I was out of bed, dressed, and down at the water early enough this morning to actually see the fog roll in. These spring fogs seem to originate on the ocean and then move inland as the air temperature warms up and there is a substantial difference between the water and air temperatures (the water being much slower to warm up in the spring here on the South Shore). So the fog develops (and seems to roll in) from ocean to bay (Shinnecock) to creek (Weesuck). Pretty soon I can't even see the other side of the creek!
The dank, somewhat oppressive atmosphere was not especially appreciated by the birds. Before the fog came in, I was early enough to hear a rollicking dawn chorus -- mostly robins, wrens and cardinals with a few whistled contributions from the chickadees. And the local warblers, Yellowthroat and Yellow eventually joined in. No Purple Martin Dawn Song that I could detect; the martins were very slow to emerge (few flying insects I suppose) and most of them spent the early morning lined up on the bars supporting the nesting gourds.
One creature that clearly likes warm muggy weather is the Box Turtle and I have seen quite a few of them in the latter part of May -- at least one on nearly every one of my morning walks including today's excursion. I am trying to memorize the different turtle patterns -- all variations of black & yellow or black & orange -- so that I can identify individual turtles. So far this spring, I am confident of at least half a dozen different animals and probably more with both sexes and more than one age group represented. I was quite concerned after Irene and Sandy but it seems that we still have quite a healthy population
Eric Salzman
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
strange sounds
In what seemed like the middle of the night, I was awakened by a mysterious melodious chortling coming from above and drifting through a partially opened bedroom window. It was the so-called Dawn Song of a male Purple Martin. It ought to be called the pre-Dawn Song since there was hardly even the slightest glow of morning light on the horizon; it was a little after 4 am on a cloudy morning. This song is generally said to serve the purpose of attracting other Martins that might be wandering in the vicinity to the colony. But this can hardly be the explanation for our colony which is full to over-full already. And how is this particular male selected to sing the song out of all the males in the colony? Is he elected by all the martins to be the Senior Martin Meistersinger? Or do all the males fan out to distribute their music over a wide territory, one for each residential lot (our house must be a good half mile from colony)? Or is this just an unmated male hoping to attract a wife? But what would a female martin be doing wandering around in the darkness of night waiting for the call of the male? All very mysterious especially since the song is sung on many nights -- perhaps nightly -- during the spring and early summer in near darkness by an essentially daylight bird!
Another strange vocalization: yesterday afternoon, Lorna heard a strikingly odd series of sounds coming from a tree in front of the house. Squeaks and rumbles and a sound like the clattering of a bill. At first she thought it might be a cuckoo; later she wondered if it was a Yellow-breasted Chat. I came out to try and help but, of course, as soon as I arrived on the front deck, the bird stopped vocalizing, leaving only the squeaking of two trees rubbing against one another in the rather gusty winds. No, Lorna insisted, that's not what she heard. So who or what was making these odd sounds? It turned out to be a Common Starling, a bird noted in the Old World for its imitative abilities (Mozart is said to have kept one as a pet because it could whistle one of his tunes!). I've never heard a New World Starling that could compete with a Mockingbird in this category but starlings certainly have their squeaks and whistles.
Yet another: two or three loud hawk-like shrieks. Not the wimpy calls of a Bald Eagle or the distinctive sound of a Red-tail Hawk but a strong loud downward scream. I charged into the woods, looking high above to find the bird but what turned up was a ragged looking Common Crow being chased by a Blue Jay. Crows don't make sounds like hawks (I don't think) but Jays are known to imitate the call of a Red-shouldered Hawk, a rarity on Long Island and only seen here once before. If it was the Jay, perhaps he/she was trying to scare away a marauding crow by imitating the call of an even more threatening predator. Moments later the rains came and I retreated having seen and heard more than enough for a foggy, misty, rainy late May morn.
Eric Salzman
Another strange vocalization: yesterday afternoon, Lorna heard a strikingly odd series of sounds coming from a tree in front of the house. Squeaks and rumbles and a sound like the clattering of a bill. At first she thought it might be a cuckoo; later she wondered if it was a Yellow-breasted Chat. I came out to try and help but, of course, as soon as I arrived on the front deck, the bird stopped vocalizing, leaving only the squeaking of two trees rubbing against one another in the rather gusty winds. No, Lorna insisted, that's not what she heard. So who or what was making these odd sounds? It turned out to be a Common Starling, a bird noted in the Old World for its imitative abilities (Mozart is said to have kept one as a pet because it could whistle one of his tunes!). I've never heard a New World Starling that could compete with a Mockingbird in this category but starlings certainly have their squeaks and whistles.
Yet another: two or three loud hawk-like shrieks. Not the wimpy calls of a Bald Eagle or the distinctive sound of a Red-tail Hawk but a strong loud downward scream. I charged into the woods, looking high above to find the bird but what turned up was a ragged looking Common Crow being chased by a Blue Jay. Crows don't make sounds like hawks (I don't think) but Jays are known to imitate the call of a Red-shouldered Hawk, a rarity on Long Island and only seen here once before. If it was the Jay, perhaps he/she was trying to scare away a marauding crow by imitating the call of an even more threatening predator. Moments later the rains came and I retreated having seen and heard more than enough for a foggy, misty, rainy late May morn.
Eric Salzman
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Royal Terns, Purple Martins et al
Three or four Royal Terns on the creek earlier this morning were the first of the year for me. As usual, I heard their rippling teeth-on-the-comb calls before I saw them. Royals have become regular summer visitors starting in mid to late July but they have started to appear in the spring only very recently. Is this a prelude to their breeding on the South Shore?
Our vociferous Baltimore Oriole was calling on the far side of the creek before recrossing to this side. Still around are a strangely quiet Eastern Wood-pewee (could it be a female), an intermittently calling Great Crested Flycatcher and an insistent Red-eyed Vireo.
Also worth mentioning is the frenzy of activity at the Purple Martin colony. Every gourd seems to be occupied and I suspect there may be some squabbles going on with young birds trying to gain a place in Purple Martin society by taking over a nesting hole (perhaps by ejecting its previous place-holder) and attracting a mate. It's not easy to figure out what's going on amid all the jumble of perhaps a couple of dozens birds constantly in motion but the elaborate chirping and mellow twittering of the entire colony in action makes for a very musical chorus. When they are not attending to their business at the colony, they head out to feed, mostly low over the marsh; sometimes they even land on marsh debris or on tree limbs just beyond but usually take off again in a few moments. As the day warms up, more and more of the birds move higher and higher over the trees and over the creek following their insect prey no doubt. And as the weather warms up and as the domestic squabbles are settled one way or another, these morning congregations seem to break up earlier and the birds disperse more widely before returning with food for their mates left behind to sit on the eggs.
Eric Salzman
Our vociferous Baltimore Oriole was calling on the far side of the creek before recrossing to this side. Still around are a strangely quiet Eastern Wood-pewee (could it be a female), an intermittently calling Great Crested Flycatcher and an insistent Red-eyed Vireo.
Also worth mentioning is the frenzy of activity at the Purple Martin colony. Every gourd seems to be occupied and I suspect there may be some squabbles going on with young birds trying to gain a place in Purple Martin society by taking over a nesting hole (perhaps by ejecting its previous place-holder) and attracting a mate. It's not easy to figure out what's going on amid all the jumble of perhaps a couple of dozens birds constantly in motion but the elaborate chirping and mellow twittering of the entire colony in action makes for a very musical chorus. When they are not attending to their business at the colony, they head out to feed, mostly low over the marsh; sometimes they even land on marsh debris or on tree limbs just beyond but usually take off again in a few moments. As the day warms up, more and more of the birds move higher and higher over the trees and over the creek following their insect prey no doubt. And as the weather warms up and as the domestic squabbles are settled one way or another, these morning congregations seem to break up earlier and the birds disperse more widely before returning with food for their mates left behind to sit on the eggs.
