RBA
New York
Eastern Long Island
7 December 2006
NYEE0612.07
***East End Birds, 7 December 2006
***Covering the towns of Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island,
Southold & Riverhead on the eastern end of Long Island, New York.
***This report is distributed by e-mail only. If you would like to
receive East End Birds, contact hmcguinness@ross.org.
***Visit East End Birds on line at www.ross.org/~hmcguinness.
***Volume 8, Number 49
HIGHLIGHTS
Harlequin Duck, Brown Pelican, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl
OK, so if you are looking for something to do, and you don't feel like
scanning through gull flocks yet, start looking through flocks of
Robins. Maybe you'll find a Redwing. One has been found in Newfoundland
and another in Nova Scotia in the last two weeks.
This fall Northern Gannets have not massed off the East End as they have
done in most recent years, so it notable that several observers reported
hordes of Gannets heading west offshore in the last 10 days.
Rough-legged Hawks also appear to be moving into the area. Northern
Shrikes are on the move, but there has not yet been a report from the
East End, although there is a single individual being seen up-island at
Cedar Beach.
An immature BROWN PELICAN was first spotted on Dec 2 on the bay just off
the east jetty at Lake Montauk on Saturday (LM). On Dec 4 it apparently
landed on a fishing boat and allowed itself to be captured. The bird was
taken to a rehabilitator, who determined that it was underweight and
dehydrated. The bird is doing well, and it is unclear if it will be
released here or transported southward. A MARSH WREN was at Big Reed
Pond on Dec 5 (VB).
Thirty SNOW BUNTINGS were along Gerard Drive in Accabonac on Dec 2
(K&BRu, VB). Four GREATER YELLOWLEGS were still at Maidstone Park on
Three Mile Harbor on Dec 3 (K&BRu).
Along Dune Road at Shinnecock there have been up to two AMERICAN
BITTERNS. At the south end of the old Ponquogue Bridge there were 34
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES on Dec 3 (J&MTo, MW). Twelve COMMON EIDER were in
the inlet on Dec 2 (AB).
A GREAT EGRET was at South Ferry, North Haven on Nov 25 (W&GBk). A
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, one of the few I have heard about recently, was
spotted at Morton Wildlife Refuge on Dec 2 (EK).
Two SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen at dusk on the former Grumman property
from Grumman Blvd on Dec 2 (RMcG). On Dec 3, the former Grumman property
produced 1 PINE WARBLER, 1 VESPER SPARROW, 36 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 32
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, 18 WILD TURKEYS and 1 AMERICAN KESTREL (AJL).
At Hulse Landing Rd in Calverton there were 200 HORNED LARKS on Dec 3,
while at the nearby Cornell Cooperative Extension fields there were 125
HORNED LARKS & 1 SNOW BUNTING (AJL).
An adult male HARLEQUIN DUCK was found at Bailie Beach, Mattituck, east
of Bailie Beach Rd on Dec 3 (PG). A TURKEY VULTURE was spotted in
Southold on Dec 5 (GR). I think that means that for the first time in
recorded history Turkey Vulture has been recorded on the East End every
month of the year in 2006.
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was over Orient Harbor on Nov 26 (RO). Five COMMON
MERGANSERS were at Orient Beach State Park on Dec 4 (B&ESi).
Another ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted winging its way over the Long
Island Expressway at Exit 68 on Dec 5 (RH).
An as yet unidentified SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD has been frequenting a
feeder at the house of Norm Klein in Northport since Nov 26, and was
still present Dec 7. Norm has graciously allowed birders to visit his
house at 21 Woodhull Place, north of 25A after 8 AM. To reach this spot
from Huntington and points west on 25A, continue east on 25A past
Huntington and Centerport. After passing a small nature preserve (Twin
Ponds/Betty Allen) 25A goes uphill. At the second light, go left onto
Reservoir Road (note: this is called Ellwood Road to the south). At the
third street turn left on Franklin, then take the first right onto
Seaview. The next left is Woodhull Court, and Woodhull Place is the next
right. Norm's house is the corner house on the far corner with three big
pines in front of the maroon house. His driveway is to the left of the
house. Walk up the driveway to his deck on the right at the rear of the
house. The bird feeds either on the red flowers past the deck or the
feeders at the edge of the deck.
