tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30977098848549267132024-03-13T22:17:41.112-04:00Birding DudeBIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.comBlogger945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-16337313794599492372022-07-28T18:01:00.002-04:002022-07-28T18:19:48.234-04:00Bar-tailed Godwit at Cupsogue Flats<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the recent find by Ben Boldiuc of a <b>Bar-tailed Godwit</b> at <b>Cupsogue</b> Long Island NY, there has been a renewed interest in birding the <b>Cupsogue</b> Flats. Eileen Schwinn, a member of the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society was kind enough to write a set of instructions on how to access and bird the flats. I received permission to share her advice.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Eileen writes the following: "At Cupsogue, there is a parking fee between 8:30AM - 6PM on weekends, $9 and $18, with a few exceptions. Free entry before and after those times. It’s best to use the Moriches Coast Guard Station as the tide reference for low tide, with" crossing" to the spoil island best about 1-1.5 hours before dead low tide, with a return 1-1.5 hrs after low. <b>The channels can get deep and it's easy to get equipment (and car keys) submerged if not careful. </b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Best access to the sand flats is by parking at the western end of the parking lot, and walking the 1/4 mile from the camping entrance, toward the camping areas, and taking the sandy trail north to the bay. Once there, follow the shoreline east. Total shore walk is under a mile. Crossing as the crow flies across the marsh from the parking lot can be </span><span style="color: #222222;">dicey</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> at best and dangerous if you are not familiar with this area. As suggested earlier, if limited mobility is an issue., viewing with a scope may be possible from the ocean access stairway near the concession stand and restrooms.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">This is a very popular public beach, with occasional traffic backups from the western-most Westhampton Beach bridge crossing, so earlier is a better time for your arrival. Unfortunately, the powers that be have not installed any “<b>PARKING LOT FULL</b>” sign anywhere. Also, be alert to the <b>25MPH</b> speed signs in the Incorporated Village of Westhampton Dunes, with its own enthusiastic police force."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">I hope the above message from Eileen, helps would be Cupsogue visitors. If anything seems unclear please drop me a <a href="mailto:birdingdude@gmail.com">note</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cupsogue" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Cupsogue" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Cupsogue</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long%20Island" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long+Island" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bar-tailed Godwit" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Bar-tailed Godwit" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Bar-tailed Godwit</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-91660992728469672442022-01-02T17:11:00.006-05:002022-01-02T20:04:01.915-05:00Common Gull in Brooklyn NYC<p>On December 7th, 2020 I was doing my usual Gulling runs covering a few <b>Brooklyn</b> sites when I came across a sleeping Gull at <b>Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4</b> that gave me pause. I was in the whip (automobile) so I stopped and glassed the bird. At a casual glance it looked just like all the other 1st cycle (2CY), <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b> (RBGU) that were either sleeping or loafing on the pier. However, having looked at thousands of <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b> in such plumage, something did not sit right with me. The centers to the lesser and median wing coverts looked unlike anything that I had previously seen on a 2CY <b>RBGU</b>; my impression on age was it was like a juvenile moulting into formative plumage. I decided that I needed to study this bird some more. Slowly pulling past and away, I parked and got my scope out to carefully look over this bird. While studying the bird, it untucked its head and I got my first look at the bill. It looked like the bill of a <b>RBGU</b>, but I noticed that the the upper mandible did not seem as curved as a <b>Ring-billed Gull</b> and the tip was all black. I studied the bills on nearby <b>RBGUs</b> to double check my observation and I felt confident that I was not overthinking things. The bill on this bird had what appeared to be a fleshy pink base which would be right in line with a <b>RBGU</b> of this age. However, upon closer zoomed in scope views, I was convinced that the bill had a hint of <i><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">greenish/</span><span style="color: #999999;">greyish</span></b></i> colour which is not typical of a Ring-billed Gull.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-SZngI1a72pLjd0spBsb0fOTbYi0LH7TnIq0e7nbPhRtrYPkwPERukzEzseu3TSbMaEaGyZERwdm3XIovjXsQHGhVgoYCLK3OjvQaYBHOOZBfKx8_3LC68_tvpy_wlw9iOFIodogyl-kaBz8Aet6EreKPtpJ5R0cECBVx8auFEZ2GKsGofpzyjTk=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-SZngI1a72pLjd0spBsb0fOTbYi0LH7TnIq0e7nbPhRtrYPkwPERukzEzseu3TSbMaEaGyZERwdm3XIovjXsQHGhVgoYCLK3OjvQaYBHOOZBfKx8_3LC68_tvpy_wlw9iOFIodogyl-kaBz8Aet6EreKPtpJ5R0cECBVx8auFEZ2GKsGofpzyjTk=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Digiscoped napping Common Gull as it untucked its head. </b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>I began to think of the possibility that I might be looking at something in the <b>Canus</b> complex and started taking digiscope images. I walked back to the whip and got my camera, I needed to thoroughly document this bird and obtain tail shots if I could. With an assist to a <b>RBGU</b> who bumped the mystery bird from its roosting spot, I was able to see the tail and obtain photos. Although a low percentage of <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b> could show the same or similar tail pattern to a <b>Common Gull</b>, I was fully aware that the tail pattern of 1st-cycle <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b>, usually show additional tail bands with markings on the rump and on the outer tail feathers. Whereas, on a <b>Common Gull</b>, the tail pattern would be much cleaner and the tail band neatly demarcated. This bird showed the latter. A neatly demarcated tail band and clean looking rump. The excitement began to build; I was thinking, I was surely onto something in the <i>canus complex</i>. Unfortunately, a car decided that it was fun to drive through the flock and all the gulls picked up and flew off. A few minutes later, I received a text message from my little sister that a cousin had unexpectedly passed away. It was a crushing message and so I put this Gull on the back burner for the moment.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigCVQBy0NjoBbiP1qZ-CP-W1p7l_7vjX_74cpayVFu4vIWeMddQKXzrqEwRoB4Wwme1rxRI34ulDSsSzHRL-y0hcSi1Z4m1Q0kP-BuzGoVSUrpYDbea4EmDSBnjpdJIpowKkyu7p6s_6vTcsHisI7aNsMXqeOaBHhZM-D_ng-tOppJAzxmIDrbbGA=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="528" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigCVQBy0NjoBbiP1qZ-CP-W1p7l_7vjX_74cpayVFu4vIWeMddQKXzrqEwRoB4Wwme1rxRI34ulDSsSzHRL-y0hcSi1Z4m1Q0kP-BuzGoVSUrpYDbea4EmDSBnjpdJIpowKkyu7p6s_6vTcsHisI7aNsMXqeOaBHhZM-D_ng-tOppJAzxmIDrbbGA=w528-h271" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Gull displaying the neatly demarcated tail band.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqITRT9k3I-6Kh4EiZRmLLHsi2YriKaRhSeYaTTwePQAUvQhrWBFd5fYbPR_avfjvRWXy9tsgEe5IQquqWadJTE56cyHY8IQxsDDjah04ZcAcf3k1OXCd-JITKse2QeYBHfii4dl9GD37RPmc69WKAoszYLY3hd8kNMifFMHiXrDkw9jWOa3mvjkY=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqITRT9k3I-6Kh4EiZRmLLHsi2YriKaRhSeYaTTwePQAUvQhrWBFd5fYbPR_avfjvRWXy9tsgEe5IQquqWadJTE56cyHY8IQxsDDjah04ZcAcf3k1OXCd-JITKse2QeYBHfii4dl9GD37RPmc69WKAoszYLY3hd8kNMifFMHiXrDkw9jWOa3mvjkY=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Gull foreground with Ring-billed Gull in the background.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After heading back to <b>Queens</b> and spending some time with my beloved mum (who passed in August), I finally got around to thinking about this bird and reached out to a few people whose opinions I hold in high regards when it comes to Gulls. The first was Gulling genius Amar Ayash who writes at <a href="http://www.anythinglarus.com/" target="_blank">Anything Larus</a>. The first two images that I sent to him were back of the camera open wing shots that I had grabbed when the bird was bumped off its resting place. I added a spread wing shot of a <b>Ring-billed Gull</b> to compare the two. Amar, who was just about to start classes, responded by reminding me that "sometimes juvenile primary tips can look rounded (especially in brach. Mew). He added that the Primary coverts usually clear that up and that the pointy centers to the primary coverts with the thin pale edging looked very juvenile." Note: it was the same look that made me take a hard look at this bird. I followed up those two images with a back of the camera side profile image of a standing bird. His response was, "That doesn't look like a Ring-billed." Followed by, "Looks Commonish to me. It's definitely in the <i>canus complex</i>."<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgydCoUUIuUrP3JE2N-WeHn4CDWzdl5JqoYBzOg1_K-LIQ4pXQx3OQIRK9hL8qFcbXKo3MxBgGK0dCG80VIFOvEVw69-nejf7v38FQzKGuD6FwYLVMMYocKnTFhdjGCv2uv5Nf4BVvuCUjO1W8qXmIGqo5_jAIJ6S2Uhlk5D0fr8Q-014A8023Z48I=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgydCoUUIuUrP3JE2N-WeHn4CDWzdl5JqoYBzOg1_K-LIQ4pXQx3OQIRK9hL8qFcbXKo3MxBgGK0dCG80VIFOvEVw69-nejf7v38FQzKGuD6FwYLVMMYocKnTFhdjGCv2uv5Nf4BVvuCUjO1W8qXmIGqo5_jAIJ6S2Uhlk5D0fr8Q-014A8023Z48I=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2CY Ring-billed Gull in flight for comparison. Note the tail pattern.</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I reached out to a few other people but it was late and I was tired and dealing with the loss of my cousin so I tabled this bird. The next day, I opted to put a post on the NY list serve. I decided it was better to get the word out even as I was still soliciting opinions on this bird. Julian Hough, another birder whose opinion I hold in high regards, saw my post and asked me to send him images of the bird. I was still busy with family stuff regarding my cousin's passing and so I sent him digiscoped and back of the camera images. His response was a + for <b>Common Gull</b>. Later in the day, I posted images to the <b>Western Palearctic Gulls</b> group on Facebook to get opinions. The responses were mixed. Some very sharp larophiles (subjective - <i>folks who enjoy Gulling no matter the torture ;-)</i>) thought it was a <b>Ring-billed Gull</b> while others weighed in that it was a <b>Common Gull</b>. Further proof on how difficult this bird was to identify. <p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOBTqtKqN37T-nFElP1lm9Xir6ZqGRhtlHqpHHTHi3W2vboZg9tkiVrM40NWYDxOX1cStwkW1c57jd3VDkInzQHow3X576AAjDWy6AnVzNfdSe_u51O98KZZB1fqeei0VTT1xXI_xaDnHN_cT4kYcWpxGfjGcLDbPp3wuOYI3FEYrxgp8C1bfixKQ=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOBTqtKqN37T-nFElP1lm9Xir6ZqGRhtlHqpHHTHi3W2vboZg9tkiVrM40NWYDxOX1cStwkW1c57jd3VDkInzQHow3X576AAjDWy6AnVzNfdSe_u51O98KZZB1fqeei0VTT1xXI_xaDnHN_cT4kYcWpxGfjGcLDbPp3wuOYI3FEYrxgp8C1bfixKQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2CY Ring-billed Gulls. Note the tail and rump in comparison to Common Gull</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />A discussion took place, Bruce Mactavish weighed in with all the reasons why this bird was a Common Gull. Sue Sull and Bruce Kerr argued for Ring-billed, citing variations. Alex Boldrini kept it simple by stating it was "certainly a Common Gull." In the end, there were more arguments for Common vs Ring-billed. Shane Blodgett, Brooklyn's Gulling maestro, re-found the bird and shared photos with a plus for <b>Common Gull</b>.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfiAUMLHZ3zf3YNMHKlswUo70RpRVxeZhN6FeesqIctKxUGYM2CNSGzPp1R0JIgTUr5m4S-IKqL-w1ke2VrqoPrY65VIdR3NV1vvMOZ3dFvTYyKlbT2ZTdt-xR6biPL_iXEnJrW-XqrvfkZ6cRr5Bg3cG-Y6cFVuW6Dz1v8CWEP_K2DTrvkM_WICs=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfiAUMLHZ3zf3YNMHKlswUo70RpRVxeZhN6FeesqIctKxUGYM2CNSGzPp1R0JIgTUr5m4S-IKqL-w1ke2VrqoPrY65VIdR3NV1vvMOZ3dFvTYyKlbT2ZTdt-xR6biPL_iXEnJrW-XqrvfkZ6cRr5Bg3cG-Y6cFVuW6Dz1v8CWEP_K2DTrvkM_WICs=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Gull Brooklyn NYC 12-7-2020</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqLIVqTfX_bEiqM_LI80eer58f5PqTsTemx6pEmWnskf1AzREECEDYtS0gfHOGcvEKjk5PqIZNo4BhLG51nCZFolqrg5AnW1hP59hTCq7Z5j9T8cwpJ7cCv54uQs6R6E3Q7jfTJfWc82WBc5z2UosdBetbNJdydx6fl5xsz5Vyb0gSpNjoUkcgvRI=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqLIVqTfX_bEiqM_LI80eer58f5PqTsTemx6pEmWnskf1AzREECEDYtS0gfHOGcvEKjk5PqIZNo4BhLG51nCZFolqrg5AnW1hP59hTCq7Z5j9T8cwpJ7cCv54uQs6R6E3Q7jfTJfWc82WBc5z2UosdBetbNJdydx6fl5xsz5Vyb0gSpNjoUkcgvRI=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Gull Brooklyn NYC 12-7-2020</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJY3WRRh_4U3EGrad1umS4Y1Wml_Tk8XTj0jbH0jGFOW_Fk4W8ndagadKnZNoxHYsiVKSgTzj-6VMQALlFBPrLUhHA2kF6lMbkgOaLFf24imCSbNNsiU8vDaao4458UQnPjfrgFEOyuO9OKL-dgCtQk_4ne-ozrPnlIdDSjnVXcr25iz5CknQVGhU=s528" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJY3WRRh_4U3EGrad1umS4Y1Wml_Tk8XTj0jbH0jGFOW_Fk4W8ndagadKnZNoxHYsiVKSgTzj-6VMQALlFBPrLUhHA2kF6lMbkgOaLFf24imCSbNNsiU8vDaao4458UQnPjfrgFEOyuO9OKL-dgCtQk_4ne-ozrPnlIdDSjnVXcr25iz5CknQVGhU=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Gull Brooklyn NYC 12-7-2020</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br />This gull was not easy to find and there were a number of misidentified images submitted in many eBird checklists. Shane Blodgett re-found it in 2021 - I was there - and later, the bird was found at <b>Prospect Park</b> lake by Doug Gochfeld where it was seen by many. Truly one of my best finds and to date, my best self found bird in <b>Brooklyn NYC</b>. This bird was dedicated to my cousin Anthony Appiah who passed away on the day I found this bird.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Common Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Common Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Common Gull</a>,