Eric Salzman
Saturday, May 28, 2016
which cuckoo is which
Cuckoo still calling but this time it took the form of an even series of single-note 'coos' (as opposed to yesterday's double-notes). I always used to associate the even single-note call (or song, if that's what it is) with the Black-billed but I later discovered that the Yellow-billed makes a very similar sound. So I determined to locate the caller and, by a good chance, he (assuming it was a he) had taken a position high in a tree that was only partly leafed out in order to broadcast his presumed love song to as wide an area as possible. And it was indeed a Yellow-billed Cuckoo with its lower yellow bill, red on the wings, touch of a black facial mask and fairly long black-and-white tail easily seen. At each 'coo' I could see his throat puff out but, unlike passerine song birds, he never opened his beak to emit the sound.
Was this a different bird from yesterday's visitor? That bird emitted an even double-note sequence quite regularly but was constantly on the move high in the canopy; I never actually saw it. Or was it the same bird making a different call? Do Yellow-bills ever make an even double-call or do they stick to the single-note song or their more familiar -- and distinctive -- gulping ritardando?
Saw both Black-capped Chickadees and a Tufted Titmouse this morning (I unaccountably missed both of them yesterday).
One bird that I omitted from yesterday's survey but is definitely around is the sleek Cedar Waxwing -- no longer in flocks but showing up as one bird at a time. Perhaps they are paired and, although they have the reputation of nesting late (like the Goldfinches), they may be already paired. Oddly enough I also skipped the crows, Common and Fish. Yes, we also have Starlings, House Sparrows and, from time to time, Rock Doves, a.k.a. City Pigeons. Since these are introduced birds, I don't care to count them.
Eric Salzman
Was this a different bird from yesterday's visitor? That bird emitted an even double-note sequence quite regularly but was constantly on the move high in the canopy; I never actually saw it. Or was it the same bird making a different call? Do Yellow-bills ever make an even double-call or do they stick to the single-note song or their more familiar -- and distinctive -- gulping ritardando?
Saw both Black-capped Chickadees and a Tufted Titmouse this morning (I unaccountably missed both of them yesterday).
One bird that I omitted from yesterday's survey but is definitely around is the sleek Cedar Waxwing -- no longer in flocks but showing up as one bird at a time. Perhaps they are paired and, although they have the reputation of nesting late (like the Goldfinches), they may be already paired. Oddly enough I also skipped the crows, Common and Fish. Yes, we also have Starlings, House Sparrows and, from time to time, Rock Doves, a.k.a. City Pigeons. Since these are introduced birds, I don't care to count them.
Eric Salzman
Friday, May 27, 2016
arrival of a heron
Finally a Green Heron. This is a locally nesting species and May 27 seems awfully late for its arrival here but arrive it did this morning with its distinctive and vociferous 'keeow'. Welcome back Butorides virescens!
Eastern Wood-pewee still peweeing away in the adjacent woods and the loudmouth wolf-whistle Baltimore Oriole equally present. Heard a single Red-eyed Vireo calling briefly; these birds appear here every year but never seem to stay and breed. Oddly enough, no sign of the Eastern Phoebe which I thought was breeding somewhere in the neighbor hood.
Otherwise just the usual locals: the two noisy wrens, many Catbirds, many Robins, a few Blue Jays, the two warblers (Yellowthroat and Yellow), many Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, the three woodpeckers (Downy, Red-bellied and Flicker), Mourning Doves, Barn Swallows, an active colony of Purple Martins, Song and Chipping Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cardinals and did I forget anyone? Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse are undoubtedly here but quiet; didn't see them today. Oh yes, American Goldfinch, occasionally singing and apparently paired up but not yet breeding.
Eric Salzman
Eastern Wood-pewee still peweeing away in the adjacent woods and the loudmouth wolf-whistle Baltimore Oriole equally present. Heard a single Red-eyed Vireo calling briefly; these birds appear here every year but never seem to stay and breed. Oddly enough, no sign of the Eastern Phoebe which I thought was breeding somewhere in the neighbor hood.
Otherwise just the usual locals: the two noisy wrens, many Catbirds, many Robins, a few Blue Jays, the two warblers (Yellowthroat and Yellow), many Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, the three woodpeckers (Downy, Red-bellied and Flicker), Mourning Doves, Barn Swallows, an active colony of Purple Martins, Song and Chipping Sparrows, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cardinals and did I forget anyone? Black-capped Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse are undoubtedly here but quiet; didn't see them today. Oh yes, American Goldfinch, occasionally singing and apparently paired up but not yet breeding.
Eric Salzman
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
warm weather
With the arrival of warm, summer-like weather, the living trees facing the pond and marsh -- Tupelos, Red Maples and even some Sandy-blasted oaks -- have finally started to leaf out and a whole second round of flowering plants is replacing the early spring blooms. At least two Red-eyed Vireos continue to sing and, typically, they continue their monotonous call-and-answer right into the heat of the day. I'll be looking for any evidence of breeding.
The Baltimore Oriole with the piercing whistle was back all morning and I'm beginning to think that he has taken over the territory. I have seen a single female but I thought she was paired with a different male.
The White-breasted Nuthatches, young and old, continue to move all around the woods at mid-level, the young ones following and being fed by their elders. The nuthatches give themselves away with their continuing toot-tooting -- perhaps serving as some form of communication between adults and young. On the other hand, several species, formerly noisy, have quieted down and made themselves surprisingly scarce. This includes the Chickadees and the Titmice but also the Blue Jays. Earlier this month, small groups of Blue Jays were spinning around the place, calling raucously. They were, I suspect, working out their love lives (without the aid of the internet). Now, with such matters loudly sorted out in public, they have turned private and try to go about their business in the quietest and sneakiest manner possible. It's a good sign that they are starting to nest. Many birds go quiet while they are nesting but the Blue Jays virtually disappear, neither to be seen and only rarely heard until the young are out of the nest. If you listen carefully, you will occasionally hear the jangling or squeaky door or electronic beep call (my daughters used to say "the man from Mars is here). Jays, like most of the members of their corvid family, are song birds without a real song but they have a huge variety of calls for various purposes, not always recognizable as coming from the ubiquitous jay.
Eric Salzman
The Baltimore Oriole with the piercing whistle was back all morning and I'm beginning to think that he has taken over the territory. I have seen a single female but I thought she was paired with a different male.
The White-breasted Nuthatches, young and old, continue to move all around the woods at mid-level, the young ones following and being fed by their elders. The nuthatches give themselves away with their continuing toot-tooting -- perhaps serving as some form of communication between adults and young. On the other hand, several species, formerly noisy, have quieted down and made themselves surprisingly scarce. This includes the Chickadees and the Titmice but also the Blue Jays. Earlier this month, small groups of Blue Jays were spinning around the place, calling raucously. They were, I suspect, working out their love lives (without the aid of the internet). Now, with such matters loudly sorted out in public, they have turned private and try to go about their business in the quietest and sneakiest manner possible. It's a good sign that they are starting to nest. Many birds go quiet while they are nesting but the Blue Jays virtually disappear, neither to be seen and only rarely heard until the young are out of the nest. If you listen carefully, you will occasionally hear the jangling or squeaky door or electronic beep call (my daughters used to say "the man from Mars is here). Jays, like most of the members of their corvid family, are song birds without a real song but they have a huge variety of calls for various purposes, not always recognizable as coming from the ubiquitous jay.
Eric Salzman
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
our woodland birds
We continue to host some nice woodland birds. There was an Eastern Towhee this morning in the now dense underbrush but clearly broadcasting his presence with repeated statements of his name -- "toWHEE" or, as the old-time Long Islanders would have it, "chew-INK" -- and occasionally throwing in a classic "Drink your tea" just to make sure that anyone listening would know that he is a he.
At least two Red-eyed Vireos -- presumably both males -- were singing away high in the emerging oak canopy. Yesterday's Brown Thrasher appeared to have moved on but the White-breasted Nuthatch family, still feeding young, were omnipresent. And both the Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat males were still singing loudly and from high perches at the head of the marsh (not woodland I admit). Bird activity was pretty constant during the light rain but the wet weather eventually drove me indoors to finish breakfast and read the paper. Will any more spring migrants show up? The next couple of days will tell.
