Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The New York Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 6 at 09:58 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	American Goldfinch,©Jennifer Brumfield

6 Nov NYC Area RBA: 6 November 2009 [Ben Cacace ] 6 Nov Central Park, NYC Friday 11/6 [Tom Fiore ] 6 Nov Central Park - Great Horned Owl, Friday PM [Scott Haber ] 06 Nov 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today [Andrew Mason ] 06 Nov 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today [Andrew Mason ] 06 Nov 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today [Andrew Mason ] 06 Nov Sunken Meadow barnacle goose [Norm Klein ] 6 Nov Question about Sunken Meadows State Park Barnacle Goose [] 6 Nov Barnacle Goose SMSP yes [Ken Thompson ] 06 Nov Short-eared Owl at Smith's Point, L.I., Nov. 6th [Carl Starace ] 6 Nov Rufous Hummingbird, Staten Island N.Y. City 11/4 [Tom Fiore ] 6 Nov NO Pink-Footed /Barnacle Geese in Suffolk Co. ["Jerry Lazarczyk" ] 6 Nov Apologies-- Eurasian Wigeon NOT at Jamaica Bay. [jacob drucker ] 05 Nov Pink-Footed /Barnacle Geese at SMSP (Suffolk Co.)- No [Ken Feustel ] 5 Nov Linnaean Society Meeting Announcement [Alice Deutsch ] 5 Nov Red-tailed Hawk crash [Robert Bate ] 5 Nov White-eyed Vireo [Brian Houser ] 5 Nov (Late Report) Eurasian Wigeon, Jamaica Bay [jacob drucker ] 4 Nov Re: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. [Angus Wilson ] 04 Nov slides (and book) of New York City parks [Ruth Hyman ] 4 Nov Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. [Andrew Baksh ] 04 Nov Staten Island [Sy Schiff ] 04 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 4 Nov Barnacle Goose relocated at Sunken Meadows [] 4 Nov Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow - thoughts on relationship to other NY sightings [Angus Wilson ] 4 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Douglas Futuyma" ] 04 Nov Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 4 Nov Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. ["ROBERT ADAMO" ] 4 Nov Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island ["Jerry Lazarczyk" ] 03 Nov Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [Jim Osterlund ] 03 Nov Sunken Meadow geese and Jones Beach this morning [Sy Schiff ] 3 Nov From the Rhode Island Birding List - Gyrfalcon? [Ben Cacace ] 03 Nov Pink-footed Goose/Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk Co.) [Ken Feustel ] 3 Nov FW: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [David Klauber ] 3 Nov Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island [Angus Wilson ] 03 Nov Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 3 Nov Re:Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 ["Bill Evans" ] 2 Nov Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 2 Nov Franklin Mountain Lecture, Nov. 3 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 02 Nov Grackle hordes at Tibbett's Brook ["Barry or Rita Freed" ] 2 Nov Rough-legged Hawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/1 ["Arthur W. Green" ] 2 Nov Syracuse RBA [Joseph Brin ] 2 Nov Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, Nov. 2nd [Ted Floyd ] 2 Nov Rufous/Selasphorus Hummer NYC, 11/1 [& extralimital rarities] [Tom Fiore ] 2 Nov Probable Snowy Owl sighted in Albany [Thomas Rhindress ] 2 Nov WEKIs [Hugh McGuinness ] 02 Nov LI Birds: Large Numbers of Common Eiders++ ["Shaibal Mitra" ] 1 Nov South Fork LI: Three Western Kingbirds today [Angus Wilson ] 1 Nov Sandhill Crane: a not so stealthy migrant? [Angus Wilson ] 31 Oct From the Massachusetts Birding List - Gyrfalcon [Ben Cacace ] 31 Oct South Fork LI: Continuing Western Kingbird, King Eider etc [Angus Wilson ] 31 Oct FW: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk [Jeffery Davis ] 31 Oct RE: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th [jacob drucker ] 31 Oct Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, Oct. 31st [Ted Floyd ] 31 Oct Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th [Ted Floyd ] 31 Oct Fwd [RE]: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Selasphorus species?] [Tom Fiore ] 31 Oct NYC Area RBA: 30 October 2009 [Karen Fung ] 30 Oct Re: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Hugh McGuinness ] 30 Oct orrection; for some reason birdingonthe.net didn't see that the Ash-throated was actually a Great-crested. To the rest of you I apologize for the double post. [Lloyd Spitalnik ] 29 Oct Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [] 30 Oct ash troated correction [Lloyd Spitalnik ] 30 Oct Ash-throated Flycatcher Jones Beach WE 2 [David Klauber ] 29 Oct Hook Mt. [Sy Schiff ] 29 Oct Jones Beach, Nassau County, Oct. 29th [Ted Floyd ] 29 Oct Re: Gyrfalcon [Angus Wilson ] 29 Oct Gyrfalcon [Jerry Lig ] 29 Oct Re: Jones Beach Gyr [Susan Herbst ] 29 Oct Any Reports from EPCAL? ["Frederick Hamilton" ] 29 Oct Jones Beach Gyr [Hugh McGuinness ] 28 Oct rarities in, near, & not so near NY, 10/28 & previously [Tom Fiore ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Falcon images [John Gluth ] 28 Oct Jones Beach Gyrfalcon [John Gluth ] 28 Oct Gyrfalcon [joe mahedy ] 28 Oct Fw: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [pete gustas ] 28 Oct FW: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [David Klauber ] 28 Oct Re: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach [Angus Wilson ] Subject: NYC Area RBA: 6 November 2009 From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:58:09 -0500 - RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Nov. 6, 2009 * NYNY0911.06 - Birds mentioned PINK-FOOTED GOOSE+ BARNACLE GOOSE+ RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+ CACKLING GOOSE KING EIDER Common Eider CORY'S SHEARWATER Northern Gannet Rough-legged Hawk SANDHILL CRANE American Golden-Plover Western Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Forster's Tern Royal Tern PARASITIC JAEGER Short-eared Owl WESTERN KINGBIRD Clay-colored Sparrow - Transcript If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc3 AT nybirds.org. If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Jeanne Skelly - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 420 Chili-Scottsville Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Number: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays, during the day) Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) Compiler: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Ben Cacace BEGIN TAPE Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, November 6th 2009 at 9pm. The highlights of today's tape are PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, BARNACLE GOOSE, SANDHILL CRANE, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, WESTERN KINGBIRD, CACKLING GOOSE, KING EIDER, CORY'S SHEARWATER, and PARASITIC JAEGER. With waterfowl migration now in full swing scrutiny of Canada Goose flocks can definitely pay off. On Tuesday in a Canada flock at Sunken Meadow State Park on the north shore of Long Island north of Smithtown birders found a PINK-FOOTED GOOSE and later a BARNACLE GOOSE with a BARNACLE GOOSE seen there again Wednesday and today. The birds were feeding on grassy areas generally east of the entrance road. Also check the creek on the south side of the parking lots. The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE has not been seen since Tuesday but is presumably also still in the area. Please phone in any subsequent sightings. Another SANDHILL CRANE sighting at the Quaker Ridge Hawkwatch at the Audubon Center in northwest Greenwich this time involved 2 birds passing by and heading into Westchester County last Sunday. Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch at the Butler Sanctuary in Mount Kisco recorded a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on Sunday. The presumed immature male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD was still sporadically visiting feeders through Thursday at 122 Hillside Ave. on northeastern Staten Island where birders are welcomed to look for the hummingbird. Two CACKLING GEESE were still around Mount Loretto Park off Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island on Wednesday. A nice incursion of WESTERN KINGBIRDS recently included one still present at least to Sunday at Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk. The bird usually sitting along the eastern edge of the pasture on the south side of Route 27 but also coming down to flycatch from the fences running across the pasture. Also on Sunday two more WESTERN KINGBIRDS were found together in Bridgehampton the birds staying along the south end of a large field complex on the east side of Peter's Pond Lane which runs from Daniel's Lane down to the ocean. The 2 kingbirds at times ventured down to the beachside of the shrubbery at the end of the field or over to the trees on the east side of the field. The 2 kingbirds were still present there at least to Monday. Also in the Montauk area a female KING EIDER remains off Ditch Plains staying with Common Eiders but sometimes difficult to spot among all the surfers. A CACKLING GOOSE was again seen Saturday along Further Lane east of Hook Pond in Easthampton. PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were on the Deep Hollow pasture Sunday. The CORY'S SHEARWATER, 600 NORTHERN GANNETS and 350 COMMON EIDER were among the highlights off Montauk Point on Saturday. Single PARASITIC JAEGERS were noted off the Camp Hero overlook and off Main Beach in Easthampton on Sunday. At Shinnecock Inlet Sunday there were 3 ROYAL TERNS and 6 FORSTER'S TERNS in a large raft of Common Eider in the bay. The numbers of COMMON EIDER have been noted at several sites along the south shore of Long Island recently with 390 counted in Fire Island Inlet on Monday. The large high tide gathering of shorebirds on the beach at Jones Beach field 6 on Monday contained an immature AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and 3 WESTERN SANDPIPERS. The count of ROYAL TERNS around Jones Inlet peaked at 73 last Sunday. A SHORT-EARED OWL was present at Smith Point County Park in Shirley this morning and a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was reported from Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Monday. To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, or weekdays call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. - End transcript -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, NYC Friday 11/6 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:00:53 -0500 Friday, 6 November, 2009 - Central Park, Manhattan, N.Y. City: (visits in early, & mostly mid & late a.m., into early & late in day) - a good but not exceptional flight of what's often moving now - fly-over: raptors: Bald Eagle (2), Northern Harrier (6), Sharp-shinned Hawk (2+), Cooper's Hawk (4+), Accipiter species (5+), Red-tailed Hawk (30+), Red-shouldered Hawk (8+), Buteo species (3+), Merlin (1). The bulk of the observed flight seemed to occur in mid-morning, although the 2 bald eagles came thru at 1:15, & just before 3 p.m. .... presumed local kestrels, peregrine, & a couple of non-migrant-looking Red-tailed Hawks as well. also, Canada Goose (200+), Brant (400+), Snow Goose (85+), American Black Duck (60+), dark-larger duck species (20+), smaller duck species (40+), Common Loon (4), Loon species (2), Great Blue Heron (1), Turkey Vulture (48+), Double-crested Cormorant (70+), Ring-billed Gull (150+).... plus, American Crow (31), Blue Jay (70+), Horned Lark (4), Tree Swallow (8), Cedar Waxwing (165+), American Robin (250+), Eastern Bluebird (10+), Red-winged Blackbird (740+), Common Grackle (475+), [Eastern] Meadowlark (2), blackbird species (100+), SNOW BUNTING (18) - the latter are very uncommonly seen from Central, unfortunately almost never stopping in any longer [due to changed/unfavorable conditions in the park for field-birds over the past several decades]; also American Goldfinch (several flocks, 90+ total; possibly a pine siskin (in one of the high flying flocks- many/various birds gained great height in high wind, esp. after early a.m. although some birds at low elev. [-300 feet above ground] also going thru in the mid-a.m. to p.m.)... & misc. smaller fly-over birds (1,200+). "in situ": The C.P. Reservoir seemed to have gained little in waterbird numbers overnight and thru the day, at 5 p.m. it still contained about 300 ducks, more than 70% of these Ruddy, with N. Shoveler, Gadwall, Bufflehead & Mallard making up a majority of the remainder. Gulls sitting and visiting during the day were all put up (typically) by the 2 Bald Eagles despite the big birds' passage well over & off to the west of the reservoir itself. A scan at two times (a.m. & p.m.) did not reveal any unusual gulls. 2 Laughing Gulls continued, irregular visitors to the reservoir thru mid-late Nov. in recent years, much more rare in the park thereafter until about April. Pied-billed Grebe & American Coot continue. Other "winter" birds have been arriving; also, "wintering" White-throated Sparrows abound. We still have weeks of migratory movements. - - - - - - - heads up: waxwings; Bohemians move east, mainly far north, but could drop into NY state. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park - Great Horned Owl, Friday PM From: Scott Haber <scotthaber1 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:37:48 -0500 I received a second-hand report of a Great Horned Owl roosting in the Ramble late this afternoon. I'm not inclined to give out the specific location, but if anyone did indeed see the bird, it would be nice to have some confirmation, especially since GHO sightings are few and far between in Central Park. Cheers, Scott Haber -- Scott Andrew Haber Department of Ornithology American Musem of Natural History New York, NY Cell: 201-615-3307 Email: scotthaber1 AT gmail.com -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today From: Andrew Mason <andymason AT earthling.