If Its Thursday I Must Be Birding #16

How crazy is a breeding plumaged Smith's Longspur showing up in April? I had things to do on Tuesday, even though theoretically I could have gone up to try for it id decided to wait til Thursday. The bird found Sunday was relocated Monday and Tuesday [ groan ] but not Wednesday. Nor Thursday for that matter. Thankfully I made the right decision not to chase it on Thursday. Oh Thor, why hast thou forsaken me? Tiw, you have my attention.

Thursday I went to Southards Pond where the sum total of migrants was two Yellow Warblers, a Myrtle Warbler, and a Red-eyed Vireo, the last of which at least, was a year bird for YB 205.

I returned home to do some chores and car maintenance, when I was alerted by Derek Rogers that a Prothonotary had been found by re-beginning birder Pat Palladino. { He used to bird, and has recently gotten back into it, apparently with a vengeance! }

I cleaned up, and made my way over there, trying to interpret the directions given. Derek phoned that he had to depart and that it had not been relocated. I walked around and came upon Bobby Kurtz and John Gluth, who did not have favorable news, so I walked towards one of te kettle ponds to see if i could get lucky.

With time passing, I had to head into Uniondale for a pre-conference visit of the hotel where the New York Birders Conference will be held in November 1-3.

While there I got a call from Bobby that the bird had been relocated, and afterthe meeting Pat Aitken and I went to find it. We walked in and I headed back to the same spot I was before and there in a fallen tree was the Protho! YB 206

The Weekend 'Prospects' Were Great! on 4-27 & 28

Jean LeConte Sparrow had the good fortune of having Saturday off for a change, and yes, we decided to spend it birding. Plans were not solidified, but when an email arrived just proximal to when I leave my office on Saturday it was quickly decided that Prospect park was the place to be.

"A likely Say’s Phoebe" had been found, and chances were good that the ID was correct. This bird had shown up twice in recent memory in New York state, but I was unable to find it either time.

We made our way to the park, and to the area in question. A group of birders was found lounging around, but their lack of focus had me a bit uneasy. I inquired and one of them offered me photos via his camera panel, as well as confidence in the ID. All I could determine was that it looked like a Phoebe of sorts - ie I could not say for certain that it was a Say’s or that it was not an Eastern Phoebe.

With info that the bird had been seen about 45 minutes prior, { YSHBH Constant } and that it had headed off towards the peninsula. Jean and I headed that way, and she spotted the first bird of the day: Eastern Kingbird. YB 197. We also crossed paths with fellow birder Isaac Grant aka the Loan Arranger. We spotted a few migrants, and finally a Blue-headed Vireo for YB 198. The Loan Arranger then noted that a lot of Warbling Vires were around as well, to which I replied I had not had one yet.

This elicited one of the most extreme YGTBFKM looks I have ever seen, followed by “They are all around you!” I sheepishly replied that my hearing is not so good, and that’s why I bird with Earic and Jean. He pointed up towards the canopy and I was able to see one; my preferred method of birding. YB 199.

With diminishing returns we headed back towards the Sumac stand and the Loan Arranger was the first of us to find and point out the now present Say’s Phoebe! Nice! YB 200 and NYS bird 389! A new bird for my New York State list and a vindication of my prior two misses.

Say, isn't that a Say's Phoebe?

To see this bird perched did not recall the many seen out west in multiple states. The red coloration of the lower belly was so sparse that one almost had to imagine it there. In certain poses with the light hitting it correctly, it was more visible, but I would not say 'obvious'.

It IS a Say's Phoebe!

Fortunately it posed graciously and allowed many photos. The photos highlighted the red much better than direct views. In flight it was also obvious that the tail was black and long; notably longer than expected for an Eastern Phoebe, and the wings were pale and allowed the light to pass through. Any doubt about the ID vanished.

A Say's Phoebe in Spring? You don't say!

