GSBAS Tuesday Nature Walk 10/04/2016

In previous years our fall walks at Massapequa Preserve have been less than stellar. Not today though. We had one of our best days there in a long time. Eight of us gathered for the walk at the entrance at Pittsburgh Avenue. As a group we had over thirty species for bird for the morning.

As headed up the path  we encountered groups of birds foraging. There were hundreds of American Robins and  Grey Catbirds everywhere. An isolated group had several Cedar Waxwings again foraging in the trees for berries. Furthee on two distinct groups contained warblers. We saw, Black-throated Green, Yellow-rumped, Northern Parula, Black and White, Blackpoll, and Common Yellowthroat. It also seemed like it was a good day for vireos. There were multiple Red-eyed Vireos all along the path, and we also saw a couple or Blue-headed and White-eyed Vireos.

The highlight was a Scarlet Tanager in a transitional plumage. We discussed that it might be a Summer Tanager but analysis after the trip confirmed it was a Scarlet Tanager. It was a good morning in spite of the sun not peeking out as predicted.