Huntington Bay

Drove along Huntington Bay's East side - there were lots of Buffleheads feeding, Mallards and Canada Geese.  I spotted a group of Scaup - upon closer examination, determined they were Greater Scaup (also, Greater Scaup tend to favor the bays, while Lesser Scaup favor lakes.)  There was a decent sized group of American Wigeons further North up the bay.

Greater Scaup

Heckscher Park, Huntington

Took a quick look at Hecksher Pond while driving on Rte 25 and saw a flock of seagulls on the pond so I figured might be worth to take a look for a few minutes.  The seagulls consisted of Black Backed, Herring and Ring Billed.  I saw a group of drake hooded merganser scuffling with one another and a ring necked duck nearby.  Neither seemed to mind me being there so I was able to get some good close ups including three "ducks in a row".
I was coming back from Centerport where I noticed only one drake Canvasback with some Buffleheads on Centerport Pond.  There was a lot of activity on Mill Pond - I now realize that's where a larger group of Canvasbacks were reported by another bird watcher - will def check it out next time.

Hooded Mergansers "ducks in a row"

Hooded Merganser

Ring Necked Duck

Massapequa - Neighborhood Birding

Today I walked around my yard looking around to find any "local" activity.  The birds in the neighborhood were very active.

White Throated Sparrow

Blue Jays

White Breasted Nuthatch

Seagull

Massapequa Preserve

I stopped by the preserve today looking for the Eurasian Wigeons from last year - found one drake in the "Doris Place" pond today in the company of American Wigeons and a Northern Shoveler.  Saw and heard Carolina Wrens, heard Titmice and Flickers.

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian and American Wigeon

BACKYARD BIRDING - BIRD FEEDERS

Today was the first day of the season that I filled and hung up the bird feeders - will wait and see how long before the neighborhood birds take notice.  Last season the bird feeders attracted about 12 different species - hopefully more this winter.

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two bird feeders in the garden - kale, mums, rosemary

House Sparrow

Cardinal

Song Sparrow

Mourning Dove (one of a pair after being flushed)

The first birds that arrived were house sparrows that visited Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning - perhaps they remember the feeders from last year.  Last year it took at least a week to attract any birds.  The feeders have also attracted a cardinal, song sparrow and a pair of mourning doves by the following Sunday.
Update: December 20th + single American Goldfinch female
Update: December 25th + Blue Jay
(Song Sparrow seems to be a regular visitor - might be same one that hung around last winter)
Update: December 29th + White Throated Sparrow
                                       + Junco
                                       + Starling
Update: January 11th     + Chickadees
Update: January 18th     + Carolina Wren
Update: (recent)             + Brown Headed Cowbird
                                      + Red Winged Blackbird

Massapequa Preserve

I was looking for the Scaup that usually winter at Massapequa Lake - just found one, but was close to shore so I got a good shot.  Greater and Lesser Scaup are hard to tell apart from a distance - I'm confident this is a Lesser judging from the shape of the head and body plumage.  I was surprised to find a Catbird so late, but was very vocal feeding on the berries by the pond near Pittsburgh Avenue.

Lesser Scaup

Catbird

Snowy Owls in the Local News

Recent news about Snowy Owls being shot at JFK Airport - hopefully capture and release will work.  For pics and eBird report of my "lifer" Snowy Owl, please see December 4th post "Green Island" Wantagh