THE LATE REPORT (reports of the last individual of migratory species)
An OSPREY was reported at South Ferry, Shelter Island on Nov 17 (ES),
and another was along Dune Road at Shinnecock on Nov 20 (MH). A SOLITARY
VIREO was found at the gate to the lighthouse at Montauk Point on Dec 3
(VB)-unfortunately the bird's bright coloration ruled out the
possibility of Cassin's Vireo, a species that should be looked for in
New York at this time of year.
THE EAST END YEAR LIST
I have finally been able to catch up on the year list and it currently
stands at 302 species. In case anyone cares, the 300th species was
Western Kingbird found by John Gluth at Montauk Point. The complete year
list can be viewed at
http://www.ross.org/~hmcguinness/EEBirds/L06/YList2006.htm
Many species have not yet been recorded on the East End for 2006. One
bird from Code 2: Cape-May Warbler. Didn't anybody see a CAPE MAY
WARBLER out east this year? Four code 3 species: Saw Whet Owl,
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, and Northern Shrike. We
still have a good chance of finding two of these. The following code 4
species have not been reported to me this year: Tufted Duck, Ruffed
Grouse, Eared Grebe, Ruff, Red Phalarope, South Polar Skua, Franklin's
Gull, Dovekie, Common Murre, Connecticut Warbler, Red Crossbill,
White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll and Evening Grosbeak.
Realistically, we have a chance to get 1 or 2 of these, which would give
us a final year total of 305 or 306 species.
Since the last time I published a year list in late May, the following
species have been recorded: Nov 10: Golden Eagle, Oct 15: PAINTED
BUNTING, Oct 14: Western Kingbird, Oct 7: Hudsonian Godwit, Oct 5: Lark
Sparrow, Oct 4: Lincoln's Sparrow, Sep 16 Pomarine Jaeger, Sep 9:
LONG-TAILED JAEGER, Sep 8: Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Sep 6: Philadelphia Vireo, Sep 4: Wilson's Phalarope, Sep 3: BRIDLED
TERN, Aug 27: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Aug 21: American Golden Plover,
Aug 20: Baird's Sandpiper; Long-billed Dowitcher, Aug 4: Marbled Godwit,
July 30: American Avocet, July 29: Sandwich Tern, July 21: Red-headed
Woodpecker, July 18: Cory's Shearwater, July 16: Western Sandpiper, July
15: Greater Shearwater, Jun 17: WILSON'S PLOVER; Royal Tern, Jun 11:
Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Jun 9: MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, Jun 4: Manx
Shearwater, Parasitic Jaeger, Jun 1: Acadian Flycatcher, May 29: ARCTIC
TERN; Forster's Tern, May 28: Sooty Shearwater; Blue Grosbeak, May 27:
Gray-cheeked Thrush, May 26: Mourning Warbler,
May 21: Tricolored Heron; Yellow-crowned Night-Heron; May 18: Brown
Pelican.
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
The Montauk Christmas Bird Count will take place Saturday, Dec 16.
Contact me if you would like to participate. The Quogue to Watermill
Count will also take place on Dec 16. Contact Steve Biasetti at 537-1400
if you'd like to participate. The Sagaponack Count will occur on Dec 17.
Contact me if you'd like to participate. Remember that you can
participate even if you only want to count birds at your own feeder.
WHAT DO PEREGRINE FALCONS EAT?
At the University of Michigan, where I received my Ph.D., two Peregrine
Falcons have taken up residence on the Burton Bell Tower, which is
within easy viewing distance of the ornithology department, since last
March. Enterprising researchers have been identifying the remains of the
Peregrines' meals and their results have been astounding. The Falcons
have put together a pretty impressive life list, which included the
consumption of approximately 71 cuckoos between mid-May and late
October. The complete chronological listing can be found at
http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/UM_Peregrines.html . And check out
the meal on October 6!!!
