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Recent Postings from
The New York Birding List

Updated on Sunday, November 18 at 10:49 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

This morning at 9 AM, just west of the entrance to the Coast Guard station, in 
the median pines, there were a dozen red crossbills. 


Rick K.

A very strange selection of birds in today's morning flight. Finch numbers were 
fairly low due to east winds. Highlights among them and others were: 

   
  American Oystercatchers (2 linering at the Boat Basin)
  American Kestrel
  Peregrine Falcon
  Hairy Woodpecker
  Eastern Bluebird (1)
  Pine Warbler (1)
  Northern Cardinal (not reliable at the beach)
  Chipping Sparrow (1)
  American Tree Sparrow (1)
  Snow Bunting
  Lapland Longspur (2, TR Nature Center/ West End 1)
  Purple Finch (1 or 2 pairs)
  Red Crossbills (dozen, landed in tree then left minutes before I arrived)
   
  Also reported were pipits in the dunes.
   
 Some ducks have moved in, among them Hooded Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks. There 
were good numbers of Ruddy Ducks at Eisenhower Park. A Barnacle Goose was 
reported there on the 16, but there were few geese at all on the pond, and the 
Barnacle was not among them. It may be worth checking there however, as the 
goose may have joined a wandering feeding flock. This sighting was reported to 
eBird by Scott Zevon and has not been "confirmed by an eBird reviewer". 

   
 Coordinates of the pond are: ,-. Park by the Korean War 
Memorial and the driving range. 

   
  Good birding,


Brendan Fogarty
Nassau Co. NY
Bird Photo Gallery at http://www.flickr.com/photos/birderbf/

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 11:05 AM
Subject: horse farm at montauk


Hi all,
Just received a call from Shai Mitra. He and several other well known birders 
are at the Deep Hollow Ranch at Montauk and have several extremely good birds. 
They are Western Kingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher,Pink-footed Goose and the 
continuing Barnacle Goose, WOW! According to Hugh McGuinness, the trail on the 
east side of the horse farm is public property. The parking lot, on the other 
hand, isn't. Good luck if you go. 

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
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To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

Hi All,

Jeremy Nance asked me to forward news of two interesting birds he found at 
Jamaica Bay NWR (Queens County) on Saturday afternoon. Details below. I've not 
heard any further word on the Ash-throated Flycatcher near the visitors center 
(,-) since it vanished early on Saturday morning. It goes 
without saying that re-sightings of any of these birds would be of interest to 
many. 


Cheers, Angus Wilson
New York City & Springs

***********************************

Details of the swallow and teal from Jeremy:

�A likely Cave Swallow flew overhead near the Terrapin Trail area 
(,-) of the west pond (It was definitely Cave or Cliff. I saw 
the orangish rump clearly, although did not get a clear look at the 
throat/face. I'm assuming it probably wasn't Cliff based on likelihood and 
reports of Cave in the NE this fall). The bird headed out over the bay and is 
almost certainly gone, but I imagine there are more passing down the coast." 

 
"The other more interesting bird was a female teal that I strongly suspect was 
a cinnamon. I observed it for 20 minutes (by scope) on the east pond across 
from the bench near big john's pond trail (hanging out with some 
green-wingeds)(,-). Obviously I cannot rule out with 
certainty a blue-winged, but the facial pattern/tone was classic cinnamon: a 
rusty-brown face without strong lore spot and eye-ring, barely noticeable but 
not contrasty darker horizontal line from bill back through and beyond the eye. 
The bill seemed slightly large too, although this field mark is difficult 
without a direct comparison." 


"I've seen lots of cinnamons from my time on the west coast and have had many 
opportunities to compare with blue-winged directly, but realize that there is 
variation and one cannot be certain without very detailed field marks/photos. 
Hopefully the bird will hang around and someone can get some pictures.� 


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Yesterday (Sat. 17th) , I found a Greater Yellowlegs at Ausable Point  
on Lake Champlain.

Peter Schoenberger, Woodstock

Some sightings at the feeder and the wooded area by our house.

Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Black Vulture 5
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 1
Goldfinch (abundant)
Black-capped Chickadee 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Northern Flicker 2
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker 1
Red Bellied Woodpecker 1 (male)
Purple Finch 2 ( 1 male, 1 female)
House Finch 3 ( 2 male, 1 female)
Grackles 2
Mourning Dove (abundant)
Blue Jay 5

/Andreas

-- 
www.kanonphoto.com

Croton was slow today, 2 Vesper Sparrows, 6 American Pipits, and 2 Snow  
Buntings.
The main reason for this post is I am trying to get the contact for a  person 
named Dave Gardner.  Does anyone know his email? I need to speak  with him.
Thanks
 



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Along Mecox Road, midway between Horsemill Lane and Halsey Lane, 
there's a livestock enclosure.  At 1400 this afternoon, it harbored 
several head of dairy cattle � and two Cattle Egrets.

, -

I have not seen the redpoll yet today. may seem a bit early to be posting a 
negative sighting, but on past days i would have seen it 4 or 5 times by now. 
i'll post again if it shows. 

  kathryn klecan

       
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The Myiarchus flycatcher found by Scott Whittle yesterday was refound and seen 
by Pete Shen between 6:40-7:30 this morning. It has since disappeared however 
and is currently being searched for by m.o. 


The bird had been frequenting the area near the bird log book directly behind 
the visitor's center at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. 


