Massapequa Preserve: Yellow Throated Warbler

 There were reports the last couple of days of a Yellow Throated Warbler around the Pittsburgh Ave pond - I was lucky to refind it on the southeast corner of the pond on a branch right above the paved trail.  It disappeared into the woods and I couldn't relocate it.  It's a county first for me.  I also found a Brown Thrasher and noticed lots of Comorants migrating northeast.

Ketham's Creek, Amityville: Eurasian/ Green Winged Teal Hybrid

 I had some time before work this morning so I went back to Ketcham's Creek for a reported Eurasian/ Green Winged Teal that was probably only found because of the attention surrounding the Mottled Duck.  The Mottled Duck was not present when I went this morning but was lucky enough to find the hybrid teal - the white lateral line wasn't too dramatic but distinctive enough to make a proper ID.  On the way out, I heard but did not see a continuing White Eyed Vireo and some Monk Parakeets that set up nests on the light poles on Merrick Road.

Ketcham's Creek: Mottled Duck, yes

 There was a reported Mottled Duck earlier in the week at Ketcham's Creek, Amityville recently that was with a female Mallard.  After several attempts the weekend earlier etc I finally lucked out and saw it early Friday.  I had noticed some American Black Ducks/ Mallards that I thought had potential to be the Mottled Duck but when another birder put me on the target bird, it was obvious.  (it had just flown in)  It's not known where the Mottled Duck and the female Mallard go when they're not at the creek.  As of Easter weekend, the female Mallard was not seen but the Mottled was, so hopefully nothing bad happened to her***.  This is a lifer for me.

*** update, from late Monday, the female Mallard was reported with the Mottled Duck in the afternoon

Massapequa Preserve: Orange Crowned Warbler

 I had some time before work this week so went to the preserve just to get outside.  On Tuesday, I found an Orange Crowned Warbler by the Pittsburgh Ave pond.  I refound it again today but it flew into the woods.  I thought it sounded like a wren.  I also saw my FOS Yellow Warblers.

Pine Warblers

 When I dropped my son off at school, I noticed a couple of warblers singing in the tree at the school that I suspected were Pine Warblers - when I got back home I heard a warbler singing down the street and was able to see that it was a Pine Warbler before it flew into the preserve.

Seagulls

I started the day at Mill Pond where I found my target bird - the continuing Common Gallinule.  I had to walk around the entire pond/ lake but eventually found it.  I've seen it before but wanted to check it out again since I saw photos online showing it had more color.

There were reports of an odd gull at Old Field Point Lighthouse so I went with a friend to check it out.  We arrived at the scene and I separated myself from the other birders that were searching for it and I found the gull on the rocks that stuck out into the sound.  Later on I saw a continuing white Glaucous Gull and a few Lesser Black Backed Gulls.  Other birders saw an Iceland Gull but the vantage point at Old Field isn't birder friendly so couldn't see it.  The gull in question hasn't been confirmed as of yet.  The default would be Lesser Black Backed x Herring (Appledore) but a bunch of birders suggest it's the argentus subspecies AKA European Herring Gull.  The photo of the bird has been posted on FB pages North American Gulls and Western Paleartic Gulls and an almost equal amount of birders have said the gull is one or the other.  

We also tried looking for a continuing Shrike at North Fork Preserve but came up empty handed.

Common Gallinule

potential European Herring Gull

potential European Herring Gull

potential European Herring Gull

potential European Herring Gull

odd Herring Gull? also had yellowish legs

Glaucous Gull

Happy New Year

 Despite not traveling far for vacation and challenges from Covid, 2021 was a good year for me for birding.  I saw 10 lifers compared to only 2 from 2020.  I also saw definite looks at a Swallowtail Kite and Yellow Bellied Flycatcher which was nice also.  Looking forward to the new year and hopefully traveling somewhere new in another area for vacation.