Sadly, Jeff Critter had been there the day before and even noted an ‘off looking’ phoebe. He never made the jump to Says, though it crossed his mind. He couldn’t make it back until Sunday, but the bird was a no show for him and many others. They all had ample consolation with Hooded, Kentucky and many other good warblers. Jean and I did not go back that Sunday and missed the warbler bonanza.

We birded some more, noting Kestrels and a Merlin enjoying what I hope was a House Sparrow.

Have any house wine to go with the House Sparrow?

Jeez. Do I stare at you when you're eating?

Sunday Jean and I caught up to AvIan and stayed local perusing the pathetically dry water-hole {waterless-hole?} in Forest Park where Jean got a Scarlet Teenager. I did not get so lucky, but as the season progresses I hope to catch up on these misses.

We stopped for lunch and then tried Alley Pond a bit, but it was similarly dry and quiet. The Rusty Blackbirds were evident though, not always the case with these skulky birds. In the birdlessness, we did manage to see as many as four warbler species, with Black-throated Blue added for YB 201.

Its pronounced Paroola, NOT Parilla.

Palm Warbler

Jean eventually had to head into work, and I made my way home with a detour at Jones beach. Stopping at the West End boat basin, I saw Black-bellied Plovers and my first Piping Plovers for YB 202. {An interesting tidbit about Piping Plovers, is that recently it has been discovered that they have a faint musical song that they use to charm sandworms from the surf, just as if they were miniature cobras.

The reported Gullible Terns also put in an appearance, and returned to the exposed sand for a rest and YB 203. Finally, I tried for the Red-headed Woodpecker which was a no show when I was there, but my consolation was Brown Thrasher ending the day with YB 204

If Its Thursday I Must Be Birding #15

Nothing gets the adrenaline squirting out of my ears more than news of a potential life bird. Donna Lynn Schulman {aka Dunlin } first alerted me to the discovery of this bird after she read the news about what was initially thought to be another dreaded hybrid Hummingbird, was actually a bird that required thinking outside of the box. It was a Bahama Woodstar!

Dunlin is fond of alerting me about such birds, sometimes doing so in the presence of complete strangers after alerting them of my peculiar affliction. They can be heard to say such things as “Gosh, it really does squirt out his ears!” or “Do it again, Do it again!” and finally, “Eeooouuuuh, it got on me”

Bahama Woodstar is a small hummer, that the careless observation could mistake for a Ruby-throated which is the same size, roughly the same coloration pattern, and much more expected in our region. Even in the hand the ID escaped those who banded it and ultimately ID’d it.

So with the exciting news and a conveniently placed Thursday I sought out a posse and chased this bird with Eric Miller {aka Earic}. We left early and got to the home in Denver PA before 10 am. A large white wood-cut of a Hummingbird alerted us we were in the right place.

Unfortunately, this is the best look I got...

The man of the house, a Mennonite,  had roped off an area for viewing as well as procured a port-a-potty for the crowd! The woman of the house { a Womennite?} greeted us with a warm smile, photos of the bird, a sign in register, and pretzels! Wow, what hospitality!!

Of the assembled crowd, and there were a lot on station. None was possessed of a smile - never a good sign. We all traded war stories while hoping the bird would show up again. Several Purple Finches and Carolina Chickadees partook of the feeders amongst the other birds, and Broad-winged Hawks FOY flew overhead.

A nice feeder that would have been a LOT nice with a Woodstar...

By the time 1:30pm rolled around, we had concluded that the bird had departed for good. Some postulated that it was the result of being trapped and banded, while others came up with other reasons. But we all missed the bird, whatever the reason. There was talk that it had bee seen elsewhere as well, but at the home of persons who did not want visitors. Maybe the bird is still around and exploring other options. When we stopped for lunch I checked to see if by some miracle it might have shown up after our departure, but no...

So we dipped on this bird. It would have been quite a coup though, as the last reports had been in 1981 or there about, and all from Florida for this bird limited to the Bahamas.

All was not lost though, as Earic and I stopped at Oakland Lake where we saw Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, and Chimney Swift. These birds brought me to YB 196.

