First the negative report: Last Sunday's GASSHOPPER SPARROW and the GLAUCOUS GULL reported earlier in the week were no shows today at West End Jones Beach.
Today, birds were sparse and hard to come by despite a careful search of the surrounding areas. Highlights included the following: RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were observed in the median as well as flyovers. A total of 7 WWCR and 4 RECR were my tally. Steve Walter, managed to photograph both species, so opportunities still exits for looks and photos of CROSSBILLS, if one is lucky enough to find them. SNOW BUNTINGS, a flock of about 26 observed near the swale. HORNED LARKS, moving around in two flocks; 8 birds seem to favor the turn around just before thebooth as one exits West End. The rest were scattered near the gazebo by the Coast Guard Station. * R**AZ**ORBILLS*, 6 seen well in Jones Inlet looking from the fisherman's trail/road with Steve Walter and Bobby Kurtz. Steve and Bobby relayed to me a Dovekie was reported in the same area by another birder; we searched for some time but was unable to find any Dovekie at the location. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 2 immature birds seen by Bobby Kurtz and I near the Coast Guard Station. KILLDEERS, 2 flying around as they seemed unsettled with the workers cleaning up at West End II. CEDAR WAXWINGS, 2 birds near the entrance to the the fisherman's trail. OYSTERCATCHERS, 2 seen loafing on the bar near the Coast Guard Station during incoming tide. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, only one seen today down from the 6 that a number of us saw on Su nday. At Point Lookout, Bobby Kurtz reported the 6 *HARLEQUIN DUCKS* that have been seen intermittently for some time in the area. Finally, I have noticed that the birds appear to be singing earlier than usual?? 3 weeks ago, I was startled by a song at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. I was perplexed for a moment until it sank in that I was listening to a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in full song. I have since heard American Robins, Northern Cardinal and Red-winged Blackbirds singing and heard a House Finch in full song at the feeders in my backyard this morning. Signs of an early Spring or is this the result of a wacky weather pattern? 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 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/ --
