Birding with the YOC Archives

Long before people detect the approach of Autumn in the changing colors of the forest or in the nipping northerlies, fall migration begins for birds. The first group of birds to leave their breeding grounds is the shorebirds. By August almost all the Eastern species can be seen passing through New York. Flocks of thousands of plovers and sandpipers often stop on mudflats at places such as Mecox Bay, Cupsogue County Park, Jones Beach, and Jamaica Bay. The last especially is famed for its shorebird numbers and diversity. Later in the month more species from across the country appear, including American Golden-Plover, Western, Bairds, and Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and Wilson’s Phalarope. Songbirds, despite having a more patent presence later in the fall, also begin to abandon their breeding grounds in August and wander beyond their normal habitat.

In September the coastal sites begin to fill with songbirds. The same warblers that passed through in spring and then often matched the hues of the newly-sprung flowers return in perplexing pastel shades that tend to again resemble the colors of the present state of the flora. The birds with Neotropical destinations, such as flycatchers, vireos, warblers and tanagers, evacuate the region first. Throughout the month they can be seen well in inland greenspaces like Prospect Park and Hempstead Lake State Park and along Long Island’s barrier beaches in parks such as Jones and Robert Moses State Park as well. By October the more local and slightly hardier migrants, like the sparrows, replace the Neotropicals in the same coastal habitats. Soon Chipping and White-throated Sparrows dominate the migrant passerine scene, but decent numbers of Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows, as well as Dickcissels, also visit these flocks annually. Something even more unusual is possible as wayward migrants from the West discover the Atlantic coastline and follow the normal commuters.

As the sparrow numbers peak in October, so does the quantity of migrant hawks. And the quantity is impressive and easily observed at places such as the Hook Mountain and Fire Island Hawk Watches. Hook Mountain is famed for viewing the concentrated passage of thousands of Broad-winged Hawks. Meanwhile, about a third of the raptors that pass over Fire Island every year are Merlin, with strong numbers of American Kestrel, Osprey, Northern Harrier, and Accipiter hawks showing as well.

The grand finale of Autumn is marked by the movement of seabirds. Sea ducks, loons, grebes, gannets, shearwaters, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, and alcids migrate often unnoticed well offshore. However Black and Surf Scoters especially hint at the unseen migration offshore as thousands pass just within sight of land. One of the best places to see this spectacle is off Montauk Point. And like a salute to the dazzlingly colorful birds of spring, the rest of the ducks return to their favorite ponds, such as St. John’s Pond, Tung Ting Pond, and Lake Massapequa, and round off the diversity of Fall migration that can be seen on Long Island.

Spring migration is arguably the most productive time to go birding on Long Island.  Every year millions of neotropical migrants pass through our area headed to various points across eastern North America.  Perhaps the most beloved family of these migrants are the warblers, noted for their flashy plumages and buzzy songs.  Being on the coast, we have the opportunity to view these species and others en masse, as northbound songbirds tend to be funneled towards the shore of the Atlantic Ocean by the prevailing westerly winds.  This article will inform you of some of the best locations for enjoying these species in our area.

The Muttontown Preserve, located fittingly in Muttontown, is a 550 sanctuary owned by Nassau County.  It has been listed by the National Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area, and is one of the largest preserved parcels in the county.  Habitats include small ponds, deciduous forest, open fields, clearings, and areas of conifers.  Birders visit each spring in search of species such as Blackburnian, Blue-winged, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, along with a myriad of common species.  In the fall, species such as Connecticut Warbler have been seen. The preserve can be reached by driving to the end of Muttontown Lane, which is the first left after Rt. 106 when coming from the east on 25a.

Another excellent site for migrants in our area is Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge.  Although small and somewhat limited in terms of habitat, the refuge nonetheless attracts warblers of numerous species, including Blackburnian, Canada, and Nashville Warblers. On occasion, Hooded and Worm-eating Warblers have been seen.  Target Rock NWR can be reached by taking the second left off of Lloyd Harbor Rd after entering Lloyd’s Neck.  The entrance is clearly marked.

My personal favorite hotspot is the Crab Meadow complex, composed of the connected Ingraham, Fuchs, Ambro, and Makamah Preserves.  The habitat is extremely varied, with conifers, deciduous woodland, open field, small ponds and streams, marsh, and swamp.  This naturally makes it attractive to the more aquatic warblers.  A sample of species seen here includes the uncommon Louisiana Waterthrush, Blue-winged, Prairie, and Chestnut-sided Warblers.  Also, the rare and gorgeous Prothonotary Warbler has been seen here.  HAS will be fielding a trip to this site on May 16th.

 Something to appreciate about migrants is that they generally aren’t picky as to which habitat they land in, which is why common species such as Northern Paula, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Green Warblers can often be seen in places such as suburban yards.  However, these three hotspots will certainly enhance your enjoyment of these species and others, by placing you in some of the most pristine and tranquil preserves on Long Island.