 Early returns indicate a likely Ash-throated. Photos taken yesterday by Scott 
can be viewed at: 

www.larzalere.smugmug.com

Regards
Shane B.
Brooklyn NY

Friday, 16 November, 2007
Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City

There was some migration in progress over Manhattan as witnessed from  
Central Park from sunrise thru mid-afternoon.  The numbers of loons  
were notable - almost all apparently Common Loons, moving mainly from  
west to east, or northwest to southeast, in pulses with some groups  
of 3, 4, or 5 at a time & still moving well after noon.  As some were  
quite high & the cloud deck relatively low at times I suspect there  
were perhaps many more in this flight.  I noted a few skeins of Snow  
Geese, totaling over 250 including at least 1 blue form, & a rather  
smaller number of Brant, as well as some Canada Geese going over in  
the morning.  A very modest raptor flight observed included Sharp- 
shinned, Cooper's, Red-tailed & 1 Red-shouldered Hawk[s], along with  
a few Turkey Vultures.

Most impressive besides the loon movement were a good morning flight  
of such passerines as Eastern Bluebird (few), American Robin (300+),  
Cedar Waxwing (relatively few, but some also coming in to feed at  
abundant crabapple fruits), Purple Finch (50+, also some lingering in  
the park), Common Redpoll (a few - apparently only fly-overs, as I  
several times revisited not only the Ramble's feeders, but also  
scanned a good number of areas that might have had these feeding,  
such as where there are fruiting Sweet Gum trees), Pine Siskin  
(several feeding on Sweet Gum tree seeds along with goldfinches in  
the north woods, & at least a few going over with the many goldfinch  
flocks), & American Goldfinch (hundreds of fly-overs, still some  
moving after noon, & beginning to swarm over the Ramble's nyjer  
["thistle"] seed feeders later in the day.  There were also fair  
numbers of fly-over blackbirds- totaling 1,500+, most apparently  
Common Grackles, with Red-winged Blackbird less than 1/2 of the total  
seen, & perhaps a few Rusty Blackbirds as well.  Rusty Blackbirds  
have been seen in the park in recent days, mainly around the lake, &  
in single-digit numbers there.  Other passerines had generally  
dwindled in numbers & variety since the cooler weather set in.  Of  
course we're still in a prime period for odd late or unexpected  
species to turn up locally.

Good birding,
Tom Fiore
N.Y. City
________

This morning from 7:15AM to 9:15AM at WE2/Jones Beach there was a modest
flight of fall migrants. Among the migrants were:

 

Pine Siskin - 15

Purple Finch - 5

Red Crossbill - 5

American Goldfinch - 610

Cedar Waxwing - 110

Red-winged Blackbird - 140

American Pipit - 3

 

Sighting Update: The previously reported Northern Shrike was still in the
dune area east of the Cedar Overlook Beach parking lot on Wednesday, where
it was seen by two observers. The bird moves around frequently and should be
looked for as far east as the Engineers Road at Oak Beach.

 

Ken Feustel

the common redpoll continues at our backyard feeders and visitors are welcome 
(no need to knock). see previous post for directions. the last 2 days it has 
been noted to feed at regular intervals (approximately every hour) but stays 
put for less time (2-15 minutes). 

  good birding,
  kathy and cynthia

       
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As I was about to leave the house this morning to search for the
Eurasian Wigeon reported from Rockland Lake, I glanced out at our
backyard feeder and noticed an unusually large bird among the usual cast
of  finches, nuthatches, chickadees, etc. Upon closer inspection, it was
a female Evening Grosbeak. Seconds later it was joined by a male EVGR.
Needless to say, my trip departure was delayed. 
 
I finally arrived at Rockland Lake at about 10 AM and after a short
search, located the male Eurasian Wigeon (originally found by Carol
Weiss on 11/6/2007) along the west shore about a quarter mile south of
the fishing station (41.1394, -). Other reports have been from
the same general location. Throughout the time I observed the bird it
was consorting with a female widgeon (Eurasian?).  Photographs of the
male and female wigeon (and grobeaks!) can be seen at
www.rocklandaudubon.org  . Any comments
on the identity of the female wigeon would be greatly appreciated.
 
 
Alan Wells
Tomkins Cove, NY (Rockland Co.)

We will be running our now annual early winter pelagic from Freeport,  
NY on December 1.  We have a weather date of December 2, so if you're  
coming please let us know if you'll be able to make the weather date.

This is an earlier than usual date and it has been a warmish fall.   
When we had these conditions last year, it was good for Manx  
Shearwater.  Also found were Red Phalarope and Northern Fulmar.  Other  
more common birds to be expected are Black-legged Kittiwake, Iceland  
Gull, possibly other uncommon winter gulls, loons, waterfowl, and  
Northern Gannet.  It's also a good time for cetaceans such as Common  
Dolphin and Fin Whale.


The trip leaves at 6:15 AM to allow for birders to come to Freeport by  
rail.  If you plan on doing that, let us know and we'll arrange for  
rides from the train station.  It returns at approximately 6:15 PM.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact us at the  
e-mail address below or give us a call.

Hope to see you aboard.


-PAG

Paul A. Guris
See Life Paulagics
P.O. Box 161
Green Lane, PA  18054
www.paulagics.com

info AT paulagics.com

I spotted the No.Shrike at the Shawangunk Wildlife refuge at 11 AM  today; it 
was located near the Galeville Park area in spite of a very stiff wind  ..Dr. 
Claude Bloch



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Well after a bad day at Hook Mtn I came home to find at least 13 Pine  
Siskins at the thistle tubes here in Ardsley NY. Ardsley is located in Southern 

Westchester County.
 



