Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The New York Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 10:53 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Richardsons Owl

02 Sep Baird's, Buff-breasted and jeager [Sy Schiff ] 2 Sep Central Park, NYC 8/29-31, & 9/1 [Tom Fiore ] 02 Sep Re: Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st [] 01 Sep Re: Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st [Jim Osterlund ] 01 Sep COMMON NIGHTHAWKS [] 01 Sep Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st [Carl Starace ] 1 Sep Buff-breasted Sandpipers, West End (Nassau) ["Douglas Futuyma" ] 1 Sep hawk-watch volunteer help, Hook Mt. in Rockland Co., NY [Tom Fiore ] 31 Aug Little Blue Heron Inland (sort of) ["Steve Walter" ] 31 Aug 2 BUFF-BREASTEED SANDPIPERS AT FLOYD BENNET FILED [Isaac Grant ] 31 Aug RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! [Mardi Dickinson ] 31 Aug Fall Hawkwatching Resource ["Daena Ford" ] 31 Aug Buff-breasted and Baird's @ Floyd Bennett Field... [] 31 Aug common nighthawks & sharpies [Andrew Block ] 31 Aug Cupsogue Flats, Westhampton Dunes,L.I. ,Tuesday, August 31st [Carl Starace ] 31 Aug RE: Baird's Birds at Jones Beach [Shaibal Mitra ] 30 Aug Canada Goose Hunting season begins Sept 1st ["Richard Guthrie" ] 30 Aug Canada Goose Hunting season begins Sept 1st ["Richard Guthrie" ] 30 Aug Baird's Birds at Jones Beach ["Steve Walter" ] 30 Aug Kingston Great Egrets [susan joseph ] 30 Aug Kingston Great Egrets [susan joseph ] 30 Aug Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 30 Aug Montezuma Glossy Ibis - Yes ["Mickey Scilingo" ] 30 Aug Montezuma Glossy Ibis - Yes ["Mickey Scilingo" ] 30 Aug Shorebirding-Floyd Bennett and Jamaica Bay [Sy Schiff ] 30 Aug Color banded American Oystercatchers [Sean Murphy ] 30 Aug ADMIN: Shorthand Messages ["Chris Tessaglia-Hymes" ] 30 Aug Baird's Sandpiper-YES [Rob Jett ] 29 Aug nighthawks wading river [] 29 Aug 6 Golden Plovers on Skinner Lane [Beverly Robertson ] 29 Aug 8/29- Brooklyn & Queens Baird's Sandpipers [] 29 Aug Shorebirds at Montezuma NWR ["Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" ] 29 Aug Shorebirds at Montezuma NWR ["Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" ] 29 Aug MNSA Avocet- Yes ["Michael Farina" ] 29 Aug Saturday Morning Flight at Fire Island [Shaibal Mitra ] 29 Aug Red-breasted Nuthatches (and Bar-tailed Godwit in Mass. 8/28) [Tom Fiore ] 28 Aug Central Park - Migrants & Japanese Quail 8/28 [Sam Stuart ] 28 Aug NYC Area RBA: 27 August 2010 [Ben Cacace ] 28 Aug Baird's Sandpiper @ Floyd Bennett Field (Yes)... [Andrew Baksh ] 28 Aug Baird's Sandpipers at Jamaica Bay [Philip Corbett ] 28 Aug Central Park, NYC 8/28 (& Staten island, p.m.) [Tom Fiore ] 28 Aug Prospect Park warblers and other songbirds [Rob Jett ] 28 Aug Montauk Birding [Karen Rubinstein ] 28 Aug NYBG & Bronx River Pathway birds [Andrew Block ] 28 Aug Red-breasted Nuthatch- Aug. 28 [] 28 Aug Correction of last post ["ROBERT ADAMO" ] 28 Aug Fw: Cupsogue Co. Pk., Suffolk Co. ["ROBERT ADAMO" ] 27 Aug 17 warblers at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NYC, 8/27 [Tom Fiore ] 27 Aug Re:Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010 [Tom Fiore ] 27 Aug Nighthawks [Jim Clinton ] 27 Aug Re:Common Nighthawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 8/25 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 27 Aug Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010 ["Harry Maas" ] 27 Aug MNSA Avocet - yes ["Michael Farina" ] 27 Aug West End/Jones Beach This Morning (Nassau County) [Ken Feustel ] 27 Aug Central Park, NYC 8/27 [Tom Fiore ] 26 Aug Baird's Sandpiper at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn [Sam Stuart ] 26 Aug Central Park, NYC 8/24-26 [Tom Fiore ] 26 Aug Jamaica Bay WR and Oceanside MNSA (Queens & Nassau Counties) [Ken Feustel ] 26 Aug Grasshopper Sparrow, Central Park, NYC 8/26 [Tom Fiore ] 26 Aug Re: extralimital pelagic photo'd: Procellaria petrel off Maine [Susan Herbst ] 25 Aug extralimital pelagic photo'd: Procellaria petrel off Maine [Tom Fiore ] 25 Aug Common Nighthawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 8/25 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 25 Aug common nighthawks [] 25 Aug Jones Beach West End [] 25 Aug MNSA Avocet -Yes ["Michael Farina" ] 25 Aug Hummingbirds - somewhat off topic [] 24 Aug very small and very big birds (migrating) [Tom Fiore ] 24 Aug first hummer [Andrew Block ] 21 Aug Eagle-on-Hudson ["Barry or Rita Freed" ] 24 Aug MNSA Avocet -Yes ["Michael Farina" ] 24 Aug Common Nighthawks [] 23 Aug Central Park, NYC 8/23 [Tom Fiore ] 23 Aug Alley Pond Park, Queens inc GWWA [] 23 Aug Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 23 Aug CVWO Kiptopeke Challenge - Call for Teams [] 23 Aug Robert Moses State Park (Suffolk Co.) and West End/Jones Beach (Nassau Co.) [ken feustel ] Subject: Baird's, Buff-breasted and jeager From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:53:03 -0400 Jones Beach West End 2 Sep Our usual group walked through a baron swale to the ocean and then east to the beach puddles. We set up on the beach (to have the sun at our backs). Shorebirds were moving in and out and eventually a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER flew in and stayed a while before flying off. On the ocean there was a movement of a few gulls and a stream of Common Terns flying west. A dark bird came down at one of the terns and then flew west in the trough of the waves and fairly close to shore. PARASITIC JAEGER!! Is this a forerunner of hurricane fall-out? On the way back to the car, 5 peep and a number of Semipalmated Plover were in the swale. Scopes revealed that all 5 were BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. Sy Schiff -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC 8/29-31, & 9/1 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 05:35:51 -0400 " If you like Robins, quick!, run to Central Park. Today is your day. If you are looking for warblers and other smaller migrants, well, they are there too, but they're just a bit harder to find ... " - Stephanie Seymour (actual Central Park [& elsewhere] birder... "they're just a bit harder to find" - so very true...) A link to further photos of a (rare) Bar-tailed Godwit (& other less- rare birds) recently at Chatham, Massachusetts were posted on that state's list recently: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1283392835 (or direct to the godwit photos): http://www.flickr.com/photos/fgrenon/sets/72157624735070323/ The Bar-tailed was apparently identified to subspecies level, of the form 'baueri' which is even more unusual, as far as documented records of Bar-tailed Godwit in eastern North America go. - - - A brief note was posted to the Hudson-Mohawk (NY) list that at least 2 Mississippi Kites were still being seen 31 August 2010 at the town of Root NY. The much-more-rare in the northeast White-tailed Kite has continued on at the Stratford & Milford Point, CT areas it's frequented for weeks now, thru 1st Sept. (Wed.) - - - - - The latest report out of Prospect Park in Brooklyn included notes on a dozen species of warblers from one estimable observer there on Wed., 1st of Sept. along with other expected migrants - no report of Forster's Tern which had been one of the highlights in that park over the previous month. - - - - - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City - Sunday, 29 August, 2010: Along with a fairly good selection of standard migrants, a cooperative Solitary Sandpiper was on a small mudflat in the Loch in the morning. 2 Common Nighthawks were noted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, seen flying over the Great Hill in Central Park, by a very regular observer there. Red-breasted Nuthatches continue their 'early' movement, which as noted by others is not at all unprecedented... & not always a great indicator for winter "irruptives" such as certain finch-family birds, at least in the Long Island NYC region of NY. Monday, 30 August: a nice assortment of migrants were possible to be found with a bit of effort; it's most often the way birding seems to go. Tuesday, 31 August: at least one dozen warbler species, along with Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, seen by 10+ observers in the morning hours. Wednesday, 1 Sept.: very light NW winds from the night before, and a few observers said there was a bit of change-over while others were not so sure of that having happened. In any event some of the same species continued in the park as have been seen over the previous 3 days & more. Up to 15 species of warblers were seen this last 4-day period of light migration - in comparison with what will be found by this coming labor day holiday weekend - widespread bird movements are almost certain by Monday if not before, and throughout the northeast... not to mention what may or may not be seen post-"Earl", in New York and many adjacent states and coastal waters. (or even inland waters...) Good birding, & stay safe if venturing east on Long Island this Friday or after in any storm-related situations! Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st From: redknot AT optonline.net Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:58:13 +0000 (GMT) While a little off the point, I wanted to let "grasspiper" enthusiasts know that the sod farm where the buff breasted sandpipers are being seen has been preserved by Suffolk County through their purchase of development rights program.  This means the owner can keep farming the property to grow sod or other crops, but he can never develop it.   A tiny bit of good news on the shorebird habitat preservation front.  John Turner  ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Osterlund Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010 10:51 pm Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st To: NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu > That complex of intersecting roads is hard to describe, but a > view of > a map clarifies; > > 40.836963,-72.746417 - Google Maps > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st From: Jim Osterlund <jamesost AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:50:38 -0400 That complex of intersecting roads is hard to describe, but a view of a map clarifies; 40.836963,-72.746417 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: COMMON NIGHTHAWKS From: lcliwren AT aol.com Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:07:27 -0400 WADING RIVER LI NY LITTLE FLOWER AUG 30 1,AUG 31 0, SEPT 1 7-8 BETWEEN 7-8 PM JIM CLINTON SR AND RICH -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Buff ,Breasted Sandpipers in Manorville, Long Island, Sept. 1st From: Carl Starace <castarace AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:43:12 -0400 Hello All, Mid-morning scans of a sod field in Manorville turned up 2 Buff Breasted Sandpiper and 8 Killdeer. Take East Moriches-Riverhead Rd. north of Sunrise Hwy. to light, make a left on Eastport Manor Rd. and then quick left on Head of the Neck Road .Sod fields are on the right. Check fields both before Building and beyond it. I later had 47 Killdeer and 4 Black Bellied Plover in the large sod field at corner of Osborn Ave. and Sound Ave. in Riverhead. Good September Birding, Carl Starace -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Buff-breasted Sandpipers, West End (Nassau) From: "Douglas Futuyma" <futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:39:16 -0400 This morning at about 8:00, I and Mary Normandie saw 3 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at the pool of water on the upper beach at Jones Beach West End, just east of the swale that extends from the bathhouse at Field 2. No Baird's Sandpipers were to be seen. A WHIMBREL circled briefly; probably the same bird was on the "island" near the Coast Guard Station shortly afterward. On the flats across the bay from the Coast Guard Station, there were at least 312 AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS. A single NORTHERN HARRIER was cruising the dunes. Douglas J. Futuyma Stony Brook, NY 11794-5245 futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: hawk-watch volunteer help, Hook Mt. in Rockland Co., NY From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 05:01:53 -0400 For those with some time and an interest in raptors, especially observations of migrating raptors and other birds moving south each year at this time through the month of November, a good watch-site location which has been actively peopled with observers for well over 40 years could use your skills and a little of your time - the Hook Mountain hawk-watch located in Rockland County, NY about 10 minutes drive north of the Tappan Zee bridge and I-87. The Hook Mt. hawk watch, fairly near the coast (with a view that includes Long Island Sound and the heights of the NYC skyline, as well as the Ramapo Mountains and lower Hudson Highlands of New Jersey & New York and, most especially the Hudson River estuary - the wide Tappan Zee that the bridge is named after (zee means sea in old Dutch) - this hawk-watch site which has potential for over 15 raptor species each season and has counted up to 10,000 to 20,000 hawks in a fall migration - along with 100+ other species of birds & 20+ butterfly species - is looking for a few dedicated volunteers who might spare a day, whether on a weekly or an irregular basis, or perhaps just once to be a part of a great tradition in NY & northeastern bird observation. The watch is atop the peak of Hook Mt. just north of Upper Nyack in eastern Rockland County & has several trails leading to the peak, the shortest of which takes most folks under 70 or so about 20 to 30 minutes to walk, one-way. (Some younger &/or more active folks do the walk in a bit less time), and the walk is mostly in deciduous woods until the dramatic views of the peak are reached. The views are roughly 300 degrees or so in total with only a small piece of the east/ southeast view towards the river below blocked by a bit of the immediately adjacent ridge, and a bit of the west/northwest view blocked by taller trees, until late autumn. These views offer a very good view of approaching and passing raptors, including some that pass below and roughly at eye-level at times. While it won't happen at all times and on all days, usually there are very close-up views of at least some, and sometimes many of the raptors. There are no facilities either at the peak or that can be assured at any trailhead, although one trail begins within Rockland Lake State Park in the upper edge of the parking area for the "Executive" golf course in that park & there is no charge for parking at any trailhead at any time. The watch is typically done from early morning until as late in the day as raptors continue to be seen, but most often from about an hour or so past sunrise until about 2 to 3 hours before sunset, depending on weather & flight conditions for the birds. In recent years, Trudy Battaly has been the coordinator and compiler for this watch, and anyone interested in volunteering a while at this site may contact her, at: merlin [AT*] pipeline.com *NOTE: Please replace the [AT] in this email address with the AT symbol. This is done to cut down on unwanted spam. A PDF-file calendar of Sept.-Oct.-Nov. 2010 may be viewed with the dates which are open & you will see that there are many dates open as of now. Those dates with initials are the ones for which volunteers have already committed their time and skills to be on Hook Mountain this fall season. Here is the URL to the Hook Mountain hawk-watch fall 2010 calendar: http://www.battaly.com/hook/watchers/coverage.pdf and again, please contact Trudy Battaly with any offers to help, at her email address listed herein. