Date: 6/11/26 2:15 pm From: <emartin139...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Arctic Terns on the Hudson: the back story
For those of us who chase birds statewide, it is never a surprise to see Jeanne Cimorelli show up, even far from her home base in Orange County. So it was mostly just a strange coincidence to drive into the Nickerson Beach parking lot and see her and Lisa Wollerstein just getting out of their cars. I was able to tell them that Shai Mitra was on his way to join me and they were very pleased to hear that.
I had driven down Sunday from my home base in Monroe County for my annual early June trip to Long Island. Of course, Arctic Tern was the most prized target. Shai, Pat Lindsay and I had spent Monday afternoon birding together. I think I was a pleasant diversion, mired as they are in the mayhem of a kitchen remodel.
Shai joined us shortly in front of the west colony and patiently commenced, for I’m sure is the 10,000th time, reviewing the subtle differences between Arctic and Common Terns of several different age classifications. It is always a pleasure to be in Shai’s presence as he teaches. At one point the Arctic Tern lesson was interrupted by a large group of birders and all four of us had a chance to do some teaching, sharing scopes to show others a couple of Common Loons as well as perched Royal Terns.
By about 10 am the female Red-necked Phalarope had been refound, so Lisa, Jeanne and later Shai left to see her. I stayed on the beach until noon, had a picnic lunch near the parking lot and walked back out to the colonies in the afternoon. No Arctic Tern for me but a pleasant day nonetheless: good company, good weather, a good review lesson from Shai, Royal Terns to enjoy.
Meanwhile Jeanne apparently drove back home with the Arctic Tern/Common Tern lesson fresh in her brain, and BINGO nailed them on the Hudson with Bruce Nott. Sweet!
Congratulations to both of them.
Sometimes it takes a village.
Pat Martin
Sent from my iPhone
