Early Spring Migration

Just some notes from what I've been seeing recently, mostly FOS:
HLSP - 10 Rusty Blackbirds, Chipping Sparrows, Blue Headed Vireo, Yellow Throated Vireo, heard a Worm Eating Warbler, Northern Rough Wing Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallow

Glossy Ibis, Yellowlegs, Forster's Terns

Spring Migration: Hempstead Lake State Park

I went to HLSP to try to find a reported Worm Eating Warbler but only heard it.  Saw lots of swallow sp. and Chimney Swifts flying overhead, a pair of Great Horned Owl, and a Blue Headed Vireo.  My favorite bird of the day was my FOS Yellow Throated Vireo.

Lido Beach Preserve

There's been 3 reports of Prothonotary Warblers recently - one each in Brooklyn, Nassau and Queens.  I've seen one up close before in Jersey, but was in poor lighting and would have liked to get a decent photo.  A continuing one was reported again this morning in Lido Preserve so I headed over there ASAP.  I didn't have much time and wasn't finding the bird - no one else had seen it for about an hour, however I got lucky and saw it right before I was about to leave.  In the marsh I saw my FOS presumably Forster's Terns as well as a nice looking Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

King Eider

I've only seen a King Eider once before but was a female - got to see this male up close.  Beautiful bird.

King Eider

King Eider

King Eider

Boreal Chickadee

Lifer...very skittish compared to Black Capped Chickadees that were around.

Boreal Chickadee

Gray Jay

Lifer...after missing them twice before in the Adirondacks I was treated to great views of 5.  (groups of 3 and 2)

Gray Jay

Gray Jay

Spruce Grouse

Lifer bird...thought it would fly away but approached me and stuck around for some company.

Spruce Grouse