Started the new year with some sea watching at the eastern end of Long Island. Surprisingly there were many, many people here also kicking off the year with the first sunrise. Although that was short-lived as it began to rain almost immediately.
Nevertheless great birds were seen with highlights being 5 fly-by Razorbills, both Common and Red-throated Loons, all 3 of the Scoter species, Oldsquaw, hundreds of Common Eider, fantastic displays of nearby diving Gannets, and a few Purple Sandpipers seen in flight.
On Dune Road we stopped at a few ponds with the highlights being Redhead, Canvasback, both Scaup species, plus some Dunlin too.
Lastly at Shinnecock Inlet, we found a Lesser Black-Backed Gull.
