You never know

While doing our coffee run through Heckscher I spotted a wilson's Snipe sitting in the middle of the loop median. The nearest water is 200 yard away so what bit was doing there is anybody's guess. In any case I'll take it as a FOS bird.

Still slow birding

We have birded several places over several days and still no influx of migrants.   This upcoming weekend we will be going to Central Park, hopefully that will kick start  the spring birding migration activities.

Today we went to the Norman Levy preserve in Merrick, and then to Jones Beach West End.  A highlight was good looks at a Black & White Warbler at Levy and a pair of Ravens being chased by crows at JBWE.

Friday is May first, the begining of everyday in May campaign.

Still waiting

I birded after exercise this morning. I went to Southard's Pond and the Beach Patrol. One of these days the warblers will get out this way. Just another collection of the usual suspects. I am ready, let's go, anytime now.

GSBAS Gardiner's Park Recap

The weather couldn't make up it's mind this morning. Some sun, some clouds, and brief shower were the theme for this morning's walk at Gardiner's Park in Bayshore.

We had Thirteen people show up. We did our usual walk down to the bay and back. Birding was slow but we did have a highlight. An Indigo Bunting was spotted and seen by most but not all of the group as it disappeared quickly. We had some woodpeckers and lots of Robins. Warblers should be coming soon.

We all enjoyed the walk and are looking forward to next week at Norman Levy preserve in Merrick, Nassau County at 9:00 am

Connetquot Stae Park Nature Walk

The weather today can only be described by a "WOW". We had our annual spring walk at Connetquot State Park Preserve this morning. We were joined by several students from the East Islip School district. The honors biology program requires the students to participate in a nature walk with an organization. Today we had at least ten students plus parents join us for our walk.

They couldn't have picked a better day. Great weather and great things to look at. We had birds flying, frogs singing,  turtles basking in the sun and many different spring plants. To highlight the day an adult Bald Eagle flew over the Lake as we were wrapping up the morning. Earlier on we had really good looks at Yellow-throated Warblers near the main building. Overall we had more than forty species of birds for the day.

The kids had a good time, it is good to see them being introduced to the outdoors and we can hope they will continue be interested in Nature in the future as well.

Getting better

Today at Connetquot I had a bald eagle flyover. This is becoming more regular. A great sight to see, it will never get routine or mundane. The rest of the walik was just checking out the usual suspects. I heard but did not see the YT warbler this morning.

Robert Moses SP Recap

A small group of  fearless and optimistic birders showed up at Robert Moses State Park hoping for the rain to stop so we could do some birding. As it was raining at the start, we decided to do some "Birding by Car". we would drive the edges of the parking lots and see what we could see. When we got to Field 2 the rain was subsiding. We got out and started to walk and by the time we were done the rain had stopped, so we did manage to squeeze in a morning's birding.

We wound up with thirty species of birds. Highlights were a pair of Oystercatchers in one of the Field 5 parking lot grass islands by the entrance. The real treat was a Peregrine Falcon in the middle of Field 2 parking lot sitting on a traffic cone. It then dropped down into a puddle to drink and Bathe, Making the best of a wet day.

Almost 70 degrees

A warm day today for my walk in the corner of Heckscher. All I managed to scrape up were a pair of Osprey sitting in a tree by the Police Marina. Maybe it was time of day, right after lunch. The woods were quiet and not much movement. things will get better.

Less wind, niccer day

My morning walk at Connetquot was a big difference from yesterday. Milder temps, much less wind and bright sunshine made for a nice walk, plus I saw some birds. I spent the morning walking around the main building compound, with a last minute quick walk around the hatchery. There were Bluebirds in the woods next to the green barn. I finally heard and then saw my FOS Yellow-throated Warbler in the pines next to the feeders, in front of the green barn, another new welcome sign of spring.

Looking for the Yellow-throated

I spent the morning walking around Connetquot looking for or listening for the annual Yellow-throated warblers to make their presenc known. No luck today maybe tomorrow.

Nice day though but windy di see some FOS Tree and Barn Swallows and a Chipping sparrow, plus some Pine Warblers.

Rain continues

It has been raining for the last few days. Temperatures have not gotten above 50 for three days now. Will warm weather ever get here? I did a ride along the beach yesterday and managed to see a few birds. Theer were two egrets in the Captree Marsh, a Great and a Snowy. I caught a picture of the great about to swallow a small baitfish.

I also saw my FOS Greater Yellowlegs. I am still managing a few birds here and there but nothing to write home about.

Mission Aborted

The GSBAS Tuesday group was supposed to go to Jamaica BayNWR, but hr threatof rain and actual showers influenced Bill and I to do the brach patrol by car an skip the long ride to the city for bad weather.

We mad the best of a poor morning managing to see 33 species of birds this morning, my highlights were the FOS Snowy Egret, Field Sparrow and Eastern towhee. Not bad for a second choice itinereray.

Nice day before the rains

The forecast is for rain the next several days, so I took a quick walk in Heckscher. Still pretty quiet, though the Osprey activity has picked up. I saw three pairs on nest and a Osprey having lunch

The other Heckscher

Today I walked in the part of Heckscher that is entered from Rimber Point County Park. The entrance is a offshoot of the LI Greenbelt trail. The trail runs 34 miles from Heckscher to Sunken Meadow SP.

The weather continues to be nice and getting nicer. Temps again in the mid fifties with less wind today.

A smattering of birds and several groups of Spring Peepers made the walk all the more enjoyable. I had FOS RC Kinglets, lots of Grackles and Red-wings a couple of Phoebes and a singing Titmouse.

Spring is springing

Walking through Connetquot this am I heard a chorus of spring peepers. They stared sloe, built up to a crescendo and then tapered off like a choral arrangement. Natures Choral group.

I spotted my first of the season Pine Warbler and  Rusty Blackbird.

The wind was blowing with heavy gusts. The temperature was fiftiesh when the sun was out.

The skunk cabbage is starting to bloom

Rainy last beach patrol

Just took my last beach patrol for birding by car for the winter season. Although spring has come officially it is still not here yet. What was notable was the number of Flickers roadside. I have never seen so many in the spring. I usually see large numbers in the fall but only a few at a time in the spring. Inhad over forty but only put a conservative thirty seven into e-bird.the weather is cruddy cool damp and periods of rain, better days to come.

A nice spring day

It finally was a nice spring day in NY. Temps in the fifties but starting to get windy. I walked in Connetquot and enjoyed the fresh air and mild temperature. Not much to see in the way of birds but of note was a WB Nuthatch chasing a RB Nuthatch. Any day now we will start to get our spring birds.