Category: Rare Bird Alerts

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 27, 2026
* NYNY2602.27

– Birds Mentioned

SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

TUNDRA SWAN
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Wilson’s Snipe
THICK-BILLED MURRE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
American Bittern
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February
27, 2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, TUNDRA SWAN,
EURASIAN WIGEON, THICK-BILLED MURRE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS,
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and more.

With birding this week severely hampered by last weekend’s blizzard,
fortunately some highlights do continue locally, especially the adult
SWAINSON’S HAWK wintering again in Brooklyn.  As in previous winters,
this bird continues to roost and hunt frequently in the vicinity of
the SIMS Municipal Recycling Center located around 29th Street west of
2nd Avenue – access to this facility is restricted, but the area can
be viewed from outside the surrounding fencing. The hawk has also been
seen over the local neighborhood, including nearby Green-Wood
Cemetery.

Last Sunday afternoon as the blizzard was gearing up, 9 TUNDRA SWANS
were found on the icy Hudson River just north of Croton Point Park in
Westchester.  The next day 2 were seen south of Croton Point but soon
flew north upriver and have not been relocated since.

A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted last Saturday around a puddle on
the Timber Point Golf Course off the end of Great River Road in Great
River, and that same day the presumed changing drake EURASIAN WIGEON
was noted again on Agawam Lake in Southampton, this lake just south of
Montauk Highway. A drake BLUE WINGED TEAL was present again on
Patchogue Lake in Patchogue last Sunday.

Yesterday morning a THICK-BILLED MURRE was photographed in Gravesend
Bay off the Caesar’s Bay Bazaar, while a BLACK-HEADED GULL continues
around Jones Inlet, often noted on the Point Lookout side, where 5
HARLEQUIN DUCKS were also present recently.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was spotted moving south over the Red Hook section of
Brooklyn last Saturday, and another visited Orchard Beach in the Bronx
on Wednesday.

Among a few wintering LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were one visiting
Central Park Reservoir last Sunday and another at Bush Terminal Piers
Park Wednesday.

Some scattered ICELAND GULLS included up to 4 around Gravesend Bay in
Brooklyn all week and 2 on Central Park Reservoir last Saturday, with
1 there Tuesday, while elsewhere singles were spotted at Brooklyn Army
Terminal Pier 4 Tuesday and on Thursday at Great Kills Park on Staten
Island and at Louis Engel Park in Ossining up in Westchester.

A decent number of RED-NECKED GREBES featured singles at Brooklyn Army
Terminal Pier 4 and in Southampton last Saturday, 1 in Jamaica Bay
Tuesday, another off Orchard Beach Wednesday and Thursday, and others
today at Breezy Point and Floyd Bennett Field.

AMERICAN BITTERNS were still being seen before the storm along Dune
Road, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted over Douglaston in Queens
last Tuesday.

Impressive counts at Alley Pond Park last weekend featured 78 RUSTY
BLACKBIRDS and an estimated 2500 COMMON GRACKLES on Saturday, followed
by a count of 64 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS plus 35 WOOD DUCKS and a WILSON’S
SNIPE Sunday.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 20, 2026
* NYNY2602.20

– Birds mentioned
SHORT-BILLED GULL+
SWAINSON’S HAWK+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
Rough-legged Hawk
VESPER SPARROW
PAINTED BUNTING

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February 20th 2026 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are SWAINSON’S HAWK, SHORT-BILLED GULL, PACIFIC LOON, DOVEKIE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, VESPER SPARROW, PAINTED BUNTING and more.

Quite welcome was the return Tuesday of the SWAINSON’S HAWK to Brooklyn seen initially moving over Green-wood Cemetery and then later at its favored location, the Sims Municipal Recycling Center. This site, where it often roosts, is located around 29th Street west of 2nd Avenue. Access is restricted but the area can be viewed from outside the surrounding fences. Also watch for the hawk if around the Green-wood Cemetery area.

A SHORT-BILLED GULL was spotted Monday morning on the mudflats at Great Kills Park on Staten Island but it only stayed for a short while before moving off and has not been reported since.

