Late Fall Birdwalk Results
November 22, 2009
What a beautiful day for a walk. We left Rodman’s Neck and began walking on the asphalt path across from Turtle Cove. Some of us walked ahead, while others stopped to find a noisy Carolina Wren and a White- throated Sparrow. Elizabeth spotted a Red-tailed Hawk, sunning itself on a distant branch and we all had some good looks. Through the spotting scope we watched several Brant, Red-breasted Mergansers, Bufflehead, Scaup and a Mallard or two. Across the street, at Turtle Cove, we had some nice looks at a Belted Kingfisher perched on a nearby branch overlooking the back lagoon. Two Hooded Merganser were also cooperative until something flushed them from the pond. Perhaps a Red-tailed Hawk or other predator was in the area.
The sun was shining and we decided to drive over to Hunter Island. At the small pine forest we met another birding group, the Queens Birding Club. I know these folks and they are terrific birders. They told me they had scoured the trees for owls and could find nothing. This area is known for Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls. I had checked the area the day before and couldn’t find any owls either. Satisfied there were no owls, we walked ahead. At Hunter Island we saw more Bufflehead, Scaup, Black Ducks, Double-crested Cormorant, Blue Jays and Turkey Vultures. We had another good look at a Belted Kingfisher on the rocks along shoreline. Eamon spotted a Common Loon way out in the water off Orchard Beach. On the way home, along the boardwalk, a Downy Woodpecker delighted Cathy and Celia.
...and what we missed!!!
At about 2:00 PM, on my way out the door, I received a call from Jeff Hyman. Jeff usually walks with us, but somehow didn’t see my email announcing the walk. Jeff was at the pine forest on Hunter Island. The place we were supposed to look for owls. Trusting yesterday’s search and the good birders from the Queens Birding Club, we neglected to look very carefully. Jeff told me he was looking directly at a Saw- whet Owl. About the same time Jeff called, I received an email from Billy, who was on our walk. On the way home he passed by the pine forest and photographed the Saw-whet. Below is the photo he took. I still feel badly that we missed the bird! Nevertheless, it was a wonderful walk.
Northern saw-whet Owl at Hunter Island Sunday. Photo by Billy Spinks.
Here we are, L to R: Patty, Celia, Cathy, Elizabeth, Lou, Jack, Oliver, Don, Eamon. Billy Spink took the photo.
What we saw....