Gray-hooded Gull At Coney Island Beach Brooklyn NY...

After the reports of the Gray-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) circulated, I thought about looking for the bird even though I figured it might be a long shot given how long ago it was first sighted (7-24-2011).  Several conversations with Shane Blodgett on how to divvy up and cover the areas we thought most likely the bird would be, did not work out for me or for Shane as I ended up bogged down with work and Shane was busy.  However, later this afternoon Shane called to let me know he was going back to the site where the bird was seen.  Minutes later, I was putting my work on hold, grabbing scope, camera and binoculars as I raced out to the truck.  Shane had re-found the bird!!!  Muttering words that would make sailors blush, I battled the dreaded traffic down the Belt Parkway and made it just in time to get looks and photographs of the bird.

I had my brief views with Isaac Grant and Shane and then the bird took off and we could not relocate it again.   It did not help that the area where we had the bird, was being closed off for fireworks and I hope this does not push the bird away.  Isaac and Shane soon left and I stuck around to help relocate the bird, as other birders arrived but we could not find it.  The rain came and then I was high tailing out of the area trying to protect my gear as best as I could.  Like the Hooded Crow in Staten Island, this bird, is probably going to be well debated as to its validity as a countable bird, but I'll let the think tanks at NYSARC figure that out.  If accepted, I believe this will be the second ABA record, with the first being in Apalachicola, Franklin County Florida, in 1998. Here are some photos of the bird.

Tags: Gray-headed Gull, Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn

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Today's Photo - Short-billed Dowitcher...

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Field Notes - Jamaica Bay Wildife Refuge 7-24 to 7-27...

It has been an interesting few days birding Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with the highlights being a Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica) found on Sunday on the East Pond, with birder Bobby Kutrz and beating last week's high count of 31 Stilt Sandpipers (Calidris himantopus) by tallying 41 on Monday. The number of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) were on the rise and on Tuesday evening I had quite a good number between the East and West Ponds; however, this number was significantly smaller yesterday, which probably means that some birds may have moved on.

Hudsonian Godwit with Silt Sandpipers and Short-billed Dowitchers

Late yesterday afternoon, I had my first Red-Knot (Calidris canutus) of the summer at Jamaica Bay, indicating additional arrivals.  Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus) numbers continue to build and I expect we will see White-rumped Sandpipers (Calidris fuscicollis) in the mix shortly.  Pectoral Sandpipers (Calidris melanotos) are also putting in a good appearance with 4 seen on Monday.  Also on Monday, I had my first juvenile Lesser Yellowleg (Tringa flavipes), which unfortunately I missed getting a photograph of because of skittish Canada Geese.  Another highlight from Monday was presence of a Western Willet on the shores of the West Pond - we don't get too many around the Jamaica Bay area, so that was neat to see and digiscope.  As far as passerine migration, Northern Waterthrushes (Seiurus noveboracensis) are back as I had 1 on Sunday and 2 yesterday, all on the East Pond.

Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers and Stilt Sandpipers.

The water level on the North End of the East Pond continues to be dismal, with no shoreline or mudflats in sight.  I am hopeful that NPS comes up with some kind of solution to lower the water level faster before it is too late for the 2011 shorebird season.

Mostly Semipalmated Sandpipers with a few Least Sandpipers in the mix.

Tags: Hudsonian Godwit, Stilt Sandpiper, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

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Today's Photo - Sandhill Crane...

Seen and digiscoped at the Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge.

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Today's Photo - Hudsonian Godwit In Flight...

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Field Notes - Shorebird numbers on the rise at Jamaica Bay Wildife Refuge...

It is starting to heat up at Jamaica Bay and it’s not just the weather; shorebird numbers are slowly starting to build and with it an increase in the diversity. On a hot day in the field last Wednesday, I recorded 13 species of shorebirds with the highlight being 31 Stilt Sandpipers. The count of Stilt Sandpipers was a high for me and I hope this is a sign of good things to come. I am hoping for lots of birds, to help ease the angst that I and many others have over the water level situation at the East Pond. Even with this hot weather the water level remains too high and at the rate it is decreasing, it seems we are going to be well into August before adequate mudflats are available for the migrant shorebirds to feed and rest. I worry that we will lose many birds who either decide to skip the pond since the feeding grounds are not available or those who make the stop but are unable to gain the weight necessary to make the long journey to their wintering grounds.

Stilt Sandpipers in good numbers at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Note the bill on the Long-billed Dowicther, not an easy one to pick out among Short-billed.

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Macro Monday - Hummingbird Moth...

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