Ecuador to Brooklyn

We made it back from Ecuador to East Quogue on Sunday and back to Brooklyn on Veteran's Day. Verizon shut off our phone and Internet connection prematurely and I was able to reconnect only a couple of days ago (and not through Verizon). Ironically, there were e-mails in my Out box which then went out two weeks late! We still have no phone service and no direct e-mail capability (I am using a neighborhood wi-fi network instead). I am doing phone calls on Skype (my Skype number is (718) 354-8817; not sure if you can leave messages but I think so). And this e-mail address works as long as I can get on a wi-fi network!

Southern Ecuador was a great place to see birds -- more than 500 species! I'm preparing a trip report which I'll send out when it's finished. It was a spectacular two weeks!

Eric Salzman

last of one kind, first of another

I forgot to mention the two best birds on yesterday's tour of the three E's (Eileen, Erin and Eric were the participants). The birds were Gray Catbird and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Gray Catbird because it seems as though all the other catbirds have left for the south and this one appears to be the last of its kind. Red-breasted Nuthatch because it is the first of its kind -- at least for me (and actually first of the year)!

Red-breasted Nuthatch is a northern species (Sitta canadensis) which does not so much migrate as 'invade'; that is, every few years, when the northern food crop (coniferous cones) fails, it comes south in large numbers. Since we had a big invasion (or irruption) of these birds a couple of years ago, I did not expect them back so soon. But, as was the case with the Pine Siskins, they came back sooner than expected -- at least in small numbers. Perhaps they are the forerunner of some other northern irruptive species; we'll see.

Eric Salzman

visitors

I had visitors this morning -- not so many birds but a couple of local birding humans: Eileen Schwinn and Erin, a bird-watching neighbor.

Unfortunately, I didn't have quite as spectacular a group of migrants to show them as I had yesterday; the warm weather encouraged many of the new arrivals to keep on moving. Apparently yesterday's appearance of a flock of 150-200 Pine Siskins was an outlier of a big movement of Siskins along the shore along with Am Goldfinches and Yellow-rumped Warblers. I could even see some of these flocks moving across the bay yesterday but today Siskins were not at all noticeable and the other two species were in short supply.

There were still a few Purple Finches and some House Finches as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes and various woodpeckers. Also a Junco (missed yesterday), Winter Wren, Palm Warbler and Greater Yellowlegs, the last three around or actually on the pond. No eagles today but a Peregrine Falcon came across the creek later in the day along with an Osprey that caught an eel in the creek and took it over to Pine Neck to eat. 

Eric Salzman

a cold weather bird bonanza

The temperature dropped into the thirties last night and many new birds came in. Notable (and new for the season) were a Bald Eagle on the creek early on and a big flock of Pine Siskins. The eagle was almost certainly a juvenile. I was facing east against the rising sun and couldn't see any effect of white in the plumage. The bird was attacked by several American Crows and the size differential was very noticeable. The eagle eventually landed on a dead tree at the tip of Pine Neck and, after a spell, took off out over Shinnecock Bay. The Pine Siskins were at the head of the marsh in a flock of some 150-200 birds (there were other flocks coming across the creek and the bay but I couldn't be sure of the species). The first Siskins I saw were individuals mixed in with a large number of American Goldfinches but the big flock -- easily identifiable by sound -- seemed to appear out of nowhere. Last year was a big year for Siskins and I didn't expect them to appear in these numbers two years in a row.

There were other birds of interest. Mixed in with Goldfinches were several Purple Finches, male and female (there were a few House Finches as well). Ruby-crowned Kinglets were scattered around as well as some numbers of sparrows of the usual four species: White-throated, Chipping, Song and a very few Swamp. There were many Eastern Phoebes, a scattering of Yellow-rumped Warblers and at least one Palm Warbler of the brownish Western type. I had all five woodpeckers -- Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied and, yes, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; a veritable quinfecta of 'peckers. Another new bird for the season was Hermit Thrush, not only the first Hermit of the season but the first thrush of any kind seen here (not counting Robins of course). Where have all the thrushes of yesteryear gone to?

Eric Salzman

high-flying swallows

The weather turned cooler but the only notable effect on local bird life was a surprising movement of Tree Swallows -- not thousands that move along the coast in late August or early September but definitely many dozens, perhaps even hundred of birds -- all flying high and moving in small groups over the creek. There were several Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers around as well as some Eastern Phoebes and many Yellow-rumped Warblers with associated American Goldfinches and House Finches. Once again there were few sparrows to be seen -- as if most of them had moved on with few new arrivals to replace them.

Eric Salzman

More Indian Summer

More Indian Summer following Thursday's heavy rain. Lots of American Goldfinch, particularly around the head-of-the-marsh areas, presumably feeding on some of the many flowers that have gone to seed. As usual, the goldfinches were flying with associated species, notably House Finches (which are related) and Yellow-rumped Warblers (which ae not). I looked and listened very hard to see if here were any Pine Siskins in the mix (they have been seen this year) but I couldn't see or hear any. I did see two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-headed Vireo, both cold weather species still active in a warm October. One lingering Gray Catbird but very few sparrows of any kind. Two Red-tailed Hawks over Pine Neck were the only entries in the raptor column

Everytime I go out these days I see different kinds of white and blue asters. This morning's haul included one white species with narrow lance-shaped leaves and another with bluish tint to the flowers and toothed leaves. Also a few fall mushrooms from the rains including some small puffballs and a few agaricus which I picked for the table.

Eric Salzman

Indian Summer 2

Southwest winds and mild temperatures continued into this morning with very little passerine activity (the big event of the morning was a bunch of Blue Jays yammering at a prowling house cat). Overhead a Common Loon came across on the standard diagonal track -- going the wrong way! Quite a few noisy Royal Terns on the creek. Two yellowlegs on the pond -- one slightly bigger than the other and with a slightly longer, slightly downcurved bill. A Greater and a Lesser? I think the differences were too small and well with the possible variability of a Greater. The usual Great Blue Heron started out of his high woodland perch with loud squawking as I came round the corner on the edge of the marsh. The wind picked up during the morning and again there were whitecaps on the bay. 

Carl Safina tells me that Merlins will sometimes hit Monarchs for target practice. Maybe that's what hit the wounded Monarch in the meadow in front of the house yesterday.

Eric Salzman

Indian summer?

Is this what we used to call Indian Summer? Early morning clouds pushed aside by warm southwest wind; you could hear the ocean surf clearly and there were breakers on the bay. But the change brought in a mild summery day. Although this turn in the weather would not seem to encourage migration, there were a lot more sparrows visible today than yesterday -- many White-throated Sparrows in particular -- plus Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, many Yellow-rumped Warblers and at least one warbler skulking with the White-throats -- probably a first-winter Magnolia (or possibly a first-winter Prairie); bright yellow breast, contrasting gray head with some kind of eye-liner. I never saw the whole bird, only bits and pieces in the shrubbery. Other birds on the creek included a Lesser Yellowlegs on the pond and a very noisy Great Blue Heron that would not settle down as long as I was visible through the dead wood at the edge of the marsh.

An oddity was a Monarch Butterfly literally fluttering on the ground and trying to take off. Monarchs do not make a very tasty snack (they inherit bitter-tasting poisons from their caterpillars which get them from the milkweeds they feed on) and most potential butterfly eaters know better than to attack a Monarch (their bright orange wings are thought to be a warning signal). So it is unusual to find a wounded Monarch. Given the scarcity of Monarchs these days, I tried to help this one take off by plucking the blade of grass it was clutching but with no success.

Eric Salzman

Where did all the sparrows go?

The sparrows that moved in yesterday in great numbers were all but invisible this morning. Where did they go? Moved on further south, no doubt. Still it was odd to see so many sparrows one day and then hardly any the next.

Instead of dowdy sparrows, we had elegant falcons: two Merlins zipping around overhead. They almost seem to be playing rather than actually chasing anything, disappearing over the treetops and then back out again with that fast distinctive flight and silhouette. At first I thought it was one extremely agile bird but eventually the two birds whirled into view at the same time.

An even higher flyer was a Common Loon on a straight northeast to southwest trajectory. Loons migrate overhead on exactly this track (in one direction or another) in both spring and fall.

Royal Terns still active on Weesuck Creek.

Eric Salzman

sparrows and kin

Big influx of sparrows last night but, in spite of my best efforts, I could only find Song, Swamp, White-throated and Chipping -- in just about that numerical order. Also Dark-eyed Junco and Eastern Towhee if you want to count them in as sparrows. I'm sure there are others around; I'll just have to keep on looking.

The Junco was the first of the season hereabouts. Ditto for the Ruby-crowned Kinglet which usually precedes the Golden-crowned (not this year). There seem to be fewer Catbirds but Common Yellowthroats and Yellow-rumped Warblers are still common.

I found another white aster with lance-shaped toothed leaves and a slight tinge of purple on the flowers. This might be the Calico Aster (Aster lateriflorus). In the meanwhile the Seaside Goldenrod is going to seed as is the Baccharis or Groundsel along the edges of the marsh.

Eric Salzman

yesterday (a few birds) and today (too mch rain)

Too much rain this morning and too many errands to run. Yesterday's birds included Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Blue-headed Vireos, a lot of Yellow-rumped Warblers, a few Common Yellowthroats and a good number of sparrows of four different species (Song, Swamp, White-throated and Chipping). Someone should check the Dune Road sites for sparrows; this property has a lot of habitat but no really good open sites for sparrows (if they are here, they can easily hide the in dense foliage at the edge of the marsh).

Eric Salzman

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Blues (Jays & Asters)

Before the winds came and the sky thickened, this was a bright morning. There was a Brown Thrasher (first of the season, making a trifecta of mimids for the day) and a beautiful yellow/green tanager, either a female or a non-breeding plumaged male Scarlet. Many Eastern Phoebes and many Yellow-rumped Warblers plus a couple of Common Yellowthroats. Blue Jays everywhere; the invasion of this species has been remarkable.