A PACIFIC LOON, possibly hanging around in the vicinity of Jones Inlet for awhile now, was seen Sunday from both the Jones Beach West End side and the Point Lookout side.

Out at Montauk Point a few DOVEKIES were seen Sunday and Monday off the point and from Camp Hero along with some RAZORBILLS with 3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES also reported Monday. Last Saturday a THICK-BILLED MURRE was identified off Lido Beach West Town Park and another was reported off Robert Moses State Park west of field 2.

A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was identified as it flew over Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn on Sunday and a EURASIAN WIGEON, in unusual plumage, was still on Agawam Lake in Southampton last Sunday, this lake south of Montauk Highway. Today a drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYE was still at Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton and a female is present off the Lemon Creek Pier on Staten Island yesterday and today. Wintering HARLEQUIN DUCKS include about 10 around the Jones Inlet jetties and 3 continuing at Ditch Plains in Montauk.

On Tuesday single BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen at Plumb Beach and at Swindler’s Cove in northern Manhattan with another continuing around the Point Lookout Town Park seen Tuesday and Thursday. A GLAUCOUS GULL continues along the western Brooklyn coast between Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 and Bush Terminal Piers Park and several ICELAND GULLS include up to 3 around Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn, 2 on Central Park Reservoir Saturday, one up the Hudson in Peekskill Tuesday and one continuing around the Lake Montauk inlet.

A RED-NECKED GREBE visited Playland Park in Rye Sunday, this perhaps the one off Pelham Bay Park Tuesday to Thursday, with another at Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4 Tuesday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen around Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge’s West Pond early in the week with another at Jones Beach State Park Monday.

A VESPER SPARROW continues at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue and a female type PAINTED BUNTING has recently been visiting a private residence on eastern Long Island. Good reason to keep those feeders full.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 13, 2026
* NYNY2602.13

– Birds mentioned
COMMON GULL+ (Kamchatka form)
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

EURASIAN WIGEON
HARLEQUIN DUCK
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
GLAUCOUS GULL
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Iceland Gull
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
Vesper Sparrow
Rusty Blackbird

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:
       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, February 13th
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are COMMON GULL, EURASIAN
WIGEON, HARLEQUIN DUCK, DOVEKIE, GLAUCOUS GULL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR and more.

Today in Westchester a COMMON GULL was photographed along the shore of the
Hudson River in Verplanck. The bird quickly disappeared and was searched
for until dusk from Steamboat Landing in Verplanck up to a gull roost at
Riverfront Park in Peekskill without success. Eyes will be on the river
tomorrow during Eagle Fest so hopefully this bird, appearing to be a
Kamchatka form, will be relocated.

The EURASIAN WIGEON male, in unusual transitional plumage, was present this
week on Agawam Lake located on the south side of Montauk Highway in
Southampton. A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was found today on Staten Island off
Cedar Grove Beach and a few continue in Jones Inlet either off the Jones
Beach West End jetty or around the Point Lookout jetties.

A DOVEKIE and 8 RAZORBILLS were reported today off the Camp Hero bluffs out
at Montauk Point and today gulls visiting the Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4
featured single GLAUCOUS and ICELAND with other ICELANDS this week
including birds in Brooklyn from Bush Terminal Piers Park today around to
Gravesend Bay, one at Great Kills Park Sunday, one continuing at Old Field
Point and Lighthouse and singles at Bellport Bay and Lake Montauk today. A
few LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS also continue in the region including one on
Central Park Reservoir Tuesday and others along the Brooklyn shore.

Single RED-NECKED GREBES were noted this week off California Beach in
Setauket Sunday and at Ditch Plains in Montauk yesterday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen again at Floyd Bennett Field Tuesday and both
light and dark morphs were noted Thursday out at Cedar Beach where at least
one has been hanging around.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was present from Saturday at least to Monday out at
Robert Moses State Park and a VESPER SPARROW was present all week at the
Suffolk County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue.