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:36:23 -0500 I had just sent out a note advising of relatively poor migration conditions expected this weekend at the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch, when today's numbers came in. Steve Hall had 46 Golden Eagles, half of which passed between noon and 2 p.m. This is the third highest single day count for Goldens at the site. Andy Mason Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today From: Andrew Mason <AndyMason AT earthling.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:36:23 -0500 I had just sent out a note advising of relatively poor migration conditions expected this weekend at the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch, when today's numbers came in. Steve Hall had 46 Golden Eagles, half of which passed between noon and 2 p.m. This is the third highest single day count for Goldens at the site. Andy Mason Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: 46 Golden Eagles at Franklin Mt. today From: Andrew Mason <andymason AT earthling.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:36:23 -0500 I had just sent out a note advising of relatively poor migration conditions expected this weekend at the Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch, when today's numbers came in. Steve Hall had 46 Golden Eagles, half of which passed between noon and 2 p.m. This is the third highest single day count for Goldens at the site. Andy Mason Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2162 AndyMason AT earthling.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sunken Meadow barnacle goose From: Norm Klein <towhee AT optonline.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:40:38 -0500 To add to Ken Thompson's report: the barnacle goose was at the ballfield east of parking lot 2 until about 1:30 when the entire flock of geese took flight because of the cross country meet which moved in. The same flock, I presume, begam to assemble on parking lot 1 in small groups. That is where one should look for it. No sign of the piink-footed goose or the cackling goose. To answer one of the enquiries: I would guess that an escapee would have been banded. This bird has none. - Norm Klein -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Question about Sunken Meadows State Park Barnacle Goose From: Richjack115 AT aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:57:49 EST Has there been a determination if this particular bird is wild or an escapee? Thanks. Richard ZainEldeen Brooklyn (mailto:richjack115 AT aol.com) -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Barnacle Goose SMSP yes From: Ken Thompson <k_g_thompson AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:29:42 +0000 The Barnacle Goose was back at Sunken Meadow Stae Park today, no sign of the Pink Footed Goose. Ken Thompson Sayville NY _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Short-eared Owl at Smith's Point, L.I., Nov. 6th From: Carl Starace <castarace AT optonline.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:16:35 -0500 Hello All, On a very chill morning in which I'd been watching endless lines of Scoter moving towards Fire Island Inlet along with big bunches of Northern Gannets sweeping by, I was thrilled to see a Short-eared Owl fly up over my head from a dip in the secondary dune and then u-turn east towards Moriches Inlet.This date is the earliest I've seen this species along the barrier island.The 4 Horned Lark I'd seen yesterday in the parking lot were absent,but the raft of 175+ Bufflehead continues off John Boyle island in Bellport Bay.Good November Birding, Carl Starace -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Rufous Hummingbird, Staten Island N.Y. City 11/4 From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:51:11 -0500 From the Staten Island NaturaList came this, posted Thurs. - Staten Island's Rufous Hummingbird through at least Wed. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SINaturaList/message/1381 - - - and today (Friday) there's a good diurnal flight happening, at least over Manhattan: many southwesterly-bound birds. Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: NO Pink-Footed /Barnacle Geese in Suffolk Co. From: "Jerry Lazarczyk" <lazarcg1 AT netzero.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:05:55 GMT I was there at sundown with two other birders and no one saw the above birds. Seemed to me like about 75-100 Canadas. Jerry Lazarczyk Grand Island NY We found neither the previously reported Pink-footed or Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park today around 1:00PM. Small flocks of Canada Geese were widely scattered around the park. The flocks appeared restless, moving frequently. Ken Feustel ____________________________________________________________ Instant Medical Insurance Get fast, free medical insurance quotes online now in 2 minutes. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=koCvaPiU6962zkJh21n-ggAAJ1Huz9iSZvtuEnZrPya7cU_rAAQAAAAFAAAAAPUOxD4AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgBgAAAAA= -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Apologies-- Eurasian Wigeon NOT at Jamaica Bay. From: jacob drucker <jacobdrucker AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:48:59 +0000 My deepest apologies, I was mis-informed on the location of the Eurasian Wigeon. The bird was actually found at Tung Ting Pond, (near Sunken Meadow SP) earlier in the week. While I was hearing about his daylist, we mixed a few of the birds/locations up. Sorry if I've caused any hardships, and sorry for the flooding of your inbox. Jacob DruckerManhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Pink-Footed /Barnacle Geese at SMSP (Suffolk Co.)- No From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:47:41 -0500 We found neither the previously reported Pink-footed or Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park today around 1:00PM. Small flocks of Canada Geese were widely scattered around the park. The flocks appeared restless, moving frequently. Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Linnaean Society Meeting Announcement From: Alice Deutsch <ad AT bioscreeninc.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:48:05 -0500 THE LINNAEAN SOCIETY OF NEW YORK SPEAKERS PROGRAM Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, 7:30 p.m. The American Museum of Natural History, Linder Theater Speaker: Richard O. Bierregaard, Jr., Distinguished Visiting Research Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Subject: Osprey Migration: Navigation, Orientation, and Mortality in Juvenile and Adult Ospreys This talk will review what we have learned from satellite tracking east coast Ospreys, concentrating on data from 29 juveniles that have been tagged since 2004. The migratory behavior of adult Ospreys is fairly well understood. They navigate between nesting territories and wintering grounds often 3-4,000 miles apart. They are as faithful to their wintering grounds as they are to their nest sites. Among the many mysteries of migration, perhaps the most difficult to understand, is how first-year birds find their way to their wintering grounds. They do not navigate, as they have no instinct that directs them to a particular destination. Instead, they simply instinctively head south. How do they know when to stop and where to settle? It is well known that roughly 80% of all first year Ospreys do not complete their first migration cycle. We do not know where the mortality occurs. The uncertainty over when mortality occurs and the high cost of satellite transmitters explain the paucity of data on juvenile migration. Finally, nearly all east coast Ospreys, roughly 40,000 adults and juveniles, migrate through Cuba and Hispaniola each fall. The conservation implications of this bottleneck will be discussed. Richard O. Bierregaard received his Ph.D. in 1978 from the University of Pennsylvania. He has authored or coauthored numerous publications on birds of prey, birds of the New World Tropics, habitat fragmentation and conservation. The meeting is open to the public, without charge. Please join us for what promises to be a very exciting talk. Enter the Museum at West 77th Street. If you would like to meet Dr. Bierregaard prior to the talk, join us a Pappardella's Restaurant, 75th Street and Columbus Avenue at 6 p.m. The reservation will be in the name of Alice. Alice Deutsch, Vice President -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Red-tailed Hawk crash From: Robert Bate <robsbate AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:55:15 -0500 Tracy Meade and Stuart Cocheran just witnessed an adult Red-tailed Hawk crash into a building at 31st St and 7th Ave in Manhattan and fall about 10 stories to the sidewalk below. In an attempt to protect the bird on the busy midtown sidewalk, and pending the contact of more professional help, Tracy approached close to the bird with her overcoat. Apparently only stunned, the Hawk opened one eye and escaped under a parked car. After a few moments the hawk, revived , came out, spread it's wings and was able to fly off over 31st Street toward Madison Square Garden and the Hudson River, fightening pedestrians and pigeons alike as it rose up. It is hard to understand why it crashed, the building is mostly stone with smaller windows, not a glass face building reflecting the sky. Perhaps it was doing a Peregrine impression, trying to take a pigeon out of the air and missed it's mark. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: White-eyed Vireo From: Brian Houser <bch227 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 04:52:50 -0800 (PST) I had a 1st Winter White-eyed Vireo in the yard yesterday. This was a first in Ulster County for me. Brian Houser -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: (Late Report) Eurasian Wigeon, Jamaica Bay From: jacob drucker <jacobdrucker AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:07:00 +0000 Last night I heard that Rich Fried saw a Eurasian Wigeon at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Though couldn't get the exact location of the bird, I was told it was with a large group of American Wigeons, and that the bird is a pretty definitive male in breeding plumage. Sorry about the lack of specifics and efficiency, Jacob DruckerManhattan -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:48:24 -0500 Naturally it is disappointing to learn that the Pink-footed Goose wasn't seen today and I hope people are checking other areas nearby. One spot to consider is the small pond near the SUNY Stony Brook campus used as a roost site by the 2007/08 bird. This former grist mill pond is called the Avalon Park and Preserve (100 Harbor Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11790). It would fly in just before dusk and then depart again first thing in the morning. Some people saw it feeding in fields elsewhere but often it simply vanished for most of the daylight hours. The Nissequogue Golf Course, Smithtown Landing Municipal Golf Course, Long Beach Town Park and any open fields with grass suitable for grazing would be additional suggestions. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: slides (and book) of New York City parks From: Ruth Hyman <ruth.hyman AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:35:00 -0500 Dear Fellow Birders, I thought the existence of these slides, which come from a book "documenting" New York City's parks might be of interest. Ruth http://www.wnyc.org/slideshows2/meyerowitz -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Barnacle (Yes) - Pink-footed Goose (No) at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: Andrew Baksh <birdingdude AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:46:25 -0500 The Barnacle Goose was seen around 4:50 pm this afternoon in the creek from the bridge just after the toll gates. No sign of the Pink Footed Goose. Andrew Baksh Queens NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Staten Island From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:11:54 -0500 Mt. Loretto 4 Nov Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) continued our quest for unusual geese (after yesterday's Sunken Meadow trip) by journeying to Mt. Loretta on Staten I. We made a brief detour to look for the Hummingbird, stopping for 30 minutes without success. We went to the small Mt. Loretta Preserve parking lot on Hylan Blvd. and walked left. There were two large flocks of Canada Geese on the lawns across the road. The second and farthest flock from us contained two small geese. One was clearly a CACKLING GOOSE. The second was re-confirmed, at home, from a distant photograph taken from the road. The ID of a small goose is not so obvious as has been noted elsewhere, As we returned to the car just at noon, all the geese erupted, flew over to our side of the road and into the preserve. There was a lot of activity at the school at that point and the commotion might have spooked the birds. Five minutes later and we would have missed them. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:21:28 GMT I've posted some photos of yesterday's Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese at: http://picasaweb.google.com/tixbirdz/Various2009# Shai -----Original Message----- From: Shaibal Mitra mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu Sent 11/4/2009 11:09:46 AM To: NYSBIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. Hi everyone, Regarding Bob's and Angus' queries about the identities of the Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese present now at Sunken Meadow SP, my own feeling is that t he Barnacle is likely the same bird that wintered at Sunken Meadow SP in Jan uary 2008 (two winters ago, and that the Pink-footed is possibly the same bi rd that wintered at Stony Brook Mill Pond in February 2008. Both of those bi rds were clearly distinct from their conspecifics in Montauk that winter, as proven by sustained periods of concurrent observations at these widely sepa rated sites. My reason for feeling that the Sunken Meadow Pink-foot might be the same as the Stony Brook bird is not based on any careful studies of pho tos, but the proximity of the two sites on the north shore of western Suffol k County is suggestive. Also, both birds struck me as being relatively large for PFGO, whereas the Montauk bird seemed more petite. