Long Island Sound Bird Count: Priority Species of Birds

20130310

Priority Species of Birds

Proposed species prioritization and color codes for that prioritization. The purpose of this prioritization is to focus not on just rarity, but rather on those species which are the best "bio-indicators" of marine health and productivity, both on a local and global scope...

Top Priority (in red), probably deserving to be broken-out for special analysis (e.g., Razorbill).
High Priority (in orange).
Normal Priority (in black), for the vast majority of "water birds".
Excluded because species is a primarily terrestrial "land bird" (in gray).

Please remember that some species of seabirds are outstanding indicators of the health of the marine ecosystem, a very complex system which is difficult to understand or measure by any means. If we focus on changes in these indicator bird species we may be able to assist marine scientists better understand what is changing in the complex marine ecosystem. This is important because there may be relatively hidden changes happening in the marine systems which we have not detected yet or do not fully understand.

Northern Gannet increases south of Cape Cod, for example, may be indicating something we are not understanding fully yet. The Northern Nassau Christmas Bird Count, for example, had ZERO gannets for 38 years from its inception in 1953 until 1991, when it had its first gannet, actually 2 birds. After that the count had 4 in 1994, 1 in 1999 and 2000, 3 in 2001, 1 in 2003 and 2004, 4 in 2007, 16 in 2010, 18 in 2011, 2 in 2012 and 6 in 2013. Clearly something has changed since 1991.

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LIST OF ALL SPECIES REPORTED TO OUR eBIRD ACCOUNT "LIS BIRDCOUNT":
Row #,Species,Count,Location,S/P,Date,LocID,SubID

