some rarities: Eurasian Wigeon, Rufous Hummingbird

 It was a drab day with impending rain so I made the best of it and went to Jones West End with Mike Z hoping to see the Red Crossbills again - nope, it was dead as can be there - not even siskins, just some goldfinches (and some kinglets).  I headed to Robert Moses where I didn't see anything either.  I decided to try to the north shore just for a change of pace.  I drove up to Sunken Meadow and stopped at Edgewood where I saw some Bluebirds and a Sharpie.  (I was hoping for siskins etc with all the pines)  Sunken Meadow had some sparrows by the dump area-  best bird I found was a Field Sparrow.  I went to Tung Ting pond in Centerport to look for a Eurasian Wigeon and GWF Goose reported on ebird.  I saw the wigeon and a nice male Canvasback (I was more impressed with the Canvasback) but no luck with the goose - I assumed it flew off with Canada Geese.  (it was ebirded the next day at Northport High School)  I saw a report of the continuing Rufous Hummingbird at Bayard which I thought was closed from their website, so went down to see it.

Jones Beach West End: Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins

 I went to Jones West End hoping to see an Evening Grosbeak that had been at the turnaround for a few days - didn't see it but another birder alerted me to some Red Crossbills that I overlooked.  Got some looks at them before they flew off - I think I saw 8 of them.  There were several flocks of goldfinches and Pine Siskins - hoping to see a Redpoll (one had been seen at Jones flying by recently).  I generally do not enjoy ID'ing birds in flight especially in flocks.

Backyard Birds: Pine Siskins Part 2

 I went outside in my yard before work and saw a few flocks of Pine Siskins overhead - a few landed in my other neighbor's bushes (arborvitaes)  I'm guessing they'll stick around all winter?!?  Also saw one or 2 continuing parulas.  Very birdy morning.

Backyard birds: Pine Siskins!

I'm WFH and it's a nice day.  I stepped outside into the yard for a minute - good timing, had a flock of Pine Siskins land in my neighbor's bushes, guessing about 15-20.  I have a continuing Parula that my son nicknamed Pingus that was joined by another Parula in my crape myrtles.  Also had a Ruby Crowned Kinglet and some Goldfinches landed in the crape myrtles and on the ground.  Good yard birding all in a few minutes!

Long Island South Shore: Pine Siskins

 I was hearing reports of "thousands" of Pine Siskins around Long Island recently so decided to go for a drive even though our area was dealing with the aftermath wind and rain from a hurricane from the south.  Sure enough I was easily able to find lots of Pine Siskins by Jones Beach and Robert Moses - they were the most numerous bird of the day.  The Jones Beach Coast Guard also had lots of White Throated Sparrows, some Juncos and a White Crowned Sparrow.

Backyard Birds: Tennessee Warbler!

 I've been seeing more birds in my yard and was happy to see a Tennessee Warbler in my Crape Myrtles, it hung around for a few days.  I've only seen them twice before and only briefly so was a treat to see one up close for a long time.  I've been having a continuing Parula that my son named Pingus - it was joined later by another that he named Penny.  He's hoping that they'll "mate" and have babies in our yard now, but I had to explain that they just got married and have to go on their "honeymoon" in Mexico first.

Massapequa Lake: Fall migrants but no Connecticut Warbler : (

 There was a late report of a Connecticut Warbler by Massapequa Lake so I tried on Saturday and Sunday to find it.  It was either gone or hiding like they do, but I did see some other cool warblers.  Lots of Yellow Rumps, Black Throated Black Blues (male and female), Palm, (Snouty saw a late Yellow) Chesnut Sided, and Parulas.