I Still Don't Like Mondays, But Tuesdays Aint so Bad...

Sunday night Jean said that we should go out early before work to try for the RN Phalarope again. I gave it some thought and as much as I would have like to, there really was not enough time and it would appear that eh tide was wrong too.

So it pained me to get a report that the bird was relocated on Monday, well in so far as I was in my office...

But spirit renewed, I decided to go early Tuesday morning. It was windy, overcast, and cold. But I figured nothing ventured nothing gained.

I arrived at 'the spot' and it was devoid of bird life. So I ventured further on checking some other likely locations. I headed back to Road L { marked as road K incorrectly on google maps }  and there she was! A beautiful breeding plumage  female Red-necked Phalarope!  Remarkably, it was about the same time as had been reported Monday. YB 193

A Gloriouser Spring Weekend 4-20 & 21

Gosh, this sure sounds like a repeat of my last post. I didn't get to any birding on Thursday, but got stuff done at home, and made up for it on the weekend!

So the plan was to meet AvIan at Oakland Lake, a place oft neglected but of rising notoriety of late. Capt'n Bob was supposed to meet us as well but I caught him contemplating the inner surface of his eyelids. He decided to catch up to us later on.

AvIan and I walked down the north side path having Palm and Pine Warblers along the way. In the lake was a raft of ducks comprised of both Scaup. Always nice to compare them. They were being strafed by Barn and Rough-winged Swallows.

Both Scaup

In the vicinity of the first staircase, I found the obliging Redstart YB 182 in a picturesque Cherry tree. There I found the first of many Blue-grey Gannet-catchers, YB 183, the presumed reason why there were no Gannets on the lake. Also present were many Yellow-rumps of various plumages.

Further on we came to the second staircase that descends from Springfield blvd. Earic had just had the Hasidic Warbler, YB 184 and walked back with us to find it. In short order there were chip notes and movement.

Hasidic Warbler

This bird was such a pleasure. While it spent some time skulking in the tangled mess of fallen tree limbs and multiflora rose, it also vogued quite nicely, and for extended periods of time allowing most if not all who wanted a photo to get several.

Yellow Warblers YB 185 were busy chasing each other around, no doubt motivated by spring fever. This one posed nicely in a Weeping Willow

Yellow Warbler; though not afraid of us

AvIan and I got some lunch, waited for Capt'n Bob to show up, and upon his arrival reprised our tour and got all the same birds for him as well. Quite accommodating!

Afterwards we went to Alley Pond Park where joined by Earic we searched for more goodies. One of the first nice things we found was a Northern Waterthrush YB 186. Nice because so far all the reports had been of Louisiana Waterthrush. A report from Alley about a Louisiana had us thinking that the finder might have gaffed, but later on we found a LA Waterthrush, so we retracted our disparaging remarks. Well most of them anyway...

Northern Waterthrush Note lack of legs.

LA Waterthrush. Note bright pink legs.

Venturing about more, Earic heard a House Wren YB 187 sing in the distance and with a bit of spishatorial encouragement it took center stage and performed for us.

House Wren

As we walked around, up in a tree and in the shadows we found { finally, for me! } a Great Horned Owl.  YB 188. Sadly, it appears that they did not breed this year. Perhaps they do not do so every year? Or maybe all the mayhem from super-storm Sandy discouraged them. Either way it was nice to see they were still resident.

Great Horned Owl

We also walked into one of the other sections where Blue-winged Warbler had been spotted earlier that day and while looking around this beauty moved into my field of view. YB 189 What is nice about this time of year and the low amount of rain we have had thus far, is the warblers are so beautifully composed in the flora. Too often they are obscured  by the leaves.

Blue-winged Warbler, er, blocked by leaves.

We ended the day by heading to Little Neck Bay where Gannets are still around. Remarkable! Years ago I spotted some in Long Island Sound and authoritative individual told me ' that they are not found in the sound'. Hmmm.  I wonder what he would say upon seeing them in this appropriately named 'Little' neck bay!

Boat Shmoat. Thar be Gannets here.