Eric Salzman
At least two Red-eyed Vireos -- presumably both males -- were singing away high in the emerging oak canopy. Yesterday's Brown Thrasher appeared to have moved on but the White-breasted Nuthatch family, still feeding young, were omnipresent. And both the Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat males were still singing loudly and from high perches at the head of the marsh (not woodland I admit). Bird activity was pretty constant during the light rain but the wet weather eventually drove me indoors to finish breakfast and read the paper. Will any more spring migrants show up? The next couple of days will tell.
Eric Salzman
Monday, May 23, 2016
bird songs, songs, songs
Blackburnian Warbler!
This orange-headed warbler is one of the most attractive and sought-after members of an attractive and sought-after group of birds. This late migrant is only the second of its kind that I've seen this year and the first that I've spotted on our place. I found it typically high in the oak canopy only by recognizing its strange, weak little song. I have probably lost the ability to hear some of its extremely high notes that characteristically top its high-in-the-trees song as it searches for insects in the emerging oak tassels. Dinky as the song might be, I still could recognize the lead-up to the high notes, particularly one little phrase that ends in ascending trill.
Other events of interest in the bird world included the powerful song of the Brown Thrasher, with its pairs of repeated notes and variety of phrases, all uttered in a throaty tone of voice. This bird sang continuously through the first part of the morning moving from one high perch to another. Another persistent singer in the early morning was a Red-eyed Vireo, also picked out by its distinctive and persistant (if weaker) song.
Back to the warblers. I never did observe the outcome of Saturday's Yellowthroat chases but the apparent winner was singing away at the head of the marsh from a consistently high perch, letting all and sundry (possible contenders, willing females) know that he was king of his wide domain. However a singing male and a clicking female were also found on the other side of the place opposite the pond. And a singing Yellow Warbler was present around the head of the marsh and into the wooded area just beyond.
A Baltimore Oriole with a very distinctive tone and song came visiting today and hung around all morning singing a short, sterotyped, penetrating, flutey melody that mostly ended with a downard glissando flourish. Most Baltimore Oriole songs are a little more vague or informal-sounding in structure. This one, so different from any oriole song that I have ever heard, was formal and very insistent. I thought that some local oriole would come out and challenge him but it didn't happen. Maybe the song was so different that even another male oriole did not recognize it as an oriole song and therefore chose to ignore it!
Eric Salzman
This orange-headed warbler is one of the most attractive and sought-after members of an attractive and sought-after group of birds. This late migrant is only the second of its kind that I've seen this year and the first that I've spotted on our place. I found it typically high in the oak canopy only by recognizing its strange, weak little song. I have probably lost the ability to hear some of its extremely high notes that characteristically top its high-in-the-trees song as it searches for insects in the emerging oak tassels. Dinky as the song might be, I still could recognize the lead-up to the high notes, particularly one little phrase that ends in ascending trill.
Other events of interest in the bird world included the powerful song of the Brown Thrasher, with its pairs of repeated notes and variety of phrases, all uttered in a throaty tone of voice. This bird sang continuously through the first part of the morning moving from one high perch to another. Another persistent singer in the early morning was a Red-eyed Vireo, also picked out by its distinctive and persistant (if weaker) song.
Back to the warblers. I never did observe the outcome of Saturday's Yellowthroat chases but the apparent winner was singing away at the head of the marsh from a consistently high perch, letting all and sundry (possible contenders, willing females) know that he was king of his wide domain. However a singing male and a clicking female were also found on the other side of the place opposite the pond. And a singing Yellow Warbler was present around the head of the marsh and into the wooded area just beyond.
A Baltimore Oriole with a very distinctive tone and song came visiting today and hung around all morning singing a short, sterotyped, penetrating, flutey melody that mostly ended with a downard glissando flourish. Most Baltimore Oriole songs are a little more vague or informal-sounding in structure. This one, so different from any oriole song that I have ever heard, was formal and very insistent. I thought that some local oriole would come out and challenge him but it didn't happen. Maybe the song was so different that even another male oriole did not recognize it as an oriole song and therefore chose to ignore it!
Eric Salzman
Sunday, May 22, 2016
North Fork
The ELIAS (Eastern LI Audubon) walk to the North Fork Preserve this morning was marred and cut short by rain showers but, even so, there were good birds to be seen (and heard). This Sound Avenue preserve in Northville may well be the best place on Eastern Long Island to see and hear nesting Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and they were indeed present and singing (they are one of the most melodious of our songsters). Two other birds, once common here, now uncommon at best, were heard to best advantage here: the equally melodious Wood Thrush and Field Sparrow. Other birds noted included three flycatchers -- Willow, Great Crested and Eastern Phoebe -- as well as tons of Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers. This beautiful preserve holds an unusually rich wooded area filled with vernal ponds as well as overgrown meadows, also dotted with wet areas, and other habitats for common and uncommon species.
There was a board meeting this afternoon at the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) and on the drive out and back I saw a young Buteo at a roadside rain puddle between East Quogue and Hampton Bays (I couldn't stop but I'm pretty sure it was a young Red-tail) and a pair of Osprey constructing a nest on Scuttleholde Road telephone pole between Bridgehampton and Water Mill. At SOFO itself and in the Vineyard Field in back there is a Purple Martin colony, many nesting Tree Swallows, singing Orchard Oriole, Field Sparrow and other birds of interest. I'm doing a walk around that field a little later on as a joint effort between SOFO and ELIAS.
Eric Salzman
There was a board meeting this afternoon at the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) and on the drive out and back I saw a young Buteo at a roadside rain puddle between East Quogue and Hampton Bays (I couldn't stop but I'm pretty sure it was a young Red-tail) and a pair of Osprey constructing a nest on Scuttleholde Road telephone pole between Bridgehampton and Water Mill. At SOFO itself and in the Vineyard Field in back there is a Purple Martin colony, many nesting Tree Swallows, singing Orchard Oriole, Field Sparrow and other birds of interest. I'm doing a walk around that field a little later on as a joint effort between SOFO and ELIAS.
Eric Salzman
Saturday, May 21, 2016
home life of some of the birds
As our woods mature -- I am talking about our woodlands on or near Weesuck Creek -- their ecology has changed from an open environment to more of a savannah habitat and, as we move inland away from the water, to an oak-hickory woodland with scattered Pitch Pines. The changes have been marked by an increase in breeding woodland birds, most notably the Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole (also, more sporadically, Orchard Oriole) and Pine Warbler. All these birds were in evidence this morning; the Pine, a handsome singing male, was making his first noted appearance of the season. Was he here before and, as an early nester, just keeping quiet? Or did he just arrive from somewhere to try his luck here? I should add that Pine Warblers have been regular spring visitors in recent years, well seen and heard. I also suspect that they nested in the years before we lost many of our Pitch Pines to Sandy; hard to be sure, as these birds tend to hang out high and are hard to see in the canopy. But the fact that so many pines were killed -- mostly exposed trees facing the water -- did not seem to bother this bird who was just as happy poking around in the still emerging oak tassels. Breeding may be another story.
At any rate, I have a definite piece of evidence for another woodland bird: a pair of adult White-breasted Nuthatches feeding two fledglings at mid-level in the oak-hickory woods. The fledglings appear to be only a few days out of the nest and almost certainly were born right here. I have been aware of the omnipresence of these nuthatches this spring but they winter here and my first thought was that these were late hangers-on or even migrants from somewhere else. This is certainly early for these birds to have flying young but, as a wintering bird that chooses to hang out (they are, in fact not that uncommon in our upland woods at all seasons), they are in a good position to get an early start. This is, as far as I know, the first definite breeding record for the place and these are the first young birds of any species that I have seen.
Meanwhile, out of the woods and down at the marsh, I witnessed a very different event in the home life of another species: two male Common Yellowthoats engaged in a non-stop chase around the upper part of the marsh. I suspect that the local territory holder was being challenged by an intruder, possibly the second singer that I have noticed on the pond side of the property or perhaps even a third and recently arrived bird (the Yellowthroats arrive from their winter quarters only in mid-May). As far as I could tell, the intruder would sit on a low-lying open branch and begin to sing his classic 'witchity-witchity-witch'. This infuriated the other bird who then came diving in and chased him off his perch with, I am sure, nothing but the most malicious intent. The new bird had all he could do lead the chase, staying only a feet in front as the two whirled around the block. Occasionally, the enraged chaser actually came after me as if I were the cause of all the trouble but he soon realized his mistake as the respite allowed his true mortal enemy to land and fire off a few more songs before being chased yet once again. Occasionally one or the other bird would emit a sinister rattle, obviously some kind of unfamiliar alarm or warning call. All the time, there were chips coming from the underbrush which was the giveaway that there was a female involved as well. I never did see her (I saw a female yesterday or the day before) but I'm sure that her presence added to the ferocity and intensity of the chase.