PELAGIC TRIP RESULTS
A pelagic trip to Hudson Canyon from Freeport (Nassau County) while a
bit west of our area produced interesting results that warrant inclusion
here. Perhaps most surprising was the almost complete lack of Alcids and
the low numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes. Also surprising were the
number of Bonaparte's Gull so far out to sea. Results were as follows:
12 Green-winged Teal, 7 White-winged Scoter, 2 Surf Scoter, 17 Black
Scoter, 6 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Eider (flying east, several miles
offshore), 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 40+ Red-throated Loon, 117 Common
Loon, 1 NORTHERN FULMAR, 11 MANX SHEARWATER, hundreds of Northern
Gannet, 2 Great Cormorant, 2 Double-crested Cormorant, 2 RED PHALAROPE,
1 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 Laughing Gull, 2 LITTLE GULL (1 adult, 1 1st
winter), 900+ Bonaparte's Gull, 1 Ring-billed Gull, too many to estimate
Herring Gull, 2 Iceland Gull (3rd winter), many Great Black-backed Gull,
22 Black-legged Kittiwake, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Dark-eyed
Junco (on board and eating crumbs), 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 50+ Common
Dolphin and 1 Basking Shark.
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR BANDED IPSWICH SPARROWS.
Catherine Dale, a researchers at Dalhousie University banded 110 Ipswich
Sparrows last summer and is now seeking reports. The information she
needs is date and location as well as banding pattern. Each bird sports
3 color bands and 1 metal band, so she needs to know the upper and lower
colors and the legs on which the bands occurred. She would also like to
know how many unbanded Ipswich sparrows are in the same area. She may be
reached at Catherine_Dale24@hotmail.com.
This week I received reports from Andy Baldelli, Willy & Gerry Becker
(W&GBk), Vicki Bustamante, Nick Hamblet, Mike Higgiston, Rudy Hoglund,
Ed Kush, Anthony J Lauro, Evan Marks, Robert McGrath (RMcG), Hugh
McGuinness, Larry Merryman, Ruth Oliva, George Rowsom, Karen & Barbara
Rubinstein (K&BRu), Bill & Eileen Singer, Eric Slayton, John & Mile
Todaro (J&MTo), and Marguerite Wolffsohn.
Good Birding to All!
Hugh McGuinness
The Ross School
18 Goodfriend Park
East Hampton, NY 11937
To send in reports:
hmcguinness@ross.org
631-907-5229 (weekdays)
631-725-6037 (nights & weekends)
New York
Eastern Long Island
7 December 2006
NYEE0612.07
***East End Birds, 7 December 2006
***Covering the towns of Southampton, East Hampton, Shelter Island,
Southold & Riverhead on the eastern end of Long Island, New York.
***This report is distributed by e-mail only. If you would like to
receive East End Birds, contact hmcguinness@ross.org.
***Visit East End Birds on line at www.ross.org/~hmcguinness.
***Volume 8, Number 49
HIGHLIGHTS
Harlequin Duck, Brown Pelican, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl
OK, so if you are looking for something to do, and you don't feel like
scanning through gull flocks yet, start looking through flocks of
Robins. Maybe you'll find a Redwing. One has been found in Newfoundland
and another in Nova Scotia in the last two weeks.
This fall Northern Gannets have not massed off the East End as they have
done in most recent years, so it notable that several observers reported
hordes of Gannets heading west offshore in the last 10 days.
Rough-legged Hawks also appear to be moving into the area. Northern
Shrikes are on the move, but there has not yet been a report from the
East End, although there is a single individual being seen up-island at
Cedar Beach.
An immature BROWN PELICAN was first spotted on Dec 2 on the bay just off
the east jetty at Lake Montauk on Saturday (LM). On Dec 4 it apparently
landed on a fishing boat and allowed itself to be captured. The bird was
taken to a rehabilitator, who determined that it was underweight and
dehydrated. The bird is doing well, and it is unclear if it will be
released here or transported southward. A MARSH WREN was at Big Reed
Pond on Dec 5 (VB).
Thirty SNOW BUNTINGS were along Gerard Drive in Accabonac on Dec 2
(K&BRu, VB). Four GREATER YELLOWLEGS were still at Maidstone Park on
Three Mile Harbor on Dec 3 (K&BRu).
Along Dune Road at Shinnecock there have been up to two AMERICAN
BITTERNS. At the south end of the old Ponquogue Bridge there were 34
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES on Dec 3 (J&MTo, MW). Twelve COMMON EIDER were in
the inlet on Dec 2 (AB).
A GREAT EGRET was at South Ferry, North Haven on Nov 25 (W&GBk). A
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, one of the few I have heard about recently, was
spotted at Morton Wildlife Refuge on Dec 2 (EK).
