Registrar: Dale Dancis
Participants: 9
Weather: Sunny both days, wind 5-10 mph, Sat. 5 mph Sunday, upper 40’s, 50’s Sun. pm
Bird Species: 59
Joseph DiConstanzo has been leading the Linnaean Society Montauk trip for over 40 years. His generosity and expertise were greatly appreciated. Although the trip is made up mostly of experienced birders, we had a few enthusiastic newcomers who saw some life birds. We all shared memories of lovely year birds.
Our group met at the West End Coast Guard Station where we enjoyed views of various water birds, including a male Surf Scoter. The hardy American Oystercatchers that over wintered deserve honorable mention. We then proceeded to Point Lookout. An interesting feature of Point Lookout parking lot is its attraction for shorebirds. We saw Red Knots and two Dunlins among the Black-bellied Plovers. Common Eiders, Long-tailed Ducks, Horned Grebes, the graceful Red-throated Loons and Common Loons were among the expected water birds we saw in the ocean at Point Lookout. We continued to Oak Beach and saw beautiful Greater Scaup.
Our next destination was Eastport where we saw several American Wigeons, two Hooded Mergansers, American Coots and other water birds.
We were surprised at the large numbers of Lesser Scaup among the Greater Scaup. We then proceeded to Shinnecock Inlet where we were greeted by a female King Eider. The sighting was not easy in the wind and rough water. The eiders were not that close. Our leader taught us how to identify it under difficult viewing conditions. The day was waning, and it was decided that we go straight to Montauk Point. The three scoter species were waiting for us. Some Razorbills were flying and quickly disappearing into the distance. We did see a few Northern Gannets. The light was fading, so we left the Point looking forward to an early dinner at the Shagwong Tavern and an early night at Daunt’s Albatross.
Sunday morning was crisp and sunny. We went straight to Montauk Point North Lookout once more. Again we saw many Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Common Eiders and Razorbills. One Common Goldeneye made an appearance. We eventually made our way to Old West Lake Drive where we saw the male Barrow’s Goldeneye among the Common Goldeneyes and a few Red-breasted Mergansers. We visited the west side of Lake Montauk Inlet, and were happy to see our target bird an Iceland Gull. Another very exciting site was Culloden Point. Standing out in all its beauty among huge flocks of all three scoter species and Common Eiders was a male King Eider. A new trail had been created which ended at a nice overlook. As we listened to the scoters calling it brought back memories of former trips at Montauk Point. It was a lovely place. Our final destination was 56 Three Mile Island Drive hoping to see the Townsend’s Solitaire, but we had to be satisfied with a Hermit Thrush. The light was fading, and it was time to go home.
Species Lists
Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
King Eider (female and male)
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
American Coot
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Red Knot
Dunlin
Razorbill
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Iceland Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Mammals
Eastern Gray Squirrel
White-tailed Deer
Harbor Seal
Total Mammal Species: 3