One final check was made of the restored marsh grass by APEC which had Egrets, Greater, and Lesser Yellowlegs for YB 190. A nice way to end the day.

The next day Jean LeConte Sparrow and I tried out Forest Park, but it was dreadfully quiet. We did have some nice sparrows such as Swamp and Chipping, as well as a lone Hermit Thrush.

Chipping Sparrow

We then reprised the visit to Oakland lake for Jean. She had to work Saturday and missed all the fun. Fortunately the celebrities stuck around for her, and to the delight of many a birder and photographer.

Nice Hat!   It's made of Risotto?

On the stairs we found a birder named Justin who was photographing the bird and happens to be a sous chef. What are the chances of me now knowing two sous chefs, when for all my life I knew none? And both are birders - go figure.

Go ahead, take my picture. I dare you.

This Hasidic Warbler has to be one of the most easily photographed in memory. The Redstart cooperated too. Sort of...

I like this shot...

Some other noteworthy birds posed, such as this handsome if not dastardly Brown-headed Cowbird, and this young transitionally plumed Red-winged Blackbird. The latter particularly caught my eye as this was probably what caused somebody in PA to report a 'Redwing' on Ebird. That bird is a Thrush though and not a Blackbird, and if only... - as that would have been a potential lifer for me.

Don't hate me because I'm too lazy to raise my own kids...

It's a Blackbird, stupid

With much further ado, we discussed whether Warbler is best in a bearnaise or hollandaise sauce, before breaking away due to a phone call from Derek. He was alerting me to a Red-necked Phalarope out by Shinnecock. I looked at Jean. She said "lets go". Yay!

We did our best to get out there as quickly as possible. But traffic, a gas stop, and a bathroom / get my scope stop critically delayed us. We arrived and found Tom Moran who uttered one on the 'universal laws of birding': "You should have been here five minutes ago" Groan.

We searched and searched but could not relocate the bird. I did meet M. Hahn though, reporter of a secret male Painted Bunting whose location she could not disclose. Apparently, even at knife-point she would not tell where that bird was, much to the dismay of birders everywhere.

While searching for the RN Phalarope, all was not lost as I scored Laughing Gull YB 191, and Willet YB 192. Out in the ocean I caught sight of something most unexpected: thousands of all three Scoters moving about!  So this is where they are, they sure weren't out in Montauk all winter.

Scoters off shore by Shinnecock, and this is just one frame!

The light was also excellent and quite picturesque in that end of the day way. A Boatle and a Greater Yellowlegs gave me excellent subjects.

Boatle

Is this Yellowlegsism or narcissism?

In making various stops, we came across many nice things. One unusual thing though was the following. It is flat, and missing it's head. But can you tell what it is?

We ended the day without the final target; a pervasive theme lately, but a most excellent weekend of birding without a doubt.

A Glorious Spring Weekend 4-13 & 14

The past Thursday was spent on catching up on things necessary for home, and I got a lot done in my yard. The weather was less than optimal, and no agonizing bird reports came in so that was good too.

Saturday I set about playing catch-up with a number of reported birds. I contacted Capt’n Bob with a plan. Phase one we would seek out the Louisiana Waterthrush at Oakland Lake that only Steve Walnut is amazed that interest continues upon. In fact I arrived to find quite a crowd about this bird. It turns out that there may be as many a three there, but I was shown the closer one by Capt’n Bob, getting YB 175 and then YB 176 in Barn Swallow, before all heck breaking loose.

Okay, so its a bad shot of an LA Waterthrush..

First I got a call from Dave Klauber, and then Derek Rogers alerting me to a Ruff at Timber Point Golf Course. Wow! Phase two, in which Bob and I would go after the Purple Finch {discovered by Dr. Pinky at Hoyt Farm in Commack, because he wanted to kill time on the way to the dentist!} was put on hold.

So a lot of calls flew about to Garouse and Earic and a bunch of others. After a lot of seeming confusion, Bob and Garouse headed out to meet me at my house, and Earic and Steve Schellenger hopped in my car for the trip. We car pooled from there on, heading to the Ruff.

