Montauk Weekend with Joseph DiCostanzo, 2/24/2018-2/25/2018
Registrar: Dale Dancis
Participants: 8
Weather: Saturday sunny am, cloudy pm, rain late pm, 30’s to 40’s F; Sunday rain, wind, 30’s to 40’s F.
Bird Species: 53
Our journey began at the Coast Guard Station of West End Beaches. At West End 2 we had lovely looks at Horned Larks, Killdeer, ducks and our only sightings of Yellow-rumped Warblers. At Oak Beach there were close looks at the Red-throated Loon and distant looks at a female Common Goldeneye. At Eastport we were treated to large numbers of Greater Scaup, good numbers of Ring-necked Ducks, American Wigeons and 20 Canvasbacks, plus other duck species and water birds. The Belted Kingfisher and two Merlins were also good sightings. The most interesting sighting made by Joe was a hybrid Redhead/Ring-necked Duck. We proceeded to Dune Road and Shinnecock Inlet. We did not know where to look first. Should we focus on the Snowy Owl flying from pole to pole? Should we direct our attention to the hundreds of Common Eiders accompanied by Surf and White-winged Scoters landing on the sand bar and in the water? Should we enjoy viewing the Common Goldeneyes and Dunlins? The weather was changing. The clouds looked ominous, and the decision was made to go straight to Montauk Point. We arrived there in the wind and rain. Undeterred by the weather, we went straight to the overhang to view thousands of sea ducks, including all three scoter species, Common Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks and more.
Early Sunday morning we proceeded to Montauk Point in torrential rain and gusty winds. Besides the afore-mentioned duck species, we enjoyed several sightings of Razorbills. Our energy was renewed after breakfast. The weather made birding difficult, so the leader decided it was time to go to Ditch Plains. Undaunted by the weather, we stood on the beach and observed 15 Bonaparte’s Gulls and—for our grand finale—one Little Gull. At Fort Pond we viewed Red-breasted and Hooded Mergansers. Because of the flooding, rain and wind we could not visit Hook Pond and other sites. Despite the weather our persistence paid off and we had some excellent sightings.
Species Lists
Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Canvasback
Redhead/Ring-necked Duck, hybrid
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Dunlin
Razorbill
Bonaparte’s Gull
Little Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Snowy Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Merlin
American Crow
Horned Lark
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