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -----Original Message----- From: ROBERT ADAMO radamo2 AT msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., S uffolk Co. Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the par k, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, i n glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a mem ber of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her "moving shaking" after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Befo re I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the brid ge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I c ouldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling part ners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a st retch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Barnacle Goose relocated at Sunken Meadows From: b.inskeep AT yahoo.com Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:17:38 +0000 Sunken Meadows State Park - The Barnacle Goose is in the field with a flock of Canada Geese just northwest of the main parking lot after coming over the bridge. It is best viewed by parking in a circular drive adjacent the park office building. Brenda Inskeep Stamford, CT -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow - thoughts on relationship to other NY sightings From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:07:45 -0500 Paul Gildersleeve kindly sent me some pictures of the Sunken Meadow goose taken yesterday and by comparing the shape and patterning of the bill, I think we can safely say that this is a DIFFERENT individual from the goose that spent a few days in Flushing, Queens last winter. The Flushing bird had a more elongated bill with a distinctive edging to the pink area. To form your own opinion, take a look at the quick composite I posted on my 'Birding to the End' blog. http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ As mentioned earlier by Shai, Sunken Meadow SP isn't too far from Stony Brook and is even closer to the Nissequogue River where a Pink-footed Goose spent part of the 2007-2008 winter. From the distant images I have at hand right now, I can't say that these aren't the same individual. The Montauk bird (winter 2007/08) was present at the same time as the Stony Brook bird but I think has more extensive area of pink on the bill. Again I have better images of that bird somewhere for a more definitive comparison. Obviously, there isn't too much variation and many birds have very similar bills but some will be different enough that they can be ruled out or provide a firm match. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Douglas Futuyma" <futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:10:15 -0500 Evidently, afternoon is the time to look for these birds. I could not find them this morning, from 8:00 to 8:45. Quite a few Canadas were in the channel south of the parking fields, and visible through shrubbery along the south side of the channel, but they seem not to have counted the Pink-footed or Barnacle among their number. Douglas J. Futuyma Stony Brook, NY 11794-5245 futuyma AT life.bio.sunysb.edu ----- Original Message ----- From: ROBERT ADAMO To: NY BIRDS Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 10:45 AM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 & 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the park, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her "moving & shaking" after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Before I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:09:46 GMT Hi everyone, Regarding Bob's and Angus' queries about the identities of the Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese present now at Sunken Meadow SP, my own feeling is that the Barnacle is likely the same bird that wintered at Sunken Meadow SP in January 2008 (two winters ago, and that the Pink-footed is possibly the same bird that wintered at Stony Brook Mill Pond in February 2008. Both of those birds were clearly distinct from their conspecifics in Montauk that winter, as proven by sustained periods of concurrent observations at these widely separated sites. My reason for feeling that the Sunken Meadow Pink-foot might be the same as the Stony Brook bird is not based on any careful studies of photos, but the proximity of the two sites on the north shore of western Suffolk County is suggestive. Also, both birds struck me as being relatively large for PFGO, whereas the Montauk bird seemed more petite. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -----Original Message----- From: ROBERT ADAMO radamo2 AT msn.com Sent 11/4/2009 10:45:57 AM To: NY BIRDS NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu Subject: [nysbirds-l] Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the park, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her "moving shaking" after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Before I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Barnacle & Pink-footed Geese at Sunken Meadow S.P., Suffolk Co. From: "ROBERT ADAMO" <radamo2 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:45:57 -0500 Sorry for this late post. Yesterday afternoon, somewhere between 3 & 4 PM, I arrived at the eastern parking lots, to find 3/4's of the birding McBrien Family present, and the birds absent. Mom, Barbara, along with son, Michael, and daughter , Megan, were just about leaving to try another spot in the park, and said that if they found the birds they would return and let me know. Well they did/did and I got to see the above. While looking at the geese, in glorious weather and sunlight I might add, I learned that Michael is a member of the NYSYBC, as well as a member of GSBAS. Barbara went on to tell me of her "moving & shaking" after seeing the posts on NYBIRDS (on a school day) that eventually got them to SMSP-wow, I wish I had a mother like that! Before I forget, the birds were with a flock of Canada Geese in the grassy area, n/o the westmost parking lot, w/s of the entrance road, just after the bridge. Thinking back to the last time I saw these species together in Montauk, I couldn't help but wonder if this duo, could be the same birds (traveling partners if you will) that have surfaced locally again? Is this too much of a stretch-you never know! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: "Jerry Lazarczyk" <lazarcg1 AT netzero.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:31:16 GMT Hi Angus, I will be leaving directly for the Pink Footed Goose which I just saw in Maine as a Lifer this past week. Please call 716-548-0798 if there are any updates as I will be on the road. Are the Western Kingbirds still around? Thanks, Jerry Lazarczyk Grand Island NY Exciting news! For what it's worth, the 3 Pink-feet in Cumberland, Maine were still present this morning, so this clearly a different (fourth) bird. Good photos of the bill might help us to determine if this is a returning bird or not. Also, I encourage folks to post updates on the bird, positive or negative, if able to visit the area in the next few days. > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- ____________________________________________________________ Affordable Home Insurance Save up to 50% on home insurance! Instant quotes - Fast & easy form. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=tHEAk2IQ88Z1_ROKstqPrwAAJ1Huz9iSZvtuEnZrPya7cU_rAAQAAAAFAAAAAHZH_j4AAANSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABV1JAAAAAA= -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: Jim Osterlund <jamesost AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:13:10 -0500 Sunken Meadow State Park, ball fields marked; 40.909969,-73.253553 - Google Maps -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Sunken Meadow geese and Jones Beach this morning From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:34:25 -0500 Sunken Meadow SP. and Jones Beach West End in the morning, 3 Nov To follow up on Ken Feustel's post, Joe Guinta and I (Sy Schiff) arrived shortly before 2:00, found Shai with his scope focused on both geese in the same field of view. Within 10 minutes, half the CANADA GOOSE flock flew over to Sunken Meadow Creek with the PINK-FOOTED GOOSE and five minutes later, the rest flew there with the BARNACLE GOOSE We walked across the road and relocated both geese in the creek although not together. This morning the Jones Beach Marina had several ROYAL TERNS both flying about and landing on the bar among several hundred AMER. OYSTERCATCHERS. As the tide went out, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and DUNLIN arrived in large numbers with some SANDERLING. A female COMMON EIDER flew into the far cove to our right (east) and was feeding with the BRANT. Land birds and migrants were scarce in both locations. Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: From the Rhode Island Birding List - Gyrfalcon? From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:38:34 -0500 An intriguing sighting of a possible juvenile Gyrfalcon on the north shore of Block Island just east of Long Island. Google Maps location: http://preview.tinyurl.com/ygdmt7s Link to post on "Rhode Island Birds" list: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/RIBD.html#1257274879 /----- begin quote -----\ Subject: Block Island - Unk large falcon, [...] From: "Thomas M" Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:01:05 -0000 [...] Today on the north end I had saw a large falco that I will leave as unidentified. It was absolutely massive. I saw it for a minute max. It never flapped, just road the updraft of the bluff and I saw it soar once. I have seen plenty (hundreds) of peregrines in my days, and if this was a peregrine it would be the fattest, honkenest female that ever took to the skies. It was an immature bird. It jumped me and I saw it naked eye and thought, wow my first goshawk for the island and then it turned. That is when I realized it was a falcon. I got my bins on it as it was starting to head away from me. The underside was completely streaked, even on the vent. The body and wings were so broad and huge, massive I have to say. The wings appeared pointed. But the body looked like a stovepipe, hence the first impression of gos. Was it a gyr, your guess is as good as mine, it would have been a lifer. I have no experience with them, but I feel I might have blown a stellar call of an incredible bird! Ah well, you win some and lose some! [...] Cheers! -Tom M. \----- end quote -----/ Ben Cacace Manhattan, NYC -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Pink-footed Goose/Barnacle Goose at Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk Co.) From: Ken Feustel <feustel AT optonline.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:07:13 -0500 At about 11:30AM Sue and I found a Pink-footed Goose at the Sunken Meadow State Park (SMSP) athletic fields. After making the requisite phone calls Shai Mitra and Pat Lindsay arrived and in addition to the Pink-footed Goose, found a Barnacle Goose in the flock of approx. 125 Canada Geese. SMSP is located at the northern terminus of the Sunken Meadow Parkway. Upon entering the park go through the toll booths and, driving downhill, proceed over the bridge that spans Sunken Meadow Creek. Make your first right after crossing the bridge. The ballfields are located on the north side of the road between two parking fields. At this point you can either proceed to the eastern-most parking field and walk west to see the geese or, skipping the first right hand turn after the bridge, make the second right into the main parking field, parking at the eastern end of the lot, and walk east (you can also just pull off the road when you see the geese but I am not sure the State Park Police would appreciate that). If the geese are spooked they may fly into Sunken Meadow Creek so check the creek if you do not see the birds. The fields where the geese are feeding is the starting point for the numerous high school cross-country races that are run at SMSP this time of year. Try to arrive at the park before 2:00PM. Good luck if you go! Ken Feustel -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: FW: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:29:17 -0500 Shai just called to say that a Barnacle Goose is also present with the Pink-footed - to the right or east after you cross the bridge that enters the parking fields near the beach > To: NYSBIRDS-L AT cornell.edu > CC: > Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:32:20 +0000 > From: mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island > > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > > Archives: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:56:55 -0500 Exciting news! For what it's worth, the 3 Pink-feet in Cumberland, Maine were still present this morning, so this clearly a different (fourth) bird. Good photos of the bill might help us to determine if this is a returning bird or not. Also, I encourage folks to post updates on the bird, positive or negative, if able to visit the area in the next few days. > Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Pink-footed Goose Suffolk County Long Island From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:32:20 GMT Ken Feustel just called with news of a Pink-footed Goose at Sunken Meadow SP, on the north shore of western Suffolk County, Long Island. The bird is with Canada Geese on a ballfield to the east of the main entrance. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re:Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Bill Evans" <wrevans AT clarityconnect.