8 December 2002 - 9 January 2003
Most of the birding I did was on two visits to Jamaica Bay. Birds were incidentally seen elsewhere, particularly on a three-day trip to Connecticut over Christmas.
The weather started as cold prior to Christmas. Whilst in Connecticut, it started to snow quite heavily. Snow and bitter cold was prevalent thereafter, though there were some milder days.
All records refer to Jamaica Bay unless otherwise stated.
Fairly commonly seen.
An adult was seen by the reeds.
Seen on semi-frozen watercourses over Christmas in Connecticut
Common at Jamaica Bay and seen in flight and along watercourses elsewhere.
Flocks of the pale-bellied form. c400 all told.
c300 roosting on mudflats on 29/12. Around 200 were flushed by a non-birder. There were no geese at this site the week before, although they are regular winter visitors.
A flock of c100 seen flying over Broadway at 7.30am on 6/1.
Reasonably common though vastly outnumbered by Black Ducks.
Most abundant bird at Jamaica Bay with at least 1000 on site.
A handful seen on 22/12.
c30 on 29/12.
c30.
c30 on 22/12.
c30 all told.
This is a fairly reserved species usually seen skulking at the edge of the reedbed. Like a pale-backed, slant-headed Common Pochard. Over two visits only c7 seen.
Fairly commonly seen usually in roosting rafts of Ruddy and Black Ducks. Interestingly, some drakes showed a mauve sheen to the head, whereas others had a more greenish sheen, though they all showed peaked heads (not rounded like Greater). Flanks and mantle showed more barring than what you usually get on Greaters.
Quite common out on the open water with maybe around 120 birds in view.
Perhaps around 10 were present.
A fairly common sawbill at Jamaica Bay with maybe 30 birds seen all told.
A common duck with c300 observed.
A bird was seen from the car in Connecticut and 4 birds heading south over Greenwich Village.
At least one very visible ringtail ranged throughout the site. It seemed to have little fear of humans as it often approached quite closely.
A bird was observed drifting over.
A couple were seen over two visits.
An adult was flushed from some trees and watched in low flight. It had a blue-grey mantle and fluffy white undertail coverts. This is an apparent scarcity at Jamaica Bay.
Commonly seen in Connecticut, a couple at Jamaica Bay and perhaps surprisingly, a few noted over Manhattan itself.
At least 4 were noted feeding in the shallows on 29/12.
A common bird throughout, including over Manhattan.
Commonly seen at Jamaica Bay.
At least one bird was identified.
Fairly common.
Commonly seen throughout.
An adult was watched at close quarters on some birches.
I saw c20 in a roving flock. A weird concept - a flock of woodpeckers!
Only saw c5 in one flock flying across a freeway in Connecticut.
Fairly common in Connecticut.
Common throughout.
I saw 2 at very close range calling from a fence. To my mind like large Bewick's Wren but with orangy underparts.
At least 2 birds in a Connecticut wood on Christmas Day. Rather similar to Firecrest, though with a greener mantle.
Small roving flocks plus singletons in Manhattan.
A wintering bird found feeding on berries.
An adult was seen briefly though very well in a waterside wooded area on 29/12.
Common everywhere.
Surprisingly common and it was strange seeing these birds against a wintery backdrop.
A few were seen. The male's colour is amazing.
Fairly common. These birds look familiar, as they resemble female White-crowned Sparrows. Therefore, I may have overlooked them in California.
A few were encountered. They resemble a small Song Sparrow.
Commonly seen.
A roving flock of c20 birds were in the trees at the entrance of the refuge.
A few noted overhead.
A male was watched by a feeder. Subtly different to the much more common House Finch in it's reddish and relatively unstreaked flanks.
Common at feeder sites.
Ubiquitous.