Eastern Long Island - 25th Jan

A long days birding out to the eastern tip of Long Island. The main reason for the trip was to twitch a couple of good winter birds. First stop was Lake Montauk where a Thick-billed Murre (aka Brunnich's Guillemot) has been seen for a few days. Sadly I couldn't find it, but there were plenty of other goodies to compensate, including two Kumlien's Iceland Gull (adult and 1st winter), several Bonaparte's Gull, Surf Scoter, Long-billed Duck, many Common Loon and a male Common Goldeneye. 

Next up was the Riverhead area to look at the geese flocks attracted to the sod fields. Apart from the tens of thousands of Canada Goose I finally caught up with a Cackling Goose, as well as a solitary dark phase Snow Goose.

After that I headed to Shinnecock inlet for the King Eider, which was hanging out with the flocks of Common Eider, Black Scoter, Surf-Scoter and White-winged Scoter.

On the way home I briefly stopped at Massepequa Park to see the Eastern Screech Owl, before seeing the day out at Point Lookout. Lots of gulls there, including several dozen Bonaparte's, as well as a flock of Sanderling, a couple of Horned Grebe and a very obliging male Long-tailed Duck.

Cackling Goose. I was given a piece of advice when trying to identify Cackling Goose. "...if you're debating it then it's probably not a Cackler". There's no debate about this one!

Substantially smaller than the surrounding Canadas, with a really tiny bill, and a subtly frosty sheen to the upperparts. The boxy head thing? There are plenty of Lesser Canada Goose with exactly that head shape, but the stubby bill is the key feature.

Dark phase Snow Goose, in amongst about 10,000 Canada Goose...

Male King Eider, slumming it with the commoners. A bit far for a photo, but what a bird!

I spent 10 minutes employing all my field craft sneaking up on this male Long-tailed Duck as he preened himself on the rocks. When he finally lifted his head he looked at me as if I was an idiot, then totally ignored me...

Long-tailed Duck were at every coastal site today. Fabulous birds.

All 3 scoters today, though this Surf Scoter was the only one close enough to photograph.

First winter Iceland Gull. In company with an adult at the inlet to Montauk lake.

Eastern Screech Owl enjoying the evening sun.

Lots of Sanderling on the beach at Point Lookout today.