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Little Blue Heron Inland (sort of) From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:06:17 -0400 There was an immature Little Blue Heron on Little Alley Pond today, of local interest to Queens co. and Alley Pond Park birders. In all my years around here, I can't even remember one in the neighborhood salt water areas, Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 2 BUFF-BREASTEED SANDPIPERS AT FLOYD BENNET FILED From: Isaac Grant <hosesbroadbill AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:28:00 -0400 there were 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers in the small fields bordering the ball fields and cricket fields. This small field has on old road the runs through the edge of it and to the fence line of the ball field. They were with about 25 killdeer that were sitting in the shade of the 2 trees that were in the middle of the field. The juvenile Baird's continued in the puddles on the runway along with an assortment of Killdeer, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers -Isaac -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: RI Pelagic Trip spots still available! From: Mardi Dickinson <mardi1 AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:16:35 -0400 Dear birders et all, I just heard that the RI Pelagic trip still has available room. If you are interested contact Carlos Pedro asap, Here is the info below. Cheers, Mardi Dickinson Norwalk, CT mardi1 AT optonline.net I am passing this along from Carlos Pedro If you are interested in participating please e-mail me at dcpedro AT cox.net as soon as possible. The trip has been re- scheduled to depart on Thursday, September 9th at 9 PM and return at 9 PM on September 10th. We will depart from the Galilee Dock in Narragansett aboard the 'Lady Frances'. This boat is the newest and fastest boat of the Frances Fleet. There are bunks onboard for 45 passengers but this trip will be limited to 38.The idea would be to sleep on the way and wake up at dawn on the shelf edge 90 miles out , bird until 3 PM and return to port. There is a full Galley and food and drink can be bought or you can bring your own. The cost of the trip if we can get 38 birders will be $135. This trip could present a great opportunity to possibly see some of the rarer visitors to RI waters such as Audobon's Shearwater, Bridled and Arctic Tern, South Polar Skua, Jaegers, White-faced and Leech's Storm-petrels and possibly a first RI record Band-rumped Storm-petrel. Band-rumps have been regularly seen over the past few years on Mass. trips to the canyons south of Nantucket. The Brookline Bird club trip to the Canyons just east of Block Canyon had a tremendous trip this past weekend (20+ White-faced Storm-Petrels, Great Skua, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel and Long-tailed Jaeger) and we're hoping to get some good birds. Carlos Pedro dcpedro AT cox.net -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Fall Hawkwatching Resource From: "Daena Ford" <redtail AT rochester.rr.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:43:37 -0400 A Free Silhouette Guide to Hawks Seen in North America A free silhouette "Guide to Hawks Seen in North America" is now available from the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) at www.hmana.org. The two-page guide helps you compare the shape and key field marks of 21 species of migratory hawks seen throughout most of North America. To keep everything relatively simple and on two pages, only the adults of most species are shown. The guide is a handy field reference for all hawk watchers, and a great start for beginning hawk watchers. This new guide is a significant revision and expansion of the "Guide to Hawks Seen in the North East" introduced in 2008, adding Mississippi Kite, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and adult male Northern Harrier, as well as other new images and additional field marks. The guide is designed and illustrated by Paul Carrier, the artist who conceived and developed the popular, ground-breaking silhouette guide to hawks in the 1970s, as well as the recent "Guide to Hawks Seen in the North East" (also available for free download on the HMANA web site, along with a free PowerPoint presentation on identifying hawks of the northeast ). "A Guide to Hawks Seen in North America" is available in two forms: a.. A downloadable PDF for single-copy printout for personal, non-commercial use. b.. A professionally printed copy on durable card stock laminated for long-term use in the field. Individual laminated copies cost $5.00 each + $1 S/H. Special bulk prices are also available on the web site. Hawk watches, bird clubs, schools, nature shops, or any other organization can raise funds and help educate their constituents about hawk identification by purchasing the guide in bulk quantity at wholesale prices. Proceeds from individual and bulk sales support HMANA's effort to promote research, education, and conservation regarding our birds of prey. For complete information, including bulk pricing, and to order or download the new guide, visit www.hmana.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Buff-breasted and Baird's @ Floyd Bennett Field... From: birdingdude AT gmail.com Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:55:53 +0000 Buff-breasted Sandpiper AT Floyd Bennett Field in the same place where the Baird's was reported(runway east of the cricket field). I am enjoying the view with Isabelle Conte and Edith Goren. The Baird's is also here. Good and responsible birding! Andrew Baksh Queens NY www.birdingdude.blogspot.com (\__/) (= '.'=) sent from somewhere in the field via my mobile device. (") _ (") -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: common nighthawks & sharpies From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:40:34 -0700 (PDT) Had 9 common nighthawks and 3 sharp-shinned hawks fly past my home last night.  It's interesting to note that this is the only time of year I see nighthawks around here anymore. Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Cupsogue Flats, Westhampton Dunes,L.I. ,Tuesday, August 31st From: Carl Starace <castarace AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:18:06 -0400 Hello All, At about 8:30 am I had all 6 of the Marbled Godwits by the easternmost part of the flats at Cupsogue. Shorebird numbers continue to be on the low side. There were several Western Willets and Greater Yellowlegs, the most numerous shorebird being Semi-palmated Plover. Good September Birding, Carl Starace -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: RE: Baird's Birds at Jones Beach From: Shaibal Mitra <Shaibal.Mitra AT csi.cuny.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:38:02 -0400 Patricia Lindsay reports that SEVEN Baird's Sandpipers and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper were present at Jones Beach West End this morning, around 6:30-7:00. These birds, all juvs as expected, were present in the beach-side area described by Steve Walter yesterday (see below). Catching up on a few birds from Sunday, Fire Island was flanked by adult/juv duos of Caspian Terns, at Robert Moses SP (near Fire Island Inlet) and Cupsogue (near Moriches Inlet). We could find only two Marbled Godwits at Cupsogue. Shorebird numbers seemed rather low, but I did record my first two juv Red Knots of the season. Shai Mitra Bay Shore ________________________________________ From: bounce-6231789-11143133 AT list.cornell.edu [bounce-6231789-11143133 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Steve Walter [swalter15 AT verizon.net] Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 8:06 PM To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Baird's Birds at Jones Beach This morning at Jones Beach, I observed 6 (possibly as many as 9) Baird's Sandpipers. These were not in the "swale", where Baird's are often found, but, continuing past the swale toward the beach and turning left, at a rain pool. A group of 6 was present briefly around 10:30. I got off one long distance picture that captured 4 in the frame, before they took off. See http://www.hmana.org/steve/bairds.htm . The birds seemed flighty and not in need of much reason to move on. Certainly, from this distance, it wasn't me that put them on their way. Earlier, at about 9:35, there was a single individual. About 15 minutes later, I saw another Baird's that took off with another bird that I didn't get a chance to ID. In these cases, my movements may have been responsible for causing them to leave. I say all this because I got the feeling that these were migrating through and just making brief stopovers, and the group of 6 didn't include the earlier birds. But good luck to anyone that wants to check it out tomorrow. One other shorebird note was a still present Piping Plover. Otherwise, the routine stuff. On many days, seeing 6 Baird's together would make for the exciting moment of the day. But later this day, I laid eyes on my first ever New York record of Variegated Meadowhawk, a western dragonly with known vagrancy tendencies (I saw one in Cape May 15 years ago). This one was at Lido Beach Nature Area. This picture can be seen at http://www.hmana.org/steve/corruptm.htm . After 5 days of predominantly north and northwest winds, there are loads of migratory dragonflies (and butterflies) along the beach. Steve Walter Bayside, NY Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Canada Goose Hunting season begins Sept 1st From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:08:52 -0400 Here's a head's up: The early Canada Goose hunting season for most of New York State begins Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 1ST and runs through September 25th. This includes all of New York State, except for Long Island and Lake Champlain. The early season opens there on September 7th.going to September 28th. The regular season opens in late October or November, depending on location. Check NYS DEC's web site for the specifics: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html In doing so, you will note that, according to the official site, these dates, as of August 30, 2010, are "Tentative". They have one day left to make up their minds. I guess we'll know by Wednesday for sure. In any event, keep this in mind if you plan to be birding Wednesday. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net http://blog.timesunion.com/birding -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Canada Goose Hunting season begins Sept 1st From: "Richard Guthrie" <gaeltic AT capital.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:08:52 -0400 Here's a head's up: The early Canada Goose hunting season for most of New York State begins Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 1ST and runs through September 25th. This includes all of New York State, except for Long Island and Lake Champlain. The early season opens there on September 7th.going to September 28th. The regular season opens in late October or November, depending on location. Check NYS DEC's web site for the specifics: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28496.html In doing so, you will note that, according to the official site, these dates, as of August 30, 2010, are "Tentative". They have one day left to make up their minds. I guess we'll know by Wednesday for sure. In any event, keep this in mind if you plan to be birding Wednesday. Rich Guthrie New Baltimore, The Greene County gaeltic AT capital.net http://blog.timesunion.com/birding [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Baird's Birds at Jones Beach From: "Steve Walter" <swalter15 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:06:32 -0400 This morning at Jones Beach, I observed 6 (possibly as many as 9) Baird's Sandpipers. These were not in the "swale", where Baird's are often found, but, continuing past the swale toward the beach and turning left, at a rain pool. A group of 6 was present briefly around 10:30. I got off one long distance picture that captured 4 in the frame, before they took off. See http://www.hmana.org/steve/bairds.htm . The birds seemed flighty and not in need of much reason to move on. Certainly, from this distance, it wasn't me that put them on their way. Earlier, at about 9:35, there was a single individual. About 15 minutes later, I saw another Baird's that took off with another bird that I didn't get a chance to ID. In these cases, my movements may have been responsible for causing them to leave. I say all this because I got the feeling that these were migrating through and just making brief stopovers, and the group of 6 didn't include the earlier birds. But good luck to anyone that wants to check it out tomorrow. One other shorebird note was a still present Piping Plover. Otherwise, the routine stuff. On many days, seeing 6 Baird's together would make for the exciting moment of the day. But later this day, I laid eyes on my first ever New York record of Variegated Meadowhawk, a western dragonly with known vagrancy tendencies (I saw one in Cape May 15 years ago). This one was at Lido Beach Nature Area. This picture can be seen at http://www.hmana.org/steve/corruptm.htm . After 5 days of predominantly north and northwest winds, there are loads of migratory dragonflies (and butterflies) along the beach. Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Kingston Great Egrets From: susan joseph <susan.joseph.birder AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:30:21 -0400 At about 7:50PM last night, fourteen Great Egrets were observed roosting in a tree at the mouth of the Rondout Creek where it meets the Hudson River in Kingston, Ulster County. A Green Heron, two Bald Eagles, and an Osprey were observed shortly before that as we made our way south from Malden-on-Hudson between 7:00 and 7:45PM. About an hour earlier, two Great Egrets were feeding in the shallows between Cruger's Island and the shoreline on the Dutchess County side of the river. *Susan Joseph* *Rhinebeck, NY* -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Kingston Great Egrets From: susan joseph <susan.joseph.birder AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:18:47 -0400 At about 7:50PM last night, fourteen Great Egrets were observed roosting in a tree at the mouth of the Rondout Creek where it meets the Hudson River in Kingston, Ulster County. A Green Heron, two Bald Eagles, and an Osprey were observed as we made our way south from Malden-on-Hudson between 7:00 and 7:45PM. About an hour earlier, two Greats were feeding in the shallows between Cruger's Island and the shoreline on the Dutchess County side of the river. Susan Joseph Rhinebeck, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:11:33 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * August 30, 2010 * NYSY 3008.10 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): August 23, 2009 - August 30, 2010 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:August 30 AT 2:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #219 -Monday August 30, 2010 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of August 23 , 2010 Highlights: ----------- GLOSSY IBIS SANDHILL CRANE BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER WHIMBREL HUDSONIAN GODWIT RUDDY TURNSTONE STILT SANDPIPER BAIRD’S SANDPIPER WESTERN SANDPIPER WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER WILSON’S PHALAROPE RED-NECKED PHALAROPE SAW-WHET OWL COMMON NIGHTHAWK CAPE MAY WARBLER YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 8/23: Nineteen species of shorebirds were seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh and the Visitor’s Center this day. Before the week was over the list would grow to twenty two. Todays list: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER KILLDEER GREATER YELLOWLEGS LESSER YELLOWLEGS SOLITARY SANDPIPER SPOTTED SANDPIPER WHIMBREL HUDSONIAN GODWIT SANDERLING PECTORAL SANDPIPER WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER BAIRD’S SANDPIPER SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER LEAST SANDPIPER STILT SANDPIPER LONGBILLED DOWITCHER SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Also seen were PEREGRINE FALCON and SANDHILL CRANE. 