1,Brant - Branta bernicla,160,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
2,Canada Goose - Branta canadensis,14,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
3,Mute Swan - Cygnus olor,6,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
4,Gadwall - Anas strepera,20,Overlooking Eastchester Bay from Pelham Bay Park South,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1409782,S15829166
5,Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope,1,"Linden Shore, Branford",US-CT,14 Dec 2013,L1487489,S15967881
6,American Wigeon - Anas americana,8,"Linden Shore, Branford",US-CT,13 Dec 2013,L1487489,S15949777
7,American Black Duck - Anas rubripes,50,Stratford Point,US-CT,11 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728953
8,Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos,3,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
9,Northern Pintail - Anas acuta,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Jan 2014,L298379,S16210808
10,Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca,2,Birdseye Boat Ramp,US-CT,06 Dec 2013,L630265,S15919412
11,Canvasback - Aythya valisineria,1,Twin Island East Side Overlooking Sound,US-NY,18 Dec 2013,L1407010,S16019015
12,Redhead - Aythya americana,5,New Haven Harbour,US-CT,10 Jan 2014,L1311469,S16373710
13,Greater Scaup - Aythya marila,547,Overlooking Eastchester Bay from Pelham Bay Park South,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1409782,S15829166
14,Lesser Scaup - Aythya affinis,5,Overlooking Eastchester Bay from Pelham Bay Park South,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1409782,S15829166
15,King Eider - Somateria spectabilis,1,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L297947,S15859884
16,Common Eider - Somateria mollissima,22,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L297947,S15859887
17,Harlequin Duck - Histrionicus histrionicus,1,PI--Route 14,US-NY,06 Dec 2013,L985269,S15888606
18,Surf Scoter - Melanitta perspicillata,6,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
19,White-winged Scoter - Melanitta fusca,1,Stratford Point,US-CT,11 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728953
20,Black Scoter - Melanitta americana,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
21,Long-tailed Duck - Clangula hyemalis,73,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
22,Bufflehead - Bucephala albeola,12,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
23,Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula,16,Brazos Road (East Haven),US-CT,30 Nov 2013,L692455,S15859886
24,Barrow's Goldeneye - Bucephala islandica,1,Brazos Road (East Haven),US-CT,30 Nov 2013,L692455,S15859886
25,Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes cucullatus,12,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L298379,S15875439
26,Common Merganser - Mergus merganser,1,"Knollwood Beach, Old Saybrook",US-CT,05 Jan 2014,L1358975,S16256766
27,Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator,3,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L297947,S15859884
28,Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis,7,Lagoon area between Hunter and Twin Islands,US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L800647,S15862958
29,Red-throated Loon - Gavia stellata,12,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
30,Pacific Loon - Gavia pacifica,1,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
31,Common Loon - Gavia immer,6,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
32,Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps,1,Overlooking Eastchester Bay from Pelham Bay Park South,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1409782,S15829166
33,Horned Grebe - Podiceps auritus,1,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
34,Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena,1,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
35,Northern Gannet - Morus bassanus,1,Stratford Point,US-CT,11 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728953 (proposed for the RED category because it is such a key/volatile/visible bio-indicator of marine health & productivity, not because it is rare -- thoughts?)
36,Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
37,Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo,1,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L297947,S15859887
38,Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias,1,Shippan Point,US-CT,03 Dec 2013,L1119161,S16216351
39,Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax,1,Pelham Bay Park--The Lagoon,US-NY,10 Dec 2013,L1816678,S15966717
40,Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura,6,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L297947,S15898576
41,Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L298379,S15875441
42,Sharp-shinned Hawk - Accipiter striatus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L298379,S15919415
43,Cooper's Hawk - Accipiter cooperii,1,Orient Point,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L169393,S15862908
44,Bald Eagle - Haliaeetus leucocephalus,1,Twin Island East Side Overlooking Sound,US-NY,10 Dec 2013,L1407010,S15966718
45,Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis,1,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
46,Rough-legged Hawk - Buteo lagopus,1,Short Beach Park,US-CT,21 Dec 2013,L249800,S16042508
47,American Coot - Fulica americana,2,Birdseye Boat Ramp,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L630265,S15873198
48,Black-bellied Plover - Pluvialis squatarola,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L298379,S15875441
49,Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus,1,Twin Island East Side Overlooking Sound,US-NY,20 Dec 2013,L1407010,S16032555
50,Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L298379,S15875441
51,Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca,1,"Bayview Avenue, Manhasset Bay",US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L1416657,S15859895
52,Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes,1,"Bayview Avenue, Manhasset Bay",US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L1416657,S15859895
53,Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres,3,Brazos Road (East Haven),US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L692455,S15875437
54,Sanderling - Calidris alba,23,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
55,Dunlin - Calidris alpina,30,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
56,Purple Sandpiper - Calidris maritima,3,Harkness Memorial SP,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L297947,S15859884
57,Common Murre - Uria aalge,1,New London to Orient Point Ferry (NY water),US-NY,28 Dec 2013,L1373227,S16125569
58,Razorbill - Alca torda,3,Long Island Sound Bird Count - West,US-CT,03 Dec 2013,L2452801,S15875438
59,Black Guillemot - Cepphus grylle,1,"Seacliff, Overlook at the Blvd/Cliff way",US-NY,26 Dec 2013,L2483238,S16078771
60,Bonaparte's Gull - Chroicocephalus philadelphia,2,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
61,Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus,1,Stonington Point,US-CT,27 Dec 2013,L795323,S16106894
62,Laughing Gull - Leucophaeus atricilla,1,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
63,Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis,3,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
64,Herring Gull - Larus argentatus,13,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
65,Iceland Gull - Larus glaucoides,1,Orient Point,US-NY,21 Dec 2013,L169393,S16046574
66,Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus,1,Stratford Point,US-CT,22 Dec 2013,L740885,S16051545
67,Glaucous Gull - Larus hyperboreus,1,Pryibil Beach,US-NY,04 Jan 2014,L2074328,S16279496
68,Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus,2,LIS test location2,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L2422138,S15670268
69,Rock Pigeon - Columba livia,25,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
70,Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
71,Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L298379,S15875441
72,Snowy Owl - Bubo scandiacus,2,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883 (a special case)
73,Belted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon,1,Brazos Road (East Haven),US-CT,02 Dec 2013,L692455,S15875437
74,Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus,1,Stepping Stone Park,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1403484,S15820063
75,Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius,1,Stepping Stone Park,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1403484,S15820063
76,Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens,1,Orient Point,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L169393,S15862908
77,Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus,1,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L293460,S15859880
78,Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus,1,Orient Beach SP,US-NY,07 Dec 2013,L502729,S16086247
79,Merlin - Falco columbarius,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
80,Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus,2,Penfield Reef,US-CT,01 Dec 2013,L759554,S15825611
81,Monk Parakeet - Myiopsitta monachus,27,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
82,Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe,1,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,21 Dec 2013,L293460,S16051546
83,Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
84,American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
85,Fish Crow - Corvus ossifragus,1,Burying Hill Beach,US-CT,06 Dec 2013,L480147,S15919410
86,Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris,12,Long Beach/Long Beach West,US-CT,03 Dec 2013,L1389381,S15859894
87,Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus,2,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,02 Dec 2013,L293460,S15859890
88,Tufted Titmouse - Baeolophus bicolor,2,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,02 Dec 2013,L293460,S15859890
89,White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis,1,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,21 Dec 2013,L293460,S16051546
90,Winter Wren - Troglodytes hiemalis,1,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,21 Dec 2013,L293460,S16051546
91,Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus,1,Stepping Stone Park,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L1403484,S15820063
92,Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa,2,PI--Route 1,US-NY,06 Dec 2013,L985254,S15888610
93,Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula,1,Pelham Bay Park--Hunter Island,US-NY,22 Dec 2013,L838208,S16305486
94,Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus,1,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,02 Dec 2013,L293460,S15859890
95,American Robin - Turdus migratorius,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
96,Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis,1,PI--Route 1,US-NY,06 Dec 2013,L985254,S15888610
97,Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma rufum,1,Pelham Bay Park--Hunter Island,US-NY,22 Dec 2013,L838208,S16305486
98,Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
99,European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
100,American Pipit - Anthus rubescens,4,Sandy Point,US-CT,14 Dec 2013,L109233,S15991791
101,Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum,14,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L293460,S15859880
102,Lapland Longspur - Calcarius lapponicus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L298379,S15919415
103,Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis,120,Stratford Point,US-CT,11 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728953
104,Pine Warbler - Setophaga pinus,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,02 Jan 2014,L298379,S16210808
105,Yellow-rumped Warbler - Setophaga coronata,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
106,Eastern Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus,1,Pryibil Beach,US-NY,20 Dec 2013,L2074328,S16279494
107,American Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea,3,Pryibil Beach,US-NY,20 Dec 2013,L2074328,S16279494
108,Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L298379,S15919415
109,Clay-colored Sparrow - Spizella pallida,2,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L298379,S15919415
110,Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla,1,Hammonasset Beach SP,US-CT,07 Dec 2013,L298379,S15919415
111,Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis,4,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
112,Fox Sparrow - Passerella iliaca,2,Bar Beach Town Park,US-NY,04 Dec 2013,L1452919,S15860173
113,Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia,2,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
114,Swamp Sparrow - Melospiza georgiana,1,Bayville Beach,US-NY,02 Dec 2013,L281570,S15859892
115,White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis,3,Eatons Neck--Hobart Beach,US-NY,01 Dec 2013,L325573,S15859883
116,Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
117,Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis,1,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
118,Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus,200,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
119,Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula,3,Sands Point Preserve,US-NY,21 Dec 2013,L293460,S16051546
120,Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater,25,Stratford Point,US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L611064,S15728940
121,House Finch - Haemorhous mexicanus,6,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
122,American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis,4,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929
123,House Sparrow - Passer domesticus,8,Cove Place/ Russian Beach (seawatch),US-CT,05 Nov 2013,L800608,S15728929