Peter Dorosh suggests that the asters described yesterday might be White Wood Aster and Blue Wood Aster. He's probably right about the White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus) which has heart-shaped leaves but the blue asters, which have narrow, clasping leaves, are more likely to be Smooth Aster (Aster laevis). I'll keep working on it.

Eric Salzman

full moon and high tide

The full moon plus last night's thunder storm (I missed the eclipse) and the following south/southwest winds produced another huge high tide and made it impossible for me to circumnavigate the marsh without hip waders (I have ankle boots but the water was a lot deeper in many places). So I reversed my usual pattern and headed towards the pond and then north along the banks and into the woods. The first bird I saw was a Merlin who posed prettily on the top of a dead tree and then took off. After the Osprey, most of my raptor sightings in recent weeks have been of Merlins, thus raising the question of whether I am seeing a succession of migrating birds or simply the same bird over and over!

I was able to get into the Sandy-blasted area near the head of the marsh (notable for dead trees and acres of pokeweed) from our old right-of-way. Aside from the now-usual woodpeckers, there were not many birds. Most notable were a fair number of White-throated Sparrows. Did they come in last night or were they already there, hidden in the low dense foliage? Another unanswerable question. A Winter Wren was singing away and there were a few House Finches and Goldfinches.

Last night's storm seems to have flattened a lot of the Seaside Goldenrod which, at any rate, is passing its prime. Now coming into view are some of the blue Asters which are, like many of our common floral groups, very difficult to pin down as to species. There seem to be two different species, one with heart-shaped leaves and light blue flowers, the other with white flowers that are slightly tinged with blue or lavender.

Eric Salzman

woodpecker math

As I approached the pond this morning shortly after dawn, the first bird I saw was a Brown Creeper. The next two birds were a Blue-headed Vireo and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Did some birds come in last night? I think so.

Besides the above, the following birds were in the area just back of the pond -- a wet swale surrounded by bushes and trees, dead and alive bushes, all bathed in warm early-morning sunshine: Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Phoebe (singing!), Yellow-rumped Warbler (many), an unidentified all yellow warbler (possibly an Orange-crowned but not well seen), a calling nuthatch that sounded like a Red-breasted, many Song and Swamp Sparrows plus a few Chipping. The large numbers of American Robins (many of them young birds) and Blue Jays strongly suggested that some of these had just arrived as well. A Marlin and a Cooper's Hawk may have been new arrivals or holdovers.

My woodpecker math was quite defective. We have three breeding species (Downy, Red-bellied and Flicker) and a fourth which is now quite regular (Hairy). That would make a quadfecta. The Sapsucker makes five (a pentfecta?). Of course, a Red-headed Woodpecker would be a sixth (a hexfector?) if one every showed up.

Eric Salzman

a few raptors and a couple of Wood Ducks

Although it looked like a good day for raptors, I saw only a few. A raucous Murder of Crows was directed at yet another Merlin. An accipiter on the far shore of Weesuck Creek looked small enough to be a Sharp-shinned Hawk and there were a few Osprey moving across. The Jamaica Bay Osprey that is being radio-tracked, crossed Cuba and has reached South America. All the Weesuck Creek Osprey seem to be gone -- probably on a similar migratory track; the ones on the creek are almost certainly now all migrants.

A pair of male Wood Ducks came wheeling over the creek and seemingly wanted to settle in our pond -- not once but three times. Each time they decided that my presence on the edge of the pond made that body of water off limits and they eventually disappeared.

Carl Safina reports a short-tailed grackle-like bird at his feeder which sounds, from his description, like a Shiny Cowbird. He'll try to get a picture. This is a possible vagrant along the Atlantic Coast although I have no idea if there are any LI records.

Eric Salzman

birds in the wind

Windy morning with strong gusts coming from the south/southeast pushing up high tide onto the marsh and adjacent upland edges. I got wet trying to circumnavigate the marsh -- the water on the path was deeper than the sides of my boots -- with few birds to show for it (some Royal Terns coming up the creek). A red, red sunrise appeared just below the cloud cover which shortly blotted out the sun for the rest of the day. Wind, wind, wind -- strong enough to keep the smaller birds down.

The bigger birds like this weather. A windy day at this time of year should be good for raptors and, sure enough, a Merlin appeared and began to chase everything in sight (yes, the Merlin is a bird-eating falcon). This meant Blue Jays and American Crows; nothing else was in sight. I could image a Merlin taking out a Blue Jay (they are close in size) but, even if it caught a Crow, what would it do with prey almost twice its size?

The chase went on for some time right over my head. I didn't see the Merlin catch anything but it was a pleasure to watch this aerial projectile whiz through the ether, dive bomb a tree full of corvids, bank away at the last minute, chase a crow or two almost hitting one on the back and then disappear into the trees only to come whizzing out in the open again and then again in circles, loops and dives that were truly impressive. Hunting or just showing off? A great aerial show to watch!

About the only birds still singing are wrens. Carolina Wrens indulge in some amazing song competitions at this time of year and they show off a wider song repertory than their unusual rythmic call. But the Carolinas weren't the only singing wrens. A Winter Wren was somewhat improbably tootling away in a small patch of shrubs near the corner where the woods and marsh join up. While the Carolina and House Wren have fairly well defined and stereotypical styles of singing, the Winter Wren sings a long, continuous sequence of roulades and trills. Doubly amazing to hear it in October coming from a hidden bird in a tiny patch of low shrubs in the middle of what was almost a windstorm. The wren kept working its way around the patch -- presumably to stay hidden -- while singing all the while and thus giving itself away. I finally did catch a glimpse just to reassure myself that it was indeed a Winter Wren. How odd to hear this bird in the fall after its arrival from its breeding grounds.

Eric Salzman

the Myrtles are in!

A flock of Yellow-rumped (a.k.a. Myrtle) Warblers came in this morning. This is the only warbler that we see in numbers in migration and winter. The old name, Myrtle Warbler, refers to the fact that it eats berries in the winter which enables it to survive (most of the other warblers are insect eaters and go on to warmer climes where there is year-round food for them). As usual, the warblers landed at the corner of the marsh where the trees and bushes jut out to the northeast and, also as usual, there were dozens of birds jumping all over the place for the first hour or so. Afterwards -- again as usual -- the flock melted away, presumably back to the head of the marsh and perhaps into the woods.

There was one Palm Warbler visible among the Yellow-rumps. This was the non-breeding Western Palm which also has a yellow rump but, most noticeably, yellow undertail coverts; also a eye-stripe or supercilium and faint breast streaking. It is also a vigorous tail pumper (which leads birders to refer to the two species -- which often travel together -- as 'rumps and pumps'). Palm Warbler comes in two varieties; the Eastern or Yellow Palm is more common in the spring while the Western or Brown Palm is more common in the fall. They look different enough to be two different species but they have always been considered subspecies. Both Yellow-rumped and Palm are firsts of the season in these parts.

The only other warblers seen were Black-and-white and Common Yellowthroat.

Another first of the season: the bird with the name every non-birder loves to parody, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Only the missing Hairy Woodpecker prevented me from getting the woodpecker quadrifecta. Lots of Red-bellied, Downy and Northern Flickers, the latter calling and moving -- often with American Robins -- in the wrong direction (i.e. from southwest to northeast). These birds must fly at night over the ocean (or along the shore) and then move inland after sunrise giving the impression of a reverse migration.

Eric Salzman

in the drizzle

Another overcast, damp, drizzly day. You might think that this kind of weather would not be good for birds but you would be only partly correct. Perhaps not good for birds, but good for bird-watchers because it forces the migrants down. Drizzle or not, eventually they have to move around and look for food and that brings them into our purview. This was the case this morning when, just before and just after a short session of drizzle, a lot of birds were moving around.

Best bird (one of the best of the year) was a PHILADELPHIA VIREO seen up close and from all angles so there was no doubt. The white eye-liner and contrast between the dark cap and lighter back resembles a Red-eye Vireo except that the back color is quite different. The dark lores separates it from Warbling Vireo as does the contrast between the dark cap and the lighter back and also, especially, the yellow wash on the front, brightest on the breast and throat. This is a bird that I've seen only a few times around here.

Swamp Sparrows everywhere and mixed in with them, the first White-throated Sparrows of the season.

Today's warblers: Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat and a little parade of Black-and-white Warblers.

Other birds: Merlin, Greater Yellowlegs and Belted Kingfisher (all over the creek), Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Towhee and all three wrens (Winter, House and Carolina).

Eric Salzman

damp days

Several days of warmish, damp weather have brought migration out here to a virtual halt. Best bird seen: the first Winter Wren of the season in the dense vegetation around the upper marsh. This area is wren heaven -- two breeding species (House and Carolina) and a migrant or winter species (Winter), all seen here on numerous occasions.

There are a few Swamp Sparrows in the marsh, the vanguard of what is usually a major wintering bird in our marsh. No sign yet of our other winter sparrow, the ubiquitous White-throat.

There has been a single Mute Swan regularly in the creek; it may or may not be the same bird. Occasionally, it turns up with another swan -- once or twice an adult bird, once a young bird molting from its brownish juvenile plumage into white. Most of the time, it is alone. The creek used to have a resident couple which produced a brood every year but one or both of those birds have disappeared -- perhaps victims of one of our hurricanes. The current occupant (either a survivor or a new bird) seems not to have yet acquired a mate.