Curiously enough, a loudly singing Yellow Warbler provided a continuous background to this avian drama. Yellows are here every spring with their distinctive song but I have yet to find evidence of breeding.
This not-so-merry chase was well in progress as I came up the path at the edge of the marsh -- I could see the whirligig from quite a distance away -- and when I reached the area, I hung out for at least twenty minutes, curious to see what the outcome would be. Finally. as the chase continued with no sign of let-up, I reluctantly abandoned the field.
Eric Salzman
At any rate, I have a definite piece of evidence for another woodland bird: a pair of adult White-breasted Nuthatches feeding two fledglings at mid-level in the oak-hickory woods. The fledglings appear to be only a few days out of the nest and almost certainly were born right here. I have been aware of the omnipresence of these nuthatches this spring but they winter here and my first thought was that these were late hangers-on or even migrants from somewhere else. This is certainly early for these birds to have flying young but, as a wintering bird that chooses to hang out (they are, in fact not that uncommon in our upland woods at all seasons), they are in a good position to get an early start. This is, as far as I know, the first definite breeding record for the place and these are the first young birds of any species that I have seen.
Meanwhile, out of the woods and down at the marsh, I witnessed a very different event in the home life of another species: two male Common Yellowthoats engaged in a non-stop chase around the upper part of the marsh. I suspect that the local territory holder was being challenged by an intruder, possibly the second singer that I have noticed on the pond side of the property or perhaps even a third and recently arrived bird (the Yellowthroats arrive from their winter quarters only in mid-May). As far as I could tell, the intruder would sit on a low-lying open branch and begin to sing his classic 'witchity-witchity-witch'. This infuriated the other bird who then came diving in and chased him off his perch with, I am sure, nothing but the most malicious intent. The new bird had all he could do lead the chase, staying only a feet in front as the two whirled around the block. Occasionally, the enraged chaser actually came after me as if I were the cause of all the trouble but he soon realized his mistake as the respite allowed his true mortal enemy to land and fire off a few more songs before being chased yet once again. Occasionally one or the other bird would emit a sinister rattle, obviously some kind of unfamiliar alarm or warning call. All the time, there were chips coming from the underbrush which was the giveaway that there was a female involved as well. I never did see her (I saw a female yesterday or the day before) but I'm sure that her presence added to the ferocity and intensity of the chase.
Curiously enough, a loudly singing Yellow Warbler provided a continuous background to this avian drama. Yellows are here every spring with their distinctive song but I have yet to find evidence of breeding.
This not-so-merry chase was well in progress as I came up the path at the edge of the marsh -- I could see the whirligig from quite a distance away -- and when I reached the area, I hung out for at least twenty minutes, curious to see what the outcome would be. Finally. as the chase continued with no sign of let-up, I reluctantly abandoned the field.
Eric Salzman
Friday, May 20, 2016
an unusual Osprey nest and some local news
Many birders are aware of the remarkable Osprey nest on a pole right at the junction of Routes 24 and 105. This nest, which produced young in 2015, appeared to be empty this year but that appearance is only an artifact of the deepness of the nest (was it built by an Osprey? It is so neat, that I suspect LIPA or some other human agency). At any rate, I can say that it is not empty. As I was stopped at the light going north on Route 24 (not my usual route), an Osprey lifted out of the nest circled around and then returned to the nest and disappeared inside. I would guess that it was a female on eggs that was taking an exercise break!
Most of our warblers passed on through in the last night or two leaving only a Common Yellowthroat to sing his heart out. This Yellowthroat was on the other side of the property away from the main marsh and facing the pond. Not sure if this is a second bird or just the first one expanding his territory. There have been two territories in past years and occasional clashes between the two males.
A Northern Mockingbird has been doing his song routine on one of the dead Pitch Pines near the pond and giving a nice rendition, as mockingbirds are wont to do, of all the other local bird songs. Mockingbirds nest in the vicinity but only occasionally try to put down stakes right on our place.
Still continuing with us: a Chimney Swift or two twittering above -- probably locals and not the migrant flock that appeared yesterday; Eastern Phoebes -- at least two birds, one of them singing; White-breasted Nuthatch -- at least two birds and very active in all wooded areas (and may even have young); Great Crested Flycatcher -- a silent bird flitting around just below the tree canopy.
Eric Salzman
Most of our warblers passed on through in the last night or two leaving only a Common Yellowthroat to sing his heart out. This Yellowthroat was on the other side of the property away from the main marsh and facing the pond. Not sure if this is a second bird or just the first one expanding his territory. There have been two territories in past years and occasional clashes between the two males.
A Northern Mockingbird has been doing his song routine on one of the dead Pitch Pines near the pond and giving a nice rendition, as mockingbirds are wont to do, of all the other local bird songs. Mockingbirds nest in the vicinity but only occasionally try to put down stakes right on our place.
Still continuing with us: a Chimney Swift or two twittering above -- probably locals and not the migrant flock that appeared yesterday; Eastern Phoebes -- at least two birds, one of them singing; White-breasted Nuthatch -- at least two birds and very active in all wooded areas (and may even have young); Great Crested Flycatcher -- a silent bird flitting around just below the tree canopy.
Eric Salzman
Thursday, May 19, 2016
fewer warblers, a flock of swifts and another Box Turtle
Most of the warblers that were here yesterday seemed to have left us last night, perhaps for more northern climes, but there were a few nice ones still here: Canada Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, N. Parula, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow Warbler. This last was unaccountably missed yesterday; it would have made an even dozen. But why be greedy; seven species of warbler is not bad for this area these days.
A flock of at least a dozen Chimney Swifts was twittering overhead -- probably a migrant group on its way north (our local birds are already on territory but I've seen only one so far on -- or rather above -- this place; just a couple of days ago).
Earlier in the morning as I began my walk down the path to the pond, a Red-tailed Hawk jumped from its perch on a Sandy-killed Pitch Pine and, pursued by a gaggle of crows, made its way across the creek. The marsh was quiet with a single Least Sandpiper providing the only excitement (it was, in fact, the first one seen this year). The other least beast -- Least Terns of course -- were again working the creek along with a few larger terns (Common and/or Forster's). Common Loons continued to appear overhead heading north or northeast; these are always single birds on a definite trajectory and they never seem to stop by to take a break.
I've now seen three different Box Turtles, freshly emerged from winter hibernation.
Eric Salzman
A flock of at least a dozen Chimney Swifts was twittering overhead -- probably a migrant group on its way north (our local birds are already on territory but I've seen only one so far on -- or rather above -- this place; just a couple of days ago).
Earlier in the morning as I began my walk down the path to the pond, a Red-tailed Hawk jumped from its perch on a Sandy-killed Pitch Pine and, pursued by a gaggle of crows, made its way across the creek. The marsh was quiet with a single Least Sandpiper providing the only excitement (it was, in fact, the first one seen this year). The other least beast -- Least Terns of course -- were again working the creek along with a few larger terns (Common and/or Forster's). Common Loons continued to appear overhead heading north or northeast; these are always single birds on a definite trajectory and they never seem to stop by to take a break.
I've now seen three different Box Turtles, freshly emerged from winter hibernation.
Eric Salzman
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
May 18th warblers
I have noted over the years that the peak of spring migration out here (i.e. on the East End) comes after the middle of May for the obvious reason that the spring arrives much later here than it does back West. When the oak tree tassels are mature and the leaves begin to appear, the warblers can find food in the tree tops (and sometimes also below). My best warbler day in this area was a May 18th, a goodly number of years ago. However, recent spring migrations have not been very impressive so it gives me great pleasure to announce that May 18, 2016, was a good warbler day, almost like the old days.