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This morning Chris Lyons and I saw nine vultures up in
the skies here,in northern manhattan,and one of them
turned out to be a Black Vulture(the others were
Turkeys)
This is actually our personal first bv for manhattan.
There are numbers of Red Tailed Hawks seen in this
area also,actively squirreling here,between the train
tracks and the river itself.  I saw what looked for
all the world like a Sharp Shinned Hawk heading north
through the vulture assembly,as a leaf storm swirled. 
I wonder if this place would not be a half bad
hawkwatch.

Good Birding,
Yolanda Garcia


 
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A Northern Shrike continues to be seen at Shawangunk National Wildlife Refuge ( 
Galeville Airport), in Ulster County. 

 
The bird is most often seen from the Galeville Park side on Long Lane. Take the 
park road to it's 

 
end and scan the trees in the field.  
 
Good Birding,
          Curt McDermott
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A Northern Shrike continues to be seen at Shawangunk National Wildlife Refuge ( 
Galeville Airport), in Ulster County. 

 
The bird is most often seen from the Galeville Park side on Long Lane. Take the 
park road to it's 

 
end and scan the trees in the field.  
 
Good Birding,
          Curt McDermott
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Hello, All.
Have had a lone red-winged blackbird hanging around the feeders most of the  
morning......
No other black-type birds in area. Do these birds fly alone and stay  this 
late in the season?
 
 
I am approximately 10 miles northeast of Stony Brook State Park  & 3 miles 
southeast of Conesus, NY.
 
Happy Birding!
Kelly Close
_Byrdhaus AT aol.com_ (mailto:Byrdhaus AT aol.com) 
 





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Just found out this post didn't go through yesterday. 
   
 A commmon redpoll continues at our backyard feeders for the fourth consecutive 
day. Anyone wishing to try to see this bird is more than welcome. Anytime after 
7 am is fine.Please respect the privacy and property of our neighbors and 
refrain from wandering in the woods surrounding our home. To reach us take exit 
63 on the LIE north to rte 25 (middle country rd), travel east(right turn) on 
rte 25. Make a left (north) onto 

 Church Lane (this left is 2 miles east of rte 112). If you are traveling from 
the east, Church Lane is the first right after Reliable Garden and Fence. At 
the 2nd stop sign 

 make a right onto Oakcrest Ave. We are the last house on the right, 7
 oakcrest ave.  Enter the backyard through the gate on the left side of
 the house. Although the bird is quite tame, it is best to approach
 slowly and at least initially scan the feeders from the side of the house.
 But you are welcome to sit on the deck. The bird favors the lower perch
 of the thistle feeder, but has also been seen foraging in the
 surrounding trees. Early a.m. and late afternoon are best, but the bird
 comes and goes throughout the day.
   
  Kathryn Klecan and Cynthia Hovnanian

       
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Wedn, November 14, 2007

David Jordet
Miller Field/Great Kills Park 


Earlier today I located 20+ SNOW BUNTINGS at Miller Field. 



But the highlight was 27 AMERICAN PIPITS which flew in to the same
location. After about five minutes they were chased away by a MERLIN.



I decided to head down to Great Kills Park and found, what I believe to be,
the same group of birds,  plus another dozen or so totalling somewhere
between 35 and 40 A. PIPITS. Not bad since I've only seen a total of three 
before this. 




I also spotted my first-of-season HORNED LARK (8) feeding on the lawn. 


I also wanted to thank everyone who responded re: my EXTRALIMITAL email. I 
appreciated the additional definitions and points of view. Thanks! 



Be well and good birding!



-- Dave









 
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Forwarded from NNYbirds:

This is just to give everyone downstate an idea of just how widespread and
numerous Bohemian Waxwings are north of Thruway. 

This has been quite a month for Bohemian Waxwings in the area, to say 
the least. It's almost more unusual to spend time outside in 
Essex/Clinton Counties and NOT see/hear some than it is to see them, 
or so it feels lately. I saw a flock of 19 this morning outside my 
house while I was splitting firewood. I saw a flock of 50+ behind 
the school bus garage in Keeseville last week. Likewise at the 
school bus garage in AuSable Forks last week. Yesterday morning, 
whilst I was gassing up at the Stewart's in Keene, a flock of 35-40 
Bohemians swirled in to feed on an ornamental shrub right by the gas 
pump (as a female PINE GROSBEAK called from the top of a nearby 
tree!). I saw a flock of about 50 along Christian Road in 
Whallonsburg yesterday. And as Mike Peterson mentioned in his report 
from Essex, there was that glorious flock of ~100 flying all about as 
we watched from the village sidewalk. 

However, the season's biggest gathering of Bohemians (that I have had 
the priviledge to experience) was the massive, evolving flock of well 
over 1,000 (a thousand) birds that saturated just about every tree, 
shrub and puddle of water along the first 1/10 mile of roadway at 
AuSable Point Park yesterday afternoon. From the area just past the 
bridge to the viewing platform on the marsh there were Bohemians 
everywhere(and at least a couple of Cedars). Looking out at the 
trees well into the marsh I could see hundreds of Bohemians 
flycatching amid swarms of midges dancing in the late afternoon 
light. One smallish tree held over 200 birds packed in tight as they 
waited their turn to gobble the black fruit of some lakeside shrubs. 
And more smaller flocks kept coming in to feed the whole time I was 
there (about 2 hours). Some roadway puddles had rings of over 20 
Bohemians drinking along their edges. It was truly staggering and 
wonderous. 

