Top 10 Birds of 2013...

I was blessed with the good fortune of being able to see lots of excellent birds for 2013 and not all of them were rarities. If I could, I would have liked to have spent more time on Gulls studies. Perhaps this year. Happy New Year to all my readers and may your future be filled with good fortune and lots of birds.  A lot of excellent birds did not make my top ten, like the "very likely" Siberian form of Common Tern or some of the spectacular Arctic Terns, I had this year on Long Island.  Nevertheless, I think you will like the list and if you don't then I promise to do better this year.  Without further ado, here are my top 10 birds for the year 2013. 

10. My Life Pine Grosbeak.  The views were spectacular and I can't wait to see them again!

9. Only my second Hoary Redpoll ever; this time I managed a photo.  Thank you Joan Collins!

8.  My first Dunlin X White-rumped Sandpiper which ultimately led to the Elegant Tern find.

7. This Bell's Vireo was a very pleasing find at Kissena Park Queens.

6. This RARE worn adult Baird's Sandpiper was a special find on the East Pond at JBWR!

5. My best photo of a Varied Thrush - a great find by Louise Fraza and Pearl Broder.

4. Crippling looks at my lifer King Rail with a photo to boot.

3. Elegant Tern, a 1st state record find by Andy Guthrie and I on the flats at Cupsogue LI.

2. One of two RUFFS from Timber Point LI - a lifer for Andria.

1. Red-necked Stint found with John Gluth at Cupsogue LI.  Read all about the find here.

Tags: Pine Grosbeak, Hoary Redpoll, Dunlin X White-rumped Sandpiper Hybrid, Bell's Vireo, Baird's Sandpiper, Varied Thrush, King Rail, Elegant Tern, Ruff, Red-necked Stint, Top 10 Birds for 2013