The outstanding finds were Wilson's Warbler and a handsome Canada announcing his presence in full song. The complete warbler list is as follows: Northern Parula, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler (many and vocal), Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler (foraging high instead of low but an unmistakable yellow bird with a black cap), and Canada Warbler. 11 species in all, several of them new for the season.
Also new: a singing Red-eyed Vireo and the first appearance on the creek of some long-overdue Least Terns.
Happy Spring!
Eric Salzman
The outstanding finds were Wilson's Warbler and a handsome Canada announcing his presence in full song. The complete warbler list is as follows: Northern Parula, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler (many and vocal), Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler (foraging high instead of low but an unmistakable yellow bird with a black cap), and Canada Warbler. 11 species in all, several of them new for the season.
Also new: a singing Red-eyed Vireo and the first appearance on the creek of some long-overdue Least Terns.
Happy Spring!
Eric Salzman
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
a round of applause for the Clapper
For the first time since the high spring tides earlier this month, I ventured directly out into the marsh early this morning and was astonished to see a Clapper Rail sunning himself (herself?) and doing her or his toilette rjght out in the open on the mats of last year's reeds that are now covering this part of the marsh. And then, to my even greater amazement, a second bird popped up from a nearby hole in the mat and proceeded to join in. All this activity was perhaps 15 or 20 feet in front of me. Not only were both the birds and myself completely in the open, they showed no sign of disturbance or nervousness at my presence! (Yes there was some spotty sunshine before the heavier cloud cover moved in.
Two -- count 'em -- two Clapper Rails! I can't say for sure if these were a male and female pair (one had a slightly brighter bill but they otherwise appeared to be identical). They could, of course, be drop-in migrants but given the loudly calling bird a few days ago, the nesting history of this species in nearby marshes, and the comfort of these two birds with each other, they are more likely to be locals! Eventually I tried moving very slowly as I circled out and around, continuing to keep them under observation. At first they continued to go about their business, appearing to totally ignore me. Finally they picked themselves up and, one after the other, slowly and with calm dignity, sauntered into the dense standing reeds behind and disappeared.
Didn't see or hear the Willets but a Spotted Sandpiper was working the shore, a Great Blue Heron flew high across the creek and Common and Forster's Terns continued to quarter the creek looking for bait fish.
On land, a small flock of warblers came through the oak canopy with Black-throated Blue, Yellow and Parula among them. Other warblers seen were Black-and white and a handsome male American Redstart foraging unexpectedly at eye level in some dense foliage. While the Redstart is usually higher up, a Common Yellowthroat, normally a bird of low-down thickets, was singing his heart out from the highest perch he could find: the top of a dead tree near the head of the marsh. The Yellowthroat's song normally carries quite well from inside the bushes but this bird's tree-top spot insured that his song was broadcast far and wide.
Two more birds worthy of mention: a Hairy Woodpecker in the dead trees in front of the house and a returning Great Crested Flycatcher calling in the healthy and developing oak woods just behind.
Eric Salzman
Two -- count 'em -- two Clapper Rails! I can't say for sure if these were a male and female pair (one had a slightly brighter bill but they otherwise appeared to be identical). They could, of course, be drop-in migrants but given the loudly calling bird a few days ago, the nesting history of this species in nearby marshes, and the comfort of these two birds with each other, they are more likely to be locals! Eventually I tried moving very slowly as I circled out and around, continuing to keep them under observation. At first they continued to go about their business, appearing to totally ignore me. Finally they picked themselves up and, one after the other, slowly and with calm dignity, sauntered into the dense standing reeds behind and disappeared.
Didn't see or hear the Willets but a Spotted Sandpiper was working the shore, a Great Blue Heron flew high across the creek and Common and Forster's Terns continued to quarter the creek looking for bait fish.
On land, a small flock of warblers came through the oak canopy with Black-throated Blue, Yellow and Parula among them. Other warblers seen were Black-and white and a handsome male American Redstart foraging unexpectedly at eye level in some dense foliage. While the Redstart is usually higher up, a Common Yellowthroat, normally a bird of low-down thickets, was singing his heart out from the highest perch he could find: the top of a dead tree near the head of the marsh. The Yellowthroat's song normally carries quite well from inside the bushes but this bird's tree-top spot insured that his song was broadcast far and wide.
Two more birds worthy of mention: a Hairy Woodpecker in the dead trees in front of the house and a returning Great Crested Flycatcher calling in the healthy and developing oak woods just behind.
Eric Salzman
Monday, May 16, 2016
a hidden woodland
Went with Eileen Schwinn to Western Suffolk (near the Nassau border) to chase a reported Pileated Woodpecker, a very rare bird on Long Island. No Pileated turned up but we found a hidden morainal pine-and-oak woodland in the midst of suburban Suffolk. The spring here is much further along than on the East End and the place was very birdy. There is some reason to believe that a Pileated may have visited but we didn't see it. What we did see was some very active Red-bellied Woodpeckers and N. Flicker as well. There was more. As we walked into the woods, we were greeted by a Least Flycatcher, several warblers and loudly singing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (at least two, maybe three males with a female or two also seen). Also some loud Baltimore Orioles and a Scarlet Tanager (see photo). Besides the Least Flycatcher, there were also Great Cresteds (but no Wood Pewees). Many Robins but also Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes. Many, many Catbirds; also Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatch.
The strong winds made warbler observation very difficult but nonetheless the following were seen or well heard: N. Parula, Yellow, Chestnut-sided (see photo of the backside of one), Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Pine, Black-and-white, American Redstart, Ovenbird and Common Yellowthroat. There were other warblers, heard but not seen and not securely ID'd. But no Pileated Woodpecker.
Thanks to George Fern for tipping us off about this place. George, who teaches at the nearby SUNY college, actually turned up on the trail and joined us as we birded our way out. The two photos were taken by Eileen on the site in the very windy conditions that prevailed all morning.
P.S.: For some reason, I omitted American Redstart from Sunday's warbler list. That made the Hunters Garden list an even dozen and the day's total 14 species in all. It was not a densely birdy day but, in the end, there was a decent variety of species.
Eric Salzman
14 Randall Lane
P.O. Box 775
East Quogue NY 11942
631 653-3387
es@ericsalzman.com
www.ericsalzman.com
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Hunters Garden again
A return to Hunters Garden with Eileen Schwinn and ELIAS (Eastern LI Audubon Society). This mid-May day started out like a day in autumn with clear skies and fairly strong winds which made for some difficult birding. Nevertheless, in addition to the usual suspects (mostly breeding birds), there were some good warblers including Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Magnolia, Parula, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue and Blackpoll. These along with Black-and-white, Pine, Common Yellowthroat and Ovenbird made a total of 11 warblers. New arrivals included two flycatchers -- Great Crested and Eastern Pewee, both local breeders -- and singing Hermit Thrush, heard in a nearby woodland on the drive in. As usual, the local Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles and (less flashy but persistently singing) Red-eyed Vireos nearly stole the show.
Afterwards, Eileen and I made stops at the Peconic River and EPCAL (ex-Grumman) in pursuit of some additions to the day list. Although we missed our target birds, mostly grassland species, we did find a few new ones including singing Brown Thrasher, Spotted Sandpiper (on the river bank) as well as two new warblers, Yellow and Prairie, making a total of 13 for the day.
Eric Salzman
Afterwards, Eileen and I made stops at the Peconic River and EPCAL (ex-Grumman) in pursuit of some additions to the day list. Although we missed our target birds, mostly grassland species, we did find a few new ones including singing Brown Thrasher, Spotted Sandpiper (on the river bank) as well as two new warblers, Yellow and Prairie, making a total of 13 for the day.
Eric Salzman
Saturday, May 14, 2016
clear sky over a misty morning
The rising sun pushed away the rain clouds this morning and cleared the sky, leaving only a translucent mist over the creek and marsh.
This morning's notable FOY was not a bird but a reptile: a handsome Box Turtle, a medium sized individual with a striking black and yellow carapace, complementing its neatly yellow-spotted head and forelegs. Every time I see a well-marked turtle I make up my mind to remember the pattern so I can recognize individuals. I don't think I've seen this fellow before.
