May 16/17 - Great Gull Island Birdathon

I have returned from my annual birdathon to benefit the Great Gull Island Project. Still somewhat exhausted and recovering.  Did it this year with Sean Sime, David Sime (Saturday, May 16 only), Jon Hyman and Chuck McAlexander. At the last minute Ann could not participate because of back spasms. I have not had time to prepare a full report - that will come later. Briefly, we fought the weather both days with rain Saturday morning, part of the time, at Bashakill and heavy fog at Jamaica Bay, Sunday morning. These are our two prime birding areas over the weekend. Despite that we totaled 185 species for the weekend - this is our average total over the last ten years. The total did include two species I have not recorded on the birdathon before: a calling Northern Saw-whet Owl at Bashakill and a singing Yellow-throated Warbler at Connetquot River State Park on Long Island. Full report in a day or two.