Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Sept 9th BBC trip to Jamaica Bay and Plumb Beach

Leader Michael Yuan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Yuan <mjyuan@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Sep 10, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Subject: BBC trip to Jamaica Bay and Plumb Beach
To: Adelia Harrison <honeywood5@yahoo.com>, Janet Schumacher <janets33@optonline.net>, Kathleen Toomey <kathleentoomey@gmail.com>, Peter Dorosh <prosbird@gmail.com>, Richard Payne <ricpayne@yahoo.com>, Robert <rjco815@hotmail.com>, Robert Bate <robsbate@gmail.com>


A splendid day on the bay!  Reacting to the promising radar reports from the night before, 5 birders started in the gardens at Jamaica Bay WR, where we quickly amassed 16 warbler species in a fast and furious 90 mins. The low trees and morning light gave us great looks.  Highlights among warblers were at BAY-BREASTED, several TENNESSEES, and three CAPE MAY WARBLERS in one small sapling. 

The north end of the East Pond didn't produce the reported AMERICAN AVOCET, but we got up and close with a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and observed 11 STILT SANDPIPERS, and with one CASPIAN TERN. We then checked out the south end, and were delighted to catch up with the relocated AVOCET just north of the raunt.  Plenty of close inspection of peeps got us familiar with WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and an uncommon for our area opportunity to view a juvenile Dunlin molting into its first winter plumage. 

All the good times at Jamaica Bay got us to Plumb a little later than preferred, and birding at low tide was slow.  However, a mystery duck in the marsh gave us a good ID workout until we collectively concluded we were seeing a GREEN-WINGED TEAL. 

In total, 18 warbler species and 13 shorebirds gave us the "double-double" that makes late summer birding so enjoyable. Ebirds checklists with photos:


Supreme thanks to Bob O'Neill for being our sole driver and saving the day, and Janet for organizing. Thanks all for a wonderful day. 

-Mike


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