As I was absorbing all of this a duck hunter/birder/guide stopped to 
chat and spent an hour sharing the amazing event. He had been 
paddling his kayak around the delta of the AuSable River on the other 
side of the park and had observed "just as many" Bohemians over there 
as we were presently observing. After the birds became comfortable 
with our presence they flew and perched within an arms' length from 
where we stood and gawked, all the while being bathed in the 
celestially exquisite late afternoon light of November. Who knows 
how many individual Bohemians were actually within the confines of 
the park, or are in the Adirondack Park these days? 

A humorous sidenote to the Bohemian Festival at AuSable Point 
yesterday was the appearance of a 1.hungry, 2. baffled, 3. 
overwhelmed SHARP SHINNED HAWK that perched for about 15 minutes and 
seemed to be just trying to take in the immensity and density of the 
flock of Bohemians. Perhaps it was just too much of a concept to 
squeeze into that tiny skull...it flew away without so much as a 
feint at anyone. 

For anyone who might come our way to look for their first Bohemians a 
word of advice: do not disregard any flock of 'starlings' you might 
see once you're in territory. From a distance a swirling flock of 
Bohemians, with their pointy wings and chunky bodies, can look 
and 'feel' similar to a flock of starlings (which most birders have 
seen plenty of). Take your time and check it out. 

Other highlights of yesterday's Westport-to-AuSable Point trip 
included: 
NORTHERN SHRIKE (adult along Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville) 
ROUGH LEG HAWK (along Clark Road near Whallonsburg) 
PINE GROSBEAK (3-4 in Essex, 1 in Keene) 
WHITE WING CROSSBILL (flyover at Noblewood) 
FISHER (the mammal...seen at very close range crawling over the rocks 
on the shore of Whallon's Bay) 
COMMON LOON (half a dozen at AuSable Point...one calling frequently) 

The ducks were not so hot yesterday anywhere I looked along the 
Lake. No sea ducks nor even slightly unexpected ducks, let alone any 
rarities. 

Lastly, in this November of northern visitors, an adult male PINE 
GROSBEAK had a near-death experience involving my front left tire and 
the pavement of Lake Placid earlier this week. The little dude was 
nibbling something off of the road surface and was not alarmed in the 
least by the approach of my auto. Thank goodness I have the reflexes 
of a jungle cat or that bird would have been as flattened as its dead 
friend was about 20 yards further along the road. I had to get out 
of my car and 'shoo' him off the roadway! Reminded me of the time 
about 10 years ago when my wife and I counted six flattened Red 
Crossbills just south of Plattsburgh near the golf course. Be 
careful you wacky seedeaters! 

Paul 
Jay, NY 



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Dear Sir or Madam,
 
I assist to coordinate the Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP), a unique
binational marsh bird and amphibian population monitoring initiative of
Bird Studies Canada that has successfully engaged hundreds of volunteer
Citizen Scientists since 1995 to measure the status and trends of
wetland-dependent birds and amphibians, and has provided valuable
information about the health and ecological integrity of Great Lakes
basin coastal and inland wetlands. For several years our program has
worked with many dedicated volunteer participants to track marsh bird
and amphibian populations in New York State, but we are hoping to
improve the level of volunteer participation in a few particular
regions, specifically known as Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs), by
establishing local volunteer coordinators. In New York, these include
the Buffalo River, St. Lawrence River, Rochester Embayment, Eighteenmile
Creek, Niagara River and (former) Oswego River AOC regions. By doing so,
we aim to improve the capacity for the MMP to report volunteer-collected
data to the local AOC stakeholders who are tracking environmental
recovery.
 
Volunteer MMP regional coordinators will help to expand the presence of
the MMP in these AOC regions by helping to promote the program locally,
recruit new volunteers, provide them appropriate survey training, and
mentor and assist their MMP monitoring activities during the survey
season. Coordinators will work closely with MMP staff to complete their
tasks and responsibilities. 
 
We are currently looking to recruit one or more volunteer MMP regional
coordinators for the following regions:
*         Buffalo and surrounding region
*         Niagara County
*         Massena/Northern St. Lawrence County 
*         City of Oswego and surrounding region
*         Rochester and surrounding region
 
Our MMP regional coordinator information brochure with application form
can be viewed at
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/MMPvolcoordbrochure.pdf, and an
accompanying document describing the positions in more detail can be
viewed at http://www.bsc-eoc.org/download/MMPvolcoordescription2007.pdf.
For those interested, please submit your application form ASAP, to Ryan
Archer at the contact information below. 
 
If you know of any individuals that might be interested in helping to
coordinate MMP monitoring in any of the above-listed areas, or in other
regions for that matter, or if you had an opportunity to distribute
these materials in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if
you have any comments or questions about our plans to establish local
MMP coordinators, please let me know. I can provide further information
about these MMP regional coordinator positions for anyone interested,
and would be happy to talk about this in more detail by phone if you'd
like.
 
Thanks very much,
 
Ryan Archer
 
Assistant Coordinator
Marsh Monitoring Program
Bird Studies Canada
P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, ON, M0E 1M0
Tel: ext. 235
Tel Toll Free:  ext. 235
Email: rarcher AT bsc-eoc.org
 
 

Tues, 13 Nov. Jones Beach Coast Guard Station grounds in a Canada Goose flock.

The consensus (with a big boost from Shai Mitra) is that the goose is an 
immature Blue morph Snow Goose, certainly in a plumage not depicted in Sibley. 
Blue morph birds are highly variable and this one certainly is different. It 
showed some plumage features (compared to pictures available at the beach this 
morning) of both Snow and Ross blue morph birds , although structurally appears 
to be a Snow. Possibility of a hybrid was discussed and dismissed. 


An interesting example of what makes birding so much fun.