Some RUSTY BLACKBIRDS still hanging around in the region have included
seven or so at Alley Pond Park lately.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Feb. 06, 2026
* NYNY2602.06

– Birds Mentioned

LECONTE’S SPARROW+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
TUFTED DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Common Goldeneye
Razorbill
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
American Bittern
Bald Eagle
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
VESPER SPARROW
NELSON’S SPARROW

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, February
6, 2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are LECONTE’S SPARROW, TUFTED DUCK,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, GLAUCOUS GULL, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR, NELSON’S and VESPER SPARROWS and more.

The LECONTE’S SPARROW found back on January 29th on the landfill at
Croton Point Park in Westchester was only seen there through last
Saturday, not unexpected for a reclusive bird.

With the icy conditions on New Croton Reservoir squeezing the
waterfowl seeking refuge there into increasingly smaller stretches of
open water, it at least became easier to track down TUFTED DUCKS
there. At least two drakes plus a female–plumaged bird have been found
there, the two males seen simultaneously last weekend, these all
joining large flocks of several hundred RING-NECKED DUCKS in open
water near the dam spillway or a short distance up the eastern shore
of the reservoir off Croton Lake Road. There is a parking area for the
dam spillway site off Route 129 just uphill from the Croton Gorge Park
entrance, but duck numbers may continue to drop as the freeze again
intensifies. Other birds present there have included two female
BARROW’S GOLDENEYES, at least seen to Wednesday with a flock of COMMON
GOLDENEYES, plus a few REDHEADS and a CANVASBACK and other expected
waterfowl, and several BALD EAGLES.  Two TUFTED DUCKS seen Thursday
only over at Piermont Pier in Rockland County may have moved over
there from New Croton Reservoir.

On Long Island single drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen on Tuesday
off Shoreham Village Beach and back on Saturday at Crab Meadow Beach
in Fort Salonga, where other highlights featured an ICELAND GULL and a
NELSON’S SPARROW.

In Brooklyn a RAZORBILL was photographed off Manhattan Beach Park on
Tuesday, and a GLAUCOUS GULL visited Bush Army Terminal Pier 4 last
Sunday, while up to three ICELAND GULLS were seen around Gravesend Bay
during the week, with others noted at Randall’s Island and Governors
Island Wednesday, in Westchester at the Ossining waterfront at Louis
Engle Park during the week, at Old Field Point Tuesday, and at the
Bellport Bay Yacht Club yesterday.

AMERICAN BITTERNS have been seen fairly regularly along Dune Road west
of Shinnecock inlet, and a few recent sightings of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK,
very often. coastal, have come from Staten Island, including Great
Kills Park Sunday, and from Floyd Bennett Field and Jones Beach to
Monday.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was spotted at Smith Point County Park on Tuesday,
and two VESPER SPARROWS have been present recently at the Suffolk
County Farm and Education Center off Yaphank Avenue.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 30, 2026
* NYNY2601.30

– Birds Mentioned

Tundra Bean-Goose+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
LECONTE’S SPARROW+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Cackling Goose
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
TUFTED DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
KING EIDER
Common Eider
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
GLAUCOUS GULL
ICELAND GULL
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler
PAINTED BUNTING

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos
or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January30,
2026 at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are CASSIN’S and LECONTE’S SPARROWS,
PAINTED BUNTING, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, TUFTED DUCK,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE and KING EIDER, THICK-BILLED MURRE and DOVEKIE,
GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and more.

As anticipated, this week’s horrendous weather has definitely impacted
local birding.  The CASSIN’S SPARROW at Montauk Point was reported
Saturday and then again on Tuesday, still around the perimeter roadway
near the lighthouse entrance and upper parking lot, so this tough
little bird could still be present, as unlikely as that seems.

On the other hand, as a note to this week’s tape, the TUNDRA
BEAN-GOOSE on Long Island was last noted in the Oyster Bay area back
on Monday the 19th, but also could possibly be lingering locally.

On Thursday a LECONTE’S SPARROW was found on the landfill at Croton
Point Park in Westchester and noted there again today.  The bird has
been in company with other ground feeders around a plowed section at
the top of the landfill technically only for maintenance personnel, so
please be mindful of this if visiting there.

A female–type PAINTED BUNTING was photographed visiting a private
feeder last Saturday and Sunday in Hampton Bays but has since
disappeared.