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OTHER SPECIES OF INTEREST PROBABLY NOT SEEN DURING THIS COUNT:
Western Grebe.
Fulmars, Shearwaters, Petrels, and Storm-petrels.
Black-legged Kittiwake (and other small gull species).
Skuas and Jaegers.
Terns (in winter).
Other alcids, such as Dovekie, Puffin and Thick-billed Murre (which was seen in CT Jan 18th, 2014).
Other less likely seabirds, such as Frigatebirds, etc.

Ferries between NewLondon CT & Orient NY

For bird observing, the ships running the New London CT to Orient NY route differ considerably.

Cross Sound Ferry fleet information

Here is our rating of those ships:

1. John H is the best.

2. Mary Ellen. I have notes from Bill saying this ship is pretty good but there are obstructed views in front and the side (although Thick-billed Murre was seen from this ship).

3. Susan Anne. I have notes saying there is a life boat and a wall impacting your vision. This needs verification.

4. Cape Henlopen is the worst, by far, with no way to get positioned into the front center of the ship. You can bird watch outside along either the left or right side, but to cross over to the other side, you need to walk to the rear of the ship and come around back to the front, where you are either on the left OR the right side, but do not have the full view you want!

June 2nd, 2014

THANKS to all of you, the many many people who contributed to this month-long December survey of birds in and around Long Island Sound, on both the CT and NY sides, and covering sea watches, ferry trips, other boat trips, 300 eBird reports, and eleven Christmas Bird Counts, from New York City, going east 110 miles along both coasts, out to Orient NY and Napatree CT/RI.

What an outstanding cooperative community effort! THANK YOU!

This summer we will be communicating back with all the groups and individuals who made this LIS Bird Count a success!

