Three times a charm

After three tries in three different locations Sean finally got to see a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Thanks to a tip from Tom Burke, we found it at Hempstead Park in Long Beach.

It was in a weedy, overgrown field used as a repository for large boulders, concrete chunks and retired concrete & rebar highway dividers. Primarily birds of marshy habitats, this bird, like the individual that Shane and I located at Fort Tilden, was foraging in an area that was very far from the nearest marsh. I guess when you're hungry sometimes fast food will have to suffice.

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (click to enlarge)



(Photo credit - Sean Sime)

Thirsty Great Black-backed Gull at Robert Moses SP

(Photo credit - Rob J)