Sy Schiff

Despite the number of Goldfinches�in my yard being half of what it was 
Saturday, there are now 2 PINE SISKINS�visiting my feeders. I saw one on both 
ends of a perch on my nyjer�(thistle) seed feeder. It would be great if they 
stick around, so I dutifully refilled the feeders before I left for work. I'm 
hoping for Redpolls�and Evening Grosbeaks�next. Yeah right. 

Hi All,

Highlights: Barnacle Goose, Tundra Swan and other newly-arrived winter 
waterfowl, lingering Royal Terns and a scattering of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 


*** Saturday, November 10, 2007 ***

Most of the sand flat at Mecox Inlet (Google Maps Coordinates: , 
-) has vanished underwater but a flock of gulls were gathered near the 
closed cut to the ocean. 12 ROYAL TERNS were present mid-afternoon, including 
several begging young. With a strong northerly wind and definite nip in the 
air, the terns made for an incongruous sight. 5 Bonaparte�s Gulls were also 
present on the flats and several hundred Laughing Gulls were feeding offshore 
with Gannets. At the south end of Sag Pond (Sag Mains, , -), 
an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was amid the gulls roosting on an exposed 
sandbank. A male Ring-necked Pheasant flew across Peters Pond Lane. The large 
pond at Poxabogue was very quite. A quick check of Accabonac Harbor (, 
-) on the way home found 15 Dunlin, 16 Black-bellied Plover and 5 
Ruddy Turnstone feeding on the exposed gravel flat. 


*** Sunday, November 11, 2007 *** 

Winds remained from the north or northwest overnight, and the morning was brisk 
but clear. Scattered flocks of American Robin were very evident in Springs, 
including a flock of 50 birds around the house. On the ocean off the camp 
ground at Hither Hills State Park some 600+ Northern Gannets were actively 
feeding along with a hundred or so Laughing Gulls. Visible passerine migration 
was light with scattered flocks of American Robins (most going east rather than 
west) and small parties of American Goldfinches going west. 


This seemed as good a day as any to find Cave Swallows on the East End, I 
headed for Montauk to rendezvous with Hugh McGuinness, who had been checking 
the area around the lighthouse (, -). Prior to my arrival, 
Hugh located the continuing BARNACLE GOOSE in the horse pasture at Deep Hollow 
on the south side of the highway (, -). The goose was with 
200 or so Canada Geese and 11 Killdeer. A male NORTHERN PINTAIL was with 
Mallards on the pond at the Deep Hollow Ranch. Hugh was seeing small numbers of 
American Goldfinch, juncos and other passerines passing along the scrub at 
Outer Beach at the end of East Lake Drive. His highlights were a Rusty 
Blackbird and a Purple Finch. We saw several small flocks of American Goldfinch 
and Dark-eyed Juncos. 


Next we drove up the west side of Lake Montauk, finding a flock of Cedar 
Waxwings with American Robins and a GREAT CORMORANT at the Montauk Inlet jetty 
and a PALM WARBLER feeding on some goldenrod. Another GREAT CORMORANT was on 
the dock at Duryea�s lobster restaurant on Fort Pond Bay and a hundred or so 
Northern Gannets were plunge diving in the bay. The pond held 67 RING-NECKED 
DUCK, a nice number for the East End, together with 4 Hooded Merganser, 2 Wood 
Duck and a Belted Kingfisher. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (�Frank�) was 
one the beach at Fort Pond Bay, likely the bird that has been returning to this 
area for a number of winters. A Swamp Sparrow was with several Song Sparrows in 
the grass at Rod�s Valley (, -). Sparrow numbers in general 
seem to have declined suggesting that most have move on and remaining birds 
will likely winter. 


Next, I hiked out across the dunes on the east side of Napeague Harbor failed 
to turn up the hoped for shrike, snowy owl or swallow but I did flush an 
EASTERN MEADOWLARK and a single SNOW BUNTING passed overhead. Two Northern 
Harriers cruised the dunes. The adult Lesser Black-backed Gull (�Larry�) was in 
the usual spot on the beach at Lazy Point on the northwestern side of Napeague 
Harbor (, -). 


At Hook Pond in East Hampton (, -) I had no trouble finding 
the two adult TUNDRA SWANS, first of the season, found a few hours earlier by 
Hugh. They were feeding on the western arm of the pond, which has been cleared 
of phragmites reeds. 55 Green-winged Teal and 3 American Widgeon were feeding 
in the puddles. 5 COMMON MERGANSER (1 imm. male and 4 female-types) were on the 
main section of the pond. 


A late afternoon bike ride along Gerard Drive (, -) did not 
reveal any swallows going to roost but turned up 15 Dunlin, 12 Black-bellied 
Plover and 2 Ruddy Turnstone on an exposed gravel flat and a flyby GREAT 
CORMORANT. 


Thanks to Hugh for his excellent company and to Brent Bomkamp for sharing his 
Montauk sightings from Saturday. 


