago but wasn't seen.  I didn't have much time so I searched frantically where the other birders weren't looking.  My strategy didn't work because the Oriole flew over a field and popped up another time when I wasn't around.  (curse words here)  I had to give up and go home.  Luckily I got another chance to go back later and seemed like the same story where the bird was seen before I got there but was "hiding" again.  There was a bunch of birders by "the tree" who said the oriole was last seen in some "wine glass?" berry shrubs about 10 feet away.  Most of the other birders then left and there only about 4 or 5 other birders lingering.  My only hope of seeing it was using some "technology methods" so I did and the Oriole popped up about 6 feet right in front of me - looked fantastic - could've got a front shot photo of it but went back into the shrubs.  After that the other birders and I had some half decent views of it as it was eating the berries.  This was a lifer for me - a good lesson that with birding persistence and patience (I'm not known for those qualities) sometimes pay off.

Massapequa Preserve: JUST SPARROWS!!!

 I had some time before work this morning so walked over the preserve "just to go birding".  I heard Yellow Rumped Warblers and saw some as well as a Ruby Crowned Kinglet but the nicest things I saw were a good amount of Swamp Sparrows by the "Doris Place Pond".  They were also vocal chirping to each other.  I also saw some White Throated Sparrows incluyding one that had a nice yellow lore?.  When I got home, I heard some Juncos in my yard.  I briefly saw some the other day, but still haven't got a good look at them yet in my yard.  They're always nice to see.  I'm considering buying bird seed like I did last winter - never know what might show up.

Jones Beach West End: Godwit no, Dickcissel yes

 I went to the Jones Coast Guard area early Sunday morning hoping to at least see the continuing Marbled Godwits that have been reported - no luck - only saw Oystercatchers, Black Bellied PLovers, Sanderlings? and my FOS Brants.  I did find a Red Breasted Nuthatch by the beginning of Fisherman's path  - there didn't seem too many of them last year. 

I went over to the Nature Center at West End 2 to try to find a continuing Dickcissel - upon arriving, I saw a small group of photographers camped out so went towards their direction but on the deck of the nature center.  I did see the Dickcissel fairly well from my vantage point - didn't get the best photos.  I did hear it "sing" a little which I think was my first time hearing one.  There was a new update around the nature center which featured native grasses and plants - I was actually impressed how nice it looked and how it attracted a variety of sparrows.  On the way out, I saw a Common Yellowthroat.

Hofstra University Bird Sanctuary: Northern Waterthrush, Chat

 My son is in Boy (not Cub) Scouts and was involved in a project where the scouts planted a native garden and installed bat/ bird and bee houses at the Hofstra University Bid Sanctuary.  I have to admit when I went to school there, they announced that they converted a sump into a "bird sanctuary".  It was still a sump when I went to school there however I have to say it paid off after time and was a pleasant surprise to visit there.  There's some wooden paths that lead you down to a wet area.  The amount and variety of birds were impressive.  There was a professor on hand who I talked to that had just sighted a downy woodpecker and invited me to check it out.  To me, they're a dime a dozen so I went down the path to look forward and was impressed right away.  I didn't see the woodpecker but did see goldfinches, phoebes, yellow rumped warblers, robins, house finches but the biggest surprises were a "late" Northern Waterthrush by the reeds and "pond" and a Chat! that was in the northwest corner eating berries.  I tried to get a photo of the Chat, but don't think I did (I have to go back and check my photos on the computer) but I did see it clearly a couple of times.  Good job Hofstra.

Massapequa Preserve, Robert Moses Seawatch (Manx?), Jones Beach Coast Guard

 I had some time to bird with Snouty but went through Massapequa Preserve first - didn't see much except Mallards including a domestic one.  We did some seawatching - I think we saw a Cory's Shearwater but can't be sure.  We did see a candidate that might have been a Manx Shearwater but can't 100% and don't want to confirm as a life bird.  There has been some recently and the bird flappped "differently" than other shearwaters.  We only got bad photos at a distance.  We headed over to the Coast Guard where we saw a continuing Black Headed Gull.

Manx???