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:58:08 -0500 Greetings birders, A moderate-sized migratory pulse of American Robins came through the Ithaca, NY area this past weekend. From my location in the hills ~ 7 miles south of Ithaca on Saturday (10/31), I noted a midday flight involving occasional flocks of 10-30 birds flying southbound at treetop level into fairly stiff headwinds. A cold front passed at some point in late afternoon and winds switched to westerly. The robin movement initiated again around sunset and I counted over 1000 in southbound flight in less than an hour. This latter flight was flying 100-300 ft agl and contending with a substantial westerly crosswind. On Sunday morning (11/1), a moderate reverse direction flight toward the northwest occurred with birds moving by 6:30AM EST. That flight continued through at least 9:00AM. In the first 15 minutes (6:30-6:45) I counted 163. 15 minute totals thereafter were consistently from 50-100 until 9AM. This flight was mostly less than 100 ft agl and flying into northwest headwinds. There was also a much smaller flight of southbound robins occurring simultaneously at higher altitude (est. 800+-ft agl). There was no early evening robin flight at my count site on 11/1 and the morning flight on 11/2 was smaller than on 11/1 with 101 counted in reverse direction flight between 6:30-6:45 and just a trickle after that. There was no early evening flight on 11/2 and this morning I had zero robins in morning flight. Of course, robin numbers tallied in such counts depend on factors affecting potential concentration dynamics at the count site, the breadth of area surveyed, and the method of the observer. As such they are tricky to interpret except in comparison to similar counts at the same site. What I can say is that this was the third migratory pulse of robins through the Ithaca area in the past two weeks, all moderate in size, and that this is the two-week period when I've had peak flights since beginning my observations here in fall 2002. My records through these years have substantial holes in the data but are good enough to characterize the general flight density from year to year. I've seen one year at this site with notably much lower numbers (last year) and one year with much higher numbers (2005). My sense is that the robin flight this year through the Ithaca area is moderate and perhaps on the "normal" side. I'm still perplexed by the dynamics that bring about such wide variation in migratory robin numbers through central NY in late October and early November. Based on the recent weather, I wouldn't expect that there has been any notable buildup of robins on the Atlantic Coast so far this fall. Any other comment in addition to Arthur's from downstate? Bill Evans Town of Danby, NY ****************************************************************** Subject: Sizable AMRO Flight AT Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Arthur W. Green" Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 23:01:45 -0500 X-Message-Number: 9 I had the pleasure of watching much commotion by American Robin this morning just outside of Mount Kisco at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. Numerous flocks, many ranging in size from fifty to several hundred birds apiece, passed within a mile of the watch platform from ~9:05 to ~11:20; by noon, literally thousands of birds had graced my view in a span of time barely exceeding two hours. The direction that flocks flew in seemed to change repeatedly and had no pattern I could discern; flocks seemed as likely to exit S as they were to fly N or E. By early afternoon, the commotion had died down, and there was hardly a robin to be seen or heard over the din of I-684. . . \\ Arthur -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Sizable AMRO Flight @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/2 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 23:01:45 -0500 I had the pleasure of watching much commotion by American Robin this morning just outside of Mount Kisco at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. Numerous flocks, many ranging in size from fifty to several hundred birds apiece, passed within a mile of the watch platform from ~9:05 to ~11:20; by noon, literally thousands of birds had graced my view in a span of time barely exceeding two hours. The direction that flocks flew in seemed to change repeatedly and had no pattern I could discern; flocks seemed as likely to exit S as they were to fly N or E. By early afternoon, the commotion had died down, and there was hardly a robin to be seen or heard over the din of I-684. . . \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Franklin Mountain Lecture, Nov. 3 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:37:36 -0500 Dear NYSBirds-L, Tuesday evening (11/3), Andy Mason, whose affiliation with NYSOA needs no introduction, will be giving a talk about the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch in Oneonta, a site he founded and co-coordinates (with Tom Salo) for the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. The talk will be given in Westmoreland Sanctuary's museum at 7 p.m. It promises to be a terrific program, and the lecture accompanies the field trip to Franklin Mountain that is being offered by both Saw Mill River Audubon and the Bedford Audubon Society the following Wednesday (11/11). Westmoreland Sanctuary is located at 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Mount Kisco. There is no fee, but if you decide to come please call Westmoreland Sanctuary at 914.666.8448 to let them know you are attending. I hope you can join us! With Kind Regards, \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Grackle hordes at Tibbett's Brook From: "Barry or Rita Freed" <freeds AT lycos.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:18:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: Rough-legged Hawk @ Chestnut Ridge, 11/1 From: "Arthur W. Green" <awgreen AT bedfordaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:13:45 -0500 A Rough-legged Hawk was spotted just outside of Mount Kisco at the Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch. This juvenile "light morph" bird was quite high and heading WSW, streaming out almost directly over the watch platform at 14:48. I thought it interesting that several Red-tailed Hawk spotted around the same time used a nearly identical flight line. \\ Arthur -- Arthur W. Green Chestnut Ridge Hawkwatch, Bedford, NY http://www.bedfordaudubon.org/hawkwatch.html http://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=534 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Syracuse RBA From: Joseph Brin <brinjoseph AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:49:53 -0800 (PST) RBA * New York * Syracuse * November 02, 2009 * NYSY 0211.09 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird Alert Dates(s): October 26, 2009 - November 02, 2009 to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.com covering upstate NY counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County), Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison & Cortland compiled:November 02 AT 6:00 p.m. (EST) compiler: Joseph Brin Onondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org #178 -Monday November 02, 2009 Greetings! This is the Syracuse Area Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 26 , 2009 Highlights: ----------- RED-THROATED LOON RED-NECKED GREBE BRANT EURASIAN WIGEON WHITE-WINGED SCOTER MERLIN NORTHERN GOSHAWK MERLIN RED-NECKED GREBE SANDHILL CRANE BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER SANDERLING DUNLIN WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER RED PHALAROPE LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER BONAPARTE’S GULL LAPLAND LONGSPUR RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET BLUE-HEADED VIREO BOBOLINK Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex (MWC) ------------ 10/27: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen on Van Dyne Spoor Road. 3 SANDHILL CRANED were seen in Knox-Marsellus Marsh. 5 species of shorebird were seen at the visitor’s center including WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. 10/29: 2 EURASIAN WIGEON were seen in Tschache Pool. St. Lawrence County ------------ 11/1: A RED PHALAROPE was seen at Coles Creek State Park on the St. Lawrence River near Massena. Oneida County ------------ 10/26: A late BOBOLINK was seen in Camden. 10/29: At Sylvan Beach the following were seen. 4 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 10 SANDERLING, 2 DUNLIN, 11 BRANT, and 16 BONAPARTE’S GULLS. Onondaga County ------------ 10/30: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen near Northern Lights Shopping center. 10/31: 15 BRANT were seen in the Inner Harbor. Oswego County ------------ 10/31: A late swallow, possibly a CAVE SWALLOW, was seen at Mexico Point. 11/1: At Derby Hill the following birds were seen. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, MERLIN, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Cayuga County ------------ 11/1: At Fairhaven State Park a RED THROATED LOON, a RED-NECKED GREBE, and a MERLIN were all seen. --end transcript -- Joseph Brin Region 5 Baldwinsville, N.Y. 13027 U.S.A. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, Nov. 2nd From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:24:55 -0800 Hello, Birders. I visited Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens County, this morning, Monday, Nov. 2nd. The first bird of the day was a nocturnal-migrant Hermit Thrush flying over the parking lot at the refuge visitor center. Nice. Another nice bird in the parking lot was a Clay-colored Sparrow, keeping close company with a Chipping Sparrow. Together, they were both an identification challenge and an educational opportunity. The two birds were keeping company with a flock of at least 20 Slate-colored Juncos. The flock was working a stretch between 40.617387 N, 73.824862 W and 40.617664 N, 73.824698 W. Over in the East Garden (on the east side of Cross Bay Boulevard), I saw a first-cycle, probably male, Baltimore Oriole. It was at 40.618802 N, 73.824086 W. There was also a juvenile Eastern Phoebe and a flyover Eastern Bluebird there. Other birds in the East Garden included 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Hermit Thrush, 2 Gray Catbirds, and 3 Cedar Waxwings. The West Pond loop hosted a few lingerers, among them 6 Snowy Egrets, 1 juvenile Little Blue Heron, 1 juvenile (probably female) Osprey, 2 adult Eastern Phoebes, and 2 Tree Swallows. There was vismig of American Pipits in the hour after sunrise, with 7 small flocks (21 birds total) all heading southeast. Other landbirds, mainly in and around the South Garden, included 2 Winter Wrens, 5 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Hermit Thrushes, 3 Gray Catbirds, 17 Cedar Waxwings, and 5 Swamp Sparrows. A few other odds and ends included 1 Horned Grebe, 12 Great Egrets, 16 American Oystercatchers, 10 Greater Yellowlegs, and 7 Dunlin. In tremendous numbers all across the refuge were Brant, American Black Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Rufous/Selasphorus Hummer NYC, 11/1 [& extralimital rarities] From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:01:50 -0500 The photo'd / presumed Rufous Selasphorus Hummingbird remained at Staten Island (New York City) into Sun., Nov. 1: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SINaturaList/message/1372 - - - - A number of reports from NY & other nearby states suggest the possibility of Cave Swallow (indefinite reports/sightings) - this is the time of year that species is most regularly found in the northeast. Take care to eliminate other swallow spp. as, even though unlikely, all NE breeders have been seen even into November in recent years in northeastern areas. - - - - THREE PINK-FOOTED GEESE continue in southern Maine: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MAIN.html#1257163525 - - - - 2 "additional" Sandhill Cranes were reported from Quaker Ridge hawk-watch at Greenwich CT, which along with all, or virtually all, other birds seen migrating past there in fall go into-through-over NY's Westchester County & perhaps other counties in southeastern-most NY state (flying S-W). - - - - Western Kingbird lingering in Connecticut (+ new photos) - http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CTBD.html#1257128778 - - - - Of interest at least to Anserophiles (possible goose hybrid): http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html#1257127988 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html#1257121129 - - - - 3 Snow Buntings were seen & photographed on Hook Mtn. in Rockland Co., NY on Sun. Nov. 1st. - & the species was rather widely reported that day from multiple (N.) locations. - - - - Also reported from points north are fair numbers of Shrikes presumed & mainly rept'd. all Northern Shrikes by this date (rare-in-the-northeast Loggerhead should be considered & eliminated through careful observation esp. on early dates) - - - - Sally Weiner, Susan Schulz and Alice Deutsch reported via ebirdsNYC list-serve on an American Woodcock at "Locust Grove", Central Park (Manhattan, NYC) on Sunday, Nov. 1. - - - - Monday, Nov. 2 - at least 5 drake Hooded Mergansers join the many Ruddy Ducks, 50+ N. Shovelers, 12+ Bufflehead & assorted gulls (including 2 Laughing), Pied-billed Grebe, etc. on Central Park's reservoir (in Manhattan, N.Y. City). A check of other water in Central revealed little in addition. A fair early a.m. flight included blackbirds, goldfinches, some E. Bluebirds (8+), American Robins, Blue Jays, and others. Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Probable Snowy Owl sighted in Albany From: Thomas Rhindress <trhindress1 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:54:05 -0500 This posting is secondhand from my father, a lifelong birder (whom I trust implicitly). He just called me from the I-90 bridge crossing the Hudson. Probably snowy owl in tree on east shore of Hudson. Visible from westbound lane of I-90 bridge. Unfortunately he was driving at 55 mph and there are no pull-offs there to stop and confirm. If anyone is in the vicinity it might be worth a look. Good luck, tell us what you find -- Tom Rhindress -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: WEKIs From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:39:14 -0500 Hey NY Birders, The 2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS found by Angus Wilson yesterday along Peter's Pond Lane in Sagaponack (Suffolk Co.) were still present this morning at 8:30am. The birds have been hanging out from Peter's Pond Lane east to the houses, between the dunes and the dying Privet in the overgrown field. Other birds seen along the road included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW & WILSON'S SNIPE. It looks like there is a great seaduck flight on the ocean, but I didn't have time to count. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: LI Birds: Large Numbers of Common Eiders++ From: "Shaibal Mitra" <mitra AT mail.csi.cuny.edu> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:44:15 GMT Common Eiders are occurring in unprecedented numbers around Fire Island Inlet, western Suffolk County. A tally of 390 at Robert Moses SP today far exceeded anything in my experience here. Also present along the barrier beach ocean front were thousands of Black Scoters, hundreds of Surf Scoters, and growing numbers of other waterfowl, including some oddballs, such as a pair of Lesser Scaup diving among scoters and eiders. Two Northern Shovelers, two Ruddy Ducks, and three Pied-billed Grebes in a freshwater pond near Fire Island Inlet were also locally unusual on the barrier beach. At Jones Beach State Park Field 6, the massive flocks of Dunlin, Black-bellied Plovers and Red Knots included three Western Sandpipers and a juvenile Golden-Plover. The latter sounded very odd to me during at least three bouts of calling, but we were never able to study it closely on the ground (it certainly wasn't a Euro). Royal Terns seem to be the default late season tern on LI nowadays--there were 52 at West End this morning, plus two more at Fire Island (Joe Vigliotta counted 73 at West End yesterday). Five Snow Buntings were picked out by Andrew Baksh at Robert Moses SP, Field 5. Shai Mitra Bay Shore birding with Patricia Lindsay and Andrew Baksh -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: South Fork LI: Three Western Kingbirds today From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 17:34:45 -0500 The WESTERN KINGBIRD was still present this morning in Deep Hollow, Montauk (Suffolk Co.), favoring the trees on the eastern side of the horse pasture. The bird disappears from sight at times, so be patient if you go in search of it. Twenty miles further west in Bridgehampton, I found 2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS hawking insects in the heavily overgrown field on the south side of Daniel's Lane (40.9188, -72.2618). Initially the birds were close to Peter's Pond Lane, a dirt road running down to the ocean access but they later ranged more widely across the field, sometimes appearing to go over the dune on the beach itself. An American Kestrel, increasingly scarce on the South Fork, was in a field off Gibson Lane. The ocean between Main Beach in East Hampton and Mecox Bay was fairly active with numerous rafts of scoter, several hundred Atlantic Gannets and small flocks of Laughing Gulls. Most of the bird feeding on small bait fish being pushed to the surface by Striped Bass and I was surprised to see that even the scoter were feeding on these fish, thinking that their diet was limited to bivalves, polychaete worms and small crustaceans. However, they could often be seen surfacing with these slender fish dangling from their bills before being swallowed. No wonder the gulls like to pester them. Numbers of Common Eider seemed higher than usual this far west of Montauk, and I tallied 103 along this stretch. GREAT CORMORANTS were also in evidence, with 16 flying west along the beach front and an immature roosting with Double-crested Cormorants on the sand flat at Georgica Pond. An adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was at Sagg Mains. Tom Burke and Gail Benson noted a PARASITIC JAEGER off Main Beach and another off Montauk Point. They also located the female KING EIDER off Ditch Plains before hurrying over to Bridgehampton for their 2nd and 3rd _Tyrannus verticalis_ of the day. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Sandhill Crane: a not so stealthy migrant? From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 01:03:19 -0400 How good is our coverage? Are we finding most of the rarities that come into our area or are we just seeing the tip of the iceberg? These are questions that every active birder will ask themselves now and again. There are no firm answers and maybe there never will be. To some extent it must depend on the locations involved and the types of birds you are looking for. Stumbling on a Connecticut Warbler on a vegetated path it is hard to believe there aren't one or two more skulking around in the undergrowth just out of sight. For sure, fewer birds will escape knowledgeable eyes at sites were there are plenty of birders and the cover is limited - the west end of Jones Beach or Central Park to name two examples. Studies have show that rare birds are more likely to be found at the weekend than during the work week and some of the best places to find really rare birds are the most barren. Personally, I'd wager that at most times and at most places, we are missing more than we find. A related question is whether a rarity that is seen in one place is likely to ever been seen again. What happened to the Brooklyn Western Reef Heron once it said farewell to its beloved Coney Island Creek? As far as I know there hasn't been a single report of the species in continental North America since that time. Where did the bird go? The recent southward passage of five Sandhill Cranes that spent several weeks near Wareham, Plymouth Co, Massachusetts, offers an interesting example of how individual birds can sometimes be tracked by field observers and speaks favorably to the depth of coverage by birders along the mid-Atlantic coast. Last Thursday morning the cranes vanished from the fields they'd been frequenting but because of their distinctive number it is possible to identify sequential reports in three additional states as far the Merrill Creek Reservoir in northeastern New Jersey. Just over 240 miles. This is where the trail goes cold, for now at least. Here are the particulars: (1) Near Wareham, Plymouth Co., MA (Thu 39 Oct 2009): last seen in the fields around 9:30 AM (observer: Bob Conway) (2) +25 miles - Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI (Thu 39 Oct 2009): Seen later flying at an estimated 600 feet over Rt 24 from Fall River, Bristol Co., MA to Portsmouth, RI (observer: Paul Champlin) (3) +140 miles - Greenwich, Fairfield Co., CT (Thu 39 Oct 2009): Passed over the Quaker Ridge Hawkwatch in the late afternoon (observers: Brian O'Toole, Luke Tiller, Mike Warner & Stefan Martin) (4) +80 miles - Merrill Creek Reservoir, Warren Co., NJ (Fri 30 Oct 2009): Five cranes spent morning in field by reservoir (observer: Tom Vouglas) So where are the birds now and how did they cross the Empire State (Westerchester Co.) undetected? Did they go over us in dark or did they spend the night somewhere in between Greenwich and Merrill Creek? Food for though..... -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: From the Massachusetts Birding List - Gyrfalcon From: Ben Cacace <bcacace AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:53:24 -0400 This may be of interest concerning local juvenile gray phase Gyrfalcons. This was posted to the Massachusetts Birding list on 31-Oct-2009. Something to keep an eye on. Google map location: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yakzsad I added a bit of white space to break up the paragraph. /----- quoted text ------\ Subject: GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk From: Paul Champlin Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:18:17 -0400 Hi folks, Quick note from today's Allen's Pond walk. At about 9:45 Two falcons were seen from the road on the beach loop trail; the falcons were just east of the fresh pond on the fresh pond trail (Ruben's Point on the map; see the link below). Initially I called out two Peregrines hunting together and passed the scope to the attendees (14 in all today). As I watched through binoculars I saw that one was riding the updraft of the SW winds hitting the trees and tended to go after the other falcon, the instigator being about 1/5 larger and bulkier than the other (which was certainly a peregrine). Looking through the scope again I saw that the bird was quite hefty with wings that were less slender than the peregrine's. Compared to the peregrine, the bulk of the bird gave it a bit more of a dumpy appearance as it hung. As it tried chasing down a flock of Hooded Mergansers (and caught up with them but missed em) I got a good look at the wings which were blunt-tipped as it headed back to hang and as it harassed the peregrine. The large falcon kept going back to "hang" like a Red-tail on the updraft, so well that we had it in the scope several times for several folks in a row to get a look. We saw it harass two passing Turkey Vultures. I saw no coloration but white and dark slate, and saw it from many angles in different lighting (hazy sun to cloudy) and against dark forested backgrounds and sky. I tried to get a sense of facial pattern and could tell that it was not that of an adult peregrine (no contrast between the neck and face, so no separated cheek patch). After about 25 minutes with the bird we began walking to that side of the pond to see if we could get under it bird but as we went it headed east not to be seen again. With the look that I got and having seen/found several of these in the past, I'm as sure as I could be that it was a juv., Gray Gyrfalcon. Here's a link to the trail map http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/images/maps/allenspond_trails.gif If people would like to look for the bird I'd go tomorrow morning between dawn and 10AM (I'll be in W Mass so can't). Here is a map for directions (Rt I195 to 88 south, then follow the map). List from the morning to follow on Monday. (Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, teal, wigeon, gannet etc.). Paul Champlin Westport, MA \----- end quote -----/ http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1257014964 Ben Cacace Manhattan, NYC -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: South Fork LI: Continuing Western Kingbird, King Eider etc From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:19:36 -0400 The handsome WESTERN KINGBIRD continues in Deep Hollow near Montauk (Suffolk Co). Look for the bird around the edges of the horse pasture south of Rt 27. This morning it was flycatching from trees on the slope on the eastern (most distant) side and favored the area right of the very obvious bank of solar panels where there is a new fence (41.0543, -71.8945). The kingbird also ventured out into the open field and used the various fences that run north-south as a vantage point from which to snatch flies from the many fresh dung piles. I should mention that Vicki Bustamante refound this bird during the week, after it was first reported by Michael McBrien (per Shai Mitra) last Monday. At Montauk Point, decent numbers (600++) of Atlantic Gannets continue with some impressive feeding frenzies, presumably over migrating herring. I noted a lingering CORY'S SHEARWATER with one of the feeding groups. Upwards of 350 Common Eider were scattered around Point and were in fact evident at many spots around the penisula. A female KING EIDER (most likely the bird I found near here last weekend) was in the surf off Ditch Plains (41.039,-71.9105). An immature GREAT CORMORANT was on the jetties at Montauk Inlet and another was in Fort Pond. Lastly, Patricia Lindsay and Shai Mitra found a (Richardson's) CACKLING GOOSE on Further Lane between East Hampton and Amagansett (40.9622, -72.1599) and it was still there at the front of the Canada Goose flock when I went past at 1 pm. -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: FW: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk From: Jeffery Davis <jwdjwd67 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:09:06 -0400 regards, jeff Downingtown, PA Checkout our bird photos at the link below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffamy/ "Birding Like I Have Six Months To Live" From: skua99 AT hotmail.com To: massbird AT theworld.com Subject: [MASSBIRD] GYRFALCON Another great Allens Pond walk Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:18:17 -0400 Hi folks, Quick note from today's Allens Pond walk. At about 9:45 Two falcons were seen from the road on teh beach loop trail; the falcons were just east of the fresh pond on the fresh pond trail (Ruben's Point on the map; see the link below). Initially I called out two Peregrines hunting together and passed the scope to the attendees (14 in all today). As I watched through binoculars I saw that one was riding the updraft of the SW winds hitting the trees and tended to go after the other falcon, the instigator being about 1/5 larger and bulkier than the other (which was certainly a peregrine). Looking through the scope again I saw that the bird was quite hefty with wings that were less slender than the peregrine's. Compared toe the peregrine, the bulk of the bird gave it a bit more of a dumpy appearance as it hung. As it tried chasing down a flock of Hooded Mergansers (and caught up with them but missed em) I got a good look at the