Cheers, Angus Wilson
New York City & Springs, NY
http://www.oceanwanderers.com

_________________________________________________________________
Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Caf�. Stop by 
today. 


http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLtagline 

Today at Smith Point County Park in Mastic, Long Island I observed an 
impressive, and rewarding, massing of Surf and Black Scoters (virtually no 
White-winged, oddly enough) along the ocean just west of the county park in 
Mastic. To reach this area you enter through Smith Point County Park and then 
head west into the Fire Island Wilderness area. Beginning at 1:00 today I 
watched as the flocks of scoters moved in from the East and began to 
mass just off shore. Most of the flocks ranged in size from fifty to 
one hundred individuals. By the time I left at three-thirty the rafts of 
birds were well over 2,000-3,000, quite impressive to say the least! I can not 
recall such a number this early in the year, and, this far west along the south 
shore.  I am  curious to know if anyone else observed similar movements 
of scoters or other sea ducks this afternoon? In addition to the scoter 
flight there were good numbers of Northern Gannets, some quite close to shore 
and actually resting on the ocean for lengths of time. On the land side of 
things the only bird of note was a Merlin that simply refused to leave its 
perch atop a Japanese Black Pine just west of the visitors center. I 
approached within ten feet and it wouldn't give ground, quite a nice treat to 
say the least!!  

Robert T. McGrath
District Chairperson of
Science and Technology Education
Northport/East Northport USFD

rmcgrath AT northport.k12.ny.us

RBA

*  New York
*  Syracuse
*   November 12, 2007
*  NYSY 0711.12

Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert
Dates(s):November 05, 2007-November 12, 2007
to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com
covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
and MontezumaWetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),
Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, & Madison.
compiled:November 12, 2:00 p.m. (EST)
compiler: Joseph Brin
Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org


#78 - Monday November 12, 2007


Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of November 
05, 2007 


Highlights:

BLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKE
PINE GROSBEAK
AMERICAN AVOCET
RED CROSSBILL
RED PHALAROPE
PACIFIC LOON  (Extralimital)
CAVE SWALLOW (Extralimital)


Oswego County
------------

 On 11/5 7 species of raptor including a GOLDEN EAGLE were seen at Derby Hill. 
Also seen were Evening Grosbeaks and Redpolls. 

     On 11/7 a BLACK-LEGGED KITTYWAKE was seen at Derby Hill.
 On 11/11 10 species of raptor were seen at Bishop Hill north of Pulaski. Also 
seen were 3 PINE GROSBEAKS. 

 On 11/11 an AMERICAN AVOCET was found at Sandy Pond on the inside of the north 
spit. It was refound on 11/12 along with a RED PHALAROPE. 



Oneida County
------------

     On 11/11 6 EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen on North Lake Road near Forestport.


Herkimer County
------------

 On 11/11 2 RED CROSSBILLS were neen at the intersection of North Lake and Farr 
Roads. 



Onondaga County
------------

     On 11/11 20 RED CROSSBILLS were seen at the 4 corners on Shakham Road.


Madison County
------------

 On 11/11 30 EVENING GROSBEAKS and 12 PINE SISKINS were seen on Carpenter Road 
near Erieville. 



Extralimital
------------

 On 11/9 a PACIFIC LOON was seen at Sheldrake Point on the west side of Cayuga 
Lake. 

 On 11/10 a CAVE SWALLOW was seen at Sheldrake Point. CAVE SWALLOWS were seen 
from Ithaca up to Sheldrake numerous times in the past week. 



--end transcript

--
Joseph Brin
Region 5
Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S A.









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----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 12:46 PM
Subject: cave swallows continue


Hi all,
The Cave Swallows at Greenwood Lake are still being seen from the NW portion of 
the lake. Willow Point Marina seems to be a good vantage point according to 
Curt McDermott. There are 2 birds being seen today. 

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx - New York City

The "Ladies' Border" is located just outside / south of the glass  
conservatory building (fee to enter the building).
The Garden is open year-round, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.�6 p.m.;

Closed Mondays, except Open on Monday federal holidays [such as  
today?];  Closed on Thanksgiving & Xmas.

Grounds-Only Admission (All Dates)  Parking Fees are additional.
Grounds admission is free to everyone all day on Wednesdays, and from  
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.

Adults: $6
Adult Bronx Residents: $5
Seniors: $3
Students (with valid ID): $2
Children (2�12 years): $1
Children under 2: Free

Metro-North Railroad's "Harlem Line" has a convenient stop:  
"Botanical Garden".

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 8:12 PM
Subject: selasphorus hummingbird update


Hi all,
This just came in from Eve Levine:

The Selasphorous hummingbird was present at the New York Botanical  
Garden today, appearing briefly at 3:36 and again for a couple of  
minutes at 4:00. It nectared on a plant labeled Nicotiana mutabilis  
(4 feet tall with light purple and white flowers) at the center of  
the Ladies Border. There is also a lot of Salvia planted in the  
general area.

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

If anyone can suggest and/or help me.

I feed the birds in winter. I have a growing flock of house sparrows that are 
daily coming to my feeders. They represent such a force that they make it 
impossible for other birds such as nuthatch, chickadees, titmice and even 
cardinals to get a seed in edgewise. They also drop most of the seeds on the 
ground and this has encouraged a small flock of rock doves to visit daily to 
get the pickings on the ground under the feeders. So the feeders empty fast to 
either the house sparrows, rock doves underneath or both. 


Is there a feeder or a better way of feeding so that all the seeds don't end up 
on the ground for the doves? Or is there a feeder available that discourages 
house sparrows? 


I never used to have this problem and never saw these birds in my yard. Since 
they have discovered the feeders, I am unable more and more to feed the other 
winter birds. 


Please help, anyone, if you can.

Claudia P.
Newburgh, NY

I birded Robert Moses S.P. This morning (11/11) from 7:45-11:15,
spending most of the time at the hawk watch and around the lighthouse.
I didn't encounter any of the rarer winter finches or Cave Swallow seen
earlier in the week, but I did see  Goldfinches migrating in
flocks ranging in size from 5 or less up to 45-50 birds. Also migrating
in lower yet still substantial numbers were Red-winged Blackbirds and
Robins. Sporadically interspersed among those species were small numbers
of PINE SISKINS (10-15) and Purple Finches (8-10). Also seen were single
AMERICAN PIPIT, Snow Bunting and Baltimore Oriole. Several raptor species
were moving through as well, including N. Harrier, Sharp-shinned and
Cooper's hawks, Merlin and Kestrel.

