Nassau County Turkey Vultures

Just a note that I saw 3 TV's while driving around today - 2 in Syosset and 1 in Hicksville/ Plainview....they're a'coming...

Jones Beach West End Ponds; Virginia Rail

I went with Snouty to the ponds where Virginia Rails and a Sora were reported.  He saw an adult rail with a baby  - by the time I looked, all I saw was a poof ball baby.  Disappointing for my lifer Virginia Rail.  We thought we saw the Sora also and took a few photos before it ran into the phrags.  When I looked at the photos when I got home, I realized it was actually a Virginia Rail...to be continued...

Jones Beach West End

I went to the ponds and the highlight was a Pectoral Sandpiper - at the Coast Guard Station I saw 3 Gull Billed Terns - one was an adult with a young one and other was a subadult.

Gull Billed Tern

Richard DeKorte Preserve, NJ, Jones Beach West End: Least Bittern

When I moved to Massapequa in 2012 I was just beginning to become aware of listserves and ABA where other birders posted their sightings.  I didn't know it at the time but there were breeding Least Bitterns at the preserve 2 blocks from my house so since that time Least Bitterns have been sort of a nemesis bird for me.  I found out that Richard DeKorte Preserve in NJ is a breeding them area so I took a chance and looked for them there.  Although I didn't get long looks at them, I did see four.  Also seen was a distant Ruff (most likely based on color and was reported same time I was there.

Later a search at the ponds at Jones Beach West End turned up the usual shorebirds and the continuing Pectoral Sandpiper.

Massapequa Preserve

I stopped by the preserve for a little while and walked in the woods near the Walker Street lot- saw a family of 4 Great Crested Flycatchers, a Red Eye Vireo, and a Hummingbird above the stream.

Jones Beach West End

I checked out the west end around the median and thought I was seeing/ hearing Acadian Flycatchers at first but they were Willow Flycatchers and I believe I saw 4 of them. (they were moving around a lot). I came back later in the morning to see what was in the ponds- there was a sandpiper that stood out from the rest because it was plumper and had a reddish tinge to it.  We thought it could be a Western but another birder said it was a White Rumped (from Whats This Bird). I saw the continuing Pectoral again so I was happy about that.  Not much going on at the Coast Guard area except Sanderlings and 4 continuing Black Scoters.

Jones Beach West End

There was a report by a NYC birder of a Pectoral Sandpiper and possible calling from a Least Bittern.  I checked out the ponds where the birds were reported and found a previously reported Stilt Sandpiper and finally located the Pectoral.  No sign of a Least Bittern.  Also saw Short Billed Dowitchers, the usual shorebirds as well as an unidentified flycatcher - have to assume it was a Willow even though an Acadian was also reported recently.

Pectoral Sandpiper

Stilt Sandpiper

Short Billed Dowitchers