The previously reported male Red-necked Phalarope was observed at about 8:45 this morning on an outgoing tide at Pike's Beach. Specifically, the bird was on the east side of the large spit (the point of land that is on your right as you look north from the waters edge). The bird was with Short-billed Dowitchers, Sanderlings, and Semipalmated Sandpipers.
At Cupsogue Beach we recorded seven species of terns including Arctic (2 adults), Black (1), Roseate (4), Royal (2), Forster's (2), and many Common and Least Terns. Shorebird variety was decent for this time of year but nothing of note. We had waited for the tide to go out sufficiently to wade across. During that time at least half the terns left and we did not wait for the incoming tide (the best tide in our experience), so our number and variety of terns may not be representative. This was our first trip to Cupsogue this spring/summer and we were fortunate to find a good crossing point to the mudflats where the water never got above our knees. We favor walking down the dirt road west toward Moriches Inlet and then bearing right through an opening in the snow fence and walking north to the water. We then head east, looking for a good crossing point. The more adventurous favor a direct approach from the parking lot north through the marsh. Good Birding, Ken & Sue Feustel -- 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/ --
