Massapequa, yard, thrush

 I saw a thrush type bird in my neighbor's pine tree across the street - assuming it was a Hermit Thrush or Veery.

Massapequa Preserve, Seamans' Neck Park, Tackapausha

 The LIRR is no longer on strike so this is my last WFH day for a while.  I got a little extra early than I normally would - I went to the preserve first at my usual "patch" by Pittsburgh Ave hoping for some warblers. Not much luck with anything unexpected but did see a Coopers Hawk and good views of a Red Eye Vireo.  As I was leaving, I heard what sure sounded like a Willet but time was short so I didn't go back towards the pond to look for it. I was kinda bummed out since I "always find something" interesting at the preserve and right about when I was about to leave I saw a perched Turkey Vulture!  I took a shortcut where I went past Tackapausha pond - not much going on but saw a mom Mallard with some babies.  I was happy to arrive at Seaman's Neck Park where I heard some shorebirds upon my arrival.  It was a good visit since I saw a nice variety of shorebirds - most if not all that you would expect at the Jones Beach Coast Guard sandbar/ spit.  I was happy to see 2 Short Billed Dowitchers in the marsh somewhat close to me.  I also saw a Clapper Rail that seems to favor the cut near the edge of the marsh, Semi palmated Plovers, some Dunlin including one that was near me that I enjoyed looking at.  I saw a crow divebombing a Willet which was weird.  At first I thought I saw a Tri-colred Heron but turned out to be a Little Blue Heron but I'll take that too.

Massapequa Preserve - Red Eyed Vireos!

 I work from home today since the LIRR is on strike today (won't get into that) I went to the preserve for a while before work - not much with warblers - only saw the resident Yellow Warblers and a Black and White Warbler.  I was hoping to see a Red Eyed Vireos because last summer I think I went the whole summer without seeing one.  I used the Merlin App and it was continuously picking up it's singing.  I finally got to see one after a search.  I had realized that I have been hearing them for a while and dismissing them as Robins : )

Connecticut; Storrs, Glossy Ibis

 I was picking up my daughter from college so I checked out the rare bird alert for CT. There were reports of a Swainson's Warbler at least but I noticed a report of a Glossy Ibis right by my daughter's college UCONN. Before I picked her up, I looked for the Ibis and foudn it rather quickly - there were some geese and presumably Yellowlegs around it.  On the drive back, I believe I saw a Red Shouldered Hawk and saw 2 Black Vultures circling above one of the highways.

Massapequa house and preserve

 I worked from home today so had some time in the morning to go to the preserve.  Before I got up I heard a Baltimore Oriole calling so I knew some new birds had arrived.  I love hearing the orioles around my house.  I took my bike to the preserve, hoping to see some new warblers.  I only saw Yellow Warblers, but did get my first (bad) photo of a Baltimore Oriole.  When I got home, I was treated to my first yard Blue Eye Vireo!  Later on, I mailed a birthday card to my brother, I heard and saw a Baltimore Oriole in my neighbor's tree - I think the oriole has been around a few days.  Hoping some new arrivals arrive soon. 

Jones Beach West End, Lido Preserve, Nickerson, Camaan's Pond, Seaman's Neck Park: Tufted Duck, Clapper Rail

 I got up early hoping to do some birding since I haven't done much recently.  I got to Jones Beach Coast Guard station - not much there but did see Brant eating grass on the median, getting ready to migrate north soon.  I went to Lido, hoping to see FOS Glossy Ibis but was gross and cold there - I only saw some Yellowlegs and my FOS Tree Swallows.  Not much at Nickerson.  I stopped by Camaan's Pond where I got unsatisfying looks and photos of the Tufted Duck - I was hoping the tuft had grown but not really.  I was very disappointed with my morning so I stopped by Seaman's Neck Park.  I felt a little better since I saw my FOS Willets, and some Oystercatchers flying by and calling cheered me up.  I did hear Clapper Rails so I looked around and saw one coming towards me in a ditch/ cut.  Eventually he turned a corner and was out of sight, but I did manage a few good pics.  There were a lot of Brant in the fields also - getting ready for the migration soon.

Massapequa Preserve - Catbirds are back!

 I stopped by the preserve - bird of the day were the Catbirds who were back in full force! (meow)