I was informed through personal communication (from someone not on the list) that the HOODED WARBLER was seen both days of the weekend around the Springfield Blvd. staircase at Oakland Lake, Queens. I still haven't seen it. Have to get out of the neighborhood on weekends. So this is my report for April 21:
Point Lookout: I'm not sure at what point this becomes a late date of significance, but there's still one female HARLEQUIN DUCK. She flew in from the ocean and climbed up on the westernmost jetty while I was on it. She took off after a while when -- I kid you not -- a Gray Seal poked its head up right next to the rock she was standing on. These were just part of a lively and entertaining morning on and around the jetty, including breeding plumaged COMMON LOON and LONG-TAILED DUCK, several PURPLE SANDPIPERS, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS picking at mussels 25 feet from where I was sitting, and a frenzy of FORSTER'S TERNS. Of interest was a modest westward movement of Barn Swallows, perhaps a cold triggered reverse migration (as has been observed before). Jones Beach West End: I just took a quick spin through and from my car saw a BROWN THRASHER and an EASTERN MEADOWLARK. Captree: The RED-NECKED GREBE is still there and now has some color on the breast (picture on the recent work page of my web site). I don't know what its biggest problem is, but I noticed that it was using only its right foot for paddling. Three weeks ago, I did see it dive a few times. It must be getting food some time. It's now been around for two months and never looked well, but it's surviving. Timber Point: I thought I saw them both across the wide channel in the early afternoon, with the darker RUFF certainly being more conspicuous. He later (about 3:00) came into the near pool across the narrow channel (alone), and I was able to get a couple of decent pictures, one of which I have posted at http://www.stevewalternature.com/ . In the pool to the left of that one, there was a brief appearance by a PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Steve Walter Bayside, NY -- 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/ --