8/26: A HUDSONIAN GODWIT was found at Benning Marsh (still off limits to the public). At Knox-Marsellus three RED-NECKED PHALAROPES continue. A WILSON’S PHALAROPE was new to the marsh and a female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was an unexpected and rare find. 8/27: A WESTERN SANDPIPER was added to the mix at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. 8/28: 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were seen in Knox-Marsellus Marsh along with19 other species of shorebird. 8/29: The BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were again seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. A GLOSSY IBIS was found at May’s Point pool. 8/30: An AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. The GLOSSY IBIS was again seen at May’s Point Pool. Cayuga County ------------ 8/24: A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was seen at Fair Haven State Park. Oswego County ------------ 8/25: 7 species of raptor were seen flying over Bishop Hill Road north of Pulaski. A WILSON’S WARBLER was found in Hastings. 8/26: 6 species of warbler including 2 CAPE MAYS were seen at a private residence in Hastings. 8/27: A JAEGER species too distant to positively ID was seen from Derby Hill. 8/28: A CAPE MAY WARBLER was again seen in Hastings and also a MERLIN. Madison County ------------ 8/25: 6 species of shorebird including a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER were seen at the Turf Farm on Lakeport Road. 8/28: 20 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER were seen on McGraw Road off of Lakeport Road. Onondaga County ------------ 8/24: A GLOSSY IBIS was seen in the Early Evening at the Erie Village Golf Course on Rt. 290 near East Syracuse. It was found at 1:00 the nest day but was gone by 2:00. 8/27: 4 RUDDY TURNSTONES were found at the outlet of Nine Mile Creek on Onondaga Lake in Syracuse. 1 bird remained through the 29th. 8/29: 4 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen near the soccer fields on Colvin Ave in Syracuse. 2 more were seen near Klien Island near Liverpool. 8/30: A SAW-WHET OWL was heard vocalizing near Rt.31 west of Baldwinsville. Oneida County ------------ 8/25: A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was found near Skyline Drive in the town of Kirkland. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Montezuma Glossy Ibis - Yes From: "Mickey Scilingo" <mickey.scilingo AT gte.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:01:30 -0400 The GLOSSY IBIS reported yesterday at Mays Pt at Montezuma NWR was back again this afternoon around 1 PM. It was feeding along the opposite edge of the marsh looking right from the birding corral. Looking down the channel, the IBIS was feeding on the left side, but at the mouth of the channel, not down it. (Hope that makes sense) Since a few other people commented about them in recent posts, I will mention that there was a single RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH calling from the trees around the parking area for Mays Pt. Along Towpath Rd, the lighting was great, but many of the birds were distant and out of the reach of my optics - but with Joe Brin's help (and scope) we were able to pick out at least 1 of the RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. Other shorebirds present were: Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Dowitcher sp - assuming Short-billed but too far for me to see any details. 2 more distant Phalaropes that were most likely Wilsons - I could not see any black at all in the face and they appeared to be similar in size to the nearby Lesser Yellowlegs The SNOW GOOSE was still present also, seen feeding in the grass with some Canada Geese. Haven't seen anyone mention this yet, but when the group of Canada Geese it was associating with flew up and to the water, the Snow Goose attempted to fly but couldn't get off the ground. After several flaps, the goose just folded his wings and sat there for a few minutes, seemingly contemplating what next to do, before wandering off in a different direction. It appeared as if the goose's left wing was damaged or broken, but since I was not looking directly at it when it tried to fly I really can't be sure. Mickey Mickey Scilingo North Syracuse Onondaga County, NY mickey.scilingo AT gte.net 315-679-6299 -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Montezuma Glossy Ibis - Yes From: "Mickey Scilingo" <mickey.scilingo AT gte.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:01:30 -0400 The GLOSSY IBIS reported yesterday at Mays Pt at Montezuma NWR was back again this afternoon around 1 PM. It was feeding along the opposite edge of the marsh looking right from the birding corral. Looking down the channel, the IBIS was feeding on the left side, but at the mouth of the channel, not down it. (Hope that makes sense) Since a few other people commented about them in recent posts, I will mention that there was a single RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH calling from the trees around the parking area for Mays Pt. Along Towpath Rd, the lighting was great, but many of the birds were distant and out of the reach of my optics - but with Joe Brin's help (and scope) we were able to pick out at least 1 of the RED-NECKED PHALAROPES and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER. Other shorebirds present were: Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Solitary Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Dowitcher sp - assuming Short-billed but too far for me to see any details. 2 more distant Phalaropes that were most likely Wilsons - I could not see any black at all in the face and they appeared to be similar in size to the nearby Lesser Yellowlegs The SNOW GOOSE was still present also, seen feeding in the grass with some Canada Geese. Haven't seen anyone mention this yet, but when the group of Canada Geese it was associating with flew up and to the water, the Snow Goose attempted to fly but couldn't get off the ground. After several flaps, the goose just folded his wings and sat there for a few minutes, seemingly contemplating what next to do, before wandering off in a different direction. It appeared as if the goose's left wing was damaged or broken, but since I was not looking directly at it when it tried to fly I really can't be sure. Mickey Mickey Scilingo North Syracuse Onondaga County, NY mickey.scilingo AT gte.net 315-679-6299 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Shorebirding-Floyd Bennett and Jamaica Bay From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:32:38 -0400 30 August Joe Giunta, Sam Jannazzo, Pat Jones and I (Sy Schiff) arrived at Floyd Bennett Field adjacent to the cricket field about 9:10 and found the previously reported shorebirds on the field, but no Baird's Sandpiper. The latter was in a rain puddle at the end of the runway on the other side of the red barrier. (Thanks Rob). After observing the single BAIRD'S SANDPIPER via scope (didn't want to spook it), we proceeded to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the south end of the East Pond. The water is high and walking north along the east side requires footwear to accommodate mud/water between 5 and 7 inches deep. However, the very south end is passable with only a little mud. From that vantage point, we saw SEMIPALMATED, WESTERN, LEAST, WHITE-RUMPED AND STILT SANDPIPERS, both YELLOWLEGS, the COMMON MOORHEN and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. BLUE-WINGED TEAL were seen walking north and both DOWITCHERS were past the raunt. Shorebird numbers were way down due to lack of suitable habitat. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Color banded American Oystercatchers From: Sean Murphy <spmurp AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:06:39 -0700 (PDT) Dear NY birders, I am writing to you in regards to an American Oystercatcher study that extends along the Atlantic Coast.  The American Oystercatcher Working Group (link found below) is a collaborative group  to understand the biology and conservation of oystercatchers.  The group has standardized a color banding project in a number of states.  These bands include a designated color (for example NNJ=orange) and a 2-digit code that is field readable.   In order to better understand the movements of these banded birds, resighting of marked birds is vital.  Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to inform fellow birders of how to report a color banded oystercatcher.  All resight information can be submitted on the group website (or email me).  As an observer of the large fall flock of oystercatchers that occur throughout Long Island (especially, the Coast Guard flock at Jones Beach), I commonly find and identify color banded oystercatchers in the flocks.  If you are scanning through some of these large flocks this fall and notice some unusually decorated legs, take note, and contact me or our website (listed below).  If you would like to find more information about the various projects, parties involved, pics of banded birds, etc., I encourage you to take a look at the Working Group website: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~simons/AMOY%20Research.htm#NCmap.  Also, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.  Thank you for your time and enjoy fall migration. Sincerely, Sean Murphy _______________________ Sean Murphy, PhD US Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis, OR 97331 Em: spmurp AT yahoo.com _______________________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: ADMIN: Shorthand Messages From: "Chris Tessaglia-Hymes" <cth4 AT cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:18:55 -0400 Greetings Birders, This message is in response to a recent posting containing significant shorthand, but is not specific to that one posting. With the onset of texting-capabilities and "tweeting" via Twitter, there may be an occasional posting to email lists, such as NYSbirds-L, with very little verbiage. This may be especially noticeable for rare bird sightings where people need to get the word out very quickly, instead of waiting to send the message from a computer later that day (which would lead to frustration over the delayed posting about good birds). If you need to post a very curt message (not rude, just short and to the point) about a really good bird sighting in order to spread the word immediately, please do so, but with one request - please provide a follow-up message later, further detailing your sighting. If you have the capability to provide an extra word or two and some punctuation in your quick text, being sent to the entire list of over 700 members, please take the time to do so; this will make things more clear for the recipients of any quick text message you send to the entire list, until you post your follow-up message later. Your short messages can be succinct, but should be just as understandable and clear to someone who lives in Buffalo, NY as to someone who lives in New York, NY. Lastly, a reminder to all, that if you have any questions or comments about a specific posting, please direct those comments to the Listowner (off-list) and not to the entire list. Information about NYSbirds-L, including how to join and leave, is found here: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME (Note: to change your subscription email address, do this: Join using your new email from your new email address, then Leave using your old email from your old email address). Rules for NYSbirds-L are found here: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Thanks and good birding! Sincerely, Chris T-H -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NYSbirds-L Ithaca, New York cth4 AT cornell.edu http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Baird's Sandpiper-YES From: Rob Jett <citybirder AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:47:44 -0400 The Baird's Sandpiper was still present at Floyd Bennett Field at 7am today. It was feeding at the (shrinking) puddles on the runway just east of the cricket field. At the cricket field there were 20 Semipalmated Plovers and 34 Black-bellied Plovers. Good birding, Rob The City Birder Weblog http://citybirder.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: nighthawks wading river From: lcliwren AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:46:03 -0400 nighthawks little flower wading river li ny aug 26- 13, aug 27- 8,aug28-9,aug29-3 jim clinton sr and rich -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 6 Golden Plovers on Skinner Lane From: Beverly Robertson <bearfont AT warwick.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:20:23 -0400 Diane Brown and I had them in an onion field on the right hand side of the road just after the first barn when the road becomes dirt at 11:30 am. They were panting in the heat. We saw them flying around before they landed. Beverly Robertson Upper Greenwood Lake, NJ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 8/29- Brooklyn & Queens Baird's Sandpipers From: fresha2411 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:16:10 -0400 Multiple observers were present and observing the previously reported Baird's Sandpipers at both the below locations this morning: The Baird's Sandpiper at Floyd Bennett Field continued at the runway puddles adjacent to the Cricket Field at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn this morning, in the company of about 15 juvenile Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. There were also 35 Black-bellied and over 70 Semipalmated Plovers on the Cricket Field. Also evident in the area were small #'s of Eastern Kingbirds and Bobolinks. The 2 Baird's Sandpipers on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge were both still present north of the Raunt on the east side of the Pond. They were sticking together very closely. On the East Pond the water level is way up, and the shorebird numbers are incredibly low. Other highlights within the (probably <250) shorebirds present were at least 3 juvenile Stilt Sandpipers spread out, 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, an adult Long-billed Dowitcher, and a juvenile Common Moorhen. The very confiding Long-billed was one of a whopping 2 Dowitchers south of the Raunt. The Moorhen was on the west side of the south cove, standing in/on the reeds. Good Birding -Doug Gochfeld. Brooklyn, NY. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Shorebirds at Montezuma NWR From: "Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" <dannapotter AT roadrunner.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:51:15 -0400 There continues to be lots of shorebirds at Montezuma. The Knox-Marcellus Marsh is a very impressive show, especially for an inland location. Also, the pool next to the Refuge headquarters has prime habitat for shorebirds as well. Saturday, the latter pool held mostly just yellowlegs (a few Greater and many Lesser) with a few Least and 1 White-rumped Sandpipers and some Semi. Plovers. The birds are much closer at this pool than Knox-Marcellus and something special could certainly show up there. Here is the list of shorebirds reported at Knox-Marcellus (we missed the Black-bellied Plovers and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which may not have been seen after mid-afternoon): Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover - 1 (found late in the day from East Road) Semipalmated Plover - many Killdeer - a few Greater Yellowlegs - a few Lesser Yellowlegs - abundant Solitary Sandpiper - I heard of no reports but I suspect one or more were seen Spotted Sandpiper - ditto Semipalmated Sandpiper - many Least Sandpiper - many White-rumped Sandpiper - a few to several Baird's Sandpiper - just a couple Pectoral Sandpiper - a few Stilt Sandpiper - a few to several BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - 2 Dowitchers - several, probably both species Wilson's Snipe - 2 Wilson's Phalarope - 8 (the observer was cautiously second-guessing himself, as these birds were not seen later) RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 4 Also, from East Road at the end of the day, we had 7 adult SANDHILL CRANES, five of which were in the northwest corner of Knox-Marcellus. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON harassed the shorebirds at the marsh occasionally, throughout the day. Good shorebirding! Willie ---------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Shorebirds at Montezuma NWR From: "Willie D'Anna and Betsy Potter" <dannapotter AT roadrunner.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:51:15 -0400 There continues to be lots of shorebirds at Montezuma. The Knox-Marcellus Marsh is a very impressive show, especially for an inland location. Also, the pool next to the Refuge headquarters has prime habitat for shorebirds as well. Saturday, the latter pool held mostly just yellowlegs (a few Greater and many Lesser) with a few Least and 1 White-rumped Sandpipers and some Semi. Plovers. The birds are much closer at this pool than Knox-Marcellus and something special could certainly show up there. Here is the list of shorebirds reported at Knox-Marcellus (we missed the Black-bellied Plovers and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which may not have been seen after mid-afternoon): Black-bellied Plover American Golden-Plover - 1 (found late in the day from East Road) Semipalmated Plover - many Killdeer - a few Greater Yellowlegs - a few Lesser Yellowlegs - abundant Solitary Sandpiper - I heard of no reports but I suspect one or more were seen Spotted Sandpiper - ditto Semipalmated Sandpiper - many Least Sandpiper - many White-rumped Sandpiper - a few to several Baird's Sandpiper - just a couple Pectoral Sandpiper - a few Stilt Sandpiper - a few to several BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - 2 Dowitchers - several, probably both species Wilson's Snipe - 2 Wilson's Phalarope - 8 (the observer was cautiously second-guessing himself, as these birds were not seen later) RED-NECKED PHALAROPE - 4 Also, from East Road at the end of the day, we had 7 adult SANDHILL CRANES, five of which were in the northwest corner of Knox-Marcellus. An immature PEREGRINE FALCON harassed the shorebirds at the marsh occasionally, throughout the day. Good shorebirding! Willie ---------------- Willie D'Anna Betsy Potter Wilson, NY dannapotterATroadrunner.com http://www.betsypottersart.com _______________________________________________ GeneseeBirds-L mailing list - GeneseeBirds-L AT geneseo.edu http://mail.geneseo.edu/mailman/listinfo/geneseebirds-l Subject: MNSA Avocet- Yes From: "Michael Farina" <michfar AT tohmail.org> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:48:08 -0400 This morning Sun 8-29, at 9:23am the American Avocet landed in the same mudflat it was in yesterday. It is located at the south western mudflat +40° 37' 7.95", -73° 37' 16.57" ( http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.618876,+-73.621270&num=1&t=h&vps=1&jsv=270a&sll=40.724189,-73.68765&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&hl=en&ie=UTF8&geocode=FXzLawId6qCc-w&split=0 ) . Also this morning in the complete opposite location north eastern mudflat +40° 37' 16.47", -73° 37' 15.50" ( http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40.621241,+-73.620973&num=1&t=h&vps=2&jsv=270a&sll=40.618841,-73.62108&sspn=0.00068,0.001196&hl=en&ie=UTF8&geocode=FbnUawIdE6Kc-w&split=0 ) between the south pond and Middle Bay Country Club a Stilt Sandpiper was seen feeding among mixed shorebirds. High tide at MNSA is 11:50am, yesterday the Avocet stayed on the property until 2:00pm. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation & Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: michfar AT tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Saturday Morning Flight at Fire Island From: Shaibal Mitra <Shaibal.Mitra AT csi.cuny.edu> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:39:58 -0400 There was a nice morning flight at Robert Moses SP, Suffolk Co., yesterday morning (28 Aug 10). Swallows were moving heavily, passing at a rate of ca. one per second through the morning. Barns outnumbered Trees by about four to three, Banks were easy to find (we estimated ca. 50), and we noted two Cliff Swallows. We did not see a single Rough-wing, underscoring the scarcity of this species on the outer beach. Many species were noted migrating, including a Great Blue Heron, three Merlins, an American Kestrel, and many passerines. Among ten species of warblers, the most numerous were Yellow (15), Common Yellowthroat (15), Northern Waterthrush (9), and Am. Redstart (6); the most notable were single Blue-winged and Cape May (the former always very scarce on the outer beach). As noted by many observers lately, Red-breasted Nuthatches seem to be mounting a good flight this year (we noted 5). A single Purple Finch was only mildly surprising, as this species often appears on the coast in small numbers around Labor Day, a month or more ahead of the main flight. As with the spring flight of 15 May, it is interesting to compare our morning with Rob Jett's data from Prospect Park. The two Veeries we recorded at RMSP were two more than one usually finds on the barrier beach and, together with Rob's big inland count, are evidence of a significant push of Neotropicals Friday night. We also noted an mass-emergence of ants, attended by feasting Laughing Gulls. These events probably occur every year, and I know Tony Lauro wrote an article on the topic many years ago. Here is a link to a photo of an ant from a similar event last year: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/CrittersAndOthersFunctAndNotSo#5380791796728136466 Shai Mitra Bay Shore Think green before you print this email. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Red-breasted Nuthatches (and Bar-tailed Godwit in Mass. 8/28) From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:35:06 -0400 A number of posts to this and other regional lists have mentioned Red- breasted Nuthatch being seen in varying numbers. Some of the area & regional hawk-watch sites have been reporting these in up to high double-digit numbers (on a single day) and it will be interesting to see if the movements continue, as well as whether it portends any other trends - as some have been wondering - a summer-fall movement of this species is not all that unusual, although the numbers being seen in some places seem notable. This species does regularly migrate (albeit a "short-distance" migrant in comparison) along with warblers moving & may even peak around times when warbler movement peaks (as well as sometimes having later movements well after peak fall warbler migration). Peak diversity for fall warbler migration can be at about this time - the mass movements of Myrtle [Yellow-rumped] Warblers that typically happen much later in fall (and can be very obvious in terms of overall numbers of birds of a single specie) is not that representative of the peak of diversity for warblers or even of all 'long-haul' land bird migration generally. With favorable conditions right now & perhaps into the coming month, migrants in general are streaming south, and it doesn't look likely we will see a "fall-out" situation for a while in this area - but those out seeking may find a lot anyhow. There's an interesting report from Ontario (Canada) of a Western Wood-Pewee apparently heard calling as well as seen by many birders, a rare sighting in the east and a reminder that a lot of unexpected species can and do turn up in early "fall" migration as well as later as calendar fall comes along and cooler weather prevails... BAR-TAILED Godwit again, Chatham, Massachusetts 8/28: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1283052493 Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park - Migrants & Japanese Quail 8/28 From: Sam Stuart <surfbird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:03:00 -0400 All, It was a very interesting day in the park punctuated by one very unexpected exotic species. This morning a Japanese Quail was foraging in dead leaves on the upper Point, near the Boathouse. Most of the exotic species I've seen in the CP, including common pet store birds or fancy doves are very good fliers. But a Quail really surprised me I wish I knew how it got there! Here's a picture of the bird: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/4935609869/ Real migrants were in short supply with the exception of Empids which seemed to be everywhere. Most remained silent for me, I only heard one call the entire day (a Willow) and outside of a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher the majority had to be left unidentified. Warblers were present, I found 12 species after several hours of looking. Wilson's Warblers were on the Great Hill and Oven, a Tennessee Warbler was in the Butterfly field, a very dingy Cape May Warbler was at Strawberry Field. Redstarts, Black-and-whites, Magnolia, Canada and Ovenbirds were around in good (for the day) numbers and a I had low numbers Waterthrush, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue and Yellowthroats. One of the 1st birds I heard for the day was a Red-breasted Nuthatch and I continued to see / hear several of them around the North Woods. There was probably 6 in total which seems like a lot for this time of year. Regardless it's a bird I always enjoy seeing and was just one of around 52 species I had for the day. Sam Stuart NYC -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: NYC Area RBA: 27 August 2010 From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:02:29 -0400 - RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Aug. 27, 2010 * NYNY1008.27 - Birds mentioned AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN+ (+ Details requested by NYSARC) Cory's Shearwater Common Moorhen AMERICAN AVOCET Willet (subspecies "Western Willet") WHIMBREL HUDSONIAN GODWIT MARBLED GODWIT Western Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper BAIRD'S SANDPIPER Stilt Sandpiper BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER GLAUCOUS GULL Gull-billed Tern Caspian Tern Black Tern Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-billed Cuckoo Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Common Raven Red-breasted Nuthatch Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Golden-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Wilson's Warbler GRASSHOPPER SPARROW LINCOLN'S SPARROW BLUE GROSBEAK WHITE-TAILED KITE (extralimital: Stratford, Connecticut) - Transcript If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc3 AT nybirds.org. If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Jeanne Skelly - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 420 Chili-Scottsville Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays, during the day) Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) Compiler: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Ben Cacace BEGIN TAPE Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, August 27th 2010 at 11:45pm. The highlights of today's tape are AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, AMERICAN AVOCET, WHIMBREL, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, MARBLED GODWIT, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, GLAUCOUS GULL, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW and BLUE GROSBEAK. The previously reported AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was still present Thursday at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay where high water levels last week apparently hindered shorebirding efforts. The AMERICAN AVOCET also lingered through the week up to today at Oceanside Marine Nature Study Area at the western border along Biddle Creek. Single WHIMBRELS were reported at Napeague Bay on Sunday and at West End Jones Beach on Wednesday. Birders had a gorgeous godwit day last Sunday at Cupsogue County Park where 10 MARBLED GODWITS and 12 HUDSONIAN GODWITS were encountered. Another MARBLED GODWIT was reported last Sunday from Mecox Bay among 15 species of shorebirds including 29 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 5 STILT SANDPIPERS, a WESTERN SANDPIPER and 2 BLACK TERNS. A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was found at the cricket field at Floyd Bennett Field on Thursday along with about 100 Semipalmated Plovers. Last Saturday a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was found in the swale area in front of the bathhouse at parking field 2 West End Jones Beach among over 200 assorted shorebirds. A GLAUCOUS GULL was still present through Wednesday at the ferry slip at Orient Point. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW were found Thursday at the Great Hill area of Central Park. The LINCOLN'S SPARROW was still there on Friday. A BLUE GROSBEAK was seen Thursday at the Vale of Cashmere area at Prospect Park where 13 species of warblers were found in the park highlighted by a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. Migrating warbler numbers and species increased last week with 12 to 18 species of warblers reported today by several parties at Central Park highlighted by TENNESSEE WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER. Yesterday 12 species of warblers were counted at Central Park featuring a WORM-EATING WARBLER. Another WORM-EATING WARBLER was seen with another 12 species of warbler at Prospect Park along with a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on Tuesday with 12 species of warbler reported last Saturday at Prospect Park. Other Central Park arrivals on Thursday were RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Other interesting sightings last week were 2 COMMON MOORHENS at the East Pond at Jamaica Bay on Thursday, 160 to 170 BLACK TERNS at Napeague Bay last Saturday, 44 "Western" WILLETS, 26 STILT SANDPIPERS and a GULL-BILLED TERN at West End Jones Beach last Sunday, a COMMON RAVEN and a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Monday at Alley Pond Park, 8 CORY'S SHEARWATERS at Robert Moses State Park at Fire Island seawatch last Monday, 2 CASPIAN TERNS at Robert Moses State Park at Fire Island on Wednesday. A WHITE-TAILED KITE was still present today at the Audubon property at Stratford Point in Stratford Connecticut. Please call in reports to Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, messages may be left with Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. - End transcript -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Baird's Sandpiper @ Floyd Bennett Field (Yes)... From: Andrew Baksh <birdingdude AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:43:53 -0400 A late afternoon visit at Floyd Bennett field in Brooklyn following a walk at Van Courtlandt Park in the Bronx proved fruitful as I found a BAIRD's SANDPIPER. It was feeding in one of the small pools on the runway west of the "Cricket" field. This could very likely be the same bird found and reported by Sam Stuart on Thursday. Good and responsible birding! Andrew Baksh Queens NY www.birdingdude.blogspot.