A ROSS’S GOOSE was noted again Saturday in the large flock that had
been feeding on a set of fields on the south side of Route 27 Montauk
Highway, just west of Town Line Road in Sagaponack, this also
containing up to three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE.

Among various CACKLING GEESE were three still visiting the Great Lawn
in Central Park last Saturday.

A drake TUFTED DUCK was spotted on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester
last Saturday but has been difficult to relocate, as the ice there
continues to increase.  The concentrations of DUCKS there, mostly
RING-NECKEDS, does still contain one or two female BARROW’S
GOLDENEYES, a few REDHEADS and a CANVASBACK, with a RED-NECKED GREBE
also there to at least Thursday.

A female KING EIDER was spotted flying up Shinnecock Inlet with COMMON
EIDERS on Wednesday, heading into the bay, and three HARLEQUIN DUCKS
were still around the Inlet last Saturday.  Other HARLEQUINS include a
male still around Southold Town Beach last Saturday and another drake
off Ditch Plains Wednesday.

A THICK-BILLED MURRE continued at least to Saturday off the southern
tip of Staten Island, seen from Conference House Park and farther up
the coast in Tottenville, while on Wednesday alcids seen off Montauk
Point featured two DOVEKIES and 9 RAZORBILLS.

A GLAUCOUS GULL visited Bush Terminal Piers Park last Saturday, and
ICELAND GULLS included three around Gravesend Bay Wednesday and one
out at Old Field Point Thursday.

A LARK SPARROW was photographed at Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn
Monday, while the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW lingering at Heckscher State
Park Field 5 was last reported last Saturday.

A few ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS still continue in appropriate habitat.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 23, 2026
* NYNY2601.23

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
EURASIAN WIGEON
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
RED PHALAROPE
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
GLAUCOUS GULL
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
Northern Gannet
American Goshawk
Rough-legged Hawk
RED CROSSBILL
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44 (at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 23rd 2026 at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, CASSIN’S SPARROW, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, PACIFIC LOON, pelagic trip results including RED PHALAROPE and DOVEKIE, THICK-BILLED MURRE, ROSS’S GOOSE, EURASIAN WIGEON and BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED and GLAUCOUS GULLS, RED CROSSBILL, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT and more.

Though everything may change in a day or two the TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE was still present at least through Monday in the Oyster Bay area seen that day roosting on Dosoris Pond as viewed from Pryibil Beach at the end of East Beach Drive.

The CASSIN’S SPARROW was reported through today at Montauk Point still lingering in the short grass along the entrance road near the lighthouse and the BULLOCK’S ORIOLE in East Islip was again spotted last Saturday in trees off the parking lot at St. Mary’s School which with school open is not available on weekdays.

A PACIFIC LOON spotted Wednesday near the Coast Guard Station at Jones Beach West End was reported there again Thursday morning.

A 12-hour pelagic trip last Sunday aboard the American Princess out of Sheepshead Bay recorded a very unexpected RED PHALAROPE plus 185 RAZORBILLS and 284 DOVEKIES, 2 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, an ICELAND GULL and 87 NORTHERN GANNETS. On Monday a DOVEKIE was seen in Jones Inlet and then on Thursday another was found injured at Brooklyn Bridge Park and taken to a rehabilitator. A THICK-BILLED MURRE was still visiting the waters off southern Staten Island and was seen again today at Conference House Park eventually moving off towards the New Jersey side.

A ROSS’S GOOSE has been feeding with Canada Geese recently in Sagaponack on a set of fields on the south side of Montauk Highway, Route 27 just west of Townline Road. Multiple GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have also been seen associating with this flock while single WHITE-FRONTEDS have been noted at Tung Ting Pond in Centerport and on Playland Lake in Rye recently. Scattered CACKLING GEESE have recently included 3 reported from the Great Lawn in Central Park. The drake EURASIAN WIGEON has been on Mill Pond in Sayville at least since Wednesday. Drake BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen on Monday at Sammy’s Beach in East Hampton and on Thursday near the north ferry dock on Shelter Island and another identified as a young male continues off Sunken Meadow State Park with 2 female types still on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester to today. Three HARLEQUIN DUCKS were in Shinnecock Inlet Wednesday to today and another visited Southold Town Beach at least Monday to Thursday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was at Brooklyn Bridge Park Wednesday, another at Plumb Beach Thursday while single GLAUCOUS GULLS were noted at Bush Terminal Piers Park Sunday and at the Bellport Bay Yacht Club Monday while up to 3 or more ICELAND GULLS have been frequenting waters between Gravesend Bay and Floyd Bennett Field.