Eric Salzman

The Morning After

I had some hopes that yesterday's migrants might hold out another day or that there might be another cohort behind them. No such luck. The one 'new' bird was
a Clapper Rail on the pond at low tide -- a bird that breeds on the other side of the bay but is seen over here only occasionally. One warbler that I had a good look at was the immature Cape May yet once again (yellowish underneath all the way to the undertail coverts, prominent wing bars, burry streaking at the sides). Other warblers were Prairie and American Redstart. I saw several Red-eyed Vireos but no Blue-headed at all. Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Wood-pewee were both common or at least easy to see.

Still here: a few Royal Terns visiting the creek, a Green Heron, at least one Osprey, several White-breasted Nuthatches.

Eric Salzman

big flight

A blue-sky, mild, dewy morning with wet birds popping out of the brush and moving in flocks through the trees, living and dead.

As predicted (by somebody looking at radar), there was a big movement last night and, sure enough, the place was full of birds this morning including several new species (new for the season, that is). The dominant species here were vireos (Blue-headed in the lead closely followed by Red-eyed; try as I might I couldn't pick out any other vireos) and woodpeckers. Yes woodpeckers. With the exception of the Northern Flicker, our woodpeckers are not supposed to be migratory but an awful lot of Downies appeared here this morning and they must have come from somewhere. Plus Flickers, several Red-bellied and at least one Hairy. I am convinced that these birds (like Blue Jays and Black-capped Chickadees) move around more than is usually thought to be the case.

There were several new birds of the season. In addition to the Blue-headed Vireo, there was a Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch (including a female with the tell-tale eye stripe) and another Confusing Fall Warbler -- quite different from yesterday's Cape May in that it had no streaking and was quite light colored underneath with just hints of buff; almost certainly a first-year Bay-breasted Warbler. Also a Swamp Sparrow along with many (new?) Song Sparrows. In short, October birds in the waning days of September.

There was more: Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Wood-pewees, several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, small flocks of American Robins and a Cooper's Hawk slinking around looking for breakfast. And, of course, screaming Blue Jays trying to alert everyone to the hawk.

Eric Salzman

a confusing fall warbler

I had a classic 'confusing fall warbler' this morning (there was a famous page in the old Peterson Guide marked Confusing Fall Warblers). Alas, neither Peterson nor any of the other field guides have a picture corresponding to this bird and I couldn't find my warbler guide, also from the Peterson series but with a lot more illustrations of plumage variation. This bird was a rather even greenish/yellow all over with wing bars, an eye ring and light or blurry streaking on both the breast and back. Stocky with a slightly downturned sharp beak. It looked somewhat like a juvenile Pine or Bay-breasted Warbler but I'm ruling them out because of the back streaking. Blackpoll, which is very variable at this time of year, is a possibility but I have never seen one so uniformly colored (fall Blackpolls are white under the tail). That leaves Cape May Warbler, a bird I haven't seen here in years and which is illustrated in most guides in its fall guise as a grayish immature female. This one was probably a first-year male.

It seems that the Great Kingfisher Aerial Combat is over. One of the birds finally seems to have retreated leaving the other (don't ask me which one) in full possession of the territory.

Eric Salzman

color

We had guests from out-of-town -- far out-of-town (i.e. Colorado) -- and we took them down to Dune Road and the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Dune Road was disappointingly quiet on the bird front but there was a regular stream of Monarch Butterflies, a very hopeful sign after the recent collapse of this species. We've had very few individuals visit us on the north side of the bay but they are still (again) working their way south along the barrier beach in some modest numbers.

The Quogue Refuge was extremely quiet -- it felt like there were more visitors than birds -- and the low level of the water table is shocking (this has been a summer almost without rain). But the refuge quite handsome in its early fall plumage. Although green holds its own in the evergreen forest, yellows and browns begin to dominate the understory shrubs and wildflowers and most of decidouous trees. But the most dramatic colors are the reds and oranges of the Tupelos and Red Maples that grow everywhere in the wet areas. Some of the local vines and shrubs -- Poison Ivy, Viburnum for instance -- also get in on the action. All together, they make a display that rivals on a smaller scale the fall colors of New England.

Eric Salzman

a good morning's worth

A lot of birds came in last night and this morning's birding was as good as it's been. Halfway through my walk, Eileen Schwinn came by and the morning walk went into Phase 2 with even more birds.

For starters, there was a notable flight of Eastern Wood-pewees; the birds were widely scattered and I could even hear 'pee-a-wee' songs. Alongside the Pewees were some Eastern Phoebes, mostly the young ones with yellow bellies. With the exception of the Black-and-white Warbler, the fall warblers in sight had distinctive yellow patches: many American Redstarts of the type often called Yellowstarts, Common Yellowthroat, Black-throated Green Warbler, Parula Warbler and a mysterious warbler that I think was a juvenile female Blue-winged Warbler -- bright yellow breast but then white from the lower belly to the undertail, white wing bars, yellow face with some variation around the eye. I only saw this bird from underneath but the face was yellow enough that I thought for a moment that it might be a Prothonotary Warbler! 

Add to the flycatchers and warblers a number of Red-eyed Vireos, an Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, dozens (maybe hundreds) of Mourning Doves, many Northern Flickers and troupes of screaming Blue Jays and you have a good morning's worth of birds.

Eric Salzman

rattle battle

Oh what a beautiful morning! A Wilson's Warbler made an appearance; this little yellow warbler with a black cap has been getting scarcer and scarcer so its visit was a highlight. The only other warblers seen were familiar ones: Common Yellowthroat and American Redstart. Eastern Phoebe was not new (it breeds around here and the adult birds have already been on the move) but this was a handsome young bird with a yellow wash all over its belly. Many Blue Jays as well as small flocks of Northern Flickers, Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches and American Goldfinches, all with mixtures of adult and young birds.

The Belted Kingfishers are still here, their battles apparently undecided. At least one of them has been hanging out in the woods back towards the house keeping up a soft rattle. But when a Great Egret came by, the Kingfisher took off after the egret which actually had to make an avoidance move in the air to keep from being hit. Almost immediately, the second Kingfisher appeared and, after a bit of aerial action, the two disappeared into the woods and went back to low level rattling. If this is indeed a rattle battle between two males, they seem to be at a kind of stalemate, neither one being able to chase the other.

One raptor, a Merlin, came over the creek and disappeared into the trees. The Kingfishers, so anxious to chase the egret, did not try anything with the Merlin!

Eric Salzman

Kingfishers agonistes?

There are two Belted Kingfishers that have been hanging out by the pond and trilling non-stop for a couple of days now (I can hear them even as I write this on Sunday afternoon). When I approach they take off, executing a series of astonishing aerial maneuvers. Like bird bullets they shoot over the marsh and then high over the creek seemingly in concert but never really approaching each other. Eventually, they land -- usually on the dead cedar on the far side of the pond. One lands first and then, as the other comes in, flashes its wings showing its white underwing pattern. By now I can see that they are both males. This is not some kind of fall courtship but a duel, possibly for the ownership of the creek. They don't actually engage in physical contact; those kingfisher bills are potentially too lethal for an actual physical struggle.

Years ago, there was a pair -- male and female -- that 'owned' the creek for fishing rights and had its nest hole in the banks of the East Coast Mines north of East Quogue. East Coast Mines is no longer accessible but I suspect that the kingfisher bank was destroyed; in recent years, kingfisher presence has been spotty. Although these birds are partly migratory (they can often be seen moving along Dune Road in the spring and fall). But, if there is no ice, there are kingfishers here all winter long. Perhaps the cold winter of 2013-14 pushed out any birds that might have tried to stay and the creek is again up for grabs.

Did I say two male Kingfishers? There is possible a third -- of unknown sex -- in the area.

Other water birds still hanging out are the Green Heron (which bred this year on the property but will eventually migrate) and a flock of Black Duck (probably here for the winter). The population of Royal Terns has thinned out although there are occasional visits; all the other terns are long gone.  

Eric Salzman

Monarchs, Menhaden & Osprey

Dave Taft has a brave article on Monarch Butterfly in this weekend's NY Times but the truth is that this iconic insect is at an all-time low. This morning I saw one, only my third of the season. Earlier there were numbers of Tiger Swallowtails, hairstreaks and other native butterflies. I thought that with the bursting forth of Seaside Goldenrod
-- more than I have ever seen -- there would be lots of nectaring butterflies. But so far these gorgeous plants are covered with bees and wasps and other insects but the only butterflies I have seen are skippers and I would hesitate to say which ones. I did see a very striking beetle which I have tentatively identified as a Locust Borer; it is a good-sized insect with yellow-green bands on a black background. According to the Petersen "Field Guide to the Insects" it is common on Goldenrod in the fall and that is exactly where I saw it.

Yesterday I reported up to seven or eight Osprey on Weesuck Creek at the same time. A report from Paul Spitzer via Carl Safina counted forty birds in the air simultaneously at the mouth of the Connecticut River yesterday! If there was a Menhaden run here that was big enough to attract numbers of migrating Osprey, imagine the size of the run in Long Island Sound.

Eric Salzman

Osprey on the move

The creek was full of Ospreys this morning with up to four in the air at the same time and two or three others perched simultaneously on Pine Neck. I suspect that these birds are a mixture of locals and migrants but this is just a guess. A male Osprey with a transmitter headed south from Jamaica Bay last week, headed apparently for South America. He traveled over 400 miles in a night flight between the 11th and the 12th and by the beginning of the week he was in South Carolina! You can follow the progress of this bird -- he is known as C2 -- at .

I watched the creek several times during the day today with the idea that the weather -- dry, clear, windy -- was perfect for a raptor migration. But, aside from a single Red-tailed Hawk, the only raptors in view were Osprey but there were plenty of them circling and recircling, ever intent on the water below. I even saw one of them hit the water and come up with a large finny prey -- possibly a menhaden which have apparently been running.

The idea that Osprey might migrate at night was new to me. In general, most raptors and other large water birds move during the day while the passerines fly by night. As mentioned in previous e-mails, most of our local insect-eating song birds have left leaving behind only the woodpeckers to work our standing dead wood and the berry eaters to harvest the fall berry crop.