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Baird's Sandpipers at Jamaica Bay From: Philip Corbett <corbettphilip AT ymail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:27:50 -0700 (PDT) This morning I found 2 Baird’s Sandpipers on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay. The birds were in a mixed flock of White-rumped, Semipalmated, and Least Sandpipers on the east (far) side of the pond, just north of the raunt. The Baird’s were about the same size as the White-rumps, and browner than either the Semis or White-rumps. Wings were long, projecting beyond the tail. The most striking feature of the two was the fairly sharp demarcation between the buffy-brown breast and the white underparts. Photos (record shots- not very good) are at www.birdersflightlog.blogspot.com. Shorebird numbers were fairly low- the entire north end is flooded, but the south end is not, and all of my shorebird sightings were there. Stilt Sandpipers, Dowitchers, a Semipalmated Plover, and both Yellowlegs, as well as the 4 peeps already mentioned were the only shorebirds I saw. Also interesting were 7 warblers (Magnolia, Redstart, Yellow, Yellowthroat, Black-and-White, Ovenbird, Nothern Waterthrush), a few shovelers and many Blue-winged Teal, and Great-crested and Least Flycatchers by Big John’s Pond. Eamon Corbett Pelham -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC 8/28 (& Staten island, p.m.) From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:30:31 -0400 Saturday, 28 August 2010 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City I am as surprised as I am pleased to read that some Brooklyn birders were able to see so many migrant songbirds, especially warblers at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It seemed much slower-quieter in Central early on although I did not put in time in the Ramble today but at least some others did... "veterans", at that! I guess not every minute of migratory bird seeking offers dozens of migrants even in such a famed and hallowed land as the almost mythically bird-filled Ramble of Central Park. (Shocking but all too true.) It sure would be nice if more of the "veteran", non-vetearn, old, young, in-between, everyday, once-a-year, and more or less every sort of observer of birds would take the time to report their bird sightings, even when a major rarity is not seen... as has, for about the thousandth or more time this "millennium", Jack Meyer, today with Pat Craig, in the Ramble area of the park. Not a big day with dozens of migrant species but at least 8 kinds of warbler with 3 Black- throated Green reported, along with Veerys, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and some other species. Thanks to those who do submit reports! - - - At the north end of Central early on, relatively little migrant activity, yet the very first migrant bird I put eyes and binoculars on at the Great Hill was a Philadelphia Vireo, seen well and studied well to eliminate other potential "confusion" species. In seeing this, i initially thought, "no, this isn't what one sees first off, coming in to seek birds" - but that is what happened. In short order were also Warbling & Red-eyed Vireo, each being breeding birds of Central, but also now turning up as migrants. A couple of hours in the north end seemed to provide only scant additional migrants and at best, a half- dozen common warbler species, all in very modest numbers in the distinctly unhallowed and very myth-inducing northern realms of Central. A later visit to northern Staten Island in N.Y. City (not really seeking birds) turned up a few migrants including an immature female Wilson's Warbler at the Sailor's Snug Harbor Cultural Center. There were additional migrants at that location including a relatively "tame" Louisiana Waterthrush foraging along a man-made watercourse near the walled "Chinese garden", plus other warblers, vireos, and more. Also a bit of local & United States history with one of the oldest homes left standing in the city (300 yrs.+) being renovated almost next door. It's also the best deal on a boat ride anywhere - the cost: nothing. (Staten Island ferry, to and from lower Manhattan.) Good birding and timely reporting of birds, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Prospect Park warblers and other songbirds From: Rob Jett <citybirder AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:12:54 -0400 Today Heydi Lopes, Keir Randall and I spent several hours birding Prospect Park. While there weren't any rarities to unusual species to report, the diversity and abundance of migrant songbirds was pretty impressive for the last weekend of August. Beginning at the North end of the park at 6:30am and winding our way through all the wooded areas (and a bit of the meadows) we tallied 15 species of warbler. The most abundant species was easily American Redstart with Magnolia Warbler coming in a close second. There were also quite a few Black-throated Blue Warblers and Canada Warblers. Two warbler highlights were a Blackburnian Warbler near the Butterfly Meadow which was still in breeding plumage and a Cape May Warbler at the top of the Maryland Monument stairway (which was not). Flycatcher numbers seemed to have increased with several empidonax species seen but, unfortunately, not heard. Baltimore Orioles were also seen in good numbers, mainly competing with American Robins for fruit in the park's many Black Cherry trees. The latter of which, by the way, seem suddenly to be as numerous at starlings. One somewhat surprising observation was of fairly large numbers of Veeries. An estimate of 24 individuals was likely very conservative. Good birding, Rob "Just like the Sprague's Pipit sings a song, sounds like she's singing ching-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a-ring-a" - Steven S. Nicholas ********** Location: Prospect Park Observation date: 8/28/10 Number of species: 58 Wood Duck (6.) Green Heron (3.) Red-tailed Hawk (3.) Spotted Sandpiper (1.) Forster's Tern (1.) Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird (3.) Belted Kingfisher (1.) Northern Flicker Eastern Wood-Pewee (1.) Willow Flycatcher (1.) Empidonax sp. (4.) Great Crested Flycatcher (2.) Eastern Kingbird (2.) Warbling Vireo (3.) Red-eyed Vireo (10.) Tree Swallow Barn Swallow White-breasted Nuthatch (2.) Carolina Wren (4.) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2.) Veery (24.) Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Blue-winged Warbler (1.) Northern Parula (5.) Yellow Warbler (5.) Chestnut-sided Warbler (3.) Magnolia Warbler (15.) Cape May Warbler (1.) Black-throated Blue Warbler (12.) Blackburnian Warbler (1.) Prairie Warbler (1.) Black-and-white Warbler (8.) American Redstart (20.) Ovenbird (6.) Northern Waterthrush (4.) Common Yellowthroat (6.) Canada Warbler (12.) Song Sparrow (1.) Common Grackle Baltimore Oriole (12.) Other common species seen (or heard): Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red- bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker (2.), Hairy Woodpecker (3.), Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, European Starling, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Montauk Birding From: Karen Rubinstein <karrubi AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:07:27 -0400 Vicki Bustamante, my sister Barbara and I birded in Montauk,NY (at the point, Third House Nature Center, and the horse farm ("Ash-throated flycatcher trail). While the numbers of species were low, we got superb views of almost everything we saw: the highlights At The Point 3 Common Eider 11 Laughing Gulls (all first-year birds) below the concession stand 1 Coopers Hawk 1 Baltimore Oriole 3 Eastern Kingbirds 1 House Wren 1 Common Yellowthroat several Eastern Towhees 2 Red-Breasted Nuthatches (heard) Rusty's Pond 3 Green Herons 3 Spotted Sandpipers 3-5 Least Sandpipers 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Eastern Kingbirds Rusty's eastern trail 1 Red- Breasted Nuthatch 1 WHTIE-EYED VIREO (1-2 others heard) 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH 1 WILSONS' WARBLER several Common Yellowthroats 1 empid flycatcher (not IDed to species). Also one Red Fox stalking the geese. Karen Rubinstein -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: NYBG & Bronx River Pathway birds From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:40:31 -0700 (PDT) 8/28/10 - NY Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY Time:  10am to 3pm Observers:  Andrew Block 1 Green Heron 22+ Wood Ducks 18+ Mallards 1 Red-tailed Hawk 5 Mourning Doves 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flickers 3 Warbling Vireos 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO 3 Blue Jays 2 Black-capped Chickadees 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches 3 White-breasted Nuthatches many American Robins many Gray Catbirds 2 Northern Mockingbirds 10+ European Starlings 3 Black-and-white Warblers 2 American Redstarts 2 Northern Waterthrushes 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Song Sparrow 4 Common Grackles 1 Baltimore Oriole 7+ American Goldfinches many House Sparrows 8/27/10 - Bronx River Pathway, Bronx River Reservation, Scarsdale to Bronxville, NY Time:  3pm to 6:30pm Observers:  Andrew Block 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egrets 1 Green Heron 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons several Canada Geese 6 Mute Swans many Mallards 1 Killdeer 3 Semipalmated Sandpipers 2 Least Sandpipers 2 Mourning Doves 3 Gray Catbirds 7+ European Starlings 2 Song Sparrows 5 Northern Cardinals 3 Common Grackles 1 Baltimore Oriole 6+ American Goldfinches Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Red-breasted Nuthatch- Aug. 28 From: JGIUNTA746 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:55:27 EDT My wife Betsy and I saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch at Camp Hero, Suffolk County. The last time we had a Red-breasted Nuthatch during August was in 2007. The following fall and winter produced Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll and Red Crossbill all within NYC or close to the city. Hopefully the same will happen again this winter. Time will tell. Best, Joe Giunta -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Correction of last post From: "ROBERT ADAMO" <radamo2 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:33:10 -0400 In 2nd sentence, haven't should read hadn't, and today should read then. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Fw: Cupsogue Co. Pk., Suffolk Co. From: "ROBERT ADAMO" <radamo2 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:17:29 -0400 ----- Original Message ----- From: ROBERT ADAMO To: Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 2:31 PM Subject: Fw: Cupsogue Co. Pk., Suffolk Co. ----- Original Message ----- From: ROBERT ADAMO To: NY BIRDS Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 2:21 PM Subject: Cupsogue Co. Pk., Suffolk Co. Yesterday, between 3:45 & 5:30 PM (during low tide) the flats held few birds. I was hoping for both species of godwits, which have been reported in record #'s recently, and which I haven't been able to chase until today...and the hunt continues! The only bird of note was the Black Tern (just starting to molt out of alternate plummage) that was hunting over the w/most marsh before the inlet, as I was leaving. Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 17 warblers at Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NYC, 8/27 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:36:00 -0400 incidentally, on Friday 8/27, the collective tally of Warbler species for Prospect Park, Brooklyn was at least 17 species, Bay-breasted being among those reported. Some of the birders out in that park found at least a dozen warbler species on their individual walks, and at least one Olive-sided Flycatcher was also noted along with a number of other typical late-August migrants. As before many of these reports made available in the Brooklyn birding blog maintained by Peter Dorosh with sightings from a multitude of keen birders. Some noted that diversity was good but numbers overall rather low, although there were some species noted in fairly good numbers. The 17 warbler species reported at Prospect Park 27 August 2010 are: Northern Parula Tennessee Blue-winged Nashville Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Black-throated Blue Blackburnian Bay-breasted Black-and-white Canada Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat American Redstart (one report from one observer noted 35 of just this species today) - as reported by the birders in Brooklyn. Of course more reports may be forthcoming. - - - - - - Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re:Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:00:46 -0400 About Central Park (Manhattan, N.Y. City), and a question as to food scarcity. Any comments on this topic appreciated, to the list if deemed appropriate, or off-list directed to me alone. Although it may get a bit esoteric to 'non-regulars' of the place about Central Park (and even more specifically one section of the park or more so the Ramble), what's interesting in Harry Maas' report (earlier today) & his comments is that that was, in great part, exactly what a couple of other experienced birders that cover the Ramble & its environs made comments on, indeed it echoes most specifically that in birding in a couple of particular locations in that park the birds, or at least most migrant insectivores among the birds, have been found in flocks (where any flock at all has been seen) and recently (this "fall" season) in short order, said flock mainly moves on not to be re-found. I have also noticed this to greater extent than usual in much of the north end of the park this season, with activity making it appear that one might expect birds to stay in a particular section (at least, if not in the specific location) and not move out in such seeming totality, while in re- visiting an area it has been more often that activity levels have dropped off to little or no migrant activity. The only exceptions and even they haven't been a guarantee by any means, have been visiting the immediate vicinity of flowing water, mainly 3 areas (and just 2 regularly visited by many birders, this or almost any season): the Pond and it's waterfall area, near Central Park South and up from "Sixth Ave." (aka Avenue of the Americas: only to out-of-towners), the Gill in the Ramble (of which the Azalea Pond is a part), and the Loch (in the area also known as the "ravine") within the park's north end, with perhaps lesser concentrations at times at areas near the Lake, near the Pool, at Tanner's Spring (which has seemed terriibly "slow" so far this season) and at the small stream flowing into the lake from just north of West 77th Street. In these areas, I have sometimes (but by no means always) found some activity in more hours during the day, most often (as could be expected at bird bathing-drinking sites) on sunnier, warmer days. The trees and shrubs surrounding such waters are often where the birds have been and not simply at the water, as in bathing & drinking activities. One thing that a great many birders have mentioned is whether the insectivores are finding enough prey items to sustain feeding in numbers, esp. in flocks, and in discrete areas, for any length of time; some birders believing that these birds are having to move on by force to find enough to eat, esp. just after arrival on migration. If this is so, it's unusual - more often there are places which provide feeding for many birds over long periods, although there are always (or have been) what we often call "hot-spots" which of course, are really mainly particular areas which whether on a very short-term or somewhat longer term produce a great many insects and perhaps, some fruits in the case of those birds that eat much fruit or imbibe of its nectar (a number of small birds do that as well as seeking insects including some warblers, many flycatchers, & certainly vireos, & others), but protein in the form of (more properly, small invertebrates, and not just "insects") is the driver, the most important source of energy and build-up of fat reserves, for a great many birds, not just passerine species. Are we seeing a lot of overly hungry birds - and if so is it a result of local (mild, but extended) drought that we had until the very recent rains here, or is there another situation ongoing this fall? Since I like to observe insect life as well as birds, I can't say that I've noticed any crash of certain insects in Central Park - I would ask if there have been regular field observations from, among others, the informal group who do moth-watching in the park, as that group of insects actually may provide a great many prey items to migrants in the form of the moth in caterpillar form. There has also been some comment from birders region- wide as to lower than average numbers of certain (usually common) biting insects in some areas, including boreal areas in northern realms, and (if this is actually the case) whether this points to a generalized lack of feeding on many typical prey items for birds of many kinds. The variety and profundity of insect life, and more generally of smaller invertebrate life, is typically such that insectivores may usually find alternative food (prey) items without great difficulty, so if it's so that there is a general lack of these food or prey items it may be that birds, including many migrants, are having a harder time than is usual. Any rapid moving-on by migrants at this season is somewhat unusual as the fall migration is generally more protracted with birds in less of a "hurry" and able & willing to spend some days (or longer) refueling & resting on their southbound journeys. If birds in a given area are not finding enough to eat, however, then move on they must & there would be little dallying, even in the "urban oases" or green spaces among the concrete & steel jungle also known as megalopiolis... in this case, greater New York City. Harry M. may not have meant all this to be brought up, but as an experienced and enthusiastic observer he also has a point - although In don't know if the above was part of his intended point. I don't wish to be a pessimist either but there also seems to be a trend of not having major local (and even less so, regional) fall-outs (or large "waves") of migrants in the ways seen even just a decade ago, without some extenuating weather circumstance. It also is a question I have had as to whether the urban park generally, and specifically Central Park, has seen a reduction in overall numbers of migrants for reasons particular to the park[s] and its surroundings as well as to the larger question of overall regional and even world-wide bird populations. So (my opinion) it seems there may be multiple goings on, of local (and perhaps very local) food shortages, and also much broader issues. As to temporal observations of birds, migrants or otherwise, I've typically found that one may work much harder to find all that's been seen in the first hour of daylight than what can be gleaned looking an hour or more later on. That's sometimes the source of the old "you should've been here 5 minutes ago" etc. which is all too familiar to all birders everywhere - although in worst-case scenario it refers, as we all can relate, to a particular bird or birds that may be rare &/or a highly-desired sighting! (Harry, you sure got me going there, and to him and all of us I hope we'll have some more satisfying and longer-lasting migrant activity to observe in Central Park & in general.) I would also add that a number of species I saw (and have seen) are 'singletons' or in very low numbers, while the typically-commoner species have been moderately numerous at times. Further, I've been in some particular locations that in past fall seasons have been quite good at some times of day, and this season so far have had so few (or no) migrant sightings that I fairly quickly moved on, to try other locations in the park - this seems to be happening more & more, such that it's become rarer to find a good "hot-spot": that maintains that appellation. I hope that changes - we will see. I have any number of specific sites that I would call "barometers" for migrants, which is to say that if they are very active normally it indicates a good migration stop-over is or recently was in progress. This season there have only been a couple of fairly busy days with passerines, but there is a lot of the fall land-bird migration to go! At the same time and as I've stressed in any number of posts to this list, many are the species which for the most part are already mainly done with their migration through the northeast. A few species have for the most part already arrived at their wintering grounds - an example is Cerulean Warbler, not seen much anyhow in fall migration hereabouts, and mostly all gone. (A few will turn up in September, but not in any number in any northeastern location). Incidentally while at the "maintenance field" this morning (and not at the crack of dawn!) I continually glanced about to see if any other birders were about but saw none at that time. The one birder I saw literally moments later in the Ramble may have headed there but I don't know what luck he may have had. (It was he mentioned the rush, and sudden departure, of most migrants in Strawberry Fields this morning - and indeed when I visited that park location soon afterwards I was unable to turn up much more than the most common of migrants, rather than the 15 warbler species that birder noted in a short time on this Friday a.m. at that (typically good in early morning) location: very consistent with Harry Maas' lament, it would seem. Herewith the exact dozen species of warbler just at the Ramble's maintenance field (which by any logic is a part of the Ramble) and their approximate numbers if more than singletons (in that location), seen in a rather brief time at that one location, for about : Blue-winged Warbler (1) Nashville Warbler (1) Northern Parula (1) Chestnut-sided Warbler (2) Magnolia Warbler (6) Black-throated Green Warbler (1adult female) Blackburnian Warbler (1 adult female) Black-and-white Warbler (3) American Redstart (6+) Ovenbird (1) Common Yellowthroat (2, poss. more) Canada Warbler (2) Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Nighthawks From: Jim Clinton <jcbrd AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:47:25 -0400 (GMT-04:00) Thursday night I had 15 nighthawks in Wading River in front of Little Flower. Jim Clinton Sr. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re:Common Nighthawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 8/25 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:43:14 -0500 There were no large kettles yesterday (August 26) at Chestnut Ridge as there were on Wednesday, but the tally was certainly greater: ~183 Common Nighthawk. Only 31 of those were counted before 16:00 EST; the majority were spotted between 16:00 to 17:30. Most of the flocks we saw were northbound. In the last minutes of our count, however, some began exiting from view to the south (and, to a lesser degree, to the west), so I cannot rule out that a couple of these birds were double-counted. Kindly Yours, \\ Arthur On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 9:25 PM, Arthur W. Green wrote: > I intended to run my binocular across the dark, overcast sky one last > time before closing the day's count at Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, > located just outside of Mount Kisco.  Instead, under a very light > westerly wind at 15:59 (EST), I came away with a cluster of birds due > east of the watch platform flying only a few hundred feet above the > ridge tops.  For just a second, I assumed it was a late day movement > of Broad-winged Hawk piling up in a thermal; after I shook myself from > my late-day stupor, I could see plainly that it was a veritable kettle > of Common Nighthawk!  46 of them.  Within minutes these birds began > heading north, streaming out in twos and threes until they were > nowhere to be seen. > > At 16:11, I spied at least 20 more nighthawk southeast of the watch > platform blinking out of the haze at the reaches of visibility near > the Long Island Sound.  I could not tell which direction they were > headed, nor was I able to count all of them before they disappeared > from view. > > At 16:27, two nighthawk passed along a similar flight line as the > first larger kettle.  These were the final birds I observed before I > finally went home at 17:00.  Including the individual I observed late > AM, the total for today is at least 69 Common Nighthawk.  An exciting > cap to a trying day! > > My colleague, Tait Johansson, had observed a flock of 19 nighthawks > south of the platform on August 17 at ~17:30, spotting another > individual north of the platform around the same time.  We see > nighthawks each year at Chestnut Ridge in early fall, and I regret > that the timing of our coverage probably does not account for the > actual number of nighthawk that travel within viewing distance of the > platform. > > \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Birding Central Park on August 27, 2010 From: "Harry Maas" <hmaas AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:53:18 -0400 Today I birded the Ramble, including the Maintenance Field, from 8:30 am to noon, and must remark that my experiences there were completely different from those reported by others. Having learned of the report that 18 Warbler species had been found in the Park prior to 10 am, I expected to see many Warbler species even though I was not birding the North End. In those 3 1/2 hours, birding all of the Ramble plus (or including the Maintenance Field) and the surrounding areas, I was able to identify only six (6) species of Warbler, namely Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart (many immatures), Ovenbird, Northern Parula and Chestnut-sided Warbler. I spoke with at least a half dozen other regular Central Park birders, who were able to add Blue-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Canada, Nashville and Magnolia, for a grand total of ELEVEN (11) Warbler species (with a possible one or two others) by a half dozen veteran Central Park birders. Obviously the Warblers must have vacated the Park early. I birded the Maintenance Field from 8:30 to 8:45 (immediately following the time period another birder reported at least a dozen Warbler species), and, together with an excellent British birder and another Central Park veteran, we located NO (0) Warbler species. Amazing how fast this previous flock must have moved on. Every other birder I talked to remarked how slow it was and how the Ramble had produced only a few small pockets of activity. Guess birding really is a question of timing or coincidence -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: MNSA Avocet - yes From: "Michael Farina" <michfar AT tohmail.org> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:59:07 -0400 The American Avocet was first seen this morning at 11:00 and is currently sitting with mixed Yellowlegs on our western border (Bedell Creek) with easy views from the main trail near the blue bulkhead and bench. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation & Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: michfar AT tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: West End/Jones Beach This Morning (Nassau County) From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:20:25 -0400 I spent a few hours at WE2 this morning, hoping that the overnight northwest winds might produce a coastal flight. There was a modest movement, highlighted by a flyby Common Nighthawk, a Cliff Swallow (1) on the ground in the swale with Tree, Barn and Bank Swallows, and eight flyby Bobolinks. The most common warbler was American Redstart (14) while Red-breasted Nuthatch (13) numbers at WE2 continue to increase. No shorebirds of note were found in the swale, but American Oystercatcher numbers (475) were impressive as well as Western Willet (32) on the sandbar in the WE2 Marina. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC 8/27 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:50:37 -0400 Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Friday, 27 August 2010 (6:50 - 9:20 a.m.) I spent over an hour at the Great Hill, specifically the area where on Thursday 8/26 I found a Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as Lincoln's Sparrow. Early this Friday morning I was unable to re-find the Grasshopper but did see Lincoln's again, in the same area, as well as a Chipping Sparrow. The area in general had fairly good migrant activity with at least a dozen warbler spp. & 4 Vireo species: my first Blue-headed of the fall in Central, plus Yellow-throated & Warbling & (multiple) Red-eyed Vireos. A Scarlet Tanager was also there today and a modest number of Veery in the woods. There was also a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet, my first of fall in NYC. Flycatchers included Great Crested, multiple Empidonax, E. Wood-Pewees, & E. Kingbirds. At the Ramble, the maintenance field area was quite good in just a short look around 8:15 - 8:30 am, with a dozen warbler spp. including a few different species from those seen earlier, & as I passed thru the Ramble a keen birder & Central Park regular mentioned a burst of early migrants in Strawberry Fields which flock then dispersed to "parts unknown", something which may have been seen there on Thursday as well. A list of the eighteen warbler species I encountered this morning (not all in one area & taking in the Ramble as well as the north end of the park) is below. Again, these & other migrants were in rather discrete smallish flocks (and not distributed all through some places which can be productive); this has been usual so far this fall & may be the usual for a long time to come... unless we see a big 'fall-out', perhaps weather-related. Blue-winged Warbler (1) Tennessee Warbler (1) Nashville Warbler (2) Northern Parula (2) Yellow Warbler (1) Chestnut-sided Warbler (5+) Magnolia Warbler (18+) Black-throated Blue Warbler (3) Black-throated Green Warbler (2) Blackburnian Warbler (2) Prairie Warbler (1) Black-and-white Warbler (8+) American Redstart (25+) Ovenbird (4) Northern Waterthrush (5+) Common Yellowthroat (7+) Wilson's Warbler (1) Canada Warbler (5+) I might add that I cam across no other birders in the north end early this morning, and not many at all in the Ramble & vicinity a bit later... but migrant birds are out there now in any case. Good luck, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Baird's Sandpiper at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn From: Sam Stuart <surfbird AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:48:11 -0400 All, A Baird's Sandpiper was on the "archery field" at Floyd Bennett field this evening, accompanied by many Semipalmated and Black-bellied plovers. The "archery field" (I think that's what it's called) is the small field just north of the two turf soccer fields along Flatbush Ave. Approximately 100 plovers were in the field including Killdeer and mixed in was the Baird's, Least, Semipalmated Sandpiper and 3 Dowitchers. It made for good birding except that the mosquitos were devastating in the evening! Here is a picture of the Baird's: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasurfbird/4931236818/in/photostream/ The Baird's was my 83rd species for the day which included visits to Central Park, Jamaica Bay NWR and Floyd Bennett field all by bike (47 miles total). I thought that species diversity might be low after several rainy days but was glad to be wrong. CP had great warblers especially in the Ramble where I found 12 species within 15 min of each other. After Black-and-White and Redstards, Canada Warblers seemed to be the most prevalent Warbler of the day. While wandering around the Ramble I also saw two separate adult Bald Eagles flying overhead, other recent reports of this species from the park indicated, at least to me, that this is prime post-breading wandering time for this large raptor. Some silent Empids were around along with a very nice assortment of other birds that have been previously reported. Jamaica Bay NWR was flooded in the East Pond, thanks largely to the several days of hard rain we just experienced. Shorebird numbers were way down as a result of the high water levels. The only White-rumps I found were actually in the West Pond. Duck diversity was most impressive, I had six species easily, the best being a Northern Pintail. I suppose a pair of Moorhens, visible from the South end of the East Pond are notable too. Floyd Bennett field was my last stop and one of the best of the day because of all the Plovers in the grassy fields. It seems that there were plenty of bugs to munch on in the "archery field" so hopefully those birds stay put and attract some others. Good birding! Sam Stuart, NYC -- cell #: 917 209 2566 AIM: surfbird212 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC 8/24-26 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:51:03 -0400 Central Park , Manhattan, N.Y. City Thursday, 26 August, 2010 - a good old-fashionec late August cold front, & with it, some new arrivals! Already reported earlier were the Grasshopper & Lincoln's Sparrow[s] - singles of each species. There were pockets of migrants in various areas in the north end with a few of these containing upwards of ~30 birds. In higher numbers this Thursday a.m. were Magnolia & Black-and-white Warbler in particular, while American Redstart continued its dominance. A Worm-eating Warbler already reported earlier was in good view at the Loch early on, with a modest number of other migrants there. The numbers of Red-eyed Vireos also increased, with up to a dozen in view at one time near the Blockhouse and the same repeated at one part of the Great Hill, about 1/4 mile away from the other area. In addition there were Warbling Vireos in areas where they'd not bred this summer, while the numbers of Gray Catbird seen in Central Park as recently as a week ago had diminished greatly - this is not to say there won't be many more, rather that a first big movement of that common species has taken place in the area. A Red-breasted Nuthatch and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher were among other migrants, as well as more Veery on the move than before, in addition to several Wood Thrush. I also saw one Catharus Thrush that got away and seemed not to be either of the preceding species. A goodly number of Cedar Waxwings were moving by in the first hour or 2 of daylight, with some also stopping in. