An evening seawatch from Amagansett (Suffolk Co.) on Friday evening (3 May 2013) found a steady movement of NORTHERN GANNETS, the majority of 1st and 2nd CY birds. Layered onto this flight was a similar movement of large gulls, principally GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Although the numbers were small, these widely scattered birds were all heading east in a purposeful manner, different from resident birds, which tend to commute on and offshore or mill about relatively close to the beach.
Very little is known about the seasonal movements of gulls through our area, in part because migrants blend in with resident birds and movement events (flights) are often diffuse. Systematic counts of gulls from seawatches or roost sites, making note of their behavior, will help fill this gap in our knowledge. Other highlights were 3 MANX SHEARWATERS, 8 COMMON TERNS and 10 LEAST TERNS all heading east. Details can be found here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13980074 Angus Wilson -- 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/ --