I've seen Phoebes every day but only this morning did I realize that there are two of them. They frequent an area from the wooded north of the property across a neighbor's yard and then across Weesuck Avenue to the partly wooded back lot of the Aldrich Boatyard. This morning, one of the birds appeared to be carrying an insect indicating that they have a nest somewhere in the vicinity. If it actually was an insect being carried to a nest, then these birds are already feeding young which would explain their active and very visible presence in the understory where there are more insects than higher up. Phoebes are early arrivals and, like wintering birds and other early arrivals, they get an early start on nesting.
At least two singing Common Yellowthroats were on opposite sides of the property; one in the low heavy vegetation at the head of the marsh, the other in shrubbery at the far edge of the woods on the north side. Other warblers: male and female Black-and-whites and a singing Parula.
Eric Salzman
This morning's notable FOY was not a bird but a reptile: a handsome Box Turtle, a medium sized individual with a striking black and yellow carapace, complementing its neatly yellow-spotted head and forelegs. Every time I see a well-marked turtle I make up my mind to remember the pattern so I can recognize individuals. I don't think I've seen this fellow before.
I've seen Phoebes every day but only this morning did I realize that there are two of them. They frequent an area from the wooded north of the property across a neighbor's yard and then across Weesuck Avenue to the partly wooded back lot of the Aldrich Boatyard. This morning, one of the birds appeared to be carrying an insect indicating that they have a nest somewhere in the vicinity. If it actually was an insect being carried to a nest, then these birds are already feeding young which would explain their active and very visible presence in the understory where there are more insects than higher up. Phoebes are early arrivals and, like wintering birds and other early arrivals, they get an early start on nesting.
At least two singing Common Yellowthroats were on opposite sides of the property; one in the low heavy vegetation at the head of the marsh, the other in shrubbery at the far edge of the woods on the north side. Other warblers: male and female Black-and-whites and a singing Parula.
Eric Salzman
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Another balmy day
Another balmy sunny day. But wait; more rain is coming.That's not necessarily a bad thing for birders; a rainy day followed by clearing and warmer weather can still bring in a lot of migrants!
In the meanwhile Common Yellowthroat was singing away (weetch-ity-weeychity-weetch) at the head of the marsh where it has bred for many years. This species was on territory (at least two birds) at Hunters Garden yesterday but this morning's bird was a first of the year for our place.
Other new birds of the season were a Rose-breasted Grosbeak female (not singing) and a Brown Thrasher (singing away in its very distinctive tone and style). Yesterday I nominated the Orchard Oriole and the Grosbeak as our best singers but, according to current scientific thought, the Brown Thrasher is the world's best singer because it sings an endless array of original song phrases without repetition. Guess it's a different definition of what makes a bird song great.
Besides the Yellowthroat there were two other warblers: Black-and-White (first on the property this season) and Yellow-rumped.
A vigorously singing Scarlet Tanager was possibly a first-year male as the scarlet color was not as bright or widely spread as on the mature birds seen in the past few days. Several brilliant Baltimore Orioles were singing/calling loudly and engaging in some spectacular aerial chases. A pair of Black-capped Chickadees were seriously inspecting a hole at the end of a broken-off branch; a male and female, no doubt, inspecting and evaluating a possible nest site.
A flock of several dozen Double-crested Cormorants, silently sitting on Weesuck Creek, were undoubtedly taking a break from a long-distance migration.
Derek Rogers tells me that Clapper Rail has been nesting on the Pine Neck marsh since at least 2008. He found a nest with hatchlings in that year and the birds have been seen in breeding season ever since. So it is not surprising that we have had calling rails on our marsh (as reported earlier this week.
Eric Salzman
In the meanwhile Common Yellowthroat was singing away (weetch-ity-weeychity-weetch) at the head of the marsh where it has bred for many years. This species was on territory (at least two birds) at Hunters Garden yesterday but this morning's bird was a first of the year for our place.
Other new birds of the season were a Rose-breasted Grosbeak female (not singing) and a Brown Thrasher (singing away in its very distinctive tone and style). Yesterday I nominated the Orchard Oriole and the Grosbeak as our best singers but, according to current scientific thought, the Brown Thrasher is the world's best singer because it sings an endless array of original song phrases without repetition. Guess it's a different definition of what makes a bird song great.
Besides the Yellowthroat there were two other warblers: Black-and-White (first on the property this season) and Yellow-rumped.
A vigorously singing Scarlet Tanager was possibly a first-year male as the scarlet color was not as bright or widely spread as on the mature birds seen in the past few days. Several brilliant Baltimore Orioles were singing/calling loudly and engaging in some spectacular aerial chases. A pair of Black-capped Chickadees were seriously inspecting a hole at the end of a broken-off branch; a male and female, no doubt, inspecting and evaluating a possible nest site.
A flock of several dozen Double-crested Cormorants, silently sitting on Weesuck Creek, were undoubtedly taking a break from a long-distance migration.
Derek Rogers tells me that Clapper Rail has been nesting on the Pine Neck marsh since at least 2008. He found a nest with hatchlings in that year and the birds have been seen in breeding season ever since. So it is not surprising that we have had calling rails on our marsh (as reported earlier this week.
Eric Salzman
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Hunters Garden, spring 2016
Hunters Garden is a clearing in the middle of an extensive woodland on the border of Brookhaven and Southampton Towns and in the middle of the Long Island Pine Barrens. Along with the lower part of the nearby Bald Hill trail, this has consistently proved to be the best East End area for nesting woodland birds and, in particular, for spring migration. A visit on a blue-sky spring morning by a group of birders led by Eileen Schwinn upheld this area's reputation. It was not a particularly birdy day but there were a handful of good long-distance flyers dropping by.
The most unusual was a Solitary Sandpiper at a puddle in the middle of the clearing -- a shorebird far from the shore! While this is the first time that I have seen this bird so deep in the woods, it has the reputation of frequenting such spots; in fact, one of its nicknames is Puddle Piper!
There were a few warblers including a Bay-breasted and a possible Cerulean. Here's my full list of 32 species (counting the Cerulean and a Prairie Warbler that I didn't see). Note that most of these birds are local nesters; the starred birds are long-distance migrants on their way north.
Turkey Vulture (overhead; a LI nester only since 2008 or so)
*Solitary Sandpiper
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (heard but not seen)
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe (no other flycatchers)
Red-eyed Vireo (White-eyed reported but not seen or heard by me)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Wood Thrush (heard only)
Veery
Gray Catbird
*Northern Parula (formerly nested on LI; now possibly a rare nester only)
*Cerulean Warbler (has nested on LI; this is notoriously a tree-topper and it mostly offered excellent views of its white underparts; best ID'd by its buzzy song)
*Yellow-rumped Warbler
[Prairie Warbler (called by others but not seen or heard by me; not typical habitat for this species)]
Pine Warbler
*Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
Eric Salzman
The most unusual was a Solitary Sandpiper at a puddle in the middle of the clearing -- a shorebird far from the shore! While this is the first time that I have seen this bird so deep in the woods, it has the reputation of frequenting such spots; in fact, one of its nicknames is Puddle Piper!
There were a few warblers including a Bay-breasted and a possible Cerulean. Here's my full list of 32 species (counting the Cerulean and a Prairie Warbler that I didn't see). Note that most of these birds are local nesters; the starred birds are long-distance migrants on their way north.
Turkey Vulture (overhead; a LI nester only since 2008 or so)
*Solitary Sandpiper
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (heard but not seen)
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe (no other flycatchers)
Red-eyed Vireo (White-eyed reported but not seen or heard by me)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Wood Thrush (heard only)
Veery
Gray Catbird
*Northern Parula (formerly nested on LI; now possibly a rare nester only)
*Cerulean Warbler (has nested on LI; this is notoriously a tree-topper and it mostly offered excellent views of its white underparts; best ID'd by its buzzy song)
*Yellow-rumped Warbler
[Prairie Warbler (called by others but not seen or heard by me; not typical habitat for this species)]
Pine Warbler
*Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Baltimore Oriole
American Goldfinch
Eric Salzman
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
two days
Monday, May 9:
Kingfisher in the dead pine overlooking the pond took off with a loud rattle as I approached the tree first thing in the moorning. A pair of Barn Swallows were over the marsh along with half a dozen Purple Martins, also hunting over the marsh (when not investigating or squabbling over nesting sites) in the gourd colony on the other side of the wetlands.