An AMERICAN GOSHAWK has been reported a few times in the Jones Beach West End area since last Saturday and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was present at Shirley Chisholm State Park Wednesday and Thursday.

Four RED-NECKED GREBES were reported off Breezy Point Saturday, 2 on Monday.

Two RED CROSSBILLS were heard moving over Wave Hill in the Bronx Wednesday morning.

A lingering LARK SPARROW was seen again on Sunday at Plumb Beach, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was still at Heckscher State Park field 5 on Friday and a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was noted in Lynbrook Sunday.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 16, 2026
* NYNY2601.16

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
TUFTED DUCK+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
KING EIDER
HARLEQUIN DUCK
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
BLACK GUILLEMOT
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Iceland Gull
AMERICAN GOSHAWK
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
LARK SPARROW

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, January 16th
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE,
CASSIN’S SPARROW, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE,
TUFTED DUCK, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, KING EIDER and HARLEQUIN DUCK, BLACK
GUILLEMOT, THICK-BILLED MURRE and DOVEKIE, BLACK-HEADED GULL, AMERICAN
GOSHAWK, LARK and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and more.

The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, while not reported for several days this week does
continue in the Oyster Bay area spotted Wednesday and again today back on
Beaver Lake. At that site look for the goose roosting with Canadas on the
south end of the lake as viewed from the causeway on Cleft Road which
splits the lake. Parking is available at nearby Shu Swamp but be careful on
the roadway. Other sites to check are Dosoris Pond as viewed from Pryibil
Beach at the end of East Beach Drive or Nassau Country Club as viewed from
Nassau Road.

The CASSIN’S SPARROW was still along the roadway near the lighthouse at
Montauk Point as of yesterday. Park in the upper lot and search the short
grass sections along the roadway towards the lighthouse and up towards the
parking lot.

The immature BULLOCK’S ORIOLE continues in East Islip but with St. Mary’s
School open now on weekdays parking there is not available at that time.
The ORIOLE moves occasionally from adjoining private property to trees
around the school parking lot but be sure to act responsibly if visiting
there.

Joining a large number of Canada Geese on a series of fields in Sagaponack
along the south side of Route 27 recently have been a ROSS’S GOOSE and up
to 14 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Another ROSS’S visited Jamaica Bay
Wildlife Refuge last Monday and other GREATER WHITE-FRONTEDS have included
2 at Van Cortlandt Park Wednesday, 3 recently on Larchmont Reservoir off
Waver Street and one continuing in the Rye area. The immature TUFTED DUCK
continues to be reported on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester as does a
female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE while Long Island BARROW’S include continuing off
Sunken Meadow State Park through today and one at Goldsmith Inlet in
Southold last Saturday. A young male KING EIDER was spotted near Shinnecock
Inlet last Saturday and a HARLEQUIN DUCK was off Southold Town Beach Monday
and Tuesday with others in the Jones Inlet area.

A decent run of alcids this week featured a BLACK GUILLEMOT photographed
nicely during its brief visit to the Jones Beach West End jetty last Sunday
followed by a THICK-BILLED MURRE feeding in the inlet off the West End
Coast Guard Station Wednesday through today with another THICK-BILLED found
Wednesday off Conference House Park on Staten Island. Montauk Point for the
week peaked with a couple of DOVEKIES Thursday along with over 1,100
RAZORBILLS and 13 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and 6 DOVEKIES were feeding at
Shinnecock Inlet with some RAZORBILLS last Saturday with 3 DOVEKIES still
there on Sunday. A few RAZORBILLS were also noted along the Brooklyn shore.