Two SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen at dusk on the former Grumman property
from Grumman Blvd on Dec 2 (RMcG). On Dec 3, the former Grumman property
produced 1 PINE WARBLER, 1 VESPER SPARROW, 36 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 32
EASTERN MEADOWLARKS, 18 WILD TURKEYS and 1 AMERICAN KESTREL (AJL).
At Hulse Landing Rd in Calverton there were 200 HORNED LARKS on Dec 3,
while at the nearby Cornell Cooperative Extension fields there were 125
HORNED LARKS & 1 SNOW BUNTING (AJL).
An adult male HARLEQUIN DUCK was found at Bailie Beach, Mattituck, east
of Bailie Beach Rd on Dec 3 (PG). A TURKEY VULTURE was spotted in
Southold on Dec 5 (GR). I think that means that for the first time in
recorded history Turkey Vulture has been recorded on the East End every
month of the year in 2006.
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was over Orient Harbor on Nov 26 (RO). Five COMMON
MERGANSERS were at Orient Beach State Park on Dec 4 (B&ESi).
Another ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted winging its way over the Long
Island Expressway at Exit 68 on Dec 5 (RH).
An as yet unidentified SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD has been frequenting a
feeder at the house of Norm Klein in Northport since Nov 26, and was
still present Dec 7. Norm has graciously allowed birders to visit his
house at 21 Woodhull Place, north of 25A after 8 AM. To reach this spot
from Huntington and points west on 25A, continue east on 25A past
Huntington and Centerport. After passing a small nature preserve (Twin
Ponds/Betty Allen) 25A goes uphill. At the second light, go left onto
Reservoir Road (note: this is called Ellwood Road to the south). At the
third street turn left on Franklin, then take the first right onto
Seaview. The next left is Woodhull Court, and Woodhull Place is the next
right. Norm's house is the corner house on the far corner with three big
pines in front of the maroon house. His driveway is to the left of the
house. Walk up the driveway to his deck on the right at the rear of the
house. The bird feeds either on the red flowers past the deck or the
feeders at the edge of the deck.
THE LATE REPORT (reports of the last individual of migratory species)
An OSPREY was reported at South Ferry, Shelter Island on Nov 17 (ES),
and another was along Dune Road at Shinnecock on Nov 20 (MH). A SOLITARY
VIREO was found at the gate to the lighthouse at Montauk Point on Dec 3
(VB)-unfortunately the bird's bright coloration ruled out the
possibility of Cassin's Vireo, a species that should be looked for in
New York at this time of year.
THE EAST END YEAR LIST
I have finally been able to catch up on the year list and it currently
stands at 302 species. In case anyone cares, the 300th species was
Western Kingbird found by John Gluth at Montauk Point. The complete year
list can be viewed at
http://www.ross.org/~hmcguinness/EEBirds/L06/YList2006.htm
Many species have not yet been recorded on the East End for 2006. One
bird from Code 2: Cape-May Warbler. Didn't anybody see a CAPE MAY
WARBLER out east this year? Four code 3 species: Saw Whet Owl,
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Alder Flycatcher, and Northern Shrike. We
still have a good chance of finding two of these. The following code 4
species have not been reported to me this year: Tufted Duck, Ruffed
Grouse, Eared Grebe, Ruff, Red Phalarope, South Polar Skua, Franklin's
Gull, Dovekie, Common Murre, Connecticut Warbler, Red Crossbill,
White-winged Crossbill, Common Redpoll and Evening Grosbeak.
Realistically, we have a chance to get 1 or 2 of these, which would give
us a final year total of 305 or 306 species.