wings which were blunt-tipped as it headed back to hang and as it harassed the peregrine. The large falcon kept going back to "hang" like a Red-tail on the updraft, so well that we had it in the scope several times for several folks in a row to get a look. We saw it harass two passing Turkey Vultures. I saw no coloration but white and dark slate, and saw it from many angles in different lighting (hazy sun to cloudy) and against dark forested backgrounds and sky. I tried to get a sense of facial pattern and could tell that it was not that of an adult peregrine (no contrast between the neck and face, so no separated cheek patch). After about 25 minutes with the bird we began walking to that side of the pond to see if we could get under it bird but as we went it headed east not to be seen again. With the look that I got and having seen/found several of these in the past, I'm as sure as I could be that it was a juv., Gray Gyrfalcon. Here's a link to the trail map http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/images/maps/allenspond_trails.gif If people would like to look for the bird I'd go tomorrow morning between dawn and 10AM (I'll be in W Mass so can't). Here is a map for directions (Rt I195 to 88 south, then follow the map). List from the morning to follow on Monday. (Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, teal, wigeon, gannet etc.). Paul Champlin Westport, MA New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: RE: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th From: jacob drucker <jacobdrucker AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:01:01 +0000 In addition to what Ted mentioned, the Reservoir and Sparrow Ridge seemed to be the birdiest places I visited, the most noteworthy things being on the Reservoir being a Laughing Gull, (good bird for Central) and my first Hooded Merganser in the park this fall. 2 Pied Billed Grebes were also present among the 120ish Ruddy Ducks and 50ish Northern Shovelers also at the south end of the the Reservoir. Sparrow Ridge still posessed about 40 chipping sparrows, but no other species besides song and white-throated were noted. Happy Halloween, Jacob Drucker > From: tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com > To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th > Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:41:29 -0700 > > > Hello, Birders. > > George Scott and I had a nice lunch-hour ramble in The Ramble, Central Park, New York County, yesterday, Friday, Oct. 30th. > > Nothing really notable, but we saw a somewhat tardy Ovenbird on one of the trails there. Also 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Brown Creeper, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a goodly 6 Hermit Thrushes, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a flock of about 10 hawthorn-devouring Cedar Waxwings. > > ------------------------------- > > Ted Floyd > tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com > Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado > > ------------------------------- > > Ted Floyd > Editor, Birding > > ------------------------------- > > Please support the American Birding Association: Click on > http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. > > Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: > http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 > > Check out the Birding magazine on Twitter: > http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine > > Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: > http://www.aba.org > _________________________________________________________________ > New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES > > Archives: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, Oct. 31st From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:33:47 -0700 Hello, Birders. (First, thanks to the several of you who have told me offline that I got Central Park's county wrong. Thanks again, and duh.) Anyhow, I saw an interesting flocklet of Cedar Waxwings at Makamah Nature Preserve, Suffolk County, earlier today, Saturday, Oct. 31st. There were 7 birds in the flock, all adults, and 2 had red-orange tail tips. One of the aberrant birds had all 12 rectrices red-orange, and the other had R1 the "normal" yellow but R2-R6 the variant red-orange. I think this latter bird was showing two generations of rectrices, with the R1s being brand-new and the R2s-R6s being left over from fall 2008; and I further suspect that the bird ingested more honeysuckle-derived rhodoxanthin in fall 2008 than thus far in fall 2009. Or I could be full of crap. Regardless, it's cool to ponder the molt/ecology interface as it relates to observing live birds in the field. (More info on how eating honeysuckle berries makes birds turn red: http://www.aba.org/birding/v39n5p62.pdf.) Access to Makamah Nature Preserve is at 40.909002 N, 73.314257 W. Other birds at Makamah earlier today included a somewhat tardy Common Yellowthroat and my first 3 Red Fox Sparrows of the season. Birds doing the "vismig" thing included several flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, all moving pretty much southwest high over the preserve. Also 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks, all juveniles. (By the way, vismig of American Robins was especially impressive over Uplands Farm Sanctuary, Suffolk County, 40.857269 N, 73.453442 W, this past Wednesday, Oct. 28th. At least 230 robins passed southwest over the sanctuary, in a pretty steady passage from 11am-noon, flying almost directly into the north-blowing drizzle. Birds "on the ground" there included several Swamp and White-crowned Sparrows, plus a Winter Wren. Neat place.) ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Central Park, Kings County, Oct. 30th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:41:29 -0700 Hello, Birders. George Scott and I had a nice lunch-hour ramble in The Ramble, Central Park, New York County, yesterday, Friday, Oct. 30th. Nothing really notable, but we saw a somewhat tardy Ovenbird on one of the trails there. Also 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Brown Creeper, 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a goodly 6 Hermit Thrushes, 2 Gray Catbirds, and a flock of about 10 hawthorn-devouring Cedar Waxwings. ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the Birding magazine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BirdingMagazine Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Fwd [RE]: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY [Selasphorus species?] From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:49:40 -0400 Here's the Massachusetts Birds post about Allen's Hummingbird: http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MASS.html#1256870410 Tom Fiore, Manhattan - - - - - <<<<< >>>>> Begin forwarded message: > From: Hugh McGuinness > Date: October 30, 2009 8:53:21 PM EDT > To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu > Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Hummingbird in Ardsley NY > Reply-To: Hugh McGuinness > > Hi All, > > I just want to remind everyone that Allen's Hummingbird is still NOT > on the NY list, so every Selasphorus Hummingbird should be > scrutinized carefully and fully documented. My guess is that many > individual Selasphorus will not be determinable, but that some will > be, and that eventually we will find an Allen's in New York. More > importantly than adding this species to the NY list (and the sport > for birders that accompanies such an event), careful documentation > will help give a better picture of the current range expansion in > western hummingbirds and hence improve our knowledge about an > important aspect in evolutionary ecology. Lest one think this is > just idle speculation, there is currently an Allen's being reported > in Massachusetts. Of course all rarities, such as this bird, should > be submitted to NYSARC. > > Good birding, Hugh > > Hugh McGuinness > The Ross School > 18 Goodfriend Drive > East Hampton, NY 11937 > hmcguinness AT ross.org > <<<<<<<< >>>>>>>> > On Oct 29, 2009, at 5:02 PM, PeregrineJV AT aol.com wrote: > >> Hi >> I have a humming bird visiting my Pineapple Sage and Salvia for 3 >> days now. I am quite sure its a Rufous since I see tinges of red >> on the flanks and rump. >> If anyone would like to come by to confirm the species or >> photograph it, feel free to do so. >> >> I am currently residing at 1 Croton Court, Ardsley NY. It is the >> first red house on the left off of Concord Road. Walk to the >> backyard/patio area and I guess wait.. >> >> I work a lot so I do not know how frequently the bird has been >> visiting. >> >> James Vellozzi > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: NYC Area RBA: 30 October 2009 From: Karen Fung <easternbluebird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:22:24 -0400 - RBA * New York * New York City, Long Island, Westchester County * Oct 30, 2009 * NYNY0910.30 - Birds Mentioned: GYRFALCON+ RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD+ WESTERN TANAGER+ Cackling Goose KING EIDER Common Eider HARLEQUIN DUCK Red-throated Loon NORTHERN FULMAR Cory's Shearwater Bald Eagle Northern Goshawk Golden Eagle Sora American Golden-Plover AMERICAN AVOCET White-rumped Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Lesser Black-backed Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Royal Tern Parasitic Jaeger Great Crested Flycatcher WESTERN KINGBIRD Marsh Wren American Pipit Orange-crowned Warbler Connecticut Warbler Clay-colored Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Nelson's Sparrow Saltmarsh Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Dickcissel Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Purple Finch If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc1 AT nybirds.org . If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to: Jeanne Skelly - Secretary NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC) 420 Chili-Scottsville Rd. Churchville, NY 14428 ~ Transcript ~ Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert Weekly Recording: (212) 979-3070 To report sightings call: Tom Burke (212) 372-1483 (weekdays) Tony Lauro (631) 734-4126 (Long Island) Compilers: Tom Burke, Tony Lauro Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County Transcriber: Karen Fung [~BEGIN RBA TAPE~] Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, October 30th, at 9:00 pm. The highlights of today's tape are GYRFALCON, RUFOUS-TYPE HUMMINGBIRD, NORTHERN FULMAR, AMERICAN AVOCET, WESTERN KINGBIRD and WESTERN TANAGER, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, and much more. Last Sunday at Jones Beach West End a large falcon was seen capturing a Herring Gull and feasting on it while birders and photographers surrounded it. Unfortunately, the falcon was not identified as an immature gray morph GYRFALCON until photos were subsequently analyzed the following days. Wonderful photos do exist, but the falcon itself has not been seen at West End since Sunday. The generally poor weather might be partly responsible for that, so birders should continue to be vigilant in that area and elsewhere, around the south shore marshes. [Transcriber's note: A photo of the GYR, taken Sunday by Luke Ormand, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/yhceu9h ]. What appears to be an immature male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared again last Sunday in the yard at 122 Hillside Avenue in the Grymes Hill section of northeastern Staten Island. The homeowner also learned that the hummingbird has been visiting feeders nearby at 44 Woodside Avenue. Birders are welcome by the homeowners to look for the hummingbird, but we have no updated information since last Sunday. Also on Staten Island, two CACKLING GEESE remain in a Canada flock near Mount Loretto Park off Hylan Boulevard. Three very interesting reports during the week of birds apparently seen only by the initial observers involved an apparent WESTERN TANAGER at the Jones Beach West End coast guard hedgerow on Monday, a WESTERN KINGBIRD at Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk on Monday, and an AMERICAN AVOCET on a farm pond along Ocean Avenue in Baiting Hollow on the north shore of eastern Long Island Tuesday. A good amount of activity continues in the Montauk area. Highlights of a sea watch off Ditch Plains last Saturday included a NORTHERN FULMAR, 2+ CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 3 PARASITIC JAEGERS, 3 immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and 3 ROYAL TERNS, plus a good number of sea ducks featuring 250+ COMMON EIDER and a female KING EIDER. Birds off Montauk Point Saturday included 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 2 PARASITIC JAEGERS, and another BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, plus over 600 COMMON EIDER. Two SNOW BUNTINGS also arrived on the Point, and a SORA was heard calling from the little marsh below the restaurant. A LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also on Fort Pond Bay Saturday. On Tuesday single CORY'S SHEARWATER and PARASITIC JAEGER, plus an arriving HARLEQUIN DUCK were reported at Montauk Point. A LAPLAND LONGSPUR visited Shinnecock Inlet back on the 22nd. At Robert Moses State Park, a sea watch Sunday noted 4 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, 4 COMMON EIDER, 6 RED-THROATED LOONS and 15 ROYAL TERNS, with 18 AMERICAN PIPITS, 2 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and PURPLE FINCH migrating by overhead. Monday at Moses added DICKCISSEL and a couple of EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, with 2 lingering WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS also still around. Thursday off Moses there were 160 COMMON EIDER and thousands of scoters on the move. Down at Jones Beach West End up to 40 more ROYAL TERNS have been hanging around the bars, and among the shorebirds still