Single BLACK-HEADED GULLS included one returning to the Setauket Harbor
area during the week, another at Plumb Beach early in the week and one in
Jones Inlet today and a few ICELAND GULLS were also encountered.

An immature AMERICAN GOSHAWK was a nice surprise as it cruised in a
westerly direction over the JFK-Tobay Sanctuary last Sunday afternoon.

A LARK SPARROW was seen again at Plumb Beach last weekend and a
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW has been present Wednesday to today at Heckscher State
Park field 5.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

-RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 9, 2026
* NYNY2601.09

– Birds Mentioned

TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Brant (Black)
Cackling Goose
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian form)
TUFTED DUCK
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Red-necked Grebe
Semipalmated Plover
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
Black-legged Kittiwake
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Bald Eagle
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
LARK SPARROW
Orange-crowned Warbler

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to
nysarc44<at>nybirds<dot>org

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

Gary Chapin – Secretary
NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
125 Pine Springs Drive
Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber:  Gail Benson

[~BEGIN RBA TAPE~]

Greetings! This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 9, 2026
at 11:00 pm.

The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, CASSIN’S SPARROW,
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, ROSS’S and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, TUFTED DUCK,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, DOVEKIE, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, LARK and GRASSHOPPER
SPARROWS and much more.

The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continues in the Oyster Bay area, this week visiting
three of its favored locations – last weekend it was seen Saturday and
Sunday at Nassau Country Club off Nassau Road, then Tuesday it was back on
Dosoris Pond as viewed from the Pryibil Beach parking lot, while today it
had returned to Beaver Lake, an original roosting spot; this latter area is
best viewed from the causeway portion of Cleft Road, which crosses the
middle of Beaver Lake – look south for the goose flock but be careful along
the roadway. Parking is available at nearby Shu Swamp.

Out at Montauk Point the CASSIN’S SPARROW continues its residency, seen
through today usually in the short grass area between the entry road at the
Point and the upper parking lot, including along the path down to the road
and towards the Lighthouse.  Also look for the lingering GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW there.  Seawatching offshore there also pays dividends, a watch
last Saturday recording 5 DOVEKIES, over 400 RAZORBILLS, 13 BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKES and a RED-NECKED GREBE.

The BULLOCK’S ORIOLE was still in East Islip last weekend, moving from
private property occasionally to trees around the parking lot at the
adjoining St. Mary’s School, but with the school now open again, this area
is not available during weekdays.

A ROSS’S GOOSE was seen Thursday in a goose-covered field at the Wolffer
Estate along the south side of the Montauk Highway Route 27 in Sagaponack,
while GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were well scattered in the region, with 2
in Van Cortland Park Sunday down to 1 Tuesday, 1 in Roslyn Pond Town Park
Tuesday to Thursday, 2 at Tung Ting Pond in Centerport and another at
Stehli Beach in Lattingtown Sunday, 1 off Quogue-Riverhead Road in Quogue
today, and 1 back on Playland Lake in Rye as of Wednesday.  A Black form of
Brant was nicely photographed at the Floyd Bennett Field boat launch last
weekend, and several CACKLING GEESE have been reported lately.

A Eurasian form of GREEN-WINGED TEAL was found for the Southern Nassau
Christmas Count Saturday on Smith Pond in Roosevelt.  An immature TUFTED
DUCK has been present for the last 2 days on New Croton Reservoir in
Westchester, where a female BARROW’S GOLDENEYE has also been noted
recently; other regional BARROW’S include 1 at Shelter Island for the
Orient Count last Saturday and another lingering off Sunken Meadow State
Park.  HARLEQUIN DUCKS include 3 off Ditch Plains in Montauk Monday, and 1
at Iron Pier off Pier Avenue in Northville Wednesday.

Eight DOVEKIES were feeding in Shinnecock Inlet today, part of a recent
small regional incursion, this unfortunately not all good news, as 1
yesterday at Jones Beach West End was dispatched by a group of gulls.

A GLAUCOUS GULL was at the Ponquogue Bridge in Shinnecock Wednesday, and
several ICELAND GULLS have been noted this week.

