I had a Jamaica Bay Task Force meeting today at the Wildlife Refuge visitor’s center. Since the meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, I decided to get there early and bird the gardens and West Pond. I got to the refuge around 4:50 pm and headed straight for the South garden. Like Wednesday, the garden was quiet with even less activity…which probably had more to do with the time that I was there. Not much other than the sounds of Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroat. I did get a fleeting glimpse of a Yellow-billed cuckoo in the North Garden, before it disappeared into the canopy and out of my sight. By the time I hit the West Pond trail, the light was fading. Luckily, I had my scope with me and so I was able to scan the pond and shores for any activities. I was a bit surprised at the number of Red-breasted Mergansers on the pond. There were well over 75 hanging out with Ruddy Ducks and Greater Scaup. A lingering Bufflehead was also spotted in the crowd. Notable birds along the trail included Yellow Warblers, Savannah Sparrows, a Vesper Sparrow (missed on getting a photograph), Song Sparrows, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, 2 flyover Killdeer and 4 Willets. I was pretty interested in the Willets because it was an increase of three from the lone Willet that was sighted last Saturday. In addition, since I am participating in the Shorebird research for IWASH, this was important data to capture.
I had a Jamaica Bay Task Force meeting today at the Wildlife Refuge visitor’s center. Since the meeting was scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, I decided to get there early and bird the gardens and West Pond. I got to the refuge around 4:50 pm and headed straight for the South garden. Like Wednesday, the garden was quiet with even less activity…which probably had more to do with the time that I was there. Not much other than the sounds of Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroat. I did get a fleeting glimpse of a Yellow-billed cuckoo in the North Garden, before it disappeared into the canopy and out of my sight. By the time I hit the West Pond trail, the light was fading. Luckily, I had my scope with me and so I was able to scan the pond and shores for any activities. I was a bit surprised at the number of Red-breasted Mergansers on the pond. There were well over 75 hanging out with Ruddy Ducks and Greater Scaup. A lingering Bufflehead was also spotted in the crowd. Notable birds along the trail included Yellow Warblers, Savannah Sparrows, a Vesper Sparrow (missed on getting a photograph), Song Sparrows, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, 2 flyover Killdeer and 4 Willets. I was pretty interested in the Willets because it was an increase of three from the lone Willet that was sighted last Saturday. In addition, since I am participating in the Shorebird research for IWASH, this was important data to capture.
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