The outstanding bird was seen near the beginning of the day on the bay shore facing the inlet between the Cupsogue marshes and the largest bay island. This was a handsome MARBLED GODWIT; a couple of shots by Eileen Schwinn of this bird are attached
Other birds of note included some fair numbers of Red Knots at both Pike's and Tiana Beach, several dozen Royal Terns at the same two locations and a few Forster's Terns including both adults and begging young at Pike's. There are still good numbers of dowitchers (Short-billed Dowitchers being the default dowitcher), Semipalmated Sandpipers (very few Least), Semipalmated Plovers (only one Black-bellied Plover), a few Piping Plover (probably local breeders), many Sanderlings and continuing numbers of Ruddy Turnstones. Common Terns are everywhere with many young but only a handful of Least Terns which seem to have crashed in our area. There were Oystercatchers here and there, many Willets (including at least one possible Western Willet), a few Black Skimmers at Tiana, one Glossy Ibis and one hummingbird (presumably Ruby-throated) flying over Cupsogue. Also, both white egrets (Great and Snowy), a single Green Heron, all four local gulls, a few Osprey and a pair of Black Terns, flying offshore near the Shinnecock Inlet jetties.
Some flying sparrows in the marshes appeared to be Saltmarsh and an odd flycatcher call sounded like a young Willow trying to get it right. Around the edges of the parking lot were three warblers (Yellow, Common Yellowthroat and Pine) and, at a dumpster (presumably replete with insects), Boat-tailed Grackles, American Robins and a pair of Brown Thrashers with an adult and a begging youngster (see the photo; the youngster is the one on the right with the dark eye). Swallows continued on the move -- mostly Barn Swallows with a Purple Martin or two and a few Tree Swallows in the mix.
Eric Salzman
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