Eric Salzman

disappearing birds?

I recently wrote about the morning silence in the marsh now that the Red-winged Blackbirds were gone. A couple of readers were seriously concerned by what they took to be a report of the apparent disappearance of this common bird, thinking that it might be a part of the Sixth Extinction currently in progress. I didn't intend to give that impression. Red-wings (and their close relatives, Common Grackles) are still common breeders around here and the Red-wings in particular had a very successful breeding season, as evidenced by the numbers of young birds that turned up this summer. The adult male Red-wings are strong defenders of territory, preferring the edges of wetlands but also upland meadows. They mark their territories with their characteristic trills and also by flashing their colorful shoulder patches and they will attack intruders -- including at times, humans -- by diving at them noisily with their sharp beaks as a threat. Females will also sometimes drive off other females but it is common for several females to establish themselves in a single male's territory; apparently the attraction is the territory itself rather than the handsome male! Since each nest has 2 to 3 eggs, the result is a lot of young fledging out of nests that are situated in a good territory!

In mid- to late summer, the males gradually abandon their territories -- I have often noted how they get less and less aggressive -- and the birds, young and old, start to form large flocks, often with other blackbirds. These flocks tend to gather at designated roosting sites, often in stands of phragmites at the edge of a marsh. Shortly after sunrise, these flocks disperse in groups of a dozen or more in search of good feeding areas and they will tend to return to their roosting area at sunset. In past years, there has been a fall or winter roost in the dense reeds at the edge of our marsh but that doesn't seem to be happening this year -- at least, not yet. It's possible that the memory of last winter's cold has already sent many of the birds further south to look for more congenial roosting or feeding areas. It's still early though, so we'll see what happens.

Frank Quevedo, the SOFO director, similarly mentioned to me that he hadn't been seeing any American Robins since their breeding season came to an end. The explanation is actually similar. Robins, young and old, also cluster into feeding flocks at this time of year and, as their Latin name (Turdus migratorius) suggests, tend to move south as the weather gets colder. At the moment we have small flocks of Robins, some of them with the spotted breasts of young birds; they are feeding on the profusion of berries -- Pokeweed, Poison Ivy, Tupelo -- that marks the end of summer in these parts. 

Eric Salzman

a virtuoso Blue Jay

With the virtual disappearance of Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles, the most common species around has been the Gray Catbird. Almost as common as the catbird is the American Robin and the loud and noisy Blue Jays. Yesterday, I heard a descending screech that I thought might be from an owl or unknown hawk but, after a few rounds of these calls, the sound suddenly switched to Osprey! It was indeed a Blue Jay practicing its raptor calls. More normal Blue Jay calls are everywhere as these birds work through the oak-and-hickory canopy looking, as I suppose, for acorns.

I got several reactions to my note about big black elongated wasps. The one with blue wings and an orange-and-black abdomen is almost certainly a Scolia dubia or Blue-winged Wasp. These wasps, which are commonly seen nectaring on flowers in late summer (the Wikipedia picture seems to show one on a Goldenrod), lays its eggs on beetle grubs including June bugs and Japanese beetle grubs. The other wasp, which was all-black with blue patches on the abdomen, was more difficult to identify. It's possibly another form of the same insect or a close relative. I'll have to try and get some pictures.

Eric Salzman

Seaside Goldenrod and its pollinators

If you want to study bees and wasps and other pollen-collectors, find a patch of Seaside Goldenrod. This underrated wildflower is disliked because it is associated with hayfever but it gets this reputation simply because it has bad timing; it flowers exactly at the beginning of hayfever season. Hayfever pollen comes from plants with wind-blown pollen, the best-known of which is Ragweed which has green flowers that are hardly noticeable. On the other hand, Seaside Goldenrod, a hardy, almost succulent plant of sandy shores, erupts in numerous small daisy-like yellow flowers precisely in order to attract insect pollinators. In a post-Sandy environment the flowers are everywhere in open shore areas, forming gorgeous sprays that attract hordes of insect pollinators. And boy (or should I say 'girl'?) do they attract.

I originally went down to wander amidst the glorious goldenrod to look for butterflies but I only found a few skippers that were, as usual, difficult to separate out according to species. But there were bees and wasps everywhere. I could see that some of the honeybees had little yellow baskets of pollen on their legs. Some of the other bees may have had honey baskets as well but most of the insects that were crowding in to get the pollen appeared to be devouring it on the spot. And there were many other insects joining in the feast.

Of all the several different kinds of wild bees and wasps, the most striking were two largeish elongated jet black wasps. They had long narrow bodies and narrow wings that were glistening blue like the gorget of a hummingbird. One of them had blue marks stamped on its black body and a blue (or blueish) band around its abdomen. The other did not have these blue spots but had a yellow-and-black abdomen. I have no idea if these are two different forms of the same species or two different species nor could I find any evidence for what they might be in my limited insect library. Oh well, the more you look the more you find and the more you find, the more you realize what you do not know!

Eric Salzman

mid-September morn

I was down at the pond and marsh shortly after sunrise this morning. It was a somewhat cool cloudless blue-sky Sunday morning with almost no wind and an astonishing lack of sound. No bugs, no boats, no birds. The sky, the marsh and the woods beyond seemed etched in a silence that put everything in sharp relief for what seemed like a long period of time. Finally there was the distant sound of corvids -- crows and jays.

A Black-crowned Night-Heron jumped out of the marsh and landed near the top of one of the high leafy trees in the woods . . . but still silently. Suddenly birds began popping up everywhere along the edge of the marsh and in the higher vegetation -- live and Sandy-dead -- just beyond. The most surprising of these was a richly colored off-season Bobolink with a pink bill (a notable feature not often mentioned) and a striking orange-buff color, deepest around the face. No sound but easy to pick out as it crouched in the tangled dead branches of a toppled Red Cedar.

What else? Red-eyed Vireo and Ovenbird in the big Tupelo at the head of the marsh and many of the familiars of early fall: finches (American Gold- and House), woodpeckers (all four local species), lots of American Robins (including juveniles), Cedar Waxwings, Common Yellowthroat, White-breasted Nuthatch, etc.

A sprawled-out deer in the near woods -- thought to be a dead animal -- was presumably only resting as it later disappeared or melted into a gang of seven or eight, a mixture of roe deer and their fawns seen a bit later in the day.

Eric Salzman

sunrise and one clear call for me

I watched the sun come up this morning. Of course this gets easier and easier to do as dawn arrives later and later (official sunrise was 6:30 or so but because of the trees on Pine Neck, it was a few minutes later). The sunlight hits the treetops back of the marsh first and then gradually drops down to ground level, always a beautiful quiet spectacle. With north winds and some cooler air coming in, there were a handful of migrants, notably an Ovenbird, a Yellow Warbler and a couple of Common Yellowthroats. Also Baltimore Oriole, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a Carolina Nuthatch, a Belted Kingfisher and one of the yellowlegs.

What's a Carolina Nuthatch you ask. Believe it or not, there's a move to split the White-breasted Nuthatches into three geographic species and, if that happens, ours would be the Carolina Nuthatch.

Some of these birds have been around for a while so it's not clear that they are all migrants but I certainly have the impression that many -- if not most -- of our local breeding birds have moved out with a handful of replacements coming in. Gray Catbirds are now the most common bird on the place, feeding on Pokeberries. Poison Ivy berries and Tupelo berries, all of which are fruiting densely in the upper marsh areas. American Robins, which also feed on these berries, are moving around in small flocks along with various woodpeckers.

Late this morning, I heard an Osprey calling outside the porch window -- so close that I thought the bird had landed on one of the trees surrounding the house. But when I went outside, all I could see was a Blue Jay. Then suddenly, the 'osprey' called again and flew into the next tree. To my astonishment, it was a Blue Jay doing a perfect imitation of an Osprey call! All the books will tell you that the Blue Jay is very good at imitating the calls of Red-shouldered Hawks. Well we don't have very many Red-shouldered Hawks out here but we do have Osprey and, let me tell you, the Blue Jay -- this one anyway -- does a really good job of imitating him.

Why? I have no idea. Blue Jays, like other corvids, don't really have a song but they are incredibly vocal, holding lengthy conversations between them. There were half a dozen Blue Jays hidden deep in the canopy of the trees around the house and all calling to one another in a series of sounds that ranged from the familiar 'jay-jay-jay' to an endless series of squeaking gates, electronic beeps, various buzzes and burbles. And -- to what end I am not sure -- a very good Osprey imitation.

Eric Salzman

from Blue Jays to white asters

Blue Jays high up in the oaks are almost certainly looking for acorns which are hard to come by this year. Blue Jays are known to cache acorns as winter food in hiding places that they sometimes forget (thereby helping the spread of oak trees). Catbirds everywhere -- apparently feeding on pokeweed berries. Small groups of American Robins (possibly also feeding on poke berries) include several juvenile birds that still retain their spots. Among the deer that frequent the place, there are three fauns which also still retain their spots. There are also at least three young Raccoons, generally seen -- even in daylight -- in the areas around the head of the marsh; they may also be eating poke berries but a more probable explanation is that this area is densely vegetated and provides excellent cover for a lot of creatures.

Several readers have sent me to online sources to research the mystery vine mentioned in my last post but few of them mention what I consider the most likely candidate. Climbing False Buckwheat is a member of the big Buckwheat family and is called Polygonum scandens in the old books (newer sources call it Fallopio scandens). The stems are red and the sprays of almost invisible flowers and winged seeds come out of the leaf axils. This seems to be another one of those plants which has appeared in areas that were scoured by Sandy. Another flower that has appeared in some of these areas is a small white aster that may actually be the Small White Aster (Aster vimineus); it is an attractive species with small white flower heads and narrow, grass-like leaves. The only problem is that there are many species of small white asters some of which also have numerous small leaves -- and not all of them well illustrated or described in the field guides let alone on line.