A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 yesterday, a LARK
SPARROW has continued at Plumb Beach to Wednesday, and several
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS are still around.

The Southern Nassau Christmas Count last Saturday tallied 132 species,
including 16 HARLEQUIN DUCKS, 5 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 11 BALD EAGLES, and 7
LAPLAND LONGSPURS.

To phone in reports call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society.  Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Jan. 2, 2026
* NYNY2601.02

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
BULLOCK’S ORIOLE+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Harlequin Duck
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
EARED GREBE
Razorbill
DOVEKIE
THICK-BILLED MURRE
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
Rough-legged Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
LAPLAND LONGSPUR
LARK SPARROW
Yellow-breasted Chat
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Friday, January 2nd
2026* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE,
CASSIN’S SPARROW, BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, EARED GREBE, THICK-BILLED MURRE,
DOVEKIE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, BLACK-HEADED
GULL, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, LARK SPARROW, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER and much more.

The TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE continues in northern Nassau County still visiting
Dosoris Pond as viewed from Pryibil Beach in Oyster Bay but also recently
seen on several different days at Nassau Country Club about 2 miles south
of Dosoris coming to a pond area off Nassau Road.

The CASSIN’S SPARROW was still at Montauk Point today, usually seen in the
short grass area between the entry road and the upper parking lot often
near the pathway down from the lot and leading towards the lighthouse.

The immature male BULLOCK’S ORIOLE also continues in East Islip sometimes
on private property but also occasionally drifting to trees around the
adjoining parking lot at St. Mary’s School. With the school opening up
soon, visiting there might also be a problem.

An EARED GREBE was found today off Point Lookout in Jones Inlet.

Besides decent flights of RAZORBILLS this week, especially off Montauk
Point, other alcids have featured a THICK-BILLED MURRE spotted Wednesday
morning moving by the point with some RAZORBILLS and 2 DOVEKIES flying west
off Sagaponack Tuesday followed by another DOVEKIE sitting off Montauk
Point this morning.

Widely scattered occurrences of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, mostly
singles, also this week included a group of at least 9 in Calvert Vaux Park
in Brooklyn Wednesday and Thursday and a group of 11 on the south side of
Montauk Highway in Sagaponack also on Thursday. Four HARLEQUIN DUCKS were
at Montauk Point Wednesday with 4 more at Jones Beach West End Thursday
while single BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were at Sunken Meadow State Park Thursday
and continuing on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester to today.

Single BLACK-HEADED GULLS around the circumference of Brooklyn included one
at Calvert Vaux Park Sunday, at Randall’s Island Monday, at Brooklyn Army
Terminal Pier 4 Tuesday and at Bush Terminal Piers Park Wednesday with
another stopping by Sunken Meadow State Park last Sunday. A few GLAUCOUS
and ICELAND GULLS scattered regionally included both out at Bellport Bay
Yacht Club during the week.

Single ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were noted on Staten Island Thursday and at Gilgo
today and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER continues at Marshlands Conservancy in
Rye.

Three LAPLAND LONGSPURS were spotted in a large Horned Lark flock off
Cook’s Lane in Watermill Thursday and a LARK SPARROW was spotted today at
Plumb Beach perhaps lingering there since November.

Three YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS were reported during the week with one Thursday
near the BULLOCK’S ORIOLE site and the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was still
present in Carl Schurz Park in Manhattan at least to Tuesday.

We will provide a Christmas Count highlight summary with next week’s tape.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript

– RBA
* New York
* New York City, Long Island, Westchester County
* Dec. 18, 2025
* NYNY2512.18

– Birds mentioned
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE+
CASSIN’S SPARROW+
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER+
(+ Details requested by NYSARC)

ROSS’S GOOSE
Greater White-fronted Goose
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE
Eurasian Wigeon
King Eider
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE
Razorbill
Black-legged Kittiwake
BLACK-HEADED GULL
Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
PACIFIC LOON
BROWN PELICAN
Rough-legged Hawk
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER

– Transcript

If followed by (+) please submit documentation of your report
electronically and use the NYSARC online submission form found at
http://www.nybirds.org/NYSARC/goodreport.htm

You can also send reports and digital image files via email to nysarc44
(at)nybirds{dot}org.

