Breakfast & Birding January 12, 2019

With below freezing temperatures, twenty seven hardy birders showed up at Connetquot State Park Preserve for our winter Breakfast and Birding. The event is a partnership between  Environmental Education Office of NYS parks and Great South Bay Audubon Society(GSBAS).

Te program started with a breakfast in the main building. That was funded by GSBAS and supported by the  Melville Deli with a donation of bagels and spreads.. The park staff made coffee and set up the room for the event. While participants were enjoying the continental breakfast  park staff. member Pam Hunters showed an discussed the possible birds that might be seen on our walk following the indoor activities.

We split into two groups for our walk, each group led by folks from Great South Bay Audubon. Initially we went to the lake by the mill to scan for ducks. There were not many ducks as the pond had skim ice on the surface, though we did manage to see a few species. One of the groups on the way back from viewing the lakeon the east side discovered the stars of the day. In the river, across from the mill a Wilson's Snipe and a Rusty Blackbird were found. In total we had 26 species, not bad for a cold winter day.

This is one of our most popular programs, and today was another good day for getting together to enjoy the outdoors and share knowledge off birds. Photos By Lisa Nasta

Weekend Nature Walk Morton Wildlife Refuge 11/18/2018

What a beautiful fall morning for a walk.Mid temperatures and no wind with bright sunshine helped us have a very enjoyable walk.

The usual cast of characters greeted us by mooching sunflower seeds from our hands. At the beach we saw our first of the season long tailed ducks, calling on the bay. On the way back from the bay we heard a bird singing that we had trouble identifying by sound. A little further up the path we saw a beautiful Fox Sparrow that was responsible for the lovely song. Then a pair of Bluebirds dropped in to add to our morning.

Tuesday nature Walk 10/30/2018

Today's walk was t Blydenburg County Park in Smithtown. The weather was spectacular, clear crisp and refreshing with bright sunshine and a nice breeze.

Eight of us enjoted anice fall walk. Highlights were a nice flock of kinglets that hung around for us all to get good looks. We had 21 species of birds as we walked our loop.  Another highlight was two brown creepers which was a new bird for some of our folks. A nice day, and a nice walk.

There were a pair of pied billed grebes on the lake holding our attention

Tuesday Nature Walk 10/23/2018

Sparrows everywhere you look. As can common be in the fall Jones Beach West End had migrating sparrows all around the grassy areas. We had 38 species of birds this morning, including 8 species of sparrows. Other birders saw an additional 32 species that we just missed.

The weather started out slightly overcast with some clouds. Then it gave way to bright sunshine and mild temperatures. There were many shorebirds o the sandbar. We had Oystercatchers, Black-bellied Plovers, Semi-palmated Sandpipers and Dunlin. There was a flock of Forsters terns flying around. In the bay were both Surf and Black Scoter.

A really nice day at the beach is always worth a good walk. The picture is of an immature White-crowned Sparrow

GSBAS Saturday 09/22/2018

Our walk today was scheduled at Robert Moses SP. The weather was very nice. We had northwest to North winds all morning after a cold front. These are excellent conditions for Hawk Watching at the platform.

We walked the boardwalk to the lighthouse  and back to the Hawk Watch platform. We  had a just a smattering of the usual suspects in the way of land birds. The sit at the platform made up for it. Thanks to the good winds there was a steady stream of raptors coming through. As usual Merlins made up the bulk of the migrating raptors. During our time at the platform I counted 18 Merlins, 3 Peregrines, 4 American Kestrel, 2 Northern Harriers and 4 Osprey. All in all a very good morning.

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).