"I'm sharing my photos and stories of my bird watching adventures on Long Island. I also feature my sightings from around the USA and other countries when I travel. I hope you enjoy them." - Rob (from Massapequa)
There were recent reports of Parasitic Jaegers by Robert Moses but time was a little short this morning so I tried a seawatch at TOBAY. There was a good amount of birds, but the highlight were several Wilson's Storm Petrels - they have been reported in decent amounts recently.
I went to Gardiner County Park after seeing reports of Virginia Rails - I was able to see a few and heard at least 4.
I saw a thrush type bird in my neighbor's pine tree across the street - assuming it was a Hermit Thrush or Veery.
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.
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 : )
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.
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.
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.
I stopped by the preserve - bird of the day were the Catbirds who were back in full force! (meow)
I think, but not sure I'm hearing a Baltimore Oriole in the neighbor's tree.
I came home early and finished working so I had some time in the evening. I took Stella for a walk and saw my FOS Chimney Swift.
I saw a Yellow Warbler that was singing in the preserve - Merlin App ID'd it as a Cardinal? Sometimes Merlin couldn't register anything even though the Yellow Warbler was 2 feet in front of me. I saw a Palm Warbler also. I tried going into Seaman's Neck Park but was locked, so went to Wantgh Park but the only highlight was a Snowy Egret.
Saw the Tufted Duck? The tuft was short but visible - was more visible when the wind picked up.
I stopped by the preserve before work - not much going on so I walked deeper into the woods and found more birds - I saw a Pine Warbler and a Red Breasted Nuthatch which I don't remember seeing in "my" preserve.
There was a continuing Goshawk at Jones Beach West End - since there wasn't much going on so I figured I would try for it - but didn't see it. I saw Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, Horned Larks in the dunes. The Horned Larks were singing a lot. I did see some Tree Swallows - not rare but they're back. Ospreys were back also.
Was driving on Merrick Road with my son - noticed a Great Egret at Tackapausha - first of the season for Long Island? Might be after checking e-bird.
My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy in August -Rome, Ichia? and Sorrento. Of course I'm planning on seeing lifers - hopefully a whole bunch. I told my wife to be prepared for me to look cringe cause I'll have my camera and bins on me the whole time. I'm hoping to see some T!ts : ) and a European Robin would be great, but looks like they might mostly migrate in the summer but some do stay around.
After getting hammered with snow recently, today was finally a nice break with warmer weather - the sky was clear and the birds seemed "happy" and were singing a lot - hearing cardinals, sparrows, grackles and possibly a Red Winged Blackbird. I was outside and saw what I assumed were 2 Red Tailed Hawks soaring to the south, but I noticed some white on the tail of one. I don't like to assume the ID of birds so I grabbed the bins and discovered that they were actually 2 Bald Eagles drifting north - I got some distant photos. Later on, I saw a Raven going by. I have been hearing/ seeing them regularly by me. They almost seem more common than Crows by me. There were also some gulls drifting high up in the sky. On a side note, I heard a Great Horned Owl in the evening from the preserve. I have been hearing them often enough lately.