Most birders agree that the highlight of the winter season on the North Shore is the abundance of waterfowl. Thousands of breeding-plumaged ducks arrive in our area during late fall to spend the winter on the nutrient-rich ponds and bays along the Long Island Sound. The area covered by HOBAS contains numerous great waterfowl hotspots, most of which are easily accessed and birded.

Perhaps the most well known pond in the area is St. John’s Pond. Located directly behind the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery on 25a, St. John’s Pond is one of the larger ponds in our area, and generally one of the most productive. It is most easily viewed by parking in the Fish Hatchery lot, and then walking up the set of stairs in the back of the parking area. On a typical midwinter day, one can find more than 10 species of waterfowl; usually the diversity includes large numbers of Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, and American Coot. This is also the best place in our area to find Common Merganser and Redhead, both of which usually are represented by one or two individuals. Some rare birds recorded on the pond include Eurasian Wigeon, Great Cormorant, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Tundra Swan.

Another very productive body of water is the Mill Pond in Oyster Bay, which is an excellent place to find many of the same species as St. John’s Pond, but usually without the same quantity of diving ducks. Large numbers of Wigeon and Green-winged Teal can often be found along the edges of the pond.

Mill Pond also has the potential to turn up some less common species, including Eurasian Wigeon. Some HOBAS memebers might remember the trip there which found a road-killed River Otter there. Mill Pond is located at the end of West Main Street, where the road splits into Mill Hill Road and West Shore Road.

If you live in the eastern section of the HOBAS area, then you are probably familiar with the pond on the corner of Centershore Rd and 25a in Centerport. Often called Tung Ting Pond after the Chinese restaurant which was formerly at the site, the pond is best viewed from the Chalet Motor Inn parking lot at the intersection. Tung Ting, along with adjacent Centerport Mill Pond, has the tendency to generate some of the rarer sightings along the North Shore. As a spring-fed pond, even in the dead of winter Tung Ting will usually have a lot of open water. Some rather unusual species have been seen here including Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Redhead, and Wilson’s Snipe. Perhaps the rarest of all was a Gyrfalcon which was present several years ago.

A little farther down 25a is the Betty Allen Preserve, which is also frequented by quality waterfowl. The pond in the back is reliable for Northern Pintail, Ring-necked, and Wood Duck. Also check for Rusty Blackbirds and Winter Wrens which can be found feeding in the numerous streams and wet areas which run around the property. Slightly past Betty Allen is Northport Harbor, which can be scanned most easily from the Village Dock, which is at the end of Woodbine Avenue off of 25a. Large numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Buffleheads usually congregate here, and the dock provides close up views which are hard to find anywhere else.

Nearby Asharoken Beach is also and excellent location to view wintering sea ducks. Huge flocks of Great Scaup usually numbering in the thousands can be found here during late winter and spring. It is also a reliable place to find Red-throated Loon, Horned Grebe, and Great Cormorant. Asharoken can be reached by making a left onto Eaton’s Neck Road at the end of Ocean Avenue in Northport. The beach will be on your left soon after making the turn.

We are lucky to have so many excellent hotspots in HOBAS' territory, and it is always a treat to see great birds so close to your home.

Without a doubt, Jamaica Bay is the best place to see migration shorebirds during the fall in all of New York State. In fact, it may be the foremost shorebird hotspot in the entire country. Every fall such species as Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes, Hudsonian Godwit, and American Avocet show up at this site, such species as these are nearly impossible to find anywhere else in New York. In the past, such rarities as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, and Red-necked Stint have shown up here. Even if you aren’t inclined to sort through the flocks for these specific species, the mere spectacle of so many shorebirds gathering in one area is truly amazing. The East Pond is the best location for shorebirds, but if the water level is too high the West Pond always has birds such as wading and marsh birds in its vicinity. Jamaica Bay has almost every species of bird you can see in New York, and always holds surprises.

For those who prefer sparrows to shorebirds, Jones Beach is your place. The Coast Guard Boat Basin area is the best spot for migrating sparrows such as Lark, Clay-colored, and Lincoln’s. Other species seen here on occasion include Dickcissel and migrating winter finches. In the past such mega-rarities as Cassin’s Sparrow, Western Kingbird, and White-winged Dove have been seen here. Also check the sandbar in the basin for species like Royal Tern, Black Skimmer, and once again, shorebirds. Jones Beach is a fun trip, and nearly as varied as Jamaica Bay without the long drive.

Raptors are a real specialty for birders, with a whole system of hawk watches dedicated to them alone. Long Island is the proud home to one of the best hawk watches on the country at Robert Moses State Park. In a single fall day with a strong northwesterly wind, one can seen hundreds of Merlins flying through. American Kestrels, Ospreys, and Northern Harriers also pass by this site in large numbers. A little farther away is Hook Mountain Hawk Watch. This site has had over ten-thousand Broad-winged Hawks in a single day in the past. Of course, it is highly unlikely that you will be treated to such an event, but Broad-wings are almost guaranteed here.

In conclusion, there are numerous places on Long Island and the immediate vicinity which serve as excellent fall hotspots. This article only lists a few, but there are many more which are not mentioned. Who knows, perhaps you will discover the next great fall migration hotspot on Long Island.