In general, where there is food, there are likely birds. David Weld agrees. The vegetation was mostly thorny scrub with nary a pine cone in sight, which helps explains the lack of bird activity. Even common year-long northern residents like the Northern Cardinal are, I hate to break it to you, only here for the food. They became prevalent in the northern United States beginning in the early 1900's, due primarily to the introduction of fruit-producing ornamental vegetation that provide food for the birds during the winter.
Despite the lack of avian activity at the Weld Sanctuary this past weekend, I'll definitely return in the summer time; a little green is bound to do wonders for the landscape/birdscape.
Gull on the Sound
Great Black-baked Gull? Lesser Black-backed Gull? I'm counting the days (months) until beach weather when I can brush up on my gull identification skills. This gull was definitely large and had a much darker back than the ones that steal your french fries at Robert Moses (those are Ring-billed Gulls, if you're taking names).
Johnny Liv (Ring-billed Gull)
White-throated Sparrow
