The weather has dropped a little over the last few days. I stepped outside and saw a flock of Cedar Waxwings and a Phoebe in my neighbors' yards. Between dropping my son off at school and work, I went to the preserve for a little while. Saw lots of Phoebes, Flickers, Cedar Waxwings. No sign of the Scarlett Tanagers. Also saw a bunch of Swamp Sparrows, a Black and White Warbler, female Redstart, few Common Yellowthroats, House Wren, Yellow Rumps, Red Eyed Vireos, and a "late" Warbling Vireo.
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Massapequa Preserve "Patch"
The temperature dropped a little today where the rest of the week will struggle to reach the lower 70's. When I went outside in the morning I heard some "new" bird calls that I couldn't figure out yet. Shortly after, another birder reported a Hooded Warbler at Marjorie Post in Massapequa but I didn't have time to look for it and make it back in time for work. I went to my new local patch at Massapequa Preserve by Pittsburgh Ave. I saw a Swamp Sparrow, Black and White Warblers, Phoebe, Yellow Rumps by the pond. Also saw a thrush - assuming Swaison's. Near the preserve entrance there's a tree with berries that continues to host numerous Robins, Red Eye Vireos, Baltimore Oriole and a bunch of Scarlett Tanagers!
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Nickerson Beach: Marbled Godwit
There was a continuing Marbled Godwit at Nickerson on the beach towards Lido Beach so I went and found it. Also saw lots of Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Great Black Gulls (ebird flagged 250 as exceptional) and a Warbling Vireo which is considered "late" on ebird.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Massapequa Patch
Saw and heard an unidentified flycatcher. I assumed it was a Yellow Bellied but my photo wasn't clear enough/ diagnostic for one, so I have to assume it was a Pewee. I did see lots of Red Eyed Vireos, more femal Scarlett Tanagers, a likely Swainson's Thrush and a Least Flycatcher.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Massapequa Preserve Patch
Saw 3 female Scarlett Tanagers and a Yellow Bellied Flycatcher!!!
At my house, 2 Cooper's? Hawks were trying to attack a bird in my front bushes. Also saw a female Redstart a block away from my house.
Friday, September 10, 2021
Migration tonight
I went outside a couple times tonight and heard lots of bird calling overhead as they migrate. Birdcast radar showing high activity.
During the day, I went to Massapequa Preserve and saw an Olive Sided Flycatcher.
Monday, September 6, 2021
Nickerson, HLSP, Robert Moses, Heckscher, Roseate Spoonbill Part 3
Took some time with Snouty to look for some of the rarities that have been around. Went to Nickerson where we found a continuing Baird's Sandpiper right on the beach. We also noticed lots of dead young Skimmers and terns. There was an adult tern that seemed to have a broken wing. We caught up with the Red-Winged Blackbird/ Cowbird flock that had a recent female Yellow Headed Blackbird mixed in but did not find it. We assume it's gone. At HLSP, it was mostly unproductive but did find a nice looking Magnolia Warbler and some Red Eye Vireos, and a Veery. I tried looking for flycatchers in the northern part by the houses but no luck there. We headed to Heckscher to look for shorebirds - bunch of other birders there. We saw a continuing Western Sandpipers, couple of White Rumped, and 3 Stilt Sandpipers. On the bay we saw a Royal Tern and some gulls picking up baitfish from the water. We headed over to Mill Neck where we saw the Spoonbill and I was able to get some decent photos of it after it flew from roosting in a tree on Beaver Lake to the other side of Cleft Road into the marsh. On the way there, Snouty saw a hawk that was "definitely not" a Red Tailed. His best guess was Ferruginous but we weren't able to confirm 100%.