used to nest

I didn't want to pretend that my list of 2017 breeding birds is 100% scientific but I think it is accurate to say that most of these birds would fit the Probable and/or Confirmed categories of a Breeding Bird Atlas with only a few downlisted to just 'Possible'. Again, let me emphasize that many of these birds are breeding in the vicinity but not necessary directly on the property.

Here is a much shorter list (16 species) of birds that have nested here in past years but no longer do so:

Ring-necked Pheasant -- on Pine Neck but probably no longer there
Northern Bobwhite -- virtually gone from ELI, alas
Green Heron -- formerly a regular nester; virtually vanished this year (why?)
Virginia Rail -- raised one chick on the marsh a number of years ago
Eastern Screech Owl -- used to nest in the old abandoned Randall house; dead owl found in wreckage after the house was knocked down
Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- raised 2 chicks by our pond in 2016; video on YouTube; may still nest but whereabouts of nest unknown
Belted Kingfisher -- used to nest in E. Quogue sand mines along with Bank Swallows; nest apparently destroyed by mining operations
Hairy Woodpecker -- possible nester in past years; has nested on Pine Neck (at least two nest holes seen)
Eastern Kingbird -- used to nest regularly in pines overlooking the marsh; now just a sometime visitor
Fish Crow -- nested in area but not seemingly this year
Rough-winged Swallow -- apparently attempted to nest in area a number of years ago; now just an occasional visitor
Bank Swallow -- nested in E. Quogue sand mines (along with Belted Kingfisher); nesting site mostly destroyed by mining operations but a few may still nest
Wood Thrush -- singing males throughout spring for a number of years; now disappearing everywhere
Brown Thrasher -- several successful nestings over the years
Eastern Towhee -- has bred on property in past years
Orchard Oriole -- once bred in the same Pitch Pine as a Baltimore Oriole pair

Eric Salzman