more nesting birds

In addition to the lists of birds that currently breed on our property or in the immediate area (outlined in a post a few days ago), there are a good number of species that nest or probably nest in a wider area: on the ocean side of Shinnecock Bay to the south (in the marshes or dunes), in the pine/oak woodlands north of us and/or in the increasingly rare pastures or grasslands. Some of these birds visit us from time to time; others are very rarely or never seen here!

--Shinnecock bayside marshes and dunes -- mostly barrier beach marshes (Dune Road) -- and/or the dune areas themselves. Some of these species nest on both sides of the        bay; some formerly nested but no longer do so.
--Pine/Oak Barrens -- mainly north of East Quogue
--Grasslands -- including a few surviving open pastures plus the grasslands at EPCAL (ex-Grumman).

Mute Swan -- a few pairs nest on both sides of the bay (the Weesuck Creek pair has not produced any offspring in two or three years)
Black Duck -- a few pairs nest along with the Mallards in the Shinnecock marshes
[Mute Swans, Canada Geese & Mallards -- all introduced -- nest on both sides of the bay]
[Double-crested Cormorant -- a mystery; these birds are common on our waterways but where do they nest?]
[American Bittern -- formerly nested in Shinnecock marshes]
Great Egret -- in colonies on bay islands
Snowy Egret -- in colonies on bay islands
Little Blue Heron -- a couple of pairs nest on the bay islands in the egret colonies (Little Blue Heron is actually an egret!)
Green Heron -- formerly nested on our property and also in the Shinnecock Bay heron colonies; current status not known but has seemingly declined
Black-crowned Night Heron -- in colonies on bay islands
Yellow-crowned Night Heron -- isolated nests somewhere in the Quogue/East Quogue area
Glossy Ibis -- a few pairs nesting in egret colonies on islands in bay
Osprey -- nests on both sides of the bay
Northern Harrier -- formerly nested on Shinnecock marshes; now just a visitor
American Kestrel -- declining species; now found only in a few grassland areas
Clapper Rail -- nests in marshes on both sides of the bay
Piping Plover -- nests in dunes
Killdeer -- nests sporadically on Dune Road and in area
American Oystercatcher -- islands in bay
Willet -- nests in upper marshes on both sides of the bay
[Spotted Sandpiper -- current status unknown; has bred sporadically on the bay in the past]
American Woodcock -- upland 'shore bird' that breeds in early spring; needs open fields with scattered young trees and nearby marshy areas; has bred in E. Quogue area
American Herring Gull -- breeds in colonies on islands in bay
Great Black-backed Gull -- breeds in colonies on islands in bay
Common Tern -- breeds in colonies on islands in bay
Forster's Tern -- may nest at Cupsogue (Moriches Bay) but Shinnecock status not clear
Least Tern -- nests colonially in dunes
Black Skimmer -- may nest at Cupsogue; used to breed on Shinnecock islands but current status not clear
Short-eared Owl -- used to breed on Shinnecock marshes
Common Nighthawk -- formerly bred in area
Chuck-will's-widow -- a few pairs breed in wooded areas in Quogue and East Quogue
Whip-poor-will -- breeds in Pine Barrens north of Quogue and East Quogue
Chimney Swift -- a few pairs still breed in local chimneys
Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- has bred on property and may still do so
Belted Kingfisher -- formerly bred in E. Coast Sand Mines; also in Peconic Bay cliffs with Bank Swallows
Hairy Woodpecker -- bred and may still breed on Pine Neck
Eastern Wood-pewee -- breeds in pine/oak woods north of E. Quogue
Willow Flycatcher -- breeds in dune vegetation
Eastern Kingbird -- formerly bred on property; still breeds in area
Warbling Vireo -- breeds in area woodlands
Red-eyed Vireo -- common breeder in Pine Barrens oak woods
Fish Crow -- has bred in area and undoubtedly still does
Common Raven -- recently colonized area; has bred on Hampton Bays Water Tower
Tree Swallow -- common breeder in nest boxes on Dune Road and elsewhere
Bank Swallow -- formerly bred in East Coast Sand Mines; also in Peconic Bay cliffs
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- breeds near fresh water in Pine Barrens
Eastern Bluebird -- breeds in nest boxes in a few areas
Veery -- breeds in wet areas of Pine Barrens
Hermit Thrush -- a few pairs breed in Pine Barrens
Wood Thrush -- a declining woodland species; now hard to find
Blue-winged Warbler -- edge species in Pine Barrens woodlands
Prairie Warbler -- breeds in Dwarf Pine Plains; also in Peconic Bay shore vegetation
Black-and-white Warbler -- declining woodland species
Ovenbird -- common woodland species
Scarlet Tanager -- breeds in oak woodlands
Field Sparrow -- breeds on open field edge near woodlands
Vesper Sparrow -- uncommon to rare breeder in upland grasslands
Grasshopper Sparrow -- grasslands
Saltmarsh Sparrow -- Shinnecock marshes
Seaside Sparrow -- Shinnecock marshes
Swamp Sparrow -- uncommon breeder in fresh wetlands
Blue Grosbeak -- breeds in a narrow area near EPCAL grasslands
Indigo Bunting -- grassland edge species; very uncommon breeder
Eastern Meadowlark -- grassland species; declining
Boat-tailed Grackle -- Shinnecock/Dune Road area (probably breeds mainly on islands)
Orchard Oriole -- has bred in E. Quogue area

Eric Salzman