GSBAS Tuesday Walk 09/18/208

Today our walk was scheduled at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside. Again the weather forecast was not good and only a few folks showed up. The weather held off and allowed the few who attended to get our walk in. This site is always a great place to come, even if there are not a lot of birds the walk is enjoyable. The walkways around and through the marsh make for an easy and scenic walk We get to see shorebirds and waders up close. It is one of the more consistent places to see Yellow-crowned Nigh Herons. We did get a good look at one today. (Photo Bob Glasser)

After the MNSA we went to the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station where there were some shorebirds on the sandbar. There were over 70 American Oystercatchers hanging out on the beach. We can always find something to enjoy.

Birding & Breakfast 09/15/2018

On a beautiful morning  we had thirty people attend our fall Birding and Breakfast. This program ia a joint effort between NYS Parks Connetquot State Park Preserve and Great South Bay Audubon Society. Parks provides the facilities and the birding presentation by Pam Hunter. GSBA provides funding for the breakfast and the leaders for the bird walks after the presentation. The bagels were donated by the Melville Deli.

The birding after the walk was very enjoyable. The folks were enthusiastic and the birds were cooperative. At the start of our walk we were greeted by the local Great Blue Heron.We then went to see the Red-headed Woodpeckers and did mange to see an immature, showing that breeding was successful again this year. Then our next target was a Ruby-throated Humming bird in the butterfly garden and again we were successful. Everyone got good looks. We had twenty four species of birds.

We also did see a Praying Mantis along the trail by the near marsh. I think this might be a Chinese Mantid. I would welcome an expert opinion (kenlad01@gmail.com).

Tuesday Nature Walk 09/22/2018 Dune Rd

Our walk today was at Dune Rd in Hampton bays. The initial weather was not very cooperative. Cooler temps plus a fog hampered viewing. The tides were extremely high due to a new moon and high tide plus some offshore winds. We could not get onto our off road pullouts because of flooding

While standing at the meeting spot we did see some shorebirds. It was a nice mix of Semi-palmated Plover, Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Piping plover and Sanderling. Along Dune road we a had nice mix of waders, Great Egret, Snowy egret, Great Blue Heron and Green Heron. WE had over 20 Great egrets, it seems the high tides were causing them to be more visible. Again we made the best of a not so good day

GSBAS Tuesday Nature Walk May 21, 2018

Today or walk was at the Marine Nature Study Center in Oceanside. We had another good turnout for our walk. The weather was cooperative in that we had no rain, and temps were mild.

We were greeted by a Green heron and multiple Egrets. We had both Great and Snowy Egrets along our walk.

One of the Great Egrets is the official greeter at the site. It is used to the staff doing demonstrations for school students and he gets the leftover seafood from the seine nets.

We then went to Jones Beach West End for a few minutes to finish the morning. We had good looks at Brown Thrasher s. We then walked to the beach side pavilion and saw Least Terns in their breeding colony.

GSBAS Nature Walk Tuesday May 15, 2018

A foggy misty morning turned into a clear day with bright sunshine to finish our walk at Hempstead State Park. A dozen folks participated and were not disappointed.

We had over thirty species of birds for the morning, including twelve warblers. We had great looks at Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue and Blackpoll warblers on our  walk A Yellow-billed Cuckoo popped up on the return trail heading bac to the parking lot..

A really nice surprise were a pair of Wood Ducks on the pond as we were finishing our walk. One of them posed in a tree for us to enjoy the finale for the morning

Breakfast and Birding May 13, 2018

The weather wasn't the best but still forty five people showed up to participate in the spring Breakfast and Birding at Connetquot State Park Preserve. The event is a collaboration between NYS parks and Great South Bay Audubon Society. Continental breakfast was served and Pam Hunter from NYS Parks gave an introductory bird lecture, focusing on identifying birds by sound.

We then split into two groups and went into the woods to do some birdwatching. We saw thirty five species of birds on our walks, despite the overcast conditions with poor lighting. Some highlights were, Eastern Bluebird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Osprey, and  Snowy Egret. Every one really enjoyed seeing a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on nest.

This is a very successful and well attended program, look for our next scheduled Breakfast and birding September 15, 2018 and make sure to register.

GSBAS Tuesday nature Walk 05/01/2018

Finally the weather has seemed to realize it is spring. We had a sunny, mild, and clear day for our Tuesday Nature walk. Today it was at Massapequa Preserve. The leaves on the trees are not fully out yet which made for easier viewing.

We had 33 species of birds, with five warblers and multiples of some of them. We did see four Black and White Warblers and four Yellow Warblers and Two Northern Parula. We did not see the Warbling Vireo which I usually expect here. There were three Forsters Terns circling the pond and a first of the year Catbird and Red-eyed Vireo.

All in all a nice day with some nice birds in a nice place.

                                                            Black and White Warbler