Black Headed Gull

 

Massapequa Preserve

 I met Snouty at the preserve since it was nice and sunny - we tried looking in the "Connecticut Warbler spot" but had no luck - 2 groups of people with unleashed dogs didn't help.  Before he arrived, I saw an oriole and a thrush with spots on it's chest/ belly - presumably a Swainson's Thrush?  The rest of the time we saw Cedar Waxwings, Robins and Red Eye Vireos feeding on the berries at "the fruiting tree".

Massapequa Preserve

 I went to the preserve in the morning for a little while - it has been a year since 2 Connecticut Warblers (possibly 3) were seen at the preserve.  I did a decent search of the area but no luck.  (north side of the Pittsburgh Ave Pond.  I did see a group of around 7 or 8 Green Winged Teals that seemed skittish but the highlight was a Philly Vireo by the Pittusburgh Ave entrance near the "fruiting tree".  Later on at home, I saw a group of 5 ravens - this is the second time I saw them recently.  There's a larger one that flys off on it's own while the other 4 go there way.

Massapequa Preserve: Philly Vireo

 I had lost a lot of my recent notes so would have posted more sightings here recently.  Unfortunately in most cases, when I update my blog is a week+ after the sighting.  I was happy to find a notable bird on my own since I have been largely checking out ebird etc for rare bird sightings.  Neat the Pittsburgh Ave entrance at the preserve, there's a large tree with berries in the fall that attracts a lot of songbirds, mostly Robins, Catbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Scarlett Tanager, Red Eye Vireo etc.  When checking out the action I saw a thrush of some type (Swainson's?) in the mix but in the shrubby area to the right/ north of the tree I glimpsed a quick view of what I'm fairly certain was a Philly Vireo (saw the "eyeline" and yellowish front)  I also saw a Ruby Crowned Kinglet which more will follow.

Massapequa/ Home

 I saw 4 Ravens flying by my house moving towards the preserve - later on, I saw a single Raven.  I also saw a Red Tailed Hawk soaring overhead and what I presume was a Cooper's Hawk.

Massapequa/ home

 For the last 2 days, there has been a Common Yellowthroat in my crape myrtles feeding on the yellowjacks/ other bugs that are attracted to the flowers.

Massapequa Preserve

 I went to the preserve before work - highlight was a Veery that was in the "shrubs" next to the Pittsburgh Place pond.  They're weren't the Veery song that they're known for - it was more of a bunch of toots and tweets - similar to what I imagine they sound like when they migrate at night.

Massapequa Preserve

 Great day at the preserve!!! saw Redstarts, Black and White Warblers, 1 Yellow Warbler, Cedar Waxwings, Blackburnian, Cape May (was "dull" but saw the stripes on it's body, Nashville, Blue Headed Vireo, Pewee and 2 Wood Ducks.

home/ Massapequa

 After the preserve, I was feeling a little unsatisfied, so I spent some time on the patio in my yard - I was delighted to see at least 3 Hummingbirds flyover as well as a Baltimore Oriole that was in my neighbor's and my tree.

Massapequa Preserve

 There were a lot less birds/ warblers today but still "good" for Massapequa Preserve.  I was happy to see a male Redstart (been seeing LOTS of females/ immatures) I think I saw 2 Canada Warblers and a Nashville.....the birds have been bouncing around like crazy - hard to get photos.  There were a good amount of Great Crested Flycatchers - when I think about it, they're one of those birds that are overlooked because they're "common" and not appreciated by many birders because they're not rare - but that's my opinion.  On the way out, I saw a Cooper's Hawk

Massapequa Preserve, migration

 The last 2 days have been unsually cool for Long Island in August..but that has helped push through some early migrants.  I was working in the office yesterday and there was a lot of sightings so I took advantage this morning since I was WFH and went to the preserve before work.  It was hopping a lot with a lot of activity.  I saw swifts and swallows, Red Eyed and a Warbling Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher but the highlight was a lot of warblers: Magnolia, Black Throated Greens, Black and Whites, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, Chestnut Sided, female Redstarts, a Parula, a Blackburnian and a surprise Canada Warbler and 1 or 2 Blue Winged Warblers (11 warbler species)

Home, Cedar Waxwings

 I heard and saw a group of 4-5 Cedar Waxwings fly over by my house - while not rare or uncommon, they're always a nice surprise to see!

