Swainson's Hawk, Brooklyn - notes

 There were reports of a Swainson's Hawk at the Recycling facility in Brooklyn where one was reported last year - I did not got to see it this time (yet) but have to assume it's the same one from last year.

Hempstead Lake State Park: Painted Bunting

 There were reports of a female Painted Bunting at HLSP yesterday - I went early in the morning where I met another birder who had just seen it, but had flown into the woods.  After a while, the Painted Bunting popped up briefly, but I wasn't able to get a photo (other birder blocking me)  This Painted Bunting was my 4th on Long Island (only saw them here on LI) and was described by another birder as the dullest birder he had ever seen.  Before I saw the bunting, I went on my own to look around and found about 30? White Throated Sparrows on the grass - I heard the Bunting was associating with sparrows so I spent my time scanning around but then had some loser dog walker unleash their dog so it could chase a squirrel.  He told me his dog likes to chase the squirrels, but I just said, oh great, thats fantastic - the guy didn't pick up on my sarcasm.  I tried looking for a Red Shouldered Hawk that was seen in the area the day before but no luck.  I did see a Great Blue Heron and immature Bald Eagle fly by.  I also saw Ring Necked Ducks, Geese, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, a bright male Cardinal and a Kingfisher that wasn't photo-cooperative.  Another birder spotted a pair of Common Mergansers fly overhead - I haven't seen those in a while.

Mill Pond/ Jones Beach Coast Guard Station

 I stopped by Mill Pond, Wantagh early today to try to find the continuing Common Gallinule.  I scanned the west side of the pond where it had been reported.  I didn't see it so as I was leaving I saw something odd walking on the island in the middle of the pond.  I put my bins on it and it was the Common Gallinule.  I had since matured a bit since I last saw it last year - the red shield was prominent.  Grew up to be a good looking bird.  There were also some Ring Necked Ducks (other ducks/ gulls/ birds also present).  Mill Pond seems to be good spot for them.  Towards the northeast corner of the pond I heard my "FOS" Red Winged Blackbirds calling - they're back and starting to set up their territories.  When I have a chance, I'll check out my local patches at Massapequa Preserve to see if they're also back by me.  I went by Jones Beach Coast Guard to try to find the Audubon Warbler etc - I didn't find it, but did see a Fox Sparrow in the hedgerow.  There were mostly lots of House Finches and "regular" type Yellow Rumped Warblers.  When I got home I heard a Cardinal calling.  Hopefully this means winter is leaving and spring will be back soon.

Jones Beach Field 10/ Coast Guard Station/ West End

 I went by Jones Beach in the morning to check out any continuing birds/ sightings.  I went to Field 10 where a Short Billed Dowitcher was reported yesterday but wasn't there today.  I saw some Black Bellied Plovers and a Dunlin on the rocks near the NE corner of the parking lot.  Across the channel, I saw 3 continuing Marbled Godwits - I saw them fairly well since it was bright and sunny out.  I headed over to the Coast Guard Station to try to find the continuing Audubon's Warbler and a Murre that was reported yesterday but didn't see/ find them.  I assume at this point the Western Tanager is either hiding a lot or not there any more.  I went around the west end road a few times and the parking lots hoping to see anything unusual or perhaps Snow Buntings which I have not seen yet this season.  I did see a flock of House Finches with one of the males having somewhat orange-ey coloring.

Massapequa Preserve/ Bethpage Trail/Massapequa

 I went to the preserve for a little while by the Pittsburtgh Ave entrance. I heard a Raven, but didn't see it at first (I later saw it on the way out and got a good look at its diamond shaped tail) A jogger approached some ducks and they scattered - I went up to them/ waved and they came up to me.  I stopped at the Bethpage Trail by the Plainview Animal Hospital since I was picking up my dog's regular meds.  I had always wanted to check that site out but left unimpressed.  Just saw a bunch of White Throated Sparrows and heard a hawk/ Blue Jay? in the distance.  Upon returning home, I saw a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker land in a neighbor's tree - haven't seen one in a while.