Cassin's Kingbird at Floyd Bennett Field - 30 Nov

Temperatures were considerably higher today than recently, and I'm sure that is what caused the Cassin's Kingbird to show himself so well today at Floyd Bennet Field. It was first found a couple of weeks ago, and is the second state record of this southwestern species. It was very active, doing plenty of flycatching, and covering quite a wide area of the picnic ground and community gardens.

After this successful start to the day I headed off to Jamaica Bay which is a good wintering area for waterfowl. A large flock of Canada Goose were at the south end, along with reasonable numbers of other waterfowl, including about 300 Ruddy Duck, 33 Greater Scaup, 6 Snow Goose, 25 Hooded Merganser, 3 Red-breasted Merganser plus small number of Mallard, Black Duck, Gadwall and Bufflehead. Just visible at the north end of the pond was a lovely male Eurasian Wigeon, not exactly a major rarity here (there are at least 2 others in New York at the moment), but scarce enough, and my first self-found US rarity.

A surprise find was an American Woodcock, flushed from the trail as I approached one of the hides. Absolutely smashing, but way too fast for a picture.

I'd started the dat at Point Lookout trying to connect with the Harlequin Ducks there, but no luck, The Common Eider flock had increased to 20 birds, including one adult and a first-year male.

Cassin's Kingbird. I dipped on Friday, spending about 3 hours standing around in the freezing cold, but I got onto it straightaway today.

It was very active, regularly fly-catching. I think it must have found catching insects over the last couple of very cold days quite difficult, and it was probably starving today!

The most likely confusion species in New York is Western Kingbird (also accidental, though much more regular). The principal features identifying this as Cassin's are; the darker grey head, contrasting white malar and chin (not visible here)...

...pale-edged wing coverts, and pale tip to the tail.

All features more or less visible here.

American Wigeon.

Redhead. Quite the prettiest duck I think I've ever seen!

A nice flock of Common Eider at Point Lookout today, including this male and female....

....and this first winter male.

Double-crested Cormorant.