The large numbers of Goldfinches at the beach were reflected in more modest
numbers at my backyard feeders, which I put up just yesterday afternoon.
They were inundated by as many as 30 Goldfinches at one time, several even
forced to feed on the ground because there was not enough room on the
sunflower and nyjer seed feeders. This is by far the most goldfinches I've
ever had in my yard. And as an added bonus they were joined by a single Pine
Siskin. The siskin fed exclusively on spillage on the ground. Fifteen other
species visited the yard as well. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly
birds find the feeders each fall, my yard transformed virtually overnight
from a haven for a mere handful of low-profile birds to an in-your-face
throng.

Today's morning flight was quite nice, with hundreds of goldfinches. I could 
not pick out anything special from the north from all the flybys, just a few 
House and Purple. At the Coast Guard Station afew migrants lingered, including 
a Field Sparrow, a White-crowned Sparrow, and a Blue-headed Vireo. In the brush 
near the westernmost entrance to West End parking field 2 an Orange-crowned 
Warbler joined a few goldfinches nibbling on thistle. Over the ocean, one Royal 
Tern lingered, and Long-tailed Ducks and Common Eider were seen near the jetty. 
One large Snow Bunting flock has returned to the dunes. 

   
  Good birding,


Brendan Fogarty
Nassau Co. NY
Bird Photo Gallery at http://www.flickr.com/photos/birderbf/

Please think of the environment before you print this email.
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At 10:30AM this morning Sue and I found an immature Northern Shrike (gray
back, brownish mask and brownish tinge to face, barred underparts) behind
the dune east of Cedar Overlook Beach. The bird was observed perched on a
deciduous tree, frequently flying low and out of sight for a period of time.
Birders arriving later in the morning were unable to relocate the bird. Also
present further east towards Oak Beach were two Common Redpolls feeding on
the ground in the dunes (a nice change from looking for flyby birds).

 

At West End/Jones Beach (WE2) this morning we encountered two large flocks
of Snow Buntings totaling at least a hundred birds. A flock of forty Snow
Buntings were also observed at Cedar Overlook Beach. Our first Tree Sparrows
(2) of the year were recorded in the vicinity of the hedgerow by the Coast
Guard Station at WE2.

 

Ken & Sue Feustel 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 9:56 AM
Subject: cave swallows continue at greenwood lake


Hi all,
The previously reported Cave Swallows are still being seen at the north end of 
Greenwood Lake. There are now 3 birds. 

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

have my lifer common redpoll at backyard thistle feeder as i write. keep those 
feeders full! 

   
  kathryn klecan

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Hi All,
 Sorry for the late notice. Two Swallows where reported today at great distance 
at the north end of Greenwood Lake in southern Orange County. Both swallows had 
light rumps and are most likely the previously reported Cave Swallows first 
identified yesterday. Several birders searched the fog covered lake in the a.m. 
to no avail. The birds appeared later in the day after things warmed up and 
where seen from the North and Northwestern most points of the lake between 3 
and 4PM. 

 
 Good Birding, 

 Curt McDermott 



From: Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.comTo: NYSbirds-l AT cornell.eduSubject: [nysbirds-l] Fw: 
Cave Swallows at Greenwood LakeDate: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 19:01: 




 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 7:00 PM
Subject: Cave Swallows at Greenwood Lake

Hi all,
Just received a call from Curt McDermott. He and a few others saw 2 Cave 
Swallows on Greenwood Lake today 
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Greenwood+Lake,+NY,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title. The 
2 birds were seen all day but not definitively identified until this afternoon. 
The birds were best seen from the north side of the of the lake. Congrats to 
Curt on both a life bird and a first Orange County record. 

Lloyd SpitalnikNYCLloyd22 AT nyc.rr.comwebsite: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or 
www.pbase.com/btblueListowner of Metro Birding BriefsTo subscribe send an 
e-mail to:btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.comTo report a bird send an e-mail 
to:btblue AT yahoogroups.comFrom the field you can call your sightings 
to917- 

_________________________________________________________________
Peek-a-boo FREE Tricks & Treats for You!
http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us

The NYBG maps, both interactive and printed, are very useful, but 
include a (literally) disorienting feature;  the overall shape of their 
grounds compelled them to draw their maps rotate 90 degrees from 
"normal".  Thus, north is to the left on their map, east is up, etc.  
You can derive a Google Map for yourself, centered around the Ladies 
Border, which is at;

, -

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 8:56 PM
Subject: selasphorus hummer at NY Botanical Garden


Hi,
Just received word from Miriam Rakowski that she and Louise Fraza saw a rufous 
type hummingbird at the area known as the Ladies Border in the NY Botanical 
Garden. Here is an interactive map of the garden: http://www.nybg.org/map/ 

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

Went to the Shawangunk Grasslands this afternoon (3-5) to search out the 
Short-eared Owls and was not disappointed. I saw two working the feild at the 
end of the day. Before the sun went down I also had 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Red 
Crossbill, 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, 12 Horned Larks, 16 Meadowlarks, 17 
Tree Sparrows, 3 Marsh Hawks, 3 Yellow-rumps, and 1 Bluebird. 