there, has been an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER also seen off the coast guard bar, where 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were also identified last Sunday. At least 28 AMERICAN PIPITS were counted last Sunday, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was noted last Monday, a PURPLE SANDPIPER on Tuesday, and a late GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER today. A fine gathering of sparrows in Prospect Park continues to frequent the newly seeded meadow by the baseball fields in the nearby "Sparrow Bowl", as it is referred to. Last Saturday's collection included both NELSON'S SPARROW and SALTMARSH SPARROW, the latter especially quite unusual at that location, and these were joined by CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and other more common sparrows, with a MARSH WREN thrown in there also. The CLAY-COLORED and VESPER SPARROWS were re-found Sunday, and also in Prospect were RUSTY BLACKBIRD Monday, and an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK noted on Lookout Hill on Thursday. An interesting late report from Central Park involved a CONNECTICUT WARBLER last Sunday, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER has also been noted in Central along with a few other lingering warblers. Eagles continue to move by local hawk sites, including 2 GOLDEN EAGLES and 2 BALD EAGLES over Hook Mountain Thursday. Other late-seasoned hawks have also been in evidence. To phone in reports on Long Island, call Tony Lauro at (631) 734-4126, or weekdays call Tom Burke at (212) 372-1483. This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling. [~END TAPE~] ~ End Transcript ~ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:53:21 -0400 Hi All, I just want to remind everyone that Allen's Hummingbird is still NOT on the NY list, so every Selasphorus Hummingbird should be scrutinized carefully and fully documented. My guess is that many individual Selasphorus will not be determinable, but that some will be, and that eventually we will find an Allen's in New York. More importantly than adding this species to the NY list (and the sport for birders that accompanies such an event), careful documentation will help give a better picture of the current range expansion in western hummingbirds and hence improve our knowledge about an important aspect in evolutionary ecology. Lest one think this is just idle speculation, there is currently an Allen's being reported in Massachusetts. Of course all rarities, such as this bird, should be submitted to NYSARC. Good birding, Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org On Oct 29, 2009, at 5:02 PM, PeregrineJV AT aol.com wrote: > Hi > I have a humming bird visiting my Pineapple Sage and Salvia for 3 > days now. I am quite sure its a Rufous since I see tinges of red on > the flanks and rump. > If anyone would like to come by to confirm the species or photograph > it, feel free to do so. > > I am currently residing at 1 Croton Court, Ardsley NY. It is the > first red house on the left off of Concord Road. Walk to the > backyard/patio area and I guess wait.. > > I work a lot so I do not know how frequently the bird has been > visiting. > > James Vellozzi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: orrection; for some reason birdingonthe.net didn't see that the Ash-throated was actually a Great-crested. To the rest of you I apologize for the double post. From: Lloyd Spitalnik <lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:42:06 -0400 Subject: Hummingbird in Ardsley NY From: PeregrineJV AT aol.com Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:02:06 EDT Hi I have a humming bird visiting my Pineapple Sage and Salvia for 3 days now. I am quite sure its a Rufous since I see tinges of red on the flanks and rump. If anyone would like to come by to confirm the species or photograph it, feel free to do so. I am currently residing at 1 Croton Court, Ardsley NY. It is the first red house on the left off of Concord Road. Walk to the backyard/patio area and I guess wait.. I work a lot so I do not know how frequently the bird has been visiting. James Vellozzi -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: ash troated correction From: Lloyd Spitalnik <lloyd22 AT nyc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:39:52 -0400 Subject: Ash-throated Flycatcher Jones Beach WE 2 From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:49:23 -0400 Seth Ausbel just found an Ash-throated Flycatcher at WE2, between the parking lot and Ocean parkway, near the cottonwood tree just west of the exit opposite the bathrooms _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Hook Mt. From: Sy Schiff <icterus AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:01:11 -0400 Hook Mt. 29 Oct. Joe Giunta and I (Sy Schiff) ventured to Hook Mt. on a very bleak morning. We arrived at the top at 10:30 AM as the clouds began to break up. Shortly after arriving, a kettle of mixed vultures rose in the air. This semi-reliable sign produced our first eagle (BALD EAGLE) followed by a second eagle (GOLDEN EAGLE). The weather cooperated and the sun came out for the remainder of our stay. Other birds of the morning included multiple TURKEY VULTURES and BLACK VULTURES, 2 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 3 COOPER'S HAWKS, many RED-TAILED HAWKS, some resident and an imm. RED-SHOULDER HAWK. Both AMERICAN CROWS and COMMON RAVENS serenaded us as they flew about. A second BALD EAGLE arrived at lunch and a second GOLDEN EAGLE arrived when we finished. Not too many migrating hawks but a 4 eagle day at the morning watch Sy -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jones Beach, Nassau County, Oct. 29th From: Ted Floyd <tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:55:28 -0700 Hello, Birders. Earlier today, Thursday, Oct. 29th, I visited Jones Beach, Nassau County, that labyrinthine and byzantine complex of barricades, entrance gates, and mindlessly vast parking lots. First, I went to Field 6, where a very large flock of shorebirds was strewn out along the beach just above the high tide line. I think I got reasonably accurate counts of 400 Black-bellied Plovers, 360 Red Knots, and 8,250 Dunlins. (And a few Sanderlings and Killdeer.) Birds apparently on diurnal migration included 290 westbound Double-crested Cormorants and 4 westbound American Pipits. One of the knots was a red bird in basic plumage (with "breeding aspect"); see Birding, May 2009, p. 49, for perspective on shorebirds in basic plumage with breeding aspects. Second, I went to the U.S. Coast Guard station, where there was another nice pod of shorebirds, among them 475 Black-bellied Plovers, 1 American Golden-Plover, 7 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Killdeer, 31 American Oystercatchers, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 14 Sanderlings, and "only" 1,700 Dunlin. There was a pretty steady passage of westbound Double-crested Cormorants while I was at the coast guard station, and a decent smattering of Brant. Other waterbirds at the coast guard station included 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Loons, 4 Great Egrets, 1 Laughing Gull, and 2 Royal Terns. The landbird scene was pretty lame, although a neat sight was a tight flock of 6 noisy Red-breasted Nuthatches working a broadleaf tree. I heard and saw about 210 hirundinids, all of them straightforward Tree Swallows as far as I could tell. Otherwise, it was slim pickin's, with seasonal stuff like Merlin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (a bit tardy), Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, and Savannah Sparrow. Among the many Yellow-rumped Warblers was one that, were it 1,800 miles west of here, I might well have called a Myrtle x Audubon's intergrade. There's no chance, I realize, that any of y'all will run out to see a Yellow-rumped Warbler that might possibly be harboring a few -auduboni- genes, but--what the heck?--it was last seen at 40.588282 N, 73.556390 W. Keeping company with a large number of normal Myrtles, heading west... ------------------------------- Ted Floyd tedfloyd57 AT hotmail.com Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado ------------------------------- Ted Floyd Editor, Birding ------------------------------- Please support the American Birding Association: Click on http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=884482 to search the internet. Check out the American Birding Association on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22934255714 Check out the American Birding Association on Twitter: http://twitter.com/abaoutreach Please visit the website of the American Birding Association: http://www.aba.org _________________________________________________________________ New Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pc-scout/default.aspx?CBID=wl&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_pcscout:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Gyrfalcon From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:50:08 -0400 Jerry Liguori's insightful analysis was just what I hoping for and I'm sure we all learned from it. The increasing availability of photos has also helped to flesh out the identification and address (to the extent possible) my initial concerns about ruling out a Gyr x ? hybrid, which I figured might be causing the initial mixed conclusions by some very sharp observers. I found John Gluth's shots (posted late last night on his flickr site) particularly helpful in making up my own mind. Please remember that Gyrfalcon _IS_ a statewide NYSARC review species (not so subtle hint there) and let's hope the bird can be re-found soon so that others may enjoy it and get to apply their new knowledge. A lot of people across the state and well beyond have contributed to the excellent discussion and we are indebted to Hugh McGuinness for throwing the first pitch, so to speak. Cheers, Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Gyrfalcon From: Jerry Lig <jerrylig AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:23:36 +0000 Someone sent me the responses on the bird list about the Jones Beach Gyrfalcon. There seems to be a bit of controversy, I stated a few days ago to Hugh that it was absolutely a young gray morph Gyrfalcon. However, I thought it was obvious and did not give reasons why. My mistake, since it is necessary on such an uncommonly encountered species. First off the color of juvenile gray Gyrfalcons is browner on top than a Peregrine (which often shows a slaty-brown tone to the upperside....note that juv dark Gyrs can be slaty-brown on top), also the malar mark is narrow (along with the lack of a white cheek spot shown by most Peregrines and almost all wild Tundrius birds), the spotting to the remiges and tail are much less distinct (especially the topside of the tail), the head lacks a pale crown, the underwing coverts are less 'checkered', the chest is not whiter than the body (as is with most juv Peregrines), the flanks show a less "barred" appearance than Peregrine, and also almost all juv Peregrines show "V" or diamond-shaped markings to the undertail coverts (Gyrs are typically streaked). On shape, the body is plump, the wings are stocky and less sharply tapered, and the tail is long compared to Peregrine. These differences are slight but evident on all Gyrs. The point of P9 being longer than P10 is not always accurate, some Peregrines show this (I have photos of it). I may have left some stuff out without going through photos at the moment, and there are also a few other traits that separate the two species but I will leave that for my next book. There is incredible variation in Peregrine and Gyrfalcon plumages, in my studies of Gyrfalcon I have seen birds that are "in-betweeners" as far as morph. There are paler gray morphs that approach the paleness of white morphs and darker gray morphs that lean towards dark morph, etc. Also, Anatum and Peale's Peregrines resemble a Gyr in plumage more so than Tundrius, so that discussion would have been more appropriate. Falconry hybrids occur of course, but this bird is not one of them. There are no jesses, bells, or rings on the bird, and the plumage is typical (I would say perfect in every way) for Gyrfalcon. Having said that, even hybrids can look like one parent and do not always take a "mix" of traits from both parents. So, if this were a hybrid it would be impossible to tell based on plumage. Feel free to post this response, I hope it helps, and hope the bird sticks around for people, Jerry Liguori _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: I wanted more reliable, now it's more reliable. Wow! http://microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default-ga.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Jones Beach Gyr From: Susan Herbst <susieq60 AT optonline.