Clapper Rail clicking (or clacking or clapping) deep in the marsh for the second day in a row. Is nesting a possibility? As far as I know, the only rail to have nested on our marsh was Virginia Rail which raised a single chick here a number of years ago. Clappers nest on the Shinnecock marshes on the other side of the bay.
I thought that all the White-throated Sparrows had left us for more northerly climes but there was at least one bird still singing its classic song somewhere deep in the scrub on the far side of the old right-of-way. One set of supposed lyrics to this song is "O sweet Canada, Canada, Canada" -- presumably a reference to the bird's ultimate destination (but plenty of them breed just north in the Catskills and Adirondacks).
Tuesday, May 10:
A new observation for the season: a morning sunrise!
The turn in the weather (which was responsible for the above) also brought in a few birds. A first-year Orchard Oriole -- a yellow bird with a black bib, looking more like a western oriole -- was singing as it fed in the treetops; in my opinion, this species is, along with the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, our most talented songster. Even a first-year bird like this one is as melodious as his elders and, I'm quite sure, can mate and breed in this plumage.
Baltimore Orioles were also present with at least one showing female plumage. Or could it have been a first-year male? The Baltimores also have a first-year male plumage but it is not as distinctive as that of its congener. An indubitably female Scarlet Tanager was also around with the male singing somewhere in the distance.
One warbler: a handsome male Yellow-rumped. One flycatcher: a calling, tail-wagging Phoebe.
The Purple Martin colony on the far side of the marsh was in full swing. On the marsh: both egrets and some noisy Willets. No clapping rails and no sign of the White-throated Sparrow.
Eric Salzman
Kingfisher in the dead pine overlooking the pond took off with a loud rattle as I approached the tree first thing in the moorning. A pair of Barn Swallows were over the marsh along with half a dozen Purple Martins, also hunting over the marsh (when not investigating or squabbling over nesting sites) in the gourd colony on the other side of the wetlands.
Clapper Rail clicking (or clacking or clapping) deep in the marsh for the second day in a row. Is nesting a possibility? As far as I know, the only rail to have nested on our marsh was Virginia Rail which raised a single chick here a number of years ago. Clappers nest on the Shinnecock marshes on the other side of the bay.
I thought that all the White-throated Sparrows had left us for more northerly climes but there was at least one bird still singing its classic song somewhere deep in the scrub on the far side of the old right-of-way. One set of supposed lyrics to this song is "O sweet Canada, Canada, Canada" -- presumably a reference to the bird's ultimate destination (but plenty of them breed just north in the Catskills and Adirondacks).
Tuesday, May 10:
A new observation for the season: a morning sunrise!
The turn in the weather (which was responsible for the above) also brought in a few birds. A first-year Orchard Oriole -- a yellow bird with a black bib, looking more like a western oriole -- was singing as it fed in the treetops; in my opinion, this species is, along with the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, our most talented songster. Even a first-year bird like this one is as melodious as his elders and, I'm quite sure, can mate and breed in this plumage.
Baltimore Orioles were also present with at least one showing female plumage. Or could it have been a first-year male? The Baltimores also have a first-year male plumage but it is not as distinctive as that of its congener. An indubitably female Scarlet Tanager was also around with the male singing somewhere in the distance.
One warbler: a handsome male Yellow-rumped. One flycatcher: a calling, tail-wagging Phoebe.
The Purple Martin colony on the far side of the marsh was in full swing. On the marsh: both egrets and some noisy Willets. No clapping rails and no sign of the White-throated Sparrow.
Eric Salzman
Sunday, May 8, 2016
gloom relief
Another gloomy morning (overcast, dank and drizzly) was relieved by a burst of sound and color in the treetops. I heard the repeated 'chick-burr' from the first moment I stepped outside and then the buzzy robin-with-a-cold song, over and over again. The Scarlet Tanager is, without a doubt, our most striking avian resident and to watch it flit from branch to branch, its burning colors cutting through the morning fog is surely one of the highs of birding. The bird started out literally high, high in the budding oaks and hickories; it eventually came down to apple tree level only a few feet above my head providing what I can only describe as optimum views. Scarlet Tanager breeds north of here but, unless we organize a trek in the woods, we only see it down here in migration.
Another colorful new arrival: Yellow Warbler, also singing away and showing its plumage -- a bright yellow substitute for sunshine -- to good advantage.
Out on the marsh, the tide was low but still showing the traces of a high tide. A strong clicking sound riding on the wind (noticeably shifted from the northeast to the southwest) drew me out to find the source of the sound. It was, as I suspected, a Clapper Rail and it was accompanied by a Spotted Sandpiper and two or three yellowlegs -- all Greater, I believe. Well worth two wet feet.
Other observations: first noted Flickers of the season as well as Gray Catbirds in several locations (at least one singing bird) and Eastern Phoebe hunting insects close to the ground
Eric Salzman
Another colorful new arrival: Yellow Warbler, also singing away and showing its plumage -- a bright yellow substitute for sunshine -- to good advantage.
Out on the marsh, the tide was low but still showing the traces of a high tide. A strong clicking sound riding on the wind (noticeably shifted from the northeast to the southwest) drew me out to find the source of the sound. It was, as I suspected, a Clapper Rail and it was accompanied by a Spotted Sandpiper and two or three yellowlegs -- all Greater, I believe. Well worth two wet feet.
Other observations: first noted Flickers of the season as well as Gray Catbirds in several locations (at least one singing bird) and Eastern Phoebe hunting insects close to the ground
Eric Salzman
Friday, May 6, 2016
New birds & a mushroom
Overcast, drizzly weather continues. When will the sun come out?
Two new FOSes (or, if you prefer, FOYs) this morning: Gray Catbird and Swamp Sparrow. The Catbird is, of course, a common local nester. The Swamp Sparrow is a common winter bird but a little more scattered as a nesting bird.
Another first of the year was yesterday's appearance of a mushroom -- Coprinellus (formerly Coprinus) micaceous, one of the so-called 'inky caps'. They grow in small but dense bunches on the ground (supposedly due to buried wood) and made a mild but tasty sauce for Lorna's meat balls.
Forster's Terns continue on the creek. Their reappearance so early in the season (and ahead of the Common and Least Terns) is striking. There is a strong possibility that this species is breeding somewhere in our area -- but where?
Eric Salzman
Two new FOSes (or, if you prefer, FOYs) this morning: Gray Catbird and Swamp Sparrow. The Catbird is, of course, a common local nester. The Swamp Sparrow is a common winter bird but a little more scattered as a nesting bird.
Another first of the year was yesterday's appearance of a mushroom -- Coprinellus (formerly Coprinus) micaceous, one of the so-called 'inky caps'. They grow in small but dense bunches on the ground (supposedly due to buried wood) and made a mild but tasty sauce for Lorna's meat balls.
Forster's Terns continue on the creek. Their reappearance so early in the season (and ahead of the Common and Least Terns) is striking. There is a strong possibility that this species is breeding somewhere in our area -- but where?
Eric Salzman
Thursday, May 5, 2016
FOSes
First warbler of the season: Yellow-rumped (a.k.a. Myrtle) Warbler. Not so surprising as this is the only warbler that is known to winter in our area in some numbers. This bird was a handsome male with its astonishing mixture of gray, white and yellow in a pattern that seems rather complex for so small a bird.
Another first of the season: a Baltimore Oriole male with a ringing, almost bell-like call. Located by the somewhat untypical call. At first, I wasn't even sure what it was but the rattling noises that followed the strong musical notes and good looks at the bird feeding in the sprouting tree tops clinched the deal.
Heard a Towhee call from somewhere in the underbrush. That would be a FOS (First of the Season) except that I heard one on Pleasure Drive during my fruitless search for the Red-headed Woodpecker a couple of days ago.
Overcast and damp, cool weather can't go on forever. Looking for that change of weather that will also bring migrants.
Eric Salzman
Another first of the season: a Baltimore Oriole male with a ringing, almost bell-like call. Located by the somewhat untypical call. At first, I wasn't even sure what it was but the rattling noises that followed the strong musical notes and good looks at the bird feeding in the sprouting tree tops clinched the deal.
