Jones Beach (1 Viewer)

I camped at Jones Beach last night. The birding was pretty good. Forster's and Common Terns and Black Skimmers were thick over the bay, the skimmers staying until well after dark. Black-crowned Night Herons were everywhere, squawking and stalking around the pilings. Ospreys were common as well. In the morning, the migrants were out in force. Palm Warblers and Savannah Sparrows were the most numerous. There were a few Purple Finches, a handful of Red-breasted Nuthatches, Song Sparrows, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. A Brown Thrasher put in an appearance, and someone claimed to have seen a Lincoln's Sparrow. Mockingbirds and Starlings were omnipresent and always. Ruddy Turnstones, Willets, Dunlin, and Black-bellied Plovers were the predominant shorebirds. A Peregrine and some Harriers were seen. However, the star of the show was a female Merlin who repeatedly made passes at all the birds, seemingly targeting the flickers above all others. She perched several times, and flew low over my head three times, affording excellent views.

 

[OwlTalon]

I forgot to mention the Northern Waterthrush.

 

[pdog1]

wow i didn't know there was camping on jones beach?
Yeah Merlins are fun to watch, i saw one yesterday i was at fire island at the sunken forest, i to saw a female make several passes at migrating songbirds they are quick birds.

 

[OwlTalon]

I was camping with the scouts at the coastguard station.