Montauk – with Leader Joe DiCostanzo, 2/7/2026 – 2/8/2-26
Registrars: Amanda Bielskas & Kristin Ellington
Participants: 18
Weather: Very cold (well below freezing), cloudy, and windy with 5” snow out east on Saturday, even colder on Sunday (low single digits), sunny, and still quite windy
Bird Species: 50
We had a very cold weekend birding our way from Jones Beach to Montauk. There was much discussion about postponing for a warmer forecast. In the end, the intrepid members of the Linnaean Society pressed on, layering up in wool and down to face the elements head-on.
JONES BEACH COAST GUARD STATION
Some of us arrived early at Jones Beach, scanning the medians for our first birds of the day. Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted through the shrubs alongside Song and Fox Sparrows, and a cooperative Cooper’s Hawk kept watch nearby.
At 8:30 am, we gathered at the Coast Guard station and huddled behind the pavilion for a bit of wind protection. The cold was intense, but the birds delivered: three American Oystercatchers, many Common Eiders, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, and a flyby Great Cormorant. Raptors added excitement with a Peregrine Falcon, and for some, a Merlin and a Bald Eagle. A flock of roughly 100 Snow Buntings and Horned Larks swirled near a tight cluster of Canada Geese huddled on the frozen lawn while a flock of Sanderlings flew above the sandbar.
JONES BEACH ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
We made a quick stop at the Environmental Center for warm bathrooms and a briefing on the weekend’s plan. No Snowy Owls in sight, but spirits remained high.
CAPTREE BOAT BASIN
At Captree, we had excellent looks at Red-breasted Mergansers, American Black Ducks, and Long-tailed Ducks. There were large numbers of Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls on the nearby shore. A House Finch near the docks provided a splash of unexpected color.
ROBERT MOSES STATE PARK
Seeking shelter beneath a pavilion, we attempted a sea watch. The wind and waves were dramatic; the birds, less so. A few Scoters passed through before we decided to push farther east.
EASTPORT POND, DUNE ROAD
Along the drive, several Northern Harriers cruised low over the marsh, putting on a show. Eastport Pond was largely frozen. We continued to Dune Road and Shinnecock Inlet, where we paused for lunch.
SHINNECOCK INLET PART ONE
Here the weather intensified. Wind and snow picked up rapidly, visibility dropped, and car doors nearly wrenched from our hands. Only the bravest stepped out into the gale. Though birding was nearly impossible, the sheer force of the elements felt oddly exhilarating.
After lunch, we completed the final leg to Montauk, checked into our hotels, and gathered for dinner as snow continued to fall.
MONTAUK POINT & CAMP HERO
We awoke to bright sun — and even colder temperatures, hovering in the single digits with a biting wind. After fortifying ourselves with coffee, we headed to Montauk Point for another sea watch near the lighthouse pavilion.
Three scoter species (Black, Surf, and White-winged) powered past, along with Long-tailed Ducks and more Common Eiders. Joe briefly spotted a Horned Grebe, but it vanished before most could get on it. Several searched for the long-staying Cassin’s Sparrow, but with snow blanketing the area and no recent reports, it remained elusive.
On the south side at Camp Hero, different cars turned up Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbirds, and a Hermit Thrush. We then adjourned to John’s Pancake House, where hot beverages and hearty breakfasts were greeted with deep gratitude.
After checking out, we began the drive west. Along the way we tallied roadside Canada Geese, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, woodpeckers, and a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.
AGAWAM LAKE
In Southampton, we stopped at Agawam Lake, where a Eurasian Wigeon had been reported among the remaining patch of open water. We found the cooperative bird, which posed beautifully for close-up photos — a rewarding addition to the weekend list.
Others gathered in the lake were a pair of Mute Swans, Red-breasted Mergansers, Ring-billed Gulls, and two dozen Canada Goose. Along the lake side were European Starlings, White-throated and Song Sparrows.
SHINNECOCK INLET PART TWO
In hopes of a better experience than the day before, we stopped again at Shinnecock Inlet. While it was still cold and windy, we had full sun and many birds. Because the wind was less gusty, we were able to walk down to the beach and hide behind the jetty to observe the ducks at close range. There were plenty of excellent looks of Common Eiders, and other ducks. We were thrilled to also see several seals (Gray and Horbor) who were popping their heads out of the water. Overall, a much better experience from the day before.
PONQUOGUE BRIDGE & DUNE ROAD
After some great looks at the Inlet, we drove over to Ponquogue Bridge and had awesome views of hundreds of Common Eiders that were getting chased up into the air out around the bridge. We also had close looks at a seemingly out-of-place Dunlin hanging out on a patch of snow. A couple of the group members were lucky to see a Purple Sandpiper.
Once again, we got back into our cars for another drive down Dune Road. Pretty snow-covered vistas abounded from the tundra-like landscape, but we didn’t see many birds. Not long after, we parted ways to head home to watch the Super Bowl or the Olympics.
Species Lists
Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Eurasian Wigeon
Mallard
American Black Duck
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
American Oystercatcher
Sanderling
Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Horned Grebe
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Horned Lark
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
Snow Bunting
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Domestic goose sp. (Domestic type)
