a change in the weather

After the mini heat wave of the past couple of days, a weather front moved in heralded by an overnight rainstorm and cooler morning temperatures and overcast skies that eventually cleared. No wind; the creek and bay were like glass.

The change in weather brought in some new and rather surprising birds, notably a wildly-out-of-season Dark-eyed Junco: dark gray hood shading to brownish on the back and wings, white belly and outer tail feathers, pink bill and legs, This is a bird we expect to see in winter (perhaps starting in fall migration) but not in mid-June! And then, as I was watching this unexpected visitor, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo called right over my head and, for once, I was able to catch a glimpse of this extraordinarily shy bird -- first moving in the tree-tops and then flying off. A cuckoo in flight gives itself away by its long tail which creates a unique silhouette. Shortly thereafter I saw what I think was a second one in flight so maybe we have cuckoo domesticity in our neighborhood!

Black Skimmer skimming the smooth early morning creek water was another surprise. Skimmers have nested on Shinnecock Bay and are probably still nesting at Cupsogue but it's been many years since we've seen them cutting the surface of Weesuck Creek. And, just to add to the fun, two Little Blue Herons took off from the marsh and flew to the Pine Neck side of the creek opposite.

There was a single swift mixed in with Barn Swallows overhead. I suspect a nesting pair in some E. Quogue chimney or other and one of the birds must be sitting on eggs while the other hunts the skies.

Eric Salzman