Mecox Inlet open - 21 Aug 2010

Mark Vagianos informed me that the Mecox cut was opened by the town on Tuesday afternoon (17 Aug). By Thursday (19 Aug) there was a nice flat and John Shemilt found 3 STILT SANDPIPERS among the regular species. Hopefully the flat will persist and this spot is worth checking at any time. Indeed, shorebirds, terns and gulls passing along the beach are likely to drop in to any of the majors ponds is there is sufficient sand for them to land undisturbed. Sometimes birds will drop down for just a few minutes before moving on. I don't know the status of the other ponds.

Last Sunday (15 Aug), Andy Guthrie and I saw a BROWN PELICAN on the east side of Moriches Inlet (just out of region) at about 6:00 pm but there have been no reports since. The bird could well still be in the area somewhere. A couple of COMMON EIDER were at Shinnecock Inlet and good numbers of shearwaters were offshore, mostly too far to identify with certainty. Watching from Triton Lane off Dune Road, we noted about 20 close in CORY'S SHEARWATERS and a couple of GREAT(ER) SHEARWATERS. A single MANX SHEARWATER was seen by us and others off the restaurant/bar at in Cupsogue County Park, again just out of region. BLACK TERNS are moving through the area and we noted three flying east just past the surf line.

Landbird and shorebird migration is getting into full gear and this is a good time to start checking favorite spots on the South Fork. Weedy fields might hold migrants such as Bobolink or Lark Sparrow which have been noted elsewhere. Warblers are beginning to pass through the city parks, so a few might make it out here especially as the next front passes. All reports appreciated.