Today, the South Fork of Long Island (Suffolk Co.) held many
interesting birds.
The Northern Lapwings were present around Deep Hollow throughout the
day. Several times they were flushed and could either be found in the
north or south pasture.
Earlier, while searching for the lapwings (before they were refound by
Jim Ash and party), I came across a dark-eyed blackbird foraging
around the pond at Rita's Stables. Initial views were obscured but
eventually, it came into the open, confirming my thoughts that this
may be a Brewer's.
Overall, this female bird superficially resembles a cowbird at first
glance (rather than a Rusty), but upon closer inspection, many details
are quite unique from either of these species. The straight culmen,
dark iris, dull brown plumage without any distinct streaking, as well
as different structural and behavioral characteristics all point
toward Brewers and away from these other candidates.
Shortly after these views, it flew off to the east. When I lost it in
the air, we originally thought it had continued on to another area
(possibly Deep Hollow); we were unable to relocate it at other
locations, so it is possible that it had recircled back to an obscured
area of the Stables. Jim Ash did relocate it at the pond at Rita's
around 11, allowing most birders in the area to see it. For those
hoping to try for the blackbird in the coming days, please drive down
to the barn at Rita's Stables (off West Lake Dr) and view from there.
Rita is quite accommodating to birders, but requests that people do
not watch from the shrubbery off of Montauk Highway as this may
frighten the horses.
Photos of the blackbird as well as other highlights from around
Montauk can be seen at the end of this album: https://picasaweb.google.com/117391989476777248424/NewYorkBirds2012
A Cackling Goose was present in the south pasture of Deep Hollow this
morning. While viewing this bird, Seth picked out a very dark-
breasted Canada which looked great for being a "Dusky" Canada (B.c.
occindentalis).
Additionally, on a belated note, yesterday afternoon, I found my FOS
Cackling Goose in a flock of Canadas on Roanoke Avenue in Northville.
Pipits were quite evident in most open fields on the North Fork
yesterday and I tallied 381 between Eastport and Northville. Large
numbers were also noted on the South Fork today.
Good November birding to all,
Michael McBrien
East Patchogue
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html
Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
--