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ring-billed Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ring-billed Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Ring-billed Gull</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Canus Complex" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Canus Complex" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Canus Complex</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Gulling" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Gulling" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Gulling</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Brooklyn%20NYC" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Brooklyn NYC" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Brooklyn NYC</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-53135448345036330312019-09-10T21:59:00.000-04:002019-09-17T23:01:23.534-04:00Farewell To A Friend & One Of NY's Finest Naturalist: Rich Kelly<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4KE_HibLDA/XXhAW6fKKqI/AAAAAAAAHcY/CD99DUDaX8I0adfJkgbGqcNjByRrxbjGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyCenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4KE_HibLDA/XXhAW6fKKqI/AAAAAAAAHcY/CD99DUDaX8I0adfJkgbGqcNjByRrxbjGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyCenter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich Kelly (center) </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was Saturday morning, September 6th, I was up around 4:00 AM and toying with the idea of where I would go in the field. I could not make up my mind and after some faffing around, I looked at my e-mail and saw the weekly <b>RBA</b> (Rare Bird Alert) report had made it to my inbox. I began to read the report to see what good birds had been reported when I came across a blurb about the passing of <b>Rich Kelly</b>. I was immediately heavy hearted. Rich was a friend who was battling cancer and I had been calling him occasionally but not too much since I knew it took some effort for him to be on the phone. I had seen him during the 2018 <b>Southern Nassau Christmas Bird Count</b>, when I handed him my data and he seemed in good spirits and indicated that he was doing better with the treatment. But, Cancer is a sneaky bastard. You never know when it would raise its ugly head and apparently it returned with a vengeance, claiming one of the finest naturalist that I had the pleasure of meeting.<br />
<br />
Rich Kelly was an unassuming man. There was nothing pretentious about him. He was a genuine chap - a 'real' kind of guy. Intelligent, skillful but humble. The kind of individual who I could spend time with in the field and we did. A few times. Teaming up on several occasions to do <b>Birding</b>, <b>Insecting</b>, <b>Butterflying</b>, <b>Botany</b> and even doing some <b>Conservation</b> work. He was a well rounded naturalist, skillful but never boastful. He was also known to have an extensive <b>Seashell</b> collection. Rumor has it that it is perhaps, the largest on <b>Long Island</b>. I don't know because I never had a chance to see it. Rich was also known to be good at <b>Herpetology</b> the one area that I regret we did not explore together. By now, you get the picture, he was skilled in many areas.<br />
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Rich was the one along with Don Riepe who encouraged me to join the <b>NYC Butterfly Club</b> and while it was at first intimidating with all the talent at the meetings, I began to enjoy attending, if only for the laughter. Those meetings were very <b>Sienfeldesque, </b>the exchanges at times between our host Guy Tudor and attendees could be hilarious. It was Rich would later call me whenever I missed those meetings to ask about my absence and to let me know that I was on the "list" - the list of delinquents. But that was Rich, always making sure that others were keyed in on what was happening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEVNV6QSYdg/XXhCOPiCp3I/AAAAAAAAHcs/rYb6gFwJVBE2xX2YpuGIp9-L_1Uo8vL7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyBabyBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEVNV6QSYdg/XXhCOPiCp3I/AAAAAAAAHcs/rYb6gFwJVBE2xX2YpuGIp9-L_1Uo8vL7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyBabyBlue.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich (L), Gail Benson (C) and Tom Burke (R). Note Rich's "baby blue" Tripod.</b></td></tr>
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Rich was involved in several <b>Christmas Bird Counts</b> (CBC). It was he who convinced me to join the <b>2013 Bronx/Westchester CBC</b>. That year, I was inducted into his team with the old, "rookie has to buy breakfast" which I did, despite accusing the lot of a scam - though all in good jest as I could care less about buying breakfast when the camaraderie was good. I remained a member of that team until I was asked by Michael Bochnik, to be the <b>West Bronx</b> area leader. Rich was my area leader on the <b>Southern Nassau Christmas Bird Count</b> and I only joined the <b>Atlantic Team</b> because of him. He was the one who I partnered up with on one of my earliest Christmas Bird Counts in Suffolk county. <a href="https://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2010/12/montauk-cbc-2010.html">The 2010 Montauk Christmas Count</a>. Little did I know then that he was grooming me to take over his territory as he expressed to me later, "It's too much of a drive for me these days."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich Kelly, 4th from left.</b></td></tr>
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Our friendship was not one where we hung out a lot but he and I had a very good relationship. I liked him and I would like to think he liked me too. We shared many a phone calls - one of the few people who I did not mind speaking with on the phone. Those of you who know me, know that I dislike chatting on the phone as I would rather a face 2 face conversation. With Rich, it was different. He made me laugh and I made him laugh. I remember him warning me not try this "tongue" sandwich that our friend Seth Ausubel loved to eat. The way he said it made me laugh so much; I am chuckling as I write this. His sense of humor was unique. A bit of sarcasm and a tad dry but funny. It was sort of "British." If you like British humor, you would understand what I mean. Rich was altruistic, always generous with his time and knowledge. In 2009, he and I teamed up to participate in a <a href="https://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-of-conservation-work-and-birding.html">planting project</a> at Jones Beach. Together, we planted over 300 seedlings. Today, many of those seedlings, now trees, act as cover for migrating birds, especially Owls. I bet some of Rich's friends did not know that he participated in the replenishing of <b>Japanese Pitch Pines at Jones Beach West End</b>.<br />
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In 2013, I put out a call for any naturalist interested in joining me for a <a href="https://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2013/11/jewel-in-bronx-nature-walk-on-putnam.html">nature walk</a> at <b>Van Cortlandt Park</b> in Bronx Co. The walk was designed to highlight the adverse effect to wildlife of a pending paving project of the <b>Putnam Trail</b> being planned by City Parks. Rich Kelly was the only naturalist who answered the call; he came out to <b>Van Cortlandt Park</b> and participated in that walk with me, further solidifying our friendship.<br />
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In 2016, he alerted me to some uprooting of plants at an area called, "Sparrow Corner" at <b>Jacob Riis Park in Queens Co</b>. Because of his efforts and a coordinated response, we were able to get the area replanted in short order. That very same year, he was the only one to respond to a call from National Park Service Gateway, for SME's (Subject Matter Experts) for a 2016, <b>BioBlitz at Jamaica Bay</b>. We teamed up to catalogue insects and we had a great time in the field on that project. Rich was also very helpful in teaching National Park Service (NPS) staff about plants during the restoration of the North and South Gardens at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in 2015 and 2016.<br />
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We worked together with NPS, Tony Luscombe, on the <b>Rocky Marsh</b>, restoration project. Rich's contribution to that effort was invaluable in him being able to locate and identify important flora in the area. This was yet another one of those projects where Rich's contribution to conservation was important yet it was quietly done.<br />
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These are just some examples that I am aware of showing Rich's generosity with his time and expertise. He was a gem of a man. He used to tell me that he had the "patience of a flea" but I disagree. Rich had the patience of a saint. He would take the time to explain and answer questions from anyone who consulted with him. I did that, more than once, mostly on insects and he always helped me out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ll49_OGjAU8/XXhQ1-OBoZI/AAAAAAAAHc8/vg_z6eYyB_s8iCghjKZPtZYm47a2u7y2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyEastPond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ll49_OGjAU8/XXhQ1-OBoZI/AAAAAAAAHc8/vg_z6eYyB_s8iCghjKZPtZYm47a2u7y2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyEastPond.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich Kelly Far Left On The East Pond At Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.</b></td></tr>
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We birded too. Occasionally, he would call me about the <b>East Pond at Jamaica Bay</b>. I would teasingly respond by, telling him that the water level was not ready for him. He was there with me in Forest Park Queens Co. in 2011 when I scored my <a href="https://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2011/05/yellow-throated-warbler-in-forest-park.html">Queens County first Yellow-throated Warbler.</a> He, Al Lindberg and I did a birding trip in 2011 where he saw me score my <a href="https://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2011/02/super-sunday-on-long-island.html">NY State Western Tanager</a> that was coming to a feeder in Montauk LI. That day, I was introduced to the legendary number 14 <b>Pork Sandwich</b> which was deliciously true to its reputation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNpr61T6KjQ/XXhCCMD50KI/AAAAAAAAHco/ymlkAX3L-F4SgoPc4zOm634NQTzzJtIBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyOldhabitsDieHard-1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNpr61T6KjQ/XXhCCMD50KI/AAAAAAAAHco/ymlkAX3L-F4SgoPc4zOm634NQTzzJtIBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/KellyOldhabitsDieHard-1405.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rich Kelly Still Kneeling Even With The New Tripod.</b></td></tr>
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He was self-effacing, never interested in drawing attention to himself. Some saw him as frugal, I saw him as smart in spending. He had this old "baby blue" tripod <i>(see second photo above)</i> that some used to rib him about. It was so shaky, that he often had to kneel to use it. When he finally sprung for a new Tripod, he still knelt. <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_BE_lAyrECD8/TRAWmzekusI/AAAAAAAACp4/f9DEDvBoM28/s1600/OldhabitsDieHard-1405.jpg">Old habits die hard</a>.<br />
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I was very saddened to learn of Rich's passing but if it frees him from the pain he was enduring, then I take some solace in knowing that he is now pain free, at peace and in a better place. It was not easy writing this piece about a man I admired for his unassuming brilliance. I will miss you my friend and will always remember you for all good times we shared and the kindness you showed me always.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rich%20Kelly" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Rich Kelly" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Rich Kelly</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Naturalist" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Naturalist" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Naturalist</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long%20Island%20NY" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long Island NY" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island NY</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-86175673103121415452019-03-22T13:18:00.000-04:002019-03-22T13:18:34.559-04:00Cackling Goose Study at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
On January 18th, I spent a few hours studying the Geese at <b>Van Cortlandt Park</b> (VCP) in the <b>Bronx</b>. I had reviewed previous reports from that location and was surprised that no one had reported any <b>Cackling Goose </b><i>(Branta Hutchinsii), </i>this is the smaller bodied subspecies of the large bodied Canada Geese still referred to as <i>Branta Canadensis</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYZOHXaU6Vs/XJUXtcxzDBI/AAAAAAAAHbM/a30UuDJ9liAVt_dKK5388xoVN7tCpc_SgCLcBGAs/s1600/SmCAGO6121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYZOHXaU6Vs/XJUXtcxzDBI/AAAAAAAAHbM/a30UuDJ9liAVt_dKK5388xoVN7tCpc_SgCLcBGAs/s1600/SmCAGO6121.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</span></td></tr>
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Winter brings Geese from up North and Van Courtlandt Park has been an excellent place for Geese studies. I have in the past found <b>Greater White-fronted</b>, <b>Cackling and Barnacle Goose</b> there. On this day my good fortune continued as I found two Cackling Geese, in a flock of just under 1,000 Canada Geese <i>(Branta Canadensis)</i>. Both Cackling, <i>(likely Richardson's)</i> were tough to pickup in the flock and it took some patience sifting through the flock until I found them. A few photos are provided in this post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAMWRTFqxFU/XJUTKwmq6kI/AAAAAAAAHag/YK5sxCOWz2o__xS0ruXpBqDK2wyAd6D0QCLcBGAs/s1600/CAGO-6412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAMWRTFqxFU/XJUTKwmq6kI/AAAAAAAAHag/YK5sxCOWz2o__xS0ruXpBqDK2wyAd6D0QCLcBGAs/s1600/CAGO-6412.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EwL8JOJ3qA/XJUTK8hWVAI/AAAAAAAAHak/zSoTwq1Na6EfoYuL5UXysydvfhDFr14TACLcBGAs/s1600/MedCAGO6082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EwL8JOJ3qA/XJUTK8hWVAI/AAAAAAAAHak/zSoTwq1Na6EfoYuL5UXysydvfhDFr14TACLcBGAs/s1600/MedCAGO6082.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></td></tr>
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For tips on how to identify Cackling Geese see my previous posts: <a href="http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2016/02/cackling-goose-photo-study.html">Cackling Goose - A Photo Study</a> and <a href="http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-search-for-cackling-geese-at-van.html">In Search of Cackling Geese at Van Cortlandt Park.</a> Both these posts, give readers a decent start; especially, for anyone who might not be familiar on what to look for. Additionally, I would suggest to maintain a very disciplined approach to settle on your ID. Do not fall into the trap of looking at size only.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ubnemZGnqw/XJUTuFIcTRI/AAAAAAAAHaw/nSWVNC-SUegO_YR2jcnVat7vWDbsR8qWACLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ubnemZGnqw/XJUTuFIcTRI/AAAAAAAAHaw/nSWVNC-SUegO_YR2jcnVat7vWDbsR8qWACLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6090.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZocFoQL15c/XJUTuawCsrI/AAAAAAAAHa4/F2wSmQLKMI0zbzubM7HR5KV6frijTQs5QCLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZocFoQL15c/XJUTuawCsrI/AAAAAAAAHa4/F2wSmQLKMI0zbzubM7HR5KV6frijTQs5QCLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6130.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdz-Gqr4Wl0/XJUTuObQ8MI/AAAAAAAAHa0/qK08bDuo7fUazDhn_fRzriLehh05AptbgCLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdz-Gqr4Wl0/XJUTuObQ8MI/AAAAAAAAHa0/qK08bDuo7fUazDhn_fRzriLehh05AptbgCLcBGAs/s1600/smCAGO6164.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Cackling Goose (Richardson's) at Van Cortlandt Park Bronx Co.</span></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cackling%20Goose" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Cackling+Goose" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Cackling Goose</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Van%20Cortlandt%20Park" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Van+Cortlandt+Park" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Van Cortlandt Park</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bronx" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Bronx" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Bronx</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-35318576414145385872018-03-19T23:34:00.000-04:002018-03-19T23:35:34.547-04:00Banded Herring Gull C47<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPnEiRBfXO0/WrB--oTZC_I/AAAAAAAAHYc/-jw8nQimPaEzqQfnnZMuxKcyLFusTU3ygCLcBGAs/s1600/smHERG-8466.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Herring Gull C47 showboating for nearby Herring Gull 2-15-2018.</b></td></tr>
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Over the past few seasons, I have become quite familiar with banded <b>Herring Gull</b> C47 who has made <b>Brooklyn</b> one of its favorite wintering sites. I have had countless encounters and taken many photographs. This bird was banded by Dr. Sara R. Morris in 2005 at <b>Appledore Maine</b> when it could not fly. In 2017, it was in its <b>13CY</b> <i>(calendar year)</i>. My last observation was on 2-15-2018, where I watched it interacting with <b>Fish Crows</b> as they appear to have devised a plan to extract treats from a nearby garbage can. Some photos <b>C47</b> from this Winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBEQeRxeFrU/WrB--9gXiiI/AAAAAAAAHYg/4V3_ZxNsq-8r5CLGJZpd19EDi4D85EfWACLcBGAs/s1600/smHERG-8418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBEQeRxeFrU/WrB--9gXiiI/AAAAAAAAHYg/4V3_ZxNsq-8r5CLGJZpd19EDi4D85EfWACLcBGAs/s1600/smHERG-8418.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Herring Gull C47 negotiating with a Fish Crow for scraps 2-15-2018.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Herring Gull C47 on 12-9-2017 </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxPoWaXemCA/WrB9zs_LapI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/30t4kkcrklsI0dz-U6QjK5DsgF0sSjN2wCLcBGAs/s1600/smHERG-LG-8648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxPoWaXemCA/WrB9zs_LapI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/30t4kkcrklsI0dz-U6QjK5DsgF0sSjN2wCLcBGAs/s1600/smHERG-LG-8648.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Spread wing shot of Herring Gull C47 on 12-9-2017</b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Herring%20Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Herring Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Herring Gull</a>,
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/C47" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=C47" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />C47</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/bird%20banding" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=bird+banding" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />bird banding</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Appledore%20Maine" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Appledore Maine" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Appledore Maine</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Brooklyn%20NYC" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Brooklyn NYC" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Brooklyn NYC</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-2658531273362781622018-03-14T14:07:00.004-04:002018-03-14T16:24:47.114-04:00The listserv is dead, long live the listserv!When older birders wax on about the methods used to report <b>Rare Birds</b> and how such information was shared with the wider birding community years ago, I am fascinated. How on earth did people manage to twitch rare birds in a timely manner? Some stories go so far as to suggest that one only found out about a good bird sighting if you were in the know. Meaning, one had to have the proper connections, was on "the list" or whatever terminology was used back then to suggest that you either qualified (whatever that meant) or lucky enough to be told of a rare bird that showed up.<br />
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I often wonder, if the lack of technology to disseminate information to a wider audience, then led to the creation of so-called cliques resulting in whispers of secret groups with names like "elite birders" a result of where some felt slighted that birds were only shared with a select few, not with everyone. In the "good ole days" as some refer to that time, people waited as much as an entire week, perhaps even longer to learn about some rarity in the area unless you were "in the loop" and got that coveted phone call.<br />
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Today, birders have a plethora of tools to share information about birds. The main repository of bird reports these days comes from listserves. If you are not yet aware, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LISTSERV">listserv</a> is an application that distributes messages to subscribers on an electronic mailing list. It uses what is referred to as pull technology, meaning a user would have to either go their e-mail inbox to read messages that were posted.<br />
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The listserv became the one stop shop for all birds reported with many states carrying multiple lists that covered various regions within that state. New York, for example, currently have 8 lists covering various regions. The <b>ABA</b> <i>(American Birding Association)</i> website now has links to reports from all the states on one page. It is easy to visit their <a href="http://birding.aba.org/">website</a> to get the most recent reports. Note, these lists are only good if they are populated with updated and relevant information.<br />
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Not long ago, there were several posts on the NY Listserv, pleading for bird reports. As a result, I began to take a closer look at how birds were being shared by birders today. Many birders who I spoke to have decided that the listserv is all but dead. They cite other resources such as <a href="https://ebird.org/home">eBird</a> <i>(an excellent tool used to gather and store data on birds observed) </i>under the assumption that once they submit a checklist with their birds, that checklist information, is readily publicly available. eBird with the exception of a checklist with either hidden values or entries that need further documentation for validation I believe is usually updated on an hourly basis for a given checklist to become public data. This means that <b>eBird</b> reports are not really readily available for public consumption. This is a problem for some birders because we are in an age of instant gratification. The people demand their bird notifications promptly and often. So some birders have turned to other tools in the hopes of getting information in a timely manner suited to their needs.<br />
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In addition to using eBird, birders have also resorted to using other methods of sharing information, such as text messaging and using various social media tools like <b>Facebook</b> and <b>Twitter</b> to name two. The latter is mostly used to send <a href="https://twitter.com/BirdQueensNYC">short messages</a> about a bird (s) to those people who follow that twitter account. Hashtags associated with that account are used as a way to reach a wider audience. Then we get to <b>Facebook</b>, which has become quite popular among newbies and some experienced birders. Other messaging tools like <b>WhatsApp</b>, popular in Asia have also found its way into the birding world among North American users.<br />
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With all of these tools, one would think the information is readily available to all or most. Not so fast. These tools while easy for some might be difficult for others for a variety of reasons. More importantly, I have found that many users will not crossover - meaning <b>Facebook</b> users may not use <b>Twitter</b>, text messages will not make it outside of the recipients and we end up with stovepiping. The end results are that there are often reports that never make their way to the wider audience until it is too late. This has frustrated many and once again, we are faced with the dilemma of data not being made available to everyone in a timely manner. Sounds familiar?<br />