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:13:51 -0400 My 2¢ I just have to comment how stunning these photos are. I agree that it may be hard to tell how large the bird is, (and believe me, I'm NO expert) but when put up against the size of a herring gull (particularly when it is flying off with the gull) seems to put it in the Gyr league. Again, stunning pix - and as someone previously said - maybe even better than the guides. Thank you to Luke for sharing. S Susan Herbst graphic design/illustration/photography 516-633-7730 susieq60 AT optonline.net On Oct 29, 2009, at 11:00 AM, Hugh McGuinness wrote: > Dear NY Birders, > > Here are a few more links to photos of the bird that was seen last > Sunday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau County). > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/96567639 AT N00/4054517540/ > > http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi? > a=up&ns=1&pi=LUKEEORMAND > > I would like to encourage people who weigh in on the ID of this > bird to supply reasons for their determination in order that we all > may learn from this bird. That said a USFWS biologist Ted Swem who > regularly bands Gyrfalcons supplied this comment: "...unless your > photo really misrepresents the colors of the bird, this is a gyr. > The browns in peregrines are much darker than those in gyrs, and > the contrast between the markings and the background colors is more > striking, and the markings on the face and crown are more distinct. " > > I also believe that P10 being shorter than P9 rules out Peregrine. > > The spectre of hybrids has been raised. I have looked at several > photos of Gyr x Peregrine but none approach this bird, and the > Saker x Gyr photos all seem to show birds with pale heads and > throats. It would be interesting for someone with experience with > Falco hybrids would weigh in on this bird. > > Hugh > > > Hugh McGuinness > The Ross School > 18 Goodfriend Drive > East Hampton, NY 11937 > hmcguinness AT ross.org > > > > -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Any Reports from EPCAL? From: "Frederick Hamilton" <fxhamilt AT gw.dec.state.ny.us> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:10:38 -0400 Hello all, I hope everyone is having a great fall. I just wanted to see if anyone has heard of any short eared owl or upland sandpiper reports from the Enterprise Park at Calverton, Riverhead NY. I have been to busy myself to get out birding much this fall. Thanks Y'all Chip Hamilton Bird Conservation Biologist NYS DEC Region 1 50 Circle Road SUNY Stony Brook Stony Brook, NY 11790 631) 444-0308 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jones Beach Gyr From: Hugh McGuinness <hmcguinness AT ross.org> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:00:31 -0400 Dear NY Birders, Here are a few more links to photos of the bird that was seen last Sunday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach (Nassau County). http://www.flickr.com/photos/96567639 AT N00/4054517540/ http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=up&ns=1&pi=LUKEEORMAND I would like to encourage people who weigh in on the ID of this bird to supply reasons for their determination in order that we all may learn from this bird. That said a USFWS biologist Ted Swem who regularly bands Gyrfalcons supplied this comment: "...unless your photo really misrepresents the colors of the bird, this is a gyr. The browns in peregrines are much darker than those in gyrs, and the contrast between the markings and the background colors is more striking, and the markings on the face and crown are more distinct. " I also believe that P10 being shorter than P9 rules out Peregrine. The spectre of hybrids has been raised. I have looked at several photos of Gyr x Peregrine but none approach this bird, and the Saker x Gyr photos all seem to show birds with pale heads and throats. It would be interesting for someone with experience with Falco hybrids would weigh in on this bird. Hugh Hugh McGuinness The Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 11937 hmcguinness AT ross.org -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: rarities in, near, & not so near NY, 10/28 & previously From: Tom Fiore <tomfi2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:05:50 -0400 The Gyr discussion might be further advance thru web resources: [Texas Bird Records Com.] http://www.texasbirds.org/tbrc/gyr.htm http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/picpages/pic32-59-1.html http://vireo.acnatsci.org/search.html?Form=Search&SEARCHBY=Common&KEYWORDS=Gyrfalcon&RESULTS=100&Search2=Search http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/raptors/Gyrfalcon.html http://www.birdinfo.com/Gyrfalcon.html#Identification - - - - - reports from western NY including American Avocet, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese, and a late Hooded Warbler - via Genesee Birds: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GENE.html - - - - - LeConte's Sparrow, New Jersey, 26-28 Oct. - & also Ash-throated Flycatcher, N.J. - 26 Oct. http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBC.html http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBC.html#1256660216 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBD.html#1256770534 http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NJBD.html#1256770534 - - - - - New Castle Co., Delaware, Oct 25, a WOOD STORK flew past Ashland Nature Center Hawk Watch, & later seen at Militia Hill Hawk Watch in Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania. [if continuing on that flight pathway the stork could now be somewhere in NY state...] Reports below, scroll to Oct. 25: http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=423 http://hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=663 - - - - - More on very interesting science-based news of: "First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds" http://www.freelists.org/post/tn-bird/Evidence-for-a-second-breeding-season http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/TNBD.html#1256733711 Good birding, Tom Fiore, Manhattan _________ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jones Beach Falcon images From: John Gluth <jgluth AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:52 -0400 Here is the link again, to save on scroll time to reach my last post. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jgluth_brb/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Jones Beach Gyrfalcon From: John Gluth <jgluth AT optonline.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:54:55 -0400 As promised in my earlier post, I've uploaded photos and video of the falcon in question that may be of some use in it's further appraisal, including a shot from behind the bird while it perched in a tree. Quality is serviceable. -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Gyrfalcon From: joe mahedy <joemahedy AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:37:36 -0700 I have to agree with Pete Gustas, the photos are clear and good for ID. I could see hesitation to make such a call but it is probably more a fear of being wrong publicly, but that shouldn't matter to anyone trying to learn. I agree with Angus on one thing, the fact that people called it a tundrius peregrine is puzzling....and maybe it was a case of birding by expectation, which happens all the time. The comments Angus made below are good though and I would like to learn from them, what is it to look for with the wing / tail proportions? Also how do we work through the ID, by breaking the bird down as far as shape and plumage? It would be a good learning experience and I await Angus' thoughts and expertise. Joe "I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions....maybe there are more suitable images out there?" "I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us." _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Fw: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: pete gustas <pgustas AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:09:48 -0700 (PDT) ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: pete gustas To: Angus Wilson Sent: Wed, October 28, 2009 9:29:04 PM Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Gyrfalcon at Jones beach  Angus I think the problem stems from people who are not familiar with a bird having trouble making the commitment to an ID even when they are sure of what they saw,wich should not detract from the photo ID.These photos are better than most of the ones used in field guides that people probably refered to when trying to ID this bird. The photos of this bird show that without a doubt 100% this bird is a juv. gray morph Gyrfalcon. CASE CLOSED. I would take these photos over any ones personal ID. These photos are not fuzzy or distant they show every plumage detail that is necessary for an ID,WITH PHOTOS LIKE THESE you do not need the actual observers observations. Pete Gustas 168 Schofield St. City Island,NY 10464 pgustas AT yahoo.com ________________________________ From: Angus Wilson To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu Sent: Wed, October 28, 2009 8:17:56 PM Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Gyrfalcon at Jones beach A number of people have chimed in with enthusiastic endorsements of the ID as a Gyr (and they may well be right) but I am still puzzled by the fact that many of the actual observers at the weekend were willing to accept it as a large (tundrius) Peregrine, albeit with some hesitancy. Otherwise, why weren't there any headline postings from that day? Is it because the overall jizz did not quite fit with people's expectations/experience? This worries me. To be fair, a bird can sometimes be too close or in an unfamiliar context and this confounds an otherwise straightforward ID. A good example of this is when one is confronted with a dead bird. Sometimes familiar species can be baffling at first, especially for people not used to looking at specimens. Coming back to the bird in question, is it a case that the bird was initially called a Peregrine and nobody felt entirely comfortable in challenging that initial ID without further study? Having a pile of photos is great - the flight shots are really spectacular - but it is important not to ignore the impressions of people who saw the bird in life. I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions. I have seen a few shots of the bird on the ground standing over the Herring Gull carcass but as I recall, the tail tip was obscured. Maybe there are more suitable images out there? Anyway, lets not close the case files right awat. I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us. Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: FW: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: David Klauber <davehawkowl AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:30:30 -0400 Angus, I don't know why you're puzzled. There are very few people here who have extensive (if any) experience with Gyrfalcon, and young hawks in general aren't that easy, at least for me. I've personally never seen one in the lower 48 (sad but true). I guess the main contender to be ruled out are hybrids that the falconers are so fond of creating. I think the photos are good enough that knowledgeable people (I'm definitely excluding myself) could figure it out. I look forward to comments from those in the know. Looking for my next state bird Dave Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:17:56 -0400 Subject: Re: [nysbirds-l] Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: oceanwanderers AT gmail.com To: nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu A number of people have chimed in with enthusiastic endorsements of the ID as a Gyr (and they may well be right) but I am still puzzled by the fact that many of the actual observers at the weekend were willing to accept it as a large (tundrius) Peregrine, albeit with some hesitancy. Otherwise, why weren't there any headline postings from that day? Is it because the overall jizz did not quite fit with people's expectations/experience? This worries me. To be fair, a bird can sometimes be too close or in an unfamiliar context and this confounds an otherwise straightforward ID. A good example of this is when one is confronted with a dead bird. Sometimes familiar species can be baffling at first, especially for people not used to looking at specimens. Coming back to the bird in question, is it a case that the bird was initially called a Peregrine and nobody felt entirely comfortable in challenging that initial ID without further study? Having a pile of photos is great - the flight shots are really spectacular - but it is important not to ignore the impressions of people who saw the bird in life. I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions. I have seen a few shots of the bird on the ground standing over the Herring Gull carcass but as I recall, the tail tip was obscured. Maybe there are more suitable images out there? Anyway, lets not close the case files right awat. I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us. Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Subject: Re: Gyrfalcon at Jones beach From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:17:56 -0400 A number of people have chimed in with enthusiastic endorsements of the ID as a Gyr (and they may well be right) but I am still puzzled by the fact that many of the actual observers at the weekend were willing to accept it as a large (tundrius) Peregrine, albeit with some hesitancy. Otherwise, why weren't there any headline postings from that day? Is it because the overall jizz did not quite fit with people's expectations/experience? This worries me. To be fair, a bird can sometimes be too close or in an unfamiliar context and this confounds an otherwise straightforward ID. A good example of this is when one is confronted with a dead bird. Sometimes familiar species can be baffling at first, especially for people not used to looking at specimens. Coming back to the bird in question, is it a case that the bird was initially called a Peregrine and nobody felt entirely comfortable in challenging that initial ID without further study? Having a pile of photos is great - the flight shots are really spectacular - but it is important not to ignore the impressions of people who saw the bird in life. I'm still hoping to see photos of the landed bird (ideally in a tree with the body held in a typical upright fashion) so that we can better evaluate the wing to tail proportions. I have seen a few shots of the bird on the ground standing over the Herring Gull carcass but as I recall, the tail tip was obscured. Maybe there are more suitable images out there? Anyway, lets not close the case files right awat. I personally don't think it is a simple slam dunk and working through the ID carefully will undoubtedly be a valuable learning opportunity for all of us. Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l AT cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --