first days in East Quogue

We arrived in East Quogue on Friday, April 29th, only to discover that Verizon had failed to transfer their DSL to our East Quogue address -- this in spite of the fact that they had assured us everything was taken care of and even given us a Confirmation number. To add insult to injury, we are now being told that we will have to wait many days for the installation. I will get these blog notices out as fast as I can but they may be a little late in arriving!

The season here seems more advanced that it has at a comparable time in past years. The Forsythia and Saucer Magnolia are in full bloom in local gardens along with Norway Maple, Perwinkle and Shadbush on our place. Even our ancient backyard apple tree is in full leaf and has a large complement of emerging flower buds. And the Red Maples are not far behind.

Along with these encouraging signs in the vegetable kingdom, the animal kingdom is not far behind. The deer are active and there are insects about, notably bees. All the common local birds -- Robin, Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, Goldfinch, Northern Mockingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle -- are in full song (if you can include the Grackle's squeaks in the category of 'song'). Also prominent and audible: Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, American Crow, Blue Jay, Eastern Towhee, and Baltimore Oriole.

Some of these birds have been around all winter but some of them -- notably the Catbird, Towhee and Oriole -- are recent arrivals from the south. There are still numbers of White-throated Sparrows around and I saw a single Red-breasted Nuthatch; both these species will almost certainly leave in the next week or two.

Also seen: a few Purple Martins (the martin houses are back up) and a Barn Swallow or two. Down at our pond and on Weesuck Creek: a Great Egret or two (a local breeder), a noisy Greater Yellowlegs (which won't stay and breed) and noisy Willets (which will stay and breed). A single Osprey was seen (could there be another one already sitting on the nest?). And, along with a few gulls (seemingly all Herring), there were a couple of Double-crested Cormorants hanging around the boatyard, looking sleek in their shiny new breeding plumage complete with, yes, the double-crest that gives them their name but is usually not noticeable at any other season. Cormorants must breed somewhere in our area... but where?

Warblers? Alas, only Yellow-rumps but looking stunning in their fancy breeding plumage.

Eric Salzman