Eric Salzman

a swinging cormorant

Fairly strong breeze out of the northeast this morning. There were three Double-crested Cormorants on the dock just past the outflow from our pond. Two of them were solidly perched on adjacent stanchions but the third was on the line or rope between the stanchions. This was a tricky spot to hang out at best and, with the wind blowing the rope up and back, the cormorant had to balance itself and keep from falling by flapping its wings and tail non-stop. This looked ludicrous, especially since there were plenty of other posts on which he/she could have perched (not to mention the dock itself). Was it so important to hang out (literally) between two colleagues? Maybe this was just an exceptionally good way to dry off the wings (oddly enough, cormorants don't have any way of waterproofing their plumage which is why you often see them hanging out their wings to dry). Or maybe, this swinging, flapping balancing act was simply a lot of fun! After about 15 minutes, our cormorant trapeze artist took off, taking one of the other birds with him.

Fall floral displays are coming in. The Seaside Goldenrod is starting to bloom; it's going to make a great display this year. Clematis is also blooming with its striking profusion of bright white four-petaled flowers on a spreading vine. In sharp contrast to these spectacular plants is a small mystery vine with greenish flowers, winged fruits and red stems. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure this one out but I think the correct answer is Climbing False Buckwheat or perhaps a close relative. Groundsel, a widespread shrub on or near the marsh edge, is about to bloom as well.

There are still a few butterflies around -- I saw a Coral Hairstreak this morning as it briefly lit (lighted?) on one of the marsh edge plants. Alas, not one Monarchs since the single individual I saw a little while ago. The Monarch crash is real and troubling.

Eric Salzman

a swinging cormorant

Fairly strong breeze out of the northeast this morning. There were three Double-crested Cormorants on the dock just past the outflow from our pond. Two of them were solidly perched on adjacent stanchions but the third was on the line or rope between the stanchions. This was a tricky spot to hang out at best and, with the wind blowing the rope up and back, the cormorant had to balance itself and keep from falling by flapping its wings and tail non-stop. This looked ludicrous, especially since there were plenty of other posts on which he/she could have perched (not to mention the dock itself). Was it so important to hang out (literally) between two colleagues? Maybe this was just an exceptionally good way to dry off the wings (oddly enough, cormorants don't have any way of waterproofing their plumage which is why you often see them hanging out their wings to dry). Or maybe, this swinging, flapping balancing act was simply a lot of fun! After about 15 minutes, our cormorant trapeze artist took off, taking one of the other birds with him.

Fall floral displays are coming in. The Seaside Goldenrod is starting to bloom; it's going to make a great display this year. Clematis is also blooming with its striking profusion of bright white four-petaled flowers on a spreading vine. In sharp contrast to these spectacular plants is a small mystery vine with greenish flowers, winged fruits and red stems. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure this one out but I think the correct answer is Climbing False Buckwheat or perhaps a close relative. Groundsel, a widespread shrub on or near the marsh edge, is about to bloom as well.

There are still a few butterflies around -- I saw a Coral Hairstreak this morning as it briefly lit (lighted?) on one of the marsh edge plants. Alas, not one Monarchs since the single individual I saw a little while ago. The Monarch crash is real and troubling.

Eric Salzman

a respectable showing

The weather transitions this morning were unusual with fleecy clouds high up coming from the southwest but puffy high clouds moving in from the north and then a wind shift to the east. A number of migrants came in starting yesterday with a Black-throated Blue Warbler and a flock of American Redstarts - literally six birds in a tree seen by Lorna. There were also Redstarts this morning along with a juvenile Blackburnian Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush plus one or two Red-eyed Vireos. That's not exactly a 'wave' but, along with the White-breasted Nuthatches, House and Goldfinches, it made a respectable showing. On the creek, Green Herons and Belted Kingfisher are still hanging around and at least two of our resident birds -- Carolina Wren and Northern Cardinal -- are still feeding fledglings, mostly likely the third brood for each of them.

Eric Salzman

pairs

I was standing on our neighbors dock near the mouth of the outflow from our pond when two Mute Swans came by in a stately twosome -- one with his or her foot incongrously lifted up to the rear above the water line (which didn't prevent him or her from keeping up with his or her companion). After seeing that I had nothing for them, they swam right under the dock, continuing down the creek.. Aside from a stray foot in the air, what was unusual about two swans on Weesuck? Only the fact that, for the first time in years, there was no successful swan nesting on the creek and no sign of any swans for extended periods this summer. Perhaps this is a new pair ready to take over a prime abandoned territory?

Waterfowl often come in pairs. Two ducks cavorting over the creek turned out to be Black Duck. Unlike the introduced swans, this is a native species that has been pushed aside as a breeder by the introduced Mallard. Mallards also did not do well this year on the creek. Could Black Duck reestablish itself? Why not? There are a few pair in the Shinneock marshes opposite through the summer and they are common birds in migration and winter.

There were two Northern Mockingbirds mixed in with a small flock of American Robins in the tree tops back of the pond this morning. Mockers are not usually thought of as migrants but they seem to move around quite a bit (ditto the Robins). Also, there are still two Osprey on the creek as well as two Green Herons -- all perhaps young birds of the year whose parents have already left for warmer climes.

An odd couple was formed by the American Redstart and Black-throated Blue Warbler that were working the trees right around the house. There were a few other warblers around but, except for a couple of Common Yellowthroats in the low vegetation at marsh edge, they were moving high through the canopy and were difficult to identify.

The final pair in this report was even more mismatched. A fast-flying, squeaky little bird came shooting up the edge of the marsh -- fleeing for its life as it turned out. It was closely followed by the season's first Merlin which came within an ace of catching it. I didn't identify this bit of prey but I can testify that it got away. The disappointed Merlin pulled up short, veered off and landed in a tree on the other side of the marsh.

Eric Salzman

the vanguard

Tuesday's  1-day hot spell may have felt like the beginning of summer but it was still fall for many birds. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are now forming roosts and groups of a dozen or more fly out in the morning to feeding grounds in a typical fall/winter behavior. Also small groups of American Robins -- not quite yet big flocks -- are moving around feeding on Tupelo and Pokeweed berries along with good numbers of Gray Catbirds and small numbers of American Robins. Not many long-distance migrants but the Common Yellowthroats and Great Crested Flycatcher that have been active in the past few days are probably migrants along with a few Purple Martins and Barn Swallows. Most of the Osprey on the creek are gone and so, seemingly, are the Northern Waterthrushes which spent most of August here. A similar group of birds were in the outer edges of the marsh this morning along with a couple of American Redstarts, many Song Sparrows, a Green Heron, a fly-by Belted Kingfisher and a White-breasted Nuthatch in the woods. Some of these birds have been here most of the summer but many of them are on the move -- the vanguard of the fall migration.

Eric Salzman

katydids

The katydid, whose picture I posted a day or two ago, is not a Common True Katydid (the kind that stirs up a storm these summer nights) but something called a Round-headed Katydid. On the advice of John Heidecker, I submitted the pictures to a web site called BugGuide.net and the correct attribution came back almost immediately. One of the photos is now enshrined on this web page as a prime example of this strange insect (the picture, by the way, was taken by my son-in-law, Jean-Louis Carbonnier). After a considerable search, I found some sound recordings of Rounded-headed Katydids which produce very high pitched clicks and buzzes, often brief and at the edge of audibility.  Indeed some of them were absolutely inaudible -- due to the limitations of my computer's sound system or my ears. There are, as you might gather, a number of species in the genus of Round-headed Katydids so this specimen has been tracked down to the generic level only. If you listen carefully at night -- try to ignore the loud True Katydids -- you can hear some of these odd calls coming from high in the trees. There is, it seems, more to this katydid business than one might suspect! The insects of late summer (and the nocturnal ones in particular) are a whole study in itself!

Eric Salzman

Yellowlegs and Great Blue

An overcast, quiet morning. Low tide in the marsh attracted two Greater Yellowlegs into the muddy verges of the pond but they were spooked by the arrival of at least two Great Blue Herons. Instead of landing in the marsh however, Great Blue #1 went for a roost in the trees back of the marsh and then noisily attacked the second bird when it attempted to do the same. Angry Great Blue growls continued to resonate all for much of the morning; apparently these birds are somewhat territorial in what has to be an off-season or winter range.

Flycatchers have appeared in several different places and they all seem to be Eastern Wood-pewees with dark or mottled breasts and a somewhat peaked or crested head. The daily Ruby-throated Hummingbird as well.

Evening Primroses are blooming along with Salt Marsh Asters and a lot of Sea Lavender. Also a delicate goldenrod that I think is Slender Fragrant Goldenrod and one of the everlastings -- I always called it Pearly Everlasting although now I'm not so sure.

Eric Salzman

is she or isn't she?

The Invasion of the Hairy is now playing locally. No, not Hairy Apes or Hairy Mastodons but Hairy Woodpeckers. The Hairy is a bigger version of our common Downy Woodpecker and has always been a woodland woodpecker around here. But since Irene and Sandy left so much standing dead wood on our place, the Hairy has become almost as common as its junior partner. It is distinctly bigger than its cousin and a good look as its substantial beak will usually tell you which woody is which. Even easier is the call which is usually a single loud and sharp "Peek". Downies generally give a rattle call and a drum roll while Hairies are more likely to give that sharp single call and instead of a drum roll they seem to prefer a softer, more irregular series of taps.

This morning's birds were similar to yesterdays but with fewer species and fewer individuals. The only new element was a Yellowlegs calling from somewhere on the creek and, no, I don't know which Yellowlegs it was (easier to distinguish the two woodpeckers than the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs).