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo flushed from almost the same spot as 2 previous times recently - making me wonder if one is simply lingering in Central for some time now. Wednesday, 25 August - Quite the rainy morning in Manhattan, and perhaps not a lot of arrival flight the night before. In any case, a visit to the park (Ramble, south end, & north end) at mid-day & later hours was less productive but in consideration of the weather and the late hour a fair amount of activity anyhow, with most of the commoner mid-August migrants at least present and a few such as American Redstart again in numbers. In the air were again very high numbers of Chimney Swifts, & a modest number of swallows in some locations, mainly Barn Swallows with also a few N. Rough-winged and Bank Swallows. Tuesday, 24 August, 2010 - It seemed to me that a lot of migrants had departed Monday night - I couldn't come up with nearly the numbers or variety of migrants as had been found by me and others in the several days prior. One nice bird, a Black-billed Cuckoo that exited the maintenance meadow area of the Ramble going 'west-ish'.. also still a fair number of some of the more common migrants such as Am. Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and N. Waterthrush etc. There seemed to be a bit of morning flight as well, with birds still moving thru even at mid- morning times. A very good number (80+ spread over the park) of Chimney Swifts were in the airspace above. (A near-dusk attempt to see migrating nighthawks was unsuccessful.) - - - --- --- --- --- - - - Prospect Park in Brooklyn (Kings County, N.Y. City) seemed to do very well with migrants thru the day Thursday (8/26) - a young male BLUE Grosbeak was reported there by Rafael Campos, a Brooklyn regular & native of Costa Rica who has led bird tours there and elsewhere; he reports the grosbeak at the Vale of Kashmir (or Cashmere if you prefer). A goodly number of warbler species, the Yellow-breasted Chat seen by a number of additional birders in the area near the Prospect Boathouse, and 12+ additional warbler spp. with a Louisiana Waterthrush (fide Rafael Campos) also of note - the total "tally" again from a cumulative list for the day from some of those reporting sightings in Prospect Park. There were also a fair number of additional migrant species seen there, including at least a couple of Common Nighthawks a little later in the day. Forster's Tern was again still being seen at Prospect Lake. While I saw not such movement on Tuesday in Manhattan's Central Park, at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, birders there found a cumultaive total of at least 13 warbler species for 8/24 - which included reports of Palm, Worm-eating, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, and Canada among the other species, as well as a report of Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, plus some other flycatcher spp. such as E. Kingbird, and also a nice number (13, to be precise) of Wood Ducks, a N. Shoveler arrival, and an ongoing half-dozen or so of (numbers varying from day to day in reports) Forster's Terns at Prospect Lake, along with other migrants and visitors as noted in Peter Dorosh's Brooklyn birding blog for the date. Nice! (all the multiple-original observers are listed in that blog, with their individual reports) Hummingbirds are also turning up in Prospect, as generally most areas now, as they move south - and can be common near & along the coastal plain, and on the immediate shore with NW winds helping them on their way. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jamaica Bay WR and Oceanside MNSA (Queens & Nassau Counties) From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:03:36 -0400 We spent a disappointing morning at JBWR this morning, where the water levels were up in both the East and West Ponds, providing scant habitat for shorebirds. At the South end of the East Pond there was a young Common Moorhen, as well as distant views of a Black Tern and the White Pelican at the Raunt. We had three calling Bobolinks flying over the West Pond, where a Peregrine chased out what shorebirds where there. At Oceanside MNSA in the late morning we missed the previously reported Avocet, though it could have shown up after we left. Reported By Others: Dickcissel at West End 2 this morning, reported by Bob Kurtz and Rich Kelly. Ken & Sue Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Grasshopper Sparrow, Central Park, NYC 8/26 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:55:46 -0400 Thursday, 26 August 2010 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City A Grasshopper Sparrow appeared at the Great Hill in the park's northwest quadrant - first seen on the upper south slope (a bit below a cyclone-fenced wood-chip filled area) and then moving down to a somewhat more brushy area in the lower slope about 20 yards above the north side of the Pool, the closest park entrance being at West 103 Street. Additionally and almost a bit more surprising, a Lincoln's Sparrow was in the same area a bit higher on the hill in denser vegetation. A 'baker's dozen' (13) warbler species in the first 150 minutes of the morning with a Worm-eating Warbler at the Loch (in the central area within), also located in the north end of the park being the highlight amongst the warblers, which included a modest fresh arrival including obviously more Magnolia Warblers. The general migrant activity seemed patchy with birds in smallish flocks for the most part, an increasingly common sight even on bigger days of migratory passerine stopover, as compared with a decade or two in the past. More reports later or at night as warranted. This morning's Grasshopper was seen at about 7:30 a.m. & again at about 8:45 and again the later sighting was farther down-slope nearer the Pool. I briefly looked 'round Summit Rock very early on and saw relatively little at that early hour - but would think Ramble area observations could also be good this day. (Summit Rock is near W. 83-84 Streets). An early report from Brooklyn's Prospect Park (Kings County, N.Y. City) - a Yellow-breasted Chat seen opposite the Boathouse (along the upper Lullwater area) there, from Keir Randall via Peter Dorosh's birding blog. There will surely be more good reports from there and perhaps a number of other locations in NYC later on today... Good luck, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: extralimital pelagic photo'd: Procellaria petrel off Maine From: Susan Herbst <susieq60 AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:46:38 -0400 Pix are on this blog http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=20846 On Aug 25, 2010, at 10:50 PM, Tom Fiore wrote: > A stunning seabird find just off the coast of Maine this week: on a > whale watch boat out of Bar Harbor Maine, a large bird was observed > (and photographed fairly well - some photos have already been > circulating) by at least 3 including a fairly experienced sea-goer > who knew they had something probably quite special. The consensus > thus far with more experts weighing in on the photos of this bird > are that it is a White-chinned Petrel, an exceedingly rare record > for North American waters or indeed for any northern waters at all, > of this very handsome, large bird in the genus Procellaria, this a > species that typically inhabits the far southern oceans & has been > recorded breeding north just to the Falkland Islands off of > Argentina as well as north to the Isles Crozet, very well south of > Madagascar in the southern (sub-Antarctic) Indian ocean. A hat's > off to the finders, who were also so very lucky to get to see this > bird fly in the North Atlantic. The find also points up just how > much potential for exciting discoveries and understanding of a > great many little-known birds - not to mention other marine life - > is just out there over, on, and in the sea - a world we (most of > us) know quite little about, even to this day. Two prior North > American records of this species are from Texas (1986) and > California (2009). > > Original post to the MaineBirds list that began the excitement (for > those not on the boat!): > http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds/browse_thread/thread/ > 2e01305fe46d4708# > > Bird Life international is one basic source of online information, > for this big ocean-going species: > http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html? > action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3922&m=0 > > "The Internet Bird Collection" which includes some 'bits' of sound > recordings: > http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/white-chinned-petrel-procellaria- > aequinoctialis > > Further information (from Angus Wilson's A+ site): > http://www.oceanwanderers.com/WhtchnPet.html > > Another source of information, from ARKive: > http://www.arkive.org/white-chinned-petrel/procellaria- > aequinoctialis/#text=All > > A "Kiwi" perspective, & with some old illustrations: > http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/petrelwchinned.html > > A "news-maker" of a sea-bird: > http://beforeitsnews.com/story/150/933/Possible_White- > chinned_Petrel,_Bar_Harbor,_Maine.html > > Superb bird ! > > A good migration occurring now and all night this Wednesday - and > into Thursday, 8/25-26, 2010. > Good birding, and learning, > > Tom Fiore, > Manhattan Susan Herbst graphic design/illustration/photography 516-633-7730 susieq60 AT optonline.net www.susieart60.etsy.com www.facebook.com/MermaidSuesStudio -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: extralimital pelagic photo'd: Procellaria petrel off Maine From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:50:47 -0400 A stunning seabird find just off the coast of Maine this week: on a whale watch boat out of Bar Harbor Maine, a large bird was observed (and photographed fairly well - some photos have already been circulating) by at least 3 including a fairly experienced sea-goer who knew they had something probably quite special. The consensus thus far with more experts weighing in on the photos of this bird are that it is a White-chinned Petrel, an exceedingly rare record for North American waters or indeed for any northern waters at all, of this very handsome, large bird in the genus Procellaria, this a species that typically inhabits the far southern oceans & has been recorded breeding north just to the Falkland Islands off of Argentina as well as north to the Isles Crozet, very well south of Madagascar in the southern (sub-Antarctic) Indian ocean. A hat's off to the finders, who were also so very lucky to get to see this bird fly in the North Atlantic. The find also points up just how much potential for exciting discoveries and understanding of a great many little-known birds - not to mention other marine life - is just out there over, on, and in the sea - a world we (most of us) know quite little about, even to this day. Two prior North American records of this species are from Texas (1986) and California (2009). Original post to the MaineBirds list that began the excitement (for those not on the boat!): http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds/browse_thread/thread/2e01305fe46d4708# Bird Life international is one basic source of online information, for this big ocean-going species: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3922&m=0 "The Internet Bird Collection" which includes some 'bits' of sound recordings: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/white-chinned-petrel-procellaria-aequinoctialis Further information (from Angus Wilson's A+ site): http://www.oceanwanderers.com/WhtchnPet.html Another source of information, from ARKive: http://www.arkive.org/white-chinned-petrel/procellaria-aequinoctialis/#text=All A "Kiwi" perspective, & with some old illustrations: http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/petrelwchinned.html A "news-maker" of a sea-bird: http://beforeitsnews.com/story/150/933/Possible_White-chinned_Petrel,_Bar_Harbor,_Maine.html Superb bird ! A good migration occurring now and all night this Wednesday - and into Thursday, 8/25-26, 2010. Good birding, and learning, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Common Nighthawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 8/25 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:25:19 -0500 I intended to run my binocular across the dark, overcast sky one last time before closing the day's count at Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, located just outside of Mount Kisco. Instead, under a very light westerly wind at 15:59 (EST), I came away with a cluster of birds due east of the watch platform flying only a few hundred feet above the ridge tops. For just a second, I assumed it was a late day movement of Broad-winged Hawk piling up in a thermal; after I shook myself from my late-day stupor, I could see plainly that it was a veritable kettle of Common Nighthawk! 46 of them. Within minutes these birds began heading north, streaming out in twos and threes until they were nowhere to be seen. At 16:11, I spied at least 20 more nighthawk southeast of the watch platform blinking out of the haze at the reaches of visibility near the Long Island Sound. I could not tell which direction they were headed, nor was I able to count all of them before they disappeared from view. At 16:27, two nighthawk passed along a similar flight line as the first larger kettle. These were the final birds I observed before I finally went home at 17:00. Including the individual I observed late AM, the total for today is at least 69 Common Nighthawk. An exciting cap to a trying day! My colleague, Tait Johansson, had observed a flock of 19 nighthawks south of the platform on August 17 at ~17:30, spotting another individual north of the platform around the same time. We see nighthawks each year at Chestnut Ridge in early fall, and I regret that the timing of our coverage probably does not account for the actual number of nighthawk that travel within viewing distance of the platform. \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: common nighthawks From: Patmlou2 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:41:09 EDT Tonight at 9PM I observed 3 common nighthawks at John Burns Park in Massapequa on Merrick Rd. just east of the Bar Harbor Shopping center. Sam Janazzo also reported several at Merrick Park in Merrick just East of the Meadowbrook Pkway. