I went to Jamaica Bay today scouting out the area for the upcoming NYC Audubon shorebird class and walk this weekend. I found the conditions on the east pond to be unsafe. I was only able to walk in about 20 feet on the south side of the east pond went I started in sink into water and mud. Breaking the suction caused by the mud was not easy. I had to retreat. The north end of the east pond was even worse. I was not able to pass the phragmites before I started to sink into mud and water. I did not see any shorebirds at all on the east pond.
I tried the west pond and recorded a total of three shorebird species ( semipalmated sandpiper-10, semipalmated plover-3, oystercatcher- 6). I told the rangers at the desk that the east pond should be put off limits because of safety concerns. When you think it couldn't get any worse it did. I do not recommend anyone going to Jamaica Bay. Joe Giunta Sent from AOL Mobile Mail -- 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/ --
