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