Massapequa Ravens

 Ravens are somewhat new for Long Island - these were somewhat recently considered rare here but are quite common now.  The other day I saw 4 flyover my house from the direction of the preserve.  Today, I heard weird noises that reminded me of a turkey - when I went out to investigate I found a HUGE Raven a couple blocks away that eventually landed on my neighbor's roof.  Was the largest Raven I ever remember seeing.

Backyard Feeder

 I put the rest of my bird seed out into the feeder and within a short time, had house sparrows, grackles, red winged blackbirds including a female, doves, house finches, cardinals, blue jays and a bonus chipmunk visit.  There were also 4 Ravens circling above - assuming not related to the feeder.  Later on, a bird seemed to approach me and didn't seem afraid - it was a female Cowbird that seemed to want something from me (from my anthropormorphic mind)  I put some water out but didn't seem to want it.  It followed me a little and then got some seeds from the feeder.  It stayed on one of the patio chairs and flew off by night time.  Nice little visitor.

Upstate New York, Sullivan County/ Great Swamp Preserve, New Jersey

 I went on a trip with my son upstate New York to check out the area and show him my grandparents old trailer house and mostly do general horseplay/ guy stuff.  We saw Turkey Vultures from the car on the drive up and stopped at Mongaup Reservoir aka "Forestburgh Lake".  We saw a Bald Eagle there and walked the trail going up to the dam to avoid ticks.  We didn't see many birds but heard a Pewee which is a bird special to me because I remember hearing them as a kid when I visited my grandparents house.  My attention changed to butterflies since we were seeing a lot and I know from a fellow birder's blog that I met that this time of year is "butterfly season" in Sullivan County and there was a group doing a survey of them.  On his blog, "Bashakill Birder" he noted there were some rare ones found, some that hadn't been seen in 20? years.  My son was intent on going to Ice Cave Mountains so we drove there next.  Along the way, I realized we were on Route 209 which is adjacent to Bashakill so we stopped briefly on Haven Road (my "go to" spot) there.  We saw Red Winged Blackbirds, heard a Marsh Wren, and heard some honking/ grunting which I assumed was a Virginia Rail but never came out in view.

My son was patient but was ready to move on so we proceeded to Ice Cave Mountains.  Well,,,,that was an experience...there are signs that it is a treacherous trail which I scoffed at but was later humbled by when trying to go through the trails in the caverns - it was also hot as *$*$* on top of the mountain and the fly were annoying.  I made the best of it, hoping to see a Barred Owl or Pileated Woodpecker but had no luck with them.  I saw Turkey Vultures from the mountain top and there was some Towhees calling.  We were also treated to a weasel sighting by the caverns - it posed and looked at me but my damn camera couldn't focus in time - would have been a great photo - I'm still pissed about it.  On the trail, I heard Pewees, chickadees, and some type of warbler but could not ID but sound/ and couldn't get a look.

Next stop on the way home was Great Swamp Preserve where I had always wanted to go - it seems to be a good spot for Barred Owls and Pileated Woodpeckers but we didn't see either.  The driving app took us to a back trail, but that was pleasant since it was a wooden boardwalk type trail that was in a shaded forest.  We were treated to hearing Wood Thrushes which my son never heard before.  We left that part and went to the visitor center, but wasn't excited too much by it. We did see Purple Martins however.  We were ready to leave to get home so we drove what I assumed was a road through the preserve but wasn't.  Only other bird we saw was a Great Blue Heron.

Turks and Caicos

 I went on a trip to Turks and Caicos with my family - my wife had always wanted to go to see the beautiful beaches there.  When we arrived at JFK I saw Laughing Gulls and the first bird I saw when I landed at the Turks airport was also a Laughing Gull.  When we drove to the hotel I saw a mockingbird that I was hoping was a Bahama Mockingbird but during the trip all I saw were Northern.  At the hotel I saw Gray Kingbirds which seemed to be everywhere during the trip.  At night, we saw a Yellow Crowned Night Heron having a drink from the pool.  On Sunday, my wife and I were parking the car at the side of the hotel and we saw a bunch of Smooth Billed Anis - I went back with my camera to get better than iphone pics - the side of the hotel seemed to be a good spot for them.  Around the hotel during our stay I saw Green Herons, Kestrels which seemed unusally common there, and Eurasian Collared Doves.  At the beach I saw Royal Terns and at least a few Least Terns.  Not sure if it was a tern or Sullid but saw some bird over the ocean that I assumed at the time was a Sullid/ Brown Booby but not 100% sure now.  Only gulls I saw during the trip were Laughing Gulls.  White Crowned Pigeons occasionally flew past the hotel.  Right before sunset at dusk I saw 2 Antillean Nighthawks fly by which was a nice surprise.