And looking forward to doing this again next December (-:

February 1-25

Awaiting submission of some bird reports from December. Have drafted a preliminary bird count report, which is being discussed by the dozen people on the team. After we receive the missing data we will complete the draft report, and recirculate it to the wider extended team. We hope to receive reviews/suggestions/additions in the weeks right after that, and improve the report.

This suggests that our compilation can be completed in early March, followed by a team meeting in second half of March, followed by publication of our report by end of March or early April.

December 23rd

Our LIS BirdCount is 3/4 complete. So far this includes information (already received or awaiting) from four LIS-spanning ship cruises, several ferry rides, seawatches including 120+ shared eBird checklists, 5 CT CBCs (NewHaven, Greenwich-Stamford, Westport, Napatree & Stratford-Milford), and 2 NY CBCs (NorthernNassau, Bronx-Westchester, plus Montauk CBC for comparison).

Expected inputs over the next two weeks include 2 NY CBCs (Smithtown & Orient), 2 CT CBCs (NewLondon & OldLyme-Saybrook [on Jan5th]) and several more ferry rides. Assembly and analysis of all this data has begun, including a small subset of the eBird database.

December 8th

During this first week of the month-long LIS Bird Count we received these inputs...

--Several good inputs from CTbirds and NYSbirds forums.

--50+ eBird checklists shared with us!

--Two day-long cruises across the 110 mile length of LIS.

--Several emails from birders with questions and promises to cover some areas.

Some expected additional inputs during the month...

--Thimble Islands boat ride.

--Eleven Christmas Bird Counts (7 CT + 4 NY).

In particular, we already received reports of up to a dozen Razorbills, in Western LIS, from two teams of birders. Other birds of note included Pacific Loon, Barrows Goldeneye, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, etc.

The database combining all these numbers will be constructed in the next week or two.

Nearby ocean seabirding

It is interesting to see what birds are being seen in the ocean not even 100 miles south of LIS....

Pelagic report for Monday Dec 2, 2013

50-68mi SE of Shinnecock Inlet, NY...

==========================

Subject: South Fork LI: Offshore with Great Skuas and more

Date: Thu Dec 5 2013 15:25 pm

From: oceanwanderers AT gmail.com

Last Monday (2 Dec 2013) John Shemilt, Derek Rogers and I took advantage of exceptionally good weather conditions to explore some favorite areas on the outer continental shelf southeast of Shinnecock Inlet (Suffolk Co.). This was a spur of the moment decision that paid off handsomely. The ocean was calm and air temps pleasantly mild, actually more so offshore than inshore.

We encountered good numbers of two winter specialties, NORTHERN FULMAR and BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, together with four species of shearwater (not too shabby for a December trip), some RED PHALAROPE, our first-of-the-season RAZORBILLS, and some typical winter gulls. We also found some Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins, Short-beaked Common Dolphins and witnessed tuna feeding on discarded bycatch from a dragger.

The unquestionable highlight of this memorable trip however, were three encounters with GREAT SKUA. Initially we thought we must be running into the same bird but photographs showed there to be at least two different individuals. As is usually the case, the skuas paid us little heed, powering by at high speed, but the glassy conditions allowed a couple of thrilling chases at more than 30 knots ensuring better photographs to document the sightings.

We are keenly interested in large skua identification, which is poorly understood overall and more challenging the more you dig into it. Fortunately, these birds appeared to be adults and thus easier to identify with some certainty than other possibilities.

Fuller details and some photos are included in our eBird report.

eBird Checklist – NY Shelf Waters (Coimbra to Dip), New York – Mon Dec 02, 2013 – 18 species (+1 other taxa)

http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S15867972

Angus Wilson

New York City & The Springs, NY, USA

==========================

December 1st, 2013

OUR FIRST DAY IS OFF TO A GREAT START!

Field results from December 1st will be posted here (and updated) as data comes in. Each day's results will be added in a new block throughout the month.

We are off to a good start with a Pacific Loon on the north shore of Long Island, NY...

Birding News | #birdingnews via @aba

"Subject: Pacific Loon - Hobart Beach, Eaton's Neck (Suffolk Co.)