We arrived and went to the wrong marina, but back-tracked and found a phalanx of birders on the dock looking at the bird. It was walking in the grass, therefore difficult to see. I did score Glossy Ibis and Snowy Egret while waiting for a view though, for Ybs 177 and 178. The Ruff was at first secretive, only popping out its head for brief looks, but in short order it capitulated by changing locations and giving better looks. YB 179. The Yellow-legs must be real camera-sluts because they pretty much stayed out in unobscured view most of the time.

A Nice Male Ruff in the ruff

Satisfied, we took off for Hoyt Farm. We arrived to find a sign posted in the parking lot that town resident stickers were required. But an inquiry to a park employee and I was told that they ‘welcome’ birders, and that we were invited to go find the birds.

A short walk up the trail had a set of feeders. A few birds were around, but more were in the trees waiting for the people visiting the pigs in their enclosure, to leave. We perused the birds and found a nice variety including both Nuthatches, Junco, and the more common stuff. Several House Finches were in the trees, and we picked through them. I short order I found the bird! It was gorgeous in the bright sunlight. YB 180!

Purple Finch

Three out of three birds! We stopped for lunch at Friendly’s which seems to be an unusually available place recently. Garouse generously picked up the tab for all of us, and we then headed back...

Earic and I had to be back in Queens for a party that evening, and as we were headed down the Sagtikos pkwy, I got a call from Derek Rogers that Yellow-throated Warblers { Two! } were found singing right by the Connetquot River STPK. Parking lot. Having missed the one earlier in the week at Hempstead Lake STPK., I was psyched!

We detoured and headed there, and did our best to hear or see the bird. No dice. And it was getting late. We gave it a good shot but could not locate the bird apparently seen not more than 15min prior. Oh well.

We beat a hasty retreat to my place so I could get ready, and Bob gave the others a ride back to Queens. Both Earic and I arrived late to the party, neither of our girlfriends too happy { a euphemism...} about it. For my part Jean forgave me rationalizing that I had to be cut some slack as I am doing a big year. Phew. Laura had more of a “if looks could kill” greeting for me....

The party was very nice, and the next morning Jean and I took it slow, planning to do a bit of local Queens birding. We were set to meet AvIan at Kissena park, when on the way an email came through that the Ruffs had been relocated!

We all decided to meet out there instead, and the Ruffs did not disappoint! Now there were two! We got great looks and then walked around trying to locate the Black Brant. we found an impressive flock, but none of us could pick out the Black Brant if it was with the others.

The Second Ruff Theory

Ruffs in Flight

Afterwards we went to Connetquot River STPK. and again had much better luck. Other birders were present and looking, and Jean heard the bird call. While everyone else stayed back ca. 100 feet from the wooded edge, I walked closer as I thought the bird was further in.

I was correct, and I waved the others on to get their looks. Yes! YB 181. 

Yellow-throated Warbler

If that is not enough, while we are at Connetquot, we get a call from Danny Melore reporting he has just found a YT Warbler at Alley Pond Park! I posted the sighting to the list and a lot of folks who missed the Hempstead Lake bird were able to get this one.



But wait, there's more! Today I was told that a third YT Warbler was found at Connetquot! Holy Cow! what a year for YT Warblers and Ruffs and... !!!

I Don't Like Mondays

So I'm sitting in the office and an email comes through that a Yellow-throated Warbler had been found at Hempstead Lake stpk.I called Earic, who went and got the bird.

As I understand it a lot of folks saw it and enjoyed it. And then I left the office and made tracks to get there before the sun went down. Well the sun went down w/o my finding the bird. I did find my year Pine Warbler though.

The next day I went there nice and early and looked around for quite some time. and then some people showed up. And then some more. Despite all the eyes and ears no Yellow-throated. Groan.

Time passed without the object of my affliction, and I had to prepare to go to work so I departed. The day was not a total loss though, as I added Rublet to my year list for # 174.