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. 

 

Yard sparrows

 Heard some sparrows in the yard - looked out and saw 3 Juncos, 6 Chipping Sparrows and a Song Sparrow.

Massapequa Preserve

 I stopped by Massapequa Lake and saw one of the residing Bald Eagles in the distance and pair of Wigeon.   I also stopped by the Pittsburgh Ave entrance area - saw lots of Butterbutts as well a bird I couldn't ID/ get a photo of - was like a Field Sparrow/ Indigo Bunting female.

Connecticut Warbler, World Trade Center Memorial, NYC

 There was a report on Sept 18th of a Connecticut Warbler at the World Trade Center Memorial site.  Many of the photos posted on ebird and Twitter (Manhattan Bird Alert) showed the bird out in the open.  I was working in the city on Sept 19th and the bird was seen again.  I went with my coworker after work and we saw the bird after a short wait.  It would stay mostly in one clump of Boston Ivy and popped up into a nearby tree.  It remained hidden most of the time but occasionally came out to forage.  I didn't have my bins or camera so I didn't get to clearly seen the eyering but was close enough that I was able to get a few iphone shots and a quick video.  Connecticut Warbler was my "nemesis bird" for a long time.  I had made some quick trips in the past when it was reported but dipped each time - sometimes within 20 minutes of it being reported. (example HLSP, Bethpage Power line)  but finally saw it in NYC.