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Some birders really do try their best to post across platforms but in the end what we see happening is a complete breakdown of how information is shared. Meaning, we are right back where we started; reports of birds are not shared with the wider audience despite all the advances in technology used in getting data out faster. This brings me back to the listservs. Despite the fact that this is a pull vs push technology, the listservs continue to remain a reliable source of information that can reach a wider audience. If those of us who use more of the modern push technologies take the time to share our sightings to the listserv, we would ensure reaching a wider audience thus enabling more to share in our discoveries. The life of <b>Listservs</b> depend on the users and we should share our data or suffer the consequences of a "communication breakdown." Long live the listservs!<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/listserv" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=listserv" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />listserv</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/New%20York" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=New York" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />New York</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/American%20Birding%20Association" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=American Birding Association" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />American Birding Association</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-16262968281327870822017-11-03T22:08:00.001-04:002017-11-04T00:03:26.411-04:00In Memory of Robert J. KurtzI read the e-mail on the morning of September 28th, which was sent out the night before about Bobby Kurtz' passing away, I was shocked. Pat Lindsay's e-mail indicated that he was ill for several months. I felt sad and then ashamed. I had not seen Bobby's familiar face all summer on the <b>East Pond</b> of <b>Jamaica Bay</b>, yet it never dawned on me that something was amiss.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_lu9Ln7GHU/Wf0YXwl3RQI/AAAAAAAAHXo/vDQTs_8CNHsyUE9n4X-EadCBg_r5-ketQCLcBGAs/s1600/BKurtzEAST-POND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_lu9Ln7GHU/Wf0YXwl3RQI/AAAAAAAAHXo/vDQTs_8CNHsyUE9n4X-EadCBg_r5-ketQCLcBGAs/s1600/BKurtzEAST-POND.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bobby Kurtz at the North End of the East Pond at Jamaica Bay.</b></td></tr>
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While I did not bird often with Bobby, the few times I met him in the field, I was endeared by his personality. It might also be that because we shared a love for shorebirds that I was drawn to his charm. Certainly, he was the only birder I knew that could break out in jerking moves that Shai Mitra described as a kind of <b>Rumpelstiltskin</b> dance. All for the sight of a good shorebird or raptor. For Bobby, that could have "merely" been the sight of a juvenile <b>Least</b> or <b>Semipalmated Sandpiper</b>. I still remember his enthusiastic shout of <b>"Whimbrel, Whimbrel"</b> at Jones Beach Coast Guard Station in 2009 - he was practically foaming at the mouth. I had just started birding and his reaction to that bird that day was infectious. I felt that I wanted to celebrate shorebirds like he did. He loved his shorebirds! But more so, he also loved his raptors! It was interesting to see how torn he became while viewing shorebirds on the East Pond at <b>Jamaica Bay</b> and his response after a <b>Peregrine Falcon</b> came through putting everything up. I would be frustrated but Bobby's reaction would be like a dad scolding a kid (gently). "Well at least, he did not get anything" in a voice more of admiration than admonition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBOQgdRiHf8/Wf0aDVrCThI/AAAAAAAAHX0/Bb7Lb9rPYosglfS9q3GNE5-B_fyxI8kQwCLcBGAs/s1600/pplbnwruff-1608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBOQgdRiHf8/Wf0aDVrCThI/AAAAAAAAHX0/Bb7Lb9rPYosglfS9q3GNE5-B_fyxI8kQwCLcBGAs/s1600/pplbnwruff-1608.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2012 Bobby Kurtz 3rd from L enjoying the 1st Ruff that I found on the East Pond.</b></td></tr>
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I attended Bobby's wake on October 8th and listened to the outpouring of love from many of his friends. Kind, thoughtful, sorrowful words flowed from many. His friends from the <b>Fire Island Hawk Watch talked </b>about his never-ending joy at seeing migrating<b class=""></b> raptors. Bobby Berlingeri, whom he was close to, had it the toughest I thought, in speaking about their time together. John Askildsen, spoke to us about the secret on why Bobby used two walking sticks. I don't think anyone in that room knew before then. Who knew the solution to probable knee problems due to "deep knee bends" in the Navy would be to use walking sticks to make up for overworked knees. Clever and typical of Bobby. I think Bobby would have approved at all the things everyone had to say.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZLNzG98wQ8/Wf0achgCnFI/AAAAAAAAHX4/KrGr2ui2j80j6f9AMAgSCqMP96z74kX-gCLcBGAs/s1600/Bobby%2BRed%2BPhalarope%2B2015-07-10-16.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZLNzG98wQ8/Wf0achgCnFI/AAAAAAAAHX4/KrGr2ui2j80j6f9AMAgSCqMP96z74kX-gCLcBGAs/s1600/Bobby%2BRed%2BPhalarope%2B2015-07-10-16.14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bobby Kurtz getting in on a Red Phalarope at Jones Beach in 2015</b></td></tr>
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I am sorry I never got a chance to visit Bobby while he was ill. I would have loved to talk birds with him, to share with him the news of a Jamaica Bay West Pond restoration and of the shorebird numbers on the East Pond. Farewell Bobby. A lot of us will miss you. Where ever you are my friend, may your vision and hearing be filled with the sights and sounds of the birds you love as you sip on a Franziskaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel. Rest In Peace!<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bobby%20Kurtz" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Bobby Kurtz" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Bobby Kurtz</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fire%20Island%20Hawk%20Watch" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Fire Island Hawk Watch" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Fire Island Hawk Watch</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long%20Island%20NY" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long Island NY" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island NY</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-29165899089830744292017-10-11T22:29:00.000-04:002017-10-12T22:30:09.231-04:00Wordless Wednesday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-58196839696823784062017-10-06T23:00:00.002-04:002017-10-06T23:00:36.058-04:00Shorebirding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om7ZifYuKLQ/WdhBrMDwvKI/AAAAAAAAHWM/khR-RlGjrPUrSn4XW_x3gatMFPTvN90jwCLcBGAs/s1600/Shorebirds-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-om7ZifYuKLQ/WdhBrMDwvKI/AAAAAAAAHWM/khR-RlGjrPUrSn4XW_x3gatMFPTvN90jwCLcBGAs/s1600/Shorebirds-sm.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mixed flock of Shorebirds on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC.</b></td></tr>
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Its October and most birders by now are cranking up their studies for fall migration. This is where we see a split between those who focus on Coastal migrant traps and others who work Inland migrant traps. For some, the choice is made for them for a number of reasons. Additionally, most birders give up on shorebird season. After all, it's over for the most part, right? Not really. Some of us who would rather spend shore-birding all season refuse to give in to "the shorebird season is over" mantra.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>American Avocet on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC.</b></td></tr>
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So, here I was today continuing to bird the <b>East Pond</b> at <b>Jamaica Bay</b> taking careful notes of shorebird movement while also noting the arrival of waterfowl. Today, was quite an exceptional day on the East Pond for shorebirds in October. I had 14 species of Shorebirds. The highlight was a juvenile <b>Hudsonian Godwit</b>, 1 <b>American Avocet</b> <i>(continuing bird)</i>, 2 <b>American Golden Plovers</b>, 9 <b>Stilt Sandpipers </b>and 41 <b>Pectoral Sandpipers (PESA)</b>- the latter, my highest count ever on the East Pond. I had to count the PESAs several times to ensure that I was not seeing things but sure enough I had 41 and I am quite sure that I missed a few elsewhere on the pond.<br />
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Other notable birds on the pond included a <b>Eurasian Wigeon</b>, 3 <b>Caspian Terns</b> and 7 <b>American Pipits</b>. Duck numbers are up with Ruddy Duck and Scaup numbers expected to increase. Let's hope for more shorebirds before the season is indeed finally over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Digiscoped - American Golden Plovers on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09JLI0wKh0Y/WdhCDd6BgGI/AAAAAAAAHWc/ifXA38Y9zN4YUKCpHNgk1-G4-gy5t693gCLcBGAs/s1600/Ewig2017-10-06-16.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09JLI0wKh0Y/WdhCDd6BgGI/AAAAAAAAHWc/ifXA38Y9zN4YUKCpHNgk1-G4-gy5t693gCLcBGAs/s1600/Ewig2017-10-06-16.34.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Digiscoped - Eurasian Wigeon on the <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC.</span></b></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZvDKUL0cWE/WdhCDQ36K9I/AAAAAAAAHWY/lFomxzJl2QI8HwURVVFCCgCo_oYAsN7MgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hugo-2017-10-06-10.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZvDKUL0cWE/WdhCDQ36K9I/AAAAAAAAHWY/lFomxzJl2QI8HwURVVFCCgCo_oYAsN7MgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hugo-2017-10-06-10.13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Digiscoped - Hudsonian Godwit <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">East Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC.</span></b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay%20Wildlife%20Refuge" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay+Wildlife+Refuge" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-67050672055657383392017-09-29T01:09:00.001-04:002017-10-03T16:58:29.923-04:00Long-billed Dowitcher ID - What To Look ForEvery shorebird season, birders are faced with the dilemma of separating <b>Short-billed</b> (SBDO) from <b>Long-billed Dowitchers </b>(LBDO). This post is not intended to list all of the nuances of how to tell them apart but I will share some of my own empirical observations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers - </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC</b></td></tr>
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Let's start with the jiss (jizz). A classic Long-billed Dowitcher, is not that hard to pick out especially if you have one of those nicely fed female types. When I see an LBDO that stands out, I tend to think of an inflated football (American) or think Egg shape. Picture the higher part of the football as the back of the LBDO with tapered ends. In comparison to a Short-billed Dowitcher, one could easily spot this difference as the back of an SBDO is flatter. This physical feature also applies to the lower body as the undercarriage of a SBDO is straighter than that of a LBDO.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2R3XZch-Zs/Wc3Rz3_Z1FI/AAAAAAAAHVc/upLBIBwpzG0DVFPWQ7sIxNN-L0tyyK_tQCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-5135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2R3XZch-Zs/Wc3Rz3_Z1FI/AAAAAAAAHVc/upLBIBwpzG0DVFPWQ7sIxNN-L0tyyK_tQCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-5135.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher - </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC</b></td></tr>
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This shape feature should be used cautiously; especially, since this feature can be a bit more difficult to discern with an underfed <b>Long-billed Dowitcher </b>(LBDO) or a male LBDO in a a flock of fat <b>Short-billed</b> (SBDOs). Also, the <u>posture of the subject bird in the field</u> is very important not to be led down the wrong path. This is where you need to be aware of additional field marks to get closer to a conclusive ID. Some of the other useful features include, areas like - <b>The neck:</b> The neck of a Long-billed is thicker than a Short-billed, this is quite evident in the field if you have a side by side comparison.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN0tuD-y36U/Wc3SqSDY-GI/AAAAAAAAHVo/C1ZQMl8majIFfViM1WfRKSDsx8Uw10flACLcBGAs/s1600/smLBDOW-4184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN0tuD-y36U/Wc3SqSDY-GI/AAAAAAAAHVo/C1ZQMl8majIFfViM1WfRKSDsx8Uw10flACLcBGAs/s1600/smLBDOW-4184.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers side by side - </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC</b></td></tr>