The fellow illustrated above appeared on the side of the house this afternoon. I think it must be a female katydid (the oviposter being that strange curved scimitar-like appendage on one side) looking for a place to lay its eggs!? This has been a very bad year for Fireflies but a great year for Common Kaydids; their nighttime chorus is positively deafening and continues most of the night. This is a creature that we hear for most of the summer but very rarely see. Assuming, of course, that it really is a Katydid.

almost 4 dozen

Cool weather overnight brought in migrants this morning. The following list includes new arrivals along with birds that have been here in recent weeks. Most of these birds were seen on the creek, by the edge of the pond, on the edge of the marsh or at the head of the marsh.

Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk (the object of this morning's Murder of Crows)
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher (the only large flycatcher missing from the flycatcher invasion last week)
Warbling Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch ('Carolina Nuthatch' if current proposal to split the nuthatches goes through)
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Black-and-white Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
American Redstart
Scarlet Tanager (female or young)
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Baltimore Oriole (many young birds)
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Nothing unusual but 46 species in less than 2 hours.

Eric Salzman

hummingbirds, swallows and terns

It seems to me that there can be little doubt that we had nesting hummers this year. I've seen them almost every day all summer long, in two distinct areas and, on several occasions, in pairs that appeared to be juveniles. This suggests that there were two nests and that at least one of them successfully produced the standard hummingbird twins (hummingbirds nearly always have two young). We have at least one neighbor on Randall Lane who has a hummingbird feeder but I have never seen a hummer at that feeder although there are hummers in the general area. Perhaps they feed at wildflowers or at the flowers in someone's garden but I've never seen them doing that either!

There was a swatch of swallows overhead this morning and, once again, it was dominated by Rough-winged Swallows although there were also a few Bank and Barn. I did not see a single Tree but there was a possible Cliff Swallow (not easy to be sure about these fast moving aerial speedsters in the early morning light).

The only terns now on the creek are Royal Terns. I don't know what they're catching -- possibly snappers (i.e. Blue Snappers) -- but I saw one with a good-sized fish being pursued by a large juvenile Great Black-backed Gull. Did not see the outcome of that chase but I fear it could not have turned out well for the tern. As to the smaller terns, I supposed they have gone to bivouac somewhere with their fellow terns prior to migration.

Eric Salzman

"I am green," said the vireo, "and a little yellow too..."

Good look at two vireos, almost certainly the same ones seen yesterday at a distance. Both birds seen this morning were Warbling Vireos -- eye stripe, head and back same color ('concolor'), light yellow underneath but whitish on the throat. (Philadelphia Vireo is similar but has a dark line through the eye and the brightest yellow is on the throat.) Philadelphia Vireo is not an impossibility but not this time.

A few flycatchers still around, mainly Eastern Wood-pewee and Eastern Phoebe; no sign of the Olive-sided. Also Cedar Waxwing, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Am Goldfinch and the usual warblers (N. Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Am Redstart),

There have been swallows coming through in recent days over the marsh with a small group of Rough-wings and a few Barn, Bank and Tree; also a Chimney Swift this morning. Otherwise the marsh has been deafeningly still and quiet.

Eric Salzman

flycatcher day

Today was flycatcher day in East Quogue. Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-pewee and, best of all, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER were all active at the head of the marsh. The Olive-sided -- which I like to call by its alternate name, Boreal Pewee (for that's what it is) -- was working the tops of some of the dead trees left behind by Sandy and with considerable success. This is the northernmost of the series of pewees that extend through the tropics into North America. It is larger than our Wood-pewee, strongly crested and has a very marked 'vest' effect on its breast; I could also see traces of the white tufts on the rump and, just to make sure we knew who we were dealing with, it actually sang once -- something like the traditional 'hip-three-beers'.

Among the other birds active in this area were eye-striped vireos, at least one of which was quite yellow underneath. Red-eyed Vireos are not that yellow. Fall Warbling Vireos might be somewhat yellow underneath; the other possibility would be Philadelphia Vireo but the birds were too far away and too active for me to be sure.

Robins, Catbirds and Mockingbirds were feeding on Tupelo berries as well as pokeberries. Other active birds included Hairy, Downy and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, House and Carolina Wrens, B-c Chickadees and Tufted Titmice, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and American Goldfinch.

Eric Salzman

the floral progeny of Sandy

The extraordinary spread of Pokeweed following the clearing out of low growth and underbrush by Sandy is now coming to a climax as the long purple stems of this plant sprout long sprays of waxy white flowers which turn into green and then purple berries. It all makes a lush display that seems as thought it would be appropriate in a tropical rainforest although in fact Pokeweed is a native plant. The early shoots of Pokeweed can be eaten as a wild green (boiled and with a couple of changes of water) but the mature plant -- supposedly including the berries -- is poisonous. In spite of this, pokeberries are a bonanza for birds. Yesterday morning, a Northern Mockingbird moved in to join the Catbirds, Robins, Cardinals and possibly other species (Flickers, wrens) eating the berries. All four woodpeckers were present plus White-breasted Nuthatch, Baltimore Oriole, and House Sparrows; are they also eating the berries? Also Raccoons frequent the area and are sometimes active in the daytime.

Strangely enough, there are very few Gray Squirrels here or anywhere, even where there is a plentiful crop of nuts to harvest (Hickories and Black Walnut; few acorns). What happened to the squirrels?

Meanwhile, the Pilewort is threatening to bloom with floral heads that will never open. The delicate Sea Lavender is starting to bloom in the marsh and the Seaside Goldenrod is about ready to pop. This latter plant has spread widely since the depredations of Sandy wiped out the original understory. This is a remarkable plant in more ways than one, not only because it is a hurricane survivor but also because if it is trampled or otherwise damaged, it has an ability to recover from the insults and continue its growth towards floresence.

Eric Salzman

a trip to southern Ecuador

Lorna and I are joining ornithologist/author/bird guide Gary Rosenberg on a two week trip to southern Ecuador, starting Oct. 25 in Guayaquil and ending there on November 9th. There is one space left on this trip, which is limited to 8 people. Many varied habitats will be visited from cloudforest to lowlands to the unusual Tumbes dry forest habitat and one coastal area west of Guayaquil are included as well as Podocarpus National Park.

Accommodations are in well maintained comfortable lodges within bird preserves managed by the Jocotoco Foundation, which has many preserves throughout Ecuador that harbor not only a large and wonderful variety of bird species (we talking about 100s of species!) but some very local endemic species not found elsewhere such as the Jocotoco Antpitta and the El Oro Parakeet. No guarantees but very possible!

The cost of the trip per person is $3900, which includes everything but international air fare, alcohol and other personal expenses. It is not a difficult trip. Birding is mainly on wide roads and trails, all well maintained. But it involves arising very early every morning for breakfast and departing from the lodge at 5:30 am (returning before dark, i.e.around 6 or 6:30 pm). Those with slight walking impairment  (like Lorna) will not find it difficult since birders always walk very slowly anyway! 

If anyone is interested let me know and I will have Gary contact you personally with a detailed itinerary. We have booked a round trip flight using AA and LAN Ecuador, leaving Oct. 24th (to arrive in Guayaquil one day before trip starts) from JFK at 11 am, changing planes in Miami. Return flight is direct nonstop from Guayaquil to JFK, via LAN Ecuador, arriving early evening (an excellent flight).

Eric
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Close Encounters of the Hummingbird Kind

I had three close encounters with hummingbirds this morning. The first two involved a hummingbird -- possibly the same one both times -- hovering literally inches from my face, circling around my head and following me in this manner as I walked down the trail. The third encounter was with another bird in another part of the property and was not quite as close up. These birds are consistently in the same two areas (although never before as bold) and may be locals rather than migrants.

A big wave of Catbirds came in this morning along with a rather tight group of N. Flickers and at least one Belted Kingfisher; most of these are probably migrants. Some of the other 'visitors' of recent days still remain: Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood-pewee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and White-breasted Nuthatch.

A propos of my comments about Bald Eagle nesting, John Turner and Mike Bottini have both written to me about the successful Bald Eagle nesting on Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island with two birds fledged (oddly enough, the nesting was reported locally as far back as last March but there seems to have been little notice of the successful outcome). Apparently another, less noted pair on the Carmen's River has been unsuccessful for the second straight year.

Eric Salzman

bats but no owl

No sign of the Great Horned Owl. He/she/it stayed in the same pine tree roost all day yesterday hardly moving at all (he turned around once or twice on his branch and occasionally deigned to turn his head and stare down at me). The crows took occasional breathers but kept returning to the spot to chivvy their mortal enemy; all their exertions produced hardly any reaction at all. But, not surprisingly, the owl did not return to the pine tree roost where it was discovered yesterday. There were a few noisy crows flying around this morning as though they were looking for the owl and, at one point, the local Blue Jays started to call but it seemed to be much fuss about nothing.

Last night's drop in temperature produced a sunny, dewy morning with few birds. It was as if, most of the migrants of the past few days took off leaving behind just some now-familiar species: Northern Waterthrush, Commmon Yellowthroat, Black-and-white Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, N. Flicker and Eastern Wood-pewee.

Here's a bit of good news: in recent days there have been bats flying and feeding overhead at dusk (originally discovered by my daughter Eva last week). Bats have been badly hit by something called White Nose Syndrome so many species are in trouble. I'm not a good judge of size (and I don't know the range of bat possibilities) but I would call these small to medium. They are probably Big or Little Brown Bats, the latter being the most likely.

Kathy Goldman wants to know why I'm surprised to see hummingbirds around when they are common nesters in her area. There are several reasons why I am always delighted to see hummingbirds, especially in mid-summer. Historically they were very rare nesters on Eastern Long Island and here in E. Quogue we saw them mostly in fall migration. The big change in local numbers of hummers and the obvious increase in breeding birds is undoubtedly due to the proliferation of flowering gardens and hummingbird feeders and it is a relatively recent phenomenon. Of course, it is always a pleasure to see hummingbirds no matter how often they show up!

