Yesterday, because of Tuesday night's n/w winds, I opted to pay my first visit of the season to the Fire Island Hawk-Watch. I arrived mid-morning, and left ~ 1215. The weather was great, the company was great, but the birding was slow. The wind stayed n/w, until coming around to s/e about 1130, but was low ~ 5 to 7 mph. Swallows ( mostly trees, with some barns) were the most numerous bird species seen, and kept passing throughout my entire stay. A few Ospreys, Merlins and Kestrels were also counted, in addition to the 4 or 5 hummingbirds that buzzed on bye ! Other sightings were 2 White-tail Deer, each with a sizable "wrack", as well as huge numbers of "darners" - which, due to the available time (read - slow birding) I was able to learn a bit about , thanks to Drew Panko & Trudy Battaly. On a different note, once on Fire Island proper, but before even reaching the counting platform, I came upon a bird/road-kill, that proved to be a mystery to, first, me, and then to the other "counters". Although badly squashed, I took some photos and collected a few feathers, which hopefully, will lead to an identification.
En-route home, I had a lone Turkey Vulture in Calverton, and after getting to Riverhead, had another lone T.V. flying over our Condo, and for the very first time, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in our garden, seeking nourishment from 2 of our Rose of Sharon bushes ! Cheers, Bob -- 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/ --