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<b>The bill: </b>if carefully studied, the bill can offer excellent clues as to the ID of a Dowitcher sp. Take the bill of a Short-billed Dowitcher - it is thicker, shorter and wider at the base. In comparison, a <b>Long-billed Dowitcher</b> shows a longer bill (quite evident in females) which is not as thick as a Short-billed Dowitcher. The tip of a Short-billed Dowitcher's (SBDO) bill shows a distinct kink - a feature that looks like the bird caught its bill in a closing door. On a Long-billed Dowitcher (LBDO), this is not so evident and aids in the longer, thinner looking bill tip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSQr0-wnKA/Wc3S1P8UB8I/AAAAAAAAHVs/Q0O7vm6aIuU4p20pG0vnNOwE8bRHpmZFgCLcBGAs/s1600/smLBDOW-4165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1qSQr0-wnKA/Wc3S1P8UB8I/AAAAAAAAHVs/Q0O7vm6aIuU4p20pG0vnNOwE8bRHpmZFgCLcBGAs/s1600/smLBDOW-4165.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Long-billed Dowitcher (C) among Short-billed Dowitchers - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge NYC</b></td></tr>
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This leads me into an ID feature that I have worked on in the field when trying to separate those tough small male <b>Long-billed Dowitchers</b> from big female Short-billed Dowitchers. At the base of a Long-billed Dowitcher, there is a pinched look just where the base of the culmen meets the face. This gives the impression of a steeper incline where the bill meets the forehead. In comparison, the base of the culmen on <b>Short-billed Dowitcher</b> has a smoother less inclined meeting with the forehead. This feature is one that I personally have focused on when analyzing Short-billed from Long-billed and I have yet to encounter where it has troubled me. Even on single species, this is a quick feature thrown in with other field marks that I am able to eliminate any suspected LBDO in a flock of Short-billed Dowitchers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-8QGstRr1g/Wc3TMpmFWzI/AAAAAAAAHVw/vTlWglo3dcAOgmuYMZvSXDTM4SlK-YM3wCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-9296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-8QGstRr1g/Wc3TMpmFWzI/AAAAAAAAHVw/vTlWglo3dcAOgmuYMZvSXDTM4SlK-YM3wCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-9296.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Short-billed Dowitcher (Hendersoni subspecies) </b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">- Cupsogue LI NY.</b></td></tr>
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This brings us to plumage and I will not get into the differences in the upper feature of Short-billed Dowitchers vs Long-billed Dowitchers because I do not have enough sample images to share which could clearly point out the color differences in feather edges. Here in NYC, we get most <b>Long-billed Dowitchers</b> when breeding plumage is showing some wear and so if we are looking at color, we turn to the underparts. On an LBDO, the underpart shows a more brick red color while on an SBDO, the color is more orange like. Keep in mind that in both cases, feather wear will result in various shades that could be troublesome. Long-billed Dowitchers, underpart color extends to the undertail and only the prairie subspecies <b>Hendersoni</b>, shows this. This is also another useful clue when analyzing a flock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyaDUDGTc9o/Wc3TSZa38HI/AAAAAAAAHV0/L192XhyoTrkmvmFyu4rwxdLLFsnw7dWbwCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-9313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LyaDUDGTc9o/Wc3TSZa38HI/AAAAAAAAHV0/L192XhyoTrkmvmFyu4rwxdLLFsnw7dWbwCLcBGAs/s1600/smSBDO-9313.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Short-billed Dowitcher (Hendersoni subspecies) - Cupsogue LI NY.</b></td></tr>
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I have included a few images which I hope will aid in differentiating <b>Short-billed Dowitchers</b> from <b>Long-billed Dowitchers</b>. The next step is to get out into the field and look at all your Dowitchers, carefully.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay%20Wildlife%20Refuge" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay+Wildlife+Refuge" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cupsogue" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Cupsogue" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Cupsogue</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long-billed%20Dowitcher" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long-billed Dowitcher" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long-billed Dowitcher</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Short-billed%20Dowitcher" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Short-billed Dowitcher" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Short-billed Dowitcher</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-15712532780162331122017-06-27T13:40:00.003-04:002017-06-27T13:43:02.360-04:00Arctic Tern at Nickerson Beach LI, NYThis was a long overdue Nassau County bird and fitting that I found my own at Nickerson Beach LI, NY. On June 7th, I was scanning a group of Common Terns when I detected an <b>Arctic Tern</b> <i>(ARTE)</i>. Having seen a 1st Summer Arctic Tern at Cupsogue LI on June 2nd, it was nice to get an adult for my 1st Nassau County ARTE. The Tern colonies at <b>Nickerson Beach,</b> makes for a nice study if they are not disturbed. I managed a few photos before this bird was subsequently flushed by a jogger and I could not re-find it again during my time there.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ao6YZYOAYow/WVKVB3TIetI/AAAAAAAAHU8/fg12lzVZbw4hzhnpf1yHSbnLvu2Otn4EgCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTE-8791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ao6YZYOAYow/WVKVB3TIetI/AAAAAAAAHU8/fg12lzVZbw4hzhnpf1yHSbnLvu2Otn4EgCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTE-8791.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Arctic Tern: A new Nassua County bird and an adult at that.</b></td></tr>
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Some photos are posted for studying purposes. In these photos, we have standing birds - mostly Common Terns with the 1 Arctic. A couple of things to look for are: Note the deep chested look of the <b>Arctic vs the Common Tern</b>. Also the head shape of the ARTE is more rounded with the peak just above the eye. The Arctic Tern, lacks the dark primary wedges one would see in a Common. The legs are quite shorter on an Arctic but be wary of depressions in the ground that could make a bird look like it has shorter legs than it really has. There are other field marks that I will get into in another post which will include flight shots. For now, these are just a few handy tips that I am sharing to use in your search.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV5izh4FWQE/WVKWCsB5GSI/AAAAAAAAHVE/eksoLpUAZYAjj-zVTzlSMPSpqUczI_upgCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTE-8799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="528" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV5izh4FWQE/WVKWCsB5GSI/AAAAAAAAHVE/eksoLpUAZYAjj-zVTzlSMPSpqUczI_upgCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTE-8799.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Arctic Tern, looking regal amongst the Common Terns.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jl_xJeIJzf4/WVKWCl9ui0I/AAAAAAAAHVM/72ISqO-JK2sI5kDWEfBXv_eadJFoPUGDQCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTERN-8809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jl_xJeIJzf4/WVKWCl9ui0I/AAAAAAAAHVM/72ISqO-JK2sI5kDWEfBXv_eadJFoPUGDQCLcBGAs/s1600/SMARTERN-8809.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Using the tips I provided you should by now have figured out which one was the Arctic Tern.</b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Nickerson%20Beach" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Nickerson Beach" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Nickerson Beach</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long%20Island" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long+Island" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Arctic%20Tern" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Arctic+Tern" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Arctic Tern</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Nassau%20County" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Nassau County" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Nassau County</a><br />
<br />BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-65317737996471833002017-06-21T06:30:00.000-04:002017-06-21T06:30:02.357-04:00Breezy Point Banded Piping Plover Cowboy Successfully Nested <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEbpzMq7LSA/WUngJPvMabI/AAAAAAAAHUk/1KWX4sdlwvEilI_9Z-ysF7I2hyAd8x-0gCLcBGAs/s1600/smPIPL-9538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MEbpzMq7LSA/WUngJPvMabI/AAAAAAAAHUk/1KWX4sdlwvEilI_9Z-ysF7I2hyAd8x-0gCLcBGAs/s1600/smPIPL-9538.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cowboy with one of her chicks</b></td></tr>
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In <a href="http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-cowboy-comes-to-queens.html">April of this year</a>, I observed a banded Piping Plover at Breezy Point in Queens NY, which I found out was banded in 2016 at the <b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/edwin_b_forsythe/">E.B. Forsythe NWR</a><span id="goog_1385833328"></span></b> in New Jersey. Nicknamed Cowboy, this female PIPL, decided she would set up shop in Queens - at least that is what I hoped for. After subsequent visits did not show her with a mate, I thought she would not breed this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0kAp-VOm8U/WUngY5P-rhI/AAAAAAAAHUo/lMOxS-B-XNQX7ITCkVefDDuvw_xhtBnDgCLcBGAs/s1600/sm3PIPL-9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0kAp-VOm8U/WUngY5P-rhI/AAAAAAAAHUo/lMOxS-B-XNQX7ITCkVefDDuvw_xhtBnDgCLcBGAs/s1600/sm3PIPL-9523.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>3 Piping Plover Chicks</b></td></tr>
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I was therefore quite delighted on Sunday June 18th to discover that Cowboy had kept her relationship hidden and had indeed found a mate, successfully nested and was now the proud mother of 3 baby Piping Plover chicks. Since Piping Plovers tend to lay 4 eggs, there is a good chance I might have missed the 4th chick? Cowboy looked quite comfortable in her motherly role and I observed how protective she and her mate got when a Red-winged Blackbird got too close to their chicks. These tiny fluff balls will have a tough time dealing with all the dangers of the beach but with a lot of luck and good parenting, they will make it and some day have a family of their own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Male Piping Plover- Cowboy's mate</b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Breezy%20Point" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Breezy+Point" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Breezy Point</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Piping%20Plover" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Piping Plover" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Piping Plover</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cowboy" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Cowboy" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Cowboy</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-86082662263004220462017-06-20T22:04:00.001-04:002017-06-20T22:04:07.274-04:00Banded Great-black Backed Gull<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">On June 15th, 2017, I observed and documented a 1CY <i>(calendar year)</i> banded </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Great Black-backed Gull</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> at </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Nickerson Beach</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> on Long Island NY. Research on the banding data via the <a href="https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/">Bird Banding Lab</a> for color band code </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">7EH</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> revealed that the bird was banded as a chick at Near Kittery in York County </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Maine USA on 6-24-16. Photos of the bird are included below.</span><br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Great%20Black-backed%20Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ring-billed+Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Great Black-backed Gull</a>,
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BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-59053036438787611192017-04-12T22:26:00.001-04:002017-04-12T22:28:23.148-04:00A Cowboy comes to Queens <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiFrvvPQOSE/WO7d1MKvN4I/AAAAAAAAHTg/5pgShbY68HEZEZ69ynz9EnPk9PxJslaxACLcB/s1600/PIPLOSM-2327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiFrvvPQOSE/WO7d1MKvN4I/AAAAAAAAHTg/5pgShbY68HEZEZ69ynz9EnPk9PxJslaxACLcB/s1600/PIPLOSM-2327.jpg" /></a></div>
On April 10th, I found a banded Piping Plover at <b>Breezy Point in Queens NYC</b>. The bands were not easy to see and I had to spend some time getting close enough to be able to see the color bands well. This bird had no flags but had the following band and color scheme. Upper Left Upper (Green), Upper Left Lower (Light Blue), Upper Right Upper (Dark Blue) and Upper Right Lower (White).<br />
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<b>Fish and Wildlife Services</b> listed Mchelle Stantial as the person to contact for any PIPL with color bands and no flags on the upper legs. After reaching out to her, this is what I learned. This female Piping Plover nicknamed "Cowboy" was banded as a day 1 chick at <b><a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/edwin_b_forsythe/">E.B. Forsythe NWR</a></b> in 2016. She apparently has decided to try out new frontier by settling in Queens. Lets hope she is successful and raise a brood of her own. If you see a banded <b>Piping Plover</b>, please try and document it as best as you could. Researchers are eager to learn the well being of these birds and value every bit of scientific data. <br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Breezy%20Point" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Breezy+Point" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Breezy Point</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Piping%20Plover" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Piping Plover" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Piping Plover</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-67787126453549165622017-04-07T14:35:00.003-04:002017-04-07T14:39:10.527-04:00Gulling at Floyd Bennett Field Brooklyn NYC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCyhaZ1_bGo/WOfZo1115VI/AAAAAAAAHTE/KRwFs4AksuEo1mjJeim3GuHdCHoMSpicwCLcB/s1600/LBBGULLSM-1721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCyhaZ1_bGo/WOfZo1115VI/AAAAAAAAHTE/KRwFs4AksuEo1mjJeim3GuHdCHoMSpicwCLcB/s1600/LBBGULLSM-1721.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1Cy Lesser Black-backed Gull about to take flight.</b></td></tr>
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I have learned that dire weather can bring good things. I am speaking of course about birds; specifically Gulls, those maddening <i>Laridae</i> types that you either love or hate. The problem for someone like me in Queens, is where to look for Gulls when we have bad weather. Unlike our cousins in Brooklyn, we in Queens have little options save for the <b>Rockaways, Fort Tilden, Riis Park and Breezy Point</b>. There are other sites of course where the usual suspects like <b>Ring-billed Gulls,</b> show up and in good numbers but when we are talking about the percentages for a good return in Queens, then your money is better off betting on hitting the jackpot working the coastal sites.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KUcH2Qke2Xc/WOfZuZNciHI/AAAAAAAAHTI/rBjZxhjPEUEf9hfAegldRuHbHAAcz_zoACLcB/s1600/LBBGSM-1826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KUcH2Qke2Xc/WOfZuZNciHI/AAAAAAAAHTI/rBjZxhjPEUEf9hfAegldRuHbHAAcz_zoACLcB/s1600/LBBGSM-1826.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>4Cy Type Lesser Black-backed Gull looking quite spiffy.</b></td></tr>
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As a result, I have found Brooklyn to be better for Gulling, with plenty of options including <b>Floyd Bennett Field.</b> A favored spot to check for Gulls whenever we get hit with a storm. Yesterday, I took a chance in thunderstorm and rain to do some birding. If I had the time, I would have fared better later in the afternoon <i>(as later reports from other birders suggested)</i> when the rain subsided and the light was better. Nevertheless, I can't complain too much for the return in investment of 20-25 minutes of my time, during which I managed 2 <b>Lesser Black-backed Gulls</b> and 1 <b>Iceland Gull</b> <i>(Kumlieni)</i>. Not bad for a quick bit of birding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SMGyyuTQDk/WOfZ5p9BfHI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Xl1u51E4tFkK7gsD4f6WgzIDzfj4tB-hACLcB/s1600/ICGULLSM-1787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SMGyyuTQDk/WOfZ5p9BfHI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Xl1u51E4tFkK7gsD4f6WgzIDzfj4tB-hACLcB/s1600/ICGULLSM-1787.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>1Cy Iceland Gull <i>(Kumlieni)</i> in flight.</b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Lesser%20Black-backed%20Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Lesser+Black-backed+Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Lesser Black-backed Gull</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Floyd%20Bennett%20Field" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Floyd Bennett Field" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Floyd Bennett Field</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Brooklyn" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Brooklyn" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Brooklyn</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Iceland%20Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Iceland Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Iceland Gull</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/New%20York" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=New+York" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />New York</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-8734394046718569722017-03-29T15:23:00.004-04:002017-03-29T18:05:39.853-04:00Jamaica Bay West Pond Restoration Update - The Breach is Closed<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-A9rJkM60c/WNvlDI2I2II/AAAAAAAAHR8/hB9JqVNmAP856YurfsI-Fkyy--RBjzOQQCLcB/s1600/JBWRWestPond20121030-IMG_59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-A9rJkM60c/WNvlDI2I2II/AAAAAAAAHR8/hB9JqVNmAP856YurfsI-Fkyy--RBjzOQQCLcB/s1600/JBWRWestPond20121030-IMG_59.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The West Pond Breach After Hurricane Sandy</b></td></tr>
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What started out as an improbable goal is almost now a reality. Finally, after 4 years and a few months, the breach on the <b>West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</b>, in NYC is closed. The shoring up of the breach continues and the loop trail is inaccessible to the public but the most difficult stage of the project in closing the breach is finished. The next step is the restoration of the pond to being a fresh water source. The West Pond breach closure and restoration was a hard fought quest that required patience, doggedness and skills in negotiating the many obstacles that were encountered along the way. There were many people who felt it was a waste of time and money and were all for leaving the breach as it was and letting the pond go to "waste". To quote one naturalist who, I won't name, "let it go back to what it was." Well we did <i>(tongue firmly planted in cheek).</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcGv3wm93MA/WNv1nWlkOjI/AAAAAAAAHSE/4UpNNY-MMDM8iUmfmVAc1GmeVFxlVN9gwCLcB/s1600/JBWP2017-03-23-12.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcGv3wm93MA/WNv1nWlkOjI/AAAAAAAAHSE/4UpNNY-MMDM8iUmfmVAc1GmeVFxlVN9gwCLcB/s1600/JBWP2017-03-23-12.01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shoring Up The West Pond Breach</b></td></tr>
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I won't however dwell on the negatives and instead focus on the positives while thanking some of the people and organizations who deserve a shout out. In 2012, when the breach occurred <i><a href="http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2012/10/hurricane-sandy-devastes-west-pond.html">(see my 2012 report here)</a></i> and the subsequent inaction set off alarm bells on whether the West Pond was lost forever. A few individuals began brainstorming on what to do. Doug Futuyma, Professor of Evolutionary at Stony Brook University and I began to discuss what were our options. Who could we get to back a West Pond restoration. We turned to <b><a href="http://www.nycaudubon.org/">New York City Audubon</a></b> (NYCA) and thus began the discussions on a larger scale on what actions could be taken to get a restoration effort on track. Harry Mass, then president of the Board of Directors of NYCA, was very instrumental in securing the backing of the organization. He arranged for us to use their office at 71 West 23rd Street in NYC, where we began holding meetings and eventually formed the group "Birders Coalition for Gateway." The group included many like minded organizations, individuals and birding groups from NYC, Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Finally The Breach is Closed</b></td></tr>
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In any discussions, you want to negotiate from strength and we needed to show that the West Pond was utilized by many but how? The <a href="https://www.change.org/p/jennifer-t-nersesian-restore-the-west-pond-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge-new-york">online petition to restore the West Pond</a> that resulted in over 7,500 signatures with personal comments from people who had visited <b>Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</b> (JBWR) was a huge impact in getting that message across. That petition had its detractors and sadly did not enjoy the support and championing to promote its objective by many "key" individuals. Luckily, the few that did, made an impact. It was this piece of document that got a lot of attention by the right people. This I heard directly from sources within <b>Gateway National Recreation </b><i>(folks do pay attention to numbers)</i>. My thanks to all of you who took time out to sign and submit your personal account of what the West Pond meant to you. I also want to thank those of you who championed the petition and worked hard at getting signatures. One person in particular, Anne Lazarus, who along with some of her friends called and petitioned people wherever they went in an effort to get signatures. Thank you to all of you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQTPIoxCM4/WNv4V5hCpZI/AAAAAAAAHSU/aaZp57HdAac7ZnlDybcPW0YVtFP6hzE5QCLcB/s1600/JBWP2014-07-17-19.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQTPIoxCM4/WNv4V5hCpZI/AAAAAAAAHSU/aaZp57HdAac7ZnlDybcPW0YVtFP6hzE5QCLcB/s1600/JBWP2014-07-17-19.12.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>West Pond Assessment</b></td></tr>
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This project would not be where it is today without the hard work of the members of "The Birders Coalition for Gateway" some of whom I worked directly with like - Doug Futuyma, Harry Mass, Susan Elbin, Seth Asubel and Jennifer Nersesian are just some. We would not be here without the support of <b>Gateway National Recreation Area Management</b>. They took a lot of heat and blame for allowing the breach to widen post Hurricane Sandy but when it mattered in getting the breach closed, management, led by Jennifer Nersesian and her able staff, like Patricia Rafferty came through. We would not be here without the backing of organizations like the Linnean Society of NYC, Brooklyn Bird Club, Queens County Bird Club, New York State Ornithological Association, Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, American Littoral Society - North East Chapter, Great South Bay Audubon Society, Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society, South Shore Audubon Society, American Birding Association and others who all supported the efforts. We were lucky to get support from unlikely quarters in Senator Chuck Schumer who went on <a href="https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-gateway-national-recreation-areas-iconic-jacob-riis-bathhouse-should-be-refurbished-into-a-multi-functional-modern-visitor-facility-for-beach-goers-urges-feds-to-provide-federal-funding-to_transform-historic-art-deco-bathhouse-and-make-major-ecological-improvements-to-jamaica-bays-west-pond">record to support the restoration</a> and Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist and environmental activist Margaret Atwood, who used her presence on Twitter to tweet out her support.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XW7wwkVbbyI/WNv4f_qkCUI/AAAAAAAAHSY/Pxq-J-mO2HQvVnNI4Hk_8bUUJD27ym53wCLcB/s1600/JBWP2014-07-17-18.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XW7wwkVbbyI/WNv4f_qkCUI/AAAAAAAAHSY/Pxq-J-mO2HQvVnNI4Hk_8bUUJD27ym53wCLcB/s1600/JBWP2014-07-17-18.22.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Advocates for a West Pond Restoration Attend one of many meetings at JBWR</b></td></tr>
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Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks to all of you who in some form or another lent your support to a <b>West Pond</b> restoration. We would not have gotten anywhere without all of your activism in supporting a restoration. Your efforts in participating in the Jamaica Bay General Management plan all sent a clear message to the management of GNRA, that we are committed to preserving our wildlife and the habitats they use!<br />
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If you ever need my support for any of your projects, please feel free to seek me out. I hope someday soon I might run into any of you at <b>Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</b> where together we might enjoy marveling at the wildlife that once again occupy the West Pond.
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/West%20Pond%20Restoration" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=West+Pond+Restoration" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />West Pond Restoration</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay%20Wildlife%20Refuge" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay+Wildlife+Refuge" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Online%20Petition" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Online Petition" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Online Petition</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-63749933523810079462017-03-12T21:42:00.000-04:002017-03-29T21:45:36.612-04:00Banded American Oystercatchers Are Back At Breezy Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUN4HoMgzU0/WNxgirycdrI/AAAAAAAAHSo/xBJ2qyjVWmcPjY0nf_6a17fnkJd6Ls9HQCLcB/s1600/bandedAMOYs-0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KUN4HoMgzU0/WNxgirycdrI/AAAAAAAAHSo/xBJ2qyjVWmcPjY0nf_6a17fnkJd6Ls9HQCLcB/s1600/bandedAMOYs-0959.jpg" /></a></div>
7 <b>American Oystercatchers </b>were observed at Breezy Point in Queens NYC on 3-11. Of the 7, three were banded. After getting a read on the codes, I realized that I had documented all three at the site in previous seasons. The bands read as follows: <b>U2</b>, <b>YAE</b> and <b>YAJ</b>. Hopefully these birds will settle in and use Breezy Point as their breeding site.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn7ZNaJ6tF0/WNxidrz7ckI/AAAAAAAAHS0/tykp1Plc65gol0cfbmo18zo0GbMn8fhmwCLcB/s1600/AMOYs-0975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn7ZNaJ6tF0/WNxidrz7ckI/AAAAAAAAHS0/tykp1Plc65gol0cfbmo18zo0GbMn8fhmwCLcB/s1600/AMOYs-0975.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Breezy Point</b> in Queens is a critical stopover and breeding site for many birds including, American Oystercatchers, Piping Plovers, Common, Forsters, Least and possibly Roseate Terns. Please respect the roped off areas at Breezy Point and do not disturb nesting birds.
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Breezy%20Point" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Breezy+Point" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">Breezy Point</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Sanderling" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Sanderling" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">Sanderling</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/American Oystercatcher" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=American Oystercatcher" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">American Oystercatcher</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-27600814691174441112017-01-23T15:48:00.003-05:002017-01-23T15:49:40.796-05:00Townsend's Solitaire: A New State and Life Bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lykaqJAxKvY/WIZqg7LU1MI/AAAAAAAAHRc/BxHI-Od1xVwbyrXgMGGoygJUwrXm-z1GACLcB/s1600/SMTOSO-6727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lykaqJAxKvY/WIZqg7LU1MI/AAAAAAAAHRc/BxHI-Od1xVwbyrXgMGGoygJUwrXm-z1GACLcB/s1600/SMTOSO-6727.jpg" /></a></div>
This was one that had shown up in several areas in NY state. However, almost all of those reports were before I got into the game, including the 2007-8 from <b>Oak Beach</b>, on Long Island.<br />
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When this bird was reported in <b>Southold Long Island</b>, I decided this was the bird that I would make my first state and life bird of 2017. Mei Yee and Myles joined me for an early morning twitch and with the help of the Feustels, Menachem Goldstein and his mom who were on site before we arrived, I finally filled the hole on my state list while adding also adding Townsend's Solitaire as a new life bird.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Townsend's Solitaire" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Townsend's Solitaire" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Townsend's Solitaire</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long Island New York" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long Island New York" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island New York</a><br />
<br />BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-51094527522830711142017-01-19T20:06:00.006-05:002017-01-23T11:39:28.434-05:00Ross's Goose in the BronxWhen I saw an e-mail rather late in the evening on January 14th from birder Richard Aracil reporting a <b>Ross's Goose</b> from <b>Pelham Bay</b>. I was excited but also not happy. While I was happy to read that Richard had found the last Goose I needed for the borough; I was not happy that I got wind of its presence so late in the day. I decided that I would twitch the Ross's the next day and dragged along two other intrepid Goose seekers, young Myles and Mei Yee with me. They both thought it crazy to get up as early as I demanded (5:30 a.m.) but were game for the chase.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Canada Geese with Ross's Goose at Pelham Bay Lagoon, Bronx NY.</b></td></tr>
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We got out on time and made it to <b>Pelham Bay</b> before light. Pulling into <b>Orchard Beach</b>, I decided to check the Gulls in the parking lot, which were mostly made up of <b>Ring-billed Gulls</b>. After a careful scan turned up nothing noteworthy, I then decided to check the <b>Pelham Bay Lagoon</b> since I had seen <b>Canada Geese</b> sleeping when we arrived. My hunch paid off as I spotted a lone white Goose sleeping among the many Canada Geese.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoolI1HjHNc/WIFggbv4bLI/AAAAAAAAHQk/dBYrpnN5Ml4ENj7vJlEdBZ8vj3dLc4BVwCLcB/s1600/SMROGOSS-7417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoolI1HjHNc/WIFggbv4bLI/AAAAAAAAHQk/dBYrpnN5Ml4ENj7vJlEdBZ8vj3dLc4BVwCLcB/s1600/SMROGOSS-7417.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ross's Goose at Pelham Bay Lagoon, Bronx NY.</b></td></tr>
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We waited patiently and after about half an hour, the white Goose untucked its head and bingo a Ross's Goose was ID'd. I was ecstatic!! This was the last "expected" Goose that I needed in the Bronx having already seen, <i>Barnacle, Brandt, Greater White-fronted, Pink-footed, Cackling, Snow and Canada Geese. </i>I was also<i> happy for Maggie and Myles. It was Myles'2nd Ross's while it was the third for Mei Yee. I hope the next Ross's Goose for the Bronx show up at Van Cortlandt Park, which if I got would make a sweep of all the expected Geese in one location. Now that would be worth pursuing.</i> In the meantime, I will enjoy this one very much, thanks to Richard Aracil.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bronx" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Bronx" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Bronx</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pelham%20Bay" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Pelham Bay" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Pelham Bay</a><br />
<br />BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-84590860877924801162016-12-28T09:54:00.000-05:002017-01-05T10:47:27.411-05:00Bronx-Westchester Christmas Bird Count 2016The <b>Bronx-Westchester CBC</b> held December 26 found a preliminary <span style="color: red;"><strike>116</strike></span> 118 species (updated on 1-5-17. Two new species were added to this 93 year count; the <b>Pink-footed Goose</b> and <b>Cackling Goose</b> remained for count day in <b>Van Cortlandt Park</b>. This brings the cumulative total of the count to 230 species.<br />
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Other highlights:
Redhead in Edith G Read Preserve in Rye
55 Wood Duck on Crestwood Lake, Yonkers
A high count of 1200 White-winged Scoter off City Island
180 Common Mergansers on Sprain Ridge Reservoir in Yonkers
Tied high count of 7 Black Vultures
2 Black-bellied Plover at Edgewater Point, Mamaroneck, 11th count record
<b>Black-headed Gull</b> at Five Island Park, 4th count record
<b>Iceland Gull</b> in Rye
Red-headed Woodpecker, Hommocks Rd, Larchmont
A new high count of 9 Merlin
New high count of 312 Fish Crow
New high count of 12 Common Raven
130 Red-breasted Nuthatch, obliterating the old record of 33 in 2012
Nashville Warbler and Chipping Sparrow in Twin Lakes Park, Eastchester
And 4 Red Crossbills in Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye
<b>For the first time in 70 years the count missed Canvasback</b>.
Other misses included Black-crowned Night Heron, Brown Thrasher and Yellow-rumped Warbler.<br />
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The West Bronx which I captained had a good day in the field. Besides adding the <b>Pink-footed Goose</b><i> (a new Bronx Count Bird)</i> and <b>Cackling Goose</b> to the overall list, the team had two saves. Golden-crowned Kinglet and <b>Snow Goose</b> were seen only by our teams. Congratulations to all those participated in the count and thank you for all your hard work in birding a borough that only seems to get attention when a rarity is found. Special thanks to Michael Bochnik who works tirelessly to out this all together and does all the number crunching as our compiler.<br />
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bronx-Westchester%20Christmas%20Bird%20Count%202016" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Bronx-Westchester+Christmas+Bird+Count+2016" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Bronx-Westchester Christmas Bird Count 2016</a><br />
<br />BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-39373323757051851302016-11-16T11:52:00.000-05:002016-11-16T11:52:03.284-05:00Banded Great Black-backed Gull<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On September 16th, 2016, I observed and documented a banded <b>Great Black-backed Gull</b> at <b>Nickerson Beach</b> on Long Island. Research on the banding data for <b>8V2</b> revealed that the bird was banded as a chick at a nest on <b>Appledore Island</b> in Maine July 18, 2012. My resight was the first for this bird since banding.
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Great%20Black-backed%20Gull" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Ring-billed+Gull" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Great Black-backed Gull</a>,
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/8V2" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=8V2" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />8V2</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/ornithology" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=ornithology" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />ornithology</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/bird%20banding" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=bird+banding" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />bird banding</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Eastern%20North%20America" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Eastern+North+America" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Eastern North America</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/research%20management" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=research+management" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />research management</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long Island NY" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long Island NY" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island NY</a>
BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-74575901050332890162016-11-15T10:51:00.002-05:002016-11-15T14:30:48.018-05:00Jamaica Bay New York City 2016 Shorebird SeasonI am way behind on blog posts and I apologize to my faithful readers who have tolerated my tardiness. The one post that I must get to, is on the 2016 Shorebird Season at <b>Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</b>. The past few seasons were filled with issues (<a href="http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2011/08/tough-shorebirding-season-at-jamaica.html">like 2011</a>) relating to the water level management on the East Pond and this season was not without some of that.<br />
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Every season since 2009, I have kept an eye on the water level management on the East Pond documenting the pond draw down process, the timing of the drainage and how much the pond needs to be lowered to facilitate the timing of the arriving Shorebird migrants. <b>National Park Service</b> has often times dropped the ball in managing the water level and this is when my knowledge pays off as I could quickly detect when something is amiss with the water flow. Often times than not, I get resistance as those in charge are reluctant to admit when there is an issue but persistence pays and it appears recent changes in management structure is paying dividends in terms of response time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlKCchFJ0XU/WCssX3Kh1KI/AAAAAAAAHPA/Ho-C4-N8fQ40UOcV_2wEPtHwayontgoXQCLcB/s1600/SBDOsDunl-8431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlKCchFJ0XU/WCssX3Kh1KI/AAAAAAAAHPA/Ho-C4-N8fQ40UOcV_2wEPtHwayontgoXQCLcB/s1600/SBDOsDunl-8431.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Short-billed Dowitchers and Dunlins</b></td></tr>
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The <b>East Pond</b> was lowered quite a bit this season and I hope this aids in getting the pond to be more of a fresh water habitat than it is at the moment. Hurricane Sandy in 2013 had breached the East Pond and the salinity level was adversely affected but within a year had reached reasonable levels and continued to drop ever since. With the lowering of the water level, we had ample shoreline for birds but for whatever reasons, I found the numbers to be off from the thousands of birds we usually get stacked up on the pond. It is important to note that the historic data seems to indicate a downward trend in terms of volume. Something to keep an eye on and worth digging into more deeply for a deep dive analysis while keeping in mind that Hurricane Sandy opened up more feeding habitat in areas like <b>Ruffle Bar</b>, <b>Little Egg</b> and <b>Big Egg Marsh</b>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyzDP8AVQ1U/WCssfDFrwqI/AAAAAAAAHPE/PjeQrpFN-ZMygmJlfB8YAlr4fH4ILBVIgCLcB/s1600/smLGLEYE-4923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XyzDP8AVQ1U/WCssfDFrwqI/AAAAAAAAHPE/PjeQrpFN-ZMygmJlfB8YAlr4fH4ILBVIgCLcB/s1600/smLGLEYE-4923.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lesser Yellowlegs</b></td></tr>
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Other than an early <b>Ruff</b> in June, there was nothing else noteworthy that was recorded on the pond for shorebirds. This year, it appeared we missed <b>American Avocets</b> and <b>Buff-breasted Sandpipers</b>. Neither of which are guaranteed but we do get them. Marbled Godwits were seen in the bay but only one recorded on the pond giving suspicion that there are other habitats outside of the East Pond that shorebirds might be using during migration.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eR_dmu6YwXk/WCsuE5KiDEI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/DYkYk8KdKuUx73v8IHwPHFGQmh8BJoqTwCLcB/s1600/smSESA-9177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eR_dmu6YwXk/WCsuE5KiDEI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/DYkYk8KdKuUx73v8IHwPHFGQmh8BJoqTwCLcB/s1600/smSESA-9177.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Semipalmated Sandpiper</b></td></tr>
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I continue to look for late shorebird migrants on the East Pond and as such, did manage to pickup a couple of <b>Long-billed Dowitchers</b> in September. Always a treat to see. Hopefully, I will get an odd bird or two in October through November as I still hold out hope for late Shorebird migrants. As of this post, the 2016 Shorebird Season on the East Pond at Jamaica Bay will be noted as mediocre.
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay%20Wildlife%20Refuge" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay+Wildlife+Refuge" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Queens" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Queens" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Queens</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Shorebird" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Shorebird" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Shorebird</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jamaica%20Bay" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Jamaica+Bay" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Jamaica Bay</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-44404317690350459362016-09-15T15:49:00.001-04:002016-09-15T15:49:11.107-04:003rd Annual Long Island Birding ChallengeParticipate in the third annual <b>Long Island Challenge</b> on Saturday September 24th, sponsored by the <b>Seatuck Environment Association. </b>The event is an effort to raise funds and awareness while promoting birding conservation and environmental preservation on Long Island. To register and for more information, please visit the <a href="https://www.seatuck.org/index.php/2016-birding-challenge">Seatuck Website.</a>BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-36081279012746187572016-07-18T14:00:00.002-04:002016-07-18T14:00:53.385-04:00Arctic Terns and Western Sandpipers at Cupsogue County Park LI NYOn Sunday July 10th, for the most part, I had the flats at <b>Cupsogue LI</b>, all to myself. This was like reaching <i>moksha</i> for me as I tend to do my best work when I am alone, at peace and not inundated with incessant chatting. It is one of the reasons why I often bird alone.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJsRvusBQ34/V40W03AQ5KI/AAAAAAAAHOA/nhiB0k-g46oq2b_wEGQJiy089KAPxBgqgCLcB/s1600/ARTESM-5079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJsRvusBQ34/V40W03AQ5KI/AAAAAAAAHOA/nhiB0k-g46oq2b_wEGQJiy089KAPxBgqgCLcB/s1600/ARTESM-5079.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>2nd Summer Arctic Tern (can you see it)</b></td></tr>
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I birded both tide cycles and was lucky enough to find a couple of good birds on that day. It started with a <b>2nd Summer Arctic Tern <i>(Sterna paradisaea</i></b><i><b>)</b></i>. This bird was not easy to keep track of and I quickly lost it after picking it up on one of the far bars. After working the Tern flock over for about 30 mins, I refound it again quite a ways from where I had originally found it. <i>It appeared that I had a stealthy one on my hands.</i> I subsequently lost it again and it was not until the afternoon falling tide (my second tide cycle of the day) that I was able to refind and this time I was lucky to keep track of its movements thus getting good study time with it.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ggoEtbHyk/V40W9fMURjI/AAAAAAAAHOE/KSVJ4ato1pkHFLt4PvcBijzICMN8_lFygCLcB/s1600/ARTESM-5032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5ggoEtbHyk/V40W9fMURjI/AAAAAAAAHOE/KSVJ4ato1pkHFLt4PvcBijzICMN8_lFygCLcB/s1600/ARTESM-5032.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Summer Arctic Tern</td></tr>
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During the earlier tide cycle while trying to relocate the <b>2nd summer Arctic Tern</b>, I found another Arctic Tern, this one a <b>1st Summer Arctic Tern</b>. This bird was easier to keep track of since there were only 2 other <b>1st Summer Common Terns</b> in the flock and I was able to study and document it to my satisfaction.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wlqVjIhlVs/V40XGZkQLQI/AAAAAAAAHOI/j9P2G2uLOx0JzOZ7uwYWeprYe2OUWJMxACLcB/s1600/WESASM-5353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wlqVjIhlVs/V40XGZkQLQI/AAAAAAAAHOI/j9P2G2uLOx0JzOZ7uwYWeprYe2OUWJMxACLcB/s1600/WESASM-5353.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Western Sandpiper.</b></td></tr>
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The other good birds I found that day were two <b>Western Sandpipers <i>(Calidris mauri)</i></b>. One of them was in very nice breeding plumage and I was excited to be able to document and study this bird at length. Western Sandpipers molt very quickly and often we get them when the rufous is pretty much gone in the plumage. I have included several photos for review, enjoy!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCH0ixFVtQo/V40Xf8YIlsI/AAAAAAAAHOU/SwVdODhkzzo4JMdX1uRi3-mU8OOZKc3dwCLcB/s1600/WESASM-5363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kCH0ixFVtQo/V40Xf8YIlsI/AAAAAAAAHOU/SwVdODhkzzo4JMdX1uRi3-mU8OOZKc3dwCLcB/s1600/WESASM-5363.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Western Sandpiper.</b></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1JUSuJ6E8w/V40XWTDD16I/AAAAAAAAHOQ/HLGhyBcaM8EqJl15StEwbagEbje70bIdACLcB/s1600/WESASM-5284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1JUSuJ6E8w/V40XWTDD16I/AAAAAAAAHOQ/HLGhyBcaM8EqJl15StEwbagEbje70bIdACLcB/s1600/WESASM-5284.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">2 Western Sandpipers.</b></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqaaVxtG4cU/V40XN-PNb8I/AAAAAAAAHOM/78rr1lp0t6kZe16RRAhE9kLhpK1wEUkFQCLcB/s1600/WESASM-5338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqaaVxtG4cU/V40XN-PNb8I/AAAAAAAAHOM/78rr1lp0t6kZe16RRAhE9kLhpK1wEUkFQCLcB/s1600/WESASM-5338.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Western Sandpiper.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Cupsogue" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Cupsogue" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Cupsogue</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Long%20Island" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Long+Island" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Long Island</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Arctic%20Tern" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Arctic+Tern" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Arctic Tern</a>, <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Western%20Sandpiper" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Western Sandpiper" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;" />Western Sandpiper</a><br />
<br />BIRDINGDUDEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07881057411623341312noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3097709884854926713.post-42809992649494772182016-07-06T17:58:00.001-04:002016-07-06T17:58:16.257-04:00Wordless Wednesday...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGt-QIvi5_Y/V31-jEIHKNI/AAAAAAAAHNs/gA8Wx2G5JpcOiCtC5mmoB_yOucZs0GWbgCLcB/s1600/RUTU-SM-2867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGt-QIvi5_Y/V31-jEIHKNI/AAAAAAAAHNs/gA8Wx2G5JpcOiCtC5mmoB_yOucZs0GWbgCLcB/s1600/RUTU-SM-2867.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Flagged Ruddy Turnstone.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFQRHMRen88/V31-jJMkTSI/AAAAAAAAHNo/N9ERyMqNbUUsTKJQm5_xnGRyKVNv3WCHgCLcB/s1600/RUTU-SM-WGEOLOC-3083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFQRHMRen88/V31-jJMkTSI/AAAAAAAAHNo/N9ERyMqNbUUsTKJQm5_xnGRyKVNv3WCHgCLcB/s1600/RUTU-SM-WGEOLOC-3083.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ruddy Turnstone with a Geolocator.</b></td></tr>
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Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Wordless%20Wednesday" rel="tag" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt=" " src="https://static.technorati.com/static/img/pub/icon-utag-16x13.png?tag=Wordless+Wednesday" style="border: 0pt none; margin-left: 0.4em; vertical-align: middle;">Wordless Wednesday</a>
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