Kathi also reports an adult Bald Eagle at Northwest Creek. I believe Bald Eagles have started to nest again on Gardiners Island and it's likely that we'll see them nesting elsewhere pretty soon; Northwest Creek is one of the likeliest spots around (remember, you heard it here first)!

Eric Salzman

big ones and little ones

A murder of crows -- a hideous racket -- led me to a tall pine in the woods where, after considerable effort and various attempted vantage points, I was finally able to see the object of their vituperation: a big raptor tucked high into the folds of the pine. At first, I could only make out a whitish undertail and a bulky gray-tawny belly, both with horizontal barring. Eventually it turned its head and looked down at me with its large ear tufts and staring yellow eyes.

"May I help you?"

"You've already helped me by turning your head and looking down at me, thank you. You're a Great Horned Owl"!

Crows really hate Great Horned Owls. They kept up their racket for at least two hours straight and, with a couple of pauses to catch their breath, they kept at it all morning and well into the afternoon. This huge Bubo owl is not uncommon north of here in the Pine Barrens but I have seen it only three times down here over the years. I would have certainly missed this one if it hadn't been for the murderous hatred of the crows.

Great Blue Heron, flushed out of the trees at the edge of the marsh, flew off with its usual great squawks.This morning's feeding flock -- well away from the owl -- consisted mainly of titmice and chickadees but there were a few other birds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House and Carolina Wrens, American Redstart, Northern Waterthrush and many Catbirds, most of which must have been migrants.

Eric Salzman

an unusual feeding flock

Except for one Northern Waterthrush on the edge of the marsh, I didn't see or hear a single warbler this morning but the usual chickadee-and-titmouse feeding flock had Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, a handsome male Baltimore Oriole still in breeding plumage, a female or juvenile Scarlet Tanager and, of all things, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Last night there were Chimney Swifts overhead at dusk in Riverhead.

Goldenrod is late this year but there is a stand of Rough-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) blooming just off the property. Also Rose Mallow is in bloom but, alas, our marsh is too salt-tidal for this native and spectacular hibiscus (most of the ones around are garden plants, often white with red centers).

Mole diggings are everywhere and there are two families of deer with seven or eight individuals including antlered stages, does and spotted fawns. The threat these pose to our garden is, fortunately, non-existant since we don't garden.

Eric Salzman

hummerbirds

At least two East Quoguers tell me that they have summer hummers that are probably nesting nearby. However most of these birds are feeding on garden flowers (or, possibly, hummingbird feeders). We have neither here but there are gardens and at least one hummingbird feeder on Randall Lane so it is possible that the hummers are taking advantage of these resources (although I have never seen it myself). This morning's hummerbird was a male on the old right-of-way, the first male hummer seen in a while.

Prairie Warbler (seen sporadically this summer), a chattering Baltimore Oriole (handsome male still in breeding plumage), a Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch and House Finch were the morning's best birds; most of the rest were the same ones I've been seeing in the feeding flocks all this week: Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat. White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, etc. As usual, Black-capped Chickadees and Tufted Titmice led the parade.

Eric Salzman

hummers galore

For the second time in the past few days, I've seen two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds buzzing around near the head of the marsh. These might be two young birds from a local nest but it's difficult to be sure. I also saw another hummingbird near the pond, probably a different bird a good distance away. All of these are female-type birds that may be juveniles. The persistence of hummers in these two areas is striking! Wonder what they feed on. There is a neighbor on Randall Lane with a hummingbird feeder but I have never seen a hummingbird use it!

Today's feeding flocks, led as usual by Black-capped Chickadees, included many of the same species seen in recent days: Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Downy Woodpecker with Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals and the two wrens joining in. This collection of birds seems to be quite stable for now. Similarly, the birds on the creek are also relatively stable with both egrets, Great Blue Herons and four terns (Royal, Forster's, Common and Least). A Belted Kingfisher, formerly a regular on the creek but not a common resident any more, made a short appearance.

Eric Salzman

a passing storm

Very high tides synched with the full moon and flooded the marsh as well as Dune Road. A stormy night did not produce much rain although other parts of L.I. were flooded out! Stormy weather in the morning was followed by steamy sunshine.

The entertaining feeding flocks of the past few days have not been in evidence. Yesterday, there were a few Black-capped Chickadees and a messy warbler in molt that was almost impossible to identify (usually I call such birds young Pine Warblers but this one looked more like a young Black-throated Blue with a single white wing patch instead of a pair of wing bars).

There were at least two hummingbirds -- one female type and one possible young bird -- in different places near the head of the marsh. There are still White-breasted Nuthatches and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers around along with Spotted Sandpipers on the pond, visible only when the tide is low.

A Mourning Dave came shooting up and out across the creek followed by a fast-moving accipiter -- much larger than the dove and there easily ID'd as a Cooper's Hawk. It crossed the creek without catching the dove and disappeared into the Pine Neck woods.

Eric Salzman

nuts, thistles, turtles and Turkey Vulture

Hickory nuts falling all over the place and Black Walnut nuts have appeared as well (now if I could only figure out how to get the meat out of these things). The big thistle is in full bloom and I have discovered several other smaller plants scattered here and there in woodland areas that were cleared out by Sandy. Same for the Wood Sage or Germander which seems to be more widespread after Sandy than before.

Several Box Turtles have appeared eating a brown-topped, yellowish gilled mushroom that we call Fetid Russula (not sure if this is the correct ID but this common mushroom has a rather unpleasant almondy smell (so it may be Almond-smelling Russula not Fetid Russula). Although the smell is not unpleasant I don't think this is an edible mushroom -- except to turtles.

A Turkey Vulture wheeling overhead yesterday aroused the ire of the local crows but soon soared off. This morning's birds were similar to those of the past few days -- Northern Waterthrushes, Common Yellowthroats, Black-and-white Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Downy Woodpecker and Flicker; also at least two Spotted Sandpipers on the pond and a continuing parade of Royal Terns on the creek

Eric Salzman

What's black and white and fed all over?

Today was Black-and-white Warbler day. There were half a dozen of these birds -- males and females -- in a single spot and at least as many elsewhere on the property, all working the trees, branches, leaves and bushes for insect prey. There was also a clutch of House Wrens in and around the head of the marsh although it was impossible to say whether these were members of an extended local family or early migrants.

Northern Waterthrush is still here along with numbers of Common Yellowthroats -- again whether local or migrant is a difficult call. Three woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy and Flicker), an Eastern Wood-pewee and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Several Great Blue Herons including three on the marsh.

The local Carolina Wrens, almost as numerous as the House Wrens, are singing away in a curious mixture of their usual rhythmic song and a variety of other rather formless melodic bits -- perhaps the attempts of young birds to sing.

Later in the morning, we organized a clamming expedition (successful) and, on the way back to the house, I saw my first Monarch Butterfly of the season. As readers of this blog undoubtedly know, Monarchs are in big trouble so it was a pleasure to see even one!

Eric Salzman

a mystery warbler and some less mysterious others

Dozens, if not hundreds, of birds, were active in the live and dead trees back of the pond early this morning. Although dominated by Black-capped Chickadees and some Tufted Titmice, there was also a fair variety of warblers with Black-and-white, Pine, Prairie, Am Redstart, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Waterthrush. Also Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Pewee, House and Carolina Wrens, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers,

A gray warbler-sized bird with two bright wingbars, glimpsed in the trees, had me stumped and, try as I might, I could not find it again or match it up with any warbler or vireo known to me. The closest guess would be a female or young Cerulean Warbler but I did not note any green on the back of this bird which was, in any case, half-hidden in dense green foliage. Unless I can find it again and get more field marks, it will have to go into the category of one that got away!

Lots of insects. Katydids have been calling since the beginning of the month and there has been a variety of butterflies although, sadly enough, not a single Monarch.

Eric Salzman

little hummer, big hawk

Noisy Blue Jays roused up a big female Cooper's Hawk this morning which flew into a tree right over my head and perched prettily for some first-class hawk viewing. This was an adult bird with broad red lines on her chest, a long banded tail with a rather wide white tip and a fierce reddish eye. The Blue Jays did not find it hidden in the tree canopy and the bird actually changed place a couple of times without being seen by the jays (but always square in my binoculars).

There were a few other birds around including a whole gang of Common Yellowthroats (perhaps a single family), a Black-and-white Warbler, both wrens (House and Carolina), Eastern Phoebe (two or three), White-breasted Nuthatch and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird near the head of the marsh. An eerie quiet reigns on the marsh and marsh edges these days with the virtually total disappearance of the Bay Avenue Purple Martin colony and local Barn Swallows plus the abandonment of breeding territories by the Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles.

Eric Salzman

a Cliff Swallow (maybe)

Took granddaughter Juliette yesterday to the Connecticut Avenue canoe drop-off point for the Quogue Wildlife Refuge's annual Peconic paddle and then, with Eileen Schwinn made an unusual midsummer visit to Ex-Grumman/EPCAL. Although we saw many of the expected birds (Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Barn Swallows, Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark in the grasslands, American Robins, Eastern Towhees, Eastern Wood-Pewee in the wooded areas), most of the birds were in their post-nesting phase and remained quiet and well-hidden. A trip down to the shore revealed a good number of Royal Terns and a few Black-bellied Plovers at Pike's Beach (plus the usual small shorebirds). There was little activity at Tiana Beach but there were some shorebirds in a muddy patch south of Dune Road (Semipalmated Plovers, Short-billed Dowitchers).

