Point Lookout, Massapequa Preserve

 I went to Point Lookout/ Nickerson to try to find the Harlequin Ducks and Purple Sandpipers that are usually seen there.  I saw 3 Harlequins by the inlet (2 males, 1 female) and what I believe were 2 Purple Sandpipers flying by the shore.  I noted there were a good number of Red Throated Loons flying from the inlet to the ocean.  There were several Black Bellied Plovers in the parking lot.  I tried my luck at Massapqua Lake where I saw a bunch of Great Blue Herons on the island.  I went into the preserve a little bit and photographed a camera-willing Robin.

Jones Beach Coast Guard: Western Tanager, Audubon's Warbler and others

 There had been a continuing Western Tanager and Audubon's type Yellow Rumped Warbler.  They have been seen at least up until Dec 27th.  I saw them several times and was able to see and photograph both of them.  There had also been a Snow Goose around Ocean/ Wantagh Parkway.  One day, I also saw a Northen Pintail by the "pond" in front of the Ampitheater parking lot entrance.  On a side note, I did a seawatch at Tobay Beach - only birds to note were Northern Gannets. ( I usually don't enjoy seawatches if it takes a long time to see more uncommon birds)  I also finally visited the JFK Sanctuary trail and walked to the "pond" at the end of the trail.  Was somewhat disappointing.

Massapequa and Tackapausha Preserves

 At Massapequa, saw a continuing Great Blue Heron - was in a tree and saw another one fly by. Also saw a Brown Creeper which is always a treat - a very common, but unusual bird.  At Tackapausha, I saw a very vocal Winter Wren - never heard one sing before.

Black Chinned Hummingbird: Randall's Island

 There was a long continuing Black Chinned Hummingbird at Randall's Island, NYC.  It was the first time one had been sighted in New York State. (there was a second unconfirmed sighting at someone's residence a few days later)  I had the chance to go see it before work so I took a different route and stopped at Randall's Island hoping to see a lifer.  I didn't care for Randall's Island and found it difficult to navigate but eventually found the spot where the bird had been reported.  I was discouraged at first but saw something fluttering and it was the target bird.  It gave good looks and didn't seem scared at all.  I was lucky to see the bird by myself and got a few photos and video of it.  As I was leaving it flew up into a tree.

Purple Finches, Massapequa Preserve

 Went to the preserve by Pittsburgh Avenue briefly - not sure why, but they are widening the trails with a bulldozer. (destroying Yellow Warbler breeding areas)  On the way out, I saw a nice looking White Throated Sparrow and several female type Purple Finches.

THE "MAYBE I SAW IT" SIGHTINGS

 For some time, I have been pondering some sightings that I wasn't able to confirm.  These were quick glimpses or the bird was too far for my to make a 100% definite identification.  True to myself, I don't consider these definite sightings that I would consider for my "life list'.  There's 3 that come to mind...when I was in Aruba, I saw a black bird with a thick tail in the distance.  I thought I might have seen a possible Fork Tailed Flycatcher but more recently I believe I might have seen an Ani species.  Also, in Aruba I saw a whitish heron like bird that was skinny and had its neck and legs out - I think it was likely a juvenile flamingo.  The third "sighting" was off the BQE when I was commuting home.  My first impression of the bird looked like a Great Crested Flycatcher with a long tail flailing in the wind.  I considered the possibility of a Fork Tailed Flycatcher but I'll never know for sure.

Western Kingbird, Nickerson Beach

 There were reports of a continuing Western Kingbird at Nickerson Beach.  I have seen them before both times on Long Island.  One was in Smithtown (lifer) and there were 2 together at Jones Beach West end.  I had some time before WFH today so went over to the pond at Nickerson and the bird flew into a tree as I arrived right in front of me.  It went back and forth in the general area for the time I was there.