Heard a Towhee call from somewhere in the underbrush. That would be a FOS (First of the Season) except that I heard one on Pleasure Drive during my fruitless search for the Red-headed Woodpecker a couple of days ago.
Overcast and damp, cool weather can't go on forever. Looking for that change of weather that will also bring migrants.
Eric Salzman
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
We're back!
Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1
We're back!
We moved back to East Quogue on the last day of April -- Saturday, April 30 -- only to find that we had no phone and no internet (so no e-mail either). I'm starting up the blog again but it will go out when we get our internet service back.
Spring seems to be appearing in fits and starts. Our Daffodils have already flowered and withered but many daffodils in the area are still in full bloom. Other flowers in bloom include the Shadbush on the marsh edges, Highbush Blueberry and the Apple Tree out the back door. Also Periwinkle, Beach Plum, and Forsythia; Lilac is still a few days short of full flower.
The most interesting bird activity on the weekend was due to activity of Forster's Terns on the creek as they successfully splashed down into a run of bait fish and often came up with a catch, visible as a white flash even from the opposite bank. Both Osprey nests are active with at least one pair courting and doing nest clean-up and repair. Other wetland birds present include Willets, a noisy yellowlegs (a migrant), Mallard and Black Duck, Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormmorant, Great and Snowy Egrets, and three species of gulls. A few male Red-winged Blackbirds have taken up territories around the marsh (didn't see any females) and a flight of a dozen or so swallows circled high above; in the poor Sunday morning light, I could only make out the silhouettes against the clouds but, judging by the outline and by the alternation of intense flapping and long glides, I would say they were Tree Swallows. An Eastern Phoebe was somehow finding insects in the Apple Tree and adjacent shrubs back of the house; like the Tree Swallows, the Phoebe is a typical early arrival. Other birds were some of the regular residents including American Robin (singing away), Cardinal, House and Carolina Wrens (also singing), a few Blue Jays, American and Fish Crows, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadee. The sweet song of the White-throated Sparrow was in the air, revealing that these winter birds were still here.
I chased a report of a Red-headed Woodpecker on Pleasure Drive without any luck. I'll try again tomorrow.
Monday, May 2nd:
One outstanding migrant this morning: Common Loon on its arrow-straight southeast to northwest trajectory just below the heavy cloud cover. Double-crested Cormorants active on the creek including at least one bird that actually showed its breeding plumage double crests. Since the cormorants don't seem to breed hereabouts, these may also be migratory birds. Otherwise most of the birds seen and heard were residents in breeding plumage and song. In addition to the species noted yesterday, there were Common Grackles, Tufted Titmice, and Chipping Sparrow. A male Downy Woodpecker found a resonant hollow tree for his persistent rapid rat-ta-tat drumming; male woodpeckers drum loudly and repeatedly because that is their song!
Eastern Towhee and House Finch on Pleasure Drive but still no Red-headed Woodpecker.
Tuesday, May 3rd:
Drizzly morning, not much good for bird watching; slightly dryer in the afternoon allowing a glimpse of what appeared to be Osprey love -- right on the nest on the far side of the creek. Also, two Forster's Terns perched on pylons at the Aldrich Boat Yard affording good looks at perched birds. Both birds have longish orange bills with substantial black tips, red legs, white underparts contrasting with the grayish upper parts and the tail distinctly longer than the folded wings. As I approached the birds, one of them put up his wings, showing the two-tone gray-white effect of the upper wings) and the distinctly white underparts. As it did this, he (or she) uttered a low buzzy call, distinctly different from that of the Common Tern. Later in the year, the full black cap -- very similar to that of the Common Tern -- will diminish to a black face patch making this species easy to ID; in the meanwhile, the burrrrrr call and the other features described above will serve to differeniate the Forster's from other terns.
Wednesday, May 4th:
An American Goldfinch, spinning out his long song at tree-top level, and a hooting White-breasted Nuthatch were this morning's additions to the bird list. An overcast day and an on-and-off drizzle ended up in a thunderstorm, lightning and all. A possible augury of warm weather. Let's hope.
Eric Salzman
14 Randall Lane
P.O. Box 775
East Quogue NY 11942
631 653-3387
es@ericsalzman.com
www.ericsalzman.com
We're back!
We moved back to East Quogue on the last day of April -- Saturday, April 30 -- only to find that we had no phone and no internet (so no e-mail either). I'm starting up the blog again but it will go out when we get our internet service back.
Spring seems to be appearing in fits and starts. Our Daffodils have already flowered and withered but many daffodils in the area are still in full bloom. Other flowers in bloom include the Shadbush on the marsh edges, Highbush Blueberry and the Apple Tree out the back door. Also Periwinkle, Beach Plum, and Forsythia; Lilac is still a few days short of full flower.
The most interesting bird activity on the weekend was due to activity of Forster's Terns on the creek as they successfully splashed down into a run of bait fish and often came up with a catch, visible as a white flash even from the opposite bank. Both Osprey nests are active with at least one pair courting and doing nest clean-up and repair. Other wetland birds present include Willets, a noisy yellowlegs (a migrant), Mallard and Black Duck, Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormmorant, Great and Snowy Egrets, and three species of gulls. A few male Red-winged Blackbirds have taken up territories around the marsh (didn't see any females) and a flight of a dozen or so swallows circled high above; in the poor Sunday morning light, I could only make out the silhouettes against the clouds but, judging by the outline and by the alternation of intense flapping and long glides, I would say they were Tree Swallows. An Eastern Phoebe was somehow finding insects in the Apple Tree and adjacent shrubs back of the house; like the Tree Swallows, the Phoebe is a typical early arrival. Other birds were some of the regular residents including American Robin (singing away), Cardinal, House and Carolina Wrens (also singing), a few Blue Jays, American and Fish Crows, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Black-capped Chickadee. The sweet song of the White-throated Sparrow was in the air, revealing that these winter birds were still here.
I chased a report of a Red-headed Woodpecker on Pleasure Drive without any luck. I'll try again tomorrow.
Monday, May 2nd:
One outstanding migrant this morning: Common Loon on its arrow-straight southeast to northwest trajectory just below the heavy cloud cover. Double-crested Cormorants active on the creek including at least one bird that actually showed its breeding plumage double crests. Since the cormorants don't seem to breed hereabouts, these may also be migratory birds. Otherwise most of the birds seen and heard were residents in breeding plumage and song. In addition to the species noted yesterday, there were Common Grackles, Tufted Titmice, and Chipping Sparrow. A male Downy Woodpecker found a resonant hollow tree for his persistent rapid rat-ta-tat drumming; male woodpeckers drum loudly and repeatedly because that is their song!
Eastern Towhee and House Finch on Pleasure Drive but still no Red-headed Woodpecker.
Tuesday, May 3rd:
Drizzly morning, not much good for bird watching; slightly dryer in the afternoon allowing a glimpse of what appeared to be Osprey love -- right on the nest on the far side of the creek. Also, two Forster's Terns perched on pylons at the Aldrich Boat Yard affording good looks at perched birds. Both birds have longish orange bills with substantial black tips, red legs, white underparts contrasting with the grayish upper parts and the tail distinctly longer than the folded wings. As I approached the birds, one of them put up his wings, showing the two-tone gray-white effect of the upper wings) and the distinctly white underparts. As it did this, he (or she) uttered a low buzzy call, distinctly different from that of the Common Tern. Later in the year, the full black cap -- very similar to that of the Common Tern -- will diminish to a black face patch making this species easy to ID; in the meanwhile, the burrrrrr call and the other features described above will serve to differeniate the Forster's from other terns.
Wednesday, May 4th:
An American Goldfinch, spinning out his long song at tree-top level, and a hooting White-breasted Nuthatch were this morning's additions to the bird list. An overcast day and an on-and-off drizzle ended up in a thunderstorm, lightning and all. A possible augury of warm weather. Let's hope.
Eric Salzman
14 Randall Lane
P.O. Box 775
East Quogue NY 11942
631 653-3387
es@ericsalzman.com
www.ericsalzman.com
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