At night, we went to a restaurant Mango Reef which has seating on a dock.  A Yellow Crowned Night Heron was walking around and we fed it some meat and seafood (he did not like/ want bread)  My son fed him by hand.  He became our dinner buddy and we nicknamed him "Teddy".

On Monday morning, I met another birder who we saw some of the Anis with.  He was from Pennsylvania and recommended going to Bird Rock Trail for birding.  I had hoped to go to the nearby golf course for birding since there were some good ebird reports but seemed to be off limits which he agreed.

Later that day, my family and I took a boat to Iguana Island.  Along the way I saw what I assumed was a Great Blue Heron but not 100% sure now since there doesn't seem to be summer ebird reports.  Part of me is hoping I saw a Reddish Egret but have to assume I didn't.  On the way to Iguana Island I saw Laughing Gulls and Royal Terns.  After landing my family and I saw lots of Rock Iguanas which are endemic and endangered.  I also saw a Wilson's Plover and it's baby, as well as an Oystercatcher.

Next morning, I planned on birding at Bird Rock Trail  -I looked out the window of the hotel and saw a Green Heron hunting outside in the shrubs - I took that as a good sign for the day.  I drove a short distance to Bird Rock Trail - when I got out I heard and briefly saw a vireo - wasn't sure if it was Black Whiskered or Thick Billed but then a confiding Thick Billed Vireo landed right in front of me (literally) and I was able to get good photos of my life bird.  I saw a small thing fly by which I assumed was a hummingbird (assuming Bahama Woodstar by default)  I also assumed that during the time on the trail, that I missed some life birds - I heard some, but did not see them and wasn't able to ID them by sound.  The Merlin App I downloaded and updated with the Caribbean bird "file" totally failed me.  When I got to the marshy section I saw some fish in the water and a red land type crab.  I saw a Tri-colored Heron, not the Reddish Egret I was hoping for.  The trail wasn't pleasant  - lots of random rocks so you have to pay attention, but wasn't too bad either.  When I got to the end of the trail, there was a nice view of the sea and I could see the rusted shipwreck in the distance that is advertised as a tourist attraction.  I saw a couple of pelicans and laughing gulls.  I gave up on seeing tropic-birds but as I was leaving I heard an "odd tern call" and sure enough got to see 2 White Tailed Tropicbirds within a short distance sometimes. On the way back down, I saw a Willet, Bananaquits, and heard a bird I assumed was a Yellow Warbler. I also saw the tropicbirds again flying over the cliff.  I heard vireos all around as I got to my car.  I drove around the area hoping to find one of my trip wish birds, the Cuban Crow but didn't have any luck.  I did find a ditch type pond that had 2 Black Necked Stilts in it.  On my last day I went around the hotel property hoping to see Anis as a goodbye ending but just saw and heard Grey Kingbirds and a Eurasian Collared Dove.

In summary, I was happy to get 4 or 5 lifers depending on whether I count the brief assumed sightings of Bahama Woodstar, but was also very disappointed.  Most of the websites about birding Turks and Caicos seem to hype it up too much.  The birds seem very scarce on the island - not sure why.  If I got in my back yard in Massapequa, I can see more species of birds in 30 minutes than I did in the 5 days in Turks - I guess I should consider myself lucky.  I was also comparing my birding in Turks and Caicos to Aruba and Aruba is definitely a better bird watching location.  Life birds were Smooth Billed Anis, Antillean Nighthawk, Thick Billed Vireo, White Tailed Tropicbird and assuming I saw Bahama Woodstars.

 

Antillean Nighthawk