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jones Beach West End From: Patmlou2 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:48:25 EDT Quite a number of shore birds this morning with semipalmated plover in greatest numbers, many black bellied plovers and semipalmated sandpipers also. Best was a flyover whimbrel seen by several other birders first. Pat Jones, Massapequa, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: MNSA Avocet -Yes From: "Michael Farina" <michfar AT tohmail.org> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:31:18 -0400 The American Avocet is currently, 8:30am, sitting with Greater Yellowlegs in the northeast mudflat between the south pond and Middle Bay Country Club. High tide was a 9:37am low tide will be at 4:08pm. Yesterday it fly out with the Yellowlegs around 12 noon. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation & Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: michfar AT tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Hummingbirds - somewhat off topic From: vanhaas AT citlink.net Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 01:07:19 +0000 (UTC) Since the topic of hummingbirds came up today, I thought some of you might enjoy a story I picked up on Eaglechat(alaska) this morning. Hopefully the link will work, I found it very interesting. Lets keep our eyes open locally. John Haas http://ebird.org/content/ak/news/rufous-hummingbird-takes-the-snowbird-route-1 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: very small and very big birds (migrating) From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:11:41 -0400 Hummingbirds, including at least a few adult male Rufous in the northeast this summer, have been migrating for at least several weeks already and Ruby-throateds have moved in good numbers over the past week or more... One way of gaging their numbers in migration is to check hawk-watch site daily reports which often note the passage of migrating hummingbirds. As a particular example from one such (exemplary) hawk-watch site in the east where a lot of birds in addition to raptors are counted, from the summit of the mountain in the case of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary - 85 (eighty-five) hummingbirds have been counted in the weeks since the watch activated for the fall 2010 season, beginning on 7 Aug. and through 23 Aug. You can read & add up the detailed daily sighting summaries at: http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=109&go=Go+to+site (scroll down thru the raptor counts to reach the daily summaries, attached to the same page.) And the same birds are moving throughout the northeast... migration is in progress almost always for some species in our region. Far more birds go south in August than is popularly understood, and a huge number are not shorebirds. Incidentally, a number of Bald Eagles are also on the move in August, and there may be some which also linger in areas where they're not (yet) breeding, in part as they may not have settled in and also in the case of birds that while in an adult plumage, may not be ready for breeding, or simply haven't... but with resident Ravens in more than one NYC borough, we'd welcome the eagles back, too. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: first hummer From: Andrew Block <troubleinshangrila1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:22:57 -0700 (PDT) The hummers are migrating.  I had my first of the year today at my feeder.  Just hope all the bees on the oriole feeder don't scare it away. Andrew   Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Field Biologist & Eco-tour Leader 37 Tanglewylde Avenue Bronxville, Westchester Co., New York 10708-3131 Phone: (914) 337-1229; Cell: (914) 886-5124; Fax: (914) 771-8036 "When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again..." - William Beebe, first Curator of Birds, Bronx Zoo "Crikey! Have a look at that!" - Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter "Just like the white winged dove sings a song, sounds like she's singing whoo, baby...whoo...said whoo" - Stephanie L. Nicks, Edge of 17, Bella Donna -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Eagle-on-Hudson From: "Barry or Rita Freed" <freeds AT lycos.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:23:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: MNSA Avocet -Yes From: "Michael Farina" <michfar AT tohmail.org> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:41:53 -0400 The American Avocet is currently sitting with Greater Yellowlegs in the northeast mudflat between the south pond and Middle Bay Country Club. High tide was a 9:01am low tide will be at 3:27pm. Michael Farina, CWB® Conservation Biologist Marine Nature Study Area Dept. Conservation & Waterways Town of Hempstead http://mnsa.webhop.org ( http://mnsa.webhop.org/ ) http://www.michael.farina.com ( http://www.michael.farina.com/ ) email: michfar AT tohmail.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Common Nighthawks From: redknot AT optonline.net Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:20:29 +0000 (GMT) While enjoying the Long Island Ducks game in Central Islip tonight three Common Nighthawks appeared for a couple of minutes in the bottom of the third inning, flying around the bright outfield lights, hawking for insects. They soon left and one returned for a minute or two in the top of the sixth inning hawking around the left field lights. For those interested in baseball the Long Island Ducks beat the York Revolution 13-7. John Turner -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC 8/23 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:50:31 -0400 Monday, 23 August, 2010 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City Despite a lot of (needed) rain and low clouds, wind, & nicely cooler temperature through most of the day, there were breaks in the weather and a good number of birds about in some areas of the park that I visited today. My highlight was a good look at a brightly-plumaged PHILADELPHIA Vireo in the maintenance meadow area of the Ramble, mid- day & also later. At least a dozen warbler species were around even in such less-than- ideal viewing conditions and among them was my first sighting of the fall season of a Blackpoll Warbler, which along with the several Magnolia Warblers having been found in the past few days & a number of other signals, a good sign that a big move could be on for land bird migration, if not all migrants in general, with the weather changes that are in store. In the Ramble, the areas that have been a bit quiet so far this month had a bit of activity, and there again was a fair amount of activity in trees near the reservoir, especially in the area next to the bridle path at the NW side of the reservoir, as well as in some places closer to the west side of the park. A high number of Spotted Sandpipers, perhaps not quite an all-time high number but at least 20 in the park today, along with a couple of Solitary Sandpipers are further indications of movement. Other species seen included a few Veery, a Wood Thrush, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak or two, and the warblers again including a number of Canada and also one Wilson's Warbler - with these more boreal-breeding species, there's likely a lot more to come thru on the very next cool front or change to any favorable weather overnight. Indeed even this Mon. night there are some signs of modest migration on the coast and perhaps more to the "inland". My wanderings were relatively brief on this wet day, and there may well have been a fair bit more migrant activity than I actually came across. Some of the warblers and other migrants being seen in the city parks just lately have also been reported from well south, to as far as north Florida, where a number of them do not breed: it is migration time... - - - - There's an awesome report of WHITE-TAILED (nope not that same old kite) TROPICBIRD, seen well out at sea off Massachusetts on 8/22 - an extremely rare sight in northeastern waters. The report was on the Mass-Birds list: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1282572997 Up to 15 Baird's Sandpipers are reported from the Montezuma NWR in central NY as of today along with a variety of other birds there, including a lingering duo of Red-necked Phalaropes. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Alley Pond Park, Queens inc GWWA From: dm5078 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:52:20 -0400 Alley Pond Park, Queens Monday August 22, 2010 Observers: Eric Miller, Jean Loscalzo A quick walk-about mid afternoon turned up several warblers and a raven. Eric also had a R-B Grosbeak before I got there. Highlights: Eastern Wood PeeWee, COMMON RAVEN (seen and heard several times), Little Blue Heron, Yellow-shafted Flicker Warblers (most seen in Little Alley): GOLDEN-WINGED (nice adult male) Ovenbird Black & White Chestnut-Sided American Redstart Common Yellowthroat Jean Loscalzo Richmond Hill, NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:29:01 -0700 (PDT) RBA * New York * Syracuse * August 23, 2010 * NYSY 2308.10 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): August 16, 2009 - August 23, 2010 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:August 23 AT 4:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #218 -Monday August 23, 2010 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of August 16 , 2010 Highlights: ----------- LEAST BITTERN BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK (Extralimital) MISSISSIPPI KITE (Extralimital) NORTHERN GOSHAWK SANDHILL CRANE BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER HUDSONIAN GODWIT UPLAND SANDPIPER WHIMBREL STILT SANDPIPER BAIRD’S SANDPIPER WESTERN SANDPIPER WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER RED-NECKED PHALAROPE BLACK TERN COMMON RAVEN COMMON NIGHTHAWK SWAINSON’S THRUSH Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 8/17: Seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh from East Road and Towpath Road. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. 8/20: Seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. A WHIMBREL, 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and 2 BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS. Black-bellied and Golden Plovers seemed to be gone. 8/22: Seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh. The WHIMBREL was relocated as were the 2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES. New shorebirds are BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and a rare WESTERN SANDPIPER. 2 SANDHILL CRANES were found also. A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at Tschache Pool. 8/23: 2 HUDSONIAN GODDWITS just seen at Knox-Marsellus Marsh Madison County ---------- 8/16: At the turf farn on Lakeport Road BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and LESSER YELLOWLEGS were all found 8/23: At the turf farm 6 STILT SANDPIPERS and a BAIRD’S SANDPIPER were found but no Plovers were found. Oswego County ---------- 8/18: At Sandy Pond SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, SANDERLING, SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and BAIRD’S SANDPIPER were all found. Also seen were 4 BLACK TERNS. 8/20: 5 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen in the vacinity of Co. Rt. 49 and Island Road. At the wetland on Co. Rt. 6 a LEAST BITTERN and a TRUMPETER SWAN were seen as well as good numbers of COMMON MOORHEN and GREEN HERON. Also 20 COMMON RAVENS were seen flying to roost. Shorebirds seen were LEAST SANDPIPER and WILSON’S SNIPE. Onondaga County --------------- 8/19: An UPLAND SANDPIPER was seen at the upper parking lot at the State Fair. 8/20: At the mouth of Nine Male Creek at Onondaga Lake a STILT SANDPIPER was seen. Also found were GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and LEAST SANDPIPER. Waterfowl seen included GREEN-WING TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, and NORTHERN SHOVELER. At Three Rivers WMA north of Baldwinsville a NORTHERN GOSHAWK, and a SWAINSON;S THRUSH were found. Extralimital ------------ 8/21: Successful breeding of the MISSISSIPPI KITES was confirmed at th Town of Root location in Montgomery County south of Canajoharie. The birds are best viewed near the intersection of Mapleton and Donato Roads. It is urged that you stay on the roads and do not trespass. 8/22: The BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK at the Tonawanda WMA is still present. Directions to the last sighting are: DIRECTIONS: The BBWD was on NY 77, in a roadside marsh about 200 yards northwest of the Cayuga Pool Overlook (Iroquois NWR). NY 77 is a north-south highway that travels NW in the area of the refuge. Thus, the reason for the sometimes confusing directions. In any case, if you are heading north on Rt 77, Iroquois NWR and Cayuga Pool overlook are on your right and Tonawanda WMA is on your left. Note that there is an exit for Rt 77 from the NYS Thruway. The duck was on the Tonawanda WMA side of the road and likes to stay hidden in the cattails. Good birding and stay safe out there. The trucks and cars really move through the area. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: CVWO Kiptopeke Challenge - Call for Teams From: <nasca AT gwffoundation.org> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:23:27 -0400 Dear New York State Birders; On behalf of the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory, and with the kind permission of the NYSbirds Listowner, I extend the following: The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory (CVWO) invites you to participate in the 16th Annual Kiptopeke Challenge (KC) set to be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The Kiptopeke Challenge is a fun and friendly team birding competition, whereby teams compete to identify the greatest number of bird species in a single day within the competition boundary of Accomack and Northampton Counties, Virginia, (Virginia's portion of the DELMARVA Peninsula), including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The primary goals of the KC are to raise awareness of fall bird migration on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to raise funds for the not-for-profit CVWO. It is easy to get involved and there are several categories in which to compete: 24-Hour, 3-Hour, Youth Team (age 18 and under) and Special Venue. The KC is open to anyone! Participants can form their own team or a single individual can request to be placed on an existing team. Please consider forming a team today. It's a great way to put your birding skills to work and help support an organization dedicated to avian research, habitat conservation and public education. For more information, a brochure, or to get involved in the 16th Annual KC please write to or visit . Sincerely, Paul Nasca CVWO - Kiptopeke Challenge Coordinator kiptopekechallenge AT gmail.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Robert Moses State Park (Suffolk Co.) and West End/Jones Beach (Nassau Co.) From: ken feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:06:08 -0400 A sea watch from Robert Moses State Park Field 2 this morning at 8:10AM produced eight Cory's Shearwaters and the usual terns and Laughing Gulls. At West End later in the morning there were two Black Terns feeding with a large flock of Common and Forster's Terns in Jones Inlet. Oystercatcher numbers continue to grow - four hundred fifty birds were observed while only two Western Willets were recorded. Fifty-five Red Knots were a good number and Semipalmated Plovers (200) were well represented. There were two first summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls at either end of the WE2 parking lot. I observed the swale in front of the WE2 concession building from the car which appeared birdless (and waterless), but did not cover the area thoroughly. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --