A female or young hummingbird -- a Ruby-throated no doubt -- showed up this morning at the head of the marsh. This is the place where I normally see hummingbirds but I am not sure if this is a local bird or an early migrant. I have never been able to confirm hummingbird nesting around here although it does nest in our area.
All four woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Flicker) continue to be active; the Hairy and Downy appear to travel together -- not entirely surprising considering how closely they resemble each other. Also the White-breasted Nuthatch (a kind of honorary woodpecker) is still around, giving itself away with its occasional nuthatch honks.
As for waterbirds, the two Osprey (the young couple) spend every night side by side at the top of the Chesterfield crane which continues to sit on its barge just outside the mouth of the pond. A single Green Heron is usually out there somewhere and calling suggesting that there is a nest nearby. Spotted Sandpiper has been on the pond for the past week or so; like the hummingbird, this could be a local bird (they are rare nesters on Eastern LI) but I suspect that it may have come in with the early July shorebird burst that brought in hundreds of Short-billed Dowitchers and other birds down at the shore.
A strange chip sound turned out to be a young Catbird (easily identified by its 'smile' mark on the bill and its streaky plumage). Lots of other young birds around: Robins, Orioles, etc.
Eric Salzman
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