The migration of swallows -- mostly Barn -- along Dune Road continued apace. A little excitement was provided by a swallow perched on a wire that appeared to me to have the features of a Cliff Swallow: short tail, white markings on a grayish back, a light patch on the forehead and a pale collar. However the forehead patch was not brilliant white and the bird was mostly facing away from us and preening constantly (and observed through the car window). I never saw it fly. I have seen Cliff Swallow on Eastern Long Island just one or two times so it does still occur out here (it once bred but no more). Wish I was a little more secure about this one!

Eric Salzman

chocolate wrens

Northern Waterthrush, Pine Warbler (immatures), Yellow Warbler (immatures mostly), Common Yellowthroat (also immatures), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, and a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker were all in this morning's feeding flocks along with Chickadees and Titmice. The House Wrens may not be local birds as they are strikingly chocolate in color while our locals are very pale in comparison (House Wrens are quite migratory unlike the Carolina Wren which is with us all year round).

Eric Salzman

a waterthrush and a night-heron

Northern Waterthrush is here; it apparently arrived last night. This is a warbler which does not breed on Long Island but arrives here from the north every summer in the middle or end of July or, as this year, early August. These summer visitors are often here throughout August. Like the Royal Terns (which come from the south), these birds make an intermediate stop to feed and fatten up before they continue with their 'real' migration south to warmer climes.

A young night-heron was in the pond this morning and, from its upright stance and a few other features, I deduced that it was a Yellow-crowned and not the more common Black-crowned Night-Heron. Last year there was an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on the pond almost every day but I haven't seen a one this year. There are at least two young Green Herons here, birds that were probably born in a nest in our woods. Both white egrets are regulars and there are a couple of Great Blue Herons on the creek. All four local terns were on the creek yesterday and this morning: Royal, Common Forster's and Least; they're all easy to pick out by call (I usually hear them first and then find them by sight).

Although there are a few Purple Martins is still in the vicinity, most of the Bay Avenue birds have vacated the colony site in preparation for migration. I now think that the noisy display over the house the other evening was some kind of preliminary social activity leading to the beginning of migration for the birds in this colony. Also, I note that, with swallow migration is in full swing on the beach, there are very few swallows over the marsh and creek on this side of the bay. Like the shorebirds (which they resemble in many ways), these aerial insect eaters have already begun their migration.

There was a small family of three Eastern Phoebes by the pond this morning and there are feeding flocks moving around the place dominated by Black-capped Chickadees or Tufted Titmice (Titmouses?), apparently each from one or two families. These small flocks have guests, Seen yesterday and this morning: Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Yellow Warblers, Pine Warblers, an American Redstart, both wrens, and Downy Woodpeckers. At least one of the White-breasted Nuthatches in residence has a gray rather than a black cap suggesting that it may be a juvenile (in a plumage not illustrating in the field guides).

The rains brought fungi, mostly Lactarius volemus (Milky Caps) and Chanterelles, both good eating mushrooms.

Eric Salzman

good season for Royals, slow for wildflowers

Royal Terns came up the creek last night and again this morning and this afternoon, confirming their (now annual) arrival from the south. As far as I know, they still do not breed on Long Island but a sizeable contingent moves north from their southern breeding grounds to hang out in our waters every summer.

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers turned up this morning, another of those local breeders which is either moving around locally before migrating or actually in the process of moving south. Gnatcatchers were a rarity here in the last century but subsequently established themselves as one of those southern species expanding its range to the north in an era of climate change.

House Wrens also reappeared after a long period of silence. Red-winged Blackbirds have essentially abandoned their territories around the marsh but there are many birds -- mostly young of the year -- still hanging around and only beginning to flock up. Only the year-round birds -- Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow -- are still singing on territory. By the way, Carolina Wren and the so-called 'Northern' Cardinal are two more southern birds that established themselves here as common breeding birds only in the second half of the last century.

This is a slow season for wildflowers. There is Wood Sage (or Germander), Queen Anne's Lace, a ton of Pokeweed, Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia; mostly garden escapes), Coreopsis (Tickseed), St. John's Wort and some kind of Geranium (Wild Geranium?) -- mostly past their prime. Some of these are on or adjacent to the property; others were seen on Dune Road yesterday.

The Bull or Field Thistle is producing flowerheads at a great rate; about a dozen or more so far with more than a dozen yet to come; this single plant is about 9 feet high with multiple branches.

Eric Salzman

last day of July on Dune Road

Went down Dune Road on this last day of July with Eileen Schwinn. As has been the case all along the South Shore this summer, the sheer numbers of shore birds were low but we saw a few good birds amidst a modest variety of species. No. 1 was a Whimbel at Tiana Beach (this is on the bay side in a Sandy-created sandy area). This bird was in the open at a relatively short distance and posed prettily for a considerable length of time (see attached photos).

Another good bird was the Black Skimmer working the bay edge east of the Ponquogue Bridge. Further west, a muddy area on the south side of the road featured many shorebirds including a group of six good-sized Dowitchers that may have been Long-billed rather than the more common Short-billed.

A striking feature of the morning was the nearly continuous flow of swallows heading west (or, more precisely, southwest). Most of them were Barn Swallows but the flight also included many Tree Swallows and a few Rough-winged Swallows and Purple Martins. This was clearly a migration and it anticipated some of the big swallow movements yet to come in August. Although most of these swallows were moving individually or, at most, three or four at a time, the total movement was certainly in the 100s and perhaps higher.

The day's list of shorebirds also included Piping Plovers (with some juveniles), Semipalmated Plovers (many), American Oystercatchers, a few Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers (a few), and Short-billed Dowitchers (a few). I expected to see Royal Terns because last night at dusk a flock of at least a dozen were flying and fishing quite noisily on Weesuck Creek. But nary a one was seen this morning.

Eric Salzman

a rosy breast

An immature male Rose-breasted Grosbeak turned up this morning. I would have called it a female except that it had a rosy breast -- not the clear pattern of the adult but a kind of rosy or pinkish wash, which indicates a juvenile male. An early migrant or simply a local that wandered away from its natal nest? Impossible to tell. Another immature, a young Yellow Warbler in a perfect lemony plumage, was popping up and down out of the foliage, presumably fly catching. Since Yellow Warbler is a common local breeder, I would hesitate to call this an early migrant. Also in the neighborhood: an immature Pine Warbler and an Eastern Phoebe.

There are now four species of terns working the creek in small numbers: Common, Least, Forster's and Royal. The two young Green Herons are still around but they are extraordinarily shy, flying off long before I come near. On one occasion, the younger one dropped into the marsh while the older one took up a sentinal's post on the dead cedar tree on the opposite side of the pond; it tolerated my presence because and only as long as I was sitting down.

Eric Salzman

after the storm

The T-storm hit at about 5 am shortly before dawn and it was followed by gusty breezes from the southwest. I was up and out early enough to catch the aftermath of the storm which clearly stirred the pot. The first thing I saw was small groups of American Robins  headed the wrong way -- southwest to northeast. This was followed shortly by masses of blackbirds -- mainly Red-winged Blackbirds but including a few Common Grackles and a high percentage of young birds. They clustered all around the marsh and pond edge in the dead trees killed by Sandy, clucking and chattering away. Two young Green Herons with streaked necks looked quite bedraggled; one had downy feathers still sticking out of its head as though it had just emerged from the nest -- and, indeed, perhaps it had just emerged from the nest! An adult Snowy Egret appeared on the pond with a young-looking bird -- possibly its offspring. And a juvenile Spotted Sandpiper prowled the muddy pond edges.

An excess of Catbirds probably included some birds on the move; there is a strong Catbird migration through our area but because this is such a common local bird, it is not much noticed. The same is true of the Am Robin but Robins fly high and in groups making their movements more obvious.

Eric Salzman

Martins & mushrooms

A cloud of chirping Purple Martins formed and circled over the house yesterday evening. This was something like the well-known dawn chorus but it was definitely an evening affair. There were flying young as well as adults and this had the character of a social event in which most of the members of the colony participated. At least two crows and some Barn Swallows joined in but it was primarily a Martin affair, perhaps as a prelude to the start of migration. After about 20" or so it moved out over the marsh where it continued for another 10" or 15".

The nearer (and more recent) Osprey nest on Pine Neck had three birds on it this morning and a fourth hanging out nearby. One of the birds -- probably one of the adults -- was perched on the edge of the nest while the other two were exercising their wings and even beginning to helicopter above the nest. In a recent post, I said that this nest had only one young but there are obviously at least two young birds just about ready to fly.

Lactarius volemus -- the Tawny Milkcap -- had a substantial fruiting last night and I collected a good number this morning. We ate the first batch last night and they'll be on the dinner menu again tonight.

Eric Salzman

terns calling

Calling terns from the creek: (1) a rasping call that proved to be a Forster's Tern, flashing its white primaries and working the creek along with Least Terns yesterday afternoon; the call is very distinctive and is quite different from the Common Tern call (but it does take a little practice to learn it); (2) the unmistakeable call of a Royal Tern, the first calling bird of the season (an earlier bird was glimpsed a few days ago; Royals usually come in about this time of year and I expect to hear more of them in the coming weeks).

An adult female Pine Warbler feeding a young bird was the highlight of yesterday morning's feeding flock which was dominated by B-c Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, a male and female Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe and White-breasted Nuthatch. This is actually the first proof that I've had for what I've long suspected: Pine Warbler breeding in our area. The Chickadees are also a family group (I saw young being fed by an adult) and probably also the Titmice.

Germander or Wood Sage is in bloom. This is a native wildflower that grows (around here at any rate) near the edges of the marsh. I was worried that it had been wiped out by Sandy but it has reappeared in some numbers in a couple of places. This is in the mint family with a squared-off stem and delicate light pink or lavender flowers blooming all along the stem. First notable fruiting of Lactarius volemus, one of the milky cap mushrooms and one of our best edibles (our other common lactarius is rather bitter).

Eric Salzman