Gulls at Florence Beach, Massapequa

 The parking lot at Florence Beach aka Philip B. Healey Beach? is always a good spot to find gulls.  I saw my FOS Laughing Gulls as well as a Ringed Billed Gull with a weird deformed beak.

Massapequa Home Feeder

 I have been filling the feeder lately - was rainy today but had maybe that helped with a good turn out at the feeder.  first time I've seen Red Winged Blackbirds at my feeder, along with Grackles including a female?, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Song Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, House Sparrows, and House Finches.  (also a bunny) Nice to see a variety in my own backyard.

Massapequa: Pine Warbler? White Throated Sparrows

 MIGHT have heard a Pine Warbler near my house

I stopped by the preserve also - lots of White Throated Sparrows seemed like they were everywhere.  I always like looking at bright colored ones - however this time I was treated to one that had a beige tinge to it - very cool.

White Throated Sparrow that was posing for me

White Throated Sparrow with beige tinge

some notes about spring migration in March

 Mot birders consider March to be the dullest/ most uneventful month to go birding..even though we have a Painted Bunting still at HLSP and a Western Grebe continues between Staten Island and New Jersey (would be a lifer for me - might be my new nemesis bird)  Although there aren't pretty warblers and colorful birds migrating through now, it doesn't mean that it's not exciting - Grackles coming back in big flocks, Redwinged Blackbirds back staking out territories, Osprey and Laughing Gulls come back, Robins come out from the woods and are seen on lawns.  I have to say there isn't a lack of activity  - it's just a lot of more common birds are around now.

Massapequa/ Preserve

 Early this morning before work, I had some time so checked out the "pond" by the LIRR/ Massapequa Fire Dept.  I heard a woodpecker that sounded like it was in a utility canister - weird.  It's a good spot for Green Winged Teal and sure enough I saw 3 of them.  I stopped by the lake by Brady Park  - saw an older couple feeding the swans - the guy was asking me to use my bins to check if one of the swans had fishing line wrapped on it's leg - I didn't see it and he was bothering me so I had to leave.  I saw a Great Horned Owl on the way out - I assume the mom who had 2 babies last year.  I stopped by the pond by Pittsburgh Ave - lots of dog waste around - gross.

Jones Beach Field 10/ West End

 I went by Jones Beach to try to find a couple of Snow Geese, but didn't have any luck.  I did catch a glimpse of my FOS Phoebe in the median.  I scanned the water by the Coast Guard Station for a Horned Grebe that was reported yesterday, but didn't see it - I did see a Surf Scoter which is not rare, but still a nice surprise.  Someone had apparently left some bird seed or something in the parking lot recently which attracted a bunch of sparrows, red winged blackbirds and cowbirds.  I went to the platform viewing area that overlooks the "J" Pond - I saw a couple of Killdeer on the dunes and a good amount of Gannets over the ocean - they always seem like they're over the beach from this vantage point.  

After leaving the traffic circle on Ocean Parkway and heading north on Wantagh Pkwy, I saw my FOS Osprey on an old nest by the bay.

some notes from around home

 Just some notes that there has been a Red Tailed Hawk in my area - seems to scan the neighborhood and then lands in the preserve close to Parkside Blvd/ Commonwealth.   I also saw a Redwinged Blackbird at my feeder the other day - first for my feeder.

Jones Beach Field 10: Short Billed Dowitchers, TOBAY Beach

 I went to Jones Beach Field 10 before work this morning to try to find 2 continuing Short Billed Dowitchers - after a little while and some searching I found them.  I got a couple of photos from some distance, but didn't move closer so I wouldn't disturb them.  (don't want to mess with them just for the sake of a photo) I scanned the area for any Godwits/ gulls etc anything unusual.  I drove to TOBAY Beach with the hopes of seeing some Razorbills but didnt see any.  Saw Long Tailed Ducks and guesing a flyby Scoter.