Since the last time I published a year list in late May, the following
species have been recorded: Nov 10: Golden Eagle, Oct 15: PAINTED
BUNTING, Oct 14: Western Kingbird, Oct 7: Hudsonian Godwit, Oct 5: Lark
Sparrow, Oct 4: Lincoln's Sparrow, Sep 16 Pomarine Jaeger, Sep 9:
LONG-TAILED JAEGER, Sep 8: Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Sep 6: Philadelphia Vireo, Sep 4: Wilson's Phalarope, Sep 3: BRIDLED
TERN, Aug 27: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Aug 21: American Golden Plover,
Aug 20: Baird's Sandpiper; Long-billed Dowitcher, Aug 4: Marbled Godwit,
July 30: American Avocet, July 29: Sandwich Tern, July 21: Red-headed
Woodpecker, July 18: Cory's Shearwater, July 16: Western Sandpiper, July
15: Greater Shearwater, Jun 17: WILSON'S PLOVER; Royal Tern, Jun 11:
Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Jun 9: MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, Jun 4: Manx
Shearwater, Parasitic Jaeger, Jun 1: Acadian Flycatcher, May 29: ARCTIC
TERN; Forster's Tern, May 28: Sooty Shearwater; Blue Grosbeak, May 27:
Gray-cheeked Thrush, May 26: Mourning Warbler,
May 21: Tricolored Heron; Yellow-crowned Night-Heron; May 18: Brown
Pelican.
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
The Montauk Christmas Bird Count will take place Saturday, Dec 16.
Contact me if you would like to participate. The Quogue to Watermill
Count will also take place on Dec 16. Contact Steve Biasetti at 537-1400
if you'd like to participate. The Sagaponack Count will occur on Dec 17.
Contact me if you'd like to participate. Remember that you can
participate even if you only want to count birds at your own feeder.
WHAT DO PEREGRINE FALCONS EAT?
At the University of Michigan, where I received my Ph.D., two Peregrine
Falcons have taken up residence on the Burton Bell Tower, which is
within easy viewing distance of the ornithology department, since last
March. Enterprising researchers have been identifying the remains of the
Peregrines' meals and their results have been astounding. The Falcons
have put together a pretty impressive life list, which included the
consumption of approximately 71 cuckoos between mid-May and late
October. The complete chronological listing can be found at
http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/birds/UM_Peregrines.html . And check out
the meal on October 6!!!
PELAGIC TRIP RESULTS
A pelagic trip to Hudson Canyon from Freeport (Nassau County) while a
bit west of our area produced interesting results that warrant inclusion
here. Perhaps most surprising was the almost complete lack of Alcids and
the low numbers of Black-legged Kittiwakes. Also surprising were the
number of Bonaparte's Gull so far out to sea. Results were as follows:
12 Green-winged Teal, 7 White-winged Scoter, 2 Surf Scoter, 17 Black
Scoter, 6 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Eider (flying east, several miles
offshore), 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 40+ Red-throated Loon, 117 Common
Loon, 1 NORTHERN FULMAR, 11 MANX SHEARWATER, hundreds of Northern
Gannet, 2 Great Cormorant, 2 Double-crested Cormorant, 2 RED PHALAROPE,
1 Parasitic Jaeger, 1 Laughing Gull, 2 LITTLE GULL (1 adult, 1 1st
winter), 900+ Bonaparte's Gull, 1 Ring-billed Gull, too many to estimate
Herring Gull, 2 Iceland Gull (3rd winter), many Great Black-backed Gull,
22 Black-legged Kittiwake, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Dark-eyed
Junco (on board and eating crumbs), 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 50+ Common
Dolphin and 1 Basking Shark.
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR BANDED IPSWICH SPARROWS.
Catherine Dale, a researchers at Dalhousie University banded 110 Ipswich
Sparrows last summer and is now seeking reports. The information she
needs is date and location as well as banding pattern. Each bird sports
3 color bands and 1 metal band, so she needs to know the upper and lower
colors and the legs on which the bands occurred. She would also like to
know how many unbanded Ipswich sparrows are in the same area. She may be
reached at Catherine_Dale24@hotmail.com.
This week I received reports from Andy Baldelli, Willy & Gerry Becker
(W&GBk), Vicki Bustamante, Nick Hamblet, Mike Higgiston, Rudy Hoglund,
Ed Kush, Anthony J Lauro, Evan Marks, Robert McGrath (RMcG), Hugh
McGuinness, Larry Merryman, Ruth Oliva, George Rowsom, Karen & Barbara
Rubinstein (K&BRu), Bill & Eileen Singer, Eric Slayton, John & Mile
Todaro (J&MTo), and Marguerite Wolffsohn.
Good Birding to All!
Hugh McGuinness
The Ross School
18 Goodfriend Park
East Hampton, NY 11937
To send in reports:
hmcguinness@ross.org
631-907-5229 (weekdays)
631-725-6037 (nights & weekends)