I found ample evidence this morning that the massive migration of the past few days was not limited to the barrier beaches/south shore of Long Island. The north end of Blydenburgh County Park (Smithtown) hosted large numbers of White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos, with various sized flocks distributed around the edges of fields and the horse corral. Flocks of PINE SISKINS and PURPLE FINCHES passed overhead and some were also observed "on the ground". One flock of Siskins alit in a tree and proceeded to come down to drink and bathe in a large rain puddle. Purple Finches fed on rose hips in thickets. Other late fall migrants present in good numbers included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, and White-crowned Sparrow.
Similarly high numbers of sparrows were found later at Hoyt Farm Park (Commack), with only Swamp Sparrow being appreciably more abundant. In addition, I found an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER foraging in the weedy edges of the field adjacent to the auxiliary parking lot, and encountered what I assumed was the same bird a bit later in appropriate habitat just a little farther into the park. Other notable birds seen during my visit included 1 House Wren and 1 Fox Sparrow. Full eBird checklists (with embedded photos) here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20364637 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20364722 -- 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/ --
