11/5 Suffolk County Farm Field Trip Report

Nov 22, 2022 | The Sandpiper, Walks

There was an impressive turnout and lovely weather for the field trip to Suffolk Farm on Saturday, November 5th. Over the course of three hours, 35 species were observed by the group. Highlights included 10 Common Ravens (a notably high count), 8 Rusty Blackbirds, 5 American Pipits, 1 Eastern Bluebird and 1 Purple Finch. It was a good morning for raptors too, with 5 species tallied (Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Merlin). Sadly, late in the trip one Cooper’s Hawk was found dead, apparently recently deceased, probably due to a collision. It was retrieved and later transferred to a qualified party for appropriate scientific preservation. But while in our possession, co-leader Mike Cooper used the specimen as a teaching opportunity, pointing out various anatomical and plumage details. – John Gluth

A Closer Walk

Jan 31, 2023 | The Sandpiper

I am a backyard birder. When I joined Audubon, I envisioned that I would soon be running through bushes all over the place, my little safari hat in place, identifying birds and their calls. I thought that ornithology would become as second nature as horticulture is to me.

Feeder Survey Fall/Winter 2022-2023

Jan 31, 2023 | Bird Feeder Survey, The Sandpiper

Writing this in the beginning of October, I was going to comment on the dry summer we just experienced, but Mother Nature did a turn around and we are now experiencing the dregs of Hurricane Ian, the final consequences of which are yet to be seen.

Montauk Nature Walk Recap

Jan 19, 2023 | The Sandpiper, Walks

It was a cold, overcast, blustery day out in Montauk for the chapter’s field trip on January 7th. But there was a good turnout of participants willing to brave the elements and see some birds that are most easily seen at ‘The End’.