If electronic submission is not possible, hardcopy reports and photos or
sketches are welcome. Hardcopy documentation should be mailed to:

       Gary Chapin – Secretary
       NYS Avian Records Committee (NYSARC)
       125 Pine Springs Drive
       Ticonderoga, NY 12883

Hotline: New York City Area Rare Bird Alert
Number: (212) 979-3070

Compiler: Tom Burke
Coverage: New York City, Long Island, Westchester County

Transcriber: Ben Cacace

BEGIN TAPE

Greetings. This is the New York Rare Bird Alert for *Thursday, December
18th 2025* at 11pm. The highlights of today’s tape are CASSIN’S SPARROW,
TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE and a Rockland County PINK-FOOTED GOOSE, ROSS’S GOOSE,
BARROW’S GOLDENEYE, PACIFIC LOON, BROWN PELICAN, BLACK-HEADED GULL,
CLAY-COLORED and GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, TOWNSEND’S and
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS and much more.

Despite last Sunday’s snowstorm the CASSIN’S SPARROW, lingering recently at
Montauk Point, continues to feed in the short grass along the entrance road
near the tip or in adjacent grasses along the edge of the upper parking
lot. A previously accompanying GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was also seen again with
it last Saturday.

A TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, most recently visiting Dosoris Pond off Pryibil Beach
in Oyster Bay, was last seen there on Tuesday but likely continuing in the
area with one of the many roaming Canada Goose flocks. Both the ROSS’S and
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE also occurring there were not reported after
Monday at that location though scattered ROSS’S were also noted during the
week in mid-Long Island at Sunken Meadow State Park Tuesday, at Timber
Point Golf Course Sunday and at Connetquot River State Park over last
weekend so a few seem to be around. Same for GREATER WHITE-FRONTEDS with
one visiting the Alley Pond Park Restoration Pond Wednesday and Thursday,
one at Nassau County Country Club on Saturday and one now visiting Playland
Lake in Rye after being frozen out of the Bowman Avenue Pond in Rye Brook.
The PINK-FOOTED GOOSE was also seen Wednesday at the Haverstraw Landfill in
Rockland County. Among the ducks a EURASIAN WIGEON was still on the lake at
Connetquot River State Park to today, a young male KING EIDER was in a
Common Eider flock in Shinnecock Bay Thursday and a young male BARROW’S
GOLDENEYE has been seen off Sunken Meadow State Park since last Saturday
with a female also back on New Croton Reservoir in Westchester since
Wednesday.

A PACIFIC LOON was described from Hallock Landing Beach in Rocky Point on
Wednesday.

A few BROWN PELICANS have remained in the Staten Island to lower Brooklyn
waters with 6 off Manhattan Beach Park Saturday and a couple off Coney
Island Sunday and northern Staten Island Monday but more unexpected was one
seen off Glen Cove Thursday.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL was still present around the Lake Montauk Harbor
entrance during the week with another off Robert Moses State Park mixed in
with some Bonaparte’s Gulls Sunday morning. Four BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES
and 14 RAZORBILLS were also noted off Moses Sunday both of these also
occurring off Montauk Point. A GLAUCOUS GULL visited Argyle Lake in Babylon
last Sunday and several ICELAND GULLS were noted during the week including
2 at Bellport Bay on Monday, singles at Lake Montauk Inlet and Plumb Beach
Thursday and a THAYER’S-type visiting Prospect Park Lake Monday through
Thursday.

A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK has been around the Cedar Beach area since Sunday.
Presumably lingering CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were still at Flushing
Meadows-Corona Park and Heckscher State Park last weekend and a
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was spotted at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge last
Sunday. A TOWNSEND’S WARBLER was a good find at the Bayard Cutting
Arboretum last Saturday while a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was still being
seen in Carl Schurz Park in central Manhattan today.

To phone in reports, call Tom Burke at (914) 967-4922.

This service is sponsored by the Linnaean Society of New York and the
National Audubon Society. Thank you for calling.

– End transcript