Date: Sun Dec 1 2013 8:06 am

From: bbomkamp AT gmail.com

At 8:30 I located an adult Pacific Loon at Hobart Beach on Eaton's Neck. I initially found it on Huntington Bay, which is the body of water on the west side of the peninsula. It was a few hundred feet offshore, north of the red lifeguard building. Coordinates for Hobart are 40° 55.669', -73° 24.176'

Unfortunately, the bird flew off after a few minutes of observation in the direction of Connecticut. It did not land before it disappeared due to heat distortion, but I am going to check some locations to the north to see if I can relocate it. If others plan on searching, it appeared to be an adult and had diffuse but noticeable "chin-strap."

"No sign of the bird at other locations, but as a small consolation there was an adult Red-necked Grebe off of Valley Grove on Eaton's Neck.

Coordinates are 40° 56.152', -73° 24.185' "

Good Birding,

Brent Bomkamp

Northport, NY"

AND Razorbills off Stamford...

"Subject: Razorbills

Date: Sun Dec 1 2013 9:51 am

From: soundbirder AT yahoo.com

12/1 Stamford Shippan Pt 3 Razorbills flying east. 10:11

Patrick Dugan & Al Collins

Stamford CT"

AND King Eider!

"Subject: King Eider at Harkness

Date: Sun Dec 1 2013 9:54 am

From: rottino AT hotmail.com

From Dan and Emily Rottino with Mike Warner, John Marshall, and Paul Wolter:

12/1/13 - Waterford, Harkness SP 10:40am; 1 KING EIDER. Relocated by Mike. Seen fairly close to shore far left of the viewing platform. Also surf and white-winged scoters, snow buntings and purple sandpipers.

Dan Rottino

East Haddam, CT"

AND Harlequin...

"Subject: Harness King Eider yes. Also Harlequin

Date: Sun Dec 1 2013 12:40 pm

From: philiprusch AT charter.net

The Female King Eider continues as of 1:15pm. Also a female Harlequin Duck, 35 Common Eider, 2 Black Scotor, and a WW Scotor off the southeast tip of the lawn.

Phil Rusch

Chaplin, CT"

AND Purple Sandpipers, Loons & Scoters...

"Subject: Mid-shore birds

Date: Sun Dec 1 2013 14:42 pm

From: ctredbird2 AT comcast.net

From Jamie Meyers and Jay Kaplan:

12/1 -- Madison, Hammonasset Beach SP -- CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continues; also there was a late WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER in the company of Killdeer in the field near the Cedar Island trail entrance. A PURPLE SANDPIPER was on the jetty.... The Sound off Meig's Point was quiet but had a hen Surf Scoter and half a dozen Common Loons. There were a couple harriers and a Peregrine at foggy Great Island...."

PLUS the first several eBird checklists shared with us, from S.Perreault...

eBird Checklist – Stepping Stone Park, New York – Sun Dec 01, 2013 – 16 species

and from Charlie Barnard...

eBird Checklist – Penfield Reef, Connecticut – Sun Dec 01, 2013 – 11 species (+2 other taxa)

and from Richard Aracil...

eBird Checklist – Overlooking Eastchester Bay from Pelham Bay Park South, New York – Sun Dec 01, 2013 – 13 species

Note that our eBird account name has TWO words separated by a space.... "LIS BirdCount".

Thanks to all for getting our multi-state (CT, NY and some RI) Long Island Sound Bird Count off to a great start on its first day. More here later tonight, but right now I need to go out and do some birding!

1pm

These observations will be incorporated into our LIS database within a couple of days from now.

Goals of this LIS Bird Count

PRIMARY:

1. To take an approximate "snapshot" census of the birds in Long Island Sound during December, to establish a "baseline" to be compared with similar counts 5, 10 or 50 years from now, in order to measure trends in birds and possible changes in their overall marine ecosystem. Combining data from eBird, Christmas Bird Counts, state birding listservs, and other field trips not reported elsewhere.

2. Especially to search LIS to find "sentinel species", such as Razorbills, other alcids and other seabirds which seem to be changing recently & rapidly.

SECONDARY:

3. To establish the "infrastructure" of people communicating and processes to be repeated in future years, to do the comparisons as we look for trends.

4. To get more people focused on the changes happening in LIS and in the ocean, especially younger people of all ages. Take your brother's eight-year-old out with you looking for seabirds, and explain why this is important. Get youngsters more interested in Nature.

5. To use this first-time "LIS bird count" as an experiment, to try various approaches and to see what works well and what needs to be improved for the next time.

6. To relate a variety of different field data coming in via different "pathways" (from eBird, from Christmas Bird Counts, from birding forums/listservs, etc.)

Data analysis and summary coming in mid-January

20130310

Priority Species of Birds