Jim Clinton

I did a search of the web, and read as much as I could about Sunrise Mtn in  
Stokes State Forest.
Can anyone tell me about how big the hike is?
Do the birds come in close?
Is it a decent Hawk Watch?
Thanks
James



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

Today I ventured out to Montauk in order to search for the Barnacle Goose that 
was reported there last week. Highlights included: 

   
  Montauk Point (40 mph NE winds):
  -well over 500 Northern Gannets in the surf.
 -Lesser Black-backed Gull being chased by a Great Black-backed near the 
concession stand. 

   
  Theodore Roosevelt County Park:
  -BARNACLE GOOSE in pond behing the Deep Hollow Ranch building.
  -2 Hooded Mergansers also in the pond.
   
  Lake Montauk Jetty:
  -Many more Northern Gannets (~700).
  -Great Cormorant on channel marker tower.
  -Lesser Black-backed Gull in the parking lot for Gosman's
   
 Photos of the Barnacle Goose and Lesser Black-backed Gull can be viewed at 
www.flickr.com/photos/bebirder 

   
 The Barnacle Goose was originally located next to the parking lot by the 
offices for Theodore Roosevelt County Park. It then flew into the pond behind 
Deep Hollow Ranch. There were no bands, and the hindtoes did not appear to be 
clipped. I would say that this is a wild bird. 

   
  Brent Bomkamp
  Northport, NY



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Had one Foxsparrow visit the feeder this morning here in Nanuet.
Also a bunch of juncos, white throathed sparrows and one white crowned
sparrow.

/Andreas

-- 
www.kanonphoto.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Lloyd Spitalnik 
To: btblue AT yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 7:00 PM
Subject: Cave Swallows at Greenwood Lake


Hi all,
Just received a call from Curt McDermott. He and a few others saw 2 Cave 
Swallows on Greenwood Lake today 
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Greenwood+Lake,+NY,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title. The 
2 birds were seen all day but not definitively identified until this afternoon. 
The birds were best seen from the north side of the of the lake. Congrats to 
Curt on both a life bird and a first Orange County record. 

Lloyd Spitalnik
NYC
Lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com
website: www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com or www.pbase.com/btblue
Listowner of Metro Birding Briefs
To subscribe send an e-mail to:
btblue-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com
To report a bird send an e-mail to:
btblue AT yahoogroups.com
From the field you can call your sightings to

Three CAVE SWALLOWS were observed at Sheldrake Point on the west side of
Cayuga Lake, Seneca County, yesterday.  This morning one of the birds was
foraging in the cove just to the north of Sheldrake Point.  A PACIFIC LOON
was also seen in the area yesterday and was seen early this morning but
was subsequently seen flying south down the lake.  A flock of several SURF
SCOTERS and one BLACK SCOTER was also present at Stewart Park at the south
end of Cayuga Lake.

Jay McGowan
Dryden, NY

39 species seen Thursday 11/8/2007 at Robert Moses STPK

Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Canada Goose
Brant
Northern Harrier
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
PEREGRINE FALCON
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
Northern Flicker
TREE SWALLOW
AMERICAN PIPIT
Northern Mockingbird
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
HERMIT THRUSH
American Robin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Crow
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
PALM WARBLER
Chipping Sparrow
FIELD SPARROW
Song Sparrow
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco           
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
BALTIMORE ORIOLE
House Finch
PINE SISKIN
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Arie Gilbert
North Babylon, NY

I had my first Short-eared Owls of the year today at Shawangunk Grasslands in 
Ulster County. Some walkers flushed 4 Owls from the Phragmites patch in the 
center of the Refuge. About 6 Harriers were seen, 10 + Bluebirds, a Snipe or 
Woodcock flew in (it was backlit and really far away), and there were also 
about 6 Red-tails. 


Christine Guarino
New Paltz, NY
cmguarino AT earthlink.net

In a message dated 11/7/2007 2:57:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
feustel AT optonline.net writes:
Later in the morning at Connetquot River State Park, there was an 
adult Bald Eagle flying over the river near the old Grist Mill. 
Waterfowl included our first Canvasback of the fall, 30 Ring-necked 
Duck, 6 Wood Duck, six Pied-billed Grebe, and numerous Gadwall.
Ken & Sue Feustel
-------------------------

I was out there today, at 10:40a,  the adult Bald Eagle was seen over 
the main pond flying treetop level north, spooking everything on the 
water.  It was seen again circling high over head moving south at 2:00p


Michael Farina
Conservation Biologist
Marine Nature Study Area
Dept. Conservation & Waterways
Town of Hempstead
http://www.mnsa.webhop.org
http://www.michael.farina.com
--------------------------------------

From 1-4 pm, mostly at the west end and looking south. Several Flickers, 
Juncos, Song Sparrows, one White-crowned Sparrow, plus a steady stream of Tree 
Swallows flying west along the beach throughout the afternoon. I was observing 
a huge flock of unidentified birds which was wheeling around the west end dunes 
off the Number 2 parking lot when a slightly larger bird flew up into the 
flock, collided with one of the birds and took it down to the ground, sending 
the remainder (several hundred individuals) down to the ground within seconds 
to take cover. I assumed the culprit was a Merlin. Later on I found two more 
Merlin perched in different locations along the Ocean and Meadowbrook parkways. 

  Small numbers of Gannet were observed from the beach flying westward. 
 Highlight was watching a Peregrine dining on an unidentified bird at the top 
of the Jones Beach tower. Great views through my scope... beakfuls of feathers 
tossed to the wind, strips of red flesh pulled off and consumed. A gastronomic, 
and visual, feast. 

   
  Cindy Wodinsky

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